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As the holiday break started coming to an end, Devore kept thinking about how she wasn't excited to go back to Hogwarts, a feeling she hadn't felt since her dad died. She wanted to stay at Grimmauld Place forever with her family and friends, not having to worry about Umbridge or the D.A. getting caught. She felt safe where she was. She didn't feel safe at Hogwarts. But she still wasn't able to confess to her mother about Umbridge's punishments, neither her nor Harry. In fact, for a little while, Devore was able to forget about it and focus on what was in front of her. But now it was all she could think about.
She was glad to have received bracelets from her mother for Christmas because now she could cover the scars on her wrists. Every time she wanted to come clean to her mom, she just couldn't, because Devore wanted to believe she could handle the situation on her own.
The night before they would be returning to Hogwarts, Devore went to the library to return the books she'd read while staying at Grimmauld Place, and she found Sirius sitting alone with a book in his hands. Frankenstein, Mary Shelley. Apart from Hermione and Olivia, Devore didn't know anyone who shared a love for books they way she did.
When Sirius saw her, he put the book down. "Devore."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb—"
"Oh, nonsense," he waved his hand, dismissing her apology, "I just realized how long it's been since I serially sat in here." He told her.
Devore looked around the large library. "It's beautiful in here. You're lucky to have it."
"Yes," Sirius whispered sentimentally. "This was actually my escape room a lot of the time. My father built it for my mother, but, neither of them really put it to use. And my brother wasn't really a reader unless it was for research."
She saw the sadness in his face as he talked and thought about his family. "I've heard stories about your family," Devore started and sat at the table across from him. She put the pile of books down. "Before I met you third year. Draco grew up with them from his mother and he would tell me."
"Ahh, yes, Draco Malfoy," Sirius hummed and he titled his head. "I never would've thought you'd be interested in someone like him."
"Well, at the time, I figured it was my only option," Devore mumbled and her eyes flickered to the dusty table. "Dark times."
He nodded. "Of course. I can only imagine. . . I didn't know your father as well as other people, but, I knew he was a good person. He was honorable."
She grew a small smile. For a minute, Devore was silent and so was he, Sirius waiting for her to respond. "How long have you had feelings for my mother?" She asked the question she'd been dying to know.
Sirius looked shocked. "I-I. . ."
"I hated the idea at first, I won't lie," Devore continued when he couldn't speak. "My dad was the greatest man you see,"
