Oblivion ━━ Sirius Black

𝟾 | ᴛʜᴇ sʜɪɴɪɴɢ

THERE WERE MOMENTS IN EASTON GREENGRASS'S LIFE when she often doubted her sanity. Of course, she knew there was always a chance she was actually bonkers, thanks to the centuries of inbreeding, but the possibility had never been so painfully real than it was at this very minute when she sat in the Courtyard, witnessing the epitome of impossible—Penelope flirting with Adrian Williams and, what was even more bizarre, him actually doing it back.

Now Easton wasn't a bad friend, per se; she was without a doubt happy that Penelope had finally dipped her toes into the deep waters of passion and romance. What Easton wasn't particularly elated about was where it left her.

Thick silvery snowflakes danced around in the air like tiny ballerinas, falling gracefully to the ground to coat it in a soft pearly blanket that glistened under the rays of the cold winter sun. It was early December outside and, seeing as it was the last Hogsmeade weekend before Christmas, the Hogwarts students were more eager than ever to leave the castle.

Usually Easton would join in with the fun, as winter was her favorite time of the year (mostly because it led to a Christmas that she would usually spend with the Abbotts and very much away from her family). Right now, however, she hated everything about it.

Hogsmeade trips were something both Penelope and Easton enjoyed immensely ever since third year, getting a chance to finally leave the castle and have a little fun. They would buy loads of candy from Honeydukes, mercilessly stuff their bellies with food at the Three Broomsticks and then laugh their arses off exploring the weirdest things Zonko's had to offer. However, Easton had an inkling that it wouldn't be the case this time.

Her fears were confirmed when Penelope had caught her looking and hastily whispered something to her newfound lover. She then smiled at him and squeezed his hand before making her way to Easton.

"Hey, d—"

"Have fun with him."

"What?" Penny asked, her cheeks turning pink from having been exposed.

Easton sighed heavily, as if giving an explanation was an unbearable burden. "You're here to tell me that Adrian's asked you to go to Hogsmeade with him, and seeing as there's no way you turned him down, you now feel guilty for ditching me. Don't," she assured Penny, who looked like she was about to cry. "I wanted to stay and study for that Transfiguration exam anyway, so you did me a favour really."

She also wanted to have a good time in Hogsmeade but Penelope didn't have to know that.

"You?" Penny scoffed in disbelief, "Study for an exam?"

"A bird has to start someday," Easton shrugged and picked up her school bag to return to the castle. "Just buy me some quills will you? I've broken all of them yesterday when Evans was trying to teach me the Doubling Charm."

It was partially true, save for one tiny detail, which was Easton having burned them. Suffice to say, she hadn't perfected the charm yet and doubted she ever would.

"You really don't mind?" Penelope winced and bit her bottom lip.

"I mind that I have to study," Easton mused with a fake laugh, "I only envy your dim arse that you'll finally get a Hogsmeade date-and-snog," her brows jumped suggestively which made Penelope turn almost scarlet.

"Shut up, you bint," she hissed, though there was a sly smile tagging on her lips. "He may not even kiss me," Penny threw a glance at Adrian, who stood dutifully waiting for his new girlfriend like a good little crup.

"Oh he will, why else would a bloke spend a galleon at Madam Puddifoot's?"

Penelope kicked Easton in the shoulder for the crudeness, her eyes narrowed. "How do you know where he'll take me?"