Enchanted

I see red, red, oh red

A few months had passed, three in total, because I was meticulously counting as Moony was avoiding me.  It seems my almost betrothed, and his crew were also hiding.  I saw plenty of my ex who seemed to be watching me curiously, much to my dismay.  I also saw James often when he wasn’t off getting some.  I’d say he was acting like my ex, but the one thing I was certain about is that someone like James would never forget someone he dated.  Not just a fling but actually dated.

Anyway, right now I’m successfully hunting a slick Slytherin.  James has a way of knowing where people are that he hasn’t confided in me.  However, he has filled me in on his cloak, which I have so that this specific Slytherin will fail to see me coming. However,  I didn’t get far from my house when I caught Snape and Mulciber bullying a first year Hufflepuff.  One of MY baby huffles.  I saw red.

“Stupify!  Incarcerous!” I shouted at the two Slytherin.

I successfully hit Snape with the stupify and Mulciber with the incarcerous.  Snape is more dangerous but not as willing to go as far as Mulciber, which in the end makes him less dangerous.

“I honestly don’t know what Evans sees in you.  You act the victim, but you’re out here bullying children.  That Hufflepuff is a first year.  You know they don’t stand a chance. They’re a bloody baby.  You’re beyond disgusting you sniveling little git.” I said as I glared down at Snape.

I didn’t even spare Mulciber any words.

“Such unbecoming behavior of a pureblood.” I said for Mulciber to hear.

I helped the Hufflepuff up at the same time Diggory approached.

“What do we have here?” Diggory asked while surveying the scene.

“I caught and apprehended those two gits for bullying this child.  As you can tell, one of them hit him with the stinging hex.  I’ll take him to the healer if you want to handle those two miscreants.” I explained.

“I don’t know why you turned down being a prefect when you’re perfect for it.  I’ll handle them, though.” Diggory said.

I hate that our house was so near the Slytherin house partly because of my need to stay off their radar, which this certainly didn’t help and because of their bullying tendencies.

“Kid we are probably the most bullied house because none of the other houses respect us.  They seemingly think we’re too kind, and we’ll just be doormats for their behavior.  But we’re badgers.  Badgers are vicious, did you know?  Our house is loyalty, justice, patience, and hard working.  So we will be loyal to those who deserve it and dispense justice when needed.  When being bullied, justice is needed.  Don’t be afraid to get that justice for yourself.  Show the other houses who Hufflepuff really is.” I declared.

I couldn’t tell with how the kid’s face was swollen, but he was staring at me in awe before thanking me, not that it was easy to tell what he was saying due to the swelling.

“Oh my, what happened to him?” Madame Pomfrey asked.

“Stinging hex.” I answered.

“Thank you for bringing him.  I have him now, so you may go.” Pomfrey said.

I nodded and continued towards my destination in the library.  When I was outside the library, I noted no one was around, so I drew on the invisible cloak.  I headed into the library and found found the group at a table hidden by the library stacks.

“Hello to my cousin and almost betrothed.  Hello to the rest of this little crew.” I said as I removed the cloak.

“Oh no, what shall we do she has finally found us.” Barty dramatically exclaimed.

I smirked at Barty, immediately taking a liking to the Ravenclaw.

“Jade we intentionally didn’t approach for your protection!  You’re messing it all up.” Regulus hissed.

“Ferme la bouche.*  I’m playing the long game Black.  I’m going to dismantle the pathetic death eaters and kill Voldy Moldy.  To do that I’ll need my own army.  You know dumb as a door has his own but their bumbling fools.  I mean, it is nearly all Gryffindor, so what can you expect.  Only a group I put together will be capable of destroying him.  I thought I’d start with the group that’s already been protecting me.” I said quietly.

*essentially means shut up, though that isn't a direct translation

I’d already cast a muffliato spell so no one would hear us, but I still don’t want to blast what I’m saying.

“I’m in cousin.” Rosier said immediately.

Reggie, Barty, and Avery all nodded.

“You know the entirety of the Black family will stand with you.  All of them rescinded their death eaters' support as they uphold their loyalty to your fallen family.” Reggie said.

“As will the Rosier side of your family.” Evan told me.

“Really?  My mum was only a cousin to your father, and he was a serious death eater.  An original part of the Walpurgis or whatever they were called knights.” I said, surprised.

“Even my dad.  Family is blood.  Plus, she was his favorite cousin.” Evan said.

“How is your family doing Reg?” I asked curiously because I knew he didn’t talk to his brother anymore, and Sirius had moved out.

“Not much of a family anymore.  You know my parents' marriage was not one out of love.  After all, what two cousins would willingly marry each other.  My mum has always been lonely.  Your mother was so kind to her and her only friend.  Your mother made our mother bearable.  She was cold towards us, but we could deal with that.  After your mother’s death, she slowly became  cruel.  Sirius is the rebellious type, as I’m sure you remember.  So under her cruel ruling, he acted out, which turned her from just cruel to outright abusive.” Reggie explained  before I interrupted.

“What??  Reggie, I had no idea.  If you want you can stay with me.  I live alone with my house elf and ghost of Merlin.  But our cottage is heavily warded by Merlin’s magic against every different form of magic.” I immediately offered while feeling worried.

“I’m fine, Gwennie.  Mum doesn’t abuse me because I stay in line around her.  I don’t rebel like my brother.  So, I only get her cruel behavior.  Maybe she’ll become more of who she was once she knows about you.” Regulus promised.

“And what of you two?” I asked while looking at Avery and Crouch Jr.

“These blokes are my family.  I go where they go.  My father is a staunch Dumblydor supporter.  So that route is definitely out because I bloody well hate my father. I’m in.” Barty said.

“What he said.” Avery answered.

I could tell Avery was a man of few words.

“Now can we talk about why you would date that dog?” Barty blurted out.

“Everyone has stupid moments some more than others.  He’s my one and only stupid choice.  It’s not like he was always like this.  I’m allowed one dumb mistake.” I sniffed proudly.

“Why not your betrothed?” Barty continued to pester.

“Almost betrothed.  And he was never interested.  I would have been just a duty to him.  I want more than that.  I want passion.  Every time I was at their manor, it was only Sirius who played with me.  He didn’t even try to be my friend.” I answered.

“Yes I did.  In the beginning I’d talk to you, but Sirius always came and dragged you away. I was too shy and quiet to compete with Sirius.  So I stopped trying.” Regulus said.

I chewed on my lip while I reflected on my memories and was soon feeling guilt.  I remembered the quiet little boy talking to me about a book he was reading or about quidditch.  I was drawn from my memories by someone gently tugging my lip from my teeth before dragging his thumb gently against the seam of my lips.  When I joined them, my cousin gave up his seat next to Reggie while pulling up another seat, so I was seated between them.  It was Reggie who was quite frankly pulling a romantic move.  I looked at him with surprise on my face as my cheeks became pink.

“So she wants passion and romance.  I think Reggie just showed he has both.” Barty smirked.

Avery nodded in agreement. Meanwhile, Reggie and I just stared at each other in our own worlds.  His hand is still under my chin with his thumb on my lips.  I looked in his grey eyes swirling like a darkened grey stormy sky.  Usually, they have a more silver color to them.  I realized I was leaning into his hand and abruptly pulled back as Reggie then dropped his hand.

“Who knew my little brother has game. I was coming to see if the little badger needed help from the snakes.” Sirius said with a smirk.

“I will have you know honey badgers do fight snakes and win.  Fun fact of the day.  I better go catch up with my girls.  Give this back to Prongs.  Bye boys.” I said, waving at the snakes only and ignoring Sirius.

I tried to make a quick getaway, but Sirius was quicker.

“Why so secretive that you had a charm muffling your conversation?  Are you signing up to be a death eater?” Sirius asked as he caught up.

“Don’t ever accuse me of something so bloody ignorant again.  What we discussed is none of your business.  We aren’t friends.  We’re nothing.” I snapped.