My Marauders // J.P. , R.L. , S.B x OC

Ch. 16, Day of Confrontation

As Calliope stormed out of the Great Hall, anger surged through her veins. Usually, her hurt began as sadness, a slow and sorrowful ache, but this was different—this was a searing rage that consumed her entirely.

She had realized that she and Sirius weren't dating, and they hadn't even shared a real kiss, but that single moment had felt intimate—too intimate, especially for Sirius Black. It wasn't just the proximity or the touch; it was the vulnerability, the raw connection that had sparked between them in that brief, electric instant. It had meant something to her, and she had foolishly allowed herself to believe it might have meant something to him too.

It hurt how that moment no longer felt like theirs. It was now tainted and exposed.

Bianca trailed after her, her shorter legs working hard to keep up with Calliope's long strides. Cal had no idea where her legs were taking her, but she knew she had to get out. Staying in the Great Hall, where Sirius was exposing their private moment, felt unbearable.

She had no doubt that the boys, or God forbid the whole Gryffindor table, knew about their moment together. It made her stomach churn with a mix of anger and humiliation. Calliope quickened her pace, the desire to distance herself from the scene of her betrayal overpowering every other thought.

"Calliope!" Bianca called out, her voice tinged with urgency as she realized the girl in front of her had quickened her pace. "Please, wait up!"

Calliope glanced over her shoulder at the sound of her name. She saw Bianca, panting slightly as she tried to catch up. Slowing her pace, Calliope eventually came to a stop, allowing Bianca to reach her.

"Sorry, Bee, I didn't realize you followed," Her tone was sharp. To an onlooker, it would have seemed as though Calliope was yelling at a poor first-year, "Alright?"

Bianca nodded, taking a moment to catch her breath, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Bianca," Calliope said, her voice tight as she bit down on her lip, trying to keep her emotions in check. She cast a quick glance at her friend, attempting not to let her frustration boil over into anger directed at Bianca.

Bianca, now with her breath returning to normal, gazed at Calliope with a look of genuine concern. Her shoulders, which had been tense from trying to keep up, relaxed slightly. Her eyes, wide and searching, never left Calliope's face.

"You don't have to lie, y'know?" Bianca presses her lips into a fine line, "I witnessed the whole– uhm– thing with my own two eyes."

Calliope's gaze flickered to the ground, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. She let out a shaky breath, her shoulders drooping slightly.

"Bianca, you are too young to worry about foolish topics like this," Calliope says, her gaze fixed on the floor, she clasps her hands tightly in front of her, her knuckles white with tension. As she speaks, she shifts her weight from one foot to the other. "Besides, I met you today and invited you to join us with the hopes of showing you what good it can do to have a community beside you... this certainly is not the example I need you to hear about." Her voice wavers slightly, betraying her effort to stay composed.

Bianca's eyes softened. She took a step closer to Calliope, her hand reaching out in a gesture of comfort, "I think I can handle some ordinary drama–"

"Listen, let's catch up in the common room later tonight, alright?" Calliope's voice was firmer than she meant it to be, her frustration slipping through. She turned slightly away, her posture rigid as she prepared to resume her walk through the silent halls of Hogwarts. "I appreciate that you want to help, but I really need some space right now. Please, go finish your lunch."