Some weeks after the first letter, Antlia and Sirius settled into a routine. Twice a week, the pair met in the abandoned classroom and talked. The letters from Sirius' parents came on Wednesdays, and the letters from Antlia's father came every Saturday. They were like clockwork, never missing a day. Sometimes they talked, sometimes they just held each other as one person cried. But they never said a word if it wasn't in that classroom. Antlia held her silence, maintaining her image. The Slytherin Princess. She could never hear those words without thinking bitterly about her father. He was the one who had made her into that, the standard that every Slytherin girl wanted to be. The perfect girl, content with her life. If only they knew what lie that was. How very much that perfect girl wanted to escape from her life.

Antlia had finally found a spot where she could relax. In the very back of the library, there was a seat that was hidden from sight. Antlia had spelled a curtain that she could pull over the nook to be completely hidden from everyone that wanted to watch her. She was using the newfound privacy to read her Muggle romance novel, a welcome distraction in her life. Antlia used books as a distraction in her life, making it a policy to only read ones with happy endings. She didn't need more sadness.

Antlia read peacefully until she was interrupted by her best friend. Lyra Greenwood was a sweet girl, a girl who didn't seem to have a care in the world. The Ravenclaw always had a smile on her face, always ready to cheer up someone who was feeling down. It was a wonder that she wasn't sorted into Hufflepuff. Lyra had told Antlia after the Sorting that the Sorting Hat had considered it, but her brains and creativity had put her in Ravenclaw.

"Hi, Antlia!" Lyra said happily, her blonde hair pulled back behind a headband neatly. "How are you?"

"I'm actually doing well." And for once it wasn't a lie. The weekly letters had been short this week, for both Sirius and Antlia. Sirius didn't read the letters that he received. He threw them straight into the fire in front of Lia. Antlia had seen the contents of one once. It was full of profanities and was a letter that no one should hope to receive.

"I'm glad!" Lyra gave Antlia a one-armed hug as her other was full of books. She knew all about what was happening with Antlia's father. When Sirius had grown apart from the girl, Lyra had stepped into his place. Lyra had Pureblood parents, but her father wasn't a fan of the Dark Arts. If it wasn't for her mother, Lyra's father would have been labeled a blood traitor. "What are you reading?"

"It's a Muggle romance novel," Antlia said as she marked her place in the book with a bookmark. She handed the book to Lyra so she could take a look.

Lyra examined the book, eyes quickly scanning the description on the back. "How did you even get this? Your father would be livid if he found this." Lyra bit her lip, fear for Antlia filling her eyes. "I don't want what happened last year to happen again."

It won't. I won't give in this time. I won't let him hurt me. "That was a one-time thing," Antlia said firmly. Taking the book back from Lyra, she frowned. "That was a one-time thing."

Lyra adjusted her hold on her books and the smile returned to her face. "Never give up!" Lyra said cheerily. "I'll leave you alone to your reading, then!"

How are you so happy all the time? How do you keep this energy up? I could never do that. "Thanks, Lyra. You always make me feel better!" Antlia smiled back at Lyra.

Lyra's face lit up when she heard Antlia's words. "I'm always here to help!" Lyra flashed a smile at her friend before walking away into the depths of the library. I wouldn't be able to be as happy as you are. You are so lucky.

Antlia absorbed herself once more among that pages and words of the book. Writing is its own type of magic. Authors weave words together to create a story, an image for the reader to escape into. A place where what's happening on the outside world doesn't matter. A place where my father can't reach me. A place to feel safe, a place where I can finally relax. Muggle authors truly have no idea of the impact of their books.

"Lia!"

Lia whipped her head out of her book when she heard the distinct voice of Sirius. "Sirius, you can't yell in the library. People are going to find me!"

"Sorry, sorry," Sirius said apologetically, a smirk gracing the beautiful features of his face. "I wanted to get your attention."

This was the first time that Lia and Sirius had interacted in public. They were always hidden behind doors and walls, hidden in forgotten places. Here, though secluded, anyone could walk right up and see them.

"Well, you have my attention now." Lia hissed out the words between gritted teeth. You will always have my attention. My mind is always drawn to you. "What do you want?"

"I just wanted to say hello," Sirius said, grinning. "What are you reading?"

Lia rolled her eyes before replying with a snarky, "A book."

"Whatever it is," Sirius paused to put his hands on his hips and pose. "I'm sure that I am better than it. I have to be."

Antlia looked at him for a few, fleeting moments. You look so beautiful. I know that men aren't traditionally beautiful, but that is what you are. There is no other way to describe you. You are better. "I'm not so sure about that."

If someone took a glance at their conversation now, they would see a girl who was not in love with the boy in front of her. If they cared to look under the surface, they would see a girl who was madly in love with the boy in front of her. A girl who stayed complacent. A girl did what she could to survive.

Sirius plucked the book out of Lia's hands with a smirk. He examined the back cover and thumbed through the book, his smile fading. "Lia, is this a Muggle book?"

"It is," Lia said simply. At some point in their conversation, she had laid her head against the wall. The rain outside was pitter-pattering on the stained glass window, creating patterns upon patterns.

"Lia, your father would murder you if he saw you reading this." All the humor was gone from Sirius' face and was replaced with an expression of worry.

"I know. I heard the same thing from Lyra." Lia sighed. "And besides, he needs me. He doesn't have an heir." Her voice took on a mocking tone. "And god forbid that the Avery family die out."

"Antlia," The sound of her full name coming from Sirius' lips jolted Lia. "You need to be careful."

Before she replied, Lia grabbed Sirius' arm and pulled him behind the curtain that she was originally behind. Casting a muffling charm on the curtain, Lia finally spoke. "And you think that I haven't been? Why do you think that I'm back here? I need some way to escape, some way to protect my sanity. I don't need someone coming to tell me that every five seconds! I can take care of myself."

They were so close now. Their noses were practically touching and Sirius could see Lia's flushed skin. Color came to his own cheeks as he blushed at their closeness. Contrary to what some may think, Sirius Black is not always smooth and unflustered. There is one girl that makes his palms start to sweat and his blush to deepen. And that girl was sitting in front of him.

"I know that, I just worry." He said softly.

Lia scoffed. "The great Sirius Black, worried about someone other than himself? Not likely." And there I go again, shutting myself behind walls. Walls of pain and walls of anger. Walls of hurt and walls of fear. Walls that protect me from everything, even you.

"Believe it or not, I care about you!" Sirius shot back, anger lacing his words. Anger not at Lia, but instead directed at her father. It was his fault that she was like this. All of her problems were caused by him. And Sirius hated him. Hated him with the full fiber of his being. Hatred filled all 6' 1" of him, all directed at the man who was Lia's father.

"Why? Why do you care about me? I'm nothing but a broken girl." Antlia's voice cracked and her eyes filled with tears. "You know what? I don't need to hear you lie." Because I don't deserve you. I'm a shattered porcelain doll, cracks lacing across my face. I look beautiful until you get too close.

"Lia, wait!" Sirius called out, but it was too late. Antlia had already brushed past him into the library. She left behind a boy who only wanted to help, a boy who wasn't trying to hurt.

She left behind the only person who cared about her, the only person who tried. Antlia Avery left Sirius Black behind, just as he had left her. They left each other waiting. But Antlia Avery and Sirius Black would wait for each other forever. They would wait and wait, until they turn to dust.

Author's Note:
I hope that you enjoyed this chapter! If you want to read more about Antlia's walls, go check out my poetry book! My poem titled "Walls" is definitely something that Antlia would think! My baby Lyra was introduced in this chapter! She is my Remus Lupin OC! Also, I went into writing this chapter intending it to be happy, but... oops?Please tell me what you think about this chapter! Thank you for reading!

- Nicole