Filthy Purebloods | ʳᵉᵍᵘˡᵘˢ ᵇˡᵃᶜᵏ

The Wrong Black

The owls swarmed into the Great Hall by the dozen. Marina received her monthly allowance sealed in an envelope along with a bright new coat which elicited a high-pitched squeal from the pink-haired girl and a message telling her to stay warm.

Sidra's letter fell right into her awaiting palms. She watched the family owl shake the snow from his wings and soar back outside.

The envelope was sealed with a wax stamp depicting the Finch family crest, which she was careful not to rip as she opened it.

Sidra,

We expect you home for the Christmas holidays this year. We know you're very busy at school but there's something important we need to discuss that can't wait.

With love,

Vera and Leo Finch

Sidra slipped the letter back into the envelope and stuffed it into her pocket. She had explicitly told her parents that she needed to stay over the holidays to catch up on some studying. Of course, their plans always took precedence over hers, even though they were the reason she was studying so hard.

"Something the matter?" Marina asked, looking away from her new coat when Sidra sighed.

"My parents want me home over the break, they say it's important. I asked to stay here over Christmas."

"I wish my parents wanted me home. How nice it must be to have folks who care."

"You just got sent that lavish coat and money. Your parents clearly care."

"First of all, the coat is from my sister. Secondly, my mother sends me money so I don't bother her while she's doing Merlin knows what." She slipped the crimson coat on and loosened her tie a smidge. "And dear old dad..." She frowned. "Well, he works most of the time and I probably wouldn't see him even if I went home."

A small golden necklace peaked through the top of her coat. It had a peculiar design that just screamed Marina.

"That necklace suits you, Rina," Sidra commented.

Marina covered it almost instantly. She tucked it back into her shirt and plastered on a smile, "Thanks, Sidra." She looked around, then stood quickly. "I... uh, have to go."

Sidra watched her peculiar friend frantically run from the hall and wondered if it was something she said that had set Marina off.

She didn't have much time to ponder over the odd behaviour of her friend, though, because her mind quickly settled on wondering what her parents wanted from her. She couldn't help but worry.

Ϟ

It was the day before the Christmas break was set to begin and Sidra was getting in one last Quidditch practice with Sirius before she had to pack and leave. Much to his dismay, he had also been requested at home for the holidays.

She watched him keenly as he swooped down and caught the Quaffle she had just thrown, thanking Merlin that he was a pureblood. If her parents found out she'd been spending so much time with anyone of lesser blood... Well, it wasn't fun to think about how they'd react. At least Sirius came from a noble family, even if he rejected it.

Sidra scored a final point, having thrown the Quaffle with expert aim, despite her freezing fingers. Both conceded that the game was over due to the heavy snow and bitingly cold wind.

The pair trudged back into the castle, hit by a blast of warmth that had Sidra sighing in relief. "Right, I have to go pack. See you in two weeks."

"Wait. Sidra..."

She stopped and looked back at Sirius - his hair was flat due to the melting snow tangled in it and despite wanting to go warm up by the fire in the common room, she paused, somewhat charmed by his unkempt appearance. "Yes?"

He appeared to be mulling whatever he wanted to say over in his mind, gnawing on his lower lip for a few seconds before meeting her eyes. "Go out with me?"

She was speechless for a moment, frozen in shock as his question set in. She couldn't help but feel a bit let down that when a Black asked her out for the first time, it was the wrong one.

When she didn't immediately reply, he continued.

"We have such an amazing time together and you're... the only one who seems to get me..."

He trailed off as Sidra slowly shook her head, "I'm sorry, Sirius. I can't go out with you."

"Why not?"

She looked down, focusing on the wet patches on her boots. "I... I'm in love with someone else." Her voice was barely above a whisper for reasons unknown to her. Even if she hadn't said who it was, voicing it to Sirius almost felt like a sort of betrayal - how could she love the boy that he claimed to hate so much? He would never understand.

Not to mention that even the thought of kissing Sirius vaguely repulsed her. Despite the majority of Slytherin hating him, he was often the topic of conversation among the ladies; every week he was with a new girl and frankly, Sidra would like someone who wasn't available to everyone and didn't have half the student body's saliva and germs lingering in his mouth.

"Who is it?" The words were fast and he shut his mouth the moment they slipped out, clearly regretting them but not enough to take them back.

"It doesn't matter... Sirius, I am sorry but I... Our friendship means too much to me."

"It means a lot to me too. We can just... forget this happened."

She nodded frantically. "Sounds like a plan."

"All right, then..." He smiled but it was so obviously forced that he may as well have been scowling. He made for the stairway and sent her one last glance. "Happy Christmas, Finch."

"Happy Christmas, Sirius."

She watched his retreating figure, her heart beating miserably. She hoped they could go back to how things were. She would have to see after the break. As for right now, she needed to pack her things.

As she passed the first corridor, a black shape caught her eye and she almost screamed when Regulus stepped out of the shadows.

"That was heartbreaking to witness." He smirked.

"You don't have anything better to do than lurk in the shadows and eavesdrop on my conversations?" She folded her arms, trying not to become flustered by his mere presence.

He shrugged, casually placing his hands in the pockets of his black trousers. "I didn't mean to. But it's hard to resist the soothing sounds of my brother getting his ego bruised."

"You really are vile." And it is so damn hot.

He only grinned. "So... too soon to say I told you so?"

"You told me so nothing." She snapped and proceeded to the common room, Regulus following closely behind her. "He's still going to be my friend even now that he knows there's no chance of us ever sleeping together."

"He won't."

"He will."

"The only reason he would is if he thinks he can still get with you, Sidra. I thought you were supposed to be smart." He leaned against the wall outside the common room, blocking her path.

"Just because that's how you handle girls, doesn't mean–"

"I don't handle girls." He corrected and took a step closer to her. "I caress them. And only if they're worthy of it." He gave her a once-over and muttered the password, never breaking eye contact with her. With a sly grin, he stepped into the common room and glanced back before she was out of earshot. "Happy Christmas, Sidra. Try not to break any more hearts while you're away."