Chapter 4: Hogsmeade

"I don't want to be heard, I want to be listened to." – Twenty One Pilots

September was a blur, flying by so quickly that Ava had trouble remembering what had happened (excluding her first few eventful days). She'd successfully avoided receiving any more detentions and tarnishing her almost perfect record further.

However, that being said she did have to dish one out to both Potter and Black for hexing Aubrey last week. Their fellow prefect stared at Ava and Dorcas so desperately as his head swelled to twice its usual size that it left them with little option but to punish the two troublesome Gryffindors.

Sirius later jokingly commented during their DADA lesson that it was the one and only time he'd let a detention slide given that he'd landed Ava in one at the beginning of term. Funnily enough, it seemed like there was an unspoken truce between them.

Ava supposed that it had been beneficial to view one another as more than house rivals for the first time. But she wasn't holding out hope that the peace would last – especially if Sirius's childish prank in potions yesterday was anything to go by. Indeed, Mulciber and Wilkes were still picking the oozing green slime out of their hair.

Aside from that Ava had mostly been able to keep her head down focusing on her lessons and averting any further conflict with her housemates. After all, she didn't have time to argue when her homework was already piling up and the pressure of fifth-year was starting to sink in.

So, the first trip to Hogsmeade at the end of the month was a welcome relief from the growing intensity of her studies.

Unsurprisingly, Emma insisted on remaining behind for Quidditch practice, already eager to gear up for the Slytherin vs Gryffindor match in November. Ava had been slightly disappointed by her friend's decision, however deep down she was also secretly pleased that her absence gave her the excuse to distance herself further from the other Slytherins.

Things had remained tense in spite of her best efforts to avoid them. Most nights Ava had found herself seeking solitude in her prefect duties or the library, just as a way to escape the strange atmosphere in the Slytherin common room.

Hogsmeade would grant her the opportunity to finally catch up with Dorcas and Benjy properly, away from the Castle and the scrutinising stares from her less than friendly housemates.

"It's a bloody nightmare of a year already." Benjy moaned loudly, aiming a well-placed kick at a pile of leaves.

Ava laughed softly as they flew past her, fluttering slowly as they fell back to the ground. The beams of sunlight peaking through the trees cast a warm glow on the busy street, students and villagers bustling past them as they shopped. The crisp leaves spread across the ground like a thick orange blanket, giving Ava great delight as they crunched beneath her feet.

It was her favourite time of year.

Dorcas shot Benjy a curious look, genuinely surprised by his miserable tone. "Really? I've enjoyed it so far." She told him brightly, shrugging her shoulders as she tightened her scarf around her neck.

Benjy's responding perplexed expression was highly amusing, his eyes wide as he glanced at his friend in disbelief. "You're joking right?" When Dorcas stared blankly back at him, he groaned loudly slapping his hand to his forehead. "Dorcas I've already had three essays this week. Never mind practising Vanishing Spells for McGonagall and trying to put together my dream diary for Divination." He huffed, wringing his hands as if to emphasise his point.

"Can't you just make it up?" Ava asked curiously. "The dream diary? It's not like Professor Talbot can prove you wrong."

Benjy looked highly offended by her suggestion. "Because that's not the point Ava. Divination is a subtle science. It's about searching for more." He paused for a moment, shooting her a playful smirk. "Sometimes I forget you're a Slytherin…then you come out with something like that."

"I'm just saying it would be one less piece of homework for you to do." Ava shrugged her shoulders, smiling at his good-natured teasing. "Besides it's hardly a testing subject, is it?" She asked slyly, barely containing her grin as she attempted to return the joke to her friend.

Benjy just scoffed and ruffled her hair affectionately in response. "And, I suppose Muggle Studies is hardcore then?"

Ava burst out laughing at the look of dismay on Dorcas's face. It looked as if she were torn between defending her beloved Muggle Studies or reasoning that Benjy was simply trying to wind her up. Benjy just about managed to stifle his own laughter behind his hand as he wrapped an arm around their friend.

"I'm just joking Dorcas."

"Don't you think you've had enough?"

There was a hint of disgust in Dorcas's voice, her eyes wide with surprise as she watched Benjy shove yet another fizzing whizzbee in his mouth.

"No…" Benjy replied, flashing her a wide grin as he wiped the sugar from his mouth. "Besides you haven't seen anything until you've watched Ava demolish an entire bag of Honeydukes fudge in one go." He winked at Ava as she playfully rolled her eyes at his teasing before turning back to the shelves upon shelves of the succulent-looking sweets.

Ava smiled to herself as she heard her friends bickering quietly behind her. After the crazy start to the new school year, it was nice to finally enjoy some normality. She threw a couple of Drooble's Best Blowing Gum into her bag whilst eyeing up a box of fragile sugar-spun quills. She had always had a sweet tooth and with the amount of homework and pressure professors were piling on them this year, she had a feeling that she would need a serious stock of sweets on hand to help handle the stress and inevitable late-night study sessions.

She was so distracted by the array of sweets, she didn't notice who was approaching behind her.

"Looking for something to distract you in class Burke? I thought I had that covered."

Ava scowled at the familiar drawl, cursing her bad luck as Sirius Black appeared beside her. Out of all the students to run into in Hogsmeade, only Evan and his gang would have been a worse option.

"Need something Black?" She asked coolly, pointedly ignoring his attempts to gain her attention.

His lips curled into a cocky smirk as he grabbed a packet of Pepper Imps in front of her, wagging it in front of her face. "These might be more up your street. They let you breathe fire…not that you need any help with that, eh? Judging off your constant livid expression."

Ava took a deep breath trying not to rise to his taunts. Even though she knew Sirius didn't mean them in a malicious way, his words could sting sometimes. She hated the idea that she came across as unapproachable. It was one of the things she was most self-conscious about – her self-preserving nature being perceived as cold and uncaring. When in reality, Ava just wanted to protect herself.

"I'm spending time with my friends Black. I suggest you do the same." Ava retorted icily, her gaze landing upon the three boys huddled behind the large barrel of Every Flavour Beans in front of them.

Remus gave her a sheepish smile, almost as if he were silently apologising for his friend's behaviour. Meanwhile James and Peter were both sniggering loudly as Sirius dropped the Pepper Imps into her bag with a smirk.

"Ah, there's that famous glare."

Sirius didn't even protest as she tossed a Cockroach Cluster at his retreating figure in response, only roaring with laughter as it bounced off his head.

The Three Broomsticks always seemed to be bustling, the happiness of the crowd and the warmth of its fire almost comforting to students and Hogsmeade residents alike. To Ava it was a welcome sanctuary after her unexpected and unwelcome run-in with her least favourite Gryffindor earlier.

Despite their informal 'truce', he still seemed determined to get under her skin with his biting comments and generally irritating attitude. Alongside Potter, he was probably one of the most conceited students in school and his air of arrogance had a way of winding her up like no one else could…and he seemed to pop up when she least expected him.

"You seem a million miles away." Dorcas commented softly, her voice causing Ava to jump slightly in surprise. Her friend's dark eyes filled with concern as they fixed their gaze on her. "Is everything okay?"

Ava nodded quickly, grasping on the handle of her almost empty butterbeer in an effort to distract her wandering thoughts. "I was just thinking about what's going on at the Ministry. Did you see the Daily Prophet?" She asked quietly, her voice betraying her nervousness. "They've replaced Eugenia Jenkins with Harold Minchum."

Dorcas hummed, shaking her head slowly in condemnation. "It's not a decision that inspires…confidence." She exchanged a meaningful look with Ava. "It can't mean anything good." She confirmed quietly.

Benjy however just looked confused as he glanced between them. "Who's replaced who with who?" He questioned, slowly draining the remainder of his butterbeer as he waited for a response.

"The Ministry of Magic has appointed a new Minister for Magic, a hard-liner." Ava explained, a frown appearing on her face at the thought. "It means that the Ministry thinks things are going to get worse and that the only way to combat-" She paused, not daring to even think of the name that most wizards feared above all else. "- these forces is to try to be as ruthless as them."

Silence fell across the group, the severity of the situation making an impression on the three teenagers. Sometimes it felt as if Hogwarts walls were enough to shelter them from the war raging outside, but then disturbing news would trickle through in the Daily Prophet or in letters from home. And they couldn't escape from that…

"Trust you to bring us back down to earth Ava." Benjy murmured, his lips turning upwards into a small grin. It looked a little forced, but Ava found herself greatly appreciating her friend's ability to lift the mood of any conversation. A part of her even envied his bright and cheerful nature as she found herself wishing that she could too could find the positives in even the most troubling of situations.

Sometimes when she looked at Benjy, his brown eyes filled with warmth and his lips spread into a wide grin she felt terrified at what could lay ahead for him outside Hogwarts. Attacks against muggleborns were on the rise and it had never been in his nature to back down from a challenge – especially if it were against injustice.

With their fifth year well underway, it felt as if their future outside the safety of Hogwarts was closer than ever. It wasn't really a welcome thought…

Ava coughed quietly, forcing a smile on her face as she rose from her seat. "I'll get the next round in." She told her friends, cringing as her voice shook ever so slightly. She wished she had never brought up the war.

In fact, she was so preoccupied by her troubling thoughts, she didn't recognise or even notice the group already standing at the bar – not even casting them a glance as she made her order with Madam Rosmerta.

"That's an odd crowd you hang round with Ava."

Dread filled her stomach as she instantly recognised to whom the voice belonged. Evan. Her dark hair fell in her face, forming a protective shield as she endeavoured to ignore his presence entirely. It wasn't worth being pulled into another argument with the rest of her fellow Slytherins.

Unfortunately, Evan didn't respect her efforts, smirking as he stepped closer and leant on the bar beside her.

"I mean being friends with other houses is one thing-"

"Especially with Hufflepuffs." Mulciber snickered cruelly, his eyes held a dangerous glint as he stepped beside Evan. The others chuckled darkly at his poor attempt at a joke. Ava gritted her teeth in an effort to bite back the snarky retort that was on the tip of her tongue.

"But being friends with people like Benjy Fenwick?" Evan mused, raising an eyebrow as he inched even closer to Ava. "That certainly is…odd – especially for a girl like you."

"A girl like me?" Ava scoffed, her hazel eyes darkening as she spun around to face Evan. She just couldn't take his taunts anymore. "What's that meant to mean? Why don't you spell it out for me Evan?"

"His kind shouldn't mix with people like us." Evan replied evenly, his tone was casually as if he were merely commenting on the weather rather than expressing his disgusting views on blood purity.

Ava felt a chill creep up her spine at his words, her first clenching as she dug her fingernails into her palm. "His kind?" She repeated, utter distain evident in her voice as she fixed Evan with an accusing glare. "How dare you-"

"He wouldn't even be welcome in Durmstrang." Wilkes hissed from behind Evan, rudely interrupting her as he fixed her with a piercing stare. Ava felt slightly unnerved as she prayed for Rosmerta to return with her drinks.

"And, he's certainly not welcome here." Mulciber chipped in, leering as he stepped closer to her.

Ava fought against her repulsion and forced herself to glare at him, desperate to stand her ground. "The only people not welcome here is you lot."

Tension filled the air as the group glared at one another, their stark differences in opinion more evident than ever before.

"You'll learn one day Ava that we are better than others." Evan replied, his voice soft yet threatening. His expression was almost one of frustration as if he wished that she would understand his opinion.

Before she could open her mouth to respond, there was a loud snort of distain behind her. She glanced around, her eyes widening in surprise as they landed upon the familiar figure of Sirius Black.

"I doubt that very much Rosier." He sniped, his grey eyes darkening with dislike as he took in the group of Slytherins. His presence was almost comforting as he stood behind her, his hand resting on the bar as he angled himself slightly beside her.

"I don't recall us asking for the opinion of a blood traitor Black." Mulciber spat furiously, his eyes bulging slightly with anger as he stepped forward menacingly. "Fraternising with mudbloods and their filth? Thank Merlin your brother seems to show so much more promise."

Ava saw Sirius's jaw clench, his eyes hardened with fury. His knuckles turned white as his fist clenched uncomfortably, an unsettling silence growing as the Slytherins grinned wickedly, knowing they had clearly struck a nerve with their rival Gryffindor.

Ava flinched as she caught a glance of Mulciber's devilish smirk. She'd had enough for one day. She stepped forward, inspired by a bravery she didn't know she possessed. "Piss off Mulciber." The venom in her tone even surprised Ava herself, but she silently rejoiced at her unexpected courage. It was about time to properly put them in their place.

Mulciber looked as if he sincerely wanted to punch her, his arm inching forward before Evan's hand clasped his wrist. His blue eyes flickered dangerously before he turned to his friends, gesturing with his head for them to leave. Ava exhaled with relief as she watched their figures retreat from sight, the bell ringing merrily as they exited the pub.

By some lucky coincidence, they had decided it wasn't worth a fight today.

"Well Burke, I would have expected better language from you. After all, you are a prefect." Sirius joked, quickly stepping in front of her and fixing her with a peculiar stare. "Thanks for coming to my rescue though." He told her, his tone both teasing and oddly sincere as he leant closer to her.

She merely hummed in response, flashing Rosmerta a smile as she deposited the three butterbeers in front of her.

"You know between your first detention and narrowly avoiding a bar brawl-" Sirius raised his eyebrows, evidently he had been pleasantly surprised by her sudden rebellious attitude. Ava couldn't help but laugh softly at his exaggeration and the cheeky grin now spreading across his face. "I think we should make a Hogwarts bucket list for you."

"Really?" She asked, her tone teasing as reached across to grab the butterbeers. She froze for a moment as Sirius suddenly leaned in closer, his shoulder brushing against hers and his warm breath tickling her neck.

"What's next? Snogging in a broom cupboard?" He proposed, raising his eyebrows suggestively as his lips curled into a teasing smirk.

Ava scowled at him, fixing him with a look that she hoped accurately portrayed her repulsion. Unfortunately, the furious blush creeping across her face seemed intent on betraying her best efforts. "You're a pig." She hissed, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

Sirius shrugged, his grey eyes sparkling as he leant back on the counter casually. It was almost as if he were at home in the bustling pub. "It was just an offer Burke. You really do need to live a little."

Ava just rolled her eyes, tightening her grip on the butterbeers. "Just don't get used to me helping you out Black. It won't be happening again."

Sirius paused for a moment before flashing her a knowing smirk. "That's very presumptuous of you Burke. Who's to say it won't be you needing my help?"

Her hazel eyes narrowed as if to silently challenge him, although her bemused expression betrayed her true emotions. "Merlin forbid if that day ever comes Black." She replied before smoothly turning on her heel and making her way back over to Dorcas and Benjy.

What she didn't notice was Sirius's grey eyes following her retreating figure with great curiosity.

"We'll see."

A/N I just love writing scenes between the two dorks! I hope you enjoy this chapter. I've had such a busy time in work this week that I'm worried it's not as long or as well-written as the others (if this is true I'm so sorry!). Let me know what you think :)

Coming up next time: Marauders bonding moments, Remus and Ava discuss prefect duties, teasing in the library and awkward moments for Ava and Sirius (thanks to him!)