Genetics • Sirius Black

Chapter Nine: Explains The Marigolds, Then.

By the time Freya Grey was sitting in her train compartment on her way back home, she had come up with at least two dozen ways she was going to murder the Marauders. Particularly, Sirius had some rather gruesome ideas; one included being dangled off the edge of the astronomy tower by his toenails.

Every student of Hogwarts had received a very annoying morning gift by the four boys as a farewell.

With her finally charmed back black hair, Freya furiously penned in her journal some things she needed to get done once she was home(though some margins were filled with notes on some nasty undetectable potions).

Regulus leaned on the seat beside her, didn't even look up from his sketchbook. "Careful, Freya, scowling causes wrinkles."

"Your git of a brother causes more." Freya huffed under her breath, then unknitted her brows and gently touched her forehead, making sure the skin was still smooth under her fingers which made Regulus chuckle.

It was just the two of them for the train ride; Lily had chosen to sit with Marlene and her friends while Severus followed, or so they were told.

This was fine for her because Freya's hangover cure potion wasn't as strong as she would have liked and would have died asking Severus or Regulus for one.

Just then the trolley lady passed by their closed doors, and Freya watched the sweet delight go past them. No, you don't need sweets, Freya reminded herself but looked at Regulus. He shared the same look. She sighed as if it were his idea then tucked her diary in her bag.

Regulus pulled out a money pouch, but Freya shook her head. "I've got it."

"Freya," He sighed, then held out a few Galleons to her. "Just take the money... it'd be rude not to." Lips pressed together, she took it, and he smiled slightly. "I'd like some chocolate-"

"You'll get what I give you," Freya said, then closed the door behind her as she went to track down the trolley lady.

After waiting a painfully long time for some first years to decide(really, they'd be back here over a dozen times, and it was like they picking which one to mate with), Freya smiled kindly at the old woman.

Sweet as taffy and twice tough, the wrinkled lady turned to her. "Anything off the trolly, love?"

"Two chocolate cauldrons and some sugar quills, please." She handed her only two of the seven Galleons Regs had given her. Honestly, she was rather concerned about him being ripped off if he thought she would need seven Galleons for some candy.

"One Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans and five chocolate frogs, thank you, beautiful." A voice said beside her to the Trolley Lady, and she turned just in time to see him wink. She wanted to hex him right there.

He turned to her and grinned. "Surprised you're not bent over in the bathroom right now."

Freya was shocked. "Excuse you?"

"The hangover." He explained obviously and saw Freya's eyes turn slightly less angry with understanding, then continued. "You were piss drunk last night." Back came the anger.

Freya grabbed the treats the Trolley Lady had been holding out for her and politely thanked her, though she hoped the woman hadn't heard much about her being "piss drunk" then glanced at Sirius. "Pleasure speaking to you as always."

Promptly she turned on her heel, rather infuriated.

With long strides, Sirius caught up with her, juggling the frogs in his hands. "Marlene and Lily got the sandwiches." He managed to step in front of her and continued. "Marlene was passed out by then, and Lily puked in a plant, but they got them."

"Is that all, Black?" Freya wanted to forget the whole night, and, until five minutes ago, she had been quite successful. But there it was with a cheeky grin and messy hair.

"Almost." He leaned forward, his eyes inspecting hers and she met his gaze. "Do you really think I have a nice ass?"

Her cheeks turned bright red, and she huffed as she pushed past him.

Sirius let out a bark of laughter, watching her briskly nearly clobber a short blonde boy on her way back to her cabin. Yet, he couldn't help but think about what she had said then the night before.

"What ya looking at?" James said suddenly, peaking over Sirius' shoulder.

"Nothing," Sirius said, tearing his gaze from Freya quickly.

James found where Sirius' eyes were, then lightly swatted Sirius' head. "Oi, stalk girls on your own time. Remus is getting peckish."

"Oh, yeah? Like you?" Sirius grinned, and James flushed slightly, before wrapping his arm around his neck and smiling.

***

Most students met their parents King's Cross, with a few exceptions, like Severus or Freya. The former had Lily's parents give him a ride(against his will), and the latter was thankful she was able to perfect muggle transportation last year and could get home without issue.

With only two bags, a briefcase, and a suitcase, Freya arrived at her home, a tall white and grey place. It was rather old, the paint wasn't in a good condition, and the nine months away hadn't helped with anything besides the flower garden near its front gate. It was pressed closely next to both neighboring houses.

Chin up and releasing a tense breath, she walked up the pathway(noting the squeaking gate), and unlocked the door with the key underneath one of the gnomes her mother liked.

She stepped in, lightly set her items down, and closed the door.

"Freya, dear? Is that you, moonlight?" Her mother called from the living room, and Freya followed her voice, nearly tripping over one of the many books scattered around.

"Yes, mother."

The room was already on the smaller side, but the piles of books on shelves and across the hard tile floor made it more cluttered. They made it nearly impossible to use any of the furniture, besides the one plush beige chair her mother sat in. Her mother, Aysun, adored books and mythology, and soon they became the only things she lived off of.

The curly-haired girl carefully walked over to her mother, who was staring out the window. Her mother wasn't very old, but something about her made her look like wilted beauty. Eyes almost faded into smoke, she asked. "School's over already?"

Swallowing, with a hard mix of emotions, Freya answered calmly. "It's July, mother."

"Explains the marigolds, then."

Aysun wasn't always like this, but time never favored the sweet. Seventeen years ago, two years before her daughter, she had been a bright witch moving with the love of her life to a new country with the hopes of becoming a scholar or an ancient runes translator. It felt like too long for her to remember.

When her mother made no further comment, Freya straightened out her shoulders. "I'm visiting my friend this summer."

"Which friend?"

Freya didn't know why she asked, it's not like she knew any of them, but, still answered. "Regulus Black, he's one of Walburga's boys." She had hoped her mother would at least remember the last name from her father's time at the ministry, but Aysun remained staring off into the distance. "Orion's son." Her mother's face didn't change. "I'll fix us some supper."

"Thank you, moonshine." Her mother said with her thin voice.