10/10/2023

Hi! Here is the second chapter! I hope this improves on before... Love you all! Thanks for reading!

October 2006

The soft flipping of pages and mummer of voices were the only noises anyone could hear in the warm library. Kiara wandered to a table half hidden by bookshelves next to a large window. She was exhausted from running from gossip mongers all day. She finally found peace in her Ancient Rune homework, pulling out her Rune Dictionary and translation worksheet. She tapped her music bracelet and settled down for a few hours of work.

Books and spare papers were scattered across the desk in a way that Kiara would tell you is organized but anyone else would say was a mess. She was halfway through her Herbology assignment when the table shook, sending her gaze up. A younger boy with black hair and signature gray eyes.

"Reg?" Kiara whispered, looking up at her only close friend at Hogwarts.

September 2003

Kiara was walking back to the Hufflepuff common room alone when she heard a noise coming from one of the empty classrooms. Kiara walked down the corridor searching for the source of the noise that as she approached, sounded more and more like stifled crying. Kiara walked into the room, away from the light and warmth of the hallway.

"Hello?" Kiara called out.

The noise she heard from outside had quieted but she could see someone slumped next to a window. The moonlight was just bright enough to make out the boy. He looked up as she tentatively approached. Gray eyes stared at her and then flickered down to her tie.

"Who are you?" The boy asked, curling up even more.

"I'm Kiara." She said sitting down next to him.

"Do you want to tell me how evil I am for being a Slytherin? I've had enough of that from Sirius."

"I don't think Slytherins are evil. You obviously aren't."

"And what do you know about me? I could hex you in a second."

"But you haven't. Anyone who judges someone by a house is an idiot."

The boy let out a quiet laugh sitting up, "No one has ever said my brother is an idiot."

"Well I just did," Kiara stood up and shouted to the empty room, "Sirius Black is an idiot!" Another small laugh escaped him.

"Ok, now that that's over… Hello, person I just met, I am Kiara Hope."

"Regulus Black," he said, reaching for her outstretched hand.

She pulled him up, "Nice to meet you."

October 2006

"How was your day?" Kiara asked, setting her work aside and pulling her legs under her.

"It was fine. I would ask you about your's but I think everyone in the castle knows what happened." Regulus sat down next to her, setting down his bag.

"Ugh! Everyone has made it into such a big deal. I didn't even do all that much. I just didn't let your idiot brother torment Severus again."

"Really? I heard you cast a curse on him and ran away cackling," he snickered.

"Like I would curse someone. I still can't believe I called him out. I'm gonna have to be so careful now. Who knows how they're going to get back at me."

"It'll be fine, as long as you don't eat any food they offer you."

"I'm not stupid." She pushed his shoulder.

Regulus smirked and pulled his work out of his bag. She turned back to her Herbology work with a groan. She struggled for a few moments before switching to her other work. Regulus looked up at her in question but she just ignored him and started humming. He shrugged, used to her shorter attention span, and went back to his charms list mumbling the spells under his breath. They stayed in companionable silence until Kiara stood up with a huff and started pacing.

"Ara," Regulus asked, trying to get the frustrated girl's attention. "Ara, what's wrong now?"

"Oh nothing. Just that I can't find the healing uses of Belladonna! How is a poisonous plant supposed to heal people? It is poisonous! What genius tried a poisonous plant on some poor patient and just hoped it worked." Kiara's rant soon poured out a plethora of frustrations that ranged from her soggy eggs this morning to the uselessness of the colloportus charm. She fiddled with her hair as she paced, making the normally calm brown waves frizz up."And on top of that, why do I have to wear a skirt? Not that I have anything against skirts. I actually like mine a lot. But the principle of girls wearing skirts is sexist. Like what if-"

"Ara," Regulus cut in before they would get kicked out of the library. "Do you want help with your Herbology work?"

Kiara looked back at him and sheepishly nodded. "Yes."

"Yes…" Regulus asked

"Okay I get it. Well, will you please help me with Herbology, Regulus Arcturus Black the second?" Kiara demanded.

"Ok, Ara," Regulus laughed, looking over her papers. He walked over to a bookshelf and pulled out 'The Unknown Properties of the Nightshade Family'.

Kiara stared at the book incredulously. "It was right there the whole time!"

Regulus shook his head and started to explain the book. They sat there whispering in their peaceful refuge until the sunlight began to shrink.

– o – ️ – o –

Kiara quickly scarfed down her roast beef and stepped out of the Great Hall into the empty corridor. The Hufflepuff started to walk down the hall to the Commons when the Bloody Baron, Thomas Mar, appeared right in front of her. She had a strange friendship with the ghost. Even Regulus was uneasy around the Baron. Kiara lent an ear to Thomas and he in return became an extraordinary friend. He was the only one who knew of her real heritage.

"Miss Hope. What are you doing out of the Hall so early?" Thomas inquired, floating next to her as she continued walking down the corridor.

"I was just not in the mood to listen, for another twenty minutes, about the next quidditch match between Slytherin and Gryffindor. You'd think that people would think about stuff other than that dangerous sport."

"I have to disagree, Miss Hope. I do love a good quidditch match."

"But Thomas, it is so hazardous. According to the History of Quidditch, if someone is injured they can't even leave the game until it's over. What if that happens to Regulus? He'll have to keep looking for the snitch. What if he falls off his broom? What if they lose and the other Slytherins blame him? What-"

"Hush, Miss Hope you are working yourself into a tizzy. Breathe," Thomas interrupted Kiara, noticing her panicked breathing. "Master Regulus will be fine. He is an excellent flier, and even if they lose I daresay he has a few allies in Slytherin. That boy–Severus is one of them. How about we talk about more pleasant topics?"

"I would like that," Kiara turned to lean on the windowsill, "The moon will be full soon, perfect for-"

A brown haired boy staggered down a flight of stairs, breathing heavily against the cold wall. Kiara rushed over with the Baron floating beside her. As she neared, the boy's head jerked up. Kiara stopped, it was Remus Lupin. One of the boys who loved to torment the Slytherins, the golden boys of Gryffindor. She had never seen him without his louder, more obnoxious friends. His hands shook, eyes darting around.

"Get away!" he shouted, trying to stand.

"No. You need help." Kiara closed their distance, pulling him upright.

She cast a general diagnostic spell. His body shone with a light glow signaling how drastic his injuries were. She held back a gasp. His body was breaking and reforming over and over.

"What did you just do?" Lupin glared, holding onto the wall.

"A simple diagnostic spell. What is happening to you?"

"It doesn't matter, take me to the Whomping Willow. Fast."

"Yes it does. Based on the spell it's incredible you're even standing. What is happening?"

"I can't tell you," He huffed, looking into her eyes, "I really can't."

She didn't know what in his face made her believe him but she gave up.

"Fine, let's go."

Thomas looked down at Kiara. "Follow me."

Kiara, with Lupin leaning against her, stumbled out of Hogwarts. The night chill did nothing to help with Lupin's shaking, which increased with each step. As they neared the Willow, Remus took out his wand and whispered Wingardium Leviosa which floated a twig to a small knot in the tree. The tree shuddered, a part of its roots folding open.

"Set me down there and then run back inside," Lupin ordered. Kiara lowered him towards the tree, half helping him inside the tunnel. "Please don't tell anyone." He tightened his grip on her arm at the last second.

"Tell me what's happening. I can't just leave you like this," she pleaded.

"Later." Kiara hesitated and then nodded.

The shaking boy slipped into the tree and out of sight. Kiara sat back on her heels and looked up at the stars.

"What is going on?" She sighed.

"Well from my point of view, you just dropped a possibly injured boy down a hole in a tree."

"That's not helping Thomas."

Thanks for reading! Please review. It can be a comment, criticism, question, etc, but please review! It helps so much when you do!

- Natalie