November, 1972
Dear Cerisa,
I was disappointed to see your grades concerning Defense Against the Dark Arts. Your siblings all aced that class. Perhaps you should find yourself a tutor.
And please remember to stick to your diet. Remember what that muggle doctor told you: obesity isn't healthy. You're 140 lb and you're only 4'9". So be careful.
Oh and for Christmas break your father and I are inviting Orion and Walburga Black with their two sons. So I'm going to take you and your sisters shopping once you come home for Christmas break. As for your request to invite your friends over for Christmas break, we don't think that it'll be appropriate to have two muggle-borns over when the Blacks are here. So they can come after December 26.
I think that's pretty much it. I love you dear and remember to watch out for your weight and grades!
With love,
Your mother
I sat in front of the lake as I read the letter a second time, paying special attention to the words "your siblings all aced that class". I scoffed. Those words she meant she expected better from me.
I folded the letter and placed it in the pocket of my jacket. I knew I shouldn't hold it against her. Mother grew up in a prominent, rich French family who expected the best. So I pushed the annoyed thoughts away and I told myself to get over it. She was just looking out for me.
As it got closer to curfew, I got up and walked back to the castle, the late Autumn wind blowing against me. When I arrived at the castle and made my way to the dorms, I heard Lydia talking just around the corner. A smile sprung to my face and I was prepared to greet my friend. But right when I turned the corner and saw her, I hid right back around the corner.
Lydia had been laughing and talking with none other than Peter Pettigrew. Trying to contain my smile, I took a different route to the dorms. When I arrived, Lily and Marlene were sitting in the main room, talking.
"...he just won't leave me alone!" Lily was saying.
"Who won't leave you alone?" I asked, plopping down onto the couch beside Marlene.
"James Potter," Marlene said with a teasing smile, her round eyes gleaming. She was dressed in too-big pajamas and she had her blonde hair up in thousands of braids.
I raised an eyebrow. "Does he have a crush on you?"
Lily nodded with a grimace. "He has to realize that I won't even be acquaintances with him so long as he continues to prank Severus." Like Marlene, she was in her pajamas, but they actually fit her. She left her red hair down and she played with a mood ring she had on her finger. "Anyway... Cerisa, what did your mum say?"
I sighed, not really wanting to talk about it, but I figured I should anyway. "She says you can come for Christmas break but only until after December 26. We're having the Blacks over for dinner."
"That'll be fun," Marlene muttered.
"She also says I should a DADA tutor," I continued. "My grades are failing."
Marlene's shoulders slumped. "My grades are failing too. Maybe if you find a tutor, we can have tutoring together."
I smiled, excited at the idea. "Now all we need is a tutor!"
"Remus Lupin?" Marlene suggested.
I was going to agree, but Lily shot Marlene a look—after all, Remus is James' friend. But then I was no longer thinking about Remus. Instead I thought about Peter and Lydia. I was going to tell them about what I saw, but then I remember the look Lily had and decided against it. I would tell Marlene later, in private.
We went to bed after that and when morning sprung, we made our way to breakfast and then our classes. While walking, Marlene and I talking about finding a tutor, but I think both of us knew we should get Remus—he was the best.
Lydia joined us soon, as well as Severus and that was when Lily said,
"Hey, maybe Severus can tutor you and Marlene in DADA!" Lily suggested excitingly.
Marlene's eyes widened in horror at the thought, but I forced a smile. I didn't mind Severus. Truly, but I was honestly excited for me and Marlene to get tutored by Remus. However, I saw how happy Lily was, so I nodded.
"Good idea," I said. "Would you be willing, Severus?"
Severus nodded. "Meet me at the library after every DADA class."
At that, Severus and Lily walked off to class, while Marlene stayed behind and said, "Oh gosh."
"It won't be that bad!" Lydia said, ever the optimist.
Marlene and I shared a look and soon followed Lydia to class. I hold by my opinion. Severus isn't that bad, but still. He was still creepy at times and to be tutored by him? In the words of Marlene: Oh gosh.
000000000000000
November, 1972
"Why did we agree to this?" Marlene asked as we walked to our next class after our first tutoring session with Severus.
"It makes Lily happy," I reminded her. "And we might actually learn something. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."
"Fine, I'll give you that," Marlene admitted. "But he's a little... intense at times."
I nodded in agreement and then we entered our next class. We weren't late, so Professor McGonnagal gave us a nod of approval—we're usually late for her class. We went to our spots beside Lydia, Lily, and Severus, but then I noticed a first year sitting there next to Severus—who was no other than Regulus Black. There was no space for both of us, so I told Marlene to sit there while I found an empty seat for myself.
The only one was where Peter and Sirius sat—James and Remus no where in sight. I wondered where they were as I slid on the chair beside Peter, giving them a nod of greeting. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw how exhausted they were. I also saw how Sirius looked at where Regulus sat with Severus.
When class began, I took notes but I also saw Sirius doing so as well. He never did so and I can only assume he was doing it for Remus and James—who I still wondered where they were.
The class moved by smoothly and when it ended, Sirius raced out of there. Meanwhile, Peter lingered. I thought he was going to talk with Lydia, but then right when I was gonna head towards my friends, Peter said,
"Cerisa? Can I talk with you?"
I frowned and nodded, following me out of the classroom. I told my friends I would meet them later and then I faced Peter.
"What's going on?" I asked. "Where's James and Remus?"
"They're not feeling well," Peter said quickly and then changed the subject. "Anyway, I actually wanted to talk to you about Sirius's brother."
"Regulus? What about him?"
"Sirius won't say it outloud, but he's worried about him," Peter said. "I can tell. Anyway, since the Slytherins like you, can you see if he's okay and things like that? Just don't tell Sirius I asked you. Please?"
I nodded. "Of cours. And tell James and Remus I said hi."
Peter nodded and smiled before scurrying off. I watched him go and then I found Lily, Marlene, and Lydia—Severus and Regulus seemed to have left. I told Lydia about our sleepover and how we'll be having it after December 26. From there we talked about all we would do at my house. As we talked, my excitement grew. They would be the first friends of mine to sleepover and I couldn't wait.
