✓ | PARAMOUR, sirius black

chapter one

Kaia turned to her younger sister Marlene, "Ignore what people are saying about me," as she spoke in a flat and dispassionate tone.

The two of them were currently at the magical shopping area, known as Diagon Alley, gathering all the supplies they needed for the upcoming school year.

For Marlene, it was her fifth year at school and she was preparing for her OWL exams. Kaia, on the other hand, was in her seventh and final year, which meant she was preparing for her NEWT exams.

They continued moving through the bustling streets of Diagon Alley, their arms linked together as they made their way to a nearby store.

Marlene protested, "But Kai, nothing of what they say is true!"

"It's fine, Marlene," Kaia replied calmly, patting her sister's head as she spoke. Even though Kaia seemed emotionless on the outside, she was actually feeling quite amused on the inside.

Kaia's stoicism was not because she was a heartless and unfeeling person, as some might have thought. It was a result of their upbringing, with their aunt having raised them to be reserved and restrained in their emotions.

As they entered the shop, Kaia immediately got to work gathering their supplies, her face as impassive as always. Marlene, on the other hand, was still pouting and mumbling about what people said about her sister.

Despite Kaia's tendency to keep her emotions closely guarded, there was one person who could see through her stoicism and understand her true feelings - and that person was Marlene, her younger sister.

Though their parents were still alive, their careers as Aurors meant that they were constantly away from home and unable to raise Kaia and Marlene. The sisters understood this situation and would receive infrequent letters from their parents, but the last time they had actually seen their parents was a long while ago.

The siblings relied on each other for support and comfort during these times, with Marlene often being the one who could lift Kaia's spirits and make her smile genuinely, even if it was just for a moment.

But, despite her ability to bring happiness to her older sister, Marlene could also sense the pain and hurt underneath Kaia's tough facade. She knew that her sister was not as emotionless as everyone made her out to be.

"Sis," Marlene broke the silence, her tone laced with concern, "Can I talk to you about something?"

Kaia paused in her task of gathering supplies and turned to her sister, her face still neutral as ever. "What is it?"

"Why do you just let people say those things about you?" Marlene inquired, looking up at her sister with a mixture of confusion and worry.

Kaia answered without hesitation, "Because I'm a Slytherin."

"That's not a valid excuse—"

Kaia cut her off, "True, but it's simply how things are right now. My housemates tend to behave in the same manner, and I've picked up the habit of ignoring such narrow-minded opinions."

Marlene let out a small huff of frustration but chose not to argue further, knowing that her sister's words rang true. Deep down, she knew that Kaia's aloof attitude was just a defence mechanism, a way to protect herself from the world's cruelty.

"Do you enjoy being in Slytherin's house?" Marlene inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"Of course I do," Kaia responded without hesitation, "and not just because our father was in it. The library is particularly impressive, and the vast collection of rare books is truly something to behold."

The sisters continued browsing the shelves in the store, occasionally picking up items needed for their upcoming school year. As they walked, Kaia's mind wandered to her house and her housemates, and Marlene's thoughts were on the unfair treatment her sister received from others.

However, when Marlene saw her sister's fingers ghost over a particular book about potions, a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. She knew that beneath her sister's cool and collected demeanour, Kaia had a passion and knowledge for potion-making like no other.

"Be careful, sister," Marlene teased, a smirk forming on her lips, "your inner Ravenclaw is showing. If your housemates catch wind of it, they might label you a heretic."

Kaia let out a small, rare chuckle at her sister's remark, "Mind your own house, little sister. A lion associating with a snake is quite a scandal."

"I'm unfazed by it," Marlene said defiantly.

"Fortunately, I share your indifference," Kaia responded nonchalantly, continuing to walk down the aisle.

"You know, sometimes you could smile or laugh more often," Marlene muttered under her breath, but Kaia had heard her. The words struck a chord in her heart, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for not showing her emotions more openly.

Despite knowing that her sister's comment was not meant to be hurtful, Kaia still felt a twinge of sadness. She wished she could smile and laugh more, but it felt unnatural and forced. Deep down, she felt as if her emotions were trapped, unable to freely express themselves.

As they continued shopping, Kaia's mind once more began to wander, thinking about the difficulty she had in displaying her emotions. She was envious of people who could laugh, smile, and express themselves effortlessly, while she felt like her emotions were perpetually hidden behind a veil.

However, as she looked at her sister, a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips once more. She loved Marlene dearly, and it was moments like these, where her little sister could see through her tough exterior and make her feel normal, that made her heart clench with affection.

Kaia was grateful for Marlene's unwavering support and understanding, even though her sister often pushed her buttons. She knew that her little sister only wanted her to show her emotions more freely, and deep down, Kaia knew that she agreed.

As they continued browsing the products in the store, Kaia let her fingers trace the spines of the books, her thoughts still on her sister's words. She knew she needed to find a way to express herself more genuinely, but she didn't know how or where to start.

Meanwhile, Marlene discreetly observed her sister, studying her every move. She could see the slightest flutter in Kaia's hands, the way her gaze lingered a little longer on the rare potion books they passed.

Marlene knew Kaia better than anyone, and she could see the small signs of her sister's emotions. She knew that beneath the emotionless facade was a girl who felt deeply but simply did not know how to express it.

Kaia's stoicism was a defence mechanism she had developed over the years, a way to protect herself from the harsh realities of the world. But Marlene wanted to help her sister break free from the chains that bound her emotions, to show the world the true Kaia that lay hidden beneath the surface.

Over the past few months of summer, Marlene had pondered on ways to break down her sister's emotional walls. With Kaia's graduation looming on the horizon, Marlene became more determined than ever to find something or someone who could get past her sister's icy exterior.

The past attempts had all ended in failure, with Kaia's impassive attitude seeming impenetrable. But as she watched her sister browse through the potions section, Marlene's mind began to spin with ideas.