The Canis Major

C h a p t e r 7

Hogwarts was changing. It wasn't just new and different people talking to me. It was something different.

Slytherins were changing. Not that they'd all always been the nicest, but there was definitely an overall change. All the other houses thought is had something to do with The Dark Lord. I thought it was insane until I heard them talking.

It was insane. A house that once didn't have much more of a problem than any other houses were now trying to completely isolate themselves. They're hatred for other houses was growing fast. Their hatred was especially growing for Gryffindors. The feeling was mutual between the two houses.

James, Sirius, and Peter hadn't wanted me for any pranks yet, but I could tell they were aiming them all at Slytherin now. It was a war between the two houses.

To make the matters worse, Slytherin were becoming a house known to hate muggles and muggle-borns. They were now constantly threatening them. Bullying and hexing any they knew. To them, they were now Mudbloods.

I made sure to avoid all Slytherins more than ever now. I was sure only a few (mostly teachers) knew what my background was. I know had to remember not to slip up at all. Not only for the sake of avoiding the threats of Slytherin, but for protecting my own life. More and more people were dying because of The Dark Lord everyday.

The only kind interaction I saw with Slytherin and anybody else was with Severus and Lily. Severus sure seemed to hate everybody else, but he could never hate Lily.

Hogwarts suddenly wasn't as great as it used to be.

I was walking to the Great Hall for breakfast. I was stopped. It was a familiar situation except this time it was Sirius stopping me. He had a serious expression on his face and dropped his arm as soon as he got my attention.

"Yes, Sirius?" He glared at me a bit and moved me back towards the darker hallway.

"I know you're muggle-born," he said. My eyes widened a bit, but I didn't think he could see. He was leaning in close and whispering in my ear at this point.

"What are you-"

"Cut it," he snapped. Even in the dark hallway I could see his grey eyes glaring at me. Silver cutting through me in the dark.

"What does that have to do with anything?" I asked hesitantly. He titled his head to the side. I thought I could see a slight smirk on his face.

"Well, considering everything that's going on right now, I would consider that to be a big secret. Is it not?" He asked innocently.

"Sirius," I growled out. I didn't know if he could understand me at this point, because my accent laced every word.

"Del," he said in a mocking tone. I realized his hands were still on my shoulder from pushing me back, so I shrugged them off.

"What do you want?" He stepped back a bit and smiled.

"Now that we both understand the situation," Sirius said slyly, "We should both know that I could use help with multiple things." I scrunched up my nose.

"I am not performing sexual fav-" Sirius slapped a hand over my mouth.

"Merlin, no," he said with his nose scrunched up as well. "I don't want you, I want other girls." I gave him a disgusted look. "And help on other homework."

"And by help you mean..." He shoved a piece of parchment into my hands with a smile. "What's this?"

"Herbology homework." My jaw dropped.

"This was due days ago."

"Exactly why I need it to be finished." I glared at him.

"And you're expecting me to do it for you?"