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ALICE WAS ECSTATIC when Perenelle told her of the (semi) success of the first steps in their plan. Though two days later, Perenelle had yet to hear from Gideon Prewett.

It was disheartening, hadn't he been following her around only days earlier? Despite Alice's objections Perenelle couldn't help but suspect that the older boy had changed his mind when it came to clearing the air between them.

Perenelle however tried not to let this discourage her, even though it left a heavy feeling on her heart. A heavy feeling that she hadn't experienced since the first time she had decided Gideon Prewett was a lost cause and waste of time. Though that had been a different scenario— this time it wasn't a matter of the heart, a to fancy or not to fancy? But a matter of cordialness, and perhaps even a possible friendship.

It was weighing heavier on her mind— heavier so than the issue of Sirius. She had told Alice about the bizarre way in which Sirius had questioned her, though the Gryffindor girl merely rolled her eyes.

"He's so dramatic" She had teased, "He thinks it's a conspiracy and went on about it our whole exploding snap game that night— even James told him that you were probably just being nice and to give it a rest"

The thought of James Potter coming to her defence put a pep in Perenelle's step— even though it was most likely just an attempt to get Sirius to shut his mouth.

She felt incredibly connected to James Potter in that moment— as she too was trying to get an overly dramatic Black to shut their mouth.

"I just don't understand why she's trying so hard" Vaudeline complained from the couch, where she sat filing her nails. Perenelle was trying to mindfully enjoy her book on Astronomy and it's connection to magical abilities but with each turn of a page her sister found another thing to say about the head of Gryffindor house.

"Mcgonagall means well" She said, halfmindedly. She had just reached the chapter on birth dates & their corresponding constellation locations, and how this affected transfigural abilities. Coincidentally transfiguration was also the subject that Professor Mcgonagall taught.

"I don't care if she thinks she means well" the blonde huffed, "it's bloody annoying and invasive"

"So go to Dumbledore then!" Marceline groaned, she was sprawled out on the common room floor, in front of the fireplace they were currently huddled around. The dungeons felt unnaturally cold October through March.

"Yeah, because he'll care" Vaudeline said sarcastically, looking up from her nails to stare poignantly at Marceline, and Perenelle was forced to put down her book.

"I don't know— maybe if the first detention hadn't ended in you and Regulus storming out we wouldn't have a third?" She suggested, the annoyance clear in her voice. She knew there was a chance this could set Vaudeline off— but really, she was desperate to enjoy her book in peace.

Vaudeline didn't respond at first, instead looking at her twin as though she had slapped her. "Whatever." She finally muttered, before going back to her nails.

Their third detention was to be that night, and Perenelle was not looking forward to it. Though unlike Vaudeline she saw no use in complaining. Professor Mcgonagall was not known to go back on her words— so there was really no use in moaning. All they could really do was comply and hope that she figured out on her own that it was a lost cause and a waste of everyone's time.

Perenelle just wanted to get the detention over with— for a multitude of reasons really, though mostly due to the fact that she had astronomy that night. Hence her choice in book for the day. The subject had always been her favourite, and amongst the chaos of the last few weeks she had forgotten how much she adored it and how much it intrigued her. Her family did have a penchant for the art and drew inspiration from astronomy for their infamous names.

She— and Vaudeline and Narcissa of course were an exception to this rule. Though that had more to do with them not being born male. It seemed her father had given up hope after her mother had produced two daughters and no sons. Unfortunate.

Regardless— she was excited for class that night. Her day had gone well, and they had served her favourite meal for dinner— a turkey roast, so she felt as though it was a sign from the stars that the day would align in her favour. She prayed that this alignment would extend to their detention. She really did.

"I'll see you at detention" Perenelle said, tossing her book in her bag, "I have a prefects meeting, I'm gonna go straight to McGonagall's office from there"

The girls bid her goodbye, Vaudeline with much more attitude than Marcie, and she left the Slytherin common room for the library.

She was half way there when her name had been called from across the corridor, and she turned around. Gideon was jogging to catch up to her.

She tried to force a smile— though through her nerves she feared it may have came across as terrified. Was he actually taking her up on her offer? She was suddenly both happy and regretful she had left early for the meeting. She didn't have an excuse to escape if her anxiety got the better of her.

"Hi Black" He said— though it came out more like a pant, he had called her name from quite literally the other end of the hall, and she clenched her hands around her bag to subdue their shaking.

"Hello.. Gideon" She said, and quickly looked around. The corridor was empty save for the two of them.

"You seem happier to see me this time" He joked, leaning back on his heels. Oh Merlin it was awkward. Perenelle wanted nothing more than to vanish into thin air. Though he was right— unlike their last meeting Perenelle's words weren't laced with venom and there was no steely expression to her face. She took a breathe and prayed to Merlin.

"Yeah— sorry about that" She chuckled, thinking back to their last meeting, though quickly corrected herself.

"Actually, not that sorry, you did deserve it"

Gideon clicked his teeth at that— "Oh yeah. Definitely did" and he paused.

"I do want to apologize, for everything" He said, "I know I've already said this but I regretted it the second I said it— really, Frank and my brother both nearly slapped me upside the head after we left... I think I forgot how unfiltered I can be with my mates..." He led off, and Perenelle's chest squeezed as once again, he insinuated they were friends.

"I know we hadn't really spoken in years.. but I think I forgot that while we were joking around, it was nice to see you" He said, and Perenelle forced a smile, "I obviously knew you didn't actually shag your cousin, and I'm sorry that I upset you, it was literally the last bloody thing I intended"

He had laid it all out, and Perenelle looked at him as she pondered her answer. His brows were furrowed in anticipation? Relief? She wasn't sure, and she wanted to frown at the way it scrunched his face. Despite everything— he was still possibly the most handsome boy she had ever met. She didn't think she'd ever be able to refute that.

"Thank you Gideon, I accept your apology" She nodded, looking away. He still made her a tad nervous. He let out a breath and chuckled,

"There we go!" He fake-cheered, "Merlin, I was nervous you were gonna hold this over me until I graduated"

"I still could" She countered, brow raised, almost challenging him.

"Yeah yeah whatever Black" He laughed, and stuck out his hand, "mates?"

She paused a moment, before ultimately taking his hand, and they shook. It sent nervous butterflies shooting up her arm and made her head feel funny. If third year Perenelle could see her now then surely she would faint.

"Yeah Prewett.. mates"

"Now that we're friends I feel we can be honest with each other, you really didn't shag him, right?" He teased, and Perenelle slapped his shoulder before the pair of them burst into laughter.

"You're such a twat!"

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"Cmon Per" Regulus said softly, placing a hand behind her back as he guided them both from the library. She frowned to herself. Regulus had snatched her away before she had gotten a chance to greet either Frank or Lily Evans.

It was no matter, she had far more pressing obligations.

"Are you feeling better Reg?" Perenelle asked, lacing her arm together with her cousin's, and Regulus' eyes twitched for a moment in confusion, though he stared straight ahead as they walked.

"As compared to what?"

"The other day?" Pera alluded, giving his arm a squeeze. Despite their one and a half year age difference, Perenelle and her other family members couldn't help but view him as the baby of the family he was. If Regulus found it annoying he never said so. "You told Vaud and I you weren't feeling well."

"Oh— yes, thank you for asking"

Perenelle didn't question his strangeness. Regulus had always been sort of strange. Very strait-laced, even when they were small. It was in stark contrast to his brother and perhaps why Perenelle had always drifted towards the elder of the two.

"Well, it's now or never" Perenelle attempted to joke as they reached the door to Professor Mcgonagall's office, though Regulus made no attempt to address it, instead opening the door and entering the room. She followed.

Vaudeline and Sirius were already there— both seated at opposite ends of the room. And both sporting nearly identical expressions of annoyance. Clearly a family trait.

Perenelle and Regulus moved to join Vaudeline at her side of the room and Professor Mcgonagall began, pulling a small basket from her desk behind her.

"Good evening children" She said, attempting a smile, "I'm going to need you to take out your wands and place them in the basket before we begin"

Groans of protest had begun— from Sirius especially, though a quick wave of McGonagall's hand had silenced them.

"Do not bother" She said, making her way across the room to collect each wand, which each of them reluctantly gave up. It made Perenelle feel uneasy, what on earth did Mcgonagall have planned if she was confiscating their wands? "We will try something new today, I believe that the root of the issue at hand is that no one is willing to truly say what they mean, except of course through indignant outbursts."

She said the latter sentence with a pointed stare at each of them, and Perenelle wanted to melt under the older witch's stern gaze.

Professor Mcgonagall placed the basket on a table near the door, and not a word was said until she had once again reached her desk.

"Now, we will try this again" She said, "The basket is charmed so that each of you are unable to retrieve your wand, unless your intention is to simply leave the room"

Perenelle's heart dropped, and it seemed that her sisters had done the same, as Vaud shifted uncomfortably in her seat— the two sisters making uncomfortable eye contact.

"Now who would like to begin? I will not be stopping the conversation, so feel free to be as honest as you would like" Professor Mcgonagall was smirking— and it was incredibly unnerving, and yet, no one made a sound. Each one of them immediately diverting their eyes. "I will not punish you for the words spoken, though do attempt to keep inappropriate language to a minimum."

Perenelle found the grooves across her desk of choice particularly interesting. The way the deputy-headmistress spoke was deeply unsettling.

"No takers? Hm, Sirius— you began our first session, perhaps you should begin again"

Sirius' head whipped up from the desk— and he looked as though he was a pig who had been chosen for slaughter. Though in a way, maybe he had. If they were in any other situation Perenelle probably would have laughed at the terrified expression on her cousin's face.

"Erm" Sirius began, tracing the lines on the desk in front of him, "I don't know— we believe in different things I guess"

"And what might that be?"

"Blood purity" He spat out, eyes drifting to look at his brother and cousins. Perenelle could barely hear him over the blood pounding through her ears, though the two words stuck like knives to her chest.

Blood purity.

Oh how incorrect— it was almost ironic. Sirius of course had no idea that what he defined as their differences was the very thing Perenelle had found herself questioning. Though, she made no move to correct him. How could she? She wasn't entirely sure what she believed.

"How does this make you feel Sirius?" Professor Mcgonagall asked, and Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Feel? I don't feel anything for them, and they don't feel anything for me" He practically whined, and from the corner of her eyes Perenelle saw Regulus' eyes fall to his lap. "The second I stopped aligning with whatever archaic nonsense they all believe in they've treated me like dirt, so why shouldn't I do the same?"

There was a tense silence for a moment, and Perenelle weighed her options in her head.

It was clear that Professor Mcgonagall had lost her mind, what Professor genuinely encouraged a fight? Not a sane one. Perenelle knew that if one of them did not start talking then the detentions would continue until they graduated. A nightmare she sorely hoped to avoid.

It wouldn't be Vaudeline— and it certainly wouldn't be Regulus, so, Perenelle took a deep breathe.

"I have never done anything to you remotely close to treating you like dirt" She said, and both Regulus and her sister turned to stare at her. She wasn't sure if it was a subconscious move, but she felt Vaudeline tense and shift closer to Regulus.

"I'm sorry?" Sirius laughed, almost challenging her. "We certainly weren't all thick as thieves after I got sorted into Gryffindor! Which— I couldn't even control"

"And whose fault was that Sirius? I tried to talk to you after the sorting and you told me to go away!" Perenelle fired back, and Sirius shook his head.

"Yeah, I wonder why? It was bad enough being sorted into a house that thought I was evil because of my last name" He defended, "Me! An eleven year old, the last thing I needed was you coming over and making it worse, everyone besides James was practically breathing down my neck waiting for me to do something wrong"

Perenelle felt a lump in her throat— she had never thought about it that way before. She had never tried to put herself into Sirius' shoes and imagine being sorted into a group of people who already felt negatively towards you for something out of your control.

"So you admit it then" Vaudeline laughed, and Perenelle nearly jumped at the sound of her sisters condescending voice, "you're the one who started it"

Once Vaud's words registered in her mind Perenelle realized that her sister made a very convincing argument. What Sirius was claiming, was essentially what he had turned around and done to them.

"No—"

"— Actually, yeah Sirius, you did" Perenelle cut him off, sitting up straighter in her chair, "Everything you just said, being judged for your name, you basically did!"

"They're right"

It hadn't been louder than a whisper, but Regulus' voice tore through the room with a boom. Perenelle hadn't even noticed her mouth drop in surprise— she was fully expecting Regulus to sit in silence like he had in the detentions previous.

"Oh you've got a voice now?" Sirius asked, completely ignoring what Perenelle and Vaudeline had said, instead directing his attention to his younger brother, "That's funny, you never had a voice when your parents used to scream at me"

"Do you hear how ridiculous you sound?" Perenelle asked, annoyance cursing through her at Sirius' insinuation, "Please, what was Reg supposed to do? He's younger than you for Salazar's sake"

"Not to mention" Vaudeline cut in, raising her finger matter of factly, "You always aimed towards getting your parents upset, I mean honestly— aunt Walburga yells like a banshee, and yet you'd think it was your favourite sound in the world!"

Regulus didn't speak again— the desk in front of him suddenly far more interesting, though Perenelle could see the way her younger cousin screwed up his face. It only made her angrier.

"He could think for himself for once" Sirius spat, ignoring Vaudeline's contribution, "All three of you could, all I did was think for myself and you all think I'm a bloody pariah!"

In the midst of the rising voices Professor Mcgonagall had yet to move a muscle— instead observing the chaos in front of her.

"You think you're so different" Vaudeline shook her head, "Deep down you're no different from us, every quality you shit on us for you have"

"I do n—"

"— You're mean! Selfish! Arrogant! Judgemental—" Vaudeline was counting them on her fingers as though they were quidditch players,

"— Shut your mouth!" Sirius spat, pounding his fist against the desk.

"I am nothing like you! I make choices for myself! That's something none of you will ever have!" Sirius exclaimed, "Everything I said that day was true and you know it— in two years you'll both be sold to the highest bidder like bloody breeding ponies!"

"And you are still an overgrown child with a victim complex!" Perenelle shot back, her voice shaking as she did so. "Do you even hear yourself?"

Purebred breeding ponies.

It had bothered her then and it bothered her now, playing on repeat in her head like a broken record. If she wasn't furious she might have allowed herself to see the validity in his statement, but Sirius didn't say it out of a place of sincerity, or worry— he said it to be mean. Just like how he had treated her in the kitchens.

The one difference between them that stood higher than the others to Perenelle was motivation, Sirius did not care. He made it clear that her loathed her— loathed them. To him they all fell under one category, they weren't individual people with individual thoughts and feelings, they were one being that he despised with every fibre in his body.

It was incredibly depressing, and Perenelle fought the urge to cry out of frustration as her sister shouted obscenities in Sirius' direction. She didn't hate him, sure she hated how he acted, and how he viewed her. But Perenelle couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sadness each time his name popped into her head.

They had been so close once. She had loved him, and he her. She still did love him. No matter how much he fought it they were still blood. Though Perenelle found it far easier to ignore any positive feelings she harboured for her estranged cousin.

"I don't even know how you and Andromeda share the same parents" Sirius scoffed at Vaudeline, and Perenelle found herself drawn from her melancholy and back into the conversation. She couldn't help but remember Alice's words— her insinuation that Sirius was in contact with their elder sister.

"This isn't about her" Vaudeline spat, and Sirius' eyes flashed scarily— as though he had discovered a weakness in their armour, and in true Black fashion, he intended to use it.

"Are you daft? Of course it is" Sirius' said, his voice low and calculated, "She's happy— she left you and she's happy— I know it, I've seen it"

A strange thing happened next, as suddenly, Vaudeline's face drained itself of any colour.

It threw any thought of Sirius words clear out of Perenelle's mind— as the sight of her fiery sister stunned to silence made a feeling of cold dread rise up the back of Perenelle's neck. Even Regulus looked up from his desk to see why the room had gone quiet.

It was unnatural, like a dragon yielding to a pygmy puff.

"What did you just say?" Vaudeline choked out, and Sirius leaned back in his chair to raise his feet onto the desk. Professor Mcgonagall, for once, made no move to correct him.

And Sirius repeated it— this time, the words actually registering in Perenelle's brain.

She quickly found herself with an expression matching that of her sisters.

"You know nothing, you bloo—" Vaudeline's voice came out a pained screech, though she was cut off by Regulus dragging her back into her seat and all but slamming his hand against her mouth.

"You don't know anything" Perenelle said, her voice shaking as she narrowed her eyes at Sirius, who, for the first time that whole detention had a (strangely sadistic, mind you) smile plastered across his face.

"Oh, but I do though" He said, leisurely putting his arms behind his head, "I saw her over the summer, she's doing great, amazing actually, now that you're all out of her life."

"—Shut up!" Perenelle cut him off, "Us out of her life? She left"

I saw her over the summer— Perenelle felt as if she was going to be sick, and to her right, Regulus had removed his hand from Vaudeline's mouth. Her sister's face unreadable, though she made no move to say anything.

"Oh come on, don't try to tell me you still care, what, miss her?" Sirius almost taunted, and the way he said it suggested that he actually believed what he was saying, "I know just as well as you that that is against the rules... she never existed remember? Neither do I!"

She couldn't explain it, but Perenelle could no longer control herself or her emotions, and the room suddenly grew blurry as hot, angry tears clouded her vision.

"Did you know that she used her wand on me?" She asked— her voice and hands trembling. She felt her sister's eyes widen to her right.

They had never once spoken about that night, it was something Perenelle had never done. But Sirius' words had opened the floodgates that were already bursting at the seams.

"She looked me in the eyes at twelve years old and stunned me" Perenelle spat, jabbing her finger at her chest, and Sirius' face fell.

"Andromeda left me, frozen on the floor, and ran" Perenelle's chest was heaving, "So don't you dare try to tell me how I'm supposed to feel, because you have no bloody idea what goes in my head!"

"She wouldn't do th—"

"—She did!" Perenelle sobbed, furiously wiping at her cheeks, "So screw you Sirius— for everything! You think you have everything figured out when you don't even have the slightest clue"

Sirius didn't say anything— no one did. Even Professor Mcgonagall looked unsure of how to proceed. Perenelle stood up, kicking her chair behind her.

"And I do miss her— I miss Andromeda so much that sometimes I think my bloody head is going to explode— but even worse I miss you too" She hiccuped, "Even though you're a mean, awful prat who doesn't think about anyone besides yourself!"

It was as though all air had been sucked from the room, and Perenelle was so upset she didn't stop to consider the consequences of her words as they left her mouth,

"The night in the kitchens" She sniffled, "When you knocked me on my arse and made me cry— I was already crying because it was Andromeda's birthday, so screw you and screw her and I wish I didn't care about either of you!"

Perenelle didn't stop to look at anyone's reaction, let alone Sirius', instead taking advantage of the stunned silence— snatching her wand from the basket and storming out of the room.

She stormed through the castle in tears, no intended destination in her mind. One thing was clear, the Slytherin common room was out of the question, and as she turned a corner, practically pulling her hair out as she went, she found herself running into what felt like a brick wall.

She flung backwards, hitting the floor of the corridor with a hard smack, and for a second her tears subsided, as the impact had knocked any air clear from her lungs.

"Oh for Merlin's sa— bloody hell, Perenelle?"

Gideon.

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duh duh duhhh
wow, look at me on fire with these updates! I originally wanted to expand the ending, but it was getting sooo long— so we'll pick up there next chapter!
so uh... that detention... huh?
lol I'm not even gonna say anything
I do want to address however my portrayal of sirius, as some people may think that I'm having him act too harshly— nah
sirius is traumatized, his trauma is personal to him just like pera's is personal to her, but that doesn't mean he can't act completely out of line.
ESPECIALLY towards members of the family that gave him said trauma— I see his cruelty as being a trauma response, but don't worry, this all needed to happen so that they can (hopefully) move forward
until next time, jess <3