↳ CHAPTER NINE:

MAKING IT BETTER ↵

"Why are you hanging out with Malfoy?" Sirius asked Seren and she rolled her eyes. Class had ended and Seren was on her way back to the dorms when Sirius ambushed her on her walk. She thought she would have a nice quiet stroll to her dorm and would be able to think about Lucius Malfoy and his friendliness. 

"Why not?" She sighed, pushing her Herbology book into her messenger back, looking at the tall Gryffindor who was looking at her intently.

"Because he's an utter git!" Sirius exclaimed loudly, throwing his hands up in the air and Seren rolled her eyes before she continued walking. Sirius followed her, his long strides made him able to keep up with her fast pace. 

"Sirius, that isn't a good reason." Seren pointed out and Sirius groaned loudly. "Just because he's Slytherin and might be related to you in some creepy way, doesn't mean I can't associate with him."

"You're too good for this world, Seren." Sirius groaned loudly. "He's a git, ya know he idolises Grindelwald!" Sirius grabbed onto Seren's arm to stop her from walking. Seren was about to chastise him again but noticed his serious expression. "H-He's been talking about joining Lord Voldemort–"

Seren gasped, stepping away from Sirius, her brow furrowing in confusion. "H-He can't– he's not–" Seren stopped stuttering before straightening up, "that doesn't mean I can't talk with him. I just don't want to become a new victim of Slytherin house!"

Sirius sighed and stepped forward, grabbing onto Seren's shoulders, making sure to keep eye contact with the small girl. "He's bad news Seren, please be careful. And if they do come after you, I'll help you out." Sirius cracked a small smile and pulled Seren into a side hug, noticing she needed some reassurance. "Besides, I like to make my mum mad." 

•  •  •

"Why do you hate us all so much?" Sirius asked and Seren froze at the sudden change of tone in the boy beside her. The two of them took the long walk to the dormitories. "Well, besides the dumb prank at the Slug Club. Sorry about that, by the way. I wanted to apologise for it but Remus told me to leave you alone. You wouldn't even talk to him–" Sirius began to ramble, running his hand through his hair. 

"I know I didn't talk to him, I was mad." Seren turned to Sirius, a small frown on her face. The walk back had been peaceful for once. "I still wished I had an apology earlier than now."

"I'm sorry," Sirius sent her a small smile. He truly was sorry and Seren knew that. She twisted her hair in her hands, pulling some parts into a braid before abandoning it again. 

Seren sighed, dropping her hand from playing with her hair. She glanced around, noticing the two were the only ones in the halls, most had gone to dinner most likely. 

"I don't really hate you." Seren confessed. "I hate the way my brother prefers you over me."

"That's not true!" Sirius told her in a rush, he wanted to comfort her and tell her she was ridiculous. Sirius had to make sure that he could get on Seren's good side– she was the only girl who really hated him, besides Evans of course.

Seren raised her eyebrows before continuing. "He never talks to me unless it's urgent or when we go home for the holidays."

"Oh." Sirius said simply. He racked his brain, thinking of whenever Remus hung out with them and if he ever talked about Seren or even if they were ever talked at school. He couldn't even think of once– besides when Seren first came to Hogwarts. It was sad, Hogwarts wasn't the largest schools yet Seren felt all alone, even being so close to her own brother.

"Yeah, oh."

It was silent for a few minutes before either decided to talk and Sirius kept glancing towards Seren, wanting to say something.

"I-I can talk to Remus if you want," Sirius offered. 

"No!" Seren grabbed Sirius arm in protest before she noticed the warmness to his body. She blushed, pulling away. "I-I don't want him to know, really. I'd feel like a whiny sister."

"You know what, I'll try to involve you more." Sirius didn't bother to question her, he understood that she didn't want to be a bother. But he knew that she shouldn't be ignored by her family. Family meant everything, he thought of James and Remus as brothers.

He stepped forward, and Seren blushed at the close proximity of Sirius. She definitely didn't have a lot of interaction with boys. She froze under his concentrated gaze and furrowed brow, "I promise you, I won't tell Remus."

"Thank you, Sirius." Seren breathed out, grateful for the way the afternoon had turned out. It probably had been an hour of walking around after class. Neither said anything and were comfortable aimlessly walking around with each other as company.

It was probably the best conversation Seren and Sirius had.

And for some reason, Seren liked this much better than yelling and hating Sirius.

"C'mon," Seren jolted, she forgot that she was presently with Sirius. She sent him a hesitant smile, noticing they had finally made it to the dorms. 

She followed him inside of the Fat Lady painting after hearing him mutter the password, biting her lip anxiously. What had just happened between them? Were they friends now?

"Hey," Sirius called out with a laugh and Seren peeked over his shoulder to see her brother, James, and Peter sitting in the common room.

"Oi, Seren!" James yelled out with a smile. "Come over here!" 

Seren blinked in surprise at James expectant expression and she looked to Sirius who stood beside her. He sent her a small smile, nodding to her to go to James. She pulled herself together and squeezed into the spot on the couch between Peter and James. 

She started laughing along to what James was joking about. Seren didn't seem to notice the dark haired boy watching from the sidelines, as Seren fit right into the Marauders group.

• • •

tried making a longer chapter! 

don't forget to comment <3