Brightest ✯ Sirius Black

✯twenty-five✯

"I wish I could keep you safe more often"

Finally, it was summer. The train ride back to King's Cross Station was short and quiet, as Cleo sat with the girls in their own compartment rather than finding the boys too. They seemed to get the hint after Lily told James to grow up or never speak to her again. To be honest, Cleo wished she could've been with Sirius and Remus and the rest of them, but she had to remind herself of why she was ignoring them in the first place.

The train stopped, and students were shuffling onto the platform slowly, the crowds getting bigger. Cleo was hesitant about getting off the train, genuinely afraid of what she would find. Maybe her parents would be there, beaming faces and loving hugs waiting for her. Maybe her sister would be here. Maybe no one would show up. That was the one she feared the most. What would she do then?

Dumbledore's lessons over the last few months proved themselves completely and totally necessary. She was afraid, but now, she had a lot of defensive spells by her side. She was ready.

She stood up and began walking off the train, already having said goodbye to all the girls. Even Marlene sat with them, and Cleo found herself loving the girl for her quirky personality.

She walked through the narrow train, finding it empty which meant she had sat in her compartment far longer than she thought she had. Suddenly, a hand gripped her arm tightly and pulled her into a nearby compartment. She let out a shriek and reached for her wand. A hand covered her mouth, and she was whipped around to face her captor, immediately putting the tip of her wand under the person's jaw.

She sighed in relief against Sirius' hand. "Bloody hell woman," he whistled, taking his hand off of her mouth as she put her wand away.

"Why," she stated, annoyed. She was already on edge, but he just made her even worse.

"I needed to talk to you," he said.

"Hi Cleo, can I speak with you for a moment? It's really important," she mocked, causing Sirius to roll his eyes.

"Let's be honest, you wouldn't have listened to me if I had done that," he stated, and she couldn't help but agree.

"Yeah well, you can't really blame me," she scoffed. "You were a douchebag."

"Ouch Cleopatra," he put his hand over his heart. "Snivellus deserved it." Cleo went to leave, but he grabbed her arm again. "But you didn't deserve what you got," he continued.

"Are you referring to being called a mudblood or being betrayed by my best friends?"

"Well I was talking about the first one but please explain the second."

Cleo took a deep breath. "Oh, I'm just referring to all four of my friends bullying people and being huge assholes when no one deserves to be treated the way they treat other humans."

"But he deserved it!"

"No one deserves to be treated like that," she hissed. "Not even Severus."

"What do you want me to say?"

"I don't know, Sirius," she said gently. "I don't know." Cleo tried to walk away again, but he grabbed her again.

"I'm sorry," he said quickly. "I'm sorry for what I did, and I'm sorry if I hurt you. You're the last person I would want to hurt, you know that." She looked at him, could see the sincerity in his eyes. She grabbed his shoulders and wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing him in for a tight hug.

"I missed you," she whispered.

"Yeah, we missed you too Cleopatra," he chuckled. The train whistle interrupted their little hug fest. "We should probably be going before the train leaves with us on it." Cleo hugged him tighter. "Cleo," he muttered. She squeezed even tighter. "Wow, you really don't wanna go home, do you?"

"Can you blame me?" she sighed, and finally let go.

"You know, you can always come home with me," he shrugged.

"Oh yeah, I'm sure Walburga would adore that," she rolled her eyes. Sirius grinned cheekily.

"Even more reason for you to come over."

They left the train after the whistle blew again, stepping onto a nearly empty platform. As soon as Sirius stepped out of the train, Walburga's high pitched voice cut across, scolding him for taking so long and being with such a "filthy-blooded traitor". Sirius just rolled his eyes and turned to Cleo again.

"If you need anything, you go to James or Remus or Luna. I would say come to me, but I'm afraid that would put you in more trouble than you would be in already," he said, grabbing both of her shoulders.

"Thanks Sirius," she nodded, not wanting to turn around, but at the sound of Walburga's voice again, Sirius kissed Cleo's forehead and with a wink, walked towards the people he was forced to call his family. She turned to look at the Black family for only a second, Sirius walking slowly towards them with his hands shoved down into his leather jacket pockets. Walburga was already scolding his ear off, and when she and Regulus Black made eye contact, he gave her a minuscule tight-lipped smile before casting his eyes downward.

The Black family left, and Cleo was left absolutely alone on platform 9 and ¾. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and went through the wall, fearing what was awaiting her on the other side. 

I got impatient again

also over 300 reads already what is this you guys have me crying I love you all so much

Alright guys here's the truth

ya'll had it so good until now

go back. read the happy chapters. another one doesn't come for a long time

unfortunately

this is a wizarding war though, people get hurt. it happens. 

unfortunately

so sit back, relax, grab your teddy and your tissues and get ready for a bumpy ride

filled with lots of tears and emotions

alrighty 

i'm sorry

stay... happy... as best you can...

em