Genetics • Sirius Black

Chapter Eighty: Add Another Scar To Your Collection.

Knowledge is power. With every new piece of information gained came an ability to twist and pull at reality. It was not a quick process; sometimes, the information spurred more questions than it answered, but that only meant your mind was too shallow before it. Freya Grey believed anything could be achieved with the application of the correct information.

She wore her skirts half an inch longer than usual to match other girls Barty introduced her to. All of her clothes were black or green, except her school shirts. Jewelry was worn often but not excessively. A simple pendent— the one Lily had given her— rested on her neck.

Barty Crouch Jr. did most of the talking, and she was thankful for it since there were enough snide, arrogant, or ignorant things spoken by some of the others to make Freya want to drag them to the ground with a few words. Frequently, Barty would touch her arm or some piece of her when he spoke, but she knew she was not expected to return the favor. Her hands were kept to herself, though she could not seem guarded.

He guided her to the group by the small of her back in the corner of the common room, and they all exchanged pleasantries. Alecto Carrow, who stuck to Evan Rosier's side like a dog, greeted her with the most enthusiasm. Finnick Mulciber smiled charmingly. Seraphine Wilkes and Mason Avery gave her the barest bit of regard, while Severus Snape could not seem to afford any. On the other hand, Evan Rosier had beaming grin that was a blinding white. "We were discussing summer homes, but none of us have visited the Middle East? Is it as sandy as I've heard?"

She felt Barty's fingers press into her lightly in a warning, and she forced a calm, pleasant expression. "If you're in the Empty Quarter, I am sure."

"You've never been?" He lifted a brow. "Surely, you've visited the rest of your family."

At this point, Mason was rolling his eyes, and Finnick's attention darted back to Freya for her response. Alecto, tense, forced a smile on her face, wishing the tension to dissipate, and Seraphine withheld a sigh but kept her flat eyes on the olive-skinned witch. Anytime Freya and Evan had to interact, Evan would make a point of reminding her that she was not one of them. Not rich. Not elite. Not important.

It was getting painfully annoying for the rest of them, who could not give a rat's arse about it. Pure was pure. Unfortunately, Evan was the highest because he got the Dark Mark before them, amplifying his already proud personality.

"My family is not partial to travel." Her voice was smooth and refined as she spoke, and Severus played with his fingers, watching them both with hooded eyes.

Legilimency was a problematic science. They poured over it for hours and hours for nearly a year. All to use occlumency to shield against it. During their work, Freya affirmed the distinction between Severus and her. Severus was a natural genius, and Freya was a learned one. She made him pull at her mind again and again till she could block with ease. He breached her mind like she had done to his and more.

Both of them knew they were not bones for the sake of style, nor were they clever for pleasure. He lived in a shack. She lived in the bones of her father's wasted memory. It was no wonder either of them danced into the devil's den as soon as they saw gold.

"Odd." Evan toyed. "Then why'd they come all the way over here?"

"The tea, obviously." Sarcasm soaked her words, and her gaze shifted sharply in a fraction of a second. Finnick was the only one to make a noise and he snorted. Everybody else was dead silent. Tension grew thick in the air, but neither broke eye contact.

Lightly, Barty tapped his fingers on Freya's back, then whispered lowly into her ear. "Grey, give me a minute, will you? We'll talk later."

Her blood turned hot at the realization she had broken protocol, and she gave a soft bow. "I needed to head to the library, anyway."