Shadows of Darkness

Time to Move on

Sirius was staring blankly into the wall of the great hall, his dark hair falling across his brow, obscuring his haunted eyes. It was almost unthinkable that a boy as affable and charismatic as Sirius could look so forlorn, but the news had hit him like a Bludger to the solar plexus: Oakley Crouch was set to marry his brother. He could hardly wrap his mind around it.
"Come on, mate." Remus Lupin's gentle cadence filled the space with a hint of comfort as he placed a hand on Sirius's shoulder. "You can't keep staring at the wall forever. What's really bothering you?"
"It's nothing..."
"Bullocks," Peter Pettigrew chimed in. "It's totally something. You've been mopey for weeks. Just tell us."

As they grappled with their conversation, the great hall doors swung open with a creak. Laughter poured in as a group of Slytherins, led by Alecto Carrow, filed in. Evan Rosier was beside her, his mocking comments echoing throughout the room, clearly demonstrating their disdain for Gryffindors.
"Look at them," Alecto sneered, locking eyes with Sirius. "A pack of hopeless fools, drowning in their defeat."
"Watch it, Alecto," Sirius warned, his temper igniting. He felt vulnerability inching back to the surface as the Slytherin crew approached. Alecto, with the usual glint of amusement in her eyes, met his gaze without flinching.
"Isn't it adorable? You're pining over Oakley while Regulus is on a different path entirely. You know what they say about Slytherin ambition," Alecto taunted, feigning a pout of sympathy.

The tension in the room sparked as Sirius stood, fists clenched at his sides. "You don't know anything," he seethed, a hint of desperation clawing at his voice.
"Don't I?" Evan Rosier piped up, a triumphant smirk plastered on his face. "You're the one who can't move on. Maybe you should—"
"Enough!" Remus jumped in, stepping protectively in front of Sirius.

Regulus Black, who had his arm comfortably draped around Oakley's shoulder walked into the great hall.
"As if this couldn't get any worse" Sirius muttered to his friends.

At the far end of the hall, she spotted her friends standing toe-to-toe with the Marauders: Sirius Black, James Potter, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew. They both walked over cautiously.

"Oakley, I heard Sirius' little crush hasn't gone away yet!" Alecto suddenly yelled, her voice cutting through the din of the hall. There was a brief pause as the words landed. The entire hall turned, eyes darting between the two brothers and Oakley. Regulus rolled his eyes.

Barty chuckled, walking over as he stifled a laugh. "Come on, Regulus! You can't deny it's amusing. He's practically written sonnets about your girlfriend, and here you are, practically shoving her in his face!"

"You look stunning in green, Oakley. I never thought I'd say that about a Slytherin." Sirius spat out quickly, not realising the wary glances the marauders sent each other.
Regulus leaned into Oakley "who do you think she spends her nights with?" The Slytherins started laughing at the frown that covered Sirius face. "Nice try, Sirius," Regulus replied, his voice betraying the amusement he feigned. "But I think you'll find that her interests lie elsewhere... perhaps not in the company of those who could barely conjugate a simple charm."

"Maybe so, but look—she's enjoying it," he said, nodding towards Oakley, who was trying to suppress her laughter.
"I'm enjoying you thinking you ever have a chance" she mocks a frown.
"Just face it, Sirius," Barty continued, leaning casually against the marble column that supported the ornate ceiling. "Oakley's with Regulus. They're engaged, No amount of longing looks will change that."
Sirius's smile faltered, the laughter of his friends fading into the background as Barty's words struck home.
"Sirius, can we talk" Oakley butted in much to the shock of her friends.