𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐌𝐄 ☆ Sirius Black ✔️ *slowly editing*

t w e n t y t w o

"Why can't we sit with your brother? We never do that. I miss Eric," I suggest.

Marlene glances at me and rolls her eyes. "He's a Ravenclaw."

"So?"

Now, it's Lily's turn to roll her eyes at me. "I'm dating the Captain of the Gryffindor Team. Remember James? He wouldn't like it if I sat in the Ravenclaw stands."

She has a point.

"Then maybe I'll just sit with Eric."

I wave to a group of boys with blue face paint. Eric spots me immediately and waves back with a large smile.

"Sure, that will prove to Sirius that you're not avoiding him or bothered by the break-up," Marlene exclaims.

"It wasn't a..."

Marlene turns towards me with her wand, aiming at my chest. "I swear on my grandmother's grave that I'll hex you into the next school year if you continue that sentence."

I gulp, knowing Marlene well enough to believe her.

It's the end of May, three days since I ended things with Sirius. It's also the day of the last Quidditch match of the season, and I am currently making my way towards the stands, still trying to find a way to ensure I don't have to stand close to Sirius. I get no sympathy from Marlene and Lily.

"I don't feel well; maybe I should stay back," I put a hand to my stomach.

"That was pathetic," Marlene says and wraps an arm around me, pushing me forward. "Come on, Remus promised to save us seats at the front."

I groan but give up resisting. Apparently, I need to be civil 'for the group dynamics,' as Lily phrases it.

I can do that.

The Gryffindor stands are brimming with students when we finally make it. Luckily, as promised, Remus has saved us a spot near the front. As we come closer, I see a tall, broad figure next to Remus, Sirius, and Peter, and I immediately freeze.

What is he doing here? And more importantly, why is he talking to Sirius?

I grip Marlene's wrist and nod towards the group.

"Rob!" Marlene exclaims, rushing towards my brother with open arms. Robbie grins and envelops her in a tight hug and greets Lily over Marlene's shoulder.

I linger behind, surprised at Robbie's unexpected appearance.

"Hello, little cub!" Robbie calls out, releasing Marlene from the hug and turning his attention to me. He is currently growing out his hair and has pulled it into a low ponytail, a few strands hanging loose, framing his face. I hate it.

I wince at the nickname he started calling me after I was sorted into Gryffindor. Lion cub, get it?

"What are you doing here?" I reply with a forced smile, trying to downplay my discomfort. It isn't that I don't want him there, but a heads-up would have been nice.

And why is he talking to Sirius?

"Showing my support, of course," he says, pointing to his old Gryffindor Quidditch jumper. "And checking up on you. How are you, sis?"

I manage a weak smile. "Yeah, well, I've been busy with school and stuff."

Robbie raises an eyebrow. "Stuff, huh? Please tell me you aren't still seeing that Holden lad."

I shake my head, glancing briefly at Sirius, who seems engrossed in a conversation with Remus. "No, I'm not. That is over."

"Good, 'cause that's an image I'm still trying to erase from my mind."