Early December, 1972
"Hey, Severus! Wait up!"
Severus stopped walking and looked to face me, looking positively bored and uninterested. I got up beside him and caught my breath before I said what I needed to say. Severus, however, was getting unpatient and began to walk away with an exasperated sigh.
"Hey!" I shouted. "Please, I need to ask you something."
Secerus faced me once again, crossed his arms. "Yes?" He drawled.
"Do you know where Regulus Black is?" I asked, shouldering my satchel. "I can't find him anywhere."
Severus raised an eyebrow. "Do tell me why you wish to speak with him."
I could tell that he was suspicious—I might be an honorary Slytherin, but I'm still a Gryffindor—so I acted quickly, remembering Peter's favor.
"I want to know how he is adjusting," I said and it was true. But Severus was still looking suspicious, so I added, "You know, with his brother being in Gryffindor and being a blood traitor and all."
That seemed to win Severus over because then he nodded in understanding. "He was in the library last I saw him."
"Thanks, Sev," I said, jogging away from him.
I made my way to the library with speed that surprised even myself. When I arrived, it was filled with students studying for their classes. I spotted Lydia and gave her a wave before continuing my search for Regulus Black. I thought I had lucked out until I spotted a raven-haired boy sitting on the floor in a forgotten corner on the library, drawing something on a notebook.
"Regulus, right?" I said, sitting down on the floor across from him.
His grey eyes looked at me with surprise and suspicious but he must've recognized me because he visibly relaxed. "Yeah. You're the misplaced Slytherin."
I smiled and held out my hand. "Cerisa, but you can call me Reesa if you want."
"Okay, Reesa," Regulus replied, shaking my head. "What do you need?"
"I just wanted to know how you're adjusting, is all," I answered.
Regulus shrugged, continuing to draw. "I'm okay. Severus Snape helps me a lot. He helps me figure out who is good to be friends with."
I hesitated. "And your brother?"
Regulus grimaced, but I noticed it was faked. "He's a Blood traitor and it only makes it worse that he's in Gryffindor."
"I'm in Gryffindor," I said. "I've learned that the Sortinf Hat doesn't give you a choice where you're sorted. You shouldn't blame him."
"Well, I am," Regulus told me. "And yes, you're Gryffindor, which makes me wonder why I'm even talking to you."
Normally I would be insulted and if Sirius had told me that, I would've told him to sod off. But this was Regulus and I could tell that his heart wasn't with his words. Therefore, to change the subject, I glanced over at what he was drawing and said,
"That's gorgeous."
At my compliment, his eyes gleamed. "Thanks! I'm the first in my family to know how to draw. Mother says is a good talent to have."
"I agree." As I spoke, gears shifting in my head. "Perhaps you could teach me. I would love to learn."
Regulus looked the happiest I had seen him. "Sure!" He ripped a paper from his notebook and passed me an extra pencil. "You can use a book as a desk. Here, I'll show you..."
And that's how I spent the afternoon drawing with Regulus Black. Not only because I wanted to keep an eye on him and figure out if he's doing okay, but also because I had a plan. None of my siblings knew how to draw. They never cared for it. But if I learned how to draw and how to draw well, then I might finally be able to make my parents pleased and proud of me.
And so that's how by letting Regulus teach me how to draw that I killed two birds with one stone.
0000000000000
Mid-December, 1972
Snow coated Hogwarts and the surrounding area, making it look like a Winter wonderland. Students started to leave for Christmas break and Marlene and Lydia had already left, saying they would see me later at our sleepover. That left only me and Lily back at Hogwarts—who knows where Severus was—and it was peaceful as I packed for home.
From the next room, Veronique shouted something I couldn't understand and I replied an affirmative, not really caring what she said. If it was important, she would come to me and repeat what she said. But until then, I continued to pack. Once I finished, I placed my long ash-blonde hair in a ponytail and grabbed my coat before leaving my room.
Just as I left, Lily came running up to me. "I'm so glad I caught you. I thought you had already left. I'm leaving tomorrow and this will probably be the last time I see you until after December 26. Until then, right?
I nodded and pulled her into a hug. "I'll see you then. Wish me luck with the Blacks. That'll be interesting."
"Will Sirius and Regulus be there?"Lily asked, pulling away. When I nodded, she added, "If Siris asks you anything about me for James, don't say anything."
I laughed. "Don't worry. "I'll tell him to sod off."
Lily smiled."That's my girl."
I gave Lily once last hug bfore leaving the dorms. I met up with my sisters amd brother and together we made out way to the Hoywarts Express.
It was a long and boring ride without my friends and the only thing I had to listen to was Veronique complaining to her friends. When I got tired of it, I went to sit with Ghislaine, but she was sleeping. Therefore, I sat with Jules, whose friends weren't with him.
"What's up?" Jules asked.
I sighed and gave him a smile, "Nothin' much. Are your friends coming over for Christmas break?"
Jules shook his head. "I'm going over to their house atter the 26th. Mother wants me to be present when the Blacks come over. That's bound to be interesting."
I nodded in agreement and stared out the window as the train moved along the tracks, "Oh, I'm sure it will be."
000000000000000
So that was chapter eight! Like before, please read and review! Don't worry, next chapter will be filled with Sirius and Cerisa. I suppose I'm cruel for making this a slow burn, but needs must. XD
