An unlikely pair

11

Third persons POV

The castle buzzed with restless energy as the final week before Christmas break arrived. Exams were over, assignments were finished, and the only thing looming over the students now were the mountains of homework professors had so "graciously" assigned for the holiday. Yet, none of that mattered today. Today was a Hogsmeade weekend, and the excitement in the air was palpable.

Valentina tugged her scarf tighter around her neck as she walked toward the village with the Marauders. James was already ahead of the group, eagerly recounting a story to Sirius, who laughed so loudly it startled a flock of birds nearby. Remus trailed behind them, hands stuffed in his pockets, while Peter tried to keep up, his cheeks pink from the cold. Valentina walked alongside them, her wand tucked safely in her coat and her blonde hair shining in the weak winter sun.

“Tell me again why we’re doing this instead of staying warm by the fire?” Valentina teased, nudging Sirius with her shoulder.

“Because, Tina, there’s no firewhisky by the fire,” Sirius replied with a smirk.

“And because someone,” James interjected, shooting a playful glare at Sirius, “insisted that no holiday is complete without a proper stockpile of Zonko’s finest prank supplies.”

Sirius turned, throwing an arm around James’ shoulder with a grin that could melt glaciers. “I have my priorities straight, Potter.”

“Straight? Really?” Valentina quipped, eyebrows raising. “Are we rewriting reality now?”

Before Sirius could retort, a smooth voice cut through the chilly air behind them. “Sirius, with all due disrespect, nothing about you is straight. Lupin can confirm it.”

The group turned to see Regulus, hands tucked neatly into his pockets, sauntering past them with a knowing smirk. His younger brother’s cutting wit, so similar to Sirius’, left the elder Black momentarily speechless.

James let out a bark of laughter. “Merlin, Reg, you’re savage.”

Regulus didn’t break his stride, though there was a flicker of amusement in his sharp gray eyes. “I aim to please.” He gestured briefly toward the small group walking with him further down the path: Barty Crouch Jr., Pandora and Evan Rosier, and Dorcas Meadows. “Unlike you lot, I’ve got slightly more dignified plans.”

Valentina tilted her head, watching Regulus as he rejoined his friends. “Slightly more dignified?” Peter mused. “Considering half his crowd, I’d say we might’ve gotten the better end of the deal.”

“Evan and Barty? Dignified?” James snorted. “I’ll believe that when I see it.”

Valentina smiled faintly, but her eyes lingered on Regulus’ retreating figure. She hadn’t yet had the chance to meet his friends properly, and while they seemed perfectly civil in passing, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to their tight-knit group than met the eye.

As they made their way down High Street, the village was alive with the spirit of the season. Fairy lights twinkled in the windows, wreaths adorned shop doors, and the faint sound of carolers drifted through the frosty air. Valentina couldn’t help but smile. Despite the cold, Hogsmeade had a way of feeling warm and alive, like it was a world away from the pressures of Hogwarts.

The group split up once they reached the heart of the village. James and Sirius made a beeline for Zonko’s, dragging a reluctant Peter with them, while Valentina opted to follow Remus toward Honeydukes.

“Looking for chocolate again, Lupin?” she teased as they entered the shop, the smell of sugar and peppermint instantly enveloping them.

“You say that like it’s unusual,” Remus replied with a small smile, already scanning the shelves.