An unlikely pair

2

Sirius Black raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of confusion and amusement as he gently pried the blonde girl’s arms off him. “Sorry, but do I know you?” he asked, his sharp grey eyes scanning her face for a hint of familiarity.

The girl gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. “I’m offended! Sirius Black, you are the reason my hair is blonde now. It used to be black, just like yours!” She tossed her golden locks over her shoulder in mock indignation, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

Sirius froze for a moment, and then recognition lit up his face. “Valen?! Merlin’s beard, it’s been ages!” he exclaimed, breaking into laughter. He swept her off her feet and spun her around, both of them laughing like old friends reunited.

“Alright, alright, you idiot! Put me down!” Valentina demanded, swatting at his shoulder. Sirius set her down gently, still grinning from ear to ear. “Where’s your brother?” she asked, brushing herself off.

“Here,” came a smooth voice as Regulus stepped out from behind James, his expression curious yet composed.

Valentina’s face lit up again. “Regulus! You’ve grown up so much!” she exclaimed, pinching his cheeks with mock affection. Regulus squirmed away, trying to maintain his dignity.

“What’s going on?” James, Peter, and Remus asked simultaneously, looking between the two Black brothers and this mysterious girl.

Sirius cleared his throat, still grinning. “Long story short, we used to hang out every weekend when we were kids—three or four, maybe? Then her family moved to France, and we lost touch. And now here she is!” He gestured grandly to Valentina, who gave a playful curtsy.

James stepped forward with his usual charm. “James Potter. Nice to meet you.” He extended his hand, but before Valentina could take it, Regulus grabbed it and laced his fingers through James’s.

“Taken,” Regulus declared smugly, tilting his head up slightly.

Valentina raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by the possessive display. “So that’s why your mother disowned you. Fantastic!”

The boys exchanged confused glances, not quite understanding her enthusiasm. Why would someone celebrate Regulus’s disownment?

Valentina noticed their expressions and rolled her eyes. “It means I don’t have to marry him anymore. My parents were insufferable about that.”

Remus chuckled, already liking this fiery girl. “Remus Lupin. Also taken,” he said, throwing a sly wink at Sirius, who turned an uncharacteristic shade of pink.

“Good luck,” Valentina teased, her grin wicked. “He’s always been a pain in the ass.”

“He still is,” Remus quipped, “but I love him for it.”

Peter shyly stepped forward next. “Hi, I’m Peter Pettigrew.”

Valentina’s bright smile immediately put him at ease. “Lovely to meet you, Peter,” she said warmly.

“So, Valentina, was it?” James asked. “What house are you in?”

“None yet,” Valentina replied, slipping her hands into the pockets of her jeans. “I haven’t been sorted. I figure they’ll do it tonight.”

As she spoke, her gaze wandered to a red-haired girl walking past them.

“Straight,” Remus said matter-of-factly.

“What?” Valentina blinked, turning her attention back to him.

“Lily Evans—the girl you were staring at—she’s straight,” Remus clarified with a smirk.

Valentina rolled her eyes but said nothing, clearly unbothered by his teasing.

Sirius broke the silence. “Do you want to hang out with us? We were just heading to the Room of Requirement.” He wasn’t entirely honest—they had no plans to go there—but he was desperate to spend more time catching up with her.

She agreed, and soon the group was lounging on a large, cozy couch in front of a roaring fireplace in the magical room.

“So, let me get this straight,” Valentina said, her legs crossed as she leaned back, watching the Marauders with an incredulous expression. “You’ve given yourselves ridiculous nicknames for no apparent reason, and you’ve also created a map that tracks everyone within the school and even the village nearby?”

“Pretty much, yeah,” James confirmed with a cheeky grin.

Valentina pointed at each of them as she recited their nicknames. “Remus is Moony. James is Prongs. Peter is Wormtail. And Sirius is Padfoot.”

The boys nodded, looking oddly proud.

“Well, this has been… enlightening,” Valentina said, shaking her head in disbelief.

Peter stretched, groaning dramatically. “We should head back. It’s almost dinner, and I’m starving.”

“You’re always starving,” Regulus teased as he stood, smoothing out his robes.

When they entered the Great Hall, the buzz of conversation immediately quieted as every eye turned toward Valentina. Whispers rippled through the room, students openly staring at the blonde girl who wasn’t wearing a uniform and somehow already seemed part of the infamous Marauders’ circle.

James kissed Regulus on the cheek before they parted for their respective tables. “See you tomorrow in class, babe.”

Before anyone could settle down, Dumbledore stood, his voice commanding attention. “Before we begin, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Princess Valentina Lafenier, the daughter of a dear friend.”

The room erupted in gasps and hushed whispers.

The Marauders—save for Sirius—looked utterly gobsmacked. Princess?

“Now, Miss Lafenier,” McGonagall called, holding the Sorting Hat, “if you’ll step forward, we can place you in your house.”

Valentina approached the stool with poise, sitting down as the hat was placed on her head. After a brief pause, it shouted, “SLYTHERIN!”

The Slytherin table exploded in cheers, louder than usual, clearly delighted by their new royal addition. But Valentina didn’t move toward them. Instead, she casually strolled to the Gryffindor table and sat down between Peter and James.

“Miss Lafenier,” McGonagall called sharply, her tone firm. “The Slytherin table is over there.”

Valentina blinked, as if the thought of sitting anywhere else hadn’t occurred to her. She turned and waved at Regulus. “Reg, come sit with me!”

Regulus gave her a faint smile and shook his head, gesturing that he was fine where he was.

Clearly, he had forgotten one crucial thing about Valentina Lafenier: she never took no for an answer.

With a determined stride, she marched over to the Slytherin table, tapped him on the shoulder, and dragged him by the ear to the Gryffindor table, ignoring his protests. She only released him once he was seated next to James, and she reclaimed her spot.

“Was that really necessary?” Regulus grumbled, rubbing his ear.

“Yes,” Valentina said with a triumphant grin, finally turning her attention to the feast before her.

Fifteen minutes later, the doors to the Great Hall creaked open, and a commotion outside drew everyone's attention. Whatever had happened, it was enough to make the entire room burst into laughter.