Heart Scars

Thirty Seven

Adhara sat in the kitchen with James, Sirius, Remus, and Lily the hour before she was set to board the train that would take her home for Christmas.

"Are you sure you have to go home? You could tell them you're staying and then come to my house." James says worriedly. Remus nods in agreement. The marauders had been on edge since the attack, and Adhara would be lying if she said she wasn't worried too.

"I have to. Mother and father would never let me remain here, and Reg is going home." She sighs as she bites into her treacle tart. Her mouth was sour though, and her food tasted bad. She sat it to the side.

"You'll try to write?" Sirius asks. Adhara nods.

"Well, I'm staying with the Potter's. I'm trying to go home as little as possible. The last thing I need is someone coming and killing my family in our sleep because I led them there." Lily frets. Adhara flinches, her mood instantly souring.

"Lil-" Remus begins, his eyes going wide.

"Oh no! I didn't mean-oh Ara I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it lik-"

"It's fine. I should be going. Stay safe." She presses a kiss to Remus's cheek, and then quickly exits the kitchen, her cheeks burning.

She knew Lily didn't mean it like that. Lily knew Adhara would never hurt her family. It was just the guilt of what she had done. That she was the reason so many muggleborns were afraid that their families could be killed in the dead of night. She was the reason muggleborns feared to go home for the holidays.

"Ready to go?" Adhara turns quickly, not noticing anyone was near her. Alecto stood behind her with a grin, her eyes shining. She was wrapped in a dark green winter cloak and her red hair was pulled in a tight knot at the base of her neck. She looked grown, much more grown than the fifteen year old who used to pout when her hair was up.

"Yes. Have you seen Regulus?" She hums, making it seem as though she had been looking for him.

"He went ahead to the train." Alecto says, a cheerful edge in her voice that made Adhara's stomach churn. Regulus never left without her. Never once since he had come to Hogwarts had he went to the train without her by his side.

"Well, let's go." She says. Adhara begins walking quickly. Alecto easily matches her pace.

She found him on the train, pale and sweaty. Amycus was sitting close by his side, watching his every move. Evan and Barty stay on opposite sides of the compartment, both looking equally confused. Pandora was sat next to her brother, her eyes vacant. She was muttering under her breath. Severus was nowhere in sight.

"Where's Sev?" She asks. Evan and Barty both shrug, Pandora keeps muttering, and Regulus just looks at her with wide eyes. Alecto and Amycus ignore her question.

"Come, Regulus." She orders. Her brother stands, but Amycus seizes his wrist.

"I don't think that's a good idea." Amycus snarls.

"I'll decide what's a good idea and not around here. Get your filthy hand off my brother before I cut it off." She snaps. He removes his hand and Regulus quickly moves to her side. Amycus jumps from his seat.

"I have not one ounce of filth on me-"

"No? What about the mudblood girl you shagged last week. She sure seemed like filth. You are a disgrace to purebloods everywhere, and you're lucky I don't inform your father of your midnight activities." She says coldly. Amycus turns pale and quickly shuts his mouth. She grabs Regulus and drags him out.

They find an empty compartment somehow. And she quickly rounds on him, the pit of worry in her stomach only increasing.

"Where is Severus?" She demands gently.