No Control // Wolfstar

Twenty Nine

The year is 1977.

The New Year was like a breath of fresh air for Hogwarts. People returned happier, teachers seemed more lenient, and even Dumbledore looked to have gotten a light tan over the break. Things changed, like Barret Hannon's sudden growth spurt of two inches and Anna Laughlin's new pixie cut. But others stayed the same. As usual, Sunday mornings are greeted with a chipper smile from one Sirius Black. 

Sirius gallivants through the corridors with a pair of grey sweats and a black hoodie when a small girl crosses his path determinedly. 

"Sirius!" Frances squeals wrapping her arms around his torso. "How was your Christmas?"

Sirius raises his hands not to touch her until she finally lets go. "It was wonderful. And yours?"

"Mine was fantastic! Can I ask you a question?"

"You'll ask it regardless what I say."

Frances grins proudly before asking, "How do you know if a bloke fancies you?" Sirius furrows his eyebrows. "Well, I guess I'm asking what would you do if you had a crush on somebody?"

"If you're a Black, like me, you just go for it."

"So you make the first move." 

Sirius nods, crossing his arms over his chest. "But you're too young to be dating."

"I am not!"

"You don't want to date anyway. But if you do - just don't get pregnant."

Frances scrunches her face up in disgust, "Gross!"

"So who is it that you fancy?"

"Just this boy in my class."

"Same house?" She shakes her head. "Good luck with tha-" His word fall short upon seeing Remus up ahead; the way his hair is always thoroughly combed through makes him want to run his hands through it just to mess it up. But the idea is shattered when Abigail joins the picture. 

A sting pinches Sirius' chest when she wraps her arms around his neck tightly. The way her head buries in his shoulder, taking in his scent of lavender laundry mist. He always smelled like fresh laundry and an old book. It was an odd combination, but Sirius had grown accustomed to it. It never bothered him before, seeing the pair together. But this time it was different. His body physically ached seeing him touch her in public. The way he wished they could. 

"They're still dating?" Frances comments with a tone of surprise.

"Yeah, I guess so," Sirius mumbles. "Word of advice kid, don't fall in love." He pats Frances' shoulder, walking off in the opposite direction. 

Frances lets his words bide in her mind for a moment until a group of Slytherins and Ravenclaws pass by. Her sixth sense kicks in and her eyes find Regulus instantly. This group wasn't his usual friends from class, however. They're older. Maybe a year or two above theirs. 

"What're you looking at mudblood?" Lisa Ward sneers at her.

"Unfortunately your ugly face," Frances slips out before she can stop herself.

The group halts, all turning in her direction. Frances gulps nervously, clutching her wand that sticks out of her back pocket despite Sirius' advice not to keep it there. Regulus remains quiet amongst the group, bored at the interaction. He stares at Frances just as the rest of them do, but his gaze distracts her when Lisa draws her wand out. 

"No big bad Sirius to protect you now?" she barks maliciously, twisting her wand in preparation to hex.

That seems to catch Regulus' attention. He stands in front of the rest like royalty, griping his own wand at his side. "Blimey Ward," he scolds. "You're only a halfblood yourself. You're no better than her." The words are ruthless, but Frances still finds comfort in them.