Brightest ✯ Sirius Black

✯ eight ✯

"the saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies"

The weather slowly started getting colder, and the leaves on some of the trees had been falling to the ground quite rapidly. Cleo sat in the common room on a chilly Saturday, her legs wrapped up in a blanket as she sat by the fire, having the entire common practically to herself, ignoring the couple snogging in the corner and the three girls at a table farthest from her studying.

    Early that morning, her owl had brought her a letter from her parents, and she only waited until she was in the comfort of solitude to open it, fearing what it could be about. Usually, they wait to send anything to her unless she writes to them first, unless it was something truly awful. Taking a deep breath, she ripped the envelope and unfolded the parchment covered in her mother's neat handwriting:

Dearest Cleo,

We're so sorry, we've probably worried you too much by sending you this letter, but we thought it best to inform you of all that has been happening.

    Your sister is scaring us even more than she already has. Ren has all but abandoned the family for her dark practices. She's been brainwashed to believe that Voldemort needs her, but we fear her bloodline will soon interfere with that. Our house is being watched by Death Eaters, or whatever you wizards call those scary men in black robes and face masks. We've tried to leave once or twice, but they won't let us.

    We hope you are alright, sweetheart. Lord knows you are much safer in Hogwarts than anywhere else right now. Don't you dare think about leaving school to aid us, your father and I are just fine and are not willing to put you into any danger on our behalf.

    How is school going? Are you still friends with those rowdy boys? We loved Remus when he came to stay with us that one summer, such a nice boy, and James and Sirius were very kind too. How are your classes? Your father wants to know if this is the year you'll take those important tests, you know, the ones that determine your future. We hope you're studying well, but of course, you've always been the most studious one in the family.

    We love you so much, and don't worry about a thing. We're fine, and as long as you're safe, that's all that matters little duck.

    All the love,

    Mum and Dad

    Cleo read through it a few more times before setting it down and staring hard into the fire. The portrait hole opened after nearly 2 hours, but Cleo hardly paid any attention. She didn't even blink an eye when 5 people came laughing and joking as they surrounded her by the fire.

    "Cleo, you shoulda been there mate, Sirius let a dungbomb off in Filch's office, we barely made it out alive," Ambrosia gasped, laughing, but when everyone realized that Cleo wasn't even listening, she stopped. "Cleo? You alright there?"

    "Love," Sirius whispered, sitting down beside her on the couch. The nickname hardly registered. Without looking at any of them, she thrust the letter into Sirius' hands. "Read it out loud, I don't mind," she whispered.

    Sirius took the letter and read it, pausing a few times with furrowed eyebrows. After he finished, everyone stayed quiet as they watched her with concern written on their faces.

    After a short time, James broke the silence. "How come your mum and dad loved Remus, but Sirius and I are just 'kind'?" The joke passed hardly noticed, but Remus smacked James upside the head. "Ow," he whimpered, rubbing the back of his head and throwing a side glare towards Remus.

    "My parents can't even leave the house, my sister has them under house arrest," Cleo finally spoke, her voice cracking as she blinked, a tear cascading down her pale cheek.

    "Cleo," Ambrosia said sadly.

    "They're being hunted! Why is she doing this? Why?!" Cleo stood up quickly, throwing her arms out in frustration and sadness. More tears pooled up in her eyes. She continued. "I mean, does she know that she's only being used? If Voldemort doesn't know by now, he'll learn her blood status and he'll kill her without thinking twice about it. She's throwing her family to the wolves for someone who's just using her!" Tears streamed down Cleo's face. She was angry beyond belief, for her best friend growing up had all too quickly become someone she didn't even recognize anymore.

    "Hey now," Remus said softly, grabbing Cleo by the shoulders to stop her from pacing. "I know it hurts, but there's nothing you can do about it right now. Have you informed Dumbledore of this?" Cleo shook her head. "Alright well," Remus continued, "that's the first step. If anyone is gonna be able to do anything about this, it's Dumbledore."

    She nodded, putting her head down to quietly rub her hands against her cheeks to get rid of the tears. Remus pulled her into his chest, ignoring the pain in his ribs from his last full moon as his oversized sweater enveloped her in warm comfort as she let a few more tears fall.

    "On a brighter note," James cut through the silence, his tone an indication that he was trying to make Cleo feel better, "Ren's room was bigger anyway, and now technically it's yours." Cleo lifted her head from Remus' chest to glare at him, but he could see the light smile that flashed across her lips.

    "Bloody hell James," Ambrosia shook her head, closing her eyes. Sirius smirked in amusement as James exclaimed, "What? Ren's room was twice the size of Cleo's!"

    "James?" Remus looked at him over Cleo's head, "shut up."

ooh tension

you guys will get to meet Ren soon enough and I guarantee you won't like her

oh the joys of being a writer

you get to make characters that everyone hates

including yourself

i hate Ren

anyway

vote and comment bubs

mwah

em