Nightmare (Harry Potter OC Fic)

25. Alastor's Best Friend

Kei's stubborn nature was easily equally matched with Tiberius'. There was nothing more that infuriated Kei than not being listened to, especially by her best friend. Despite their advice in telling Vic Tiberius' newfound birth name, Tiberius still hadn't told his soulmate. It had been two and a half months since the reveal, being it was nearly Christmastime, and Tiberius hadn't even spoken about the file.

She tried her hardest to bring up the situation with Tiberius, but he constantly shut her down, claiming more important things were going on. The "more important things" were actually the tyrant Umbridge. Her rule over the school was exhausting and growing more and more terrifying as the days went on with her thousand decrees and abnormal rules. Kei supposed an Azkaban break would be simpler than not breaking one of Umbridge's decrees.

It was the day before Christmas break and Dumbledore's Army were simply refreshing taught jinxes and charms. Some of the younger students perfected a couple of higher-level spells while others, like Neville Longbottom, had finally gotten down Expelliarmus. It was an easy lesson, most of the students enjoying themselves before the holiday.

Kei and Tiberius were practising Stupefy when Harry came over to them. With a slick smile, Kei sent a wordless hex to Harry, causing him to fly backwards Stupefied.

"Frankie!" Tiberius gasped, trying to withhold his laughter. Students around them laughed as Harry groaned, standing up. "That was sly."

"Well, I was raised by Slytherins," she grinned, giving the room a mock bow.

"You all right, Harry?" asked Tiberius, rolling his eyes at his best friend.

"Yeah, just caught me off guard," he responded. "Nice one, Kei."

She smiled, "did you need something?"

Harry looked between the two friends and nodded, "I wanted to know your thoughts on teaching Patronuses next meeting, after Christmas."

Kei beamed at the idea while Tiberius silently agreed, just nodding. The Hufflepuff had wanted to perfect the charm, only being able to possess a non-corporeal Patronus during the sixth year lessons.

"I think that's actually a really good idea," said Tiberius thoughtfully.

Once the meeting had been dismissed, Tiberius and Kei left to their respective dorms to finish packing for the break. Instead of staying at Hogwarts, Kei planned on spending the holiday with Tiberius and Alastor– well, mainly Tiberius being Alastor would most likely be off doing some kind of Order work. Every year, Kei would spend half of their holiday with their family and the other half at the Moody residence; this year was different. Kei wasn't welcomed home and planned on only spending it with Tiberius and Alastor.

The idea of not seeing her brother hurt, but she chose this– Kei chose to leave. But never had she thought that she wouldn't be allowed to go back to her childhood home. I deserved this, she thought sourly, folding one of her sweaters and placing it into her bag.

The night dragged on until morning and Kei hadn't slept. Too many thoughts whirled in her mind. The sun had barely come up and they were walking out of the common room towards Slytherin. Curfew had just lifted, but no one was awake. The Slytherin common room was quieter than the Hufflepuff common room had been, leaving it to be slightly eerie.

Kei placed her ear on the door, listening for any moment. When it was quiet, she slowly pushed on the door to reveal four sleeping boys. She smiled down at Tiberius and walked over, slightly nudging him.

"Frankie?" he moaned sleepily.

"Scoot over," she whispered.

In his sleep, Tiberius complied and moved, lifting his blanket and letting her in. Kei curled up against Tiberius and listened to the breathing of his roommates. Only two of them had rhythmic breathing as Tiberius slowly fell back to sleep. Kei tilted her head up to see eyes shutting close, acting as if they had been asleep the entire time.