Author's Note: Okay. Here's some answers to your questions. Sorry this will not be an incest between Sirius and Adhara. I don't feel comfortable writing something like that yet not dissing anyone who does write those type of stories. There will be more Lily in the next one. This one was just an introduction to a new character. And Yes! We finally get to see the OC paired with Sirius. Just give her chance. She might not be so likable in her first appearance.


The more you hide your feelings for someone

The more you fall for them


It's not like Adhara detests Thomas. Anyone with eyes would know that. Thomas is her best mate. She might not have revealed her deepest 'dark' secret of Fabian being her secret boyfriend but the older boy knew just about everything else about her.

She tried to not let it show how miserable she was. Adhara enjoys Thomas' company as much as the next person but with the weight of her being his wife-to-be; she felt like she was slowly suffocating.

The news of her engagement is still new to the fourth year Hufflepuff. Adhara should have known. Her mum took a liking to Thomas too quickly and her father also accepted the boy without question (both who are still wary of her friendship with Severus who is also in the same house as Thomas). Her mother is never pleasant without an ulterior motive. Even her father, which she hates to admit.

"I think your girlfriend is in la-la land," she hears Richard Nott tease. She was ready to deny that she's his girlfriend but Thomas beat her to it.

"More like fiancée," he corrects Richard. Adhara scowled at Thomas earning herself another wink. This was the worst time for him to be teasing her. She felt utterly helpless. Thomas must have sensed her apprehension since he reached for her hand and squeezed. May it be any other time she would have brushed it off as him being friendly but now was the worst time for him to do it.

She pulls her hands away, crossing her arms as she stared out the window.


"Father told us yesterday morning," Sirius explained. He could still remember the distraught look that came across his sister's face. It was still there when he last checked on the platform before they boarded the train. At least she was not crying again. One thing that he hated most of all was seeing his sister cry. His mother was not fazed by her sobbing—if anything she became more annoyed than sorry for Adhara. Father at least appeared to be ashamed of not speaking to Adhara about. If not asking for her permission at least give her warning that they were searching for prospects for her to marry.

But Sirius couldn't complain much. Thomas was the best choice considering how the others in Slytherin are. She could have been betrothed to a Flint, a Carrow, or a Lestrange. Sirius has seen their family members and he didn't care how shallow it sounded; he did not need anyone who looked like a muggle version of an evil witch/wizard marrying his sister.

"He said it as if he was talking about the bloody weather," Sirius was fuming mad. He choked on his sausages when Father broke the news over breakfast. His silver eyes finally looked up from his clenched fists. He watched his mates react to the new information. He expected Peter to not react as boldly as James is. James went from shocked to pissed off. Sirius was not surprised that Remus was just as angry—yet not loud about like a certain Pureblood is—about Adhara's engagement. He's become close to the girl over the last couple of months.

"They can't just make her marry some bloke," James teemed.

"Yeah, they pretty much can if she does not want to risk her family reputation or get disowned," Sirius enlightened them. Mum had no qualms about threatening her children with disownment if they ruin the Blacks' reputation.

Sirius saw through it. He called bullshit (not out loud, he's no idiot). Sirius knows it would of take more than him befriending a couple of muggle-borns for him to be disowned. He's the first-born son and heir. And they wouldn't do that to Adhara, either. She's the daughter of the Black Family which meant she holds a large dowry and can marry any Pureblood Family to help the family form an alliance. When he thinks about it, it sounds as if they are still living in the medieval times.

"How's Adhara?" the calm voice of Remus' asked.

"Well…" he trailed off, trying to find the words of how Adhara responded to the engagement. "She's better."

"Better?"

"Yeah, mother put her in her place when Addie reacted 'poorly'," Sirius clarified. "She told her it was either Thomas Higgs or Amycus Carrow. The shut Addie up quick." Mum knew what she was doing. Not many wanted to be connected to certain families of the Sacred Twenty-Eight unless they necessarily had to. Not many wanted to be with the Carrows, Flints, or Lestranges.

Lestranges were a hit or miss but their dowry made up for it. Carrows and Flints were equal with the Blacks when it came to their thoughts on muggles but Mum and the rest of his family looked down on them. She loathed their family genetics. Both families inherited sickly pale skin, dull eyes, and horrid teeth.

The Higgs Family, on the other hand, were almost as ancient as the Blacks, Potters, and Malfoys. Though they have an 'iffy' standing when it comes to their thoughts on muggle-borns, they had a significant amount of money and land. The family was full of powerful witches and wizards. They had no skeletons in their closets. And to top it off? They made beautiful children (his aunt's words not his).

So, it was easy for Adhara to choose. Pale and evil Amycus Carrow? Or her friend, handsome and flirtatious Thomas Higgs?

"Maybe she should—

Remus was cut off by the sound of their compartment door opening. All the boys looked up to see the angry Fabian Prewitt at the door. "Where's Addie?" he asked Sirius.

I do not have the temperament for this, Sirius thought. There was one good thing with Adhara being betrothed to Higgs.

She would not be with Fabian anymore.

Sirius may not care for Higgs but at least Adhara is herself with the boy. She doesn't change herself for him. And he doesn't want her to change. He wouldn't push her to anything unless she's comfortable.

Fabian on the other hand…

"With Higgs," Sirius replied with a smug grin.

The redhead deflated at the answer. "So it's true? She's with Higgs?"

Sirius narrowed his eyebrows at the older boy. He is confident that Adhara did not write to Fabian about this. She was too busy sulking in his bedroom to do anything else.

"How do you know about that?"

Fabian rolled his eyes. "Because you Purebloods are so old fashion," he explained as if he's not one himself. "Frank saw in the Daily Prophet an announcement of an engagement between the Black and Higgs Family."

Crap, Sirius sighed. That means everyone knows. If Adhara would marry anyone else, it wouldn't have been a big deal for gossip. Adhara may be a part of the Black family but that didn't mean she was that popular that people are gossiping about her. But she had to be engaged to one of the most popular blokes in the school which would bring more attention to her (which she hates).

"Yeah, she's betrothed to him," Sirius admitted.

Fabian's face reddened. "S-she said they are not together."

"Well, they are now," Sirius shrugged. He knew that he was being a prat by omitting information. But annoying Fabian brings pleasure to the younger boy.

Without saying good-bye, Fabian slammed the door shut and stormed off.

"You know you should have explained the situation," Remus scolds him.

"Oh, come on, Remus," Sirius grinned. "You hate the bloke just as much as I do."


Zuri Picquery is not nervous. If anything, she is angry. Angry that she had to transfer another school across the country. Her friends (well, her only two friends), her family, her life was thousands of miles away in America. She refused to speak to her parents for weeks. Zuri heard the rumors that surrounded Europe.

Americans may fear and avoid the non-maj's but that doesn't mean they despise them enough to want to get rid of them. Purebloods in Europe are just as stuck up as the ones in America use to be. But now one's could care less if you have muggle in your blood if you're magical. Who cares if you're muggle-born, half-blood, or Pureblood if you both could cast a spell, that is all that matters.

She decided as soon as she made it to Platform ¾ that she would not make any friends. She would be a delinquent and get kicked out.

"Hi, I'm Lily Evans. What's your name?" the redhead in front of her asked. She seemed nice enough. Zuri sighed. She didn't want to be rude. She will be sharing this compartment with her for the next few hours.

"Zuri Picquery."

The brunette beside Lily raised an eyebrow. "Interesting name. I'm Alice Prewitt. Nice to meet ya," she held out her hand.

"Ditto."

She furrowed her eyebrows.

"It means same."

"Where are you from?" another brunette asked. "Oh, I'm Mary MacDonald."

"I'm from the United States," Zuri replied.

"Whoa, why'd you move all the way over here?" Alice asked. She was leaning in.

"My father had business with the Ministry." She shrugged. Her father worked directly under the current president of the Magical Congress. And yes, her father is the son of the famous and first black President Seraphina Picquery. Her father could have run for the position once he was at age but he was never for one to be in a high position.

"What school did you go to? Where you sorted in houses like Hogwarts?" Lily asked.

"Of course," Zuri said, but not snarky. She was patient. She could easily tell that the redhead is a muggle-born. But even then, it should be obvious that America was to have a wizarding school. The country was 'founded' by Britain. Or was it France? Whatever, History was never her strongest subject. "But instead of a ratty hat sorting us in front of everyone. We are sorted as soon as we step into the school. I was in the Horned Serpent." Just like her grandmother.

Alice and Mary's face soured. "Horned Serpent? That sound like it could be Slytherin."

"And what's wrong with Slytherin?" Zuri asked, voice calm and collected. She could care less what others think of her House in America.

"It's where most of the blood-purists are," Mary explained.

"Are you a pureblood?" Alice asked.

"Yes, I am," she lied. Zuri is a half-breed. Her father's side full of Purebloods but her mother's side…

"But in America, if you are magical that is all that matters," trust America to be the civil ones. Yes, they had slavery and two wars within their country but things where getting better. Well, at least in the Magical World. The last thing she heard about going on in the Non-maj world was that a group called Black Panther had originated and that racism is still around.

"What do Horned Serpent usually want in a person?" Lily asked.

Zuri smirked. "Scholars."

Ravenclaw, all three of the other girls thought as they eyed the American.


Sirius sighed as he made his way toward the carriage. He was still irritated at the thought of his sister's engagement. It didn't help when he glanced over to check on her to see Higgs guiding her by the small of her back to the carriages. His mood worsened at the sight.

"There's Lily," James beamed at the sight of the redhead with her friends heading toward the carriage. Sirius rolled his eyes at how obvious his best mate is. He was still confused why James fancies the stuck-up girl. She clearly has bad taste if she hangs around Snivellus voluntarily. Mind that he also thinks the same about his sister at times.

James raced toward the carriage before it ran off.

"My dear Lily-flower," James winked at her before hopping in. The rest of the boys followed reluctantly.

Sirius nodded to the rest of the girls. He didn't bother turning on the charm with them. Alice had heart-eyes for Longbottom and Mary was almost as stuck up as Lily. But then his eyes widened at the sight of the unknown female.

The moonlight illuminated her golden-brown skin along with her amber brown eyes. Sirius was intrigued. Never had the pureblood seen hair like hers. The closest was his sister's but the strangers were thicker with more coils. Everything about her demanded attention and confidence. He thought she was exquisite.

She raised an eyebrow when they locked eyes. Sirius swore that her eyes glowed.

Instead of looking away timidly with a blush, she stared back challengingly. He chuckled at the bold girl.

"And who might you be," he asked. "I don't recognize you."

"Of course not. I'm not from here," she said with an eye-roll. Sirius waited, hoping for an explanation but instead was gifted with silence. Alice decided to speak for the American.

"She's from America," she stated.

"Like it wasn't obvious," the stranger sighed.

"I'm Sirius Black," he waited. She showed no indication of knowing that his surname belonged to one of the most elite and ancient Pureblood houses. "And what's your name?"

"Zuri."

"Zuri," He waved his hand to signal her to continue.

"Zuri Picquery."

Impressive name, he thought. Sirius knew that her name had to be noble. Pureblood? He shook that thought from his head. Why should he care is she is one or not?

"And why did move all the way to little ol' Europe?" he asked Zuri.

"Oh, you know the usual," she shrugged. A cynical smile on her face. "I just wanted to be separated from my friends and family and hometown so I could go to Purist-part of the world." That caused everyone's eyebrows to rise. She chuckled at their expression. "What? Come on. Trust the English to be stiff over something at trivial as blood," she commented.

Sirius leaned in. "Oh? And you Americans are all civil to one another?"

Zuri smiled ruefully. "Well, the non-majs aren't. They care more about their skin color. Us wizards could care less as long as you're magical."

"As long as your magical? What does that mean?"

"She means that over there, wizards are forbidden to interact with muggles. It's a law," Lily said, clearly excited about this new information of the magical world. He recalled her being eager to learn that werewolves were real and not just a fairytale. Sirius still laughs to this day when she asked if vampires are real.

"Scared of muggles?" Sirius teased.

"I'm not but, why shouldn't they? After the Salem Witch trials when they burnt witches, of course, no one wants to be around them. Non-majs are terrified of anything different."

Has Sirius mentioned he's intrigued?


"And now I am honored to introduce our new student who will be enrolled as a fourth year. Zuri Picquery," Headmaster Dumbledore announced with joy. Sirius could tell how uncomfortable the American girl was with all eyes on her. She was not obvious with showing it. She strolled to the stool with confidence. And just as she sat down, her strange eyes found his. Sirius didn't bother to waver.

Hmmm, she hears the hat contemplate. You're a courageous one but not reckless. You analyze. Adventurous when little risk. Little patience yet high in loyalty. Ooh, you're a cunning one. Quite arrogant

-I would like to say confident, Zuri cuts the hat off.

It chuckles at her. Not very ambitious. But resourceful and intelligent. You're an odd one. Eccentric, I'll say. You love knowing everything. Knowledgeable and witty. I know where you belong…

"Ravenclaw," the hat yelled.


"You tosser," Sirius was pushed into the wall by the full force of his little sister. Her eyes glaring at him. Both of her hands fisted into his uniform.

"And what have I done to make you mad at me?" Sirius groaned. He reeled back his temper knowing that these last few days has been an emotional turmoil for the Hufflepuff.

Sirius was just walking back from sorting dinner. His friends watched, stunned by how Sirius was nearly tackled by someone who's four inches shorter than him.

"Fabian, that is what," her voice hitched at the mention of her 'boyfriend'. "Don't act clueless. He talked to you and asked about Thomas."

"And I told the truth," he shrugged.

"No, you misled him."

"Sorry that he couldn't under—

"oh, stuff it," she shoved him away before scurrying away.

"Well…that was interesting," Remus mused.

Adhara knew she should not be as livid. But she needed to be angry at someone. She couldn't throw that at Thomas. He had no choice in the matter just like herself. But witnessing the furious expression on Fabian threw all the logic out the door.

"So is it true?" Adhara jumped at the sudden deep voice behind her. She was on her way to the common room when she was grabbed roughly by the arm. She whipped around to see who would do that to such a lady. "Sirius confirmed that you're engaged to Higgs."

"W-w-what?" she was speechless when she realized it was Fabian. She still hadn't figured out what she was about to say to him.

"Is it true that you're with Higgs."

"Let me explain—

"—you told me you're just friends," he seethed.

"We are!"

"So friends engage?" he let go of her as if she grown a disease. He stormed away before she could even fathom a response. She finally turned back but halted when recognizing the new student staring at her. "Are you eavesdropping?"

"I overheard when I was on my way to the Ravenclaw common room," she answered, not fazed by being caught. If anything, she was intrigued by the argument. Curious. It was as if she witnessed a clip of a soap opera. "I'm lost."

"You're a far way from the Ravenclaw tower," Adhara's voice barely above a whisper. Adhara watched the Ravenclaw with curiosity. The girl watched back with no frown. A small smile and inquisitive eyes.

"Yeah," she shrugged.

"I'm Adhara Black." The Hufflepuff held out her hand.

"Zuri," she said as she took hold of her hand. She shook it twice before letting it go. She tilted her head with a questioning expression. "Any relation to Sirius Black?"

"Yes," she groaned. Her anger revived at the mention of her brother. "Please tell me you don't want me to put in a good word—

Zuri was cut off with a scoff. "Puh-lease. I just noticed the same surname and same appearances."

"Yeah," she sighed. "Speaking of Sirius, I need to get something straight. It was nice meeting you."

"Whoa? Let me guess, Sirius?" Adhara flinched at the sudden voice. Why are people always lurking around the halls? She slowly turned around to be faced with the charming expression of Thomas Higgs.

"Isn't it always?" she tried to smile. Thomas saw right through it. The Slytherin could tell how nervous the Hufflepuff was. Usually, she let her guard around him. Ever since they met during her first year, he made sure to make sure that she could be herself around him. Thomas was never judgmental. He respected her. Hell, people may look down at Hufflepuffs but Thomas sees another side in them. There's something about their loyalty and kindness that he wishes was with his fellow housemates. Instead, he is gifted with deceit and people who have ulterior motives.

"What did he do?" he asked her.

She opened her mouth, ready to spill her woes but she snapped her mouth shut. That shocked Thomas even more. He sighed at her silence. Instead of questioning her, he leaned against the wall and waited patiently. He watched her, patiently waiting.

Some may call the birds 'fit' but Thomas was never into that type of slang. Thomas wouldn't call Adhara 'fit'. It seemed too…inaccurate.

Her beauty is adorable.

Modest.

Adhara doesn't command attention. She earned it. Gradually catching a male's attention with her obliviousness of her beauty. Her beauty was natural. He adored her constellation of freckles over her lovely face. His eyes were drawn to her silver-grey eyes that had specks of gold. He loved her unruly curly hair. There were many things he would call her. Adorable. Lovely. Intriguing.

It was not just her looks that fascinated the Slytherin. Adhara was practically raised the same way as him if not more harshly. Yet, here she was. A Hufflepuff of all things. Kind-hearted and dedicated. She may be a timid one and confused in some aspects but she's young and trusted her parents with no hesitation.

Thomas reached her cheeks and pinched them. Adhara slapped his hand away.

"What the bloody hell?" she pouted as she rubbed her bruised cheek.

"I'm just happy to see your adorable freckles," Thomas teased. He loathed how she changed her appearance for Prewitt's sake. "Aw, there's that blush I've missed." She rolled her eyes at his flirting. Of course, she would think it was just light teasing among friends.

"I understand that I may be the last choice for you to marry," he said after a beat of silence.

"No, not the last," she teased. "But definitely not the first."

"Hey, no need to insult your betrothed," Thomas nudged her. "I didn't get a choice either. This is a betrothed, Addie. Which means you might not have to worry until you're at least in your sixth year. We're still young. Our engagement might be terminated in who knows when—

"—don't say that," she shoved him lightly. "It was you or either Carrow."

"Nice to know you were propositioned into this," he said, jokingly. "Look, I want you to be happy. So, we need to make this work. For now, let's put on a show." He paused when he noticed that she frowned at his suggestion. "Look, I know about your little…thing with Fabian." Of course, she tried to deny it; even if she can not lie to save her life. He intended to help her with that if they were going to fool people into thinking they fancy each other. "You both are pretty obvious. Anyone can see it if they looked close enough. You guys give each other 'heart eyes' when you think no one's looking."

"How long have you known?" she asked him.

Thomas shrugged. "I figured it out when you got some chocolate for Valentine's Day and you both were too obvious that day." Ugh, how he wanted to gag at the sight of them. He watched how they glanced at each other across Three Broomsticks during the Hogsmeade trip.

"Thank you for not—

Adhara stopped when Thomas ruffled her hair making it even more chaotic than usual. "You don't have to thank me, idiot. That's what friends are for."

What happened next stunned the Slytherin. In the three years that Thomas has known Adhara she was never one to be public with affectionate unless it was with her brothers. He was gifted with a hug. Her arms wrapped around his waist, pulling him in as she rested her head against his chest.

"Have I ever told you that you're my bestest friend?" she mumbled, arms wrapping tighter around him.

He knew he's been friend-zoned as soon as they met but that didn't make this any less painful. Thomas patted her on the back. "I would be insulted if I was not."


A/N: Okay, I know another 'rival'. But i thought it would be fun to add that little twist to it. I also enjoy writing about Zuri. I've read a lot of fanfics with both Remus or Sirius and never have I read one when the OC is an African-American. Being one myself i would like to see the love interest as a minority. So that was me adding a personal bit to the story. Sorry there was not alot of Remus in this one. Promise for the next one! Since its their fourth year and so they are all around fourteen or fifteen years old, it's time for some teen drama!

Next Chapter:

Fabian and Adhara have a talk

Remus and Lily have a heart to heart

James figures out Remus' other 'secret'