Gwen's eyes lingered on him, masquerading her curiosity as mere observation. The truth was, she couldn't help but stare. It had become an unspoken routine since their return to Hogwarts, a pattern she hadn't even noticed until now. Her instincts led her to seek him out, to look for his presence.
Lately, Sirius seemed to be everywhere she turned. In classes they shared, he always managed to find a seat next to her. And even in the classes they didn't have together, he made a deliberate effort to seek her out afterwards, just to exchange a casual greeting.
And here they were again, in the library on a crisp Saturday morning. However, Sirius wasn't engrossed in his studies. No, he had kicked his feet up on the table, his dragonskin boots adorned with dried mud. The nostalgic tunes of a Rolling Stones song filled the air, emanating from the cassette player she had thoughtfully given him as a Christmas present. His eyes were closed as his arms were crossed over his chest, seeming to have dosed off.
He looked so peaceful.
"How long are you going to stare at me for?"
One of his eyes peeked open, the silver pool staring right at her. Having been caught, she flushed and turned away.
"I suddenly remembered that I have to meet with Lily for lunch!"
Sirius furrowed his eyebrows, "it is only barely after eleven."
With a flick of her wand, she silently began to clean up her things and packed them into her bag. "I wish to not get yelled at by her for being tardy."
"Is she feeling any better?"
The question caught her off guard. It had been three weeks since Gwen had confronted Severus, three weeks since she made it clear to him that she would make him pay if he made Lily cry again. However, since then, although Severus had given Lily a genuine apology to Lily and herself, it had created a slight barrier in their friendship.
"Yes," she smiled. "I took care of things."
Standing he stretched. He had worn a plain button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up and plain black trousers.
He looked handsome.
"I will head back to the dorm then as I have something to do."
They walked out of the library together, once the large doors closed behind them, they turned towards one another. Her face still felt flushed from having been caught staring.
"Have a great day," she smiled shyly. "You look rather nice today." She had mumbled out the last part before turning quickly and leaving as quickly as she could. Not bothering to turn around to look at him.
Lily and Gwen lounged by the tranquil Black Lake, their favorite spot nestled beneath the shade of a towering tree. The Saturday afternoon was draped in a somber hue, but the girls found solace in their muggle attire, giggling and chatting away. Amidst their conversation, Lily recounted the latest Slug Club gathering, her words dancing in the air.
In favor of savoring the refreshing weather, both girls had decided to take a break from their studies for the weekend. They indulged in a shared box of licorice wands, relishing their friendship. Severus had opted to spend time with his roommates instead of joining them, a change in his demeanor that hadn't gone unnoticed.
Lily flicked the ravenclaw emblem on Gwen's bracelet, causing it to jingle softly. "It's a beautiful bracelet," she remarked.
Gwen murmured, "Indeed, I cherish it with my entire being."
"He adores you, you know," Lily said with a knowing smile.
Gwen laughed. "We're best mates. I assumed he adored me, as it's the only explanation for such a beautiful gift."
The ginger scoffed playfully. "You're hopeless."
"Only if you are," Gwen retorted, their laughter intertwining with the gentle breeze as they settled against the sturdy tree. Lily rested her head on Gwen's shoulder, sighing softly. They relished in the peaceful silence, watching as the clouds gradually grew darker.
"You look more exhausted lately," Lily noted.
"Right, I apologize for my lack of sleep last night. I couldn't resist staying up all night engrossed in The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection in the common room," she confessed, accompanied by a sheepish grin.
Lily chuckled. "You've always had your quirks."
Smirking, she retorted, "Well, let's not forget that both you and Remus would burn the midnight oil studying last term."
Silence fell upon them, broken only by Lily's blushing face. Glancing over, she couldn't help but blurt out, "Merlin's beard, you've got a crush on him!"
Lily blushed even deeper. "Maybe..."
"Nonsense! You should tell him how you feel, you ninny," she insisted, causing her to smile
Lily sighed, sounding incredulous. "I can't possibly do that! What if he doesn't feel the same way? I'll be mortified, and we might end up losing our friendship."
Gwen couldn't help but snort. "You're more foolish than those muggle women I read about in Jane Austen's books."
"Gwennn..." Lily whined, tugging at the sleeve of her robe. "Promise me you won't breathe a word to anyone."
"Promise,"
Ever since everything had unfolded, Lily had become acutely aware of the deep-rooted prejudices within the wizarding world. She delved into Wizarding History and kept a keen eye on current events, particularly regarding a controversial politician who had stirred up the Ministry and its employees.
"Lils?" Gwen's voice broke the silence.
"Yes?" Lily replied, turning her gaze towards her friend.
"There will always be fighting, won't there? Always a war that needs to be fought? People dying on both sides for what they believe in."
Lily nodded, her expression pensive. "I don't think we'll ever know true peace. We can only hope that one day, we'll find that one thing that brings us peace."
"You're wrong," Gwen said gently. "Peace isn't defined by just one thing."
Curious, Lily asked, "Why do you say that?"
Gwen smiled. "Knowing that my loved ones are safe gives me peace. If they're happy and content with their own lives, that gives me peace. Being surrounded by those I can call family and friends is what gives me peace."
"You're right," Lily admitted. "Peace can't be defined by a single thing."
"You're my sister, Lily," Gwen said, slipping her hand into Lily's. "Always will be."
"And you're always mine," Lily replied, their hands tightly intertwined. They looked out at the serene lake, its still surface reflecting their bond. But they knew that even the slightest touch could disturb its tranquility, causing ripples that would affect everything else.
As they dusted themselves off, preparing to head for dinner, they were interrupted by two of the four mischievous boys.
"Good to see you looking well, Sirius and Remus," Lily greeted them with a formal tone.
"Hello, how are the two of you?" Gwen asked, noticing Remus's nervousness and Sirius's cheeky grin.
"We were hoping to accompany you both to dinner," Sirius spoke up, giving Remus a hearty pat on the shoulder.
"We don't need yo—"
Gwen elbowed Lily, wearing a smile. "That's very kind of you. We appreciate the gesture and gladly accept."
The ginger was about to retort, but Gwen interjected, "Sirius?"
Sirius looked at her, his eyes filled with warmth. "Yes, love?"
"The weather is rather lovely, and I wish to share it with you before we head off to dinner. I hope that isn't too much to ask?"
Taking her arm, Sirius smiled. "If anything, it is an honor to accompany you anywhere."
Leaving the two Gryffindors behind, Gwen and Sirius walked in silence along the edge of the expansive, unexplored Black Lake. Gwen leaned her head on his shoulder, basking in the stillness of the moment.
"Why do you detest Severus so much?" Gwen finally asked, breaking the quietude.
Sirius tensed slightly before relaxing under her touch. "I met Severus before we even started our first year at Hogwarts. His mother was part of a distinguished pureblood family, much like the Potters, Scamanders, Crabbes, and Goyles, among many others. They had some traces of muggle blood in their lineage, which placed them in the middle ground between the middle and high classes of the wizarding world."
Nodding, Gwen recalled asking her parents about this distinction. At the time, she couldn't comprehend why the Prince family was considered different from both the half-bloods and muggle-borns, being regarded as part of the middle class while squibs were labeled as lower class. But she soon discovered the answer.
"Eileen Prince, a woman who married a muggle, faced the wrath of her pureblood family. They shunned her for her unconventional decision. Unfortunately, her husband's struggles with alcoholism and unemployment only added to her troubles. I still remember when my mother received an owl from Eileen, desperately asking for a loan. My mother, filled with anger, vehemently refused to help. Later, Eileen approached my mother again, this time seeking assistance for her son and herself. It was then that I learned they were once best friends during their time at Hogwarts, as Kreacher, our house elf, revealed. Intriguingly, our initial encounter with Severus, did not go well. Regulus and I couldn't resist teasing him, which led to Severus snubbing our family. From that day forward, a feud began due to my own regrettable choices."
Reflecting on that incident, Gwen finally understood why Sirius felt conflicted in the cabin that day. He faced the difficult decision of whether or not to disclose this information amidst the heated argument between James and Severus. While Gwen didn't condone Sirius' treatment of Severus, she couldn't entirely blame him either. After all, they were all raised in noble families that taught them to trample over others in the game of life. Instead of taking sides, Gwen simply nodded, acknowledging that this conflict existed before they had even met. It was evident that Sirius genuinely regretted his actions, and Gwen couldn't help but share her newfound understanding.
"You're a good person, Sirius," she whispered, unintentionally speaking her thoughts aloud.
He snorted in disbelief. "You're mistaken about that."
"You have yet to sway my decision," she replied, offering him a comforting smile as she rested her head on his shoulder.
With her father's letter clutched tightly in her hand, Gwen hurriedly made her way through the castle corridors, her heart pounding with anticipation. It had been over a month since she had written to her father, asking if he would teach and guide them to become Amnigui. She couldn't help but feel nervous about his response, especially since she had spent countless hours daydreaming about following in her parents' footsteps when she wasn't buried in her studies.
Turning a corner, Gwen skidded to a halt when she spotted Filch patrolling the halls with a lantern in hand. His worn brown suit did little to hide his pudgy figure, and his greasy hair clung to the back of his neck. A sneer adorned his face as he walked by. Ducking behind a pillar, Gwen held her breath, praying that he would continue in the opposite direction. As his footsteps came to a halt, she pressed a hand over her mouth, straining to hear any sound but the pounding of her own heartbeat.
Her heart threatened to burst out of her chest as agonizing seconds ticked by in slow motion. She waited, hoping to hear Filch's footsteps fade away, silently pleading that she wouldn't be caught out of bed. The last thing she wanted was to face Professor Dumbledore's lecture or disappoint Professor Flitwick by losing house points for breaking the rules. All she needed to do was reach the Gryffindor common room and share the news of the letter with the boys. She hadn't even read it herself yet.
Finally, Filch's footsteps resumed, moving on to the next corridor. Gwen let out a sigh of relief, slipping the letter back into the pocket of her robe. With caution, she continued her journey toward the Gryffindor common room, determined not to be caught.
"Lion tails," she whispered to the half-asleep Fat Lady, who granted her entrance as she had done countless times before.
Climbing through the hidden hole behind the portrait of the Fat Lady, Gwen stepped into the expansive circular common room. The crackling fire welcomed her, casting a warm glow across the room, which she discovered was also connected to the Floo Network. Stuffed armchairs and scarlet and gold tapestries adorned the space, depicting witches, wizards, and magical creatures. Bookcases lined one side, filled with a variety of intriguing volumes, while tall windows on the opposite side offered a view of the school grounds.
Making her way to the left side of the room, where the boys' dormitories were located, Gwen ascended the stone steps. She walked down the hallway, passing several dorm rooms, until she reached the very end where the first-year boys resided. James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter all shared a room together at the farthest corner of the corridor.
Grabbing her wand, Gwen tiptoed into the pitch-black room, accompanied by James' snores. Heading towards the central stove in the middle of the room, she conjured a flickering flame using the incendio spell, hoping to ward off the chilly air that permeated the dorm.
Using her wand once more, she drew the red curtains closed around each bed, seeking a semblance of privacy. As she moved towards one of the four-poster beds, she accidentally tripped over something, stubbing her toe on a trunk placed at the foot of each student's bed. Suppressing a yelp of pain, she stumbled again, this time hitting her toe on the corner of a desk beneath the windows.
"Lumos," she whispered, her wand illuminating a bright light, revealing the bed she had inadvertently disturbed. Glancing around the room, she realized it was an absolute mess. Stone walls and wooden floors were barely visible under the sea of scattered clothes strewn across the floor.
Placing her wand on the nightstand beside the bed, Gwen drew open the red curtains with gold trim, revealing a slumbering James. He lay on his stomach, shirtless, with one leg and one arm hanging off the bed, blankets and sheets kicked to the side.
"James, wake up!" Gwen shook him, only to have him turn to his side and fall back into a deep sleep.
"Well, I tried," she muttered, grabbing her wand and making her way towards the alarm clock. Setting it for a minute, she extinguished the light with a quiet "nox."
The ear-piercing ringing jolted the four boys out of bed in a frenzy. Startled, they stumbled around, desperately searching for the source of the dreadful noise. Curtains were drawn, and bodies tumbled out of bed as they shouted at each other in confusion.
Gwen swiftly silenced the blaring alarm, casting a luminous glow across the entire dormitory with a flick of her wand. Peter lay sprawled amidst a mess of sheets and discarded candy wrappers, while Remus sat on the floor, his hair tousled and his clothes crumpled. Jamie, with his askew glasses, stood shirtless, a trail of drool escaping his chin. Lastly, Sirius lounged on the floor, clad only in boxers.
"Gwen!" they shouted in unison.
"Hello, boys. Glad to see you've finally joined the land of the living," she greeted them, illuminating the room with a spell that brought the lanterns to life.
"How did you get in?" James asked, adjusting his disheveled appearance.
"What brings you here?" Sirius inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"Did you bring any food?" Peter chimed in, his eyes hopeful.
"What time is it?" Remus added, glancing at his rumpled attire.
Gwen watched as the four boys bombarded her with questions, settling into James' bed as she patiently waited for their incessant inquiries to cease.
"Are you finished?" she finally asked, meeting their gazes one by one.
They exchanged looks before nodding in unison.
"I received a letter from my father about our little mission," Gwen announced, producing the unopened letter from her robe and waving it in the air. The boys' eyes widened with anticipation.
"What does it say?" James pressed, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Opening the envelope and unfolding the letter, Gwen glanced at each of the boys before commencing with a dramatic reading.
Dear my darling daughter,
I received your letter regarding the contents of your venture and your decision to become an Animagus in order to aid your friend with Lycanthropy. Your choice is both noble and compassionate, and I wholeheartedly support it. However, I urge you to exercise caution, as the path to becoming an Animagus is arduous and time-consuming. You must excel in both Transfiguration and Potions classes to embark on this journey. To start, seek out a book that can be found in the depths of the Hogwarts library. It won't be an easy find, so I recommend consulting Professor McGonagall, who likely possesses the book. When you return home for the summer, I will take a few days off to offer my assistance to you and your friends. Remember to keep this endeavor under strict confidentiality, as any leak of information could land you all in deep trouble with the Ministry. Keep me updated on your progress and feel free to ask any questions. Your mother and I are immensely proud of you, and the path you're treading is righteous and honorable.
Love,
Your father
Gwen looked up from the letter, observing the boys' wide smiles, with the exception of Remus, who appeared somewhat anxious, as was his nature.
"It seems we have our work cut out for us," James declared, slapping Peter's shoulder, who was now devouring a licorice wand.
"Indeed," Sirius concurred, dressing himself. "What do you think, Mooney?"
"I think this is a risky endeavor," Remus replied, his voice tinged with concern. "Did you not hear? Professor McGonagall is unlikely to simply hand over the book we need. Besides, excelling in Transfiguration and Potions won't be a walk in the park."
Sirius draped his arm around Remus, sporting a mischievous smirk. "I'll have a word with Minnie, and I guarantee she'll part with that book," he stated confidently, then turned to Gwen, raising an eyebrow. "And Gwen can tutor us in our classes to ensure a smooth journey."
"Sirius is right. I will make sure you all excel in your classes so we can take the next step towards becoming Animagus and assisting Remus with his transformations," Gwen affirmed.
Rolling her eyes, she shook her head, knowing they would concoct a plan by breakfast to convince McGonagall to hand over the book.
"I must return to my dorm before I get caught being here," Gwen announced, tucking the letter into her robe alongside her wand. Extending her hand to James, she walked to his trunk, where he rummaged through it and handed her something with a serious expression.
"Be careful and don't get caught," he cautioned.
"Of course," she replied, wrapping the item around herself before bidding the boys farewell and swiftly exiting their dormitory.
It's been a thrilling week since she stealthily infiltrated the Gryffindor common room, concealed by the invisibility cloak. Armed with a letter and fueled by a newfound ambition, she embarked on a daring mission. Sirius, ever the mastermind, devised a plan to secure the coveted book. As they delved into the secrets of becoming an Animagus, she took on the role of their trusted tutor in Transfigurations and Potions. Crafty and mischievous, she cleverly crafted a flexible schedule that accommodated their mischief and personal endeavors.
"Lady Gwendolyn," she heard a voice, and her heart skipped a beat. Lucius, with his trademark smirk, loomed before her, exuding an air of confidence. "Lovely to see you again."
Gwen flashed a polite smile, closing her textbook. "The pleasure is mine, Lucius."
Casting a quick glance around, she noticed the sparsely populated Great Hall as Study Hall was drawing to a close. Returning her attention to Lucius Malfoy, she gracefully began packing her belongings.
"I was hoping to invite you to have dinner with me once more," he smiled. "I wish to apologize for my behavior as I had merely been attempting to impress you."
She clicked her tongue, "I shall consider the invitation as you do seem to be genuine."
Lucius smiled, "I am happy to hear that. I do hope that you will accept the invitation to the Malfoy's Garden Party."
She nodded, her eyes gleaming with determination. "Indeed, I shall attend many such events as I navigate the path to find the perfect alliance for my family. After all, I believe I am wise enough to choose our companions wisely."
"I wholeheartedly agree, Lady Donoghue. I sincerely hope that you consider the Malfoy family as a potential ally in your quest to align your family with the most suitable companions."
Cautiously observing him, she rose from her seat, clutching her books. "We shall see, Lucius. Good day." With that, she swiftly turned on her heel and departed.
"Good day, Lady Donoghue."
After having her studying interrupted by Lucius, she went to the Library in an attempt to finish up. She had received an owl that Sirius wanted to meet her later at the Astronomy Tower, sometime after dinner. However, she was also due to meet with Lily and Severus down by Black Lake.
She started packing her things together seeing that the library was fairly empty leaving only the eager first years to study and do their homework. As soon as she had stepped out of the library she ran into someone causing her to crumble to the floor along with her things. Biting her lip she ignored the pain in her right hand as she had fallen on her fingers.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there!" a young girl dressed in hufflepuff robes whimpered as she looked like she was on the verge of crying
Standing up Gwen picked up her things with a smile, "No, I'm fine I was just on my way to Ravenclaw tower to get ready for dinner."
"I'm Nella Skeeter, second year student"
"It's nice to meet you Nella, I'm Gwen Donoghue, a first year student."
Recognition showed on her face as she clapped her hands together "I know of you! I read about you in Wizard Weekly! You're crazy famous! Is it true that you're a pureblood?" Gwen's smile disappeared as she narrowed her eyes at her
"If you excuse me, I don't have time to answer such trivial questions as I have somewhere to be right now" she responded coldly before walking away from the hufflepuff.
Dreadful girl
Gwen had grown tired of people constantly watching her, constantly talking and approaching her just as that girl had. Clenching her jaw, she huffed quietly. Anger clearly evident as she stomped towards her Black Lake.
Throwing her bag onto the ground next to Lily's and Severus', Gwen plopped down onto the grass, eager to delve into her Transfigurations textbook. Unfazed by the curious glances she received from her friends, she immersed herself in the fascinating world of the softening charm, scribbling down notes as she went along. But her peaceful reading session was abruptly interrupted when a fiery-haired redhead snatched her book away with a frustrated expression.
"Give me my book back, please. I have important work to do," Gwen pleaded, her voice tinged with urgency.
"What's got your knickers in a twist?" Lily retorted, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"I don't want to discuss it, Lily. Just hand my book over," Gwen replied, her patience waning.
Unfazed by Gwen's request, Lily playfully pulled the book out of her reach, eliciting an eye roll from Gwen who was growing tired of the childish antics. Standing up, Gwen made another attempt to retrieve her book, only for Lily to swiftly move it even farther away.
"Come on, spill the beans, you ninny," Lily persisted.
"I'm not in the mood for your immature behavior. Just give me my book," Gwen snapped, her frustration mounting.
"Tell me what's wrong," Lily insisted, her tone softening.
Gwen was having none of it. "You claim to dislike how Potter acts, and yet here you are, doing something he would do. I would know, considering we grew up together."
Lily's cheeks puffed out in annoyance. "I'm your friend, and I'm just trying to understand what's bothering you. But you're being mean to me."
"I already told you that I don't want to talk about it, and you're refusing to listen," Gwen explained, reaching for her book once more. But Lily yanked it back, causing it to slip from Gwen's grasp and plummet into the depths of the Black Lake. Gwen blinked at Lily, her expression blank, before swiftly grabbing her bag and making a hasty retreat back to the castle, tears welling up in her eyes.
Severus whistled softly, casting a disapproving glance at Lily. "You really messed up this time, Lily."
She sighed, a wave of regret washing over her. "She hates me."
"Gwen doesn't hate you. It's not in her nature to harbor hatred. Give her some space, clearly something is bothering her. Pushing her to talk when she's not ready won't make you a good friend," Severus advised, his voice tinged with wisdom.
"Curse you for being right," Lily muttered bitterly, sinking down onto the grass next to him.
Severus returned to his book, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "I usually am right about these things. And I suggest getting her a new textbook as a step towards mending things."
Lily gazed at the lake, wincing as she noticed the book had already disappeared beneath the surface. Joining Severus on the grass, she took out parchment paper and her quill, determined to write a heartfelt apology letter.
As she made her way towards the Astronomy Tower, a sense of anticipation tingled in the air. It was as if mischievous energy crackled around her, promising an adventure she couldn't resist. Despite the day's exhausting events, the allure of returning to bed and slipping back into slumber was strong. However, she had received a letter from him, calling for a meeting after dinner. In her forgetfulness, she had penned a reply suggesting a new meeting time. Little did she know that he had chosen the unholy hour of two in the morning, driven by the thrill of breaking the rules.
"You summoned me?" she managed to stifle a yawn as she spotted Sirius hunched over something, instantly raising her suspicion. After all, this was Sirius Black, the epitome of unpredictability.
"Guess who accomplished our mission?" he exclaimed, spinning around to reveal a weathered, leatherbound book, its worn appearance a testament to its extensive use.
"Is that really the book my father mentioned? How on earth did you manage to convince Professor McGonagall to hand it over?"
Sirius smirked, oozing with confidence. "What can I say? Minnie adores me." Rolling her eyes at his arrogance, she couldn't help but admire his audacity. He had successfully obtained the book they desperately needed to fulfill their quest.
"Have you delved into its contents yet?" she inquired, curiosity piqued.
Sirius shook his head. "Remus insists on studying it meticulously to ensure we don't make any mistakes."
"Sounds reasonable. Meanwhile, I shall diligently fulfill my end of the bargain," she declared, determined to keep her promise.
Sirius frowned. "Something's not right." He felt a tug at his heart as he noticed her bandaged hand, swollen eyes, and red nose. "You've been crying."
She shook her head, "I'm fine Sirius, I just spent all night studying. I lost track of time."
Sirius would have believed her little story had it not been for the white bandage covering her right hand. Gently grasping her wrist, he brought it closer to his face to examine if anything was broken or sprained.
"Liar," she tugged her hand away, averting her gaze as if suddenly finding the book incredibly fascinating.
Shrugging, he simply grinned. "If you won't tell me, then I'll stick by your side until you decide otherwise."
Hiding her smile behind her face, they both settled on the ground of the Astronomy Tower. Despite it being a few weeks since they returned from Christmas break, the air still held a chilly bite. She changed the subject to his younger brother Regulus, a timid ten-year-old who followed Sirius around like a faithful puppy.
"I've always wondered what it's like to have a younger sibling," Gwen admitted, her curiosity piqued. Being an only child, along with James, Jack, Severus, Remus, and Peter, only Sirius and Lily had the experience of having siblings. Gwen couldn't help but dislike the way Petunia treated Lily because of her magical abilities.
"I love the little bugger, even if he shadows my every move," Sirius grumbled, breaking her from her thoughts as she glanced over at the silver-eyed boy.
"I think it's adorable, really. He just wants to be like you."
"Like me, huh…?" His eyes drifted off, deep in thought as he contemplated the girl's words.
"I believe that Regulus looks up to you," she whispered. "He's your little brother, so why wouldn't he?"
"Admiration...?"
"He's not the only one who admires you, Mr. Black."
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? Who else might admire me?"
Gwen chuckled softly. "I do," she whispered. "I've admired your integrity, kindness, and your unwavering loyalty to the things you hold dear."
Sirius smirked, his cheeks flushing at her words. He wasn't sure if she had intended to say it the way she had. Her words had a profound effect on him, and it occurred to him that maybe his feelings for Gwen were evolving beyond friendship.
But then, he frowned.
James would surely kill him if he were to find out.