September, 1976

The hall was very loud so I had to speak louder than I usually did for Lily, and Marlene to hear me. It also didn't help that Marlene had swimmers ear and she probably wouldn't be able to hear me in a normal setting.

That made me decide to tell them the important news later. Instead we laughed and smiled as we told each other about our summerl all except for me, who had to survive Veronique bringing all her boyfriens af our house. She aas like Sirius: a new person every week. It was horrifying and and I glad she wasn't in Higwarts anymore.

When the feast ended, Remus stood up proudly and led us to our dorms. He was prefect this year and though everyone seemed happy, I was worried. Sirius and James would no doubt convince Remus to use his prefect status to get them out of trouble, as well act out more pranks.

When we got to the dorms, we went to bed immediately since the other two girls sharing with us—Molly Prewett and apsome other girl—went to bed. The last few years Marlene, Lily, and I haven't had ahy other roommates but sinc there were more Gryffindor female students, we now had to share. That meant we needed a new place to have our secretive conversations.

When a new day dawned snd we started our classes, I was pleased when we all had a break. We all sat down under the tree in the courtyard, Lydia included. Then I told them everything.

"My brother has been disowned," I whispered to my friends.

Lily gasped. "Jules? What happened?"

I looked around to make sure no one was listening. "He has eloped with a muggle girl and moved to her hometown in Ireland."

Marlene's eyes widened in disbelief. "And that warrants disownment?"

I nodded with a grimace, crossing my arms. "Mother and Father were pressured by Grandmere and eventually she convinced them to burn his name off of the family tree."

"That horrifying!" Lydia exclaimed, covered her mouth with her hand. "Are you still in contact with him?"

I bite my lip and smiled. "Yes, actually. He contacted me, apologizing for his 'scandalous' actions. I wrote back, telling him what he did was admirable and I congratulated him. My parents and sisters don't know, gut we're still in contact."

Lily smiled and placed her hand on my arm. "That's excellent."

I nodded. "I finally feel as though I actually have a family who cares for me. When Jules was under my parents' thumb, he was cold and he ignored me most of the time. I'm more than glad he has escaped and found himself love."

Lydia sighed and placed her hands over her heart. "Love. What a wonderful feeling."

"You would know all about it, wouldn't you, Lydia?" Marlene said teasingly.

Lydia's face turned bright red and after lauging a while, Lily changed the subject. "So how is the all-perfect Veronique?"

I laughed at Lily's horrible impression of a french accent. "I don't really know. But she has been spending loads of time with the Malfoys and Blacks—Bellatrix and Narcissa, not Walburga and Orion. I'm serious, it's as though she's always with them."

"Narcissa is with Lucius Malfoy, right?" Lydia asked.

"Yeah, and so Veronique also spends time with Malfoy," I said. "It's the worst when they come over to our house."

"I can't imagine that they respect your fashionable appearance?" Marlene asked with mischief.

I shook my head with a smile. Last year I had cut my hair short and dyed some strands red. When now those red streaks were gone and my hair was a little longer. But instead of leaving it plain, I was introduced to hairstyle. Now my hair was extremely voluminous to the point that even though it was longer, the style made my hair barely reach my shoulders. Basically, my hair was craazy.

"What do you wear at home?" Lydia asked. "You still wear the traditional wxard robes?"

"Yes and Mother makes me wear the pointy wizard hat, which I actually done mind. Mostly because I add dozens of feathers on it, much to Grandmere's horror."

Marlene laughed. "You are incredible! I wouldn't be surprised if you yourself got disowned one day just for dying your hair pink!"

We all laughed and from there we resorted to small talk. Though then then Remus and Peter passed by and when they left, Lydia joined them to be with Peter. Not soon after, James appeared, once again trying to ask Lily out. To which she responded with 'sod off' and then left, leaving James running after her. Marlene and I couldn't helo but laugh, though my mind wondered where the last Marauder was.

Sirius and I hadn't really talked over the summer, but I couldn't deny that I was looking forward to seeinghim this school year. I could've really place why, but our last conversation left me wanting to have more conversations with me. It left me wanting—wait for it—wanting to spend time with him. Gasp! I know right?

And so when I heard Sirius's voice, I looked over with a smile, only to have it fade. Sirius was walking with a Hufflepuff girl and was clearly flirting with her. He had his arm around her waist and she planted a kiss on his cheek as they walked.

Annoyed and slightly upset, I got to my feet and I walked back inside the castle, Marlene following after me. As I walked away, I feeling entered my heart and I recognized it immediately—my family always left me feeling this.

I felt complete and utter disappointment.