Chapter 6: Halloween

"You were merely wishing for the end of pain, the monster said. Your own pain. An end to how it isolated you. It is the most human wish of all." – Patrick Ness, A Monster Calls

By the end of the October, Ava had settled back into school comfortably and lessons were finally beginning to improve. Fifth-year undoubtedly had more challenges ahead, but for the first time in a while Ava felt strangely confident in her plans for the future and her self-belief only seemed to grow as she managed to keep on top of the ever-increasing amounts of homework.

It was clear that her study sessions with Dorcas and Benjy were hugely paying off – despite earlier distractions in the library…

Speaking of Sirius, even DADA with him hadn't been too awful recently. Heightened tensions between herself and her Slytherin housemates only seemed to improve their relationship. Ava would even dare to say the two of them were getting along…at least most of the time.

A comfortable truce had grown between them both following the events at The Three Broomsticks. And, even more surprisingly, Sirius didn't seem keen on reminding Ava of her embarrassing predicament in the library. In fact, despite his teasing on the day, he hadn't brought her mortification up since. So, Ava felt as if she owed him her thanks…even if she didn't understand why the troublesome Gryffindor would pass up an opportunity to torment her.

However, of course Sirius Black was still his annoying self when it came to his cocky behaviour and constant mucking about in class. And, in her latest DADA lesson, it didn't look like either him or James were going to change any time soon.

"Do you mind?" Ava asked, staring at James pointedly as he perched himself obnoxiously on her desk, using her seat as a footrest. James only grinned in response, ruffling his already untidy hair with one hand and feigning a yawn of disinterest.

Ava rolled her eyes, fighting down the rising irritation as she heard Sirius chuckle beside her. The two of them could be such idiots sometimes. "Honestly Potter. Move!" She hissed, her exasperation getting the better of her as the both of them laughed in unison.

"You know, for a traditional bunch, you Slytherins really don't have any manners." James teased. "Try the magic-"

Unfortunately for him, James didn't get the chance to finish his sentence…thanks to Ava's well-timed spell. He shrieked in surprise as rolls of parchment suddenly flew towards him and began beating him over the head, stumbling off the desk as he fought to free himself from their attack.

"Thank you very much Potter." Ava called out, swiftly reclaiming her seat as she flashed James a smug smirk. "Is that good enough manners for you?"

Sirius barked with laughter as James' eyes narrowed and he shot her a venomous look. Undoubtedly, he was already plotting his revenge.

"Even I have to congratulate you on that one Burke." Sirius told her, his grey eyes sparkling as he examined her beaming smile. "Nice spell." He seemed oblivious to the responding gasp of protest from his friend as he leant back in his seat, fixing her with a thoughtful look. "You know for a prefect you're not a total stick in the mud. Well, at least…not any more."

Ava shook her head at his teasing, but she still struggled to wipe the smile off her face as Professor Prewett began the lesson.

"Merlin Burke, it's not that difficult!"

Ava huffed in exasperation at Sirius's taunt. She knew he didn't necessarily mean it in a nasty way, but his teasing could sometimes be a step too far…especially when she had spent the entire lesson struggling with the reducto curse.

"I know!" Ava hissed, loosening her grip on her wand in defeat. "I just can't get the bloody spell to work." She despised the evident frustration in her voice, silently cursing for allowing herself to get worked up.

She knew it was stupid to get upset over one spell in one lesson. But, outside of these walls, DADA was probably the most useful thing students could be taught – especially given the perilous times they lived in. If she wasn't able to defend herself in a bright classroom free of danger, what chance could she possibly stand out there?

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Sirius's grin falter the tiniest fraction before he sighed softly. "It's more of a flick of your wand." He told her, hesitating for a moment before placing his hand over hers and tightening her fingers around the handle. "Give it another go."

It took a second for his words to sink in, Ava being momentarily distracted by his light grip on her hand. Even Sirius looked slightly apprehensive about the physical contact between them as if he were worried that she would pull away at any moment in disgust. Ava shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts as she focused on the small figurine perched in front of her.

"Reducto!"

There was a flash of light before an explosion of black dust shot up in the air, the figurine instantly disintegrated into ashes before them.

"Not bad." Sirius commented with a shrug of his shoulders, a wide grin spreading across his face as he released his hold on her. "Told you that you just have to stop overthinking things."

Ava was stunned into silence, grateful for his help but completely surprised by his unusually kind intervention. Since the two of them had sat together, all he had done was tease her as she struggled. Not once had he actually stepped in to help.

Sirius seemed unaffected by the new development, lazing back in his seat as he watched Professor Prewett hovering over a very distressed looking Peter. James meanwhile sat beside him struggling to contain his laughter as their friend accidentally aimed a spell at a nearby desk.

"What are you doing tonight then? For Halloween?"

His question caught her off guard. Ava stared at him for a moment, before deciding to answer.

"Nothing too crazy. Slughorn's doing his usual get together." She told Sirius, rolling her eyes as he scoffed at the revelation.

"Why do you even bother with all that?" He asked. She could tell he was trying to act casual, his arm draped across the back of his chair and his hair swept effortlessly from his face. But he couldn't hide the curiosity in his tone.

Ava frowned in confusion. "Because it's important." She replied quietly. "If you want to get into the Ministry it helps to have these connections."

Sirius let out a bark of laughter, his expression rather disdainful as he looked at her, his grey eyes darkening slightly in disappointment.

"You sound exactly like my parents. All this talk about connections, getting a leg up-" He cut himself off with a loud scoff. Clearly even speaking about his family was becoming difficult these days.

Ava shook her head quickly. "You don't get it. That's not why I want to…" She trailed off in frustration trying to figure out how to get Sirius to understand. "Look if anything's ever going to change, it has to start somewhere. Right?"

He just gave her a slight nod, frowning in confusion at her sudden animation.

"Well the Ministry seems like a good place to begin." She told him firmly. "You have the power to change things…to help build a better future."

Ava could have sworn that Sirius looked impressed, sitting up straighter in his chair as he surveyed her with great curiosity.

"You think that far ahead?" He questioned her, a small bemused smile spreading across his face.

"It's not that far ahead." She argued gently. "After all, we only have two full years left here."

He barked with laughter. "Exactly! Plenty of time."

Ava laughed softly at his blasé attitude, her dark hair falling across her face as she turned her focus back to her sheet of parchment. She supposed she had to admire him in some ways, for she could never be so confident about the future. Unlike Sirius, she always had to be thinking ahead and planning. It was just the way she was.

"So, what are you going to go as?"

Ava shot Sirius a quizzical look, confused by the abrupt change in conversation topic. He chuckled softly as he leant forward in his seat, shaking his head in amusement.

"For Halloween Burke. What are you dressing up as?"

"No idea." Ava shrugged her shoulders, still slightly bewildered by his sudden interest in her costume plans. "I don't imagine Slughorn is all that fond of the usual pumpkins and stuff. Besides I don't even know if I'll be going to the Slyth-" She paused for a moment, the words freezing mid-air as she glanced down at the emerald and silver serpent emblazoned on her robes.

There it was – the invisible barrier between them. Their houses.

She doubted very much that Sirius wanted to hear about the Slytherin's Halloween party. Fortunately, he also seemed unusually keen to avoid the topic, sparing her any grief as he began to list his costume suggestions. As surprised as she was not to receive any teasing, Ava decided to remain silently thankful.

"What about a cat?" Sirius grinned cheekily as he outstretched a hand to ruffle her hair – the gesture almost affectionate in nature. He barked with laughter at her resulting horrified reaction. "What? You've definitely got the hostile temperament to match."

Ava whined in protest, swatting his hand away as she desperately tried to fight down the blush that threatened to rise up her cheeks. It was only this up close when she realised just how handsome Sirius could be…at least when he wasn't acting like a prat.

"You really need to lighten up sometimes Burke. Just have a little fun…" He told her, flashing her a teasing wink as he lent back in his chair.

What a prat… It was in that moment that Ava decided that she would never waste time thinking about Sirius Black's looks ever again.

Despite her slight apprehension at attending such events, it turned out that Slughorn's Halloween party was quite a spectacle to behold. His office had been transformed entirely for the occasion. Velvet hangings were draped across every inch of the walls and ceiling. The orange glow casted by an ornate golden cauldron in the centre of the room intensified the 'spooky' atmosphere with real bats fluttering through the air and menacing pumpkins hovering above the heads of guests– much to their delight.

You could say many things about Slughorn, but he never missed an opportunity to show off…and he always did it well.

It was undoubtedly impressive, but a part of Ava felt herself missing the cosier atmosphere of the Great Hall. Sure, it wasn't as fancy as Slughorn's rich interior decoration but it had its own charm. She also believed that she would have much preferred the mountains of childish sweets piled on top of the Slytherin table to the refined entrees that were now making their way through the crowd.

The company probably would have been better too.

Despite her recent difficulties with her housemates, even they now looked preferable to the stuck-up guests Slughorn had invited to his party. There was an air of importance surrounding most of them which made it difficult to feel at ease. Of course, she had been able to engage in polite conversation with many of the witches and wizards – chatting cheerfully about outfit choices, career options and general small talk. But it felt painfully lonely amongst the crowded room without a friend in sight.

"Ava!"

She fought back a wince at the shriek of excitement. Only Bertha Jorkins could manage to make more noise than everyone else in the room combined. There wasn't any harm in her, but she tended to have such a passion for gossip that she ended up rubbing most people up the wrong way…a fact she remained blissfully oblivious to.

"Bertha." Ava greeted her with a smile, reluctantly turning to face her fellow student. "How are you? Enjoying tonight?" She asked pleasantly.

Bertha beamed happily, quickly nodding her head. "It's been great! Hasn't it?" Before Ava could even open her mouth to reply, she had already interrupted her. "I saw Barty Crouch sneak off with Lucinda Talkalot earlier." She babbled excitedly, glancing behind her shoulder as if she could snatch a glance of the couple in question. "Probably up to no good. I thought she was-"

Ava zoned out of the conversation slightly, attempting to feign interest with the occasional hum and nod. The truth was that gossip about their fellow students wasn't remotely something she wanted to be discussing – especially when Bertha was a dubious source.

"But what about you?"

Ava blinked, slightly startled by the sudden question. "Me?"

"Yes!" Bertha exclaimed loudly. "I've heard all about your seating arrangements in DADA. Tell me what is it like to sit next to him?" She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, not detecting the growing repulsion on Ava's face.

"Him?" Ava repeated quietly, almost afraid to invite the question.

"Merlin Ava, what planet do you live on?" Bertha giggled, playfully rolling her eyes. "Sirius Black, of course! I know he's a bit younger than me, but he's so-"

Ava could only listen on in horror as Bertha launched into a fairly graphic description of what she liked so much about the Gryffindor student. The heat of the crowded room seemed to intensify as Bertha continued her jabbering.

"Yeah, he's- erm- quite something." Ava murmured quietly, struggling to find the right words to enable her escape. "If you like that sort of thing I suppose." Bertha looked shocked that anyone could possibly have a different opinion on the subject. "If you don't mind, I think I need another drink." Ava explained politely, swiftly moving away towards the refreshments table and breathing a sigh of relief.

What an evening.

"I for one find it refreshing how much you dislike my brother."

Ava laughed softly as she spun around to face Regulus, her smile widening as she saw his knowing grin. Thank Merlin he was here too. With everything going on with the other Slytherins, she hadn't had the chance to ask if he would be coming tonight. He usually the only saving grace in a room full of stuffy guests.

Indeed, for a Black, he was strangely at ease making fun of the whole charade…or at least he used to be. Things seemed to had changed a bit since last year.

"You have no idea how good it is to see you Reg." She told him sincerely, flashing him a smile of gratitude as he handed her a flute of Gillywater.

"Not having a good evening?" He grinned at her apparent frustration, his dark grey eyes glinting mischievously as he snuck a look at Bertha Jorkins in the background. "I for one thought you're your conversation sounded truly reverting."

He chortled softly with laughter as Ava playfully hit his arm in protest.

"It was awful." She complained, glancing around the room. "I hate to sound ungrateful, but these things are always so…" Her brow furrowed in concentration as she struggled to find the right way to describe the night.

"Overindulgent?" Regulus asked, flashing her a grin as she nodded in confirmation. "Ah, well I suppose I'm used to all of that. I mean my mother is hardly easy-going."

Ava stifled a laugh behind her hand. Regulus had such a good-sense of humour. It was hidden and much less overt than his older brother's, but she found herself wondering if they even realised how similar they could be at times.

"How's it all going?" She asked softly, aware that his home situation probably wasn't as humorous as he made out. After all, his family were capable of being very demanding.

His smile faded slightly as he glanced down at the glass clutched between his hands. "Mother's asked me to…" He trailed off as he noticed Ava nod in greeting to a guest across the room, a bright smile appearing on her face as she returned a friendly wave.

He frowned in confusion as his eyes landed upon the red-haired witch. Lily Evans. He glanced quickly back at Ava, concern evident in his eyes as she flinched under his gaze. Suddenly, the atmosphere changed as the tension between the two housemates grew. He didn't even have to say a word, she knew what he was thinking.

Why are you waving at mudblood?

Ava felt her heart thud against her chest as she shifted uncomfortably. She paused for a moment before deciding to speak. "Don't listen to them Reg." Her voice was barely a whisper, the words proving difficult to escape. Emotion clogged her throat as she realised that the kind boy she had always known was changing.

He wasn't that shy first year anymore.

"They don't want what's best for you." She told him, her voice growing firmer as she fixed him with a determined gaze. "So, don't let them dictate who you are and what you can do." Her words were both a desperate plea and a call of encouragement.

A part of her still felt as if there was some hope to help him. He just had to realise that he was better and deserved so much more than the others were offering him. What was belonging to a group of insecure witches and wizards compared to being able to be himself?

Her heart clenched painfully as his dark grey eyes hardened ever so slightly and his sad voice spoke.

"What's the alternative?"

Ava couldn't bear the thought of returning to the Slytherin Common Room later that night. Undoubtedly, the Halloween party would be in full swing and she simply couldn't imagine anything worse than having to be around a rowdy bunch of her housemates tonight. The sight alone of Regulus hanging around with Evan and the others would just turn her stomach. So, instead she sought solitude in a nearby corridor, safely tucked away from the festivities.

It was late by the time she heard footsteps approaching her slowly, but she couldn't even summon up the energy to look at the new arrival. She could only hope that it wasn't one of her less tolerant housemates demanding to explain her absence from the party.

"Ava?"

She glanced up in surprise to Remus Lupin peering down at her.

"Are you okay?" He asked, glancing around the empty corridor in confusion. It was as if he expected some form of company to emerge from the shadows. "Why are you out here…in the dark…by yourself?"

Ava shook her head quickly, forcing a small smile onto her face. "I'm fine." She told him, silently praying that he would miss the obvious lie and continue on his prefect rounds. Of course, he would think her insane for hanging around in lonely corridors, but it was a better option than him prying into her problems.

Unfortunately for her, his warm brown eyes were determined to scrutinise her intently and the concern that filled them told her that he wasn't about to let it go. The Gryffindor prefect seemed spookily good at reading others.

"How are you?" He asked again. "I thought you'd be enjoying the Halloween festivities tonight?"

She shrugged her shoulders, feigning a look of disinterest. "I had enough fun at Slughorn's party earlier. I just wanted a bit of time to myself to recover from all the excitement." She told him, raising her eyebrows in a playful gesture which caused Remus to chuckle. Technically it wasn't a lie. "Anyway how are you?" She asked, in a desperate effort to divert his attention. "You look much better than the other week."

Remus smiled gently, nodding as he glanced down at his feet. "I'm just making up for abandoning my prefect duties. Thought taking the Halloween shift might be a good way to make amends." He glanced up at her, his eyes softening. "Thanks again by the way. You really didn't-"

Ava shook her head defiantly. "Seriously Remus, don't even mention it. I'm glad you're feeling better." She told him sincerely, hugging her knees closer to her chest as a bitter chill began to creep down the corridor. It must have been late. How long had she been sat here for now?

A moment of comfortable silence passed between the two before Remus took a seat next to her. He paused for a moment before casting her a concerned glance.

"You know you seem to care a lot about others." He commented quietly, turning to face her. "Why won't you let them do the same for you?"

It felt as if he could see straight through her façade…and it terrified her. She didn't know when Gryffindors had started having such an impact on her life, but she started to wish that she could go back to before they did.

"Why do I feel as if you're guilty of doing the same?" She murmured, unashamed to return the question. Perhaps that was the reason why he seemed to be able to read her so well…they were guilty of making the same mistakes.

But Remus only frowned, unsatisfied with her answer. "Sirius told us about The Three Broomsticks. No offence, but your housemates don't always seem to be good people." He told her, sighing softly as she shrugged her shoulders in response. "You're a good person."

The sincerity in his voice filled Ava with a warmth, but his words also scared her. A part of her didn't want the Gryffindor prefect to have such insight into her life. It wouldn't make it any easier and he probably couldn't understand anyway. So, instead she decided to abruptly change the topic of conversation.

"You're not in costume." She commented, injecting a false brightness into her tone as she gestured towards his robes in mock disappointment. "It's Halloween Remus. I would have expected better from a prefect."

Remus smiled rather grimly, his eyes appearing to darken as he glanced down. "Ah well, perhaps I'm the biggest monster of all." He murmured quietly, twisting his hands together.

Ava's brow furrowed in confusion as she caught a glimpse of scratches that covered the backs of his hands. But as soon as Remus noticed her gaze, he quickly adjusted his sleeves and rose from his seat beside her.

"Monster? I'd save that title for your friends." Ava joked, desperately wishing to lighten the mood. Thankfully, she succeeded and Remus laughed loudly in response.

"They're not so bad." He argued, chuckling softly as Ava raised an eyebrow, shooting him a look of utter disbelief. "You know it's funny, I've told them the same thing about you." He told her, flashing her a knowing grin.

A/N So sorry it's late, but Happy Belated Halloween! Things have been so crazy, but I hope this chapter at least partly lives up to expectations. James wasn't even meant to be in it but I love his dorky behaviour so much, I just had to add him! As always, please do let me know what you think and thank you so much to everyone who has supported this so far. It means the world!

v. 1988: Thank you so much for your kind words. I have lots of plans for this story (I've actually written an outline for every chapter in Fifth Year) and have a general of idea of how it's going to go. It will definitely include the attack at Godric's Hollow and Sirius's capture…how Ava will factor into that is still very much up in the air. Although I do love angst, so I will warn you that one of the potential endings is particularly grim… :(

Next time: Quidditch and a VERY surprising twist involving Evan.