One Hundred Galleons

by omicast98

Summary:

Aurelia Centore was just a girl who valued her peace and quiet and she would lie, manipulate, concoct, and scheme to get what she wanted. A pacifist at heart but no less cunning, Aurelia was caught in the middle of two brothers on opposite sides of the war.

Sirius wanted to be chosen, loved, healed, nursed, all unconditionally. Bold, hard-headed, attention seeking, and often cruel, somehow Sirius thinks that Aurelia holds the key to what he wants.

Curious and cursed to carry on all family tradition, all Regulus wants is a friend.

Chapter 1: The Start of Term

Sirius stepped off the Hogwarts Express with his mates with a bit less mischief than he would have liked. The tide of the war had continued to darken, and Sirius felt the darkness encroaching like the hot wet of a rather humid day. He looked to his mates, who appeared as downcast as he did, shuffling steps, eyes alert, hands in pockets clutching wands.

It was no secret by their seventh year that they were among Death Eaters in their classes. Gone were the days where harmless pranks rolled off the backs of house rivals. No… retaliation from the Slytherins had become far more vicious by the end of their sixth year. Sirius shivered remembering Mary Macdonald who barely made it out of the dungeons that fateful Thursday afternoon. Sirius had never felt such disbelief and anger, and though he loathes to admit it… fear.

Despite growing up in one of the darkest families in wizarding Britain, Sirius never really felt fear like he had these last few weeks. Even as his parents laid into him with dark curse after dark curse… it brought him an exhilarating sense of crazed satisfaction defying them. He remembers turning up on the Potter’s doorstep for the last time, bloodied and wild, after his mother finally scorched him off the tapestry. That had been the start of the summer.

He looked over at his best mates now, all three of them, and he felt the new feeling tingling in his gut like devil’s snare strangling him from the inside out: fear.

Shaking his head from his dark thoughts, he threw an arm around two of them, Remus and James, “Well, lads,” he said, “what do you say to a good, old Marauder inter house party tonight after the welcome feast? Slytherins need not apply?”

James, Remus, and Peter shared a look before splitting matching grins.

Satisfied, Sirius nodded to himself and began the trek with his friends up to the castle. The landscape was alluring on this Scottish September 1st, 1977. It was still light out at dusk, but only just so, the sky taking on a pinkish hue. The Castle just up ahead was sitting strongly at the top of the hill, feeling more like a fortress… especially now.

Sirius considered himself a lover, not a fighter–he believed himself to be inherently good. And it was because of his great love that he was finally burnt off his family’s tapestry. His love for the Potters, his love for muggleborns, his love for werewolves, his love and Sorting of Gryffindor, and, ultimately, his love for muggles that had cost him his place as the heir of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black. He was nothing more than an erasable and disposable smudge.

So imagine his surprise when he finally fled from his parents’ wands to the Potters’ Estate that he was welcomed with open arms.

“You’re my brother now, Padfoot,” James had said earnestly, “Always.”

Finally now he’s returned to the only real home he ever had, Hogwarts, for the last time. Fortress indeed–protecting him then and now from the war outside. But, dear Sirius did not account for the war within, and who would protect others from him.

---

Aurelia Centore was a simple girl. She grew up never wanting for anything, well loved by her parents, always followed the rules, and never once complained about how her life was going. It wasn’t until her parents started getting Daily Prophets broadcasting the deaths of Muggleborn children and their families, and muggle raids and attacks, and Death Eaters invading the Ministry and what have you that Aurelia knew that what was coming after she graduated Hogwarts simply would not do. War would certainly put a wrench in her plans to retire from Hogwarts to the life she was accustomed to–the sweet bliss of serene solitude. After all, war and the threat of imminent violence was why her family left their life in Italy behind.

Now while Aurelia did of course prefer the perfect quiet life, she knew that this would not always be possible. With conflict between Houses at Hogwarts, it was often that Aurelia ended up the butt of some joke or prank–terribly interfering with her anonymity. But over the years Aurelia had developed a certain skillset. Minute changes in how she approached situations, a small conversation here, a well timed joke, an ever better timed misunderstanding, would allow her small quiet life to return to herself. By now during her 7th year she had managed to escape scrutiny or any kind of recognition at all. Aurelia valued her own peace, namelessness, and equilibrium, and she would do anything to keep her life the way she liked it–just as it was. A bit boring, some might say, but ah if it wasn't exactly what the healer ordered.

It was for these reasons that it was no surprise she was sorted into Slytherin on the first night of her first year at Hogwarts. While she didn’t consider herself to be as overly ambitious as some of her other housemates, she could see why the house would be a good fit for herself. After all, she was quite the cunning manipulator.

This was Aurelia’s train of thought as she sat amongst her housemates in the Great Hall, tucking into the Welcome Feast.

Suddenly, loud bangs erupted from across the Great Hall. Aurelia looked up, startled, to red and gold fireworks exploding all over. Her dinner forgotten, she and the rest of her housemates attempted to take cover. To her left a student’s hair began smoking from a firework gone rogue.

Aurelia grabbed her wand and silently cast the Aguamenti charm, drenching him from head to toe.

“UGH!” the student said, whipping around in his wet robes, “who the fuck soaked me?”

Aurelia felt a blush warm her cheeks before retorting hotly, “It was either that or let your hair catch fire! Next time I won’t spare you the embarrassment.”

The boy startled at the sound of her temper before meeting her eyes, patting his head. Aurelia huffed and turned away from him, her face hot and embarrassed for her own outburst. Did she reveal too much emotion? Sure, he was rude, but she would rather him be rude and she forgotten, than he be remorseful and she remembered.

“I-I’m sorry,” he said, “I didn’t know my hair was about to burst into flames,”

Aurelia turned back to him, giving him a once over with slightly narrowed eyes. Although recognizing his face from crossing paths in the common room, she knew they had never met or been introduced. He was a tall boy, if not a bit thin with thick black hair and grey eyes. He was rather aristocratic in appearance if she did say so herself. With a regal tilt to his nose, strong jaw, and sharp eyes he looked fit to be a bloody prince! As a matter of fact, the closer she looked, he looked vaguely like one of her classmates from Potions last year.

As she studied him, his cheeks began to colour a bit and he averted his eyes. Bashful, is it? Aurelia thought to herself. She artfully softened her expression. Yes… entice him.

“Black… right?” Aurelia guessed, casually. She smartly tossed a bit of her own curls behind her shoulder. Not too much!

“Um, yes. Regulus,” He stated, introducing himself. He began casting a drying charm over himself.

Just as she thought… Regulus Black. Younger brother to Sirius Black. It was well known that the brothers were now estranged, with Sirius diverging from his familial expectations after being sorted into Gryffindor. Aurelia continued to examine Regulus shamelessly, taking stock and seeing before her a certain opportunity.

Aurelia allowed her eyes to soften and tilted her head to show off a bit of her long delicate neck before stretching a hand across the bench toward Regulus. “Aurelia Centore,” she stated simply.

Regulus blinked rapidly before taking her hand and bowing his head slightly, a mask of his own slipping over his face, “A pleasure,” he said, a renewed sense of confidence seeping into his tone, “forgive my rudeness earlier, I was startled by the… infantile display. Nonetheless I appreciate your rescue,”

“Of course,” Aurelia demurred. She turned her attention to the Gryffindor table where four boys were whooping and hollering, Professor McGonagall on a rampage stomping toward them.

“I’m sure you know my foolish brother,” Regulus said bitterly, “he’s a seventh year as well,”

Aurelia’s attention was drawn back to Regulus. She was intrigued that he knew that she was in her seventh year. Aurelia knew she was a bit of a recluse (by choice, of course), but it seemed that she did not escape Regulus’s notice.

Regardless, what he said was true. She was familiar with his older brother and his friends. Particularly their rather annoying antics. Aurelia always tried her best to remain behind the veil of anonymity that she so carefully wove around herself, but something about her green and silver tie and snake emblem on her robes never fully made her immune to their childish pranks. It didn’t help that some of her housemates were relentless in their violent retaliation. She thought of Snape, Mulciber, Avery and how they had become increasingly secretive, always scheming in some dark corner of the castle.

She looked over at them now, past Regulus. She saw their darkened looks, seething at the obnoxious shouting and laughter from the Gryffindors. Aurelia just silently hoped that she would not be caught in the crossfire.

“You mean one of those boys there is your brother?” Aurelia said with a raised brow, discreetly gesturing to who she knew was Sirius Black.

Surprise briefly flashed over Regulus’s face, before he schooled his expression. Aurelia held back a self-satisfied smirk. He was too easy. 

“You don’t know?” Regulus inquired, failing to hide his curiosity.

“Well,” Aurelia began carefully, “I grew up in Italy,”

Aurelia purposefully attempted to be bashful, silently gagging to herself at her own sickly sweet tone of voice. Share as little information as possible!

Regulus appeared to be digesting the self-disclosure, ruminating on how best to steer the conversation. Aurelia’s eyes twinkled. A s if I would relinquish control, she thinks to herself.

“Centore, was it?” Regulus asked.

Aurelia merely nodded.

“Can’t say I’ve heard of your family,” Regulus grew speculative, wariness flooding his voice.

Aurelia, knowing where this was going, said innocently, “Like I said, my family is originally from Italy, but we’ve been coming to Hogwarts for generations on both sides. I believe you call it being pure of blood, no?” Aurelia allowed her voice to lilt a little extra with her light Italian accent.

Regulus smirked, and Aurelia knew she had won him over.

“Forgive me for not introducing myself sooner, Aurelia,” Regulus said with all the regality of a pureblood prince. He picked up her hand again and pressed a kiss there on her knuckles. 

Too much too much too much! Her visibility surely must be compromised! Normally, in situations like this where she knowingly had the upper hand, it was rare that her counterpart surprised her. After all, every word she said, every move she made had an anticipated and predictable response. But to have a boy such as Regulus kiss her hand? Someone could have seen!

She squeezed his hand to dispense her forgiveness, not that she really cared. She offered him a small smile which he returned.

Hearing shouting from the Gryffindor table again, she looked over and met the eyes of one Sirius Black.

---

Sirius caught the eye of the girl who seemed to have his younger brother a bit bewitched, as it were. He watched her blink at him twice before turning back to his brother and offering Regulus a dazzling smile.

Now, normally, Sirius paid no mind to the Slytherin table in the Great Hall, barring a few cautionary glances for his brother to keep tabs on him. Despite being estranged, Sirius did still feel some sort of obligation to just be aware of what Regulus got up to–particularly in regards to some… darker activities. Sirius fought back a shudder.

“...on the very first night of the term, no less!” he heard from MCGonagall, “Have you no care at all for peace?”

Sirius, tuned back in, opened his mouth to smartly retort but McGonagall beat him to it: “Don’t! Do not answer that,” she said with finality, before huffing back to the head table with the rest of the staff.

“Barely got off with just a warning,” huffed James, “We’re still on then for the party tonight, yeah? I got a couple Puffs and Birds in on it to spread the word,”

“Yeah,” Sirius said distractedly, “Say, have you seen that Slytherin girl before?”

James, Peter, and Remus in unison turned backwards toward the Slytherin table.

“Uh, Padfoot, there’s a lot of Slytherin girls,” Remus said, “Can you be more specific?”

“That one there, Moons, the one talking to Regulus,”

James craned his head further before his eyes lit up in recognition.

“That girl there?” He asked, and Sirius nodded. “I believe she was in our Potions class last year,”

“She’s in our year?” Sirius asked, aghast, “How have I never seen her before?”

“How have you not? She’s quite fit,” Remus observed casually.

“You know her then, Moony?” asked Peter.

“Well, not really. I just know that she’s a Slytherin in our year, same as you all,”

Sirius balked. How had he not noticed her before? Her name escaped him, not that he knew it in the first place. He continued to watch her. She was quite pretty, smiling at his brother. She flipped her hair over her shoulder, drawing his attention to her earlobe down her neck and to her collarbone, just barely visible over the Oxford shirt of her uniform.

“Centore, I think her surname is,” James said, bringing Sirius back to their conversation.

“Centore, you say?” Sirius said distractedly.

“Yeah, I think I remember Lily mentioning her about something, but I can’t quite remember what,”

Sirius grinned despite himself. “Lily, eh, Head Boy?” he said.

“Shut up,” James said, giving Sirius a light punch to the arm.

James and his long time crush of seven years, Lily Evans, had been appointed as Head Boy and Head Girl of their final year of Hogwarts. James was given the opportunity to share a private Common Room with Lily and his own private quarters attached, but waived them. James was operating with a new perspective of giving Lily space. After six years of declarations of love and commitment and being spurned in response, James decided to cool it. Besides, one of the things that he loved best about Hogwarts was sharing a room with three of his very best mates. Together, making up the mischievous Marauders as they liked to call themselves.

As the feast came to an end, Sirius drew up to his full height, saluting his comrades.

“Well, lads,” he said ceremoniously, “shall we begin our Welcome Feast after party?”

“Aye aye Captain Padfoot!” The others said simultaneously.

---

That night in the Slytherin Common Room, Aurelia found herself curled up on a leather arm chair staring out into the Black Lake. If the Common Room were quiet enough, sometimes Aurelia would shut her eyes and listen to the water’s gurgles. Not now though. Now, the Common Room was hustling and bustling with first years and returning students excited to meet, connect, and socialise. Aurelia was a bit disturbed, actually. She didn’t know how her classmates tolerated so much time with others. If Aurelia were in their shoes constantly chatting and giggling, she would be completely depleted of energy. Like an invisibility cloak that’s run out of magic; worn, tattered, and simply used up.

Aurelia looked over at some of the younger children who were seated around the fire trying to charm their robes Hufflepuff yellow and Ravenclaw blue. It must be a party in another house again.

“Ahem,”

Aurelia whipped her head around, startled, and spotted Regulus Black.

Again? Aurelia thought to herself.

She blinked at him expectantly, but he made no move to join her on the arm chair opposite her.. Or say or do anything at all! He merely stood there, watching her. He appeared to be gathering some kind of courage, fiddling with a loose thread on the front of his immaculate robes. He broke eye contact to glance bashfully at his polished shoes.

“Regulus,” Aurelia acknowledged plainly. She directed her attention back to the window, into the gleaming dark of the Black Lake. She supposed that Regulus was rather like the Black Lake, wasn’t he? All swirling and dark and full of mysteries.

“Aurelia,” Regulus said back to her. “May I take this seat?” He gestured to the chair across her.

Aurelia nodded, and watched him take his seat, covering himself with the throw that was draped on the backrest. He gazed out into the Black Lake as she had been not moments before and said nothing more. Hm, I suppose we are on a first-name basis then, Aurelia thought to herself, how intriguing.

They said nothing for the better part of an hour until Aurelia felt her eyelids grow weary, and she excused herself for bed.

“Goodnight,” she said, looking at him shyly.

“Goodnight,” he returned. He did not spare her a glance.

---

The next morning, Sirius found himself trudging into the first block of a double Potions class alongside three other very hungover friends. Sirius groaned before falling into his seat at a vacant workstation.

“Ugh, remind me to bring hangover potions instead of just firewhiskey,” he mumbled, resting his head in his arms on the table.

Despite the hangover, it was quite a wild night. There were group shots in front of the Gryffindor fireplace. A round of Never Have I Ever with shots. Shots of firewhisky and a drop of Veritaserum for Veritaserum or Dare. Shots for whoever said the word “Wand.” Lots of shots, Sirius reflected fondly. Another successful evening as a Marauder.

“Merlin, if Slughorn brings out the bubotuber pus, I’m gonna be sick,” Peter whimpered from behind him, looking positively green.

“Sweet Circe, don’t remind me,” James whispered between clenched teeth.

Sirius looked up from the table at the front of the room where a steaming cauldron sat unattended. Didn’t look like bubotuber pus, and it certainly didn’t smell like it. Come to think of it, the classroom smelled rather nice for a change, almost like the thick humid air after a heavy rain.

Students continued to filter in the classroom after them. It was a NEWT level potions class, so many Ravenclaws were to be expected. What he wasn’t expecting was to see the faceless Slytherin that had escaped his notice from the last 7 years. He had nearly forgotten her existence again after his crazy night last night, but seeing her face now, he was reminded of his brother's sudden interest.

Perhaps she was the key to getting under Regulus’s skin.

Not that he needed to try very hard to get under his brother’s skin, after all it was quite easy. But, Sirius reminded himself with a laugh, sometimes seeing that stupid little surprise face bothering him in unexpected ways satisfied something sinister in Sirius. If only to assure himself that his brother hadn’t gone fully dark, that is.

It was no secret that many of the Slytherins had begun to outwardly and publicly align themselves with Death Eater beliefs and Lord Voldemort. There had been whisperings and sightings of Dark Marks. Sirius would never admit it, but it sent a ripple of fear down his spine. Especially thinking that someone of his own flesh and blood would participate in that cultish way of thinking willingly. It disturbed him, knowing the truth of his family’s alignment. Sirius always thought of his brother as this shy, helpless little thing growing up. But as they’ve gotten older and increasingly estranged, Sirius knew things had changed.

At least Sirius managed to break free from under his parent’s thumb and “traditional” way of thinking, as they liked to call it.

Deep in his train of thought, he did not see Slughorn emerge from his office, jovial with first-day of school energy.

“Settle down, settle down!” He called out over the din of the classroom. “Gather round over here, yes yes, over here by this sample I’ve prepared for today’s class,”

Sirius groaned and dragged himself over to the front workstation, the smells getting stronger and percolating in the air. It was almost too much, overwhelming Sirius's heightened senses. It was like rain, he knew, thick, humid, and wet, but at the same time a relieving smell, like the worst of a storm had ended. He smelled rich, red wine and the smell of fire not unlike the burning flame in the Gryffindor Common Room.

Disturbed, he whispered to Remus, “Do you smell that?”

“Yeah, mate,” Remus confirmed, his own pupils blown, “smells like chocolate, doesn’t it?”

“What?” Sirius said, confused.

But Remus didn’t respond. Sirius watched the rest of his classmates to see if anyone else could smell what he was smelling. He saw curious gazes toward the cauldron.

“Who can tell me what I’ve prepared for you today–yes, Miss Evans,”

“Amortentia, sir,”

“Yes! 5 points to Gryffindor, and tell me what is Amortentia–yes Miss Evans?”

“It’s the most powerful love potion in existence, with a mother-of-pearl sheen and smelling different to each person according to what they find most attractive,” she said, her normally self-righteous sense of pride wavering with a kind of uncertainty. Sirius tried to catch James’s eye, but he was too busy looking rather dumbstruck at Lily.

“Well done, Miss Evans! Yes, well done indeed,” Slughorn said before examining each of his students, “Oh, this should be interesting. Mr. Black, do share with the rest of the class what you smell,”

Sirius blanched, all at once feeling rather shy. He looked at the eager eyes of some of the young girls in the classroom before settling on a pair of bored brown eyes. He blinked once at the Centore girl and looked back at the professor, a renewed sense of conviction settling in the pit of his gut.

“I smell…” Sirius began with a gulp. He took a deep breath in through his nose, and continued confidently, “I smell a bit of red wine… and the smell of the air after it rains,”

Sirius looked back to Centore, willing her to react to his response, but she merely watched the professor with what was clearly mild disinterest. Sirius felt a burning white hot rise up from the soles of his feet. She obviously thinks herself better than me, he thought to himself, typical Slytherin superiority complex, nice one Reggie.

“Ah yes, petrichor referring to the Greek word ‘petra’ meaning rock, and ‘ichor’ which refers to the golden blood of the gods… yes, how fitting,” Slughorn said dreamily, interrupting Sirius's train of thought. “And speaking of golden, Miss Aurelia, my golden girl, please share with us,”

Sirius whipped his head around to look at her before groaning at the dizziness rattling his brain. He felt Lily bristle beside him, and James released a quiet, “ohhhh.” Aurelia was it?

Not unlike Sirius, he watched her take a brief glance around the room before her resolve hardened. She took a cautionary sniff through her nose.

“I smell… I smell chocolate,” Aurelia said simply, looking up from the cauldron first at Slughorn, then at something just past Sirius. He felt the person behind him stiffen. Sirius looked back, and it was Remus looking startled and flushed.

“I thought you said you didn’t know her,” Sirius hissed at his friend.

“I don’t!” Remus insisted quietly, averting his eyes.

“Then just how is it that you both smell the same thing?” Sirius demanded.

“I-I don’t know!” Remus said, pleadingly.

Sirius looked into his friend's eyes searching for a lie, but found nothing. He looked back at Aurelia who had a rather pleased smirk on her face. Sirius knew at that moment, his own face darkening, that he had been played.

---

Later at lunch, James nudged Sirius to the side to slide in next to him on the bench.

“I remember now what Lily was grumbling about that Slytherin girl that you’re suddenly so obsessed with,” James declared.

“Quiet you,” Sirius said, grumbling, “I am not obsessed with her,”

James shared a look with Remus who was sitting across from them, silently tucking into a roast beef sandwich.

“Then why the interrogation in the middle of potions?” James asked Sirius.

“Interrogation?” Sirius asked, aghast, “what interrogation? That was merely a completely civil conversation amongst friends.”

“Yeah, okay,” James said, rolling his eyes.

Sirius waited for James to say more. When he didn’t, he gave him a sharp elbow to the side. “Well, what is it then that Lily said? I thought I sensed some negative female energy during Potions,” Sirius said. After all, he did consider himself an expert on female energy, didn’t he?

“That’s just it–Aurelia Centore is part of Slughorn’s little sluggy club of collectibles. He calls her his ‘golden girl’” James said with air quotes, “It really ticks Lily off. Go figure, she’s not exactly used to not being the class pet, is she? Getting a real taste of her own medicine with that one, poor thing.”

“Golden girl, huh?” Sirius mused, “What an odd nickname for a Slytherin, don’t you think?”

Although a troublemaker, Sirius was no fool. He grew up taking lessons in Latin and French, and knew for himself that Aurelia was a classic European name meaning “the golden one.” How interesting, Sirius thought to himself. Although his Italian was a bit more limited, even he knew that Centore meant one hundred gold pieces. He figured that she must be one wealthy witch. If Sirius was correct, then she only sustained Regulus’s attention for as long as she had because she was a wealthy, Italian, pureblood princess. The thought made his stomach turn sour–just another crazed pureblood fanatic, it made him sick. The perfect Slytherin Princess for the perfect Slytherin Prince, he thought with his gut roiling. 

But before Sirius really went insane and started thanking his blood purist parents for his rigorously formal upbringing, the witch in question entered the Great Hall alone.

She was magnetic, as she walked. Sirius was baffled that he had never noticed. Her hair half out of her face, and half spooling down her back in thick curls. She held her head high, but not too high as to appear noticeably snobbish. Whether she purposefully avoided looking at the Gryffindor table or simply didn’t care, Sirius wouldn’t know. He watched her take her place at the Slytherin table, pull a book from her bag, and begin picking at a cucumber sandwich. Completely alone.

Oddly, as he watched her, Sirius supposed the nickname was fitting after all. The way the light caught the back of her head gave her a certain golden glow, didn’t it? Like someone had spilled molten gold on the hair at her crown, and it had dried to shimmer in the light. Oh yes, she would be the perfect target. To see her broken and dethroned would surely show them. She wouldn't be a golden girl for long.

“Earth to Padfoot?” James said, snapping in his face.

Sirius blinked dazedly back at James. “Sorry, got lost in thought there,”

“Staring at that girl, are we?” Peter heckled.

“What?” Sirius deflected, “No! Just observing the next subject of our greatest scheme yet… wouldn’t you agree boys?”

The other three Marauders groaned.

“No, Sirius–”

“Padfoot why do–”

“Come on, Pads–”

Sirius quite frankly could not believe his ears. “Am I hearing you all correctly? You don’t want to prank an uppity Slytherin pureblood princess?”

James sighed deeply before sharing a look with Remus. “It’s not that we don’t want to prank a Slytherin, Pads. It’s that she hasn’t really done anything, has she? Wouldn’t our time and energy be better spent scheming something up for Snape or Mulciber or Avery or really anyone who is actually deserving?”

Sirius once again could not believe his ears.

“Do you not hear yourself?” Sirius insisted, “Was it not you that just said that Lily has to compete with her? Aren't you interested in levelling the playing field for your sweet, precious Lily flower?”

James's exasperation with Sirius was washed away and replaced with a certain mischievous glint in his eye. “I did say that, didn't I?”

“You did indeed, mate, you did indeed,” Sirius said (rather darkly, I’m afraid).

It was just then, that Sirius noted out of the corner of his eye one young Slytherin prince taking his place next to the Slytherin princess.

---

Aurelia could not help herself in Potions–it was just too easy. When she noticed the older Black Brother’s attention on her during the Welcome Feast, she knew that her brief proximity to Regulus had caused her to get under his skin. Was it really as easy as sharing a few words with the younger brother? Aurelia made a note to herself to avoid Regulus moving forward. Privately, she was a bit disappointed actually. Upon their first introduction, she was rather intrigued by him… hoping that a friendship or alliance of some sort would be another thread in the veil she was constantly weaving around herself. Aurelia accepted that it was just far too risky and moved on.

Then, earlier that morning, when she overheard the Lupin fellow whisper that he smelled chocolate from what was obviously Amortentia, she thought that naming the same scent was the perfect opportunity to demonstrate that her “interest” lied elsewhere. Not that she was actually interested in Lupin at all. Although… Come to think of it… he was rather rugged in a bit of a handsome way, wasn’t he? Did she see a Prefect badge pinned to his robes? Could be a useful little tidbit of information for later.

All this to say, she was sure that Sirius was distracted enough by the little white lie to go back to forgetting all about her.

So she was quite shocked to feel eyes burning into the side of her head as she made her way to her seat in the Great Hall. She did not give them the satisfaction of eye contact, a glance, a smirk, nothing! Just blankness–a seemingly unaware disposition.

Have I miscalculated? Aurelia thought to herself. She was sure! She was certain that she would have drifted away from Black’s radar with the simple utterance of the word “chocolate.” Sweet Salazar, how could this happen?

Oh and here comes Regulus now–of bloody course, the absolute last thing she needs.

Aurelia tried hiding behind a curtain of hair and turning her body away from him just so, to give the appearance that she was simply far too interested in her book to give him the time of day.

“Aurelia,” she heard from behind her hair.

Aurelia couldn’t help herself. She took a deep breath and emerged from her hiding spot in plain sight.

Regulus stood before her, a small smirk on his face, eyes glittering. His black hair was coiffured pleasantly above his brow, his tie was perfectly straight, and his robes immaculate.

Aurelia sighed to herself. Well, at least he’s pleasing to look at.

“Regulus,” Aurelia acknowledged, a small smile of her own finding a home on her face. Aurelia decided then that ignoring him outright would attract attention from some of the other students in their own house… what could be worse? A Gryffindor gone rogue, or a team of disgruntled baby Death Eaters?

Aurelia wasn’t stupid. Aurelia was quite bright, actually. She had earned her way into Professor Slughorn's club of elites because of her magnitude in potions and demure nature. Sure, she was no Severus Snape or Lily Evans, but she could hold her own. It also helped that she was rich and a pureblood–which was probably what ultimately appealed to Slughorn in the first place.

Now, although Aurelia stood out for potions, she was also fine in other subjects. Transfiguration, Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology… it all came rather naturally to her. In an effort to not be noticed, however, Aurelia allowed herself to get average grades. She never cared to stand out too much as that would garner attention from professors, praise from her parents, and competition from peers. Attention was something that Aurelia abhorred above all else. It was a disturbance.

Well… barring Care for Magical Creatures, that was. She was a sucker for the small, the cute, the furry, the majestic. All animals, really. She had an affinity for all kinds. They drew near to her as she drew near them. She stood out there, but it was fine. She was one of three students who took the NEWT level; the other two were Ravenclaws. She allowed herself to excel there without feeling the threat of acknowledgement.

Although Aurelia’s report card might bear mostly Acceptables and Exceeds Expectations, she was perceptive, clever, and intelligent in ways that her final grades did not demonstrate.

But now, what would be wiser? Would giving Regulus the cold shoulder put a target on her back for the likes of Mulciber and Avery? Perhaps… But if she were to continue to associate with him, could she really bet on the older Black leaving her alone? She supposed that by allying herself with Regulus, she would undoubtedly be harassed by those horrible Gryffindor boys. Could Regulus and his mates protect her and scare them off? Would it become violent? Well, I don’t like violence , Aurelia thought to herself, but I do just want to be left alone.

It was for that reason that Aurelia brightened her face up at Regulus, her eyes half shut with the fullness of her smile. She shut her book and began twirling her hair, looking up at him expectantly.

Regulus, appearing gratified, smiled back down at her. “May I join you?”

“Of course,” Aurelia said.

Regulus slid onto the bench next to her and began neatly piling his plate with fresh fruit.

Aurelia opened her book back up with one hand and continued to read.

It was The Tales and Tails of Newt Scamander by Hamish Clarke, who was a prominent reporter for the Daily Prophet in the 20s and 30s. Aurelia was just getting to the part where Newt Scamander published the textbook, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them . She thought it was rather ironic that she was in a NEWT level class where the textbook’s author was also named Newt. She was familiar with the circumstances of the publishing of his book, a riveting tale that ultimately found Scamander in the middle of the Global Wizarding War against Grindelwald! But to read it from someone who watched it all firsthand… She just couldn’t believe that–

“What are you reading there?” Regulus interrupted.

Aurelia bit back an impolite groan. She did loathe to be interrupted when she was trying to read! This is precisely why she never bothered getting overly close with her roommates. Their incessant need for excessive socialization was something that never appealed to someone like Aurelia, who rather liked the peace of isolation and the focus it granted her. Escaping into a good story, fiction or otherwise, was hard to do when one was constantly being interrupted for useless talk!

In any case, Aurelia simply flashed the cover of the book to Regulus and kept on her merry literary way. Regulus nodded his head in recognition before tucking into his lunch quietly.

Aurelia was struck by Scamander’s involvement with the Global Wizarding War and how a simple magizoologist could have a hand in defeating the greatest dark wizard of all time. Aurelia’s thoughts soured… was Grindelwald the greatest dark wizard of all time? Now, she wasn’t so sure. Another wizarding war was starting, Aurelia could just feel it in her bones. The thought disturbed her–thinking of all the lives that have already been lost at the hands of another claiming to be the most powerful dark wizard of all time. Magical blood spilled in the name of weeding out inferiority. Aurelia just could not reconcile it.

And really, what differences did she have between herself and someone like Lily Evans? Truly nothing! Evans was a gifted witch born to muggle parents, and what did it matter? And Newt Scamander, as far as she knew, his blood status was unknown, but he was a champion of equality in terms of blood purity and the protection of muggles and magical creatures. Although Aurelia was a pureblood, logically, she felt that there was no difference between her and any other witch and wizard in this school.

However… Aurelia could admit to herself that she did use the culture’s climate to her advantage if only to claim for herself what little invisibility she had. As always, her sense of self-preservation won out in the end.

It was this train of thought that caused Aurelia to put her book down and turn to Regulus with her full attention. She analyzed him. The first night of term at the Welcome Feast she had sized him up to be the perfect pureblood prince. She knew that he had been spending more and more time with the violent types in their house, but was it real? Was it genuine? Aurelia did want peace for all, but mostly for herself. Could she willingly associate with a blood purist like that? Would the facade of it all weigh on her to the point of regret? Peace, but at what cost?

Aurelia thought back to Hamish Clarke, a muggleborn himself, and how his experience bled through the pages of the biography that she now clutched in her hands. 

Regulus stared back at her with wide eyes, mouth open, and hands full of roast beef sandwich. Mid-bite.

“Regulus,” Aurelia began carefully, “Have you read about Newt Scamander before?”

Regulus swallowed thickly, “Well, only a bit during Care of Magical Creatures third year. Why?”

Aurelia couldn’t keep the earnestness out of her voice. “Well, here,” she said, handing him her precious biography, “you should read about him. It’s quite interesting, especially the bits about Grindelwald,”

Regulus was clearly shocked. He quickly put down his sandwich and brushed his hands off on his robes before gingerly taking the book from her. He read the title again and gave her a bit of a side-eyed look.

Aurelia could feel her face heating up. She knew she was being forward; they had barely spoken. They were not friends, nor were they even acquaintances, and yet she was compelled to share so much. Salazar, maybe the whole not having a social life thing is really starting to get back at me, Aurelia thought to herself ruefully. Hopefully, her sincerity in her innocent offer appealed to him. Although, it was a risk, wasn’t it? Everything seemed to be a risk these days. She supposed he could accept the offer and either return the book feeling a kinship with her, or she has alienated herself from his true blood purist beliefs, effectively becoming a known blood traitor.

She supposed she was a blood traitor after all, but that didn’t matter to her, what mattered was the known bit, and what it meant for her future.

"Thank you, Aurelia. I will let you know what I think," Regulus said, maintaining his princely character.

Aurelia nodded to him with flushed cheeks, quickly gathered her belongings, and fled the Great Hall.

Notes:

Welcome to my lil baby Sirius/OFC fanfic! I love this ship and seeing what people can create, and offering Sirius a redemption arc of his own, one that does not end where it does in Canon <3. So with that being said I bring to you Aurelia Centore! She is an italian pureblood princess (as you now know) and she is just the sweetest lil lying manipulative socially anxious snake. Always thinking in worst case scenarios the crazy thing. I also really want to highlight how much of a jerk sirius really was, like truly a bully with little to no consequences, so I wanted to stay true to that while also giving him that redemption story hence the enemies to lovers tag and the bullying tag. Also lil baby regulus, just needs a hug, just needs a friend, so awkward aurelia and regulus are i just love it so much such unconventional friends, but aurelia is also using him ugh so complicated. anyways.

Truly, let me know your honest thoughts.

Chapter 2: Chapter 2 Week 2

Summary:

In which Aurelia is compared to a Centaur (very original).

Aurelia’s weekend was rather dull, especially without her favourite book to keep her company. With no friends to speak of, no homework to get done after the first week, no letters from home, all she had was herself, her own thoughts, and her familiar, Dolce, who was a bit apathetic himself, but was at least very cuddly when the mood struck him. 

She looked over at Dolce now, his rich black body curled up on her pillow, soaking up the lingering warmth from his mistress’s own head. The only sign of life being the rise and fall of his breath.

Oh, but he was so cute!

Aurelia grabbed the poor cat and gave him a squeeze, “Oh, you stupid cat!” she said lovingly, “I just can’t help it, you're so cute, I love you so much!”

Dolce purred with his face against his mistress, soaking up the affection before she left for breakfast. Aurelia scratched behind Dolce’s ears, continuing to cuddle him close before gently putting him back on her pillow.

“I’ll be back soon, mio Dolce amore ,” Aurelia muttered to her precious, sweetest cat. But oh! Wasn’t he just the sweetest!

Dolce had been with her since he was a kitten when she got him in her fifth year, and he was rather intelligent for a cat. Aurelia smiled to herself, reflecting on all the times Dolce hissed at her roommates. He was so cute when he was protective! Later, Aurelia had caught her roommates redhanded snooping through Aurelia’s bookbag looking for Salazar knows what!

Aurelia shook the thoughts from her mind. It’s not like she gave them a good reason to trust her or even to like her. She’s lucky that they tolerated her and how isolated she was. 

With one last pet behind the ears, Aurelia turned toward her trunk at the end of her bed. Aurelia dressed in a button up Slytherin cardigan tucked into her skirt. She pulled on tights to keep her legs warm and covered on that brisk September day. She was not expecting to pull pieces from her winter wardrobe so soon, but alas, it was Scotland after all. Glancing in the mirror one last time, Aurelia decided it would not be worth the energy to fight her hair into submission, leaving the coily mess atop her head. Slipping her feet into boots, Aurelia started toward the door.

Oh wait, but should she try and put some effort into her hair? Aurelia couldn’t stand any whispers about her appearance, that was the absolute last thing she needed. Aurelia doubled back in front of her mirror, and stared at herself, barely noticing Dolce lifting his head to scrutinise her with a bit of a judgemental look in his eye. Well it wasn’t so bad. The pieces at the front near her face and crown seemed relatively smooth. Yes, this would be fine. Aurelia once more made to leave her dormitory.

Oh but, she hadn’t checked the back of her head, had she? Aurelia again returned to her mirror, craning her neck to inspect the back of her head, and oh dear! This simply would not do! Merlin and Morgana, but what could be done? She was late enough already, there would be nothing but scraps at breakfast! Thinking quickly, Aurelia bypassed her comb (it would take 3 lunar cycles to comb that mess out), and grabbed a ribbon, tying her hair into a high bun, effectively hiding the bird’s nest that was created from tossing and turning all night. Curls escaped the bun to frame her face, but Aurelia had to admit it looked rather alluring, didn’t it? Ha! Take that hair! Aurelia thought triumphantly to herself.

With a nod to her reflection for confidence, Aurelia finally left her dormitory and began the trek from the dungeons to the Great Hall. She barrelled up the steps from her prison cell dormitory into the Common Room. It was mostly empty by this time, most of the students having made their way to breakfast. Still, Aurelia slowed her pace so as not to attract any attention from stomping as fast as she could. She kept her eyes ahead, not catching anyone’s gaze.

Aurelia thought to herself it was easier to pretend she was invisible with a curtain of hair to hide behind. Note to self, no more buns after today .

“Miss Aurelia!”

Aurelia whipped her head and made eye contact with Regulus who had been the one to call out to her. Aurelia looked him over. Once again, Regulus had not a hair out of place, his school robes immaculately kept, with shining black shoes taking steps directly towards her.

“Mister Regulus,” Aurelia said as Regulus approached her “You can just call me Aurelia, no need for the Miss anymore, don’t you think?”

Regulus blinked at her in what appeared to be surprise, before schooling his features into his classic princely facade.

“Aurelia,” he said with a small purse in his lips, almost as if he was hiding a smile. “I was was hoping to escort you to breakfast,”

Aurelia could not help the surprise that passed over her face and felt her face warm at the implications of his suggestion. An escort? To breakfast? Aurelia looked at him curiously once more, and she spotted in his hand the biography she had lent him not long previously.

Did he have thoughts he already wished to discuss with her? He didn’t seem particularly disturbed did he? Perhaps the risk Aurelia took was paying off in her favour. Maybe he wasn’t a blood purist after all, and merely a lost soul finding his place in a world of conflict. Maybe he was like her, a pacifist at heart always seeking peace through the path of least resistance. Aurelia felt her hands tremble in excitement at the thought.

So many years spent alone and in isolation out of fear of being… What was it? Rejected? Targeted? Bullied? Disowned? Attacked? Disturbed? It was possible now that seeing the eager glint in his eye that her days of perpetual solitude were coming to an end. Finally, she would invite someone to join her under her veil of protection.

Aurelia quashed down those thoughts. She couldn’t get ahead of herself. Regulus was a Slytherin like she was after all and it was possible that his friendly countenance was a diversion, and he was taking this opportunity to out her as a blood traitor in front of everyone in the Great Hall. She could see it now, scandalised faces from her housemates, shock and murmurings throughout the other houses, and worst of all yet, her Nonna rolling in her grave.

Oh, the horror of it all! But, surely–

“Aurelia?” Regulus said, breaking through Aurelia’s internal downward spiral, “It’s alright if you’re not agreeable, I just had some thoughts about this biography you gave me…”

“I thought so,” Aurelia said, with finality, “I would greatly appreciate the escort Regulus,”

Regulus’s lips twitched up into a tentative smile, his eyes glittering at her. He has no right to be so dreamy, Aurelia thought to herself. Regulus held out his arm, and Aurelia took it graciously.

“Oh, and by the way,” Regulus said, as they walked through the dungeon, “I like what you’ve done with your hair,”

Aurelia blushed so hot she thought steam would come out of her ears.

---

In the Great Hall, Regulus and Aurelia sat side by side at the Slytherin table, with so many eyes on them, Aurelia began to break out into a feverish sweat. Regulus was so disarming in his offer to escort her to breakfast, that she did not even anticipate the social implications of having him sit with her at another meal. People were noticing. She stared a hole into her half eaten toast, counting down the seconds until it would be appropriate to excuse herself and head to her first class.

Regulus appeared completely unbothered out of the corner of her eye. Sitting up erect, handsomely buttering his own toast and taking a sip here and there of his tea (that he took with milk no sugar, by the by).

Aurelia felt herself begin to grow rather peeved, the flush of embarrassment taking on new, uglier meaning. How positively manly of him to escort her to breakfast, knowing the implication? Especially after all the time they had already shared together? He must be a complete idiot, or he just simply doesn’t care, and what could be worse!

Aurelia seethed and seethed and seethed. Regulus was not worthy to be any friend of hers! He clearly thought that Scamander’s life and accomplishments was a load of pandering muggle-loving garbage! Why else would he sit with her now here at the breakfast table, torturing her by saying absolutely nothing? He clearly wanted to make her sweat it out, fearing when he would stand up on the table and announce to the school that Aurelia existed and not only did she exist she was also a blood traitoring, muggle loving, ugly witch!

It was on this train of thought that Regulus cleared his throat and began, not noticing the internal war Aurelia was raging against him.

“Erm, Aurelia,” Regulus began carefully, “if it’s alright, I have something to say about this book you gave me,”

Oh sweet Circe , Aurelia thought to herself, here it comes!

Aurelia felt the wince that wanted to pass over her face, but she held back. She could not and would not give herself away. This could go one of two ways: 1. She could invite him to openly share his thoughts at the breakfast table where everyone was already watching them and undoubtedly eavesdropping; or 2. She could put him off just a little while longer and offer to speak with him about it after classes, meeting him for perhaps a walk around the Black Lake…

Now, to lay out the pros and cons of each–

“It’s quite good,” Regulus said.

Now Aurelia couldn’t hold back the complete and utter shock and surprise that broke through the cracks of her schooled features. Once again, Regulus has completely broken through her spiralling thoughts to completely disarm her! Aurelia’s mouth opened and shut like a fish, as she grasped with what to say next.

Regulus’s smile (which was starting to become familiar to Aurelia) grew from his customary small purse of his lips. His eyes were glittering as he watched her struggle to formulate a coherent thought, as if he already knew every single thought that could possibly be crossing her mind.

“Really?” Aurelia said dumbly, not bothering to hide the delight in her voice.

“Really,” he said back to her, before lowering his voice, “this Clarke fellow has an interesting perspective, wouldn’t you say?”

Aurelia gave him a small smile, her own eyes glittering.

“Interesting is certainly one way to put it,” she said slowly.

Well! Aurelia thought to herself, her heart warming, I suppose I have my answer.

---

Across the Great Hall was the positively fuming Sirius Black, watching his brother Regulus and Aurelia Centore like his eyes were glued to the Slytherin table. He watched the peaks of her full cheeks turn a pretty pink, while Regulus seemed to bask in her beauty, with the perfect princely purse to his lips.

Sickening, Sirius thought to himself.

The perfect princess for the perfect prince clearly even after one week they’ve become quite enamoured with each other. They’re probably distantly related! Most purebloods are, and somehow they are so obviously disgustingly taken with each other.

Sirius was glad that he was not part of that world anymore. Forced to marry a relative to keep the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black bloodline as pure and evil and Slytherin as possible. He himself was a stain on his family’s lineage, so says his mother, while Regulus was the family prize, just for being the perfect amount of evil and bigoted.

He wouldn’t be surprised if Regulus was already sporting that Gods be damned tattoo on his wand arm.

That stupid girl was probably thrilled to have caught the attention of a blood supremacist from a rich and renowned family. She was probably creaming her pants!

Repulsed, Sirius aggressively stabbed the sausages on his plate.

He turned his attention to his mates surrounding him at the breakfast table. Peter looked half asleep, sluggishly pouring juice, his eyes half lidded. Remus, the perfect student he was, nose in a book, drawing slow scoops of oatmeal up to his mouth. And finally James, who was shuffling bacon and eggs into his mouth as if it was his last meal.

“You know what I think?” Sirius suddenly burst forth, his face feeling hot.

James began thoroughly choking, bits of egg and spittle dribbling from his mouth. Peter voraciously smacks him on the back.

“No, but I’m sure you’ll tell us,” Remus said dryly, not even looking up from his book.

James, finally having air in his lungs gasped out, “You’ve nearly killed me, Padfoot!”

“Sorry,”

“Well what is it?”

“That girl… Centore, right?” Sirius began, only to be met with three matching groans. Sirius continued as if he hadn’t even heard them. “What kind of name is that anyway? If you say it how it’s spelled it’s like saying Centaur isn’t it? We can base our prank on that we can call her Centaur looking or something. She'll hate that. We’ll call her horse face! Yes! That's it! Centaur the horse face!”

Remus rolled his eyes so hard, it looked like he was passing out. “Sirius, that’s the dumbest shit I have ever heard,”

James, on the other hand, began nodding along, holding his chin with his thumb and forefinger pretending to look deep in thought. “The idea has merit, Padfoot,” he said, and Sirius realised that he wasn’t pretending to look deep in thought at all. This encouraged him.

“Yes!” Sirius exclaimed, “We will call her horse face! Now, how to tie it all together into the biggest prank Hogwarts has ever seen…”

The four of them sat silently, pondering the question. It was a pretty tall order, the biggest prank Hogwarts has ever seen… Maybe they could make a banner to be hung outside the Great Hall doors with Centore as a Centaur? That would certainly cause a small stir, maybe earn them a detention… but there’s no flash to that is there? Hmmm…

Sirius and his mates sat there thinking for longer than he cared to admit, when they all finally nearly burst simultaneously–

“I’ve got it–”

“But it would be mad–”

“This is awful–”

“Are you sure–”

“Lads!” Sirius said magnanimously, “I believe it’s time to start planting the seeds for the greatest prank of all time,”

James lowered his brow, and rubbed his palms together, “Oh, yes, my dear sweet darling Padfoot…Oh, yes… it will be spoken about for centuries…”

“What will be spoken about for centuries?” came a snobbish voice.

Sirius barely stopped himself from rolling his eyes. Of course, she would come right when they were supposed to be deliberating and planning and plotting their most mischievous plans.

Lily Evans looked down the bridge of her nose at the four of them with pursed lips. “Surely, you’re not speaking of some ridiculous, bullying scheme under the guise of a ‘prank’” she said.

James turned as red as Lily’s hair. “No, my sweet Lily flower, we have learned from our mistakes,”

“We’ve grown from the days of our youth,” said Sirius.

“We are the most upstanding of citizens,” added Peter.

“We have turned over a new leaf,” finished Remus.

Lily scanned all four of them, before rolling her eyes with a huff and joining her friends at the end of the table.

“That was a close one,” James said, clutching his chest, his face still as red as can be.

Sirius tuned out the agreements of his friends, and looked back at the Slytherin table, only to find that Centore and his brother were gone.

Later that evening after classes had ended and most of the castle had gone to bed, the four Marauders were seated around the Common Room fire, fleshing out the terms of their plan. Formulating this plan was like breathing, delegating the various tasks, planning out the timeline, the strategy of it all brought out the best in Sirius, so he would like to think.

“Alright boys,” Sirius said, “it will go like this…”

The ultimate prank of all time will begin with addressing Centore as “Centaur” and repeatedly calling her a horse face. Sacrifices for detentions will have to be made at that time should the target choose to narc. In the meantime, slowly but surely and using funds from James’s hefty Potter allowance, ingredients for polyjuice will be acquired. Remus will of course be responsible for brewing in their dormitory as he is the most bookish of all them. Spiking the girl’s morning tea or pumpkin juice with the potion would be easy enough as rapport has already been established with the Castle’s kitchen house elves. 

The real test… the most difficult and possibly highly dangerous component of their plan would be to somehow get a centaur hair from the herd in the Forbidden Forest.

“Do you think they would just hand it over if we asked?” James suggested.

“Don’t be daft, Prongsie,” Sirius said, “It will require the most stealth… the smallest among us…” he looked pointedly at Peter, who gulped loudly.

“M-me?” he stuttered, sweat beading on his brow.

“You, Wormtail,” Sirius confirmed.

James patted Peter on the back. “You’ve got this Worms,” he said confidently, “We’ll do it on the night of the full moon, that way you’ll have all of us out there with you anyway!”

Peter blanched, but nodded his head nonetheless.

Remus shook his head, “I’m still not convinced this is a good idea,”

“You never think it’s a good idea,” Sirius whined.

“That’s true,” Remus said, a small smirk on his face.

“That’s a lad, Moony” James said like a proud father. “The plan commences tomorrow with Phase 1 Step A just before breakfast and during Potions… Please direct any questions to Padfoot as Marauder Assistant Director,”

“ Assistant Director?!” Sirius exclaimed dramatically, pounding a fist into his chest pretending to be clutching a dagger. “You wound me!”

---

Day one of Phase 1 Step A of The Plan began with a rough start, when Centore never showed up to breakfast. As a result, only Remus was able to eat a few bites of buttered toast before classes began, as the other boys were staggered at various locations leading from the dungeon to the Great Hall. The plan was to encounter Centore at these contact points and to either neigh , whisper horse face loud enough for her to hear, and to call out “centaur” at her and pretend it was someone else. Remus at first was stationed just outside the Great Hall, and was the only one smart enough to abandon his post at the last minute to have some breakfast before Potions started (he wasn’t that committed to the plan anyway, as it was rather ridiculous).

Then there they were, scrambling to make it to Potions on time (nothing out of the ordinary, actually), and she was already seated at her work station next to… hold on, is that–

“Evans?!” James shouted when he burst through the door, his three mates barreling into his back (James had taken it upon himself to stand shell shocked in the classroom doorway).

James immediately regretted this outburst, watching as the entire class and Slughorn whipped around to face him and his terribly late comrades in arms. His eyes poured over the class and settled on Lily, who had gone quite red in the face. Next to her, Centore looked him over with a blank look and turned back to the front of the classroom.

“Potter,” she said, not bothering to hide the bite in the tone of her voice. She turned back to the front, and even whispered something to that girl!

Slughorn released a slow chuckle, and showed the boys to their new assigned seats. James looked longingly at the back of Lily’s head, and reluctantly took his seat behind her and next to Sirius.

“Can you believe she’s sitting with her?” Sirius whispered rather loudly, “Next thing you know, she’ll be prophesying in the middle of their brew,”

“Mate…” James said, “what?”

CENTAUR , Sirius mouthed to him (not discreetly).

“Ohhh!” James said, “Because she’s a Centaur!”

Sirius shut his eyes slowly in exasperation, but the commentary seemed to have the desired effect, because the girl in question seemed to tilt her head as if she heard the comment, but did not want to give them her attention.

“Yes, Pro–James,” Sirius said, opening his eyes, “Isn’t that right, Centaur?”

But Centore did nothing and said nothing, and James watched Sirius’s eyes go dark and his face a muddy red. Oh dear , James thought to himself… it’s happening…

As if in slow motion, James watched Sirius reach across their work station and grab Centore’s shoulder roughly. She jerked at the contact, clearly startled, and both she and Lily turned to face them. Centore looked innocent enough, but Lily looked positively murderous.

Feeling the fear of God trickle down his spine, James began kicking Sirius in the shin, lightly at first, but when Sirius did not lose the sinister glint in his eye, James began kicking more obviously and with far more force than was necessary. But it was like Sirius was completely impervious, and the kicks to the shin had absolutely no effect.

“I said,” Sirius said, his voice deep and dark, “Isn’t that right, Centaur,”

James watched in rapt attention as the scene unfolded. Lily was clearly fuming, her hands resting on her lap clenched into fists so tight they had begun to shake. Meanwhile, Centore had a bit of a blush on her cheeks, growing rather bashful.

“I-” she said, glancing nervously at Lily first before continuing, “Are you talking about me?” she finished innocently.

Sirius scoffed, “Yeah, I’m talking about you, Centaur!” 

By Merlin , James thought to himself, how many times was the poor lad going to say it?

“Oh, and are you comparing me to a centaur?” she asked bashfully, her eyes lowering, and her blush becoming redder. James couldn’t help but note that her voice had the lilt of an accent.

“Well, I-” Sirius stumbled, “Well, yes!”

Godric, is he losing his resolve? James thought in shock.

“Oh,” she said dreamily, “well, thank you that’s very nice,”

She turned back to her own workstation. Sirius looked at the back of her head dumbly looking quite stupefied!

Lily’s murderous face had gone smug before she turned herself back around, putting her arm around Centore’s shoulders and whispering in the girl’s ear.

Sirius whispered to James: “What did she mean by thank you?”

James shrugged, “It seems like she took it as a compliment?”

“But how!”

James shrugged again, while Slughorn began to outline the brew that they would be working on. Oh, he was going to hear it later when he patrolled the halls later tonight with Lily.

“It’ll be back to the drawing board then,” Sirius whispered, his grey eyes stormy.

Notes:

Hi Everyone! Here is chapter 2 hope everyone likes it, I'm open to suggestions because nothing is planned out and i'm just seeing where it all goes.

I wanted to highlight how much Aurelia thinks about every little decision she makes and the implications/consequences of each choice and how much she prioritizes self-preservation right now. It's very much an anxious internal word vomit which I think is cute for the sake of character development, and for readers to get to know who she is and her thought processes as she makes her decisions throughout this story. right now she relies so heavily on being able to predict everything so we'll see how that goes!

Sirius is a crazy person, but Aurelia loves majestic magical creatures and beings so we will hear more from her next chapter about her perspective on being compared to a Centaur. I hope you enjoy the budding slytherin friendship between aurelia and regulus as well, it's cute to write. I want to write them like their speaking in code kind of, never exposing their hand too much, but somehow knowing what the other person means... idk if that makes sense.. As always feel free to leave a comment my loves.

mio Dolce amore: italian for my Sweet love.

Dolce is his name which means sweet <3

Chapter 3: Week 2-3

Aurelia was so shocked that Black had just compared her to a centaur that when Lily leaned over, whispering to ignore the idiots behind them, Aurelia didn’t quite hear. Black was obviously trying to insult her, that much she knew. But… to be called centaur-like was so terribly flattering to her that she couldn’t help but accept the insult as a compliment.

Aurelia saw Sirius’s face light up in flames and only slightly regretted her choice. Perhaps it would have been best to let him think she was upset by his comments. Maybe then he would forget she existed and leave her alone. Now, Aurelia would undoubtedly face the consequences of her actions.

But really… a centaur? How delightful!

“Aurelia, this needs three and a half counterclockwise stirs,” Lily Evans said, breaking through Aurelia’s thoughts.

“O-oh, right, yes,” Aurelia mumbled, stirring their shared cauldron.

Aurelia felt Lily eyeing her and attempted to hide behind her hair. As much as she admired Lily, she knew that openly associating with her would bring her nothing but grief when she made it to her dormitory tonight. Aurelia felt a pang of guilt deep in her chest. Ultimately, it was for Lily’s good as much as it was for her own. Aurelia didn’t even want to think what that disgusting Mulciber would do if he heard about Aurelia and Lily speaking to each other. What could be worse, giving Lily the cold shoulder or having Lily’s excellent magical blood on her hands?

Aurelia took a cautionary glance around the room, avoiding Lily’s eyes. Snape was nearby at the workstation to the left of theirs; he would certainly report back to his stupid blood purist friends. Although working diligently at his workstation while his partner was flicking lacewing flies across the room, he also let his eyes wander, often catching on to Lily (who paid him no mind). Curious , Aurelia thought to herself.

Aurelia recalls observing Snape and Lily Evans and their previously chummy relationship. She would often see them walking the grounds together, having hushed conversations, making eye contact over jokes only they seemed to understand. She’s unsure when they must have fallen out because they used to be thick as thieves and now they were as good as strangers.

Aurelia’s eyes looked to Lily, who was already staring at her.

“O-oh!” Aurelia said, startled, “Did you say something?”

“Yes!” Lily sighed, “You were supposed to add the next ingredient!”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Aurelia whispered, her eyes darting about her.

Hopefully no one noticed Lily becoming exasperated toward her. She did not want people thinking that she was not smart enough to be in the NEWT level of Potions, least of all Slughorn who would just cluck like a mother hen at her. Horrible! She needed enough of Lily’s approval to skate by unnoticed in class, but not too much so as to stir competition. She must be perfectly unassuming. Just good enough to stay invisible.

She heard a chuckle from the station behind her, and felt herself bristle.

She leaned over to Lily and whispered as quietly as she could, “I was lost in thought, I will pay attention from now on,”

Aurelia’s face felt hot, and she felt sticky hot moisture beading on the back of her neck.

Lily met Aurelia’s eyes, and Lily seemed to soften when she whispered back, “That’s alright, I’m sorry for snapping,”

Aurelia blinked twice before giving Lily the tiniest of smiles.

The two girls continued brewing their potion in amicable silence, with Lily giving Aurelia pointers and cues for the next few steps. Aurelia found the experience very pleasant. Just two people brewing a potion, with no one else to bother them.

“ Neeeeighhh ,” Black jibed from behind them, disturbing their peace.

Aurelia, refusing to acknowledge it, said from the corner of her mouth to Lily, “Did he just neigh ? Like a horse?”

Lily, unperturbed, said back, “Do not acknowledge it, it only encourages them.”

This brief exchange was, unfortunately, enough to encourage the boys behind them.

“Oh come on Evans, it’s all in good fun,” chimed James Potter, “isn’t that right, Centaur?”

Lily rolled her eyes so aggressively, it seemed like her head might roll off.

Aurelia blanched at being directly addressed. The hot sweat that accumulated earlier dripped down her neck. Was it suddenly very musty in the potions classroom? Oh dear, what should I say? Aurelia thought imploringly to herself.

In the end she really only had a handful of options, her brain rationalised. As much as she wanted to just move on and ignore them like Lily said, even ignoring them seemed to taunt them into further pestering her. She could innocently agree, but that would probably encourage them as well. The other option would be to somehow let them know that their words were getting to her… Maybe then they would be satisfied that they had their fun and stop. But if her Slytherin classmates saw that she was being deeply affected by the teasing, she could see it being grounds for violence against the Gryffindors. No matter how invisible she made herself to her housemates, she still wore the green and silver just the same as them.

Oh, but if she didn’t just value the lives of all, regardless if they were some of the most annoying, pestering, and belligerent.

Aurelia hung her head and felt the same strange pulling on her scalp when her long strands of hair began to curl tightly.

“Aurelia,” Lily said slowly as if reading her thoughts, “don’t.”

Aurelia picked her head up suddenly and, with a bright smile turned to face the boys behind her who seemed to be looking at her with a sick and twisted kind of glee.

“It’s Pooter, right?” Aurelia said, unable to bite her tongue

“P-Pooter?” stuttered Potter.

“ Pooter? ” exclaimed Black, who was struggling to maintain his composure. Potter swiftly and aggressively elbowed him in the side.

Aurelia looked at Lily, whose eyes were sparkling with mirth. Aurelia cocked her head innocently. “I thought his name was Pooter, is it not?”

“Yes, that’s right Aurelia, it is Pooter,”

“Right, well Pooter, yes it is all in good fun, thank you! I had no idea you knew how much I loved magical creatures,” Aurelia said, forcing a blush before turning back to her potion.

Lily and Aurelia continued their brew in comfortable silence, free of any pestering, blithering, bullying boys. Lily even seemed smug after Aurelia called Potter “Pooter.” Not long after, Lily and Aurelia were able to anticipate the other’s needs, barely speaking, just silently working in tandem. Aurelia began to feel a bit of a sweet kinship toward Lily, and privately hoped that one day they would emerge into a world where they could be true friends. Aurelia sorely wished that day would be soon. Perhaps after graduation, when she was out from under the thumb of Slytherin house expectations, maybe they could write, or perhaps she could talk to Slughorn about–

“Ah yes! What a pair,” Slughorn himself interrupted jovially. “I was in truth rather looking forward to seeing what the two of you would be able to produce,”

Slughorn pats himself down and pulls a spare vial out from his robes. He peers into their cauldron, nods once to himself, before ladling himself a sample.

“Ho ho! Full marks, my golden girls, I was right to expect nothing less when I paired the two of you together! Just the right smell and consistency. Very good!” Slughorn exclaimed, before moving on to the next pair of students.

Aurelia chanced a glance at Lily who had a pretty flush on the peaks of her cheeks, clearly pleased with the praise from Slughorn. As wonderful as Lily was, Aurelia could tell that Lily was in constant pursuit of validation and affirmation in her magical prowess–after all she was a muggle born in a muggle born hating world. The validation must somehow be proof that she belongs here after all. A sort of, “Ha! I’m just as good as you, maybe even better!”

Well, Aurelia thought to herself admiringly, she has nothing to prove to me!

Lily met Aurelia’s gaze with a serious look in her eye. “Aurelia,” Lily said, “nicely done,”

Aurelia nodded to her. “Same to you,” She said simply.

Lily gave her a small smile and began tidying their workstation. Was there a small way to perhaps convey her admiration for Lily without drawing too much attention to her? Perhaps plant seeds of friendship that could be sowed slowly? Lily didn’t seem the type to hide friendships behind closed doors. Even if Aurelia pretended that she needed tutoring in Potions or some other class would probably draw unwanted attention from Gryffindors and Slytherins alike.

Aurelia sighed to herself, resigned. Potions partners would have to be good enough. Aurelia began to help Lily finish off cleaning their station.

“Aurelia,” Lily said, once again breaking through her thoughts, “I-I was wondering…” Aurelia looked up from brushing leftover pearl dust off the table. Lily averted her eyes, and picked at what looked to be dried shrivelfig juice. “Why does Slughorn call you ‘golden girl’?”

Aurelia cocked her head. She had never been asked that question before. She assumed it was because of her name, Centore, which meant one hundred gold pieces. Or even her first name which, derived from Latin, meant “golden.” She didn’t think there could be any other reason.

“I’ll tell you why, Evans,” Sirius Black cut in from behind them. He leaned menacingly across his own workstation, eyes wide with Aurelia could only guess was annoyance.  His voice was thick with the intent to wound, and his words cutting. “Because she’s a rich girl from a rich family who probably paid Slughorn to treat her the way he does!”

“Sirius, stop–” Potter tried, pulling Black away from the way he was stretched across the table top. Potter made eyes at Lily, and a remorseful look crossed over his face.

“It’s true!” Black insisted, shaking Potter off him. “Why else do you think Slughorn paired the brainless pretty princess with Evans? He’s paid off, it’s obvious!”

Aurelia felt her heart jump up into her throat. She swallowed thickly. Is that really what people think of her? No one had ever bothered to get to know her in her seven years at Hogwarts, and now all of a sudden people think that her parents bribe the staff? Aurelia fought back a tremble, and tried to think of something to say to defend herself. Was it even worth defending herself? Aurelia repressed the urge to cover her ears with her hands.

“Black, that’s enough!” Lily said, her eyebrows high on her face.

“Why?” Sirius, said, “You know it’s true, we watched you pull all the weight for your potion, and–”

“You hold your tongue, Black!” said a gravelly voice from the workstation directly left of theirs.

Lily and Aurelia, like a pair of twin marionettes, whipped their heads to the voice, Lily further blanching with shock and confusion. “ Sev? ” she said.

Severus Snape had risen from his stool, his wand in his hand at his side.

“You should know all about pretty rich princesses, being one yourself!” Snape sneered, approaching them slowly, like a cat stalking a mouse.

Aurelia felt her fingers tingle. This was the last thing she wanted–she absolutely hated being proven right! If these two went to blows in the middle of the classroom, she knew it would be all her fault. A cold sweat broke out against Aurelia’s brow.

Never one to back down, Aurelia knew, Black barked a humorless laugh. “I’m so flattered you think so!” He said coldly, “especially coming from you, O Greasy One,” Sirius did a mock bow, which earned the snickers of Potter.

Aurelia bit her lip, and covered her face. “Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear…” she mumbled to herself. Being caught in the middle of a Slytherin vs. Gryffindor blow out was not in the cards (Aurelia having read her cards during Divination the day prior, of course). Aurelia felt Lily’s hands encircle her wrists, gripping tightly. “Aurelia?” She whispered, concerned.

“Boys, boys!” Slughorn called from the front of the room, “that’s enough, thank you!” Aurelia picked up her head and thanked her lucky stars. Maybe she really was a lot like the centaur herd. She gave Lily a small relieved smile

The tension seemed to slightly dissipate, especially when Lupin approached and patted Black on the shoulder with an “all right, mate?” It seemed to snap Black back to reality.

Aurelia tried not to blush at seeing Lupin, but she couldn’t help herself, he really was just so handsome. She honestly forgot that he was in this class with all the chaotic man child activities that were going on. Aurelia began neatly stacking her parchment and textbook and packed them in her bag, sneaking glances at Lupin all the while. He was so tall, and he had filled out his baggy uniform quite a bit since last term.

“He’s single you know,” Lily whispered to Aurelia, a mischievous glint of her own in her eye.

Aurelia’s eyes widened, but she shot Lily a questioning look, attempting to hide her intrigue. “I’m sure he’ll find someone someday,” Aurelia replied sagely. She took her bag and dismissed herself quickly, not noticing the dark looks sent her way. 

---

“She’s an odd one, your Slytherin Princess,” James said that night at dinner, “I mean… Pooter? Really?”

Remus hid a smile behind his glass of pumpkin juice. The lads were just filling Peter in on what happened during Potions, as Peter had been seated across the room partnered with a Ravenclaw.

“ Pooter? ” Peter guffawed, “I will be using that from now on!”

“Oh, Worms, please don’t!”

Peter coughed out more laughs in between bites of mince pie, some of it spittering out of his mouth.

“She’s not my Slytherin Princess, Prongs! Why do you keep saying that?” Sirius said, flicking Wormtail’s half digested mince pie bits at him, to Peter’s delight.

“Oi!” James said, disgusted.

“Well,” Remus interjected, “it’s just that it’s all that you can talk about. ‘Centore did this, I saw her with Regulus, Regulus smiled at her, Centore blah blah blah.’ I’ve heard her name more times this week than I have in seven years.”

Remus immediately regretted saying anything as it only drew Sirius’s ire.

“If she’s anyone’s Slytherin Princess, she’s Moony’s !” Sirius exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air. Ugh, the drama, Remus thought to himself.

“Here we go,” Remus said, rolling his eyes and attempting to ignore what was surely going to be another one of Sirius’s tirades.

“Yes! Here I will go!” Sirius nearly shouted, “Prongs was clear. Evans told him she completely fancies you!”

James chuckled awkwardly, “Well, no that’s not what I—“

“So now not only is she a psychotic blood purist princess, but she’s also taking my brother for a ride!”

Peter, his cheeks full like a squirrel in autumn, watched the boys bicker back and forth, his head turning rather comically this way and that.

Remus averted his eyes from Peter before his dinner made a second appearance. In the end, he still had no idea what had Sirius’s pants in such a twist. So Regulus made a friend… what did it matter? Wouldn’t it even be better if the girl had false intentions toward Regulus? Then the Marauders wouldn’t have to get so involved. Whatever Sirius hoped to accomplish by tormenting this girl would be achieved without lifting a finger. Besides, they were involved enough! But Remus knew there was no talking Sirius out of these mad obsessions and assumptions he made. He truly had a one-track mind.

On the other hand, Remus couldn’t help but feel a bit flattered. Since he found out it was even possible the girl fancied him, he had been fighting the urge to puff out his chest a bit. And even before this, when he knew she smelled chocolate in her Amortentia, Remus had been hiding a certain intrigue toward her. Aurelia was a very beautiful girl; there was no denying it. Maybe he would just speak to her directly, just to get a read on her for himself… no, no, not with Sirius barking mad as he was.

In a shocking twist, James puts his metaphorical foot down. “Pads, you need to relax. Lily told me she suspected Aurelia fancied Moony, not that it was a sure thing,”

“Oh, and now she’s ’Aurelia’ to you? Whose side are you even on?” Sirius spat, crossing his arms petulantly.

“I’ve never even spoken to her, Padfoot, I swear it!” Remus insisted.

“Swear you won’t!” Sirius exclaimed.

The boys all fell quiet, staring at Sirius in shock.

“Remus, don’t—“

“Sirius, you can’t just—“

But Remus tuned them out, looking at Sirius solemnly. Sirius’s gray eyes were stormy and dark, his normally jovial face stern. Remus sighed to himself. He would do anything for one of his first and only friends, even this. Even more.

“I swear.”

---

Aurelia sighed to herself, relieved to finally be alone back in the Slytherin common room. Well, as alone as she could be surrounded by students. She settled herself in her favorite chair by the Black Lake window, her sweet baby Dolce curled up on her lap. Aurelia absentmindedly stroked the fur behind his ear while she gazed out into the water.

The water was so dark she could see her reflection in the glass. It was how she saw him approach.

“Hello, Regulus,” she said. 

“Aurelia,” he said.

This time he didn’t ask. He took the seat opposite her, quietly.

Aurelia looked over at him and stifled a gasp. He had her book with him. There was no bookmark to be seen between the pages. Had he finished already?

Dolce stirred and stretched on Aurelia’s lap. He gazed lazily across at Regulus, studying him, before leaping across and settling himself in Regulus’s own lap, purring loudly. 

Regulus startled, “Oh!”

Aurelia blushed but made no move to take Dolce back. “This is Dolce,” she said, “he is my familiar, and he has a mind of his own,”

Regulus blinked at the black cat but seemed to relax a little, even allowing his free hand to rest on Dolce's back.

Aurelia took the opportunity to really study Regulus. He was, again, immaculately dressed with a perfectly pressed shirt and straight tie. His wavy hair was styled neatly from his face, and even his shiny black shoes did not have a single scuff. Even so, Aurelia couldn’t help but notice the dark circles forming beneath his eyes. Those were new.

Aurelia thought of what to say. Was it even her turn to speak? She wasn’t sure. How much time had passed since she last spoke? Oh dear… well… Here goes!

“Um, Regulus,” she said shyly, averting her eyes.

“Mm?” He said dazedly.

Aurelia looked back over at him. His eyes had shut, and he was stroking Dolce, who was purring so loud she was surprised no one had asked her to bring him to her dormitory.

“Well. You know… I’ve read that a cat’s purr has healing magic.”

Regulus’s eyes blinked open. He seemed to let his weariness show in the look he gave her. His shoulders became hunched, his mouth downturned, and his eyes half-lidded. He looked rather enticing this way like Aurelia couldn’t help but care for him. Like a hippogriff who had flown all night and just now found his place of rest.

“Is that so?” He said simply. He looked down at Dolce, who purred on and on.

Aurelia said nothing. But should she say more? Aurelia weighed her options. She could say nothing and learn nothing about his feelings about her book. She could talk more and risk annoying him when he’s so obviously exhausted. But from what? Does she have any right to know? It can’t be from classes; it’s only the third week of term!

Aurelia recalled he came from a notoriously Dark family. Could it be that he received word from home? Or from… elsewhere?

Aurelia, unable to bite back her need for… something, settled on:

“Regulus, are you alright?”

Aurelia saw him swallow, the bump in his throat bobbing up and down. He looked up at her from watching Dolce’s back rise and fall. His eyes became keen. He knew she saw how worn out he was.

He reached across to her with the book by Hamish Clarke, the muggle-born.

“This book,” he said, “it was quite good. You were right.”

Aurelia blushed in earnest now, her face becoming unbearably hot. She clutched the book to her chest. 

“Yes, erm, I’m glad you liked it,” she said, attempting to be neutral despite the embarrassing flush to her cheeks.

Regulus became a bit flustered himself. “Well, that is, more specifically, I suppose I… well,” Aurelia couldn’t believe her eyes. Was that a blush on his own cheeks?

“Of course, the notes in the margin were quite… telling,” he finished lamely, “were they yours?”

Aurelia could only nod.

How could she have been so stupid? Of all the bloody things she could forget, her own notes in the margin?  Morgana, Merlin, and Circe, he certainly thought her a blood traitor now! And what kind of Slytherin was she anyway? Why couldn’t she have just lied?

But.. deep down, Aurelia knew why she didn’t lie. Aurelia knew why just as much as Regulus knew why. Because…

“Well, it was a compelling read. As you know, the author has an interesting perspective, one that uniquely equipped him to report on Scamander’s… revolutionary feats… I took the liberty of destroying the page with your name on it should it fall into the wrong hands,” Regulus looked at her shyly from beneath hooded eyes.

Aurelia blinked. And then she smiled widely at him. And he smiled back. And the spark of a secret shared began to glow in each of them.

---

The following days were some of the best of Aurelia’s entire schooling career. Regulus would wait for her in the common room, walk her to breakfast, and even walk with her to her first class of the day sometimes. They barely spoke, but it was enough for Aurelia. Regulus’s tangible presence was more than what she had these last seven years.

An added benefit of having him so near was the four boys from Gryffindor seemed to leave her alone when they were together. Mealtimes were safe from them, at least. Unfortunately, though, it did not prevent them from repeatedly neighing in her direction during Potions and in Charms. Sirius even maliciously began calling her “horse face” under his breath.

In the end, she could only assume that the more time she spent with Regulus openly, the more it fueled their bullying flame. In her opinion, it was worth it. Nothing drastically horrible had happened yet, and she knew it would stay that way as long as she didn’t tell Regulus how insufferable his brother was being.

Aurelia turned her attention to her textbook and opened the page on demiguises. Such delightful creatures they were, with the ability to become invisible and predict the future. She studied the image closely, marveling at the demiguise’s long, silky coat. Unfortunately highly sought after for the ability to creat invisibility cloaks. Cruel treatment and poaching of demiguises were widely known.

“Apologies for the rather theoretical study,” Kettleburn said to his only three students, “My contact who raises demiguises has been, er, avoiding my owls.”

“No worries, Professor, this is just as good as a practical lesson!” flattered Calliope Englewood, a seventh-year Ravenclaw.

“Yes, Professor, the demiguises do seem like they would be a bit difficult to catch don’t they?” chimed in Archie Miller, the other Ravenclaw.

The benefit of having only three students in class was that Kettleburn allowed the small group to discuss and speak openly, rather than lecturing on for the whole instructional block. Aurelia was still reserved, but when Kettleburn invited her to share her thoughts, she couldn’t help but gush.

“Miss Centore, any thoughts on the demiguise?” Kettleburn asked with a knowing glint in his eye.

Aurelia nodded excitedly, “Well, they are very cute. It makes sense why they are so highly sought after,”

Archie had the smallest patience for Aurelia’s contributions. “Cute? That’s hardly the reason they’re sought after, Aurelia.” Even Callie, who was more likely to agree with Aurelia, rolled her eyes.

“Yes, thank you, Mr. Miller!” Kettleburn said, exasperated. “Class, let’s be clear… it’s true that knowledge, research, and facts are important aspects of caring for magical creatures. But the foundation of this class and magizoology at large lies in a key term: care. Something that Miss Centore has in spades. You Ravenclaws could stand to learn a thing or two from her,”

Aurelia blushed and looked away, missing the chagrined looks of her two classmates.

“Alright, class is dismissed! Tonight, 6 inches of parchment on the profile of a demiguise, and make sure to cite the text properly this time, Miss Centore.”

Aurelia nodded, feeling a newfound burst of energy. This was one of her favorite assignments to complete. Profiling magical creatures, making nonmagical comparisons, developing theories, creating a care itinerary, the list goes on. As Aurelia stuffed her textbook into her bag, Kettleburn approached her.

“Miss Centore,” he began quietly, waiting for the Ravenclaws to collect themselves and leave.

“Yes, Professor?”

“I have a special project for you,” he said, leaning close to her.

“Like last year?” she asked, her interest piqued.

Last year, Aurelia and Kettleburn ventured into the Forbidden Forest to chart the unicorn herd’s migration, population, and territory. Aurelia cried upon seeing the glowing majestic creatures, tears falling on her parchment. A young filly had approached her, its hooves skittish and shy. It fled back to its mother when Kettleburn was spotted beside her. It was the greatest experience she could ever have.

“No, my dear, not quite like last year,” he said sadly, “we may see the unicorns, yes, but this year I was hoping to make contact with the centaur herd,”

“The centaurs?” Aurelia asked, confused.

“Yes. Hogwarts has had a long-standing relationship with the herd in the Forbidden Forest for centuries, but it has been many years since we last treated with them. That is what I hope to do. In doing so, perhaps we would be able to create more learning opportunities for the students here. I know you love this class as much as I do, but we would be the only ones,” he frowned.

Aurelia knew he was referring to how the program seemed to be dying out, with fewer and fewer students enrolling for higher levels of Care of Magical Creatures. Her own class only had three students. Aurelia couldn’t help but smirk at the irony. Here she was being pestered incessantly over centaurs, and now she was going to go run among them.

“When do we go?”

Kettleburn laughed heartily.

Notes:

Guys, this chapter made me laugh so much as I was writing it. Anyways, feel free to comment to give me suggestions or whatever let me know what you think is going to happen next. One thing that I want to say is thank you for your patience for whoever is following this story updates will not be regular whatsoever it may be months between updates but rest assured this is an ongoing WIP! Thanks to all who left kudos <3

I also wanted to continue to highlight how ridiculous Sirius is being and explore aurelia's anxious inner monologue, constantly mapping out what she should do next. i hope this story makes you laugh as much as i have writing it.

I also hope that you can see how Regulus and aurelia are beginning to become closer, without revealing outwardly too much information. I call it Slytherin Speak. love u my queens.

Chapter 4: Week 5

Aurelia began preparing obsessively for another venture into the Forbidden Forest. She studied ceaselessly in the library, a mountain of open books surrounding her. Titles such as The Complete Guide to Sojourn With Centaurs, The Ins and Outs of Unicorns, The Starry Centaur, Divination Through the Eyes of the Herd, A Wizard’s Guide to Speaking in Riddles, and even Hogwarts A History were often seen cracked open on the worn library tables.

She began to see less of… well, everyone. She had not yet mustered up the courage to invite Regulus to study with her or even be seen with her outside of mealtimes. Regretfully, preparing for Kettleburn’s project ate up much of her spare time—including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Not that it matters, Aurelia thought pitifully to herself. Regulus barely speaks to me as it is.

It was true. Ever since they discreetly exchanged secrets, Regulus had barely said more than a “good morning” to her, preferring to sit near her quietly. As always, she took these opportunities to study him. He was always princely in manner and character, but Aurelia saw the darkness that lurked behind his polite nature. She saw it in the darkened circles beneath his eyes, the weary tilt to his shoulders, and how he clutched his forearm so tightly she was sure he left fingerprints behind. She wondered if this side of him was something that only she saw. Or perhaps he allowed her to see.

Aurelia decided privately to let the quaffle fall into Regulus’s pitch. It would be his move from here on out. If this limbo of “friends but not friends” was all he wanted from her, Aurelia would do her best to be okay with that. If nothing else, she was glad that he found some sort of comfort in her presence.

Shaking her head free of her thoughts, Aurelia continued to read, skipping over the information she already knew. Everyone knew that centaurs had a human torso with the lower half of a horse.

Although known experts in astronomy and divination, centaurs are historically difficult to speak with due to their proclivity for speaking in riddles. Gleaning knowledge regarding fate becomes particularly challenging, especially when one approaches a centaur in an attempt to change the direction of destiny. Centaurs believe themselves to be messengers of fate, and destiny is not something to be interfered with. With this in mind, the best approach is one of humble acceptance. It doesn’t hurt to have a head for solving riddles, either!

Aurelia shut The Complete Guide to Sojourn with Centaurs. Humble acceptance, is it? She supposed she could work with that. She was glad she pulled the book on speaking in riddles; perhaps she could exercise her brain to prepare for her centaur encounter.

Aurelia stuffed the borrowed books into her bulging bag and made her way to Charms, feeling a little bit of fear for the first time. This class was shared with the Gryffindor boys, who had been tireless in drawing a reaction out of her by calling her a centaur or horse face or neighing in her direction. So far, Aurelia had been able to ignore them successfully, but her patience was wearing thin.

Aurelia entered the Charms classroom and greeted Flitwick before sitting next to a Gryffindor girl, Marlene McKinnon.

She heard the four boys ambling in, taking their seats in the back of the classroom. She cursed herself and felt her hair begin to curl in on itself, her pretty waves becoming a twisty, coily, springy mess. Oh, hair, please calm down, she begged, attempting to stretch out the curls.

“Woah, what just happened to your hair?” Marlene said beside her.

Aurelia stiffened and turned to Marlene. She didn’t seem to be asking maliciously, but Aurelia couldn’t be sure. Aurelia had never exchanged words with Marlene before, so how could she know she would be asking a genuine question? Aurelia brushed the springy curls from her face and tried to think of how best to respond.

Should she even respond? Maybe she should just pretend like she didn’t hear the question. But how could she do that when Marlene was only a few inches away? Aurelia didn’t feel comfortable impersonating a hard-of-hearing person. So now, what to say? Aurelia didn’t know why her hair decided that some days it was straight, other days it was wavy, and some days it was coiled so tight that her long hair became shoulder length. All Aurelia knew was that it just did!

“Oh, it just does that sometimes,” interjected Lily Evans from the pair of desks behind them.

“Huh,” Marlene said, impressed, “is it a spell?”

“Erm, no, I was born like this,” Aurelia whispered, still trying to hide from the boys who had settled in the back of the classroom.

“Wow!” Marlene exclaimed, “I wish my hair could do something like that! Then I wouldn’t bother with spells and potions every morning,”

Aurelia really looked at Marlene. She was a pretty blonde girl with fair skin and a dusting of freckles across her nose. Her lashes were thick and long, and her lips had a natural full pout on them.

“Oh, come on, Marlene,” Black shouted from the back of the classroom, “if you had horse hair like that beast, you might as well gallop into the Forbidden Forest just like her!”

The chatter in the classroom fell silent, heads turning to look at Aurelia to inspect the hair on her head. Aurelia felt tears well up in her eyes before turning back in her chair and facing the front of the room. The students began to murmur quietly amongst themselves, Aurelia picking out small things like “Who is that,” “It does look a bit like hay, doesn’t it,” “Centaur,” “Some Slytherin she is,” and the final nail in the coffin, “I think her name is Aurelia Centore,”

No, no, no! Aurelia agonized to herself.

“Mister Black!” Professor Flitwick yelled, emerging from his office at the front of the classroom.

But Flitwick’s frustration with Black went unnoticed, even as he marched to the back of the room to hand out punishments. Aurelia hid her face in her arms on her desk, trying to block out the noise of all the whispers.

“I will make you squeal like the pig you are!” a voice rang out in the class.

Aurelia looked up in shock, her hair falling limp and straight against her back. It was Silas Mulciber, a twisted look on his face. His wand was drawn and pointed directly at Sirius, and the tip was already glowing viciously purple, matching the bulging vein in Mulciber’s forehead.

Aurelia’s stomach lurched.

It was happening. Twice now, within weeks of each other, Slytherin housemates have come to her defense during class, threatening violence. Aurelia tried not to gag. Why couldn’t Black just keep his gods forsaken mouth shut? A tear fell against Aurelia’s cheek, and she quickly wiped it away.

Sirius immediately raised his wand to Mulciber in answer, his brows downturned, and his jaw clenched. Aurelia would have expected Potter (the Head Boy) to attempt to diffuse the situation, but instead, he stood behind Black with his wand ready. Even from her side of the room, she could hear the growl that rumbled deep within Sirius’s chest and see a crazed, animalistic glint in his eye.

“Expelliarmus!” Flitwick shouted.

All at once, the wands of Black and Mulciber flew out of their hands and into the firm grip of Professor Flitwick.

“Wands drawn in the middle of class? Well, I never! Absolutely ridiculous and dangerous behavior! Fifty points each for attempting to duel and an extra ten from you, Mr. Black,”

“What?” Sirius objected, “Just from me?”

“I think that the class will agree with me that your language when addressing a classmate was most inappropriate,” Flitwick said with finality and addressed the entire class: “So many of you often forget that soon you will be alumni in a world where the future is uncertain. The time to learn is now. Your lesson is this: grow up!”

Aurelia couldn’t help but blink back some surprise–she didn’t know Flitwick had it in him! Flitwick even ended up handing out detentions in addition to the points. She knew that wouldn’t stop Black. Having Mulciber and Snape come to her defense within a month of each other would only add kindling to an already roaring fire. She was not looking forward to the next time they came to blows before her.

She looked over at Mulciber now, who was already staring at her. When their eyes met, he gave her the smallest nod before returning to his seat.

---

That night, when Aurelia was finally in the safety of her own common room, Regulus was already sitting in their pair of armchairs silently. She approached him sullenly, exhausted from carrying the borrowed books from the library.

When she sat across from him, he said nothing. His head was tilted back, resting on the chair’s high back. His breathing was even. Perhaps he had fallen asleep. Even in his sleep, he still looked like the perfect prince. Her gaze roved over him and settled on the black cat that was once again sprawled over his lap, purring loudly. Regulus’s hand was idly scratching Dolce’s neck. Ah, so he’s awake.

Aurelia smiled to herself before settling in her assigned seat.

“You know,” she whispered, “if he’s bothering you, please let me know, and I can take care of it,”

Regulus opened his eyes, clearly unsurprised to see her across from him. He appeared to be digesting her words slowly. He cocked his head at her, scanning her from the top of her head to the boots on her feet. He frowned, and Aurelia felt her face become hot.

“Aurelia, I could say the same to you,” he said, his voice raspy with sleep.

Aurelia looked away. So, he knew, Aurelia thought ruefully to herself. So embarrassing!

Sometime in the last few weeks, Regulus must’ve been informed about his brother bullying her by Snape or Mulciber. She knew she had been relatively absent lately, caught up with studying centaurs, so the “how” was clear. But the question was, why? Unless…

Aurelia peeked out from behind her chair and saw them sitting around the main fireplace on the leather couch, heads bowed close together as if sharing secrets. It was Mulciber, Snape, Avery, and Pucey. Even Aster Parkinson, her own roommate, was sitting amongst them, draped like a cloak behind Mulciber. She accidentally caught Snape’s eye, who nodded at her and returned to his hushed discussion.

She looked back at Regulus with her eyes wide. His eyes had shut again. She realized at that moment that she didn’t know anything about Regulus at all.

Aurelia felt rattled and a little bit stupid. She thought that she and Regulus had a certain understanding of each other. Both of them acknowledged that they did not align with the blood purity rhetoric that was percolating the current culture. Aurelia assumed Regulus’s recent discomfort had to do with pressures from his traditionalist pureblood family. She supposed she knew better than most that keeping up appearances was vital when one up and decides to become a blood traitor. 

But… was he keeping up appearances? Or was he an active participant in their evil extracurriculars? Did Mulciber and Snape simply observe them together and make their own determinations? Or did Regulus actually speak to them about her, asking them to look out for her? So many questions and not enough answers. She looked at Regulus again, but he was already watching her with a softened look in his eye.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” he asked her quietly.

She blinked, wishing her cat didn’t favor him so much so she’d have something to do with her sweaty hands. Why didn’t she say anything? She supposed there were a few reasons, none of which she felt she could actually voice aloud. She didn’t think she could say anything, really. She didn’t want to be the cause of any conflict. She didn’t think her rapport with Regulus was friendly or trustworthy enough to bring it up to him. She also just… didn’t care until today, when people finally started to notice. The only thing she regrets is that it almost led to open violence.

Instead of saying any of this or confessing more of her deepest vulnerabilities, Aurelia settled on the one thing that seemed true. Something that warmed her from the inside out.

“I didn’t have to, did I?” she said simply.

---

That weekend at breakfast, Kettleburn approached Aurelia to tell her that the best time to make their trip would be during the next full moon. Apparently, Dumbledore assured him that it should be perfectly safe. 

“Besides!” Kettleburn had said, “Between the two of us, formidable and clever, we’d be able to battle a werewolf with no problem!”

With special permission from the Headmaster, Aurelia was filled with a newfound energy. She bade Regulus a quiet farewell and made her way to the library. Aurelia had spent much of her free time practicing brain teasers and various riddles to prepare her for whatever the centaurs might throw their way. It was much harder than she thought; she had no idea how the Ravenclaws did it every time they returned to their common room.

The library was surprisingly full that morning, students attempting to finish most of their work before the following weekend: the first Hogsmeade weekend of term. Aurelia weaved in and out of the shelves of books, looking for a free table to set up shop. Most of the seats were taken, barring only one.

The boy next to the open chair was facing away from her. His hair was a sandy blonde, and he appeared to be a bit tall; his legs were clearly cramped under the library table. He was diligently scribbling on some parchment, frequently referencing an open tome.

Well, this would have to do.

Aurelia mustered up what little courage she seemed to have these days and cleared her throat.

The boy startled and turned to look at her, his eyes wide.

Oh, Aurelia thought, it’s Lupin. 

He blinked at her dumbly but said nothing. He inspected her from head to toe but said nothing. He blushed but said nothing. Aurelia took another perusal of the library: no other Gryffindor goons nor seventh-year Slytherins in sight.

”Er, this is the only open seat left,” she said lamely, gesturing to the chair beside him.

He said nothing but began adjusting his materials to make room. Aurelia accepted this invitation and started unloading her books, parchment, ink, and a fresh quill.

As she began working, reading, and rereading all of her research, she felt him staring a hole in the side of her head. When she looked at him to meet his eye, he quickly glanced away, both of their cheeks reddening.

Aurelia made notes all over her research, her eyes scanning the feedback from Kettleburn. He agreed the route they took last year would be best, near Hagrid’s hut. The paths there were a bit more well-trodden. Hopefully, Aurelia could see at least one unicorn this way.

The problem became clear when researching the centaur colony’s whereabouts in particular. Unfortunately, Hogwarts A History did not include as much information on the Forbidden Forest as she hoped it would. Nor was there much information on the local centaur colony. Kettleburn said it had been many years since contact with the centaurs had occurred. Who knew how deep into the forest they were? 

Aurelia was disappointed. Centaurs were beautiful and valuable beings with their own culture and hierarchical system. To have so little documentation on the local colony was a shame.

The centaurs were also prideful creatures, making them fickle to normal wizarding ways of communication. Anything that could be perceived as servitude to wizards was highly offensive to them. An invitation to treat sent by an owl may not be received well. As a result, Kettleburn and Aurelia agreed that an organic “chance” meeting would be best. Kettleburn said it might take more than one attempt. Not only that, Kettleburn noted that the best time to go would be the night of a full moon. Aurelia tried to think. When was the next full moon again…?

She glanced at Lupin, who had returned to his own work. He really was quite handsome. He had a strong jaw and a few scars across his face. His shoulders were broad if a bit hunched. Maybe he felt as shy and unsure as she did. His arms were long and strong, and his hands were slender against the pages of his textbook. Aurelia bit her lip.

She wondered absently if perhaps Lupin knew. Would it be wise to ask? Would he report back to Black that she tried talking to him? Would Lupin just openly laugh in her face? She was in the library; perhaps she could simply ask the librarian. Although, the last time she tried to ask Madam Pince anything, she had told Aurelia rather haughtily, “This is a library! Look it up!”

She decided to take a chance, and her desire to progress on this special project won out. He was a prefect; she doubted he’d risk bullying her like his friends did.

“Remus Lupin,” she said.

He startled (again) and looked at her blankly. He said nothing.

Was… that not his name? Aurelia thought to herself, trying to hide her blush by resting her cheek in her palm. 

“It is Lupin, right?” she asked.

He nodded but said nothing.

“Do you know when the next full moon is?” Aurelia asked.

His face paled, but his eyes narrowed. She raised a brow. Perhaps that’s his thinking face? Aurelia thought. Oh dear, maybe he was just like his bullying friends after all. He was probably thinking of the best way to insult or compare her to a horse or magical beast.

Resigned, Aurelia muttered, “Never mind,” and began aggressively collecting her belongings. Aurelia flushed and felt her bottom lip tremble. The faster she was out of there, the sooner she’d avoid hearing another childish insult. She should just ask Kettleburn; hopefully, she will see him before Monday.

A hand suddenly gripped her wrist, stopping her from rushing off. Lupin had grabbed her. He held up a single finger in front of him with his free hand. His eyes were pleading. His cheeks were red. Wait, he seemed to say.

“Okay,” she said, and he said nothing.

He released her gently. He ripped a corner off his roll of parchment and scribbled something down before handing it to her.

Three weeks. October 31st. Why?

He watched her eagerly. Why? Aurelia blushed under his study. What could she possibly say? Not even Regulus knew about her upcoming project with Kettleburn. It wasn’t a secret, but Aurelia felt very shy. If Regulus didn’t know, she probably shouldn’t be telling anyone else yet, right? Ugh, Regulus probably didn’t deserve the priority she gave him with all the secrets he kept close to his chest.

And why wouldn’t Lupin say anything? Why was he talking to her through a small note? She didn’t owe Lupin an answer, did she? She supposed he did let her sit with him…

“Just… confirming something,” she said vaguely, watching him.

His flush quickly faded, his skin becoming pale and drawn. He blinked rapidly. His hands clutched his seat with white knuckles.

“Thank you for your time,” she said sincerely, bowing her head to him slightly.

She did not wait for an answer. She knew he would not say anything.

She turned on her heel, dropped off her books at the circulation desk, and left the library.

---

Remus watched her go. Once she cleared the library threshold, he scrambled with his belongings, stuffing it all haphazardly into his bag.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!!! Remus chanted to himself. She knows, she knows, she knows, she knows!!!!

As he rushed his way to the door, he paused. Her books that she had returned were still resting on Madam Prince’s desk. Was that… Divination Through the Eyes of the Herd? There was artwork of a centaur on the hardcover. What on earth? He shuffled through the hefty stack. More books on centaurs, unicorns, and Hogwarts: A History…

Remus was stumped. None of the reading material she was working on alluded to any knowledge of his furry little problem. But she was shy and flighty and left right when she got her answer.

“Just… confirming something,” she had said.

It could mean nothing else, especially since Snape already knew. Gods, Dumbledore should’ve just obliviated him! If Snape knew, then the whole of Slytherin House could possibly know. Snape wasn’t dumb enough to just announce it; Snape was clever. He probably planted seeds and let people figure it out alone.

In a blind panic, Remus booked it to the quidditch pitch, where he knew Gryffindor was having their first official practice of the season. Surely, James would know what to do. He knew what to do last time, and no one got hurt. None were any the wiser… except for Snape and now except for Aurelia Centore.

Remus burst forth from the main doors of Hogwarts and crossed the courtyard to the pitch. It was a long walk, and it was particularly cold. Remus felt nothing. He felt numb. His secret was out. He was out, and he was done! Gods, how was he going to explain his expulsion to his parents?

His spiraling thoughts came one after another, but one that made him groan aloud had him stopping in his tracks. How was he going to explain this to Sirius? He knew that Sirius would find a way to make it about himself and how Remus somehow betrayed him. He would understand eventually though, right? Remus didn’t actually say anything to her. He only swore not to speak to her. Godric, but Sirius doesn’t care for technicalities, he never has! Maybe he would try to get James alone after practice, and he would let James decide how to handle the situation. Sirius was volatile, but James was best at tempering him.

Remus took a deep breath of chilly October air, and walked on.

In the stands, he found Peter sitting by his lonesome. He was bundled in a woollen cloak, and appeared to be sullen.

“All right, Pete?” Remus said.

Peter cracked a smile for him. “Yeah. I thought you were studying,”

“I was,” Remus said, “I decided to come watch after all.”

“Right,” Peter said, burrowing into the thick fabric of his cloak.

Not knowing what else to say, Remus sat next to Peter and watched his flying friends. James was an expert flyer and this year he would show his strength as Captain and as chaser. James was so good at quidditch that he has played almost every position since he made the team from seeker, to chaser, to keeper. There was never any need for James to be a beater. That position was held by Sirius, who used his bat like an extension of himself. 

He watched the team now, practicing formations and drills. James began shouting directions at the team, who lowered to the ground and dismounted their brooms. James flew over to Remus and Peter with a bright smile on his face.

“Moony! We weren’t expecting you to come!” he said happily.

“Something’s come up,” Remus said, a meaningful look in his eye.

James’s expression hardened. He nodded. “Meet us in the Common Room.”

“Right!”

Remus watched as James flew to the bottom of the pitch, catching up with Sirius. James threw his arm around Sirius’s shoulders and drew his ear near. As they walked, they quickened their steps.

“What’s happened, Moony?” Peter said.

“I-I… I think my secret is out,” Remus said sadly.

---

Sirius couldn’t fucking believe his ears.

“I thought you swore not to speak with her!” Sirius shouted at Remus.

“Mate, quiet down,” James muttered, yanking his arm, “this is serious,”

“I am Sirius!”

“Shut the fuck up Sirius, and listen with your ears,” James said.

But Sirius was listening. In hushed tones, Remus revealed that he exchanged words with the Slytherin princess. During this exchange, she seemed to somehow know about Remus being a werewolf. Sirius warned him. Remus only had himself to blame! This would have been avoided if he stuck to his promise!

“I told you not to talk to her Remus! You swore it!”

“But I didn’t, Sirius! I didn’t say one word!”

“But you did say something didn’t you? You know she’s a snake just like the rest of them. You know she called James ‘Pooter.’ You saw Snape and Mulciber leap to her defense. And somehow you don’t think she’s with them? You have no idea what these people are capable of, Moony, no idea. And you just fucking gave her exactly what she wanted: confirmation.”

Remus hung his head, dejected. The fire from the Gryffindor common room flickered light across his features. Sirius began to feel a bit guilty, but he shoved it down. No. He was right about this, he was certainly justified. Remus had betrayed his promise. Who knows what else he might betray?

“Sirius, so he sent her a note with a date on it. Did you even hear a single thing Remus said? We can’t even be sure his secret is out. We need more information. Remus needs to tell Dumbledore! Perhaps Dumbledore can make it go away,” James said pleadingly.

Telling Dumbledore wasn’t enough. Sirius knew that now. Snape was not to be trusted and neither was Centore. Nothing had happened yet, but Sirius was sure that the baby Death Eaters were biding their time, waiting for a moment to strike. There was no time to waste by collecting more useless information. Remus may have broken a promise, but Sirius would do anything for one of his best mates. It was time to put an end to his brother and his stupid girlfriend. 

“No,” Sirius said gravely, “I’ll make sure this ends,”

Notes:

In a shocking twist, I’m here again in the same week :’) I became an inspired Sim after posting this week, and this just spawned when it was over so yay for us????

Now, let’s recap:

- Silas Mulciber: All my research did not reveal anything in terms of a canonical first name. So I chose Silas because the sibilance of it appealed to my dark side.

- Aurelia is so one track minded when she has a goal in her mind. She loves magical creatures, beings, and beasts so much that I wanted you to see her get lost in it. I think this is where the ambitious nature of her Slytherin side really starts to come out, and I hope to see it come out in other ways too.

- More Slytherin Speak. I love it. I love how little they speak, but they’re really saying so much. Question for the audience. Should I act up and add a Regulus/OFC tag? Unclear. My husband says yes but… I love the idea of enemies to lovers btwn Sirius & Aurelia. Deep sigh.

- I wanted to explore Sirius’s impulsive nature and how bravery and impulsiveness are so often confused when it comes to Gryffindors, especially when watching through the lens of a Slytherin. In my mind/headcanon/interpretation, Sirius has that same kind of madness as the rest of his family (Warburga, Bellatrix, etc.), in addition to the superior magical ability, but he’s just using it for the right side, if you will.

- I have no idea where I’m going with the centaur project. I have no idea what’s going to happen when they eventually encounter them. Is she going to receive a prophecy? Is she going to see the boys in animal/wolf form? Truly I have no idea. So we’ll see. That encounter is in “two weeks” which will probably equate to two chapters away.

As always, please send me feedback I love discourse so much. I love chatting. I love spitballing ideas. I love a lil back n forth. One last thing, I’m very excited about this, but I still cannot guarantee timely or regular updates. I work full time and I have kids so time to work on this is typically super limited, and it’s really just a hobby. That being said to whoever read this note to the end, thank u so much and I love u queen.

P.S. I apologize for any mistakes in grammar I was so excited to post this and share it that I am posting from my phone!!!

Chapter 5: Week 6-7

Since that fateful weekend when Centore discovered Remus’s secret, Sirius simmered with indignation and panic. Days had passed with no action or sign from any Slytherins, and Sirius was becoming stir-crazy. He was constantly on edge like a thundering storm cloud waiting to strike. The tension was becoming unbearable. He had to act. He knew he had to do something to set things right, but the other lads kept trying to hold him back.

“Padfoot, nothing has happened for days,” James had said that morning, “just leave it alone—Moony must’ve misunderstood. Let’s just proceed as we agreed. The moon is coming up, and we need to help Wormtail prepare.”

Sirius was blinded by so much panic that he had nearly forgotten their prank. Right the hair, Sirius thought to himself. Sirius had scoffed but nodded his assent. He would help prepare Wormtail, alright. He would help all of them. He would get Centore to keep her mouth shut.

During the entire week of classes, Sirius decided that he would lay low. He needed to bide his time and prepare for the exact moment he could strike. Much of his time was spent quietly observing Centore through Charms and Potions, raging all the while. More than once, Sirius had to bite his tongue from lashing out at her during class, particularly when she did something that no one else seemed to notice.

During a particularly muggy class in Potions, he watched her as she took off her outer robes and folded them neatly. She loosened her tie and rolled up the sleeves of her white button-up blouse. No tattoo, Sirius had thought bitterly. She took a long ribbon, cut it in half with a barely heard diffindo , and handed a piece to Lily. He watched them tie their hair in tandem like a pair of twins. Strands of hair fell loose around her face and neck. She seemed to glisten with sweat, but in a way that made her look… annoyingly nice. 

James had elbowed him because the sleeve of Sirius’s robe had started to smoke. James hissed at him, “Leave it alone.”

Later that week in Charms, he had strolled into class a pleasant two minutes late. She was seated in her usual spot in the front of the room. Sirius paid her no mind.

Much of Charms was spent reviewing learned spells and practicing them nonverbally. Flitwick instructed the class to nonverbally cast the charm to create sparks from the tip of the wand. Sirius easily produced the sparks and even tried to set Wormtail’s trousers on fire by casting them close to his bum.

In the front of the room, he saw Centore fail to cast the spell four times before she managed to pull it off. When she did, she startled herself so badly that she gave a small shriek. Flitwick had chuckled at her and patted her on the arm. Ugh , Sirius thought to himself. There were many opportunities to make fun of her slipping through the cracks.

So deep was he in his thoughts that he even crashed right into her on his way into the Great Hall for dinner.

“ Oof,” he whispered, “That was my fault. I–” 

But Sirius said nothing further. She was hunched, clutching her left arm, eyes shut. “Ow,” she said.

Sirius examined her. Her hair was a bit mussed as if she was rushing to get here, but it still tumbled down her back and around her shoulders in full waves. Long, full eyelashes rested on her cheeks. Her nose was scrunched up in pain, but he was close enough to her now to see that she had the faintest of freckles on her face.

“Watch where you’re going,” he bit out around clenched teeth, and her eyes sprung open wide like a cat cornered by a dog.

She better watch out, Sirius thought to himself. He would find her tonight. He would take the cloak and the map and ensure her silence. 

---

After a surprisingly uneventful few days of classes, Aurelia spent another night alone in the library. On top of all her homework for her classes, she continued researching herd patterns and centaur culture as much as possible. She had exhausted all the material afforded to her from the library, but somehow, she still did not feel prepared.

Aurelia yawned. What time is it anyway?

She took a glance around the room. The library was deserted. Perhaps it was time to head to bed.

Gathering her things, she began the long trek to the dungeons.

As she walked, Aurelia was contemplative. Earlier that evening, Black had barreled into her so hard a bruise was forming on the side of her arm. She was sure it was on purpose until he began apologizing. Of course, that changed when he realized who it was he bumped into. Aurelia shivered. She’s lucky that was the end of it!

Come to think of it, Black had been rather absent the last few weeks. Neither he nor his friends had commented on her appearance or attempted to equate her to a centaur. Aurelia wondered if Lupin had said something to them and came to her defense. She blushed. Wouldn’t that be something?

She was sure that by speaking to Lupin that day in the library, she was just asking for them to rain even more hellfire upon her. But oddly enough, ever since that day, Black barely paid her any mind, aside from a dark look here and there. She started to relax. Maybe they had their fun and got it out of their system. Maybe Lupin really did defend her. Perhaps she should thank him.

Aurelia left Central Hall, descended the stairs past the potions classroom, and shook her head free of her thoughts. Now’s not the time to be caught up in such ridiculous notions. The full moon was next week, and she knew she had to begin preparing an arsenal of supplies. Perhaps she should speak with Slughorn or Madam Pomfrey about equipping herself with basic healing potions and spells. Aurelia knew much had changed since last year, and she didn’t want to be unprepared should something dark and dangerous cross their path.

Aurelia huffed. Kettleburn was a good professor and loved magical creatures as much as she did, but sometimes, he let his Gryffindor shine through a bit too much. He often flew by the seat of his pants when making these journeys to discovery. It was why he was left with only one arm and half of one leg. She admired his bravery, but she resented his impulsive nature. It was why she had been relentlessly researching, trying to develop a Plan A, B, and C. She must be prepared for every possible situation.

Aurelia felt the cold of the dungeons seep into her skin like a blanket of comfort. She sighed thankfully. The dungeons were dimly lit by green fire sconces, casting an eerie yet familiar glow in the cold dark. Almost there, she thought to herself. She was looking forward to a good cuddle with her cat, and perhaps Regulus would be there waiting for her.

In the darkness, Aurelia tripped over something she could not see and fell to the stone ground. Her hands flailed to protect her face, and they met the cold stone floor of the Hogwarts dungeons. Startled, Aurelia looked up. In her attempt to prevent her fall, her bag opened and her belongings were strewn everywhere, her wand rolling away from her. Aurelia felt a stinging in her knees. She sat up. Her tights had torn at the knee and were now becoming wet with her blood.

Aurelia whipped her head around but saw no one. Tears filled her eyes and began to spill down her cheeks, embarrassed. She winced as she crawled on the ground to collect her things and stuff them into her bag. She reached for her wand when she was suddenly jerked back by someone roughly clutching the back of her robes. Aurelia tripped backward over her feet, and her head cracked against the wall behind her.

Disoriented, she thought she saw a figure pacing back and forth in the shadows. She groaned and put a hand to the back of her pounding head. Aurelia began to panic. The back of her hair had become warm and sticky.

“Help me,” she said, but it sounded distorted and muffled to her ears.

The shadowed figure stilled.

“Regulus,” she said desperately, “help me.”

“I will help you,” it growled, “if you help me.”

It was a man. It was an intruder to the Castle. Death Eaters, real ones, had infiltrated the Castle! It had to have been. Aurelia’s breath came in rapid gasps. I need to get out of here , she thought desperately to herself. She squinted, trying to get her eyes to focus, but she could not see.

Aurelia tried to stand on wobbly legs, but her dizziness brought her back to the ground. Her head spun. Think! She begged her useless brain. Does she entertain this crazed creature? Should she scream? Aurelia thought back to her journey from the library. There was no one around. If she screamed, would Slughorn hear her from the nearby potions classroom? If she screamed, would someone come, or would she be mistaken for a ghost? 

Aurelia had no time to decide. The shadow man raised his arm at her, clutching his wand. His hand was bathed in light from the single green fire of the sconce above her. His wand was directly pointed at her face.

“I-I will help you,” she stuttered, her voice muffled with tears. Was she even speaking? What is happening? Can he hear her? Aurelia’s vision briefly went black, but her surroundings returned to some sort of focus. Aurelia tasted salt from opening her mouth to speak. What choice did she have? It was either help him or have her brain blasted onto the stone wall behind her. Aurelia knew she was close to passing out. She needed medical attention urgently.

She tried to blink out the haze, and as her vision cleared, she saw the outline of his figure, but it was still bathed in shadow.

“C-come into the light,” she pleaded, “I-I can’t see,”

“Shut up!” He demanded, spit flying from his mouth and wetting Aurelia’s forehead.

Aurelia clamped her mouth shut, biting her lip hard enough to draw blood. 

“If I hear even one word that you let the secret out, I will end you,”

Secret?

Aurelia cried, “What secret? Who are you? I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

The figure took two steps forward, and his face emerged into the green, glowing light. Aurelia shuddered and bit back a gasp. Sirius Black stood before her, cloaked in darkness, his normally handsome features twisted in cruel anger. Black examined her with a hateful tilt to his brow, his eyes narrowed.

Aurelia couldn’t believe she ever thought he resembled Regulus, who always looked at her with such sweet gentleness and spoke with the deepest kindness. 

“Don’t play dumb with me, horseface! I know you know, I know Snape told you what he was!” 

Black punches the suit of armor next to her, the metal rattling to the ground. Aurelia shrieks.

“I said shut up !” Sirius shouts, grabbing Aurelia by the collar.

Aurelia grapples with Black’s wrists, trying to get him to release her.

“I don’t know anything, I swear, I don’t talk to Snape, I swear I don’t!” Aurelia said, thrashing in a panic.

“You’re lying! I know he told you, don’t bother fighting it! If I hear one word about Remus Lupin from you–”

“ Sirius!” shouted a voice from down the hall.

Aurelia choked out a sob. It was Regulus. He was there just at the end of the hall, and behind him stood Snape, both looking stunned. Aurelia drank him in, relief causing her to slump against the wall behind her. His hair was windblown; had he rushed here? His tie was loose around his neck, and did he rush here? His robes were missing, and was he looking for her? His wand was drawn, and did he notice she was gone?

“What in Merlin’s name are you–Aurelia?” Regulus said, rushing forward.

Sirius immediately released his grip on Aurelia’s robes, and she dropped onto the ground.

“I was–” Sirius choked out. His eyes were wide, and he looked back and forth from Aurelia crumpled on the ground to his hands, and his chest rose and fell rapidly.

Regulus fell to his knees before Aurelia, cupping the back of her head. “Were you trying to fucking kill her?” he said darkly, his hands coming away red. Aurelia clutched at him, not caring that this was the first time she came close to hugging him. It didn’t matter; Regulus was here . He was here, and she knew he would look out for her.

“I-”

“Shut up, Sirius!” Regulus suddenly shouted, “Shut up and leave before I make you regret it,”

“Reg, I–”

“ I said leave! ”

She watched Sirius bow his head, resigned. He met Aurelia’s eyes one last time. She tried to read the look he gave her, but all she could feel was overwhelming fear. Getawaygetawaygetaway, her brain seemed to chant.

And then her vision finally blackened. And Aurelia slept.

---

When Aurelia finally woke up, it was dark.

She groaned and tried grabbing blindly near her feet for Dolce, but he wasn’t there. Panicked, Aurelia jerked up.

Oh , she thought, I’m in the hospital wing.

The dividing curtains around her hospital bed were drawn. The air smelled sterile. She heard the shuffling of quiet footsteps. Perhaps it was Madam Pomfrey making her rounds from bed to bed. 

Aurelia felt the back of her head and was met with clean, soft hair.

Aurelia slowly laid back on the pillows, blinking away the sleep from her eyes. She sorely hoped it was early morning and not late at night. She was awake now; there was no going back to sleep. Aurelia huffed.

I was attacked, she thought. Aurelia’s face flushed hot, and her heart began to race. Her breath came rapidly. Aurelia grappled with the sheets of her bed, kicking and writhing to get them off. Air! I need air!

“Hush, hush,” said a gentle voice.

A cool hand pressed against Aurelia’s forehead. Aurelia wept.

“Hush, Miss Centore. You’re in the hospital wing,” Madam Pomfrey said.

“M-madam P-Pomfrey,” Aurelia said between gasping sobs.

“Hush now, my darling, everything is alright,”

Madam Pomfrey withdrew from Aurelia, but Aurelia shot up and desperately clutched the matron. “No! Please! You can’t leave me alone!”

“Alright, my darling. I am here. Just drink this first,”

Aurelia, with her eyes tightly clamped shut, felt the cool press of a rim against her lips. She opened her mouth and welcomed the Calming Draught. Immediately, Aurelia settled back down into her mattress.

“Now, Miss Centore, please. I need to know what happened that brought you to my hospital wing. You were quite banged up.”

Aurelia blanched. What should she say? Should she reveal that she was attacked? If she divulged that information, her parents would surely be contacted. Sweet Circe, Aurelia didn’t want to think about what her parents would say. Sirius Black was influential, and he probably would manage to get off with a measly slap on the wrist and a detention. The thought sends new waves of panic down her spine. I’d have to keep attending classes with him , she thought.

She felt backed up against the wall. Should she lie? Sirius would get off if she lied, and no one would know. But she would know. Snape would know. And Regulus would know. 

Regulus…

He must’ve been the one to bring her here. He probably already gave Madam Pomfrey a reason for her injuries. If that were true, then why ask again?

“Is Regulus here?” Aurelia asked tentatively. It was a shot in the dark, but maybe she could speak with him if he was still there. She was sure he’d be furious but wanted to get their stories straight.

“No, my dear. But he should be here soon. He has stopped by every day before breakfast.”

Aurelia paled. “Every day? How long have I been here?”

“You’ve been sleeping for three days,” Madam Pomfrey revealed. “Quite unconventional, if I may say. Your injuries were minor in nature. A bump on the head and some scratches. You must’ve been exhausted before you fainted.”

I missed the first Hogsmeade weekend. Aurelia grumbled. She was a sucker for Honeydukes.

“Is she awake, Madam Pomfrey?”

It was Regulus. She’d recognize his voice from a million miles away. Aurelia swallowed the lump in her throat.

”Here he is now, I’ll leave you to it,” Madam Pomfrey said, a knowing look on her face.

Aurelia drew the covers up to her chin, realizing she was only wearing her pajamas (the house elves must have fetched them for Madam Pomfrey, the blessed beings). 

Regulus opened the curtains and shut them behind him. He was a true sight for sore eyes. Aurelia drank him in. He was really her one and only friend. He was back to his clean and tidy self, not a thread or hair out of place. His face was concerned as his eyes searched her face.

“Aurelia,” he whispered.

Aurelia felt more tears fall. Regulus at once came to her bedside and sat. She watched him through her watery gaze, clench and unclench his jaw. She knew he’d be angry.

Forgetting the state of her clothes, Aurelia peeled down the sheets and reached for him. She touched his arm, dragging her hand down the sleeve of his robe until she held his long fingers. She squeezed. He turned to her with his head hung. His eyes shone with unshed tears. 

“Regulus,” she whispered earnestly, “thank you.”

Regulus ripped his hand away like he’d been burned.

“ Thank you? ” he hissed. “You’re thanking me? I am the one who did this to you. Can’t you see? I did this!”

Aurelia lowered her eyes. She supposed she did see why he would come to such a conclusion. She managed to spend seven years escaping Sirius Black’s notice. But every conversation with Regulus made her look more and more like a piece of shiny precious jewelry to a niffler.

Aurelia knew in her heart that Regulus was not to blame. He had absolutely no control over his brother’s actions. All they had done was become friends, but it was enough for Sirius to target and bully her. Now, it had escalated as far as cornering her after dark. 

But… Did that encounter even have anything to do with Regulus? Aurelia did not recall Sirius mentioning him at all. Only Snape and Remus Lupin and some secrets.

Aurelia shook her head. 

“It’s not your fault, Regulus,” she whispered, her hands raised like she was trying to calm a frightened horse.

“It is!” He insisted, “Everything always is!”

Realization dawned on her. Regulus spoke of the weight he bore due to Sirius’s disowning. It should be no surprise to her, but she still felt her eyebrows raise. Of course, Regulus has been caught in the crossfire between Sirius and his parents for years now. All familial expectations now rested on Regulus’s shoulders. Regulus was heir to a Most Ancient and Noble House. The conflict that must’ve led to Regulus’s position was unimaginable. She was sure that his parents’ expectations only increased tenfold; the pressure must be extreme.

Aurelia speculated that the circumstances surrounding Sirius’s disowning ultimately created a vacuum of blame and resentment that fell on the only son left.

Aurelia sighed. “I know,” she said simply.

Aurelia did know, at least in some capacity. Aurelia came from a long line of purebloods herself and grew up in a largely magical community. Aurelia was familiar with the culture and belief in maintaining a pure bloodline. While her parents did their best to remain neutral, Aurelia’s Nonna always insisted that Aurelia should only consider ‘like-minded’ individuals for courtship and marriage. Aurelia knew that she meant other pureblood wizards. But Aurelia decided if she would marry anyone like her, it would have to be someone who loved her regardless of their magical status.

She knew her parents loved each other, but it was only convenient that they were both purebloods.

Regulus bowed his head and took up Aurelia’s hand anew in both of his. He pressed her knuckles to his forehead, then to his lips, and returned her hand back to her lap.

“When you brought me here, what did you tell Madam Pomfrey?” Aurelia asked.

Regulus’s lips quirked up at the corner. It was the only sign he gave that he was no longer upset. 

“She was frantic, and quite frankly, so was I,” he said.

Aurelia said nothing, too stunned to speak.

“I… I was looking for you that night,” he said.

Aurelia felt a thrill of satisfaction sweep through her. She knew he would.

“I could barely think,” he continued, “So when we finally made it here, I told Pomfrey that you had fainted and fallen down the stairs.”

Aurelia digested his words. It was believable… skinned knees and a bump on the head could certainly be attributable to a fall down the stairs. With this excuse, Sirius would not face any repercussions for what he did… but it would keep him from bothering her. She was sure the guilt of what he’d done would finally be enough to leave her alone, whereas if he faced punishment, perhaps that would be grounds for more retaliation. 

It also gave her more time to think about what he had said—a secret involving Severus Snape and Remus Lupin.

“Did she believe you?” Aurelia asked.

“She seemed to.”

Aurelia became quiet and examined him, afraid he would disappear if she shut her eyes. Then, she’d be left alone again like she had been for so many years. He grew timid and shy under her study.

“I… I wasn’t sure you’d want people knowing,” he said, a minute blush on his cheeks.

With no one else around to see it, Aurelia smiled widely. 

“I will make this right,” he promised.

“I know.”

---

Across the castle, Sirius shivered. His guilt mercilessly ate at him. Aurelia had been gone from breakfast for three days now, with no sign that she would join her house for classes. I almost killed someone again , Sirius thought mournfully.

When he returned to the Gryffindor common room that night, James asked him where he’d gone off to. Sirius lied and said that he went to the kitchens for a snack.

“What about us, Padfoot, no snacks for us?” Wormtail pouted.

Sirius paled.

“I... I forgot,” he said lamely.

He was lucky because, at that moment, James sneezed and ripped ass at the same time, completely distracting them and effectively changing the subject to James’s ridiculous bodily functions.

Sirius couldn’t sleep that night, the guilt eating him alive. He thought of her desperate voice, pleading for his brother to help her. He remembered how she grabbed and scratched his wrists to get him to let go of her. Sirius tossed and turned in his bed with shame. I attacked a girl, he thought despairingly to himself.

His great shame did not stop there. He was sure that if she didn’t know that Remus was a werewolf, she could figure it out now. His gut roiled with self-loathing, and he pressed his face into his pillow, attempting to rid his brain of his thoughts.

Sirius dreamed of her, bloodied and fainted on the dungeon floor.

Since that night, he felt his brother’s heated glares whenever he entered the Great Hall for meals. Sirius knew he deserved it and only bowed his head in resignation. He barely touched any of his food; his stomach was constantly locked up with worry.

That weekend, he tried to keep up with the lads in Hogsmeade, but his heart wasn’t in it. Sirius walked in and out of Honeydukes and Zonko’s like a walking corpse. He sipped his butterbeer like it was a chore. He avoided speaking with Madam Rosmerta. He had no right to enjoy himself, not when he had put someone in the hospital wing. The boys repeatedly asked him what was wrong, and Sirius said nothing. Even trying to cheer him up was futile.

“Come on, Pads, what’s gotten into you?” James asked while they walked on the footpath back to the castle.

“Nothing, Prongs,” Sirius said.

“We know something is wrong,” Remus said.

“No, nothing is wrong,”

“You’ve been acting all… sad,” Peter observed astutely.

“I’m not sad!” Sirius exclaimed, “Everything is fine, let’s just go.”

Sirius was consumed by fear and guilt. If they knew what he had done, Sirius knew that they would never forgive him. Not this time. Sirius would not forgive himself either. Sirius waited for Aurelia to wake up, for her to report him, for Dumbledore to summon him, to be expelled, and for his friends to find out and finally renounce him, once and for all.

Notes:

Hello my dear friends, it is I! I have returned! Once again, sooner than expected. I'm not even sure who actually reads these little tidbits, but I really like to share my thoughts on my writing process, to get you guys inside my head a little bit and talk about why i made the choices that I did. No idea how I'm finding the time to write so much and so often but here we are. Please... don't get used to it.

- Adding Graphic Depiction of Violence tag. Ummm. Yeah. So I wasn't expecting for Sirius to confront Aurelia so violently. But then I realized he literally sent Snape to his death, so... Yeah... I like to think of Sirius as being a bad person on the right side of the war. Whereas Regulus is a good person on the wrong side of the war.

-This thing happening is going to be setting the stage for a lot of later conflict in the story. between sirius and the other marauders, between aurelia and regulus, between sirius and aurelia... shit is going to hit the fan.

-my husband keeps telling me to add a regulus/ofc tag to this but like... i really thought they would just be friends. like they love each other and they care about each other as a pair of friends would. and i think they understand each other in a way that only best friends can. Can that lead to love? of course it can, and it should, but this is just platonic love. this is i understand u and u understand me let's look out for each other kind of love... am i going too far? idk.

-little to no slytherin speak this chapter, although I'm sure you can guess what "I will make this right" means coming from Regulus... so dark and mysterious

-i wanted aurelia to guess based on Sirius's words that Remus was a werewolf, but that felt a bit too soon.

-Sirius's guilt. It will cause him not to confess what he did to his boys. it will cause him to not want to do the stupid centaur prank. but he will have to go through with it even though he doesn't want to because the boys don't knwo what he did and why he doesn't want to do it anymore. does that make sense? Is this a spoiler? i don't know.

-originally i wanted the enemies to lovers arc to be that sirius and aurelia are enemies for their entire 7th year. After this happening, I see that timeline being shortened. Thoughts? My thoughts are that after the centaur prank, and after christmas, things really start to change. if sirius is ever able to get over his guilt, and if aurelia is ever able to get over her fear (fear of him, fear of being noticed, fear of being targeted, fearing of being the cause for conflict). i don't know.

-how does the horcrux hunt play into this, now that regulus /has someone/ ? I don't know. does Regulus still die? i don't know. Does sirius still go to Azkaban? i don't know.. so many questions so little answers! Just trying to stay true to what i think the characters represent... lol idk

 

All this to say, if you stuck around and read all the way through my rambling thoughts, i love you so much and I hope you are having the very best of days. Even if you didn't, i still love u and i think ur ok...

Chapter 6: Week 7-8

Aurelia was discharged from the Hospital Wing in time for lunch and afternoon classes. In truth, she felt a bit nervous. She was sure no one would notice that she had been missing over the weekend, not even her roommates. Still, Aurelia shivered with nerves. At least one person would notice or wonder at her absence, and she was sure that person was Sirius.

She was not looking forward to seeing him… not ever again. Alas, she did have Charms this afternoon, so she’d be forced to be in the same room as him. At least it wasn’t Potions where he sat directly behind her. The thought of laying eyes on him sends a fresh wave of shivers down her spine. If only I could have my eyes closed for all of Charms , Aurelia thought mournfully to herself.

As Aurelia dressed halfheartedly in her uniform behind the curtain, she heard the shuffling of feet beyond the divider. Aurelia neatly tucked her oxford shirt into the waist of her skirt, slipping her socked feet into her boots. Aurelia took a deep breath in and then out—time to face the day.

Aurelia saw a shadow through the curtain. She quickly threw on her robes and opened the curtain.

Regulus had returned from his morning classes.

“Hi,” he said bashfully, his cheeks flushing. He examined her thoroughly, his eyes tracing the top of her head, the length of her hair and neck, down her legs to her boots.

“Hi,” she returned.

Regulus didn’t say anything. He had two bags full of books, one over each shoulder. Wait, that’s my bag , Aurelia thought dumbly to herself.

Regulus followed her gaze and began to chuckle awkwardly. “Um, yes, I… brought your things for afternoon classes. So you… didn’t have to go all the way to the dungeons.”

She took her bag from him, her face flaming. She had forgotten all about it. He must have held on to it after she had fainted. Even with her red face, she offered him a small smile.

She certainly appreciated the gesture. She had forgotten that she’d have to walk by where it happened. Her face paled as the scene played out behind her eyes again. She remembered her head crashing into the stone walls of the dungeon, her hands bloodied, and Sirius shaking her by the collar–

“You have a lot of books about centaurs,” he observed, freeing Aurelia from her thoughts.

“Yes… I do,” she said simply. 

She sighed. She’d have to find time during the day to return them. There would be no more late-night study sessions as far as Aurelia was concerned. Not in the library, at least. Not when she would have to walk back to the dungeons by herself. 

Regulus nodded. He blushed again, this time reaching all the way to the tips of his ears.

“And I brought a dear little friend,” he said, smiling through his flushing cheeks. It gave him a look of pure, dear innocence.

Regulus opened his bulging book bag gingerly and lifted out a meowing black cat.

Aurelia squealed with delight and dropped her bag to the ground to free up her arms for her sweet, precious angel baby, Dolce, who purred and vibrated strongly. She nuzzled him into the crook of her neck like a newborn infant, scratching him behind the ears just like she knew he loved. She murmured sweet nothings into the side of his head, slipping in and out from Italian to English like it was one language.

“He hasn’t left me alone for days,” Regulus said, his eyes softening, “He’s even taken to sleeping in my bed,”

Aurelia blushed at the mental picture he portrayed but was still not surprised.

“He has never been alone at night,” Aurelia said simply.

“I thought as much.”

Aurelia was filled to the brim with warm and fuzzy feelings. There was no more room for anxious ramblings anymore, not with Regulus endearing himself to her as much as he was. Bringing her cat to her? It was just the sweetest thing. She looked up at him and gave him her best and brightest smile, the corners of her eyes crinkling. “Thank you so much, Regulus. You don’t know what this means to me.”

“I think I do,” he said knowingly, in that silly little cryptic way of theirs. He still had that soft look on his face, watching as Dolce desperately purred and nuzzled the side of Aurelia’s head. Of course, he saw. He had more than once been on the receiving end of such affection from Dolce and even spent the whole weekend with him. He knew the effect this precious cat had on mere mortals. Something otherworldly. Something magical.

“I… thought you might… want company for lunch,” he said tentatively. He drew up a hand to scratch the back of his neck bashfully.

“Oh! Um, yes, thank you,” Aurelia said, suddenly shy. She didn’t want to face the world just yet, but it was time. She tucked Dolce under her arm and slung her bag around her shoulders.

Despite her fears, Aurelia was overwhelmed with gratitude. She didn’t know when it happened, but somewhere along the line, between the few words shared between them, a sense of kindred between her and Regulus had flourished. She relished that she didn't have to say anything for him to know what she was thinking. The quiet bond between them was growing stronger, turning links into chains.

He offered her his arm, and she took it with a shaking hand, her nerves running rampant. He drew her close as they walked, Aurelia’s hip bumping his. She looked up at him with a blush on her cheeks. An apology was on the tip of her tongue, but he was already looking down at her with a smirk on his face. There was no sign of the blushing boy in sight. 

“I want them to see you close to me,” he said simply.

Aurelia’s face burned. She could guess why. She supposed he wanted to make it clear to Gryffindors and Slytherins alike just where her place was, right beside him. Her nerves crawled up the nape of her neck, her hair curling into winding coils. She didn’t want attention drawn to her. She would much rather quietly integrate herself back into the school day.

As they rounded the corner before the Great Hall, Aurelia tugged Regulus to a stop. He glanced down at her, and his eyes widened at her hair, but he did not comment.

“I… don’t want to make a scene,” she said.

“Do you trust me?” he asked.

Aurelia bit her lip and averted her eyes. Maybe Regulus hoped that Sirius would finally leave them alone, once and for all, by showing them walking into the Great Hall together. Something could be similarly said for the Slytherins. Maybe Regulus hoped that by advertising their closeness, he hoped that the other Slytherins of their house would rally for her should the need arise.

The thought sends shivers down her spine. Sirius was cold and cruel to her, but it was nothing compared to what Mulciber was capable of.

Still, she did trust Regulus, so she nodded.

Regulus guided her into the Great Hall, now resting his hand on the small of her back.

Aurelia kept her eyes down, focusing on Dolce, who was peering up at her with wide eyes. She wondered idly if Dolce had ever explored this far into the Castle. She kissed the top of his head and allowed Regulus to lead her to the Slytherin table. She barely looked up to sit on the long bench, Regulus sliding in next to her.

“Severus,” Regulus said.

What about him? Aurelia thought, finally looking up questioningly.

“Regulus,” drawled the unmistakable tenor of Severus Snape, seated directly beside her on her other side.

Aurelia jerked and then bowed her head again, staring holes into her empty plate. “Sorry,” she mumbled. Aurelia released Dolce on the bench, putting a feline buffer between herself and Snape. Dolce sat up regally on the bench, his tail swishing this way and that. He eyed the tuna salad sandwiches in the center of the table, and Aurelia fetched one at once, scraped the tuna salad off the bread onto her plate, and gave it to her cat. Her appetite was nonexistent from nerves, so someone may as well enjoy the lunch spread.

“Must the cat eat at the table?” Snape said, his nose scrunching while Dolce devoured his meal.

Aurelia’s face lit up in flames. I’m being so rude!

She quickly placed her plate on the floor behind them, Dolce leaping from the bench and meowing before continuing to eat.

“Sorry,” she murmured… again.

“Leave her, Severus,” Regulus said, clearly annoyed.

“My apologies,” Snape said before turning to his own food.

Aurelia couldn’t believe what was happening. Was their intimate circle of two becoming a circle of three? Aurelia didn’t like this. She did not like this at all . Opening up to someone like Regulus was hard enough, but adding another one to the mix did not sit right with her. Especially someone who seemed to have something against her cat! Aurelia firmly believed that people who disliked cats ought not to be trusted.

Aurelia examined Snape. He was, unfortunately, as oily as the bullies said. His hair was greasy and lank, parted down the middle of his head, hanging into his eyes. It didn’t seem to bother him, however, even when she could see it poking him in the cornea. His nose was large and hooked, and a big bump was visible on the bridge from his side profile. His eyes were dark and cruel as if constantly judging everything in sight. His skin had a sheen, looking like sweat, but Aurelia knew it was just…. Oily. Even the collar on his white uniform shirt had faint yellowing stains on it. Could not even house elf magic get it out? Aurelia thought to herself. Or perhaps he forgot to use the laundry chute this weekend?

Still, nothing in his appearance revealed that he didn’t like cats.

“May I help you?” he asked, looking bothered.

Aurelia swallowed, caught. She couldn’t say what she was thinking, which was she was checking his appearance for signs that he might hate cats, as it is a trait used on her barometer of trustworthiness. Even that might be too weird for Regulus, who was accepting of her blood traitoring beliefs.

Thankfully, Aurelia was saved from answering by Professor Kettleburn, who hobbled in the aisle but made special care not to step on Dolce. He appeared harried, his white hair sticking up and out in all directions and his breaths rapid and deep.

“Miss Centore!”

“Hello, Professor Kettleburn,” she said.

“I’m pleased to see you with us! You must know I was deeply troubled when I heard what happened!”

Aurelia couldn’t help but blush. She knew she had a very good relationship with Kettleburn but never imagined it would be close enough for him to worry after her! Aurelia smiled graciously up at her dear Professor.

“Thank you, Professor,” she said simply.

“The full moon will soon be upon us,” he said, winking at her, “do you think you’re still up for a little adventure?”

Aurelia blanched, knowing that her seatmates had likely heard his comment. How could she explain this to Regulus? It didn’t matter. She would not pass up this opportunity to be part of something great.

“Of course, Professor! Just like we agreed!” she exclaimed, feeling renewed vigor at once.

He patted her on the head like she was eleven and not a research partner. “My dear Aurelia,” he said with such fondness that Aurelia smiled widely at him. He left them to their meal and walked right out of the Great Hall. She couldn’t believe that the night of the full moon was finally upon them, and on the night of the Halloween Feast, no less.

She returned to the table and ladled some chicken soup into a small bowl. Mm, it was good today. The chicken soup was always her absolute favorite. It was creamy and hearty, thick with carrots, celery, and potatoes. It filled her finally hungry belly. She savored it, smelling the rich aroma of rosemary and garlic. The house elves had outdone themselves again. Perhaps she would find them and ask for the recipe.

“Aurelia,” Regulus said, disturbing her thoughts, “What’s Kettleburn want with you on the full moon?”

Aurelia primly dabbed her lips with her napkin. “Oh, it’s nothing,” she said.

She knew this answer would likely not be enough for Regulus, but she scrambled with what to say. What would he gain by knowing what she was working on with Professor Kettleburn? Surely nothing… if that were true, then he didn’t need to know, did he? But she supposed friendships were based on a series of disclosures, not for the sake of power but for the sake of friendship, right? Yes, that’s true… and she’s sure no harm would come to her by having Regulus know. It’s not like he would try to stop her from exercising a bit of her own Slytherin ambition, would he? No, he wouldn’t…

“It doesn’t seem like nothing,” Regulus said, a questioning glint in his eye.

Aurelia took a deep breath in and then out.

“On the night of the full moon, Professor Kettleburn and I will be journeying into the Forbidden Forest to…” she pauses, feeling her face heat up at the sheer irony of it all, “... well, to encounter the centaurs” she finished, trying her best to whisper over the loud Great Hall.

“You can’t,” Snape said. Aurelia had quite forgotten he was there! And what right did he have to tell her what she could and couldn’t do? She barely knew him!

Aurelia was about to tell him as much when Regulus interjected, “Severus, leave her.”

“No, I will not leave her as you so eloquently put it. There are dangerous creatures in the Forbidden Forest…” he said, his hackles raising.

“She’ll be with a professor, Severus. She’ll be fine,” Regulus insisted, surprisingly coming to her defense.

“You don’t understand,” Snape said, “there are dangers far beyond what either of you would imagine inside and outside the castle!”

Inside and outside? Aurelia thought to herself. She supposed that much was true. She was attacked just outside of her own common room by a fellow student. But she was alone then. She would not be alone in the Forbidden Forest. Even missing most of his limbs, she knew that Kettleburn was a formidable wizard. And though she liked to pretend she wasn’t so good at magic, she knew that she could hold her own. Quite frankly, she felt insulted but tried not to let it show.

“If it makes you feel any better, Kettleburn did a similar project last year to study the unicorns,” she said proudly.

“Was it the night of the full moon?” Snape asked.

“Well, no, but–”

“Exactly! I’ll say nothing more. Centore, let’s go,” Snape said, “time for Charms.”

Aurelia was shocked but kept her expression schooled. Why would Snape ask her to leave with him? They were not friends; they were barely acquaintances! A rush of realization flooded her, and she knew. She looked accusingly at Regulus, who would not meet her eye. She excused herself from the table, fully intending to walk away with her cat haughtily, but when she reached for him, her hands met empty air.

---

He had assigned a guard detail to her. Who had given him the authority? Aurelia silently fumed, stomping three feet ahead of Snape, who trailed behind her silently. He must think she ought to be grateful, but how could she be? When everyone in the bloody school was likely watching Snape follow after her like a guard dog? He’s not like a guard dog. He is one! Aurelia thought to herself, completely annoyed.

And her cat! To leave her abandoned in her time of need! It was so typical of him.

As she approached the Charms classroom door, Snape reached from behind her to open the door. He held it open while she looked at him up and down, hopefully conveying her disdain for the situation. The message was received. She knew by how he rolled his eyes at her as she crossed the threshold. She made sure not to thank him.

She slumped into her seat and opened up her Charms textbook. Having only truly missed the weekend, Aurelia was still caught up on all her Charms homework. The class was still working on perfecting nonverbal magic. Last week, it had been simple sparks, and it was vinegar to wine for this class. She sat quietly and waited for the rest of the class to enter the room, listening for when he would come in.

She took a deep breath in and a deep breath out. She tried to clear her mind. She closed her eyes. She could smell the jugs of vinegar in the front of the room. She could hear her classmates chatting around her. She felt her soft tights around her toes in her boots. She felt her hair begin to relax against her scalp and back, returning from wispy coils to delicate waves along her back.

“Neat trick, Aurelia,” said Lily Evans’s high voice.

Aurelia’s eyes shot open. Lily was right in front of her, looking down at her with a small smile on her face. Her brilliant red hair was straight and tidy around her shoulders. Her Head Girl badge was pinned high and prettily on the outside of her robes. As beautiful as she was, Aurelia shivered. She wanted to trust that Lily didn’t tolerate the actions of Sirius and Potter, but in truth, she did not feel confident. Aurelia was sure the Gryffindors felt a sense of loyalty within their house, so the safest assumption would be that Lily would inevitably side with Sirius.

It would be best to hold her at arm’s length for now.

“Mm,” she mumbled, feeling all at once exposed. She collected her hair and drew it tightly over one shoulder. Hiding again , Aurelia thought sadly, in plain sight. She looked over to where Snape was sitting, and he was already staring at them, watching their interaction. She averted her eyes and looked lamely at her homework.

“I didn’t see you all weekend,” Lily continued carefully. Aurelia met her eyes. Lily’s head was cocked, her face looking concerned. “I’ve seen you before in Hogsmeade, you know. Well, not this year, of course, but last year. I saw you in Honeydukes. I remember thinking, ‘Wow, she really likes chocolate’ because you must’ve spent 10 galleons on candy. And then this weekend, I expected to see you again, but you were gone.”

Aurelia blinked. Lily’s face had grown red. Aurelia felt her own face grow red.

She… noticed I was gone? Aurelia asked herself quietly.

“I… I fainted and fell down the stairs,” Aurelia whispered, glancing around her. Aurelia let out a deep sigh. Sirius had not yet arrived with his friends. He could not have overheard her outright lying to the Head Girl.

Aurelia was jerked back to reality by a soft pressure on her hand. Lily’s hand pressed lightly onto Aurelia’s. She met Lily’s eyes. Lily had a mothering look on her face, like a hen who had separated from her brood of chicks.

“Are you alright?” Lily asked, and Aurelia balked at the earnest look on Lily’s face. “Were you in the Hospital Wing? I wish I had known. I could have visited you.”

At this, Aurelia knew that Lily must have absolutely no idea what had truly happened to her. Aurelia was relieved. She didn’t think she would ever be ready for anyone to know about that. Aurelia offered Lily a small smile, but with so many Slytherins watching them, all Aurelia could say was, “It’s for the best that you didn’t,” hoping that Lily would not be offended. Aurelia discreetly tilted her head toward where she knew Silas Mulciber was settling next to Snape.

Lily, the clever witch, nodded in understanding. She squeezed Aurelia’s hand slightly and withdrew to her seat behind her.

Flitwick emerged from his office at the front of the classroom, wearing a cheery set of sky-blue robes. He had a pep in his step as he approached the students. He drew his wand from the billowing sleeve of his robes and levitated a jug of vinegar on the front demonstration table. As he poured the vinegar into wine glasses, he spoke.

“Good afternoon, children!” He said jovially. “As you might have guessed, we will be nonverbally turning vinegar into wine. This spell should be familiar to you, as it was covered last year, but I will remind you of the incantation: acetum vino with a tap to the rim of your glasses.”

Flitwick held up a glass full of vinegar, tapped the rim, and it turned into a rich red color. Ever the showboat, Flitwick took a small sip. “Ah, notes of cherry and oak… Begin!”

With a swish of his wand, the glasses floated to each student, delicately landing on the desks with a clink.

---

Sirius tried to focus on his glass of vinegar, but his attention was incessantly drawn to the front of the room. He knew for sure now that she had finally joined her house for classes. He thought he had caught a glimpse of her earlier in the Great Hall, but he’d felt so much shame he turned his back to the Slytherin table to avoid accidentally meeting her eye.

Now, there was no avoiding her. He could see her just there standing at her desk, her wand at her side. She appeared to be concentrating, tapping the rim of her glass with her wand once, twice, and thrice, but vinegar remained.

When Sirius entered the classroom, he mistook her for someone else. He didn’t think Aurelia had riotous wispy curls until he saw her attempt to relax them, falling in thick, shiny brown waves. Then he remembered how he insulted her hair in this classroom just last week and wanted to gag with embarrassment. When did I become so cruel? Sirius thought, shame turning his stomach.

Sirius feared the answer to his own question. Deep down, he knew he was born with the same darkness that plagued his family. As much as he tried to deny it and renounce his heritage, the fear would always remain. It was not a fear anymore. It was true.

I almost killed her , Sirius thought while watching her.  His vision became watery, but he blinked it away.

Sirius knew his jokes about calling her horseface were completely ridiculous and untrue. Aurelia was a beautiful girl. He could see why his brother took a shine to her so much. Her skin clung desperately to the last bits of a summer tan. She had big, brown eyes with full, long eyelashes. Sirius didn’t know how he never noticed her before. How could Regulus have seen her first? Ridiculous question, they’re in the same house! But, wasn’t she in Sirius’s year? Yes, and the other boys seemed to know her… and I tried to kill her.

“Padfoot? Are you even going to try?”

“Hm?” Sirius said, unable to drag his eyes away from Aurelia.

James waved a hand in front of Sirius’s face.

“The vinegar, Pads, you gonna try?” James said.

“Right,”

Sirius tapped the rim and silently chanted acetum vino , and instead of wine, his vinegar completely froze, cracking his wine glass.

“Serves you right for not paying attention,” James said, laughing.

“Oh, shut up,” Sirius mumbled, putting his head in his arms on his desk.

“Oh, come on, Pads, cheer up. We can’t take much more of this,” James whined.

“Did something happen over the weekend that you’re not telling us?” Remus asked from behind them.

“Something with Centore?” Peter prodded.

Sirius immediately picked up his head to say, “No! Nothing happened… I’m just… thinking about… quidditch,” he finished lamely.

James nodded sagely. “Don’t worry, Sirius, I completely understand,” he said before launching into a monologue about quidditch and its impact on young, studious minds.

Sirius attempted to tune him out, preferring to watch Aurelia fail time after time to turn her vinegar to wine. Finally, when Flitwick had his back turned, Aurelia looked around briefly before tapping her wand once more. Her glass became a full red color. He watched her smirk. She raised the glass to her face and gave it a small swirl before shutting her eyes and inhaling deeply. Her eyes still shut, she took a long, slow sip of her wine. Sirius watched her tongue dart out to lick her lips, catching a stray drop of wine.

Sirius swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry.

“ Excellent!” chimed Flitwick’s voice, “very good job, Miss Centore! Please share with the class how it tasted.”

He watched Aurelia shrink into herself. Her shoulders were suddenly hunched inward, trying to make herself appear smaller. Her hair began to curl up from the ends. She turned slowly to face the class, her hands clasping and unclasping with themselves. Her eyes darted around the room before finally resting on Sirius.

Sirius sat up ramrod straight. His eyes were wide, and he felt a hot blush flaming on his cheeks.

Aurelia’s eyes left him, her own cheeks red, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “Um,” she mumbled, “dark fruits… Um, like blackberry… and chocolate.”

“Five points to Slytherin! Please join me here, Miss Centore, and demonstrate for us.”

Aurelia wiped her hands on her uniform and picked up her wand to join Flitwick at the demo table. He poured her a fresh glass of vinegar; all the while, her eyes desperately darted across the room, hoping for an ally. Look at me, he willed. Look at me again, one more time .

She did. Sirius hoped to be able to give her an encouraging nod, something that he knew she would think would be completely out of character for him. Something inside of him knew that he had to do something… something to ease his burden of guilt. Something to help her see he was not a bad person. He could do at least this for her.

But when her eyes met him for the second time, her eyes widened, and her face paled. Sirius knew that look. It was the same look she had when he cornered her in the dungeons just a few nights ago. 

It was fear. She’s… afraid of me .

He looked away.

“Aren’t you going to say anything, Padfoot?”

Sirius rolled his eyes, “Say what, James?”

“The plan?” He asked, using his eyes to point toward the front of the room where Aurelia was attempting to turn vinegar to wine in front of the class.

The plan. Sirius had forgotten. The plan. The plan is to call her horseface. The plan is to turn her into a centaur. The plan is to humiliate her in front of everyone. With what purpose? To get at Regulus? Sirius couldn’t remember anymore; all he could think of was how embarrassingly ridiculous the whole thing was.

“Maybe… maybe we ditch the plan,” Sirius whispered.

“ Ditch the plan?” James said aghast. “You can’t be serious!”

“I am Sirius,” he replied, smirking.

“No,” James said with finality. “We are not ditching the plan. We are this far into it. Moony has already begun Step 2, Part C!”

“Maybe we’re going too far?”

“ Too far? Sirius, what has gotten into you? This is your plan! ”

Ugh, don’t remind me, Sirius thought to himself.

Sirius knew he had no choice. It was either go through with the prank or confess why he had changed his mind. Confess to his only friends that he was a cruel monster just like his parents after all.

Sirius laughed pathetically. “Ha, ha, just kidding, Prongsie. We can’t quit now!”

James gave him a weird look but shook his head and patted Sirius on the back. “That’s a lad,” he said.

“ Excellent work!” Flitwick said from the front of the room. 

Sirius looked back to the front of the room. Aurelia was already back in her chair, her back to him. At the demo table sat a solitary glass of red wine.

Sirius needed to do something. He couldn’t keep hiding his guilt, away from his friends. He knew he couldn’t tell them. It would surely be the final straw. They’d leave him, and he knew he probably deserved it, but he allowed his selfishness to win out. He needed to make things right with Aurelia to preserve his friendship and make his guilt go away. A simple apology should suffice. Yes, he would make her see he wasn’t so bad. Then she would forgive him, and Sirius would have the best of both worlds.

He’d easily clear this all up. He’d just explain to her that it was a mere misunderstanding. Yes, that would be fine. And he would charm her the way he knew how girls liked, and then she’d forgive him. Yes, and then he’d be able to execute the prank as a bit of harmless fun. Yes! And because he’d apologized, maybe she’d even laugh!

Yes. Sirius would make this right. This is the best way. No one would be mad at him this way.

Flitwick dismissed the class, and Sirius went through the bustling students to get to the front of the room. As he approached, Aurelia slowly collected her books and parchment and neatly put them in her bag. 

Sirius swallowed, wetting his mouth.

“Centore,” he called out to her.

She jerked away from her desk, away from him, her empty chair tilting and rattling to the ground. Her eyes were panicked, her hair curling tightly back into wild curls.

Sirius felt like a bludger had rammed him in the gut. I did this. I traumatized someone.

“What do you think you’re doing, Black?” said the sneering voice of Severus Snape.

Snape approached quickly, stepping between Sirius and Aurelia. She seemed to shrink behind him, hiding in his shadow.

Sirius looked between Snape and Aurelia, feeling like a child caught with his hand elbow-deep in a cookie jar.

“I-I was… I–”

“Well, out with it!” Snape demanded.

Frustrated, Sirius laughed darkly. “I don’t take orders from you, Snivellus!”

Snape only smirked, like a cat who had finally caught his dinner. “What do you think, Centore? Should we hear him out?”

Sirius blinked away his anger, remembering his goal. “Aurelia, I–”

“Let’s just go, please, Severus,” she mumbled, tugging on Snape’s sleeve.

Sirius watched Aurelia dart out from behind the desks, taking a brisk pace to the exit, with Silas Mulciber holding the door open for her. 

Snape moved to follow her out, but before making his own exit, he said, “ Don’t speak to her.”

Sirius was left alone in the Charms classroom, his nose burned by the strong smell of vinegar.

---

Aurelia sighed in relief and even mumbled a quiet “thanks” to Severus when he eventually caught up with her. He only nodded at her and followed her to the library so she could return her borrowed books.

Feeling suddenly tired, Aurelia decided to skip dinner and retire for the night. So much had happened in such a short amount of time, she needed to be alone to gather her thoughts and debrief herself. The dutiful guard dog he was, Severus walked her to the common room entrance without issue. She nodded thanks and sent him on his way.

Aurelia trudged down into the bowels of the dungeons to her common room. It was mostly empty with some students rushing past her to get to dinner on time. Aurelia settled in to her dormitory, shedding her uniform and folding it neatly on her trunk at the foot of her bed. She got in her four poster bed, and drew up the emerald green blankets all the way up to her chin. Aurelia inhaled deeply the smell of her sheets and shut her eyes, trying to collect her thoughts.

Aurelia thought about Sirius. She thought about the way that he approached her. He didn’t seem violent like he had that night. He seemed a bit more reserved, and almost… bashful? Maybe he felt guilty about what he did to her and intended to apologize.

She never thought she’d say it, but she felt glad that Severus was there to intercede for her.

She couldn’t believe Regulus and how he ordered Severus to essentially be her guard detail. Regulus knew that the last thing Aurelia wanted was to have attention drawn to her, but he does it anyway! It was completely exasperating! She supposed he expected her to be flattered or grateful (and maybe, deep down, she was), but all Aurelia could feel was annoyed. This was far more than what she bargained for.

She would have liked to see Severus but Sirius in his place in the middle of the Charms classroom, but Aurelia’s own guilt had caused her to ask him to leave with her. Come to think of it, she saw the way Severus smiled at Sirius after being goaded by that foul nickname. It was almost like he knew that Sirius would say exactly that. She’d never known Severus to be able to predict anything that the Gryffindors do. He always seemed to take the bait that they so obviously throw at him. So why in that moment did he look like the one with the upperhand?

Aurelia rolled her eyes with the realization. It was Regulus. It had to be. He must’ve given Severus coaching with how to deal with Sirius should he attempt to speak with her. Sirius and Regulus may have been estranged, but it did not make Regulus any less an expert on his brother and his behavioral patterns.

The thought frustrates her and excites her. Regulus is a mastermind. He orchestrated the whole thing, and put his pawns in exactly the right place. But why?

Why? Why go through all this trouble for her? Aurelia didn’t know. She knew that he cared about her at least a little bit. She knew that she shared something big with him, something that she knew no one could know about. But was that enough to warrant… this? That he would order other students to follow her around like a little protection detail?

Aurelia felt she severely underestimated his involvement with the little group of baby Death Eaters. How was it that they just do whatever he said? Does he truly have authority over them? She supposed it was certainly possible, after all he did come from a very prestigious and elite family.

Like always, Aurelia felt unsettled with how many questions had so few answers. She glanced at the clock. Dinner was about halfway over. Maybe she would wait for Regulus in their spot by the Black Lake window. Maybe she would wait and see if she could get a few answers of her own.

Aurelia traded her cotton pajamas for a pair of flowy silk trousers and a warm knit jumper. She wanted to look comfortable but still put together. She wanted to seem casual and relaxed. She wanted Regulus to feel like she wasn’t angry and confused.

When she approached the pair of highback armchairs, her cat trailing after her, she paused. He was already there waiting for her.

Aurelia sat in her chair with a mumbled “hi.” Dolce leapt up into his mistress’s lap, curling up and staring at Regulus, accusation in his eyes.

“Hi,” Regulus said, “You weren’t at dinner.”

“No, I wasn’t,” she said.

They fell into silence. Regulus appeared frustratingly comfortable and relaxed in his chair. He gazed into the darkness of the Black Lake, his expression revealing nothing of his thoughts and feelings. The only sign that he was experiencing any kind of distress was his loose tie, rumpled robes, and his hair was untidy like he had repeatedly run his fingers through it.

“Why?” Aurelia asked.

It was a loaded question, she knew, and he knew exactly what she was asking about from the way he sent a nervous look at her before schooling his features. Why did he ask Snape to follow her around? Was Snape the only one? How did he know to give Snape advice on how to exactly handle Sirius? Why was he going out of his way to protect her?

Regulus inhaled, and looked at her. His eyes were earnest and his mouth was downturned. He looked… solemn as he gazed at her. His eyes searched her face for Merlin only knows what. Aurelia felt her frustration slip from her mind, replaced with a stunning sense of endearment for her friend.

“You are all I have,” he whispered to her.

Aurelia’s heart quieted and she blushed. He was all she had, too. He was the only one who knew and shared her deepest secret, and she was the only one who knew and shared his. For once in her life she was not alone or isolated. It was something precious. Something to be treasured. She had someone who knew her, and she knew him.

She still had so many questions left unanswered, but she chose to trust him and did not press him further.

“I understand,” she said. And she did.

Notes:

Hi guys it's me again. in a shocking twist. having an IRL person to talk to about my ideas really inspires me and helps me to keep writing so everyone clap for my husband.

let me know what you guys think! i always love hearing feedback/ideas.

Chapter 7: Week 9

The following week, Aurelia diligently prepared for her adventure with Kettleburn. She frequently visited Madam Pomfrey to ask for guidance and consulted with Slughorn on borrowing the classroom for some extracurricular brewing. Madam Pomfrey was reluctant but ultimately very helpful. She taught Aurelia the bandaging charm, ferula, with a swish of her wand. 

“Healing outside the Hospital Wing will be dangerous,” Pomfrey had huffed. “I appreciate your willingness to learn and be prepared, but… just try to get back to the castle as soon as possible if someone is injured.” She paused, giving Aurelia a knowing look. “If Silvanus is there, someone will be.”

Aurelia quietly agreed to herself. She left with the promise of vigilance.

On the other hand, Slughorn was so happy to be asked for any kind of advice that he launched into an impassioned monologue regarding one of his favorite students and his thirst for knowledge. 

“Oh ho ho! Some extra time in the potions classroom, you say, eh Miss Aurelia?” Slughorn said jovially.

Aurelia opened her mouth to respond, but Slughorn was too fast for her. “Nigh on thirty years ago, my goodness, I had a student–not unlike yourself–who was quite ambitious in the pursuit of knowledge, yes! Something that I see to be very strong in you. I have to say, my dear, I am pleasantly surprised!”

“Thank you, Professor, but I–”

“Feels like it was yesterday… yes, you know he was Slytherin as well. An ambitious folk, we are, and he was not one to shy away from… the darker sides of magic…“

Aurelia nodded blankly until he finally granted his permission, recommending the essence of Dittany and the Wiggenweld potion for quick fixes. Aurelia thanked him dearly and brewed enough Wiggenweld so that she and Kettleburn would have two doses each.

Even Snape, who she was starting to get used to him being so near all the time, was helpful to her, once he realized that she wasn’t going to give up what he called “a fool’s errand.”

“I do not approve of this at all,” he said under a hushed breath during the Halloween Feast.

“Leave her, Severus,” Regulus said around sips of tea, barely flinching at Snape’s tone.

Aurelia fought the urge to roll her eyes.

“If you insist on this ridiculous, Gryffindor-ish–”

“I resent that,” she interjected.

“--adventure, then you should at least be prepared.”

Regulus and Snape shared a meaningful look. They knew something.

Aurelia’s eyes widened, but she said nothing, just watching her friend(s?) communicate with each other silently. Snape seemed to tilt his head, questioningly. Regulus nodded his head imperceptibly.

Resolute, Severus said gravely, “Let’s meet again in the Common Room.”

That night, just before Kettleburn arrived to escort her to Hagrid’s Hut, Severus taught her a healing spell of his own creation to seal gaping wounds.

Dazed, and having so many questions, Aurelia waited patiently with Regulus for Kettleburn to collect her outside the Slytherin Common Room. She wore her thickest cloak, warm trousers, and boots. She had packed the Wiggenweld in a small satchel she wore close to her chest. Although feeling a bit of nervous anticipation, Aurelia felt prepared.

She wondered absently at Severus’s ability to create spells. She supposed it made him useful to Regulus, and above him, the Dark Lord. The thought sends shivers down her spine. Although, what use would the Dark Lord have for healing spells? His intent was always to destroy. That much was clear. Was… Severus like them?

“Regulus?”

“Mm?” Regulus answered, his eyes shut and his head resting against the wall behind him. He always seemed so tired.

“About Severus…” Aurelia said, feeling awkward.

“He’s not like us,” Regulus said with finality.

“Hm. But what about… Evans?” Aurelia asked. Severus and Lily were close once, even if they were strangers now. Aurelia had seen the longing looks he sent her during Potions. Being as close as they were, Aurelia was sure that Severus felt some sort of lingering friendship toward her.

“I thought the same, but no.”

“I see… Does he know about you?”

Regulus responded by giving her a withering look. Aurelia blushed and nodded.

So, Regulus allows himself to appear close to Severus, even giving him commands. What did that make Regulus? Did he have some sort of leadership role after all? The thought sends shivers down Aurelia’s spine. What did Regulus gain by being involved with the Dark Lord? Aurelia couldn’t imagine it was all just to please his parents. Regulus was stronger in character than that.

Regulus seemed to feel content with the silence, so Aurelia said nothing. She turned to face the top of the stairs, hoping to catch sight of Kettleburn.

“Aurelia,”

“Mm?” she said.

“Look at me.”

She did. He was looking at her now. He seemed troubled, his eyes studying her face carefully. His arms were crossed tightly as if holding himself together. He looked so endearing to her in that moment, just like her cat.

“I’ll be fine, Regulus,” she promised with a small smile.

“Tell me when you’re back,” he said.

“Okay,” she said, still smiling. “I’ll send our dear little friend over to your dormitory when I’ve returned so you know for sure.”

He huffed a laugh and nodded his head. Aurelia was pleased.

Aurelia spotted Kettleburn descending the dungeon stairs. She squeezed Regulus’s hand in parting and ran to meet Kettleburn.

---

Peter Pettigrew always thought himself a simple boy with simple tastes.

He didn’t mind not being the smartest at school nor the most popular. He didn’t mind when his friends made fun of him for being a mummy’s boy. He didn’t mind that the food in the Great Hall was often plain or bland, it suited him just fine.

For a while, he didn’t mind that James and Sirius and even Remus often made choices for him. Choices that he wouldn’t necessarily make for himself. Honest, he didn’t mind.

As long as he rode their coattails, Peter knew he’d at least have a small glimpse of the glory that they earned for themselves.

But whispered promises of something more, something greater, were becoming harder and harder to resist.

Peter shook his head free of his thoughts. It wasn’t the time to think of such things. It was the night of the full moon, on Halloween no less. Peter shivered at the mystifying omen. A werewolf howling at the full moon on the night of Halloween? Peter felt nervous, and so he had sought to nurse his nerves through house elf made treats.

He made his way up to meet the other lads in the Gryffindor Common Room from the kitchens. His stomach thanked him with a gurgle. Nothing like a late night snack before a late night adventure, he thought to himself.

A sudden noise in the corridor made Peter squeak and hide behind a tapestry. Peter held his breath and waited for them to pass, peeking out from behind the thick tapestry fabric.

“…Your other professors were delighted by your eagerness for this assignment,” said the unmistakable gravelly brogue of Professor Kettleburn.

Kettleburn? Peter thought, wrinkling his nose. 

“Is that so, Professor?” said a female student, their steps becoming louder. 

After hours with a female student? Peter thought incredulously. Something was not right. Kettleburn was ancient , there was no way a student would engage in late romantic rendezvous with him!

“Oh yes, Miss Centore, your work in preparation for this venture has been commendable!”

Centore? Peter thought, feeling a delicious sense of accomplishment. Just wait until the lads hear this!

“Thank you, Professor,” Centore said.

“Yes, well, I only hope that we encounter them tonight,”

“I hope so, too,” she said.

Peter could see them now from his place behind the tapestry. Kettleburn was not wearing his normal Professor-ing robes; instead, he donned thick trousers and a warm looking fur lined cloak. Centore was dressed similarly in trousers lined with pockets, a jumper, and an expensive looking cloak, a thick pouch draped across her waist. The both of them were bundled with full winter kits; knit hats, mittens, and scarves.

Where are they going?

Peter watched them go, emerging from his hiding place, and rushing off to report back to the other Marauders what he’d seen. Oh, they were going to love this. Peter couldn’t wait to see Padfoot’s face!

Peter took the steps up to Gryffindor Tower two at a time, muttering “ hippocampus ” to the portrait of the Fat Lady. By the time he was before the raging fire, Peter was sweaty and gasping for air.

“ Just where have you been, Wormtail?” hissed Moony, who was fidgeting restlessly on the plush red couch before the fire.

“I was—“

“Nevermind, Wormtail, it’s time to go,” Prongs said, shimmery fabric between his hands.

“But—“ 

“We all know you were busy stuffing your face, Wormtail, just save it,” whined Padfoot.

Peter felt his face heat up. To be so… so secondary was becoming more and more infuriating. I have a voice too! Peter thought desperately to himself. 

“Fine,” he huffed angrily, “then you won’t know that Centore and Kettleburn are going somewhere outside the castle.”

He rolled his eyes and stared into the fire until his eyes burned and watered. He expected the other boys to get up right away, collect the essentials, and make their way to the Shrieking Shack, with Peter to follow them like the little shadow he was. But to his shock, the other boys were frozen still, staring at him like he’d grown another head.

“Did you say… there will be people outside the castle? Human beings?” Moony said, his face white as a ghost.

“Yes,” Peter said, “I saw them and—“

“You saw Centore and Kettleburn? Together?” Padfoot interjected, his voice laden with shock and… was it fear?

Peter nodded. “Yes, they were together and—“

“How do you know they were leaving the castle?” Prongs asked, his voice uncharacteristically stern.

Peter felt his irritation grow from deep within, burning in his belly and creating pressure behind his eyes.

“They were certainly dressed for it, they were—“

“But why?” Padfoot asked, sounding suspicious.

Peter felt something inside of him burst. “If you’d let me finish, you’d hear the whole story!” he bit out around gritted teeth. “Centore and Kettleburn were dressed for the outdoors. They were talking about a special project of hers, something about meeting someone or something tonight.”

Silence befell the boys. Peter flushed. Snapping at my friends won't do me any favors. Moony looked devastated, his skin pale and clammy. Padfoot looked confused and lost. Prongs looked resolved, his face serious and his shoulders squared.

“We’ll stick to the Shack tonight, boys. Problem solved,” Prongs said, his voice firm.

“ Please don’t let me kill anyone,” Moony pleaded quietly.

“We’ve got you covered, Moony. Padfoot and I will take care of it.”

“And me, Prongs?” Peter asked, slightly affronted.

After delivering such an important boon of knowledge and information, and all of a sudden now Peter would be excluded? His form may be a rat, but he was formidable and worthy in his own way!

“Wormtail, you’ll go back out there and follow Centore and see what she’s doing. Can’t be anything too sinister if she’s out with a professor, but still, it’s the perfect opportunity to see what she’s up to,” Prongs said with finality.

Of course , Peter thought bitterly to himself, more dirty work.

“Now let’s go before Moony wolfs out in the Common Room,” Prongs said, allowing a small smile.

The boys went their separate ways, Prongs and Padfoot slipping beneath the invisibility cloak to trail after Remus to the Shrieking Shack.

Peter shut his eyes, and searched for the small bit of magic deep within himself. He became smaller and smaller, his skin sprouting short gray fur, and a worm-looking tail sprouted from his rear.

Wormtail blinked, and scurried out of the Gryffindor Common Room. He retraced his human steps to the tapestry he had hidden himself behind just minutes before. If rats could laugh, Wormtail would be rolling. Instead, he squeaked.

The tapestry was of a large centaur, its arms pulling the string of a bow taut, aiming an arrow across the hall.

Sagittarius.

Wormtail sniffed the ground and the air all around him. He was no dog like Padfoot, but he was still an animal with a far better nose than his human form.

Centore and Kettleburn’s scent began to take shape before him. A pretty rain smell and a cut wood smell. Their scents mingled together and stained the air a faint purple color in his near black and white animal vision. Wormtail scurried after it.

The scent became thick near the main entrance doors. He suspected that they congregated here for a short while before making their way outside. Wormtail squeezed out from under the crack beneath the heavy doors into the crisp October air.

The scent became harder to see as it floated about in the open air, mixing with the grass and earth, but Wormtail pressed on. He followed the well-worn dirt path, scurrying and hopping over stray rocks. The smell led him to Hagrid’s hut at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Wormtail shivered. He had never ventured this far off the castle grounds alone before. On their adventures under the light of the full moon, Wormtail had always perched safely on Prongs’s antlers, being too small to keep up with their loping pace.

“Aurelia! And Silvanus! Off on another charting trip are ye?” Hagrid bellowed from the window in his hut.

Wormtail scurried behind one of the large pumpkins in Hagrid’s patch, and listened carefully.

“Aye, Hagrid. We’ll be making contact with the centaurs this evening!” Kettleburn said.

“Give em my best, will ye? It’s been since my own school days that I’ve seen them,” Hagrid said.

“Of course, Hagrid,” Centore said, her voice high and light.

Wormtail heard their crunching footsteps over fallen leaves, walking away. Quickly, he scurried out from the patch to follow them more closely.

He watched them as they walked, Kettleburn stepping a bit precariously with his two peg legs. Centore dimly lit the tip of her wand, keeping it trained on their legs to see their steps. Deeper and deeper into the forest they went, both seeming familiar with the path they took. Centore occasionally pointed out various obstacles for Kettleburn, who in turn mumbled a thank you.

Wormtail felt a ripple of anxious anticipation as he quietly stalked them. Contact with centaurs? It was almost too good to be true, that he would be tasked to track them and spy and they would lead him right to the Marauders’ most desired prize: the hair of a centaur. Still, fear lurked in the back of his mind. Would the centaurs notice his presence? In truth, he didn’t know much about them. He reflected on the tapestry of the constellation Sagittarius, the centaur rearing up magnanimously, bow strung tight with a nocked arrow. Perhaps they were violent creatures after all? Ugh, his ignorance and fear waged war on his nerves.

Wormtail glanced behind him, and he could no longer see Hagrid’s hut in the distance. All he could see were trees all around them. He turned forward, scurrying after them, not wanting to be left alone in the dark.

Centore began to crouch, taking slow precise steps over fallen leaves and branches. Her cloak dragged over the forest floor, disturbing the dirt path. Kettleburn followed behind her, pausing while he watched her.

“There they are, professor,” she whispered. Wormtail could hardly hear. “The unicorns.”

Kettleburn murmured something under his breath, a small smile barely visible on his face in the darkness. Wormtail gave them a wide berth, but scurried up on a rotting log to see for himself.

Sure enough, emitting their own magical glow, was a small herd of pure white unicorns, nickering as they grazed on the grass below them. The light filled the small clearing,  brighter than the lantern that Kettleburn carried. Wormtail felt his eyes water, like he’d been staring directly into the sun.

Centore slowly lifted her leg over the log she was hiding behind, delicately approaching the unicorns. As she took her second step, the unicorns heads jerked in unison as her boot crunched on the dead leaves. Centore froze, her arm outstretched and palm open. Did she… did she intend to touch them?

Sure enough, one of the unicorns near her stretched its long neck sniffing the air between its nose and Centore’s fingers. It took a cautionary step forward, inching closer and closer. Wormtail’s eyes widened in amazement. Centore took short quiet breaths, puffs of steam rising from her lips. The unicorn took another step, and plazed it’s nose in Aurelia’s palm. It nickered pleasantly, and the other unicorns returned to their grazing.

So near the unicorns now, Wormtail was warmed from the inside out. He felt pure happiness, like theIr light was filling him up.

“Hello, dear one,” Centore mumbled, drawing Wormtail’s attention again. She slowly brought her other hand forward to scratch along the unicorn’s jaw. The creature tilted its head, leaning into Centore’s touch.

“What is your name?” she asked quietly, bringing her head close to the unicorn's lips, awaiting a whisper from the divine beast. It nibbled her cheek, eliciting a small giggle from Centore.

“I will call you, Sole ,” she said reverently, “like the sun you are.”

Wormtail felt shame rise up within his little rat body. He didn’t deserve to watch something so beautiful, something so sacred. Wormtail was about to forsake his mission and scurry his way back to the castle when Centore spoke again.

“Can you bring us to the protectors of this forest?” she murmured. “We seek the centaurs.”

Wormtail froze, and watched the unicorn back away from her, turning and walking past his brothers and sisters deeper into the forest. He turned his head and studied Centore over his shoulder, waiting and watching.

“Let us follow your friend,” Kettleburn said, approaching Centore with a hobble. He placed a thick hand on her shoulder. “Excellent work, my dear girl.”

Together, Kettleburn and Centore followed the unicorn into the forest, Wormtail hot on their heels. I’ll get that centaur hair!

The unicorn led them through the dense trees, Centore whispering words of encouragement all the while. Kettleburn was quiet as he hobbled after them. The unicorn brought them to a hilly formation of rocks, and paused. He drew near to Centore, sniffed her hair again, and galloped back the way the came. 

Wormtail felt the unicorn’s absence immediately. The light the unicorn emitted must have had some magical properties beyond its mystical glow. He had felt warm before, high, elated, brave, and now he felt the cold and dark like he had stepped in something wet with his socks. Wormtail shivered, and drew near to Kettleburn’s lantern light. 

Suddenly, Wormtail felt a rumbling beneath his paws. It began faintly, then grew and grew, loudly now, until Wormtail was sure the ground was opening up to swallow him.

Somewhere ahead of him, Centore gasped.

“Who enters this forbidden realm?” booms a voice. Wormtail stands on his hind legs, to gaze up at the tallest rock. There is Sagittarius personified.

A centaur with the deepest brown skin stood regally atop the cliff, staring them down, his bow drawn. His strong warhorse body was thick with rippling muscle, his coat blending into the night behind him. His hair was done in long locs pulled half out of his face in twists, a wreath of greenery and twigs crowning his head and brow. His nose and jaw were strong, and his eyes dark, barely visible in the darkness, and his ears had an elf-like point at the tip.

The centaur was then flanked by two more centaur warriors, one female. They were fairer in color, one chestnut, and the other blonde, but both held massive swords in their hands.

Wormtail trembled.

“My name is Aurelia Centore, and this is Professor Kettleburn. We’ve come from Hogwarts,” she called out confidently.

Wormtail was shocked. He was beginning to resent agreeing to any kind of prank involving these violent beasts. How could she stand there, so sure of herself, and speak to them knowing danger was surely imminent?

“Aurelia, the golden one, we saw of your coming,” the centaur said. “There is another among you.”

Wormtail froze. No… it couldn’t be? He spun and looked at Centore, who only looked blankly around. Kettleburn waved his lantern around, staring into the forest’s abyss. Just behind them, Wormtail saw more and more centaurs emerging from the depths of the forest.

“Sir, we are not aware of any others to be traveling with us,” Kettleburn said, turning back to the centaur.

“It is as we saw,” the centaur said, lowering his bow. “Aurelia, the Golden One. Welcome to our tribe. I am Asterion, chief and healer.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said earnestly. Wormtail watched her eyes light up in wonder as she gazed up at Asterion. “I feel most welcomed among you.”

The centaur, Asterion, nodded his head to her regally and turned his attention to Kettleburn.

“And Silvanus,” he said, “it’s been many years since the stars foretold your coming. What tidings of Hogwarts?”

Kettleburn jerked straight into attention at having been addressed directly.

“Hagrid sends his regards, sir,” Kettleburn said, a nervous warble in his voice. “Though Hogwarts could stand to see you more often.”

Asterion suddenly appeared affronted, his thick brows drawing low over his eyes, and his mouth twisted into a scowl.

“Centaur kind owes Hogwarts no more attention than a lion to a fly,” Asterion sneered. “Speak plainly then, Silvanus.”

Centore and Kettleburn share a surreptitious glance.

“The Care of Magical Creatures program is becoming less and less popular,” Centore interjected. “We hoped that by formally meeting you, your tribe would consider sharing your far superior knowledge of magical creatures with our class.”

Asterion softened but still shook his head.

“Centaurs do not enter the service of wizards. It is our way.”

Centore sent Kettleburn a crestfallen look.

“However!” Asterion boomed. “We will share with you the true reason for your coming. Firenze?”

Asterion gestured below, and a small centaur colt strode forward from behind Wormtail. Wormtail could hardly breathe as it stopped right above him. His little legs were wobbly and unsure, and his human half was childlike. Right in front of Wormtail, Firenze’s tail swished.

Gotcha, Wormtail thought to himself. He jumped up, plucked a rat’s paw full of hair from Firenze’s tail, and fled.

---

Aurelia felt her heart clench inside of her chest. The true reason for our coming? She studied the centaur foal, Firenze. He was a sweet little thing, of the palest coloring she had ever seen. She felt her heart swell as he stumbled on wobbly legs on the forest terrain. He wore a woven necklace and carried a small sword strapped to his back. His elf ears poked out from behind shoulder-length white-blonde hair.

She thought she couldn’t be shocked further this Halloween night, not after seeing the unicorns, not after being led to the centaurs, and certainly not after being referred to as “The Golden One.” It seemed she would never escape the silly nickname.

Firenze cleared his throat and jerked to attention, his eyes flicking shyly between Aurelia and Kettleburn. Aurelia offered a small tentative smile of encouragement. 

Firenze spread his arms wide and began to sing a melancholy melody:

“ In shadows deep, where darkness dwells,
A seeker rises, fate compels.
With guiding light and steadfast hand,
The cursed fragments he shall withstand.

Bound by blood, yet torn apart,
A friendship forged with wary hearts.
Through trials grim and bonds that fray,
Betrayal looms, yet hope must stay.”

Aurelia’s were glassy with tears. The other centaurs stepped forward, their hooves heavy on the forest floor. They surrounded them closely, and joined Firenze in haunting harmony:

“The path is set, the stars align,
One must fall, for one to shine.
The serpent’s reign shall meet its end,
If trust holds fast and wills defend. ”

The whispering wood fell silent, and all Aurelia could hear was her heart pounding in her ears. Such dark words in such a dark place. Aurelia could barely collect her thoughts to respond. One must fall for one to shine? Aurelia thought to herself, her breaths coming rapidly. She looked again desperately to Kettleburn. He was an adult, surely he would know how best to proceed, but he only stared back at her blankly.

Asterion cleared his throat. “This is a prophecy that came to us many moons ago. May the stars light your path, as they have so faithfully lit ours.”

He reared up on his hind legs, and galloped away, Firenze and all the rest following after him leaving Aurelia and Kettleburn alone in the darkness. Aurelia heard nothing but her breath and the quiet sounds of the slumbering forest: crickets, rustling trees, and the quiet howl of a lone wolf in the distance.

Snapping out of his reverie, Kettleburn urges Aurelia back the way they came. “Best head back to the Castle now, love. I’d better tell Dumbledore all that we’ve seen and heard as soon as possible.”

With nothing but her wandlight and Kettleburn’s lantern to light the way, Aurelia silently walked the path back to Hogwarts.

---

The next morning, Aurelia woke up late without her sweet little angel baby to wake her with his meowing and darling purring and nuzzling. She missed Dolce, and yearned for the comfort that he brought. But, and perhaps more importantly, she wanted to make sure Regulus knew that she was all right, so she dispatched her cat to send off reassurances. He really is a dear little friend, Aurelia thought fondly of her sweet Dolce.

Aurelia bathed and dressed for the day in solitude, letting her hair air dry since it was going to do whatever it wanted anyway. She slipped her feet into her boots and began the climb to the Great Hall for breakfast alone.

In truth, Aurelia’s mind was addled with thoughts of the centaur prophecy. Her heart raced with the promise of a defeat of Lord Voldemort. Was it Lord Voldemort? It had to be… Aurelia thought to herself. Who else could the serpent possibly be? There was no other Dark Lord raging war across Europe.

And if it was about the Dark Lord, who was the seeker? Aurelia could only guess that it was someone like Dumbledore, someone powerful enough to defeat a Dark Lord as he already had. But she wouldn’t exactly describe Dumbledore’s home at Hogwarts “where darkness dwells.” 

And what did Firenze mean by cursed fragments?

Aurelia wondered if Kettleburn was willing to try and find their centaur friends again, for the purpose of seeking clarity. Ugh, but Aurelia knew about centaurs after all that research she did. She knew that centaurs were not ones to decipher or meddle with the destiny fated by the stars. They were only messengers. Another trip would be fruitless, she was sure of it.

But then, if not the centaurs then who? Perhaps Regulus would be able to help her. If she was right, then he’d celebrate with her that the end of the Dark Lord was soon approaching. Then he’d be able to assist her in… well… she wasn’t sure. 

Regulus would know. Regulus would take care of it!

It was these thoughts that brought her to the Great Hall, where the last dregs of breakfast were being served. Right away, she made eye contact with Regulus who smiled eagerly at her entrance. She smiled widely at him, but before she could join him, she was stopped by Professor Dumbledore.

He approached her from down the center aisle, his wrinkled face kind and twinkling eyes looking at her through half moon spectacles. He wore fine lavender robes with gold star constellations along the hem. His fine, white hair billowed around him like a haze, almost like his pointed hat was spilling smoke instead of hair.

She nodded to him in salutation and attempted to step aside from him to take her place next to Regulus, but Dumbledore stopped firmly in front of her.

“Good morning, Miss Centore,” he said.

“Good morning, Professor,” she said.

Aurelia couldn’t help but be confused. She shot a glance at Regulus, and he was still watching her. His smile was gone, replaced with an equally questioning look on his face.

Aurelia knew her headmaster to be a kind man. Everyone knew he had his favored students, but for the most part, he was a fair and just leader. Beyond that, no one could deny his powerful magical ability and the influence he held on Europe’s wizarding culture and society. Even Newt Scamander sang praises of his power and compassion.

Aurelia knew all this, but what surprised her was that he was speaking to her. Not once has Aurelia crossed paths with her headmaster, despite all she knew about him. He never spared her a second glance, but now, the night after her frolic with centaurs, he suddenly seeks her. What did Kettleburn say?

“Miss Centore, I thought perhaps you might join me in my office for some tea before your morning classes. Professor Kettleburn told me about your adventures last night, but I’m intrigued to hear your perspective.”

Aurelia gulped but nodded, allowing him to lead her away from the Great Hall and up the many flights of stairs to his office. Aurelia’s stomach grumbled. She was really looking forward to breakfast.

“Don’t worry, Miss Centore, the house elves will have brought something up for us,” Dumbledore said jovially.

Aurelia said nothing.

With a whispered, “ice mice,” Aurelia entered into Dumbledore’s office past the gargoyle. He swept into his chair behind her desk, and gestured to the seat across him. Aurelia sat down, pressing her fingers beneath her thighs. 

In a snap, a tray of biscuits appeared and floated down to rest on Dumbledore’s desk, and a steaming cup of tea drifted to Aurelia. She took it and sipped gingerly. Chamomile. 

Aurelia took a biscuit but waited. Dumbledore watched her closely as if studying her.

“I thought, Miss Centore, that you would share with me how your extracurricular project went,”

“Of course, Professor,” Aurelia said politely.

So she told him as much as she could. She told him all about the research that she conducted in preparation, as well as consulting Madam Pomfrey and Professor Slughorn should things have gone awry. She told him about seeing Hagrid and encountering the unicorns. She told him about Sole, Asterion, and Firenze. She left nothing out, until it came time to share of Firenze’s song.

“It was the strangest thing, Professor,” Aurelia began, “it was like they knew we were coming.”

“Centaurs are known for the gifting in the field of Divination, Miss Centore. Surely your research would have revealed that?”

“Yes, sir,” Aurelia hesitated.

She looked at Dumbledore, and he looked eager. His posture was rigidly forward, hanging on to the edge of her every word. Aurelia grew confused. Kettleburn said he was going to tell Dumbledore about what the centaurs said. What could he have possibly left out? What did Dumbledore hope to hear from her?

“Forgive me, sir, but I thought Professor Kettleburn was going to report to you on our experience,” Aurelia said plainly.

“That he did, Miss Centore. I just hoped to hear your perspective of things,”

Aurelia was about to open her mouth when she fell silent. The scene of standing next to Kettleburn played out in her mind. She heard Firenze’s lilting voice. She heard the combined voices of all the centaurs and their beautiful song. She could see Asterion so clearly, as if she was back in the Forest. She felt her own resolve that the Dark Lord would soon end.

Suddenly, her thoughts snapped to Regulus, and her mind was consumed with him. Sharing her book with him. All the nights spent before the Black Lake window. Seeing him with Dolce in his arms in the Hospital Wing. Sitting with him in the Great Hall. Seeing him at the top of the dungeon stairs, horror plastered all over his face.

Whispered voices, “You are all I have.”

Whispered voices, “He is not like us.”

Whispered voices, “I… I was looking for you that night.”

She saw Mulciber, Avery, and Snape sitting around the Common Room fire, studying her and Regulus. She saw the way Snape listened to Regulus’s every word and command. She recalled the way Mulciber held the door open for her in Charms.

Then, she was back in her chair in Dumbledore’s office. He was standing behind his desk, studying her. She blinked at him.

“Sir, I-”

“Miss Centore, as I’m sure you know, there are dark forces at play even within the castle. Should you ever feel the noble desire to bring light into the darkest of places, please let me know.” Dumbledore looked down at her regally but appeared open and compassionate toward her.

Aurelia’s had so many questions. What just happened? It was like her mind… had a mind of its own. She had never had her thoughts race so vividly before. Even now, after the haze, she couldn’t replicate the feeling. It must’ve been Dumbledore… he must’ve read my thoughts. But why? I have nothing to hide. Do I?

Aurelia nodded, stood, and left Dumbledore’s office, feeling more isolated than ever before.

Notes:

Long time no see! Sorry for taking over a month to update. Like I have said many times, the only time I have to write this is when I have downtime at work. Unfortunately, I have been completely swamped for weeks. Sad times. But finally! We have centaurs! We have unicorns! We have a Wormtail POV (ew)! Writing Wormtail's POV was really hard because I felt like I was writing someone completely two-faced like on one hand he was shy timid and fearful and on the other hand he was desperate to prove himself etc. and the back and forth was hard to capture so I hope it came across as realistic. I completely made up Asterion. Firenze as a bebe <3. What else.... not much Marauder or Regulus in this. Very much Aurelia centric. Next update we will have Peter's centaur hair reveal and possibly the centaur prank itself very exciting stuff! We will also have more Regulus and possibly snape! Things are heating up! This chapter we also had a casual Order of the Phoenix invitation. Also yes Dumbledore read her mind. I hope that this was entertaining! I feel like a lot of this is just setting the stage for more. I'm just always setting the stage. Also I hope u liked my poem, I had help<3 Everybody clap for my husband, he keeps me going.

Chapter 8: Week 10

After her bizarre encounter with Dumbledore, Aurelia was distracted. It was like a fog had made its home in her mind. In Care of Magical Creatures, Kettleburn kept glancing at her warily, but Aurelia was not even present. She was there in body but not in mind.

She’d been avoiding Regulus, as well.

She wanted nothing more than to tell Regulus everything she saw and heard from the centaurs, but she held herself back. If someone like Dumbledore, the face of power and compassion, could enter her mind to do what he liked without her consent, then so easily could the Dark Lord. While still unsure about Regulus’s involvement with the Death Eaters, Aurelia was not keen to risk Regulus.

Having such information percolating in his mind, ripe for the taking, inherently meant danger for Regulus.

So she avoided him.

Aurelia didn’t know too much about mind magic other than its existence. She knew of legilemency, occlumency, and memory charms, but she had never studied them for mastery. Why would she? She never knew anything worth stealing from the privacy of her own mind. She wondered if Regulus knew occlumency. He had to know, didn’t he?  How else would he hide his true feelings about muggles and muggleborns? Aurelia couldn’t be sure, so she said nothing.

She did what Slytherins did best: avoid. Avoid. Avoid. 

The isolation itself was nothing new to her, but it was different now. She felt more of Regulus’s absence in her life. Yes, Mulciber and Snape still followed her around the school, but not having Regulus’s calm and steadfast presence near her was a heavy weight on her spirit.

She missed her friend, but it was for his own protection.

After Care of Magical Creatures, Aurelia floated to the Great Hall. Instead of taking her usual seat near Snape and Regulus, she sat at the very end of the table closest to the doors. She her dinner in silence, and pulled out a book to keep her company. She felt more than saw Regulus’s hot stare on the side of her face from where he was sitting further up the table.

She ignored it as best as she could, but could not help the instinctual urge to meet his stare.

His brows were severely downturned and his mouth was pressed into a firm frown. Oh, dear, he is not happy.

Aurelia faced back forward, and kept eating in silence.

 

---

 

Later, in the Common Room, Aurelia’s thoughts were tumultuous. She felt so guilty avoiding Regulus, knowing the questions that he would ask her and fearing their answers. It’s for his own good, she kept repeating to himself.

She lingered in front of her favorite spot before the Black Lake, staring out into the abyss. It was colder now than ever before, with the nights growing longer. Aurelia curled up in her chair, tucking her feet beneath her, and draping herself in a warm knit blanket. Dolce purred from inside the cocoon Aurelia created, with only his little black furry head sticking out for air. He was fast asleep.

Aurelia felt a pang of jealousy toward her cat. No responsibilities, no thoughts. It must be nice. To be able to lie around and do whatever pleased her was a luxury Aurelia would never know, especially not now. Not with what felt like the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Her brain was incessant. Even when she had finally begun thinking about something else, she would notice that it had been however long since she thought about the prophecy, triggering her own downward spiral. It was relentless and exhausting. Aurelia was tired.

She wanted answers. She felt like so much of her friendship with Regulus was based solely on conjecture and assumptions. She wanted something solid to stand on. She wanted, for once, for Regulus to speak plainly to her instead of his usual whisperings that left her guessing his true meaning. She was clever and, at one point, was flattered by the secret language that they seemed to have with one another, but now, all she wanted was the truth. What was true?

The first matter was this: was Regulus a Death Eater? Aurelia could argue on either side. She knew that he didn’t believe in the same blood purist beliefs as his parents; that much was a known truth. But was it enough to deny someone as powerful as the Dark Lord? Not only that, but it was one thing not to believe the same thing as your parents, and it was another thing to betray them by acting out against them. The prime example is Sirius.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt the evidence supporting his being a Death Eater. How else would she explain the amount of influence that he had over the other seventh years and baby Death Eaters? Is being the heir to the most ancient and affluent wizarding house savvy enough to hold so much sway? The culture felt ridiculously unfamiliar to her despite being pureblood herself. One thing is true: she had seen the dark shadows of Mulciber and Avery’s forearms beneath their white Oxford shirt uniforms. 

“Aurelia.”

She jerked from her thoughts, startling Dolce awake from his nap.

It was Regulus. A cold sweat broke out on the back of Aurelia’s neck, her hair twisting into frazzled curls. Dolce yowled, not pleased to have been disturbed so violently. He looked accusingly at Regulus, his eyes half lidded and positively threatening. Such a sweet loyal creature he was.

“Regulus,” she said, her voice wavering, “you startled me.”

He cocked his head at her, sending a precarious glance at Dolce who did nothing but stare back at him.

“I should think so,” he said, not bothering to hide his reproachful tone. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

Aurelia tightened the blanket wrapped around herself. She really didn’t know what to say. He was right of course, and she was sure there was no way to lie her way out of this one.

He took his rightful place beside her, and studied her. He seemed tired and withdrawn. His expression was guarded. She couldn’t get a read on him, or what he could possibly be thinking about. The thought rattled her.

She may as well admit to the truth, shouldn’t she? It didn’t mean that she had to explain why she was avoiding him.

“Yes,” she confessed quietly, averting her eyes.

“Mm,” he mumbled, watching her, waiting for her to continue. 

A blanket of awkward silence settled between them. It pricked uncomfortably at her conscience, making her fidget. She was desperate for normalcy between them, he was all she had. And now she was pushing him away and doubting him.

Where did the truth end and the lies begin with him? Aurelia wasn’t sure that now was an appropriate time to ask. She saw the way he mingled with Mulciber and Avery and Snape. She knew he was a sort of ringleader. But how far did it go? Was it all a facade? He was a mystery to her. What lengths would he go to save face with his family? What motivated him?

As much as Aurelia could guess, she knew that there would be no more guessing with this. Not when this prophecy could so easily fall into the wrong hands. She would loathe to be the person who gave the Dark Lord the edge.

Aurelia was resolute. She would dive deeper into her relationship with Regulus. No more speaking in riddles. For once, there would be direct truth between them.

Now, how best to ask these burning questions. Aurelia groaned internally. She couldn’t ask him outright, could she?

“Regulus,” she began.

“Yes, Aurelia?” He drawled expectantly.

She met his eye. His face was eager, clearly expecting some sort of explanation from her. His appearance, however, revealed nothing. As always, he was perfectly poised.

It was now or never.

“What’s the extent of your… involvement…?” She trailed off, feeling suddenly shy.

He blinked. “My… involvement?”

“Yes, your involvement,” she said mysteriously, nodding her head in what she hoped was a discreet fashion toward who she knew was the group of Slytherins by the main common room fire.

He caught her meaning, with a nod of his head. “Ah,” he said.

He fidgeted in his seat, and no longer met her eye. Regulus scratched the back of his neck. He seemed… uncomfortable with her question.

“Did something happen?” he asked, avoiding.

Aurelia frowned. Must he change the subject so quickly? She didn’t fault his discomfort, quite frankly, she understood it. But her hackles rose with her frustration. Couldn’t he see that she needed the truth right now? Especially with something so delicate as a prophecy detailing the Dark Lord’s demise looming over her like a storm cloud.

Aurelia was hurt. Why couldn’t he see that she could be trusted? Even the little pieces of himself that he already shared required such an abundance of trust. She had more than proven herself with how forthcoming she’s been. Why couldn’t he trust her with this?

“Regulus, please. I need to know,” she pleaded with him.

Regulus looked visibly torn, his eyes haunted. The shadows across his face grew more and more apparent. A frown creased his lips, and his shoulders hunched down with every passing second.

In the same way she pleaded with him, so too did he plead with her.

“Aurelia, I… I’m not technically involved,” he whispered, his voice gravelly with emotion.

Aurelia let out a rush of air in relief. So he’s not involved with them after all. Any influence he has must be because of his heritage as the heir to the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black. That’s all it is. He’s not really part of their blood purist group.

Aurelia smiled sincerely at him, but when he didn’t appear as relieved as she was, her smile fell.

He faltered, and cleared his throat. “Ah, that is to say… not yet.”

Not yet?

Aurelia felt the blood drain from her face, her eyes widening in apparent…. Shock? Fear? Merlin, if only she knew what to feel. Not yet, not yet, not yet. But that would mean that he would be eventually. That would mean that she would see the same shadow underneath the sleeve of his white uniform shirt. The horrible picture of a skull and snake and the death and destruction it represented. Her Regulus, her best and only friend, her partner and defender, the blood traitor, will take the Dark Mark.

Aurelia’s eyes welled with tears. Dolce desperately purred against his mistress, rubbing his face against her chest to comfort her rising distress. Aurelia wrestled with thoughts of betrayal and lies and half truths and omissions, and the ambition and power and unforgiving pain of it all. She thought all this time that she and Regulus were some sort of kindred spirits. To have him abandon his beliefs so easily… to what end?

Aurelia’s tears spilled onto her cheeks, and Dolce was quick to mop them up with his furry face. “I’m alright, my love,” she whispered to him, “I’m fine.”

Regulus looked as devastated as she felt, his own eyes glassy. His knuckles were white clutching the armrest of his chair. His mouth was pressed into a firm, displeased line. Aurelia’s frustration grew. What right did he have to be upset? He is doing this! He is doing this!

“Why?” she couldn’t help but ask. She wiped an aggressive hand across her brow to brush back her bushy curls. Why is he doing this? He doesn’t have to do this. He could be comfortable as the perfect bloody prince. Why did he have to escalate it so far? He read the papers just the same as she did, he knew what was involved by joining the Dark Lord. He had to know that he would end up with so much blood on his hands. Aurelia couldn’t rationalize staying friends with him after knowing all of this, though it pains her to admit it to herself. She wouldn’t allow herself to be put in a situation where she would have to openly choose a side, much less the side of foolish blood purist ideology. 

“Why are you doing this?” she asked again, his lack of answer grating on her frazzled nerves.

“Because, Aurelia,” he whispered sharply, “because I can’t refuse him.”

Regulus dragged a shaking hand through his perfect hair, mussing it. Curls framed the edges of his face. He shut his eyes and leaned against the back of his chair. His adam’s apple bobbed with a swallow. 

Aurelia wept. She buried her face in Dolce’s warm body and cried. Her hair fell limp and straight around her, hiding her from Regulus’s view. 

“I…I’m sorry,” she heard him say. “I know that’s not what you wanted to hear, and I wish it was different. But I’m going to make this right.”

Aurelia looked back at him, tucking her hair behind her ear. Dolce leapt from his hiding space in her cocoon and made himself comfortable in Regulus’s lap. Regulus stroked him gently, and met her watery eyes with a determined glint in his own. 

“I promise you,” he said, “I’m going to make this right.”

And Aurelia believed him.

 

---

 

The morning after the full moon, Sirius woke in his own bed after a measly two and a half hours of sleep. Moony was a right feral beast last night, and Padfoot and Prongs had their work cut out for them all night. It was lucky that they managed to make it through the night with only a poor bit of sleep between them and nothing more life threatening.

“Ugh,” he groaned, stretching and hearing his back click.

Across the room, James let out his own groans as he tossed and turned in his four poster bed. Sleeping soundly in his own bed was Peter, looking awfully comfortable.

Feeling a bit mischievous (nothing new), Sirius slipped out of his bed and tiptoed next to Peter’s. He drew back the curtain and the thin coverlet. On the other side of Peter, James’s head popped up, an equally mischievous smirk on his face.

James held up one finger, then two, and three, and with a flick of his wand–

“Augamenti!”

“AHHH!”

“RISE AND SHINE, WORMTAIL MY FRIEND–”

Peter jerked and clamped his hands over his ears, his eyes wide and frantic as he writhed on his soaked sheets. The coverlet he slept with was kicked onto the floor with a splat, and his poor pillow burst, feathers floating up and all around them.

Sirius howled with laughter, while James continued on, this time in song.

“SUN BEAMS WILL SOON SMILE THROUGH. GOOD MORNING GOOD MORNING to you AND YOU AND YOU AND YOU!!!!!”

Peter groaned, and Sirius applauded James, who only bowed graciously.

“Excellent performance, my dear sweet Prongs!” Sirius said with a posh accent.

“Oh yes, quite, thank you my angel Padfoot!” James said bowing low at the waist.

With a laugh Sirius turned to Peter, “Sorry about your bed, mate, you looked so peaceful we just couldn’t resist!”

Peter rolled his eyes, “If i looked so peaceful, why couldn’t you just leave me alone!”

“Aw, come on Pete, where’s the fun in that?” James said, buttoning up his uniform shirt and slipping on his pants.

Sirius began to follow suit, dressing himself into his robes.

“Well?” Sirius asked impatiently. “How did it go last night? What did you see?”

Peter froze, before a small smile spread across his face. He grabbed something off his bedside table and held it up for James and sirius to see. In between his chubby fingers he clutched a single thick wiry hair.

Sirius’s eyes widened, and a brick fell into his gut. Meanwhile, James whooped like he had just won a million galleons.

“You got the hair!”

“I got the hair,” Peter said smugly, a pleased look on his face. He delicately placed it back on his bedside table, careful not to let it drop on the feather ridden ground.

Sirius’s hands clutched the hair at his scalp. “By Godric, you got the hair,” he said.

Sirius had his doubts on whether or not Wormtail would be able to get the centaur hair for their ridiculous and poorly timed prank on Aurelia Centore. If he was being frank with himself, he thought that the likelihood that Peter would find it within himself to muster up the bravery to step foot into the Forbidden Forest alone was slim to none. To see it now before him, Sirius felt nothing but disbelief.

“Are you sure its a centaur hair, Pete?” he asked.

Peter’s cheeks went a ruddy red. “Of course it is!” he insisted.

“But are you absolutely sure?” Sirius pressed.

“Well, she bloody led me right to them, of course I’m sure!” Peter snapped.

James and Sirius shared a glance. There was more to the story here. Clearly whatever special project she had with Kettleburn involved the centaurs in the Forbidden Forest. The disbelief must have been apparent on Sirius’s face, because Peter began to huff.

“I followed them right into the Forbidden Forest, past the unicorns, and straight to the centaurs, I did! She had no idea I was even there, I barely had to try,” Peter bragged.

James had his thinking face on, and it looked rather painful. His brow was strongly furrowed, he scratched his chin, and he tapped his foot. “Well you got the hair…” he said, trailing off ominously, “but I have to wonder what was the reason she was there. What did the centaurs say? You obviously saw them if you got the hair.”

Sirius was curious himself. What purpose did Aurelia and Kettleburn have for meeting with the centaurs anyway? What kind of special project was it? Honestly, Sirius couldn’t remember if there was a NEWT level Care of Magical Creatures course anymore, since most people dropped it after third year. Was it purely an elective project then?

Peter scratched the back of his neck, “Well, I didn’t exactly stick around after I got the hair, but… I suppose I do remember how bizarre it was that they seemed to have expected her?”

“What?” Sirius demanded. “What do you mean they expected her?”

Peter grew flustered, trying and failing to finish tying off his tie. “They said as much… they said they were expecting her… it seemed like Kettleburn was trying to get the centaurs to come do a lecture at Hogwarts or something…”

“And that’s all?” James pressed.

Peter swallowed, throwing on the outermost layer of his robes, the yellow insignia of a roaring griffin glinting in the sunlight, mocking him.

“I… I suppose they must have talked more? Shared more information? But, by then I already had the hair so I came back to the Castle.”

Sirius groaned and rolled his eyes, throwing himself onto his bed. “C’mon, Wormtail! You had one job!” he shouted.

Peter flinched and ducked his head.

James held up a placating hand to Sirius. “Calm down, Padfoot. Wormtail did his best. And he got the hair! That’s something to celebrate, right?”

With a roiling gut, Sirius grumbled his agreement. He knew this prank was not going to go over well. It had “Marauding Prankster, Sirius Black” written all over it. How could he expect any forgiveness from Aurelia after all this shit he was forcing her to go through? He couldn’t be sure what she knew about Remus, not after all that. And wasn’t it innocent until proven guilty? Merlin, he didn’t know.

All Sirius knew was that he couldn’t risk his friends discovering what he did. Doing so would surely put an end to his friendships. He probably wouldn’t be able to live with James anymore. He may as well be as bad as the snake pit.

No. He swallowed his guilt and put on a brave face, preparing to do nothing.

 

---

 

Aurelia had resumed her place near Regulus in all things. She sat next to him at breakfast, prepared his tea, and smeared his buttered toast with orange marmalade just as he liked. In turn, Regulus spread clotted cream onto her scone, poured milk into her coffee, and wrapped a piece of bacon in a napkin for Dolce’s midmorning snack.

After Regulus’s confession the other night, he had not pressed her about her centaur project, nor did she feel particularly compelled to reveal the details of her adventure. After all… he was an aspiring Death Eater, regardless of his motives. Aurelia must protect Regulus’s mind, even if it means hiding the truth from him for a little while.

They parted after breakfast, and Aurelia made her way down to the Potions classroom with Severus in tow. She walked with him side-by-side, instead of allowing him to trail after her. She was beginning to grow used to his ever-looming presence, even if he was a bit unpleasant at times.  She supposed he couldn’t help it–years of being the target of ceaseless bullying would certainly do that to even the kindest of wizards.

Even now, he walked with his shoulders scrunched close to his ears, his eyes darting about the halls, scouting for trouble.

Aurelia sighed. “You know, Severus, you don’t have to keep following me around,” she said, testing the waters. “I think I’m safe from whatever it is Regulus thinks I am in danger of.”

Immediately, Severus huffed and rolled his eyes. “If only that were true.”

Aurelia cocked her head, her eyes widening, begging for eye contact. “And what, exactly, is that supposed to mean?”

“You have no idea what those imbeciles are capable of. One minute it’s an innocent prank and the next thing you know you are bruised and bloodied on the dungeon floor,” Severus said meaningfully, finally meeting her eye. 

Aurelia shivered.

How could she ever forget? That night… she was not attacked by any imbecile. It was a monster… And what was it that he was raving about? Some kind of accusation… something having to do with Lupin… and somehow Severus was involved?

“I know you know, I know Snape told you what he was!”

The memory burst forward like water rushing forth from a broken dam.

Unable to stop herself, Aurelia whispered, “You know something about Lupin.”

Severus jerked toward her, gripping her wrist firmly, and dragged her into an empty classroom. Aurelia struggled against his grip, but he yanked her toward him.

“Ow, Severus!” Aurelia yelped once he finally released her. She rubbed her wrist tenderly. “Have you ever tried just asking nicely?”

Severus appeared to have tuned her out. He paced before her; back and forth he went, his hands aggressively yanking on his oily hair. He was frantic. His sallow face was even paler, and sweat had broken out on his brow.

“How do you know that, Aurelia?” Severus demanded suddenly, “Tell me!”

“Know what?” she asked, incredulous. Aurelia felt fear prickling at the back of her neck, her cheeks felt hot and her palms grew sweaty. That horrible night flashed in her mind with every blink, that same feeling of dread rising within her.

Severus was exasperated. His arms swinging widely about him as he growled. Aurelia flinched away, out of arm’s reach. Aurelia could only shrink back from him, stepping back towards the shut doors of the empty classroom.

“Stop, Severus! You’re frightening me!” She said desperately.

Like he had been doused with cold water, Severus’s anger was extinguished. He shut his eyes, and took a deep calming breath.

“Tell me,” he said, his voice quiet and slow. “You said that I knew something about Lupin. What is it that you think I know?”

“That night…” Aurelia said, her heart rate finally slowing. “When you and Regulus… um, found me. It was Sirius. He thought that you had told me some secret of Lupin’s. That was why he… did that to me.”

Severus rolled his eyes and let out a small laugh. “What a complete fool!” he shouted. “I am only sorry that you got caught in the crossfire for something I did not do.”

He began to lead her back into the hallway by the small of her back, but Aurelia would not allow him to stop there. “What do you have on Lupin that would make Sirius attack me like that?”

“Something I swore I would never tell… something not even Regulus knows…” Severus whispered, his expression pained. Something he couldn’t say was clearly on the tip of his tongue.

Aurelia couldn’t believe him. Why bother dragging her ass to this classroom to question her when he wasn’t going to tell her anything anyway? What was the point of this? For someone with a wretched superiority complex, he was acting rather foolish.

“Aurelia, please…” he suddenly begged her. Aurelia blinked back her shock at his continued use of her first name.  “Think! I cannot tell you, but I cannot stop you from figuring it out!”

Aurelia tried to think, but she was too rattled to string coherent thoughts together. Think about Lupin… Lupin and Sirius… Lupin and Sirius and Snape… But I’ve barely even said anything to Lupin, and somehow Sirius thought I knew something. What was it that she had said to Lupin? She shut her eyes, and tried to think back to the only conversation she ever had with him.

“Come on Aurelia!” Severus begged.

“Shut up, Severus! I’m thinking!” Aurelia shouted, losing her patience.

Aurelia shut her eyes again, and tried to mentally transport herself to that day in the library. She was doing research on centaurs. The seat next to his was the last available in the library. She remembered his shock upon asking to share the table with him. She recalled observing him, suddenly feeling a hot flush at remembering how handsome she found him to be. He was doing his own revision, minding his own business… But she had asked him something, hadn’t she? And he had said nothing.

“He refused to speak to me,” Aurelia said, her eyes still shut.

“Who?”

“Lupin… that day in the library. Before Sirius found me in the dungeon,” she continued. “I asked him a question, and he refused to speak to me. He… he wrote it down.”

Aurelia opened her eyes and sank to her knees, bringing her bag in front of her, digging all the way to the bottom, where forgotten bits of parchment and broken quills took up residence. She pulled the bits of parchment out one by one, til she found it.

“Here it is!” she exclaimed, shoving it into Severus’s hands.

October 31st. Why?

“What… is this?” Severus said, clearly exasperated.

“He refused to speak to me, and only responded to me by note. I had asked him when the next full moon was, and he knew it… right… off the top of his head…” Aurelia trailed off.

The realization hit her like a life flashing before her eyes. The scars across his face and hands, his sickly and tired appearance, the way he blanched when she asked him the question… his readiness with his answer… No… it couldn’t be… could it?

Aurelia looked back to Severus, who was watching her with wide eyes.

“You swore an unbreakable vow over this?” she asked him.

“Not… quite,” he said with a sigh of relief, “I swore an oath on my magic.”

She could only guess the rest. Severus must have somehow found out that Lupin was a werewolf, and threatened to out him to the school and to the public. Dumbledore or some other professor must have somewhere along the line gotten involved, ultimately siding with Lupin and maintaining his anonymity.

“Come on,” he said, gently tugging her wrist, “we’ll be late for potions.”

Aurelia allowed Severus to lead her away to Potions, her thoughts completely muddled. She couldn’t believe that there was a real werewolf living amongst them at Hogwarts, and that of all people it was Lupin! She knew that there was something alluring about him, his rugged features calling to her like something to be discovered. It was a testament to werewolves everywhere just how… normal and perfectly civil they were. Lupin was a prefect. He’d been attending Hogwarts for seven years without incident. No one had died.

Oh, but if only she could just be there during his transformation! She knew the risks, but the curiosity was so strong. Holistic and humane research of werewolves was extremely limited, nigh existent. To be the researcher to finally uncover the truth and magic behind lycanthropy… Aurelia was getting ahead of herself. She didn’t know Lupin. They were only classmates.

Aurelia reflected on her idol Newt Scamander… this was the one area that they did not agree. Aurelia felt that forcing werewolves to register at the ministry was a complete violation of privacy and civil rights. She understood the danger that they were to humans, but surely there were better ways to mitigate and regulate any danger… she just wasn’t sure what that measure was yet.

In any case, she couldn’t help the curious stare that she gave to Lupin upon entering the potions classroom, and yelped when Severus aggressively elbowed her in the side.

“He’s not another creature to be fawned over, Aurelia,” he hissed in her ear before taking his place at the workstation left of hers.

Aurelia felt her cheeks warm up at the rather pointed jab. Am I really so predictable? She thought embarrassingly to herself.

She met Lily’s eye as she sat on her stool. Lily seemed to be studying her, looking between Aurelia and Severus with about a thousand questions crossing her features.

Aurelia tried to ignore it, but Lily seemed to have other ideas.

“I didn’t realize you and Severus were so… close,” Lily whispered to Aurelia.

Aurelia looked over to Lily, watching the way that Lily nervously curled and uncurled the corner of the parchment in front of her. She was clearly nervous to be asking the question, but desired the answer enough to be compelled to ask in the first place.

What would Lily gain by knowing the answer, one way or the other? If Aurelia would to deny that her and Severus were close at all, would that assuage any assumption that Lily had concocted in her mind? And if she allowed Lily to believe that they were close after all… what kind of reaction could she expect from Lily at this point?

Lily, clearly fed up with Aurelia taking her time to respond, said, “Nevermind…But you should know that he called me… that word.”

This grabbed Aurelia’s attention, though she was not surprised. Regulus had mentioned that Severus was not like them, that Severus did actually believe in the blood purity nonsense that their group violently perpetuated. Aurelia looked at Lily. A blush had spread across her cheeks, and she was avoiding looking at Aurelia directly. She was becoming more and more aggressive, curling and uncurling her parchment.

“You’re going to wrinkle your parchment if you keep doing that,” Aurelia deadpanned, hoping to avoid directly responding.

Lily huffed, and packed the parchment away, finally facing Aurelia, a determined glint in her eye.

“Well? Are you as close… with them as you seem?” She demanded.

What a predicament Aurelia found herself in. She knew the real question that Lily was asking… she wanted to know point blank if Aurelia was a blood purist.

Aurelia internally sighed in exasperation. Trying not to let her expression crack from its cool composure, Aurelia deliberated. She knew this encounter further solidified how perfect Slytherin was for her… she couldn’t imagine being so… open and earnest with other people. She admired it… but she valued the privacy of her own thoughts and emotions more.

Aurelia wanted to be Lily’s friend. She saw Lily’s magical ability, her thirst for knowledge, and her kind and courageous nature, and she saw someone worth being close to. But she knew the danger that lurked within these magical halls, and she didn’t want to risk putting a target on Lily’s back.

But… Aurelia didn’t feel too comfortable pretending to be someone that she wasn’t either… Could she really justify pretending to be a blood purist for someone else’s safety? She wasn’t sure.

She heard the straggling Gryffindor boys ambling into the back of the classroom, making a ruckus along the way, and her head tilted in realization.

“Are you as close as you seem with them?” Aurelia challenged, subtly tilting her head in Potter and Black’s direction.

Lily blinked in confusion, but steeled her resolve. “It’s hardly the same thing, Aurelia.”

At this, Aurelia felt her throat tighten with emotion and her lips press firmly in a line. Lily watched with eyes wide while Aurelia’s hair began to curl into wily coils.

“You’re right,” Aurelia said under her breath, her voice thick. “You don’t know them like I do.”

Lily tilted her head, a follow up question on the tip of her tongue, but Slughorn had taken his place at the front of the room, and began dishing out instructions.

Aurelia was thankful for the reprieve. She felt the heated stares at the back of her head from Potter and Black, and tried her best to ignore it. She didn’t want Lily thinking she was a blood purist. It went against everything Aurelia believed in. Yes, Aurelia would lie to get what she wanted, but this was one truth that she would not forsake.

But… as much as she was not a blood purist… she knew what her friendship with Regulus looked like, and furthermore her association with Snape and escorts from Mulciber. She knew what an appearance like that labelled her. She was one of them.

Slughorn merrily floated over to their table with a jovial smile and a skip in his step.

“Oho, my golden girls! How very good to see you, my dears. I do hope to be seeing you at my annual Christmas Party, yes?” he said expectantly.

Aurelia and Lily made eye contact from their periphery before saying in unison:

“Yes, of course, Professor!”

“Yes, thank you, Professor.”

Aurelia completed her assignment in silence, and did not even lift her head when she heard Potter whisper, “Horsey Horsey Horsey,” behind her.

 

---

 

Sirius could only watch in abject horror during lunch with wide eyes and his face pale.

James and Peter were giggling between bites of food, and even Remus was struggling to suppress a smile while he took lazy sips of his afternoon tea. An undercurrent of pride in their painstaking work rippled between them, like the true gryffindors they were. The thrill of what they’d accomplished buzzed like an undercurrent of electricity. Sirius met his mates smile for smile and laugh for laugh, but he felt like he was drowning inside.

“Come on, Pads, your heart’s not in it!” James said.

“After everything I did to get that hair, Padfoot?” Peter said.

“I-I… My heart is in it!” Sirius tried insisting. “I’m just a bit nervous is all. I feel like we’ve never done something as big as this before.”

“Leave him, lads,” Remus said diplomatically. “If nothing else, I got loads of potions practice brewing that polyjuice.”

James hooked an arm around Sirius’s neck drawing him in close like a true conspirator.

“Padfoot, just think of her face when she realizes she really is half horse after all!”

Sirius smiled and lied, “Yeah, you’re right Prongs.”

His stomach churned. Today was the day. They would be turning Centore into a centaur in front of the whole school.

The guilt curled cold and sharp in Sirius’s chest. He knew deep down that there was likely nothing that could change the way she looked at him with fear behind that muted blank expression. Maybe, he thought to himself, maybe getting a laugh out of her by his hand would get her to see the fun, joking side of him.

He was desperate to justify what they were about to do, but his brain kept pushing his shame to the forefront. He wasn’t sure anything could erase what he did. Even a sincere apology seemed impossible with how near Regulus or Snape hovered over her.

And now… he would participate in tormenting her again, under the guise of a harmless prank. Like a ghost, Sirius’s own fear and guilt haunted him. He pictured his friends disgusted and disappointed faces as they turned their backs on him once and for all. The imagery was like fiendfyre, eating him alive from the inside out. It was his driving force, it pushed him further, hiding the truth under lock and key. Sirius knew he wouldn’t survive being alone again. He couldn’t do it.

He was weak, he thought bitterly.

So when it came time to lay the foundations of their prank, it was… surprisingly and disappointingly easy to convince the house elves to participate. Even plagued with guilt and fear, Sirius was his usual debonair and charming self, and the house elves were eager to please him.

“Oh yes, Mister Sirius,” one house elf had said. “You is most kind, Tippy would be happy to help!”

Tippy accepted the tiny vial of polyjuice potion and Sirius watched in panicked anticipation as she poured it into a bowl of chicken noodle soup–Aurelia’s favorite.

Sitting in the Great Hall, his friends snickering and nudging each other in expectation, Sirius watched and waited, his palms sweating.

When she entered, the noise of the Great Hall fell silent on Sirius’s ears. She was beautiful–nothing new–her brown hair twisted into long, delicate waves down her back. Her face was like a shining beacon of light, drawn in her usual poise–not too snobby, not too feeble, just perfect enough to be unnoticeable. 

Her steps were quick, as she took her seat next to Regulus, and the familiar guilt that had been sitting in his stomach for weeks hardened to something deeper and stronger like brick. He watched Aurelia lean in close to whisper something in Regulus’s ear. It must’ve been funny; Regulus’s mouth curled into a smile, and his eyes twinkled at her in response.

Sirius’s lips contrastingly twisted into a frown.

Aurelia eagerly reached for the bowl of chicken soup on the table, breathing in the swirling gray steam. Her eyes shut in satisfaction. She stirred the soup with a gentle hand, and brought the spoon to her mouth, her lips pursing. The smoke dispersed, and Aurelia took a slow sip of soup. And then another.

All at once, Aurelia’s spoon clattered to the table. She gripped Regulus’s arm. He saw Regulus say something, his lips moving rapidly, his eyes growing wide in alarm.

Aurelia jerked away from him, standing up out of her seat. She took short, panicked breaths, her eyes darting frantically around the room.

Breaking through the ringing silence of Sirius’s mind was James, “Here it comes!”

It came with a visible shutter over Aurelia. He watched in wrapt disbelief, horror and guilt threatening to have his lunch make a second appearance. He did this to her, again.

She grew at least 5 inches, clopping hooves echoed against the stone floors of the Great Hall, and in place of legs were the hairy hind flanks of a horse. Her brown hair grew into wild, voluminous curls and pointed ears peaked out from the curtain of coils. She wasn’t quite a centaur but she wasn’t quite human either.

Sirius was reminded of the fawns and satyrs of Greek and roman mythology. She looked fantastical.

Regulus looked murderous.

Aurelia’s eyes watered, tears spilling down her cheeks as she rushed to collect her torn tights and underwear from the ground. She tripped and stumbled on foreign legs like a newborn colt, her bag dangling precariously from her shoulder. She fled the Great Hall, head bowed. 

Regulus followed in her wake, but not without sending Sirius a piercing stare.

Like rushing water, the roaring laughter of the Great Hall finally met Sirius’s ears.

With a smile that did not quite reach his eyes, he laughed along with them.

 

 

 

Notes:

Hello beautiful peopleeee it’s me I’m backkkkk long time no seeeeeeeeeee hehehehehe. As I’ve said many times, unfortunately because of my job/life I cant guarantee when updates will come out but please rest assured I will be finishing this!!!

Hope you enjoyed :) feel free to drop me a comment with some feedback!! Love you all!!! Let’s recap:

-Aurelia forgave/believed way too quickly, I know. But it’s part of the story I swear. She’s a flawed character for sure and she’s never had real friends so this is hard for herrrrr
-Sirius is a bastard… a guilt ridden coward he is for sure
- I’m trying to highlight the bullying of the marauders and how they were bad people on “the good side” ykwim????
-Aurelia’s thoughts are rambling and repetitive; it’s on purpose. I’m trying to show the relentlessness of her own anxiety the constant questioning of reality and of the truth. Nothing is secure for her in her mind… it might be annoying but anxiety generally is, isn’t it?

Chapter 9: Week 12

Notes:

Sorry for the delay. I literally do not have time to write this. I am writing and posting from my phone so please excuse any typos!!! I will probably go back and fix them. It’s been so long I do recommend going back to catch up. NGL. I had to.

It had taken days for all ten of her toes to grow back and shed all the fur from her legs. It was particularly painful shrinking back down to her appropriate height, and no matter what Madam Pomfrey tried, her ears stubbornly remained slightly pointed at the very tip. It was… mortifying.

Aurelia felt violated–like she no longer had control over her body.

Regulus had barely spoken to her, only silently fuming and paced at the foot of her bed. He was acting like it was him who was humiliated in front of the whole school. His hair was disheveled from constantly running his hands through it, his shoulders were hunched and weary, but his eyes were dark with fury. Aurelia rolled her eyes in annoyance. Last she checked, she was the one who had to relearn how to walk thanks to her bloody hooves.

“Regulus, please I’m fine–” Aurelia tried.

“No,” he snapped, and then he kept pacing.

“Regulus, what are you thinking?” Aurelia tried again.

But he wouldn’t answer.

He only stopped to rush off to his classes in a quiet, subdued rage. He was like a coiled rattlesnake, pooling venom in the back of his mouth, waiting on the edge of his control to strike.

Aurelia felt exasperated. When she was alone with her thoughts, finally, she allowed herself to mourn her life before Regulus. How quiet and peaceful it had been, but how incredibly lonely. Ever since that fateful day in the Great Hall, when someone finally noticed her, and cared enough to draw near to her. Aurelia felt blindsided by how much she sacrificed.

It was too late to go back now, and she wouldn’t if she could.

That being said… Aurelia knew she was foolish to ever think that Sirius was capable of leaving her alone. He was nothing but a cruel bully after all, incapable of remorse. She felt him glaring holes into the side of her head, probably waiting in obsessive fascination for her to sprout fur on her legs.

Gods, the laughter was still ringing in her ears.

Aurelia buried her face in her hands and groaned.

“Something the matter, dear?” Madam Pomfrey chimed from across the Hospital Wing.

“Nothing, Madam Pomfrey,” Aurelia called back. “Well… when do you think I’ll be fixed up enough to go back to classes?”

Madam Pomfrey shuffled over, her matron’s apron swishing with each step.

“I want to try one more spell to fix those ears of yours… one more night with me and hopefully you’ll be back to normal!”

Aurelia ran a finger over the point of her ear. “Hopefully it works,” she agreed.

Madam Pomfrey gave Aurelia an encouraging nod, and left her alone to her thoughts.

One more night, Aurelia thought to herself. One more night, and then I will get stronger.

Aurelia couldn’t allow something like this to happen to her again. The days of sitting idly by for Regulus to swoop in and save her or avenge her were over. If she truly wanted to be part of Regulus’s world, she would need to fight for her place. There would be no more avoiding the center of the crossfire. Aurelia was resolved. She would be resilient. She would arm herself in the most Slytherin way. She would study and would wait in the eaves of Regulus’s life ready to strike.

She knew what laid the days beyond graduation. Deep down, Aurelia accepted that war was coming. She knew that Regulus had made his choice, and others would soon make their own. Fighting for good or evil, light and dark, and Aurelia… 

Aurelia would choose Regulus in all of the shadowed grey.

 

---

 

Sometime in the night, Aurelia jolted awake to the sound of frantic whispering and quick shuffling steps.

Aurelia blinked the sleep from her eyes, and shifted around the stiff blankets of her hospital bed. The hospital wing was dark, and the glow of wandlight drifted through and beneath the thin divider. The whispers drew near, and the bed next to Aurelia’s creaked with the added weight of a newly admitted patient.

“... hurry! Before she bleeds out!” Madam Pomfrey snapped.

Aurelia eyes widened, and she drew the covers up to her chin, listening carefully.

Madam Pomfrey murmured various spells hurriedly; flashes of healing charms and diagnostic spells glowing golden yellow from beyond the curtain.

“Essence of dittany and blood replenishing potion… quickly now!” Madam Pomfrey ordered… perhaps to Slughorn? Anyone who was there seemed to be as stunned into silence as Aurelia was, and could only listen in horror.

“That should do it…” Madam Pomfrey whispered. “It’s a blessed thing that she was brought here so quickly.”

“Within our own castle walls, Albus,” said the unmistakable Scottish brogue of Professor Mcgonagall. “Students torturing other students!”

Aurelia bit back a gasp, biting her knuckles. Torture?

“Something must be done about this, Albus,” chided Madam Pomfrey. “I’ll not have it! Hogwarts is meant to be safe from the darkness of war.”

“Well hold on a moment, now Poppy, we can’t know for sure what occurred without testimony from the girl,” reasoned Slughorn. “Throwing accusations around left and right will get us nowhere.”

Aurelia swallowed back her disgust. The perpetrator must be a Slytherin if Slughorn was already trying to manipulate the situation to get the smallest punishment possible.

“You can’t be serious, Horace!” Mcgonagall said, outraged. “Miss McDonald has been tortured, the evidence is clear, and with You-Know-Who gaining supporters left and right in this very castle, you of all people should know which students are most vulnerable to his influence! They are all in your very house! I won’t have you minimizing punishment for something as dire as this!”

“Hush now Minerva,” Dumbledore said, his gravelly voice like a balm in the tense conversation. “There are other students sleeping in this very wing. There will be no answers tonight. We will reconvene in the morning once Miss McDonald has awoken.”

Slughorn sighed in relief. “Exactly my point, Albus! I was just–”

“That being said, let us rest assured that no stone goes unturned… or unpunished, Horace,” Dumbledore warned, his voice deepening with a sense of foreboding.

“I-I, right yes, of course, Albus! Well then, goodnight to you all!” Slughorn stuttered.

Aurelia relaxed her shoulders into the mattress as the teachers bid each other goodbye. Madam Pomfrey continued to hold silent vigil next to the young tortured student. It must have been Mary MacDonald, Aurelia reasoned. A muggbleborn witch from Gryffindor, and an easy target, she surmised.

Aurelia’s thoughts soured. If it’s as the teacher suspected, then Aurelia knew it could be none other than the aspiring Death Eaters of her year who made the attempt on poor Mary’s life. Aurelia’s chest burned with embittered rage. More innocent life risked for the sake of ridiculously foolish and factually incorrect eugenics!

Aurelia’s mind couldn’t help but picture Regulus, standing there watching Mary get tortured at the hands of his so-called friends, her stomach churning in disgust. Just a few hours ago, Aurelia had resolved to make herself stronger to be part of Regulus’s world, to help him “make things right,” as he had so eloquently put it. Now… now she was not sure she wanted anything to do with it at all. This was a line that she could not and would not cross.

A line that he crossed without sparing her a second thought.

Aurelia shut her eyes tightly, trying to shut out all the noise and returned to the blankness of sleep.

 

---

 

The next morning, Madam Pomfrey reluctantly gave Aurelia the all clear.

“I would have liked to see nice rounded ears by this morning, Miss Centore, but alas,” Madam Pomfrey said with a sigh. “Either way, pointy ears won’t prevent you from learning during classes so this will have to be goodbye for the two of us. I better not see you again until graduation!”

Aurelia huffed, but smiled at Madam Pomfrey’s warm familiarity. “I’ll try not to come back any time soon, Madam Pomfrey.”

She smiled, and twirled a lock of hair behind Aurelia’s pointed ear. “That’s a girl,” she said fondly, her wrinkled cheeks lifted with a familiar smile.

Madam Pomfrey left Aurelia to get ready for the day, and Aurelia peeled off the hospital gown in favor of her Slytherin uniform. Aurelia slipped her feet into her boots and tucked her wand safely into the sleeve of her robes. She stepped out from behind the curtain and walked past her roommate. A flash of brilliant red caught Aurelia’s eye and she stopped, poking her head into Mary’s sick bay.

It was Lily, holding a silent vigil and clutching Mary’s left hand.

Aurelia swallowed her secondhand guilt. I didn’t do this, she reminded herself, but she could feel her suspicion of Regulus smothering her like a woollen, itchy sweater. 

Lily’s normally vibrant and expressive face was flat and pale. Her spirit was dulled, her shoulders hunched, and her green eyes flickered over Mary’s face, cataloguing her features.

Aurelia attempted to retreat, but her boot caught on the squeaky wheel of the divider curtains. Lily jerked to stand, clearly startled, but narrowed her eyes upon seeing Aurelia as the intruder.

“Centore,” she said coldly.

Aurelia bowed her head, unsurprised, but still felt the sting. Lily’s historical line of questioning lent itself to the cold greeting. Lily likely felt affirmed in her belief that Aurelia really was one of them.

“Hi Lily,” Aurelia said, “I’m really sorry about MacDonald… I-”

“I know you’re not sorry, Centore, so you can save your breath!” Lily snapped, her face as red as the hair on her head. “I can’t believe how stupid I was to believe that you were nothing like your housemates.”

Aurelia flushed with shame, and with uncharacteristic honesty, tried to explain, “I swear I’m not, I–”

“Stop!” She said, her green eyes flashing. “If that were true, then how could you let this happen?”

“I didn’t! I didn’t know–”

“No! You did this, I know you did, it’s the only logical answer!”

“Lily, for Merlin’s sake, I swear I had no idea this was going to happen!”

Lily scoffed, completely in disbelief, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms.

“I honestly thought you didn’t care about Potter and Black messing with you. But this? Over a harmless prank?” she hissed.

Aurelia’s blood ran cold. “A harmless prank, Lily? Is that really what you think?” Aurelia said, her hands clenched into fists.

“You look perfectly fine to me!” Lily huffed.

“You don’t know what it’s like, Lily! Lying on the dungeon floor, bleeding, and not knowing if someone was coming to find you,” Aurelia blurted out around the lump in her throat.

Aurelia fought the urge to cover her mouth. I can’t believe I just said that, she thought to herself, eyes wide and brimming with tears. She hated what happened to Mary. Aurelia knew how cruel it was, and gooseflesh erupted over her skin with her own memory of being beaten bloody by a classmate. She would never wish it or sanction it on anyone. Never. But Lily clearly couldn’t see that.

“Maybe I don’t know what that’s like, but Mary does!” Lily insisted.

“So do I!” Aurelia said, her tears spilling over. “Just ask Sirius Black,” she finished with a hiss.

Aurelia turned, and fled the hospital wing, leaving a shocked Lily in her wake.

Aurelia blinked back the tears, and swallowed the lump in her throat, hurriedly walking to the Great Hall, where she was sure Regulus was waiting for her. Breakfast was in full swing, but the air was somber as the news of Mary’s attack circulated the tables. Aurelia sat beside Regulus who was eyeing her warily.

“Aurelia?” he whispered, seeing her glassy eyes

“Not now, Regulus.”

Aurelia couldn’t stomach the thought of eating anything that morning, and drew what little comfort she could from sitting in Regulus’s presence. Her slowing heart felt like a bitter brick in her stomach. How could she draw comfort from him now? Not when she knew he was involved with attacking an innocent person.

Aurelia was disturbed, but she couldn’t let it show. She would simmer and wait until the time was right. Then she’d take matters into her own hands.

 

---

 

When Sirius finally heard the news of Mary’s attack, his guilt dissolved.

Amongst himself and the three of his friends, they all agreed that Aurelia, in league with Regulus as she was, sanctioned Mary’s attack as a form of revenge. Sirius knew now that Aurelia was likely as good as Marked.

Without his guilt hanging onto him like a parasite, Sirius returned to his usual charming self. After all, he was completely absolved. Maybe he would even tell the lads about his encounter with Aurelia after all. Maybe they’d even celebrate him! Aurelia was just another blood purist snake like the rest of Slytherin—she deserved everything she got.

Just like Regulus.

In the Common Room after breakfast, Sirius and the boys were sitting in their usual spots, lounging on the couches and armchairs in front of the fire. James had taken to fiddling with a golden snitch, tossing it into the air, and catching it just before it could fly off. Remus, of course, had his nose deep inside a hefty book. Peter dozed sleepily, his head lolling onto the armrest.

Sirius stood, restless, and began to pace before the flickering flames, his shadow passing over each of his friends faces. Have courage now, Black, he thought to himself. It was the perfect time to expose Aurelia’s true nature.

“Sirius Black!”

The fire sparked. Sirius jerked his attention to the portrait hole, where in stormed Lily Evans.

She was clearly furious: her hair had puffed up, her brows were severely downturned, and her fists were clenched so tightly her knuckles had gone white.

“Oi, Pads, what have you done now?” James said with a lazy smile, tossing his snitch back up in the air.

“Why, Prongs, I haven’t the foggiest!” Sirius replied, an easy, debonair smirk creeping onto his face. He looked to Lily with half lidded eyes. “Evans, darling, I can’t even begin to tell you—“

“Enough with the games, the lot of you!” Lily exclaimed, the ends of her red hair sparking in time with the licking flames. “I know what you did, Sirius Black,” she hissed with vehemence, “and don’t you dare pretend that you didn’t!”

The smirk on Sirius’s face faltered. She can’t mean about what happened with Aurelia, could she? 

Sirius regrouped. “Now, Evans, whatever it is you think you know, I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation—“ 

“Don’t try to charm your way out of this, Black!”

“Whoa, Evans,” James said, holding up two placating hands. “Give the poor man a chance to explain!”

“Shut up, Potter! You wouldn’t be saying that if you knew what he did!” Lily said shrilly.

He looked frantically to James and then Remus and then Peter, who were all looking back at him with questions in their eyes.

“I-I—“

“Go on!” Lily demanded. “Spit it out!”

Sirius’s heart raced, and his face felt flushed.

“Just tell us, Sirius, I’m sure we can sort out whatever it is,” James placated.

Sirius squeezed his eyes shut and took a deep breath—jokes, sarcasm, and charm aching to fly past his lips, but he knew that it would all fall apart in light of Lily’s demand for honesty.

Sirius licked his lips and jitters overtook his fingers. “You have to understand, I thought I was doing right by Remus.” 

“By Merlin,” Remus said, his face beginning to pale. “What in Godric’s name did you do?”

Lily crossed her arms and huffed expectantly. “Spit it out, Sirius!”

Sirius bowed his head—his shame too great to meet their eyes during his confession.

“I… I may have intimidated Centore a bit—“

“‘A bit’, Sirius?” Lily exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. “A bit?! She was in the hospital wing for days!”

“You mean… she didn’t fall down the stairs?” Peter peeped, his watery eyes widening.

“I’m sorry…” Remus interjected, standing up. His height casting a looming shadow over Sirius. “You put a girl in the hospital wing as a favor to me?” He was fuming, clenched fists shaking by his sides.

“I know how it looks—“ Sirius tried.

“No, Sirius! I don’t think you do!” James argued, the golden snitch fluttering absently in the air, forgotten. “Explain to us how it should look then.”

Sirius winced. “I thought she knew Moony’s secret! I had to be sure she wouldn’t say anything!”

“And did she know, Sirius?” Lily demanded. Lily had long since known of Remus’s furry little problem and was herself sworn to secrecy.

“Well… I-“

“It’s like you don’t fucking think!” Remus growled. “We told you to let it lie!”

“Remus, please—“

“No, Sirius! Mary’s attack may as well have been by our bloody hand! Don’t you see?”

“By fucking Merlin,” James said, connecting the dots in his mind. His eyes were wide, darting across Sirius’s face in accusatory horror. “It wasn’t an out of the blue attack at all! It was retaliation! You let us turn her into a fucking centaur!”

Sirius wilted under the weight of their disappointment at his foolishness. So this was it. This was the end of the line for him. He knew what he’d done was unforgivable, but he had fooled himself into believing they would clap him on the back.

“She’s not like them, Sirius,” Lily flopped onto the plush loveseat beside James, spent, like the fuel of her anger had simply burnt up. “I know what you must think of her, but she’s not like them. I don’t know how or why, but she just… isn’t. What’s worse is… you’ve done to Aurelia what they’ve done to Mary. And you did it first.”

 

---

 

When Aurelia stormed into the Slytherin common room, Regulus was waiting for her by the Black Lake window.

She was furious. She was confused. She was heartbroken. So many questions pinballed across her mind like a bludger between two beater’s bats. Where was the Regulus that she had begun to cherish? Where was the sweet boy who cuddled her cat in her absence?

This Regulus condoned and sanctioned unforgivable cruelty on innocents. This Regulus was a Death Eater.

He wasn’t sitting in his chair this time. He waited, standing in front of the window, his arms crossed, creating an imposing image with his uniform shirt stretched tight across his forearms. His scowl was menacing, making it look like he’d cast wards around himself, urging people to stay away.

Aurelia’s heart cracked with every step she took near him, her eyes burning with the threat of tears. Her long wavy hair fell flat and depressed down her back.

He met her eye, and his posture softened. He opened his body to her, reaching for her hand.

She ignored it. “Regulus—“

“Not here.” He said.

He walked past her, took her hand and led her out of the common room.

His steps were harried, with stormy eyes glancing over his shoulder at her and all around them.

He brought them to an empty potions classroom, and Aurelia finally wrenched herself away from him. She backed up against a wall of cauldrons, as far away from him as she could get in the dark. 

Hurt flashed over his face before cold steel could hide his emotions.

“Unforgivables, Regulus? On students?” Aurelia stared at him, aghast.

“Listen to me,” Regulus said urgently, begging her to understand. “They wanted to kill her. Do you understand that? That girl would be dead right now if it weren’t for me.”

Aurelia said nothing, but her eyes widened in horror.

“This was the best I could get them to agree to,” he said, continuing. “They were bloodthirsty.”

“Bloodthirsty?” Aurelia whispered. “Magical blood is magical blood.”

“I know that, Aurelia, but—“

“Do you, Regulus? A girl was tortured because of you!”

“And thanks to me she’s still breathing!” Regulus shouted.

Aurelia flinched back from him, sending a tower of cauldrons careening to the ground.  The sound echoed off the stone walls of the classroom, ringing in Aurelia’s ears and rattling her brain.

“I’m sorry,” he said. His posture relaxed. His eyes were wide, imploring with her. “I… I know what you must think of me. But please, I need to pretend for a little while longer.”

“How much longer?” Aurelia asked urgently. “The future is in motion in a way that you wouldn’t even begin to understand! It won’t wait for you.”

“The future?” Regulus wrinkled his nose in confusion. “What is it? What do you know?”

Aurelia opened her mouth, then quickly shut it. The knowledge of the prophecy was priceless information. If Regulus was pretending as he said he was, then it’s possible he’d make contact with the Dark Lord if he hadn’t already. And if Dumbledore easily plucked the information from her own head, then Regulus would be vulnerable to the same danger if he knew.

Aurelia swallowed.

“Learn Occlumency. Then I’ll tell you.”

Notes:

This was a tough one to get out bc I’m bored of all the tension and want to write fluff. Alas. It is not time. Also I don’t have time to write this bc I work full time and i have a 2 yr old lmfao. Anyways. Would love feedback!! Kisses.