Next morning, Lily was on her way to Potions when Severus grabbed her arm and pulled her down the dark corridor beyond the stairs, out of the ear shot of the other students crowding the hallway. He glanced back over his shoulder to be sure no one was following after them and looked at her with his dark, shadowed eyes from between long strands of his hair that had fallen into his face.
"The Lupin boy broke up with you?" he asked, voice eager.
Lily tried very hard to keep her face straight as possible to hide any emotions she could. "What business is it of yours whether he broke up with me or not?" She paused, "how did you find out so quickly?"
"Lily," Severus said, exasperated. She made no move to answer, he sighed, "I read about it in this." He handed over the newsletter that their school wrote
Taking it, she flipped through it until she found the small column announcing their breakup. "Who wrote the article?" Taking a glance she squinted, "Nella Skeeter. I've heard that name before." She took a deep breath. "Yes, he broke up with me. So what? What's it matter to you?"
Severus had to remind himself to suppress the smile that he felt swell up inside of himself. Be had been beyond ecstatic about reading that particular news and was happy that it wasn't just gossip as most of it was. He grabbed her hand. "Are you alright, then?"
"I'm fine, Severus, really," she said, and she pulled her hand out of his grasp. "You needn't be worrying about me."
"I'm just trying to be your friend, Lil," he said more gently than he'd spoken to her in some time.
He let himself feel a bit of excitement. "Anyway, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry he broke up with you," Severus said.
"Thanks," Lily answered. "It was a mutual thing."
Severus paused, cleared his throat, and looked around. The last stragglers of the class were rushing down the hall - by name, it was the four Gryffindor boys, and as they ran Sirius and James were pretending at sword fighting with their wands. Why were they always acting like children? They needed to grow up. He just looked away from them, still not quite sure why Lily and Gwen enjoyed their company. But remembered that Gwen had a good excuse. Potter and her were cousins.
"C'mon, before we're late," Lily suggested, waving for Severus to follow along with her. "I want to talk to Gwen before class starts."
Severus, on the other hand, walked beside her with a quiet satisfaction. It took everything in him to pretend as though he wasn't about to burst at the seams from knowing that Lily and Remus were no more. It gave him a glimmer of hope that he could finally tell her how he felt. He tried to stay positive and not allow his mind to dwell on the complexities that would come with if Lily and him were to date.
As they entered the Potions classroom, Lily spotted Remus already seated at his usual spot. He looked up, catching her eye, and gave a small, sympathetic smile. Lily returned it weakly, silently grateful for the support.
They took their seats behind Gwen, who had been busy ignoring the four boys who seemed to be trying to get her attention and failing. Deciding to ask her later what happened between then, he opened up his textbook and flipped to the chapter they were to start today.
Severus snuck an occasional glance at Lily when Professor Slughorn wasn't the lesson, Severus found himself distracted, his mind wandering between the cauldron in front of him and the events of the morning. Lily, too, struggled to concentrate. The recent breakup with Remus had left her feeling vulnerable, and Severus's unexpected concern had stirred a range of emotions within her.
After class, Severus lingered behind, waiting for Lily to gather her things. As she walked out, he fell into step beside her.
"I meant what I said earlier, Lily. I'm sorry about what happened with Lupin," Severus confessed, his tone sincere.
Lily sighed, appreciating the genuine sentiment. "I know, Severus. Thanks for checking on me. It means more than you might think."
Severus nodded, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. They walked together in companionable silence, navigating the corridors of Hogwarts. The air between them felt lighter, carrying traces of the friendship they had once shared. Slowly their friendship was mending back together as though their fights hadn't ever happened.
"Have you read the Newsletter?" Jackie rushed into the common room, throwing it down onto the table. "I can't believe this."
Pandora, Olivia, Toni and Gwen had been hanging out in the common room, either reading or doing homework. Abandoning their things, they peered at the paper on the table.
Scrunching her nose, Gwen peered at it. "What is that?"
"The Hogwarts Monthly Newsletter," she stated exasperated. "We've always had it."
"Huh," was all she said before shrugging and going back to her book.
"No listen!" Jackie plucked the book out of her hands. "Professor Flitwick is starting the dueling club this Friday, and not to mention the fact that there will be a tournament at the end of the year."
Excitement buzzed in the air as the group absorbed the news. Pandora grabbed the paper, squinting at it. "A dueling club? Kinda late to start one at the end of the year don't you think?"
Toni, who had a reputation for her impressive spellwork, raised an eyebrow. "A tournament, you say? I'm definitely interested."
Gwen, the more reserved of the group, looked intrigued. "I can put my skills to the test."
While she flipped the page to see what else was in the newsletter, Pandora frowned. "This isn't good."
Toni had taken the paper from Pandora, catching a glimpse of its headline and photo before turning to Gwen. "Nella Skeeter wrote an article about Sirius and you."
"I didn't see that!" Jackie stumped her foot, snatching it out of her hands. "Lemme see."
"Read it aloud please for the rest of us," Pandora hummed from her spot.
"Hogwarts resident celebrity, Gwendolyn Donoghue had a recent falling out with Gryffindor troublemaker, Sirius Black after he had been caught not only snogging Ravenclaw Marlene McKinnon in a broom closet, but openly flaunting his new witch in front of her. Several eyewitnesses have claimed that Sirius asked out Hufflepuff Adeline Parker to be his Valentine's date." Jackie chanced a glance at Gwen, pausing to gauge her reaction, only to see her impassive expression.
Gwen's expression turned from intrigue to irritation as Jackie continued reading. Toni shook her head, clearly unimpressed with the sensationalized style of Nella Skeeter's reporting.
"Don't stop," Toni insisted
"—Seems not only has Sirius Black snubbed his family traditions but has also snubbed his pureblood girlfriend. How are we to cope knowing that even a pureblood heiress with wealth and fame cannot hope to keep a pureblood from wandering? Sources close to our resident Princess have claimed that she is heartbroken after having been cheated on by two different girls. Our sympathies lie with her as she navigates through this trying time of betrayal and loss."
"Ridiculous," Gwen muttered, crossing her arms. "Who would believe such filth?"
Pandora rolled her eyes. "She's always twisting things to create drama. It's like she thrives on it."
Olivia sighed. "People will believe anything they read, especially if it's thrown in your face. We need to set the record straight somehow."
Jackie nodded, handing the paper back to Toni. "Agreed. We can't let this gossip ruin our reputations or friendships. Maybe we should talk to Sirius and figure out a way to address this nonsense."
Pandora was already shaking her head, "the best way to avoid causing a scandal is to lay low and to take care of this discreetly as possible. We should prepare a statement, something that addresses the inaccuracies without giving her more material."
Toni added, "what do you suggest?"
"Sirius and Gwen need to go back to the way things were before," she threw the paper down onto the table.
"There has to be another way," Olivia frowned. "She shouldn't have to put herself back with him like that after what he had done."
"I agree with Dora on this one," Jackie bit her lip. "If they are seen together, happy even just for a bit will be enough for people to discredit Skeeter's trashy claims."
"We should let Gwen decide," Toni paces in front of the fireplace. "Otherwise all this talk is just mute."
The four girls turned to Gwen, who stared at the article with an unreadable expression. "I need some time to think."
Taking her book, she left to return to her dorm. The girls watched her climb up the stairs and disappear. As the group discussed their plan to address the rumors, they realized that navigating the world of wizarding gossip required more than just magical skills – it required a united front and a strong bond of friendship, something that Gwen came to appreciate more and more as each day passed. Even if she was exhausted right now.
The room provided a welcome refuge from the persistent presence of Nella Skeeter. Lying on her bed, Gwen closed her eyes, trying to shake off the irritation that the encounter had stirred. The nagging feeling of being constantly watched by the nosy girl had become an unwelcome background noise in her life.
As she drifted into a light nap, thoughts about her father and the strange atmosphere that lingered between them crept into her mind. The secrecy surrounding their interactions and the apparent effort to avoid discussing certain matters left her feeling uneasy. It was a stark contrast to the openness and camaraderie she witnessed between friends like Jackie, Toni, Dora, and Liv.
"Are you coming to class?" Pandora stepped into the dorm after a while as she went to her corner of the room to grab her school bag.
"Do you think Olivia would notice if I didn't?"
"Most definitely,"
Gwen clicked her tongue in annoyance, "you have my answer then."
Sliding off the bed, Gwen straightened her clothes, picking up her robe and dressing quickly. As both girls grabbed their things, they left their dorm and made their way to class where she would be forced to talk to Sirius. Professor Slughorn had partnered them for the new potion they were to be brewing today. Perhaps she'll make the potion herself and leave class early to get away from him.
The gossip column that Nella had written came to the forefront of her mind. Nosey witch.
Upon entering their Potions class in the dungeons, the girls split up and took their seats at opposite sides of the classroom. Sirius wasn't at his seat or anywhere in the class. Perhaps he wouldn't show and save her a headache. Pulling her textbook out, she began to write in it regarding the notes they were instructed to copy down off the board before Slughorn would arrive. It was to help improve the effectiveness of the potion.
She felt a familiar presence take it's seat next to her, she pointy ignored him and quickly finished copying the notes. Once done, she hummed to herself as she looked at their stations that were already prepared for the quite difficult potion they'd be brewing.
Girding Potion, meant to prolong endurance.
"Is that what we are to make today?" Sirius peered over her shoulder, "I'll be honest as I haven't studied it."
"I don't expect anything less," she sat in her seat, patiently waiting for their Professor to arrive, not missing the sympathetic looks she was receiving from her peers.
She was tempted to hex them all and leave class.
"How have you been darling?" He nudged her with his shoulder, "seems as though we keep missing one another since we came back from break."
Gwen blinked, "quite alright."
Sirius frowned at her short clipped responses, he decided to change the subject, hoping to coax more of an answer out of her. "I love your new hair, why the sudden change?"
She didn't bother to spare him a glance, or a response as Professor Slyghorn chose this moment to slam the door open and whisk inside with a stack of books in his hands. "I apologize for my tardiness, I needed to bring some potions to Madam Pomfrey to stick up for the dueling club meeting that is happening today."
Gwen ignored him, opting to ignore him as she focused on Professor Slughorn. As Professor Slughorn continued with his lecture, Gwen's attention remained steadfast on the brewing instructions and the potion-making process. Sirius, sensing her disinterest in engaging with him, reluctantly turned his attention to the class materials. He did his best to pretend as though it didn't bother him that she was indifferent to him.
Slughorn explained the intricacies of the Girding Potion, emphasizing the importance of precise measurements and controlled heat during the brewing process. Gwen meticulously gathered the required ingredients, maintaining a focused demeanor. Sirius, although lacking preparation, tried to catch up by scanning the textbook and paying close attention to Slughorn's explanations.
As they started the potion-making, Gwen measured ingredients with precision, her movements efficient and practiced. Sirius, on the other hand, struggled a bit with the subtleties of potion-making, occasionally glancing over at Gwen for guidance.
"Need a hand, Black?" Gwen finally spoke, her tone neutral. Despite her initial reluctance, she couldn't help but notice Sirius's attempts to keep up.
Sirius grinned, appreciating the lifeline. "Wouldn't say no to some expert guidance by a pretty witch."
Gwen blinked at him, but proceeded to guide him through the steps. As they worked together, the tension between them began to ease. Sirius even managed a few successful steps, earning an approving nod from Gwen.
The class continued, and despite their initial awkwardness, Gwen and Sirius found a rhythm in their potion-making partnership. Professor Slughorn circulated the room, offering assistance and praise where needed. Gwen remained focused on her work, determined to excel in her studies.
As the class approached its end, Sirius couldn't help but notice Gwen's persistent silence. Sensing her unease, he decided to address it before the class dispersed, or at least address part of it without bringing up their shared kiss in front of the entire class.
Sirius nodded, respecting her boundaries. The bell rang, signaling the end of the lesson. Gwen gathered her things efficiently, leaving the classroom without a backward glance. Chasing after her in the already empty corridor, he grabbed her upper forearm to stop her from walking.
"Look, darling, I know things have been... complicated between us. I just want you to know that I'm here if you ever want to talk."
Gwen paused, looking at him for the first time since the class began. She took a hold of the Hogwarts Newsletter that Jackie had given. The page was dog-eared on the gossip column that talked about them. She thrusted it into his hands, causing his grip on her to fall.
Sirius watched her go, a mix of concern and frustration on his face. The dynamics between them remained uncertain, however, Sirius read the article and felt anger at how this puff wrote her as a victim, as some witch that had used Gwen to gain an audience.
Sirius stood in the corridor, staring at the crumpled newsletter in his hands. He couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt and frustration that had been building up between him and Gwen. As he unfolded the paper, he scanned the words that depicted their shared moment in a way that made him clench his jaw.
Taking a deep breath, Sirius crumpled the newsletter even more, the ink smudging beneath his fingers. He felt a strong urge to confront the writer, to set the record straight. But as he looked down the empty corridor, he realized that chasing after Gwen was more important at the moment.
He quickened his pace, catching up with her just outside the Great Hall. "Gwen, wait," he called out, his voice softer than before. She turned to face him, her expression guarded.
"I didn't mean for any of this to happen, you know," Sirius said earnestly. "I never wanted to drag you into the spotlight or make you feel uncomfortable. Parker meant nothing and I–"
"What you do is your business," she started. "Leave my name and my reputation out of it." Gwen sighed, her eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions. "It's not about what you wanted, Sirius. It's about what's happening. I don't need my personal life dissected in the gossip column."
He nodded, acknowledging her point. "I get it. I really do. And I want to fix this, to make it right."
Gwen looked at him skeptically. "How do you plan to do that?"
"I'll talk to this Skeeter, the one who wrote the article. I'll make it clear that our private matters are off-limits," Sirius promised. "I can't control what people think, but I can at least try to control what they say."
She studied him for a moment before sighing again. "Fine, do what you want. But keep me out of it, okay? I don't need any more attention."
As she walked away, he couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility and guilt for the mess that had unfolded due to his actions. He should have known that there would be repercussions for entertaining other witches, but he had only done so to maintain distance from her. Merlin, he shouldn't have kissed her, not when it was painfully obvious that they shouldn't be together.
The four boys had strode into their Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, the Dueling Club would be taking place here as Professor Flitwick wanted to encourage students to defend themselves. There were many students in the large classroom, but they had overheard that a good chunk of these students were here just to watch the show.
Jack, eyes narrowed, stalked towards the group of four. "Black you owe me an explanation."
Shit.
"Care to explain why this puff is using my cousin to be a victim as her breakout story?"
James furrowed his eyebrows, "what are you talking about?"
He thrusted the article into his hands, Remus and Peter peered over his shoulder to read it, only to whip their heads towards Sirius.
"Gwen told me after potions class," Sirius sighed.
"What happened between my cousin and you?" Jack crossed his arms over his chest, his mouth turned upwards into a snarl. "I haven't seen you around her since we returned from break, so pray tell what has changed?"
"Jamie here, told me to keep away from her because Peter got it in his head that I have a crush on her when that is far from the truth. You already know that Declan asked me to watch over her and protect her."
Jackie turned his ire to his other cousin, "so you did this?"
He raised his hands up in surrender, "in my defense, I thought that space between them would ensure that nothing happened between them."
"Did it not occur to you that any change in routine would cause even more damage to both of their reputations because of this?" Jack sighed, "I would much prefer there be rumors of them liking one another then this garbage! Just another reason for people to think they are dating to keep her away from all the other boys."
Sirius glanced at James, frustration etched on his face. "I told you it was a bad idea to distance myself from Gwen. Now look at the mess we're in."
James rubbed the back of his neck guiltily. "I didn't think it would escalate like this, mate. I just wanted to avoid unnecessary rumors and protect her from any kind of heartbreak that she would face if she were to grow feelings for you."
Jack, however, was not appeased. "Rumors are one thing, but now she's being painted as a victim in some sensationalist story. This is not what I signed up for when we agreed to the no dating rule James. We agreed that she wouldn't date, not that she couldn't have friends, we are not going to control her life."
Remus, always the voice of reason, interjected, "Let's not forget that it's the writer of that article who's responsible for blowing things out of proportion. Sirius can't control what other people write about him."
Jack eyed Sirius skeptically. "But did you at least talk to her, explain yourself?"
Sirius nodded. "I confronted Gwen right after class. I tried to make her understand that I didn't want any of this attention, especially at her expense. She just wanted me to keep her name out of it. Gwen is rather upset by this and my distance, she didn't give me much of a chance to explain."
The eldest slytherin boy sighed, running a hand through his hair. "This is a disaster. We need to fix it. I don't want Gwen getting dragged into any more negative narratives that are damaging her reputation by painting her as some damsel in distress."
Peter, who had been mostly silent until now, spoke up nervously. "Maybe we can talk to the writer, Nella. Make her see that this isn't the story she should be telling."
"Sirius, you will make up with my cousin and James, you will stay out of it. I will take care of this but I suggest that you not let this happ–" Remus interrupted Jack by pointing at the entrance.
"Here she is now,"
Gwen along with her friends had walked in, ditched their robes as they looked around the large room. An older boy walked towards them, smiling, seeming to greet them. They narrowed their eyes at the way he seemed to be more focused on Gwen.
"Why is Ryder McAdams, a gryffindor beater, talking to Gwen?" Jack asked, his eyes flickering towards the other four.
"They have only interacted on two separate occasions," Remus shrugged. "Perhaps he is interested in Gwen now that she is "single" as many people read the rubbish paper."
Jack grabbed a handful of Sirius' shirt and pushed him harshly towards her direction, "fix this Black."
Sirius stumbled forward, catching his balance before regaining composure. The urgency in Jack's voice fueled his determination to set things right. He approached Gwen, trying to gauge her emotions as she conversed with Ryder McAdams.
"Gwen," Sirius called out, hoping to get her attention. She turned, her expression guarded as she saw him approaching.
"Sirius, what do you want now?" she asked, a hint of irritation in her voice.
"I need to talk to you, in private," he said, casting a quick glance at Ryder, who seemed to be lingering a bit too close. The older boy frowned, his blue eyes narrowing slightly.
Gwen raised an eyebrow but nodded. "The meeting will be starting soon. Make it quick."
Sirius led her to a quieter corner of the room, away from prying ears. "Peter told James about some feelings for you," he started. "He made me swear to distance myself from you in an attempt to lessen our attachment to one another as he believes that you will be left heartbroken by pursuing other witches."
She just blinked at him, indifferent to what he had said so far.
He continued, "James was trying to do the right thing by you and stop the rumors circulating and to preserve our own friendship."
She clicked her tongue, "you speak to me of honesty but lack it yourself."
"I know I fucked up darling," he took her hand in his, placing a soft kiss on top of it. "I'm sorry for hurting you, it was not my intention to do so. Forgive me please and let us be as close as we were before."
Her eyes flickered. Gwen pulled her hand away, her expression softening, though still guarded. "Sirius, I appreciate the apology, but it's not that simple. This whole mess has made things complicated."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know, and I'm sorry for adding to the complications. I never wanted to hurt you, Gwen. James and I thought we were doing the right thing, but clearly, it backfired."
She crossed her arms, a mix of frustration and sadness in her eyes. "You let rumors and someone else's opinion dictate our friendship. I thought you trusted me more than that."
Sirius nodded, remorse evident on his face. "I should have trusted you, Gwen. It's my mistake, and I own up to it. But I don't want this to ruin what we had. Can't we move past this?"
Gwen sighed, glancing away for a moment before meeting his gaze. "It's not just about trust, Sirius. It's about communication. If we're going to be friends, we need to be honest with each other, even when it's difficult."
He nodded in agreement. "You're right. I should have talked to you instead of blindly following James' advice. I have been a coward butI promise I'll do better."
Gwen's expression softened a bit more. "We'll see, Sirius. It's going to take time to rebuild that trust."
Sirius nodded, grateful for the chance to make amends and rebuild his connection with her. Gwen gave him a small nod before turning to rejoin her friends, who had been secretly watching the entire time just as his friends had been.
"Thank you for coming to today's first dueling club meeting!" Flitwick announced loudly, holding his wand to his throat. "At the end of the year, there will be a tournament to be hosted to see who is the most skilled duelist at Hogwarts. For those who wish to join, I ask that you head over to that table and write your name on a slip of paper and enter it into the large cup. I ask those who will be here to watch, to take their own seats at the wooden bleachers where you will be safe as a barrier will be placed once two students have entered the ring."
Excited whispers erupted from students as they all began to break off, either to get a good seat or to enter their own name into the cup. Sirius took note that Gwen and Toni were putting their own names into the cup while the other three girls took their seats. Sirius felt a mix of anticipation and determination, he was rather keen on dueling others other than Remus and James. Peter was too scared to get hurt and would often only watch.
Approaching Gwen and Toni, he caught their attention. "Mind if I join in and put my name in the cup too?"
Gwen looked at him, a hint of skepticism in her eyes. "Dueling, Black? I thought you were more into causing trouble than actually defending yourself."
Sirius grinned, a playful glint in his eyes. "Well, maybe I'll surprise you. Plus, it's a good opportunity to show everyone that there's more to me than what's in that gossip column."
Toni chuckled, giving him a nod of approval. "I'd love to see that, Sirius. Go ahead and put your name in." She smiled at the person behind him, "I figured you'd be joining as well Jack."
The Slytherin grinned, "I'd love to get you in the ring Antonette." She hugged at the use of her full name and stomped away to wait with the others who also placed their name in the cup.
Gwen watched as Jamie and Remus placed their own names in the cup, followed by Sev, who showed up with Reggie, Evan, and Barty. He flashed her a half smile before standing far away from Jamie, who immediately began to taunt him.
"Let us hope that you actually paid attention to the lessons we gave you." Sirius chuckled, scribbling his name on a slip of paper and headed over to the cup, dropping it in with a determined look.
Gwen clicked her tongue, taking her spot next to Toni, who was still ignoring Jack as he teased her. However, judging by the blush on her face, she knew that she was secretly enjoying his attention.
Reflecting on Sirius' teasing, she thought back to their training sessions during last term, with Gwen's skills growing stronger under their guidance. Jack, Jamies, and Sirius had been more than kind and patient with her as they taught her both defensive and offensive skills to use in a proper duel. However, she had never actually used them in a real duel, only in practice against the three boys. Whereas they actually used them as they were often getting detention from being caught dueling with other students.
The practical skills they imparted had yet to be tested in a real duel, adding an element of uncertainty to the upcoming matches. She didn't expect to get very far but she hoped that due to the diverse pool of participants, she would have a better chance. Watching how Jamie and Sev eyed one another, she could already feel the anticipation of the more intense duels.
From the three hundred students that had put their name in the cup, and dueled with their partner. The number had dropped to one hundred and fifty students that had yet to participate. From the matches that had already taken place, seventy five students had moved to the second portion of the duel and the other half had stuck around to watch the other duels.
The decision to continue the duels throughout the weekend had created a sense of anticipation and excitement. The prospect of spending the weekend in Hogsmeade paled in comparison to the allure of witnessing the remaining duels unfold. As a result, the usually bustling town near Hogwarts was quieter than usual, with most students opting to stay and be part of the dueling spectacle.
The betting on the matches added an extra layer of thrill to the event. Students were placing wagers on their classmates, hoping to predict the outcomes of the duels. It became a topic of discussion in the common rooms and corridors, with friendly rivalries forming as students debated the strengths and weaknesses of the remaining participants.
The dueling matches had proven to be both entertaining and unpredictable. Spectators filled the wooden bleachers, their eyes glued to the dueling ring, eager to witness the magical clashes between their fellow students. Cheers and gasps echoed through the hall as spells were cast, countered, and dodged with skill.
There were even those who were taking bets on each match. The Hogwarts dueling tournament had become a major event, capturing the attention and enthusiasm of the student body.
The dueling tournament had indeed shifted the focus away from the gossip surrounding Sirius Black and Gwendolyn Donoghue. The intentional public appearances of Sirius and Gwen together, coupled with their laughter and camaraderie, successfully diverted attention from the rumors that had circulated. They made a point to sit at one another's table durings meals, to talk and laugh as before. It seemed that the duo's strategy had worked, as the Hogwarts community became engrossed in the excitement of the ongoing duels.
However, not everyone was in the clear from the aftermath of the gossip. Sirius and Remus had seized the opportunity during the dueling spectacle to confront Peter Pettigrew, the supposed informant. The two friends glared at him with a mixture of frustration and disappointment, making it clear that his actions had consequences.
In a secluded spot away from the dueling ring, Sirius and Remus confronted Peter about his loose lips and his tendency to cause trouble for them. The air was tense as Peter dangled over Black Lake, held in place by a simple Levitation spell.
Remus, with his arms crossed, addressed Peter sternly, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. "You have quite the loose lips in regards to our personal lives and causing trouble for us. Friends don't spy on one another, Peter."
Sirius, his patience wearing thin, growled, "You need to learn your lesson for being a rat. We can't have someone jeopardizing our friendships and spreading rumors."
"I-I didn't mean it!" Peter whimpered, his arms hanging limply above his head as he tried to reason with them.
Sirius wasn't convinced. "You said you were sorry, but this isn't the first time. We need to make sure you understand the consequences of your actions."
Remus shook his head, his expression firm. "Spying on friends is a breach of trust, Peter. If we're going to be a group, we need to be able to rely on each other."
"I'll do anything!"
Sirius smirked, "anything?"
He just aggressively shook his head yes, before moaning as he felt the bloodrush get to him and was nauseous all of a sudden.
"What should his punishment be, Mooney?"
"Since he finds spying and going around leaking our personal lives fun, I suggest that a night tied to this tree will scare him enough from ever thinking of spying on his friends again."
They both thought the idea over before nodding, they turned back to Peter who frantically shook his head. "What do you say Peter? If you refuse to do this then we cannot be friends anymore and we'll kick you out of the dorm."
The gravity of Sirius's words hit Peter hard, and he yelped in response, realizing the severity of the situation. Numbly, he nodded in agreement to their conditions. As the Levitation spell was released, Peter dropped to the ground, landing on his side with a painful hiss.
"After dinner, we will return to tie you to the tree and come back in the morning before breakfast," Remus nudged him with his boot.
"We should get back," Sirius began to walk away, shoving his fits into his trouser pockets. "I don't want to miss Gwen's duel."
Remus followed him, barely glancing back at Peter who picked himself off the ground and chased after to catch up.
The atmosphere in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom was charged with anticipation as Gwen stepped into the dueling ring. Sirius, having caught up with her, took his place by her side, a confident smirk on his face. He grasped her hand, a supportive gesture, and encouraged her with a playful tone. "You show your opponent everything I've taught you. Give them a proper thrashing, yes?"
Gwen's response was a determined smile. "I plan on it."
Sirius's mouth twitched, a mixture of pride and amusement. "There's her pretty smile."
As Gwen awaited her opponent, the tension in the room heightened. The moment of truth arrived as Marlene McKinnon's name was called. Sirius couldn't help but notice the change in Marlene's appearance, her once long brown hair now transformed into an ill-fitted pixie cut. Marlene, displaying a sneer, entered the ring, setting the stage for the duel. The two witches raised their wands, exchanged bows, and assumed defensive positions. The tension in the room grew palpable as the duel commenced.
Marlene wasted no time, casting a Confundo spell in an attempt to disorient Gwen. However, Gwen, displaying the skills she had honed under Jack, James, and Sirius, blocked the spell at the last second. The exchange of spells and counters unfolded, showcasing Gwen's progress and newfound proficiency in dueling.
Sirius couldn't help but feel a swell of pride and a twinge of heartache as he watched Gwen in action. He had played a part in shaping her into the formidable dueler she had become, and seeing her skills on display filled him with conflicting emotions.
The duel continued, each spell cast and blocked a testament to Gwen's dedication and the effectiveness of her training. The dueling arena became a stage for her prowess, capturing the attention of everyone in the room. As the clash of spells intensified, Sirius couldn't help but admire the woman before him, both as a skilled dueler and someone he had grown close to.
He couldn't but feel deep admiration and adoration for her as she gracefully used defensive and offensive magic against Marlene Mckinnon, who was also doing her best to keep up. He had to begrudgingly admit that she was quite talented herself.
Marlene had grown cocky, and with a misstep had faltered. Thus giving Gwen the opportunity to land the last hit.
"Depulso!" a stream of white magic shot out of her wand, hitting Marlene square in the chest, causing her to fly back and hitting the barrier and dropping her wand in the process.
Gwen won her first duel.
The atmosphere in the dueling hall was charged with excitement as Gwen basked in the cheers of her fellow students. Her victory over Marlene Mckinnon had not only showcased her magical prowess but also solidified her standing among her peers. Despite Marlene's cocky demeanor, Gwen couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. She had proven herself in a duel, a feat that demanded both skill and confidence. As Marlene picked herself up, shooting Gwen a snarky look, it was clear that the rivalry between them was far from over.
Gwen, still riding the adrenaline of her triumph, responded to Marlene's challenge with a smirk. "It won't be your hair or a duel next time you come at me," she retorted, her tone carrying confidence.
Gwen had kept to her word. She snuck into her dorm using the invisibility cloak and had chopped off her hair, forcing her to get a bad pixie cut in preference to shaving her head.
The onlookers hushed, awaiting Marlene's response. With a defiant glint in her eye, Marlene spoke, "Don't get too comfortable, Gwen. This isn't over." The challenge hung in the air, setting the stage for future confrontations between the two skilled witches.
As the crowd settled down and awaited the next duel, Gwen couldn't shake off the feeling of admiration for her opponent. Despite the rivalry, there was an underlying respect for Marlene's magical abilities. The duel had been a display of skill, a dance of wands and incantations that left an indelible mark on both participants.
Only one hundred and fifty students had qualified to the next round, as everyone was fighting for a spot on the dueling club, as Professor Flitwick had made it known that there would only be twenty spots. Meaning more than three fourth of the students would be rejected.
The vast majority who had made it this far were Slytherin and Gryffindor, with some Ravenclaw and a handful of Hupplepuffs. Who really only joined to be a part of some club.
It had been almost two weeks since then. February bled into March as the winter cold had finally simmered down to comfortable windy days that allowed students to venture outside and lay on the green as Spring blossomed.
Gwen bit her lip, she would be going home for the week pretty soon for Easter. Last year she had stayed at Hogwarts since her Father was away in Greece for some assignment and she hadn't felt like leaving. This year, however, she was going to come home and hopefully get some more answers from her Father in regards to Tom Riddle.
Speaking of Riddle…he had gone to Hogwarts which meant that there had to have been some mention of him during his own school years. She had completely forgotten about her looking into him after he had crashed her ball in order to dance with her.
The library would be a good place to check in regards to the old records. She could go from there at least.
As she tucked her wand away into her robe, she left the comfort of her dorm and made her way towards the Library. Turning the corner, she nearly ran into Narcissa Black, and her friends.
"It is a pleasure to run into you again," Narcissa greeted, her smile practiced and perfect.
"Lovely as always Narcissa," she turned her gaze to the three other girls.
Iris Grengrass was the elder twin, with perfect dark brown hair and equally dark hair and even darker features. She was taller, slender and had a small nose.
Poppy Greengrass was the younger twin with white blonde hair, blue eyes and soft features. The two girls couldn't be more different. She was short, pale skin and had long natural lashes.
Then, there was Anastasia Fawley, a witch short and slender with the perfect nose. Her hair was borderline black with eyes that were as green as their house color. Her skin was clear and pale but she had started to tan herself as it was trendy in Witch Weekly.
They were all different and still hauntingly beautiful like the Veela native to France.
As the group of girls stood in the corridor, the atmosphere took on a subtle blend of elegance and formality. Narcissa's charm seemed to radiate as she spoke, her words weaving a tapestry of social engagements and shared interests.
"I was hoping that I might have the pleasure of us talking," Narcissa ran a hand through his white hair that was in half up and half down hairstyle half by a silk black ribbon.
"Now?"
She shook her head, "no, I was hoping this summer."
"I wasn't going to announce it yet but I was planning on hosting a tea party this summer just for the ladies to chat and play games such as Wizard's Chess and Exploding Snap."
Surprise flashed in her eyes, "that sounds lovely."
"I was inspired after having talked with your Mum, Mrs. Druella Black when we spoke at my ball." Gwen searched her face for a reaction and she was not disappointed. This seemed to spark some happiness in her eyes before it faded and went back into polite indifference. "Your friends are invited as well. The invitations won't be going out until Easter Break."
Poppy, slightly taken aback by Gwen's invitation, managed a gracious smile. "A tea party sounds delightful. I would be honored to attend."
Gwen smiled, her features reflecting the satisfaction of a successful social maneuver. "I'm looking forward to it. We can discuss everything from magical creatures to the latest fashion trends. It will be a delightful way to spend an afternoon."
Iris, Poppy, and Anastasia exchanged subtle glances, each maintaining their composed demeanor. The prospect of a summer tea party hosted by the heiress of the Donoghue Family seemed to inject a hint of excitement into the conversation.
Narcissa squinted, a bit hesitant. "Why the sudden tea party?"
Although everything she said, everything she had done up until now had been for her own reasons. This party was also for her, for her Mother, even if she wouldn't admit it aloud.
Narcissa caught the gleam in her eyes, and the way she smiled in a genuine interest. Gwen finally spoke, "I believe that fostering connections among the young witches of our generation is essential. We have much to learn from each other, don't you think?"
Anastasia nodded in agreement, appreciating the sentiment. "Absolutely. It's a wonderful idea to bring witches together in a more relaxed setting."
Narcissa then added, "I also heard your family has a vast collection of magical books. Perhaps we could share recommendations and discuss our favorite reads during the tea."
A subtle change crossed Gwen's expression, a mix of surprise and curiosity. "You are genuine?"
Narcissa nodded, her white hair cascading elegantly over her shoulder. "Yes, I had heard from your cousin Jack talk about your family's impressive collection, and I thought it would be a fascinating topic for discussion."
"I'd be most pleased if we were to have a discussion over books," Gwen smiled. "I do hope to see you at the party, now if you excuse me I have an appointment to keep."
Bowing her head slightly, she continued on her way to the library. The three girls watched her turn the corner and disappear. Iris was the first one to speak, "I heard that she was spoiled. She seems to be quite humble to me."
"I'm excited to finally go to an event that isn't' all men or man dominated." Poppy clapped her hands, smiling as she began to twirl around the empty corridor. "To have a nice tea party with the other woman that isn't being overrun by our drunk Fathers and brothers."
Her sister rolled her eyes, "you look mad doing that but I have to agree. It would be a nice change to have a party with just women."
"Does this mean that you will bring your sister, Bellatrix to the party?" Iris flipped her attention to Narcissa, who still had her back to them.
She felt conflicted. Every interaction she had with the younger girl had always been polite, respectful, and admirable. Especially during the Malfoy Garden Party last year, she had been kind and vague while alluding to her sister's behavior towards their younger cousin, Sirius.
Even though she had come upon them in the castle at Hogwarts, Gwen had kept their secret that Bellatrix was in the castle illegally even after what she had overheard. Instead she had alluded to Lucius what she had done and kept her out of it, and left him to deal with it discreetly.
She didn't have to do any of that.
"No," she shook her head. "My older sister is capable of gaining an audience herself," she turned to them, smiling genuinely. "This is a party, not business so we will enjoy it as a party and nothing more."
A look past between Iris and Narcissa, after searching her face, Iris nodded. "We should get to lunch, I am rather hungry."
Poppy piped up, "do you think the rumors were true that Sirius cheated on her?"
Narcissa hid her smile, "my cousin is many things but a cheater isn't one."
"He did kiss that McKinnon witch though." Iris joined in on the gossip
Anastasia rolled her eyes, "please as though you have only ever snogged Alaster Carrow in your life." This caused her to become flustered and the girls to laugh.
"I bet they secretly crush on one another," Poppy sighed, dazed.
"This isn't like one of your romance novels," Iris rolled her eyes. "They are barely teenagers."
Narcissa stifled her giggle, "I will bet you twenty galleons that they will get married."
"I want in on this," Anastasia clapped her hands. "I put twenty galleons that they will be married by the time they are both eighteen."
The girls continued laughing and gossiping as they made their way towards the Great Hall. Narcissa had gone quiet as she had seen Gwen's bracelet and the newest charm on it and couldn't help but wonder if they truly would pursue anything if Lucius was right and a war would officially begin by Christmas.
The Great Hall was alive with the buzz of students enjoying their meals and sharing stories, but her focus was solely on her trying to not fall asleep. The Hogwarts Newsletter was slammed onto the table, startling the four girls, as they looked to the hand attached to it to see a smiling Jackie. "Read page three."
Toni had smacked her hand away playfully as she took the paper, the Hogwarts Newsletter created quite a buzz among the students. All around them students were also eagerly flipping to page three to find the list of remaining participants in the Dueling Club Tournament. The four girls, eyes wide with anticipation, scanned the page for familiar names.
"Listen to this," Jackie exclaimed, excitement evident in her voice. "There are only seventy-five participants left, and they've been battling it out for two weeks to secure a spot on Professor Flitwick's dueling team. Imagine that, from three hundred down to seventy-five!"
The girls leaned in, their curiosity piqued. Jackie continued, "And here's the list of the students still in the running, along with their house and year. Let's see if any of our friends made it."
As they read through the names, the girls couldn't help but discuss the potential matchups and speculate on who might emerge victorious. The Dueling Club Tournament had become a major topic of conversation at Hogwarts, and the competition had certainly captured the attention of the student body.
"Can you believe it's going to resume after Easter Break?" Pandora remarked. "I can't wait to see who makes it to the finals!"
The prospect of placing bets on the remaining contestants added an extra layer of excitement, and the anticipation in the air was palpable. As they chatted animatedly about the upcoming duels, the girls couldn't help but wonder which of their peers would ultimately secure a coveted spot on Professor Flitwick's dueling team.
"I wish I would have participated," Olivia frowned.
"It is a shame that since you'll be co-captain next year that you don't have the time to spare to be in the club."
Gwen couldn't help but flip to the gossip column and was relieved to see nothing with her name in it.
"I already took the initiative in checking," Jackie took a large sip of pumpkin juice. "Nella Skeeter hasn't written a single word about you since that article a couple weeks ago."
Gwen smiled, but something told her that it wouldn't last long and her personal stalker would be back to haunt her in the halls.
"I'm excited to go home for a week," Toni smiled. "I desperately need a break from school and to go to the spa."
While the girls chatted about their plans, her eyes traveled towards the Slytherin table. Where she spotted Reggie, picking at his food. Reggie looked up from his food, his eyes meeting Gwen's from across the Great Hall. As she gestured toward the doors, a subtle but knowing smile played on his lips. She excused herself from the animated conversation with her friends, citing fatigue, and made her way toward the large doors.
She waited outside in the empty corridor for him to join her, the newsletter tucked under her arm. Reggie had stepped out, curiosity and anticipation in his eyes as he approached her.
"How are you Reggie?"
The younger boy shrugged, "I don't know."
She hummed, "will you be going home tomorrow?"
"Yes," he didn't sound happy and this made her frown. "What's on your mind?"
"How does one know what the right thing to do is? To make the decision where everyone will be happy?"
Gwen blinked, albeit a bit taken back by the sudden question. She had no clue as to what he was referring to in the slightest. Clearing her throat, she leaned against the wall, "you will make hard choices and it is best to make the decisions that you are happy to live with."
He frowned at this, "and what about everyone else?"
"They don't have to live with the consequences of the decision you made. Your choices will stay with you for the rest of your life, whether you want them to or not. Those around you can either support your decision or walk away, it is their choice on how they will allow it to affect them."
Although he didn't like her answer as it was vague, he understood what she was telling him. What Sirius, Declan and Alphard had been trying to make clear to him over the Christmas Break. Yet, he hesitated at the thought of his own mother's wrath at his lack of action and strong character.
Severus was right.
It's either you learn to survive or you will die due to your shortcomings.
"You have been spending quite a bit of time with Sev," Gwen smiled. "Has he been helping you with your Occlumency?"
Reggie stilled. His eyes were wide as he blinked at her with his mouth agape. She just smiled at him.
"How did y–"
"Sev was asking me about techniques to motivate you into pushing yourself." Gwen crossed her arms, "I agree Reggie. Your life depends on you guarding your mind, it is the one thing that is truly valuable."
Moments went by and he hadn't said a thing but just stare at her. She placed her hand on top of his head, her fingers running through his curls. "Protect that beautiful mind of yours. It is your biggest strength and your biggest weakness, learn to utilize it."
She smiled at him and then disappeared.
Regulus wondered if she knew something he didn't. Staring back at his hands, he vowed to get better at Occlumency because he knew that she spoke of the truth. He had felt it in the air, the subtle shift at home before he left for Hogwarts.
Regulus Arcturus Black felt cold crippling fear.
Gwen's journal had become a sanctuary for her thoughts and emotions, a tangible refuge in the tumultuous journey of her life. The blue leather binding held within its pages the echoes of her experiences at Hogwarts and the intricacies of her relationships with the sacred families around her. As she clutched it tightly, the weight of its significance resonated with her.
The journal had evolved beyond its initial purpose of documenting the new chapter at Hogwarts. It had become a repository for the complexities of her existence—dreams, nightmares, conversations, and memories, all etched onto the parchment with the ink of her emotions. The nightmares, in particular, seemed to be a haunting thread, weaving tales of war, death, and the stark imagery of blood and ash. These entries bore witness to the internal struggles Gwen faced, a testament to the challenges that life threw her way.
In her efforts to preserve every nuance, Gwen had gone so far as to include copies of articles within the journal, perhaps pieces of the external world that resonated with her internal landscape. It was a meticulous compilation, a fusion of the magical and the mundane, reflecting the rich tapestry of her experiences.
The charm she placed on the journal, ensuring it never ran out of pages, spoke volumes about her commitment to this singular repository of her life. Gwen's decision to keep only one journal was rooted in a deep-seated fear—that the intimate details it held might fall into the wrong hands. It was a testament to the vulnerability she felt, a vulnerability that echoed in every stroke of her pen.
As she gazed at the blue leather-bound book, Gwen couldn't help but feel a sense of both comfort and trepidation. The journal was not just a record; it was her confidant, her witness, and her sanctuary in a world that seemed to be in a constant state of flux. It held the power to unveil the layers of her soul to anyone who dared to open its pages—an intimate glimpse into the heart and mind of a witch navigating the intricacies of life, loss, and for what was to come.
Gwen felt the pull of the journal, a reminder of its significance in her life, as if it held the key to her identity. Yet, she dismissed it as an irrational notion, shaking off the cold feeling that crept over her. She was determined not to let the journal define her, even if its pages held the echoes of what made her…well her.
As she sat in the train cabin, the subtle tremors in her hands did not go unnoticed by Sirius. Concern etched across his face, he addressed her gently, "What is the matter, darling? You're shaking like a leaf."
Without hesitation, Sirius stripped off his jumper and offered it to her, a silent gesture of comfort. Grateful, Gwen accepted the garment, the warmth of it providing a physical solace to the chills that had gripped her.
"I think I am having nightmares again," she admitted, placing the journal back into her bag. "I'm just tired, that's all."
"You haven't come to me," he stated.
She avoided his stare, her eyes straying to a sleeping Remus and Peter who sat beside her. "You were avoiding me, I didn't want you to be angry with me for going to your dorm at night."
Sirius frowned, his concern and guilt deepening. "Come here," he insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument. Sensing his firm resolve, Gwen obliged, taking a seat beside him.
He gently grasped her shoulders and guided her to rest her head in his lap. "You will sleep until we get to the station," he declared, his voice carrying a soothing authority. Despite any initial resistance she might have felt, the caring strength in Sirius's demeanor convinced her to surrender to the moment of respite he offered. "When we get back, you can slip into bed with me if you are still having them or with James if you feel more comfortable with him."
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Anything sweetheart." His hands threaded themselves in her hair. "Sleep now."
As the rhythmic sounds of the train and Sirius's comforting presence enveloped her, Gwen allowed herself to succumb to the drowsiness that tugged at her consciousness. In that intimate space, with Sirius as her anchor, she found a temporary escape from the haunting dreams that lingered in the corners of her mind. The journey continued, and for a while, the only thing that mattered was the warmth of Sirius's jumper and the assurance that, for now, she could find solace in the embrace of sleep.