The highlands of Scotland have always been beautiful. Even before she started her first term at Hogwarts, she had visited Scotland a few times with her parents. Especially with her mother since her Father worked abroad.

Her mother was fascinated by their history, the magic that swelled in the old castles and ruins of great people. Convinced there was old fae magic in the Calanais Standing Stones, she taught her about how women of young and old would come sing ancient haunting melodies in their native tongue and dance during dusk.

The air and weather were crisp cold, as it seeped into the cracks and crevices of Hogwarts Castle. Gwen loved a great many things. One of them being the cold September weather. Something about it made her breath easier. Perhaps, maybe it was because it reminded her of her Mum…

Roselyn Appleton Donoghue

A bright witch with a knack for potions. She was beauty, grace, and above all fair. Roselyn, her mother, an American woman who had a great love for life and what it had to offer. Yet…she died so young and that in itself was tragic.

She had succumbed to illness. It was a quick and painless death, at least that was what she was told from her Father. However, she knew that couldn't have been true. Her mother had been sick for months, had been in pain as she constantly coughed up blood. The illness left her bedridden and unable to do anything more than lay in bed and watch as her own life was stolen from her.

It was unfair.

Her mother didn't deserve to die.

The weeks leading up to her death, had been spent in preparing for the inevitable. Gwen knew that her parents had done their best to keep her illness a secret but she saw the signs. How her Mother needed help moving around, the bloodstained handkerchiefs that she clutched in her hand, her weak grip, and the constant migraines and dizziness left little to the imagination. Her suspicions hadn't been confirmed until the doctor had come, she had snuck out of her room and had overheard the doctor tell her Father that her Mother didn't have much time left.

After that, Gwen had done her best to keep her Mum distracted. By playing the violin, reading to her, and everything in between. It was no use as her Mum's coughing fits were a constant stark reminder that her Mother was slipping away from her and her Father. She would leave them behind to enter the next life without them.

Auntie Euphemia and Uncle Fleamont had been very supportive of her Father and herself. Her Uncle Liam had come and taken over business matters as her Aunt Maeve tended to the household, as Jack and James would sit with her Mum and herself and would find ways to entertain her. Nobody addressed the elephant in the room. It was as though saying it aloud would make it all the more real.

The reality that Roselyn Donoghue was dying and nobody, not even magic could stop it.

She passed quietly and with a tear filled smile on her face that bright and sunny morning. With her loving husband and daughter at her bed. The smell of freshly picked roses and baby's breath permeating the air as they had sobbed loudly as the warmth slowly left her body.

Gwen didn't really recall what had happened in the events that followed. She only remembered when the funeral had taken place, her Father held her hand as he shielded her away from the Wizarding paparazzi. Her Mother's side of the family had come and spent some time with them, they grieved just as she did. Only they found it a bit hard to look at her, claiming she looked too much like her Mother when she was her age. Except for the braces and glasses, they had noted when she was supposed to be sleeping. Their family were natural beauties and didn't need such things. She had inherited those from her Father's side of the family her grandmother had pointed out.

They left back to America after staying for two weeks. Promising to visit more. She had yet to see them again however.

"That blasted toerag!"

Lily's outburst had snapped her out of her musings. She stomped towards her, bag in hand, before she threw it down and began to pace back and forth. Not the slightest bit surprised by the behavior, she chalked it up to her sudden rash behavior having been the result of James' teasing or prank. Either way, Lily was unhappy.

"Do you wish to talk about it?"

She was ignored as Lily had instead began to rant about the young Gryffindor and about his mistreatment towards Severus. Closing the book in her lap, she surmised that her ranting would go on for a while and she had stopped reading long before Lily had interrupted her quiet time.

"-oes he think he is?! He parades around with those other troublemakers as though he owns the place and does as he pleases!"

A small pain was beginning to form in her temple from Lily's shouting as she raved on about how arrogant her cousin was being. She wondered if the boys were getting the same treatment from James about Lily. Gwen hoped so. She shouldn't be left to suffer alone from the consequences of the petty feud between Severus and James.

"Are you done now? You are giving me a migraine."

Pausing, Lily finally acknowledged her and slowly shook her head 'yes'. Taking a deep breath, she began to pack her things into her bag.

"Why are you leaving?"

Gwen hoisted her bag over her shoulder before turning to her best mate with a tired smile, "you already know how I feel about the James and Severus feud, I don't want to hear about their petty feud."

Lily huffed in annoyance, "you say that because you're biased towards James and the bloody lot."

She turned and began to walk away, the sound of footsteps behind her signaled that Lily began to follow her. "I'm not biased in a situation that I find completely ridiculous. Unlike you, I acknowledge that James has flaws whereas you put Severus on this pedestal as though he is always the victim. Sev is also my friend and I acknowledge the fact he has flaws too just as you and I have flaws."

Gwen didn't have to turn her head to know that Lily would understand that she was right, even if she didn't want to admit it. Because that was one of Lily's flaws, she was too stubborn and prideful when it came to admitting that she was wrong. That she had an ill temper and sometimes said things without thinking about them first.

"I'm sorry," she murmured from behind Gwen in such a soft voice that she wouldn't have known that she had apologized had it not been for the fact that they had grown up together and she knew her habits by now.

"Let's go to the kitchens and try and convince the elves to give us some cauldron cakes," looping her arm with Lily's, they smiled at one another as they began making their way to their destination

After promising to meet up for some girl talk tomorrow, Gwen made her way to the library where she was to meet Remus. They would be going over the charms essay they were given and was to be due by the end of next week, but both Gryffindor and Ravenclaw were overachievers and wanted to get a head start on the new material they had covered in class the day prior. They invited the other boys to join, but they declined as they claimed that they had over a week to write said essay.

Navigating through the library, she found Remus hidden away at one of the smaller tables with his books all stacked and organized by class. He must have been camping out in the library all day it seemed. Which seemed like a total Remus thing to do, especially since he was the most thoughtful and logical one out of the band of troublemakers.

"Good afternoon Remus," taking her own seat across from the soft spoken boy. "How are you today?"

Looking up from his textbook, he seemed a bit startled by her presence but quickly recovered as he began to move his stacks of books to the side so they could face one another.

"Good afternoon Gwen, I am quite well today. How are you?"

Even though Remus claimed to be quite well, Gwen felt as though it was a mere lie as he always looked sickly. It was nearly the end of the first month since they came to Hogwarts and he looked rather ill. The castle was rather chilly, especially at night, so it wouldn't be surprising if he caught a small cold. Maybe she could convince him to go see Madam Pomfrey.

"I'm doing well myself," she smiled at him. "Are you ready to write this paper?"

Remus nodded.

Gwen began to unpack all of her things onto the table. Before Remus launched into how he had already gone ahead and marked some pages in their charms textbook that they could use as reference points for their assignment. It was supposed to be one to two parchment long and required a small portion of it to be their own thoughts about the material they had covered so far in the term.

James, Sirius and Peter bounded into the library causing the librarian to shush them, but it was left on deaf ears as the three boys continued making their way to the back of the library. Where they would find two of their friends, noses in books as usual. James slid next to Gwen while Sirius slid behind Remus, sharing a look with one another, they grinned as they yanked the books out of their friends' hands.

Remaining ever calm, Gwen and Remus looked up to the two boys and stared at them incredulously.

"Is there something we can help you with?" Gwen calmly spoke, not wanting to get kicked out of the library

James and Sirius shared a look with one another, "possibly."

Rolling her eyes at their behavior, she merely reached up and took her book back from James. She let out an amused smiled, "Poor Remus, has to keep you lot in line all by himself"

To her comment, Remus let out a tired sigh. "Must you have left me to take care of them all by myself?"

Gwen eyed him, "admit it, they're grown on you."

Bemused and unable to argue, Remus went back to his work, leaving Gwen to wonder just why the three troublemakers were here and what they did in the time since she saw them. Either way, she knew that they were most likely in trouble and using Remus and herself as alibis for whatever crime they decided to commit today.

"What did you lot do?"

Sirius was the first to answer, "Gwen you wound me with your accusations! You think me capable of harming anyone?" Feigning a hurt expression, his hand over his heart as he spoke only further proved that

Sirius was a Drama King

That they were in trouble and needed somewhere to lie low

Gwen stared the eldest of the Gryffindor boys down, all the while she counted in her head just how long it would take for him to break the act and confess.

Flustered, Sirius huffed as he crossed his arms and finally confessed, "fine, we might have pranked a group of Slytherins…"

"Two minutes and forty eight seconds."

James sighed loudly and began to complain, "what the hell was that for mate! Why'd you have to tell her?"

"You know that I can't lie to her, especially when she looks at me like that!"

She wasn't all that surprised honestly. James and Sirius had already received detention for being caught out of bed after hours, after a failed attempt to go to the kitchens to replenish their stash of snacks after Peter had consumed it all during an emotional binge eat.

However, the fact remained that Remus did his best to stay out of trouble, but James and Sirius were relentless in their pursuit to get Peter and himself involved in their troublemaking ways.

Wait…

A group of Slytherins?

"Sirius, answer me this."

"Anything for you darling,"

Ignoring his normally playful behavior, she eyed him. "What group of Slytherins did you prank?

His jaw clenched.

"Please…tell me you didn't…"

All three boys at least had the decency to look ashamed as they avoided her gaze. However, it didn't save them from the fact that they had pranked the same group of Slytherins that were led by Head boy and Slytherin Prince, Lucius Malfoy. It had merely been a week since the disastrous dinner that only left her feeling disgusted and disappointed.

"That prat had no business to speak to you the way he did, Sirius explained to us what had happened." James defended their actions

Turning to Sirius, he merely shrugged. "I'm not apologizing for telling the boys, you come before anyone else and I will not allow anyone to disrespect you."

Gwen knew that they meant well and that it was coming from a good place, however their actions had consequences. Someone would have to answer for them. Nonetheless, she would overlook it and pretend as if it didn't happen. Plus…how bad could the small prank have been?

"What did you need my help with?"

"Minnie is looking for us."

"Merlin! How big was this prank of yours?"

James scratched the back of his neck, "we might have flooded their common room,"

Flooded their common room?

Slamming her books close, she collected her things with a flick of her wand. "You will not be dragging me into this shenagain of yours,"

"But Gwen.."

With a wave, she turned and left them standing in the back of the library. Determined to not be a part of their antics, she fled to the safety of her house and opted to stay there until dinner would start since the girls were gone and wouldn't be back until then.

Plus she had been actively avoiding running into Lucius and his band of followers. Opting that her House was the safest place to take refuge, she left quickly and quietly.

It had been a week since the incident. Gwen had done her best to avoid the boys as she wasn't quite ready to deal with the situation. However, it had been raining and she was growing quite melancholy as the rain seemed to dampen her mood only further.

September rolled around slowly. The weather was dropping as it was becoming quite windy and it had already begun to start raining every other day. So students were forced to retreat into the Castle when they weren't in classes unless they wanted to get caught up in the deluge and risk a cold.

Settling further into her spot, Gwen wrapped the blanket more snugly around her as she read the muggle novel she had brought with her. She hadn't found the time to read for leisure much as she spent a lot of her time studying.

"Hello?" she closed her book as she saw Sirius walking up the metal spiral staircase of the Astronomy tower "Is anyone here?"

"Sirius?"

"Gwen?" he finally made it to the top where he looked around for anybody else cautiously, before his gaze landed on her. "What are you doing up here all by yourself?"

"I needed to think and I love the stars so this seemed to be a perfect spot as nobody comes here" she shrugged as she marked her spot and closed the book

"To think about what? Is something bothering you? Or someone?"

It was how Sirius was always attentive to her needs. Always concerned with her health and wellbeing. He had grown to be fiercely protective of her. Since the second they met, he was kind and compassionate. Which is why it was hard for her to stay mad at not only him but the boys. They were trying to fight for her honor.

It was the thought that counts.

"I don't like the thought of you guys doing things that could get you in trouble for me."

Sirius snorted, "I apologize for upsetting you but I will not apologize for what I believe is right."

Knowing that they would just argue, she decided to let the matter drop. Instead she let her thoughts wander to other things that bothered her.

Since her meeting with Lucius, Narcissa, and Andromeda had left her rather apprehensive towards the two sixth years and the fifth year fiancé. The arranged marriage is what bothers her really as she had never really stopped and gave it thought. That was until Lucius had brought it up and now she couldn't stop thinking about it.

"Do you agree with arranged marriages regarding our blood status?"

Sirius was taken back by her question as he knew by her dark mood that the conversation took a darker turn

"No, they're barbaric and I believe them to be more medieval ideas in order to keep our lines pure of muggles" Sirius glanced at her face to see she was smiling brightly "Is your Dad happy about you being in Ravenclaw?"

"Yes, he's been very supportive of anything I do since my Mother's passing. When he found out I was in Ravenclaw he was happy that I got into the same house as my Mother."

"Are your parents okay with you not being in Slytherin?"

As soon as that question left her lips, she noticed that the atmosphere between them had become a lot darker than it originally was. Looking over, she watched as Sirius bowed his head down as his hair fell over his face. His fists were nearly white as he clutched his pants too hard that she feared that he would lose circulation from it.

"Sirius…?" placing a hand on his shoulder she was afraid for him

"Sorry…" he cleared his throat "Um no, my parents weren't too happy with my placement and even asked for another one. They had sent me a howler the next morning to tell me just how disappointed they were in me for disgracing the Noble House of Black and sullying our great name"

Gwen and Sirius fell into silence once again as they once again watched the dark clouds cover the sun as it looked like it was going to rain. Sirius brightened up when he watched as it slowly started sprinkling. An idea popped into his head, jumping up from where he stood he looked down to Gwen who watched with a curious look.

"What are you planning, Sirius Black?"

"It's a surprise, Gwen Donoghue" she gave him a look of hesitation as she wondered just what was going through his head "Trust me"

Offering her his hand he watched as she placed her small hand in his, smiling he helped her up from her spot

"What now?"

Instead of answering her question, he pulled her towards the staircase. She allowed him to lead her out of the tower. Or more like Sirius ran as Gwen was being pulled along as she struggled to keep up with the wavy haired boy. Stopping in the middle of the courtyard Sirius let go of her hand, she gave him a confused look before she heard it.

There was a crack of thunder and suddenly it started pouring down hard on the two.

"Sirius!" Gwen shrieked as she her clothes were already becoming drenched

"Yes love?" He smiled as he watched her stomp her left foot "Is there a problem?"

"We're going to catch a cold!"

"What is life, without a little risk?"

Was his only response as he shrugged, Gwen broke out into a laugh as she grabbed Sirius's hands as they danced in circles

Sirius smiled as he watched her frown turn into a bright smile as her white hair clung to her face as her cheeks were tinged pink as well as the tip of her nose as her laughter filled the air. He thought she looked really beautiful at that moment as he watched as her previous mood was replaced with that of happiness.

Giggling, she twirled in circles. "You are a bad dog, Sirius!"

He smiled.

"Are you feeling alright, Gwen?"

Lily asked the white haired girl as she suppressed a sneeze as they walked into Herbology together on a rather sunny Monday morning.

"Yeah, of course"

She smiled as she took out her textbook before she sneezed, blowing her nose in the handkerchief she continued flipping to the pages she needed.

"You look sick Gwen" Lily placed a hand on Gwen's forehead "You're burning up with fever!"

"It'll go away" Gwen swatted her hand away as she sniffed again

"You need to go see Madam Pomfrey" Lily huffed as she slammed Gwen's textbook shut causing Gwen to look at her with a surprised look before she started coughing "You're going and that's final!"

Not even twenty minutes later, Gwen sat in a bed in the hospital wing with Madam Pomfrey, who was attending another student who had blown up a potion in his face. She was told that she needed to rest and that it was but a mere common cold and she needed to drink plenty of fluids. The book of potions sat in her lap but she had been rereading the same paragraph over and over again.

Bringing the handkerchief to her nose, she sneezed into it as her eyes grew watery once more. She thought back to the last time she had a cold, that is when her mother was alive.

"How are you feeling dear?"

Roselyn walked into her daughter's bedroom with a tray that consisted of a bowl of tomato soup, crackers and orange juice

"My head hurts" Gwen moaned as she sat up from her head to lay against the headboard, her mother placed the tray in her lap as she sat beside her in the bed

"I'm sorry my dear, you should eat something."

Her mother's soft voice rang throughout her room as she gestured to the small bowl of soup

As Gwen ate, her Mother told her stories from the book of Tales of Beedle the Bard. She didn't care what story her mother told her, what she loved most was the way her mother told them. It made her feel as though she was a part of the tale, as if she was right there beside the characters.

"Sleep little one, I'll be right here when you wake up." Her mother set the book down on her side table before tucking her into bed

"Mama?"

"Yes, little one?"

Her Mother's bright white hair was pinned into an elegant bun and kept out of her heart shaped face as she looked at her daughter with adoration

"Why is Dad always gone?"

Roselyn's dark blue eyes faltered as she struggled to tell her Daughter the answer to her question as she knew that she missed him just as much as she did. She wanted to tell her the truth but she couldn't though, no...she was still much too young to know the truth.

"He works very hard so that I may be here with you"

Gwen looked to the small table where the book laid with a picture of her and her parents when they attended a Quidditch game when she was a toddler

"Okay Mama"

Breathing a sigh of relief Roselyn placed a chaste kiss on her daughter's forehead as she left the small room leaving her nightlight on

"I overheard from Evans that you were sick," Gwen snapped her head up to see Sirius standing next to her bed with a guilty expression "It's my fault, since we were out playing in the rain" He looked like a wounded puppy

It had been several days since the day in the rain, after they snuck back into the castle and parted ways to their respective houses. Gwen didn't regret the memories that she had made with the boy as he was cheering her up from the dark mood she was in.

"Is the great Sirius Black apologizing? Hell must certainly be freezing over" Gwen teased as she winked at him with a mocking tone as she smiled at him, raising his head to look at the small girl "Plus what is life, without a little risk?" Gwen asked as she quoted the boy with a twinkle in her eyes

"Whoever said that was a genius."

He smiled as he took a seat next to her bed as he dropped his bag down into his lap

Rolling her eyes at his proud behavior, she responded dryly. "Perhaps, or perhaps they were talking out of their arse."

"You wound me so sweetheart."

"Shouldn't you be studying for tomorrow's test in charms?" Gwen asked as she watched him kick his feet onto her bed

"You can help me study then"

Sirius shrugged as Gwen scoffed but nonetheless grabbed her charms book as he followed

"What would you do without me Black?"

"Don't you know Donoghue?" He smirked, "Be careful of the strays that you take care of… you might never get rid of them."

Her face flushed by his teasing tone and the words he spoke with ease, averting her gaze back to the textbook in her lap. She distracted herself by flipping to the chapter they would be testing over.

"Perhaps I wish to keep them.."

Gwen missed the surprised expression that adored his face before it melted away to slight adoration for the young girl.