QUIET ,, fred w.

iv.

"what in the world are you trying to get at? dufftown! sirius is in dufftown?" y/n exasperated, leaning towards the group, fingers gripping the edge of the table. she had hardly eaten a bite out of her dinner in hearing the news.

"duffton," hermione reaffirmed. "it's really not that far from here, you know." she was seated next to ron, who chewed away at his food without another word. y/n could hardly tell if he was even paying attention. "but with all the dementors..."

"he's gotten past them before," george rebutted. fred and george were sat only a few spots away, lee by their sides. lee looked a little distraught, his brows upturned solemnly.

"it's likely," fred added.

"but do you think he'll get past the wizards and the dementors?" harry piped up from his spot across from y/n. "surely he's not stupid if he's made it this far." yet mr. weasley's remark made his mind weary of his own beliefs. was sirius truly out for him?

luna neared y/n, books pushed into the nook of her arm. "y/n?" the girl's head perked up at the sound of her name. "sorry to interrupt, but..." she hesitated, nibbling on her lower lip. "it's cho." she leaned down to y/n's ear, whispering, "her ex broke up with her." the group watched as y/n shook her head and threw herself up.

"sorry, important stuff. cho needs me," she blubbered quickly. y/n locked eyes with harry in confirmation before she took off down the great hall, luna glued to her side.

"girls," ron grumbled, finally finished with his meal. hermione raised her eyebrows cautiously. ron cringed, muttering, "sorry."

✦

night came, and as requested, the twins had snuck y/n into their lounge and went away with a small bribe of galleons. as promised, harry was there in pajamas. he looked awfully tired; likewise was y/n. they greeted each other with small smiles before plopping onto the couch in opposite corners, facing each other.

"so," harry said. y/n nodded curtly, intertwining her fingers together. she crossed her legs over each other, criss-cross as she had done as a child. harry had relaxed against the back cushion of the couch, one leg on the couch and the other dangling off. it was quiet for a moment before y/n began.

"I guess I'll tell you the truth," she sighed. squeezing her hands, she continued. "don't worry I've placed a charm on the doors. nobody is listening in, not even the twins." carding a hand through her hair, she shook her head. "it's just... I've never told anyone this information. not one single person, and I expect you to treat what I say the exact same," she stated, her stare firm. harry nodded accordingly.

y/n breathed deeply. "right, well, here I go." she cleared her throat. "I'm a black. y/n black. really, it's y/n weathered black, but I don't go by my maiden name much since I never really knew my parents-"

"wait," harry interrupted, "like sirius black?" his voice had gone quiet, eyes widening as he tried to piece what little information he had together.

"will you?!" y/n huffed, giving him an angered glare. "let me finish."

"sorry." harry dropped his chin, his fingers anxiously fiddling with the other.

"as I was saying, my parents were gone by the time I had any memory. I had a godfather though, a close friend of my mothers. his name was..." y/n swallowed thickly. "um, it was sirius black," she admitted. her eyes flit to harry's for any sign of disapproval or fear, but harry was listening intently, far more curious than before. "he was a good father from what I can still remember. but then your parents died and he... I truly have not a clue what he did or did not do. I'm so lost between the two and it can be so overwhelming. for all I know-" y/n cut herself short, not wanting to dive deep into it. she might as well begin tearing up.