Genetics • Sirius Black

Chapter Seven: It's An Invitation.

The month before O.W.L.S. varied from person to person. For some, it was just another month closer to summer, others it a sign they probably should start studying, but rather than acting, they pushed it a week later.

Freya Grey, however, was so far into another Herbology book that she hadn't seen the rush of owls enter the dining hall.

"Freya," Lily repeated this time, and Regulus swiftly hitting Freya's shin.

Freya nearly smacked Regs over the head but cooled into a calm expression as she looked at her red-haired friend. "Yes, Lily?"

The Gryffindor didn't respond, only pointed at the Daily Prophet halfway in Freya's eggs. Damn, Isra. Freya flushed slightly and took the paper from the owl. Those year-long seemed like a good idea until you realize you don't actually care about what Minister had an affair with who or which witch was trafficking goods to Malaysia.

Morning mail time was only nice to people who got letters from their parents checking in or telling them how their aunt was doing. It was plain annoying for anyone else.

Hoots and free-falling mailing fell on platters.

A light brown owl swooped next to Lily with solid grace and politely set it on the area next to her food. Freya looked at Isra pointedly, who chirped with demands of food, and she pet its head fondly and did so.

Isra was given to Freya in her first year by her father; she initially wanted a toad but liked the practicality of an owl. She was a muted color, nearly grey, but not quite, yet her eyes were the same near black as Freya's. The shopkeeper had let them open the door to pet the owl since it was considered to be rather tame. Once the metal door had swung open, the owl flown out instantly and nearly knocked down a tall woman wearing a hat.

Soon after, Freya and her father purchased the owl. Freya trained her well, despite getting bitten repeatedly whenever they went near a cage.

A sleek black owl, almost resembling a crow, flew down and dropped a few pieces of mail on Regulus's lap. Before even looking at the mail, Regs gently rubbed Canopus's feathery neck with his finger.

Freya often wondered if poor relationships with parents lead to close wizard-owl companionships.

Sevs, who didn't have an owl, sat and ate his toast awkwardly until Freya pointed at an article about something vaguely potions related to getting his dark eyes to relax. Thankfully, someone had stolen quite a large amount of Jobberknoll feathers.

"Potion." He answered quickly, the corners of his mouth perked with pride and interest. It was an odd game they played at times. "Veritaserum."

"Truth-telling serum." Freya nodded, then noticed how quiet Regs had gotten.

In his thin fingers were two letters, one opened and plain white, the other still sealed tightly clutched in his hands. His head turned up, a tense knot in his chest, and gently passed the letter to Freya. "For you."

Lily had finished reading her letter and bit her lip as Freya took the note from Reg's hands. "What is it?"

"It's an invitation." The curly-haired girl felt the thick paper in her hand, expensive. In a smooth twirled font, her name was written on it. She pried it open and hid her worry as her eyes clawed over the paper. "It's for a dinner party."

"You don't have to go," Regs said swiftly, folding his letter up and sticking it in his coat. He held his breath, he had made sure to never mention who he was hanging out with. "Mother probably just wanted another person mingling. Perhaps one of her attempts to find a girl to soothe my brother's tempers." Details and specifics were unnecessary to his family, he was doing good and being the opposite of his brother, that's all they needed.