Chapter 10: Choices

"Some souls radiate a light so blindingly brilliant, that just for a second they make you forget about the darkness in the world." – Awakened Vibrations

It was late by the time Sirius woke up. The light beaming through the windows made him flinch as he struggled to open his eyes. They felt unbearably heavy. What time had he even stumbled into bed? But before he could even find his bearings a pillow hit him squarely in the face.

"Late night comforting your girlfriend Pads?"

James's snickered as Sirius flashed him an unhappy scowl in return, easily ducking the pillow that he had launched across the room.

"I'm just saying you two looked pretty cosy last night." James said slyly, glancing at Peter who backed him up with an excited nod.

"And you didn't get into the dorm until just a few hours ago." He squeaked, his eyes gleaming with pride as James patted him on the back. "You've been out all night!"

"So what?" Sirius snapped, his annoyance getting the better of him. He had never been a morning person and his friends' interrogation only served to put him in a worse mood than usual. They made him feel on edge. The implication that he and Ava were more than…whatever they were made his insides squirm uncomfortably.

There was nothing there. Or, at least that's what he resolved in telling himself.

He wished Remus was around to help distract them. But it looked like he had gotten up early to prepare for his prefect rounds. The selfish git.

"You're never usually this coy mate!" James barked with laughter at his friend's offended expression. It wasn't a secret that Sirius had had his fair share of romantic escapades in the past. Although usually it was a different girl each time and none seemed to stick around for long. "What makes her so special?"

Sirius rubbed his eyes as an excuse to evade his friends' curious gaze. He sighed deeply before finally throwing his legs to the side of the bed and standing up to speak. "I just-" He hesitated as he struggled to find the right words. "She's different okay."

A moment of silence passed between the group as they absorbed his confession. Then Peter decided to pipe up, confusion evident in his voice.

"I thought you called her a snake-loving prat last week?"

Ava didn't have to wait long for the fallout of her and Evan's breakup to become apparent. Indeed, it only took a few days until his gang were flashing her disdainful looks across the common room and refusing to sit near her in the Great Hall.

It didn't bother her too much at first. Any excuse to escape their uncomfortable company was something she'd welcome. But did it throw up problems with some of the relationships she actually valued within her house.

Even Emma wasn't best pleased, confused as to why Ava would deliberately choose to make her life more difficult. Breaking up with Evan was one thing, but doing it because she disagreed with his stance on blood purity made it a deeply unpopular decision.

"Why do you even care Ava? You ARE a pureblood. It's not like it affects you."

The words made her feel queasy. The suggestion that she shouldn't care what happened to others was unpleasant to say the least. All she could see when she overheard the others muttering about 'mudbloods and vermin' was Benjy's face.

Benjy, her friend. A person who had only ever shown kindness and compassion to others. Benjy who had a great sense of humour and whose laughter brightened up every room he was in. Benjy who like so many others couldn't help what they were born as. Benjy who was just as gifted as any other wizard. Benjy was worth just as much as any other person.

The hatred in Evan's tone as he spoke about being 'special' and 'ruling' over others told Ava everything she needed to know. It was wrong and she could never be a part of it.

Evan himself hadn't spoken a word to her since their corridor bust up. Prefect rotas had been swiftly changed under the guise of inter-house relationships to pair her with Dorcas, and occasionally with Lily and Remus. But it was still hard to relax and she found herself wound with growing anxiety each day.

Then again, it was no wonder why when Mulciber, Wilkes and Avery seemed to be lurking behind her every step. In the absence of Evan, they had decided to take it upon themselves to torment her. The reprieve she had been granted by their relationship was certainly over.

It wasn't that they'd done anything to her. But nevertheless she felt herself constantly on edge, dodging them in corridors, ignoring their menacing glares in class and trying her best to avoid being left alone with them in the common room.

It had almost been a disaster one night after she had arrived back late from prefect duties to find them lounging in the armchairs. In fact, if it hadn't been for Regulus's swift intervention, distracting Mulciber with an article in the Daily Prophet, she wasn't quite sure if she would have survived the encounter wholly intact.

Surprisingly, Regulus had the strangest reaction of all to the breakup. He hadn't spoken a word to Ava since, but there was a sad expression on his face every time he looked over at her. There seemed to be a disappointment in his gaze that made her feel even more uncomfortable than Mulciber's leering.

She knew why. It all suddenly felt so real. They knew the paths they had chosen and they knew they were on different ones.

"Are you sure this is okay?" Ava asked quietly, nudging Dorcas's arm as she glanced around the bustling Ravenclaw table. It was a breach of usual house protocol, but her friend had assured her it was perfectly acceptable given that the Slytherins were being less than hospitable.

"It's fine Ava." Dorcas replied, offering her a kind smile. "Besides I think we could all do with a bit of house mixing at the moment."

"I believe that's what makes our friendship work so well!" A voice boomed behind them, prompting the two girls to spin around. Ava beamed at the sight of Benjy's cheerful grin. "Long time no see stranger!" He told her before taking a seat beside her and draping an arm around her shoulders.

Guilt flickered inside Ava as she realised how long it had been since she'd hung out with them both – especially Benjy. "Benjy? I'm really- I-" She struggled to get her words out, the apology stuck in her throat along with the immense shame.

"Ava, you don't have to say anything. I know it wasn't you being malicious." He told her, his voice calm as he gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Then a mischievous grin spread across his face. "I'm just glad you finally ditched the bitch."

Ava burst out laughing, doubling over as Dorcas squawked in protest at Benjy's colourful language. She had never felt so grateful for her choice of friends. Their humour and warmth could surely see her through any adversity.

Breakfast was pleasant, despite a few curious glances off some Ravenclaws. And, as the Great Hall began to clear out, Ava realised that her cheeks had started to ache with how much she'd been smiling. She hadn't been this happy in a long time.

Unfortunately, her good mood was swiftly ruined with one glance at the Daily Prophet.

"Another killing?" She sighed, her fingers tracing the picture of the infamous skull, the serpent protruding from its mouth like a tongue, blazing an emerald trail across the sky. "It feels like it's getting worse."

"It is." Dorcas murmured quietly, inclining her head to a crowd of students huddled together at the end of the table. "Dirk Cresswell's uncle was murdered last week." She frowned as she glanced at the boy in question, his expression withdrawn and tiredness etched into the lines of his face.

Ava felt her heart thud against her chest.

"Why?" Benjy asked, his grip tightening around Ava's shoulder as if he could sense her discomfort.

Dorcas grimaced. "He was high up in the Ministry. Apparently, his lenient views regarding magical creatures gained him some unwanted attention."

"And, I bet the fact he's a muggleborn didn't help his chances?" Benjy quipped coldly, ignoring Ava's dismayed glance. She hated to think that her friend could be targeted simply because of his background.

Dorcas remained silent. No words were needed to confirm what they all knew. The world was becoming a much more dangerous place…especially for those deemed undesirable.

"So, as we've learnt today, the conflict between the magical community and non-magical community has long been a feature of history."

The class was silent as Professor Mitford continued her summary of their lesson. A few students appeared to be listening intently, namely Lily Evans who was furiously scribbling down notes at the front of the class. But most of the others were slumped in their seats, the stuffy room even causing a few to fall asleep on their desks.

Ava smiled softly at Dorcas as she passed her a sugar-spun quill. Clearly, her friend knew her well enough to know that she'd already demolished her own supplies since their trip to Hogsmeade. A muffled laugh could be heard behind them, prompting Ava to shoot a confused glance over her shoulder.

She could barely contain an eye roll as she saw Sirius and James aiming enchanted birds to fly at sleeping students' heads, snickering as they awoke with a start. Peter perched beside them looked as if he wanted to burst into applause as they nearly caused Bertram Aubrey to fall out of his seat.

Professor Mitford didn't seem to mind as she began to round up the lesson, choosing the ignore the boys' antics. But as Ava went to turn away, her eyes fell upon Dirk Creswell who sat huddled at the back of the classroom. He looked pale and queasy, his eyes staring down at his hands.

"His uncle was murdered last week."

Dorcas's words echoed in her head, causing a shiver to creep up her spine. It was one thing learning about wizarding conflicts in a classroom, but the stark reality was that outside the safety of Hogwarts danger loomed. Something Ava truthfully didn't want to face.

"Professor?"

Professor Mitford paused, raising her eyebrows in surprise at Ava's interruption. "Yes, Miss Burke?"

"It doesn't have to be this way, does it?" Ava didn't know what possessed her to ask the question aloud. Perhaps she just wanted to know that wars weren't inevitable…that there was always hope.

"I'm afraid I don't understand your question." Professor Mitford replied, perching on her desk before surveying Ava carefully. There was a knowing glint of approval in her eyes which gave Ava the courage to voice her opinion.

"It's all about choices, isn't it?" Ava asked, her voice quiet yet firm. The images of Benjy's warm smile, Dirk's pained expression, Evan's smug smirk, the sinister articles pinned up in the Slytherin common room all flashing before her eyes.

The mood in the classroom seemed to shift as her fellow students perked up, sitting a little straighter in their seats as their inquisitive gazes turned to her. But for once Ava didn't mind the attention. She felt safe in Muggle Studies. Away from the scrutiny of her housemates and under the attentive teaching of Professor Mitford, she felt emboldened to say exactly how she felt.

"We could choose to condemn conflict. Choose to reject prejudice." Her voice grew stronger amongst the murmurs and nods of approval. There wasn't anyone in this room who would judge her. "We just have to be willing to do it."

Sirius barely stopped his jaw from dropping at Ava's outburst. It was so unlike the girl he had come to know. Who, up until last week had been too afraid to stand up to her own boyfriend. Now here she was being proudly outspoken on a topic few wizards were brave enough to approach.

Dare he say it, Sirius found himself impressed.

"By standing beside someone like that you're justifying their behaviour. I won't make that mistake ever again."

Sirius had been taken aback by her declaration last week. But it seemed obvious now that this was a girl who meant what she said. To him it was proof that there was some hope to be had after all. And, just maybe not everything was as black and white as he had once thought…

So, he couldn't help but watch in admiration as she continued to explain her thoughts, a proud smile creeping onto his face. Unfortunately, he was so preoccupied with Ava he didn't notice the suspicious gaze of James as he watched his friend intently.

"Oi! Burke!"

Ava sighed heavily before reluctantly turning around to face an out of breath James Potter. What could he possibly want with her?

"I think hello is the more traditional greeting Potter." Ava told him coolly, still not forgetting the trouble he had caused for her and her fellow prefects last week with one of his outlandish pranks.

James threw her a dirty look as he struggled to catch his breath. "Ah, I forgot you Slytherins have impeccable manners."

Ava rolled her eyes at his sarcastic tone whilst beside her Dorcas raised her eyebrows in surprise. It was highly unusual for Potter not to be surrounded by his usual gang. The absence of Sirius, Remus and Peter was oddly striking as Ava stared at him expectantly.

"Well? Is there something you wanted Potter?"

His hazel eyes narrowed. "I heard you ended it with that creep Rosier."

Ava was taken aback, shocked that he would even take an interest in her personal life. Had Sirius told him? Why on earth would he be talking about her to his friends?

"I don't think it's any of your business who I go out with Potter."

"Well, it is if you-" He paused, seeming to stop himself short from divulging something. "I don't understand." He stated firmly, drawing himself up to full height and pushing his chest out rather pompously. "You sit there in Muggle Studies condemning the tosspots you sit next to everyday in the Great Hall. Yet, at the end of the day, you were willing to go out with one."

Ava frowned in confusion, glancing at Dorcas as if to double-check she wasn't imagining things. Since when did James Potter care about her seating arrangements? It was a very bizarre turn of events.

"The last time I checked people were allowed to have different opinions." She replied evenly, folding her arms across her chest. "And, as you so kindly pointed out Potter, I'm no longer with Evan…not that it's your concern." She added pointedly. "Now I'm sorry, but did you actually want something?"

James reached a hand up to ruffle his already messy hair, a suspicious look on his face as he scrutinised her. "What's your game?"

Ava stared at him blankly. "My game?"

"Yeah, your game Burke! Taking Muggle Studies, launching your tirades in class, getting clo- talking with Sirius." He snapped, flinging his arms around in apparent frustration. "You're a Slytherin! Do you honestly expect me to believe you care about these things?"

Ava stared at him as if he sported two heads.

"Potter, I don't know what you're playing at…but please stop." She told him, rolling her eyes before she and Dorcas turned to walk away. But before they left, she had something else to add. "And, before you snipe at me for taking Muggle Studies, you should remember that you only take it in the vain hope that Lily will somehow forget that you're a big headed toerag." She said coolly, rather pleased by the responding look of surprise on James's face.

She had finally silenced the notorious James Potter, Hogwarts Troublemaker.

It wasn't until she was at the end of the corridor that he eventually managed to recover, bellowing out a furious question.

"Did Sirius tell you that?!"

A/N: This is practically record time for me updating! I hope everyone is keeping well during these crazy times. The one silver lining is that it gives me a) more time and b) more angsty content to write. Let me know what you think of this chapter! Any thoughts on what should come next?

This one is pretty light on Sirius/Ava content, but rest assured there's a really sweet scene coming up in Chapter 11. I couldn't resist focusing a bit more on Benjy and Dorcas in this feature. For some reason, I just love their friendship! Also, I just had to include Regulus and the marauders teasing…James just can't play it cool can he?

PS. Does Dirk Creswell ring a bell with anyone? I'm really hoping to weave canon characters (especially those in the background) into this story and flesh out their stories and personalities a lot more.

As always, thank you so much for your support! Let me know what you think. x