𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 - 𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐱 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 1

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Summer passed fast and soon (Y/N)'s third year in Hogwarts would be starting. Some things had happened during her vacations, Sam hadn't been returning anyone's owls, her grandma left home recurretly, and she had started to get interested in the topic of blood purity after finding a book about muggle borns and how they are a disgrace for the magical world.

(Y/N) spent most days in the library, in the same corner she had spent so many times last year. It was easy to concentrate in there, with her grandma gone and the elusive house elves not daring to show themselves; even if she didn't admit to anyone, not even herself, she didn't like the loneliness.

Some days before having to board the Hogwarts Express, after some days of being left alone her grandma came back really early in the morning, between 3 or 4 am. (Y/N) woke up, hoping to see her grandma again but at the time she put her slippers on and walked to her grandma's room that was on the other side of the marble mansion, she was long gone.

The next day Ms. Alaris didn't come back. The (Y/E/C) eyed girl was starting to worry that nobody would get her to station 9 and 3/4, until Louis' brown owl, Murlock came knocking on her window one day: her grandma had asked Mr and Ms. Bramhall to pick her up. The girl had wanted to meet his parents since first year and this would be the perfect chance.

And now here we are, (Y/N) biting her nails excitedly waiting for the Bramhall family to arrive. She had tried to look her best, she was wearing a brown plaid skirt with a gray turtleneck and short sleeves, the final touch being a yellow jacket and some black combat boots with gray socks. She almost jumped to the roof when someone knocked, she waited a few moments to open the door (trying not to seem desperate) and when she did, she came face to face with a middle-aged woman.

She had brown silky hair that almost reached her waist, blue eyes that resembled the sky and a white undershirt with blue pants and coat. Her husband was like an aged version of Louis. He, too, had brown hair, but with matching brown eyes.

"(Y/N) Alaris, right?", asked the woman with a charming smile, her dimples showing.

"Yeah. That's me, pleasure to meet you Mrs. and Mr. Bramhall."

"The pleasure is all ours. Shall we go?", (Y/N) nodded.

Station 9 and 3/4 was full of people, as usual. What was not usual was the feeling of disgust (Y/N) felt whenever a muggle accompanying their sons or daughters passed by her and slightly pushed her.

The girl saw how Louis said goodbye to his parents, his mom gave him a huge hug, with tears in her eyes while his dad nodded in acknowledgment.

His mom also hugged (Y/N), and for some seconds she didn't quite know how to return it; when she did, it was comforting and warm. Once again, Mr. Bramhall only gave a nod in acknowledge.

Both third years waved goodbye before entering the scarlet train, trying to find an empty compartment. When they did find it, (Y/N)'s cat Salem climbed on top of where Sam normally sat.

"Your parents are really nice, you should learn something from them", said (Y/N), nudging Louis slightly.
He chuckled and rolled his eyes playfully. "I hope Sam and Regulus hurry up."

The two chatted about their summers until the compartment door opened and a pale, slightly taller boy entered. He looked more skinny than last year and his dark hair had even more gel, looking extremely stiff.

Louis broke out laughing, "What happened to your hair?"

Regulus' ears and tip of nose turned red due to embarrassment, and he brought his hands up trying to cover his hair.

"Poor boy, leave him alone", chuckled (Y/N). Regulus sat down next to the girl, trying to pet Salem, who hissed and almost bit him.

Sam arrived moments after that, Salem instantly getting on her lap as soon as she sat down. She was the one that looked the most different out of them all, her long dreads that reached her waist were cut, and now they barely reached her shoulders.

The Hogwarts Express' engines started. The ride was uneventful, the 4 friends showing off their permission slips for Hogsmeades and how at the end of the day they didn't owl.

• • • • • • •

The sorting ceremony was so boring Sirius wished he'd missed it. The only way he got fun out of it was messing James' glasses up and drawing smiley faces on Peter's mashed potatoes.

He hadn't had a good summer, a horrible one at that. When he couldn't sleep due to the cold and silence, he imagined cool pranks to do.

In one of his daydreams and memories he started to wonder how Remus went away every month with a different excuse.

"Oh, yeah. My grandma is sick, and I have to see her."

"I forgot some books at home. Necessary books."

"Now my mom is sick, and only I know how to take care of her."

He had been using the same excuse for 1st and 2nd year, and he was either lying to all of them or his family got seasonal sicks, as these excuses seemed to be once a month with more scars and less body mass. He made a mental note to ask him whenever they had any time alone.

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𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓: 942 words