Breaking Black (A Sirius Black Love Story)

Chapter 10

For some reason, worry makes me concentrate. And you could say I was worried about the potions test.

My reason for worrying? Remus wasn't there. Second reason that had me biting my nails? Peter told me Remus left last night, around eight o'clock, and he never came back. So my suspicions of Remus skulking around the grounds at night were confirmed. He could be hurt!

I poured all my fears and anger into my cauldron, trying to make it absolutely perfect. Not even Sirius' taunting behind me made me break my concentration. My cure for boils seemed impeccable. I was in the zone and I made sure I followed every direction perfectly.

Finally, I added the last amount of porcupine quills and stepped back. The liquid inside turned pearly white, just like the instructions! This potion was perfect! Lily looked back at my already finished potion and smiled, giving me a thumbs up. If only I could've made it with Remus... Hopefully he was somewhere safe, and not stuck in the Forbidden Forest.

I scanned the room, looking at everyone's potion. Lily and Severus were done, the potion a bright white, but not as bright as mine. Some students were still hovering over their cauldrons, trying to finish the potion in the time limit. Peter was working furiously in the corner as his Slytherin partner just glared at him with her arms crossed. For once, James and Sirius' potion wasn't a complete fail, but it was rather yellow, almost resembling the bubotuber pus I spent hours cleaning off my robes.

"Ah, Miss Alexandra! I see you are done!" Professor Slughorn said as he began to waddle down the aisle. I couldn't help but feel proud of my potion and the fact that I made it all by myself. The proud look on Professor Slughorn's face would make up for-

Boom!

My wonderful cure for boils exploded, showering my back with white potion. The liquid seeped down my back, making me cringe and just stand there in shock. Most of the students stared at me in shock and pity. But out of the corner of my eye, I watched Sirius snickering and hide something in the pocket of his robe. If I wasn't mistaken, I witnessed him pocket a rainbow-colored package of fireworks.

"Oh my! It looked perfect! I don't understand!" Professor Slughorn stuttered as he looked at a glob of the potion from the bottom of my cauldron.

"I guess I did something wrong," I seethed while glaring at Sirius. 

"Well, I won't fail you because I can't pinpoint what you did wrong... And you made this potion alone! Your score is a 78." Professor Slughorn settled and waved away the mess. The goop running down my back disappeared.

My hand reached into my cauldron and pulled out a black, diffused firework. Without thinking, I tossed it on Sirius' desk, making it splatter across his table. Still looking at me smugly, Sirius had the audacity to wink. On the other hand, James looked at me quizzically, like he thought I was going to fight back. He had the right idea. If I could get away with slugging Sirius in the jaw, Sirius would've been hit months ago.

Sauntering away like I was going to turn them in, I stopped in front of Professor Slughorn.

"Excuse me sir? I have a very important matter I need to discuss with Professor McGonagall, do you mind if I leave early?" I pleaded sweetly, batting my eyelashes for effect.

"Of course! Of course, my dear!" Professor Slughorn replied and turned back to inspecting a potion. As I left, I winked at James and Sirius, making them think I was going to turn them into McGonagall. James and Sirius started tumbling over each other to try to finish their potion so they could stop me from snitching to our head of house.

However, I wasn't going to McGonagall to turn them in. I needed to ask about Remus. I witnessed him leave the castle and never return. He could be in trouble! Every step down the corridor towards the transfiguration classroom brought an ominous thought. Maybe Remus just went for a walk at night and was attacked! What if-