***
"I can't believe we lost the match," Audrey grumbled, looking down at her hands, a scowl visible on her face.
"You did good Aud," Alice spoke encouragingly, rubbing the girl's arm reassuringly. Audrey managed to give her a half-smile, the sourness of the defeat, and the pain from her leg not letting her react more.
Sirius shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He was still quite pissed off about the incident with Robert, and the conversation between Regulus and Audrey on the Quidditch Pitch. He knew that his brother was no good, and he didn't want any of his peers to mess around with the older Black, especially Audrey.
"So that's how we pulled-" James' voice sounded as the Black zoned in again.
"Audrey," Sirius blurted out interrupting James.
She looked at him in response before raising an eyebrow in question.
"What were you talking about with Regulus?" He asked looking at her.
The Potter looked at him with furrowed brows.
"I-er, we were just talking," she answered hesitantly, not entirely sure what to say to Sirius.
"About what?" he persisted again, keen on knowing the conversation that happened between his best friend and his arrogant brother. The Potter hesitated a bit more, not entirely sure how to reply.
"I guess we were just trying to psych each other out so that we lose concentration of the snitch," she replied after a pause, still not sure why she was being asked this by Sirius.
"You could've just searched for the snitch rather than flirting with my brother," he grumbled looking away.
"I'm sorry, what? What do you mean I was flirting with your brother?" she asked sharply.
"Well, it certainly looked like it. The two of you couldn't stop smiling at each other!" Sirius replied, his voice raising a bit.
"How does that even matter!?" Audrey said, her voice raising in the same manner that Sirius' was.
"Of course it matters! He's no good," Sirius said standing up.
"I think I can figure out good for myself Sirius!"
Sirius scoffed in return. "You don't know him like I do," he muttered, his voice dangerously calm, and subconsciously slammed his palms on the white sheets for forcefully. Right where Audrey's injured leg was.
She let out an involuntary cry of pain, looking at the Black with hurt eyes. An expression of guilt washed over his features immediately. Everyone looked at Sirius with widened eyes.
"I-I, I didnt mean to- I'm so sorr- I,"he fumbled across his words before walking out of the hospital wing hurriedly.
Audrey slammed her head against the bed head, tears glittering in her ocean eyes.
Not because of the pain. Because of the frustration. Because of the frustration at Sirius, at Robert, at the fact that they were not getting anywhere with the Animagus training, at the fact that her best friend still suffered on full moons alone, at school, at quidditch, at everything. At her feelings about Sirius. How he'd flirt with her, and then be seen snogging some 6th year. Or how he'd make her feel, and then use pickup lines at some random girl. At how she shouldn't have these feelings towards Sirius.
Frustration.
***
The Potter must have fallen asleep, because when she woke up after a few hours, the infirmary was dark. The room was eerily quiet, only two of the beds occupied, and the only sound that could be heard was the soft ticking of the clock.
She pushed herself up, grabbing the cool sheets on the bed for support. The soft crinkle of the crispness of the sheets broke the silence of the night. She glanced at her bedside table, two small bottles placed neatly with a note in Lily's handwriting informing her to take the potions.
She slipped on her shoes quietly, not wanting to wake anyone up. The soreness of her leg was almost gone, it was difficult to believe that she almost crushed it only hours ago. Downing the potions, she took a deep breath of the cool air. Soundlessly making her way across the marble floor, she exited the infirmary with practiced grace.
Pulling her cardigan tighter around her, she walked through the quiet corridors. The silence scared her, being so used to the voices and the laughs of students, the occasional shout of professors, the continuous echoing of footsteps, all a stark opposite to the night. A torn page of the Daily Prophet carried by the wind landed on the floor in front of her. Audrey picked it up carefully, reading the headline with furrowed brows.
Muggle family found murdered on Cornelia Street.
A muggle family with ties to the wizarding world through their daughter found brutally murdered on 24, Cornelia street. The victims seem to have been dead for five days before ministry Aurors found their bodies.
Identified victims: Josh Raymond, Melinda Raymond, and Taylor Raymond (pictured left to right).
The dark mark was found splayed in the air right after the accident. The neighbors of the three give a statement (continued on page three).
The frown on Audrey's face kept getting deeper as she read through the article. The war was upon them, anyone who believed otherwise was just oblivious or in denial. But seeing innocent people getting murdered made everything sink in deeper. She was scared to death for Lily, she was the only person whose blood status was a point of concern, muggle-borns being targeted ferociously. She was scared for her parents, their lives being targeted every day being Aurors. She was scared for Sirius, his family being so closely affiliated with the dark arts. One day he wouldn't be able to defend himself. Someday it would become too much, and he would give in. And that thought scared her more than anything.
She crumpled up the piece of paper, placing it into her cardigan's pocket. Audrey walked further, no exhaustion present in her body. The moonlight shone brightly, the full moon almost upon them. The soft light illuminated the castle almost poetically. She walked further, the light of a flaming torch displaying a door slightly ajar. Confusion crowded her thoughts as to who could be up at this late hour. She didn't know what she expected when she peeked in.
But she definitely didn't expect her boyfriend making out with a Slytherin.
****
It happened and I'm so glad it did. Also, chapters take me entire days now apparently. And the number of treats for the Swifties in this chapter. I'm waiting for the re-recordings of 1989 so that I can actually listen to all you had to do was stay.
Please, please vote if you liked the chapter and comment. Constructive criticism is highly welcomed.
Also, what do you wanna see? I'll try to alter the story according to your requests.
Love all of you so much!!!! Xx
Kaash.
YOU ARE READING
Éthérée
Fanfiction*A Sirius Black love story* 'You scare me' he whispered into the cool air, his breath turning into mist. 'Why?' she asked, turning towards him. 'Because I tell you things I can't even tell myself...' he whispered back, facing her, their faces merely...
