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ANTONIN WAS WALKING around Hogsmeade with a scowl that had been etched on his pale face for the last week. First appearing the morning after their ill-fated quidditch game against Gryffindor, on Wednesday Perenelle had begun to wonder if his face had become stuck that way. Though it was now Saturday— and Perenelle was very concerned her hypothesis was correct.

"Can't you lighten up a little Toni?" Marcie whined, her arm laced with Perenelle's as they struggled to keep up with their brooding companion for the afternoon. "You'll play them again, there's no use in walking around like you've lost your wand up your arse"

Perenelle desperately stifled a laugh, and elbowed Marcie in the ribs. There was certainly no use in poking an already brooding dragon. Really, he had been quite miserable since the game.

Antonin didn't find it funny, as Perenelle noticed his pace slow down and his shoulders tense,

"It's not about the bloody game— it's the cheap shot Black took at me and you know that"

Of course they did, Antonin had only been discussing it at every meal time until one of them told him to knock it off. By some miracle— even Snape seemed to be getting annoyed with Antonin's incessant moaning and groaning.

Defending Sirius was the absolute last thing on Perenelle's mind when it came to her estranged cousin, but it was in fact not a cheap shot. She knew it— and she didn't even care for quidditch. Hell, Antonin definitely knew it and he and Sirius played the same bloody position. The beaters are essentially the attack dogs, no harm no foul!

There was no reasoning with Antonin though, so both girls didn't respond and instead continued following him around. They were taking turns picking which shops to go into and it was Mr. Permanent Scowl's turn about ten minutes ago. He had yet to pick and instead preferred to angrily stomp around the village.

"It doesn't matter" Antonin chuckled about a minute later, and Perenelle shared a concerned glance with Marcie for their friend— was he talking to himself? To them? Still about Sirius? "He's gonna get it right back"

Perenelle pursed her lips as she stared at the back of Antonin's head. He was still walking like a crazed man on a mission. "Do we want to know? I'm almost worried to ask"

"Don't tell me you've gone soft now Per— if anything it'd be for all the rubbish he's put your family through too"

"I didn't realize you cared so much" Perenelle scoffed, and she couldn't help the way her chest tightened at the animosity in Antonin's voice. No matter how much Sirius angered her Perenelle would never wish him physical harm. Not only because she was conflicted over his borderline kindness (is that what she should call it?) on his birthday, but even when her cousin screamed in her face that all she was meant for was to be a pureblood wife she still didn't want someone to hurt him. Maybe she did herself, but that was another story. They were cousins, if she felt the git deserved a hit in the head she'd grow the balls to do it herself. Antonin's words made her slightly anxious.

"Oh forget it— for Sev then, he's put up with the Gryffindor's shite for too long" Antonin reasoned, and Perenelle sucked in her cheeks, "Alright... you do what you want"

Antonin decided on J. Pippen's Potions not long after, and the girls followed him through the aisles as he looked through the various ingredients and recipe books. One thing Perenelle had always noted about Antonin was his intelligence. Experimenting with potions was normally Severus' interest (and as she had learned recently, the Prewett's as well), though Toni was often Snape's partner in his research, and Snape his. Antonin's true calling was anything to do with charms.

Perenelle thought Antonin would make a brilliant curse-breaker after they graduated— though as the heir of the English branch of the Dolohov family Toni's talents would most likely remain a hobby, or fascination.

Damien and Vaud had joined them just as Marcie had decided on Honeydukes. Like the group of friends had previously discussed, the boys went off in one direction to look for Snape, while the girls headed off in the other.

Perenelle wouldn't be staying with her sister and Marceline however, as she was due to meet up with Alice any minute. The girls didn't care, at least Marcie told Pera they didn't. Vaud was still stuck in her own head and Perenelle didn't know where to start with her sister.

She knew deep down the reason she hadn't asked Vaudeline what was wrong was because she was scared about the possible answer. What if Vaud had cold feet about broadening their horizons? Made Perenelle choose? Pera would always choose family— but the longer she didn't ask Vaud the longer Pera could put off possibly having to choose. It was selfish, she knew it was.

"He's in a right mood" Marcie scoffed, and Vaudeline didn't bother asking who she meant, and rolled her eyes as an indication.

"Even Damien thinks he's turned into a nutter— please Marce, I don't even wanna hear it"

"Glad to hear Damien's best friend was the subject of your romantic hogsmeade date today" Perenelle quipped, and Vaudeline shot her a dirty look.

"Where is Fortescue? I thought you said you two were going to meet outside of Dervish and Banges"

Perenelle was about to defend her friend, though Alice quickly rounded the corner. Her red beret— which Pera thought was cute, even if she didn't wear red much, was practically falling off her head at the speed she was going.

"Bloody hell— sorry I'm late, Frank dragged me around Zonkos for an hour"

After Alice asking if the Slytherin girls were sure they didn't want to join them— to which both ensured they were fine, off Alice and Perenelle went.

It was strange, but of all the aspects of Perenelle's life that had changed in the mere month and a half since events were thrown into motion, befriending Alice Fortescue was the only one that didn't give her a headache. In fact, Perenelle wasn't sure why she hadn't become mates with Alice sooner. Sure they were in different houses, and ran in different circles, but the two had shared classes and spoken at various times throughout their six years of schooling. Not to mention, though she wasn't sacred twenty-eight, Alice was still very much a pureblood witch.

Perenelle didn't fear being seen with her. Alice wasn't beneath her— as most would put it. Merlin, that was how Perenelle would have put it at the beginning of term, though a part of befriending Alice meant that Perenelle no longer said those thoughts out loud. Even weirder, she was beginning to think them less and less.

There was one part of Alice that made Perenelle anxious— and that was the fact that the girl was a meddler. Entirely too curious, not willing to let sleeping dogs lie. Alice would frame it as friendly concern, but Perenelle wasn't sure she'd agree.

She also apparently had a picture perfect memory— even when positively plastered. Alice was thoroughly convinced a conspiracy was a foot involving her boyfriend's best mate, one that Perenelle had spent the last week fervently dismissing.

"I don't know if Fabian's gonna come" Alice mused, picking up a piece of sherbert taffy to inspect, before placing it back on the shelf, "Might be with Remus, but Frank said Gid will be with him"

Perenelle hummed in understanding, "the Hogs head right? I've never been"

"Can't say that surprises me— me neither in all honesty, a bit too rustic, even for me" Alice joked, "But Gideon said it's never crowded on Hogsmeade weekends— better for you I suppose"

They left Honeydukes, and began to wander. Perenelle knew what better for you meant, as the likelihood of anyone who cared what she was up to walking into the Hog's Head and spotting her was practically zero. It only made her feel worse she had to sneak around. Frank and Gideon were both pure— but their families were a little too obvious with their disdain of the old ways.

"Speaking of Gideon..." Alice trailed off, and Perenelle rolled her eyes, "Don't even start"

"Oh Per you're no fun!" Alice teased, lightly poking her in the side. Perenelle barely even felt in through her fur cloak. It was a bit of an eyesore— her maman's doing, as it had arrived for her via the post that morning, but it certainly kept her warm. "I'm not a blind fool— I'm telling you Per, something is up that you're not telling me about"

"We're mates Alice" Perenelle countered, shaking her head, "just mates— which you're responsible for by the way, in case you forgot"

"Yeah whatever" Alice replied— rather sarcastically actually. Though she said nothing else. The questioning hopefully done for the day.

"Well well well Black— what are you doing walking around Hogsmeade looking as beautiful as you do?"

The voice had come from behind the pair, and Perenelle stopped and turned in her tracks immediately, rolling her eyes as she did so.

"Shouldn't you be with my cousin Crouch?"

Barty only shot her back a cheeky grin in response.

"Evan or Reg?"

"Both I'd assume?" She pointed out, and Alice crossed her arms beside her.

Barty Crouch Jr.— one member of her younger cousins' little group of friends, had always found great amusement in being a tease. It made her blush when they were younger, but around fifth year it became annoying. Evan found it funny, but Regulus found it overwhelmingly embarrassing. Needless to say, it only made Barty do it more.

If you were to ask Perenelle, Pandora Rowle was the only one in that group with more than two brain cells to rub together. Pera would normally include Reg— but he had been a secretive twat the last time they spoke. Too much of Evan's influence if she had to guess.

"Not going to offer me a compliment Bartemius?" Alice huffed, and Perenelle looked between the two of them in surprise, "Or even a hello—Gosh, where are your manners?"

Barty grimaced at Alice's use of his full name, and Perenelle laughed. The boy loathed his name— Evan being the shite he was used to use it so much Barty had jinxed his lips shut a few years back. Though Perenelle doubted Alice would fall to the same fate. Hell, Perenelle didn't even know the two knew each other.

"Aren't you as lovely as ever Fortescue?" Barty grinned, and Alice hummed in satisfaction. The younger boy didn't stay long after that.

"Our mums are mates" Alice explained once they had made it a good distance away, "I've practically known Barty since he was in nappies— well, me too I guess"

Pera nodded— though all she could think about was the stinging pain at her heel. She didn't realize she would spend the better part of the day walking so much. She would have worn different shoes had she known. It was a shame, as the black loafers had a deep purple buckle that matched perfectly with the robes she had worn.

"How far is the Hog's Head?"

"Only another street up" Alice shrugged, not noticing Perenelle's discomfort, "Oh look— see, there he is, I guess Fabian really isn't coming"

On the other side of the road, right outside of Zonko's stood Fabian. His back was pressed against the building and he was in the midst of a conversation with Remus and James Potter. Fabian spotted them though, and quickly waved. The two girls followed suit just as Perenelle's cousin and Peter Pettigrew exited the joke shop.

Perenelle looked away as though she had been burned, suddenly quickening her pace. Alice huffed as she caught up to her.

"If it makes you feel any better I'm not exactly his favourite person at the moment either" She complained, and Perenelle slowed down a little, her interest peaked,

"Why not?"

"Well because of you— the party, y'know" Alice rolled her eyes, "I think he knows I didn't invite you— but I told him that even if I did you were my mate and it wasn't any of his business, he didn't like that very much"

"Very dramatic of him, he knows it was the Prewett's and yet he's hanging out with Fabian perfectly fine"

"Well I don't see Sirius developing an attitude with his quidditch captains" Alice sighed, "it doesn't bother me, he's been pretty hush hush about the party anyway— not that he'd tell me of all people anything, but he's been avoiding talking about the fight with Daniels like bloody dragon pox"

"Hmm, maybe Sirius and my sister more alike than they'd care to admit" Perenelle pondered, she could see the Hog's Head now. Alice's description of rustic was very polite, the old building looked like one gust of wind was capable of toppling it over. A sign made of rotting wood had been enchanted to hang over the door, and flashed OPEN in a circlet of charmed colours. It was a deep shade of blue as they reached the front door.

"You're sure nothing happened to freak her out while I was gone?" Perenelle asked, for what must have been the fifth time since the party. Alice shook her head, an apologetic look on her face as she opened the iron door and ushered Pera inside.

The two boys had claimed a smaller table in the back by the only window that didn't seem to be completely overcome by grime. Sure enough, save for a group of younger Ravenclaws a few tables over they were the only students in the inn.

"We saw Fabian by Zonko's" Alice mused, taking off her hat and cloak as Frank kissed her cheek in greeting, "But didn't stop to chat"

"Busy with the boyfriend?" Frank asked, sliding Alice a steaming cup of what looked and smelled to be earl gray tea. Alice nodded in response, and slipped her hands around the mug.

"Did Hagrid lend you his cloak Nell?"

Frank hid his laugh in his hand— and Alice nearly snorted into her tea. Gideon looked rather proud of himself and offered a beaming smile at Perenelle's incredulous expression, her hands now frozen in the middle of removing said cloak.

"It's quite nice— jarvey fur is it?"

Perenelle hit him with it, a smile fighting its way across her face, her oh hush! drowned out by the red head's laughter, "Feels like jarvey fur!"

"It's warm— thank you very much" Perenelle huffed, though she was awful at faking offence, "But yes, thank you, it is ghastly I know"

Alice attempted to point out some of the cloaks better qualities— though they fell on deaf ears. Even Perenelle had begun to giggle at the uncontrollable laughter Gideon and now Frank were overcome by at her expense.

"Remind me to burn this as soon as we get back to the castle" Perenelle sighed, sliding down in her seat.

"I wasn't sure what you'd want or I would have gotten you something"

Gideon was basically whispering in her ear, and Perenelle couldn't help the way her shoulders tensed momentarily. "That's alright, I can get my own dr—" She began to sit up.

"—No" Gideon had said it with such certainty, his eyebrows knitted together as he took his wallet out of his back pocket. His shoulder brushed against hers as he did— and despite the lack of proper heating in the inn, Perenelle's skin felt as though it was burning where they had touched.

"Cmon, what d'you want?" 

Perenelle faltered for a moment, "Butterbeer's fine, thank you" and Gideon disappeared towards the bar.

Perenelle could feel Alice's eyes on her, and she tried her hardest not to look in the brunette's direction. Besides— what did a butterbeer have to do with Alice's foolish theories. It was a gentlemanly thing to do, she would have been concerned if he hadn't offered. At least that's what she told herself.

Frank was looking between the two girls strangely, and Perenelle's chest tightened at his expression. Merlin— he seemed to be just as bad as his girlfriend, what the bloody hell was Longbottom looking at her like that for! She busied herself by staring at her hands in her lap.

Gideon had returned by then, a foamy tankard of hot butterbeer suddenly placed in front of her. She offered Gideon a smile as he settled back into his seat, and the older boy slung an arm around her shoulder. She nearly flinched as he did so.

"So Nell, how'd the snakes' quidditch practices fare this week? They ready for Hufflepuff next Friday?"

Perenelle was struck dumb for a moment— Gideon's arm around her shoulder felt like a twenty pound weight, sending goosebumps raising on the back of her neck. His words provided a distraction from their close proximity.

"Is that what this is? Butter me up with a free drink so I'd spill Slytherin secrets?" She teased, taking a sip of her drink as the last words left her mouth. Alice nonchalantly gestured to her upper lip and Perenelle quickly wiped the foam from her own. "Unfortunately, even if I wanted to give you any secrets I'm not told them in the first place"

She wasn't even lying— the only quidditch related information Perenelle was privy to was Antonin's cryptic threats against Sirius. Though that wasn't anything she'd share— they most likely wouldn't amount to anything anyways and she'd only get herself in trouble and embarrassment if she did.

"Cmon— I value our friendship more than that" Gideon rolled his eyes, though the smirk on his face suggested Perenelle's words carried at least a shred of merit.

"A toast to said friendship" Frank interrupted, lifting his own tankard into the air— "Never thought I'd be sitting in the Hog's Head with a Slytherin by my own free will, so cheers to Black not being so bad!"

Perenelle laughed at the compliment— and semi insult, either way, she took it in good faith. A month ago she saw Frank Longbottom as nothing more than her head boy (who if she was honest, she had previously thought to be a little annoying), so Frank's words rang true. She certainly would have never expected to find herself spending a Sunday in Hogsmeade with three Gryffindors. Especially not Gideon Prewett. Her younger self would probably faint.

"Cheers to that Longbottom!"

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When Perenelle walked into the Great Hall for breakfast the next morning she found her friends in their usual spot. Vaudeline was already there,  chipping away at a piece of toast, the boys sitting around her. Perenelle had volunteered to stay behind and wake Marcie that morning, and their friend had sent Perenelle ahead on her own, promising to catch up after she did her hair. Perenelle's own hair was straightened, and tied back in a green ribbon.

Vaudeline had done hers the same way— and so the first thing Perenelle heard once her arse hit the bench was a comment about 'twin telepathy' from Damien. He had a piece of bacon in his mouth as he did so, and Vaudeline grimaced— swatting her boyfriend's arm and groaning about table manners.

A very stimulating conversation for a Monday morning, truly.

Antonin had remained silent through all of it, seated next to Severus and across the couple (and now, Perenelle), though his scowl had been replaced by a grin. Not that Perenelle was complaining— she momentarily considered planning a party for Antonin's mood finally disappearing, but it seemed unusual that the anger Perenelle had grown accustomed to appeared to have vanished overnight.

"What?" Antonin asked, his eyebrows furrowing at Perenelle's quizzical expression, "Nothing" She shrugged, almost defensively— Toni had an intimidating stare, "I'm only wondering what's spurred your good mood this morning"

Toni shrugged, taking a bite of his toast, "I'm just in a good mood, is it a crime to be happy?"

Perenelle didn't bother answering Antonin's retort, and she let her eyes drift towards the Gryffindor table, it was considerably bare compared to the others. Though it was still early. She spotted Alice immediately, sitting with her friends— and Marlene McKinnon seemed to be ranting about something rather passionately, as Lily was shaking her head and trying not to laugh.

She couldn't spot the twins— or Frank. Interestingly only Remus and Peter were seated for breakfast as well.

Wait— there was a quidditch practice that morning. She remembered Gideon mentioning it when they had the left the Hog's Head the day before.

But then again, from her being friends with Damien and Antonin Perenelle knew that morning practices ran disgustingly early— and her friends were only ever a few minutes late to breakfast. Grumpy of course, though present nonetheless.

It still didn't explain Frank's absence, as she knew the Head Boy didn't play quidditch.

"There she is— honestly, I was beginning to wonder if she was ever going to be ready"

Vaudeline's words dragged Perenelle out of her contemplation, and her eyes fluttered towards the door, where Marceline had finally made her appearance. Marcie had a strange look on her face.

"I think something's happened" She announced once she reached the table, sliding in beside Toni and Severus, "When I walked past the Hospital Wing I had to push through half the Gryffindor Quidditch team"

Damien continued to eat his breakfast— not saying a word, though Perenelle caught him spare a glance in Antonin's direction. The dark haired boy seemed to be laughing to himself. It made Perenelle's blood run cold.

"Well— quidditch is a dangerous sport, one of them probably got too cocky and fell off his broom" Toni shrugged, and Perenelle could suddenly hear her blood pumping in her ears at the nonchalant tone in Antonin's voice.

It doesn't matter— he's gonna get it right back.

Perenelle made eye contact with her friend across the table, and the two girls thoughts must have synced— if her expression matched Marcie's, Perenelle must have looked as though she was in disbelief.

"What?" Vaudeline asked, looking between the two.

"Toni.." Marcie began, and Perenelle's eyes widened at her brazenness, "Did you— did you actually go through with it? Is Sirius Black in the Hospital Wing?"

Vaudeline's eyes widened at Marcie's accusation, and she rounded on the accused—

"Antonin you did not" She seethed, and Antonin's calm demeanour never faded, "I didn't bloody do anything, call it karma if the git knocked himself out"

Perenelle didn't pay much attention to the rest of the conversation— Antonin never admitted fault anyway, even in the face of Vaud's probing. He didn't have to for Perenelle to gather an answer, as Damien was refusing to intervene, except for once in which he promised he hadn't seen Antonin leave their dorm unless it was the three boys together heading for breakfast.

Damien's expression gave him away— and Perenelle couldn't bring herself to look any of the boys in the face for the remainder of breakfast. She was pissed— overwhelmingly angry really, as what Antonin did (yes— she believed he acted alone, if anything Damien and Severus' only purpose was to provide a shoddy excuse of an alibi) transcended any complaints of a cheap shot.

What Sirius did, cheap or not— was on the quidditch field, during a game! Antonin sneaking into a Gryffindor practice to do Merlin knows what was a ten times dirtier move. She tried to tell herself that Sirius being his victim wasn't the source of her anger— but Perenelle couldn't even convince herself of that. Blissful ignorance didn't work, she was furious that Toni hurt her cousin. His reasoning being vengeance for her the day before only made her nauseous.

She couldn't finish her food— and instead turned to pushing it around her plate with her fork. Shame only overpowered the nausea and anger, as she knew— fuck he had only been going on about it for days. Granted, she never thought Toni would actually do anything stupid but her belief didn't absolve her from knowing about it in the first place.

Yes Sirius was a prat— he always had been. Even before they came to Hogwarts and his relationship with the rest of them had begun to fracture... Sirius was an ill behaved bratty child. To be fair, so were most of them. As much as she loved him and always ran around with him he still found joy in pulling at her plaits and tricking her into eating toe jam flavoured candies.

At the time the adults thought it was a sign of his leadership qualities and 'boys will be boys— especially eldest boy' meant he could basically do no wrong. It was actually a bit hilarious to think about how that one turned out.

Moving on from childhood memories— which Perenelle could not stop thinking about, how badly was he hurt? Sirius did often deserve being knocked down a peg, or three— but putting him in the Hospital Wing was so past appropriate Perenelle couldn't think straight. She couldn't stay at the table. In all honesty she was worried she was going to cry— she couldn't let the boys see that. If she did it would reveal she didn't hate him, how could she really? Then surely all of her other secrets would come tumbling out.

"I'm gonna go— I need to speak to McGonagall about an essay"

It was a lie— but the others knew she had Transfiguration after breakfast on Monday's and Wednesday's so it was believable. If anyone were to call her bluff it would be Marcie, who was also in the class as she'd know they didn't currently have an essay due, though Marceline didn't say a word.

As Perenelle walked through the corridors she wasn't sure where she was going— sure, she could take the long way and pass by the Hospital Wing, but did she want to? She wasn't even positive it was Sirius who was hurt. That was foolish, of course she did, Antonin had practically admitted it.

As she got closer to the tower it seemed that the Gryffindor quidditch team had begun to disperse, and she walked by James and two other players she didn't recognize— James didn't even look at her, he looked scared. Not that she'd expect him not to, but it only made her more anxious, if James wasn't with Sirius, then surely her cousin was in a bed in the Hospital Wing.

If Perenelle was going to be able to go about her day she had to know, and against her better judgement she allowed her feet to take her to the tower— and nearly straight into the twins, accompanied by Frank and Amandla Fawley, her head girl, who seemed to be on their way out.

"Woah there— oh, hey Perenelle" Amandla said, though it almost sounded like a question. Perenelle hadn't thought as far as what she would say, and she stood in front of the quartet, mouth slightly ajar as she wracked her brain.

Could she just ask? The only one who would really find it strange would be Fawley— not that Pera really cared what the girl thought. Then again nearly the entire school knew that Sirius didn't get along with the other Black's, as he had always been so annoyingly vocal about it.

"Let's go Fawley" Frank interrupted the moment of silence, and he ushered the blonde away, leaving Pera with the twins.

"Is he alright?" She finally asked, and Gideon's eyes softened. He was still in his quidditch uniform— both of them were.

"Yeah he's alright, got hit in the head by a bludger and knocked off his broom" Gideon answered, and Perenelle's eyes widened,

"He broke his arm and hit his head pretty hard, but Pomfrey said he should be out in a couple days, he'll miss the bloody game on Friday for sure though" Fabian continued, before running his hand through his hair, "I'm gonna go catch Remus up to speed... Pomfrey only told us because we're the captains and Potter doesn't know shite"

Fabian left after that, and Perenelle finally noticed the way Gideon was looking at her. She couldn't decipher it.

"How'd you know Sirius got hurt?"

"Marcie passed by the tower on her way to breakfast" She sighed, "I know we're not— I dunno, I got worried"

Gideon's eyebrows knit together in concern,

"Nell— it's not weird you care" He reasoned, and Perenelle felt an embarrassed flush warm her neck, "It'd be weird if you didn't care, even if you two don't talk, he's still your bloody cousin"

Perenelle felt like she was going to cry again, and she took a deep breath, wringing her hands,

"But that still doesn't answer how you knew it was Sirius" He almost sounded like he was accusing her of something— and he looked annoyed,

"If you know something.." He trailed off, running a hand over his mouth before he spoke again, "I'd bet money on that bludger being messed with to chase him— it was the craziest bloody thing I've ever seen"

Perenelle choked up, and she furiously wiped at her cheeks. She didn't want to look Gideon in the eye— could she rat Antonin out? It's not like she had any physical proof. But she couldn't lie— not to Gideon, and especially not when Sirius was currently lying in a hospital bed. Toni took it way too far.

Gideon sighed, and grabbed her arm, practically dragging her into the tower staircase and out of view of anyone that could walk by.

"I don't know for sure" She spat out, and Gideon's shoulders tensed, "But Toni's been going on about Sirius' play that lost Slytherin the game all bloody week— and then yesterday in Hogsmeade he told me and Marcie that Sirius was 'gonna get it back' or whatever that's supposed to bloody mean!" She choked, and Gideon somehow tensed further,

"So you think it was your mate Dolohov?" He asked, "Bloody hell Perenelle why didn't you say anything?"

Perenelle's eyes widened at Gideon's words— and she practically sputtered, "I-I didn't think he would actually do anything? If I did— I don't know, I wouldn't have— bloody hell Gideon I'm not a monster, he's still my cousin for Merlin's sake!"

Gideon huffed in annoyance, and Perenelle couldn't tell if he was annoyed with the situation, or her. It only made her feel worse— and she hadn't even physically done anything.

But she could have stopped it— that's what she was thinking, hell that's what Gideon was insinuating.

"This morning he was suddenly in a good mood, and— he all but admitted he might have had something to do with it, I don't know anything else, that's when I came here" She finished, her heart pounding, and Gideon didn't say anything.

"He's okay though like you said, right?" She asked after what felt like eternity, as Gideon continued to stare at her.

"He'll probably sleep the rest of the day, but he'll be fine" He answered, scratching his neck. Perenelle felt like she was on fire each second he stared at her in what seemed to be disappointment. "I'm sorry for snapping, I just— the whole situation is rubbish... I gotta go, I'll see you later"

"Thanks" She croaked, and he left her in the staircase. She could hear voices from the top of the stairs and made herself scarce, not even stopping to see what she looked like. Her eyes were probably red, but she didn't have time to care. Her detour had made it so that she was now running late for transfiguration.

She made it into the classroom before Marceline did— so at least her lie was still intact. Not that Marcie cared. If anything, the girl looked as though she was stressed out as well. The last person to enter the room was Professir McGonagall, and from her state Perenelle guessed she had come from the Hospital Wing.

Perenelle couldn't bring herself to concentrate once in class. They were learning how to turn teacups into gerbil's and she had managed to create a disgusting fur covered cup that had a tail and only one ear. Not a gerbil— though certainly not a functioning bloody tea cup.

"Are you alright?" Marcie whispered, and Perenelle was interrupted from furiously staring down at the hybrid on her desk. Marcie's words of concern made her unclench her fist. She hadn't realized she was squeezing her wand so hard that if Marceline hadn't spoken she might have snapped it in half. She gave up on the spell after that.

Perenelle was just so overwhelmingly irritated. Irritated at Antonin for sure— the thought of her friend made her want to scream. Irritated at Gideon for getting irritated— even if he did quickly apologize. She already felt horrible and his words made her feel worse. But that didn't mean she wasn't still irritated with herself, Gideon's accusation only made it so she couldn't stop thinking about it.

Thus, she apparently could no longer use her bloody wand correctly.

Perenelle's half gerbil half teacup monster remained on her desk as class was dismissed, and to her surprise Professor McGonagall ushered Marceline to leave without her. Perenelle avoided Marcie's eyes.

"I'm afraid it's not very pretty" Peofessor McGonagall mused, tapping her wand on the desk. Perenelle grimaced as the older witch transfigured it back into a functioning tea cup.

Other than in class, Perenelle had not spoken to McGonagall since their last detention. A memory Perenelle (especially today) desperately wished to forget. The older woman never ordered another one. Perenelle found it strange— as she had finally made them all scream at each other, only to not attempt to fix it. None of it made any bloody sense to her.

"Is everything alright miss Black? You don't seem to be yourself today" Perenelle wanted to sink into her seat and be swallowed by the floor. As normally, no, she did not fuck up her spells so badly. But today had proved to not be a normal day, and it wasn't even lunch yet.

"I'm just not feeling well mam" She answered softly, and Professor McGonagall pursed her lips.

"Perhaps you should pop down to see Madame Pomfrey?" Perenelle couldn't fully read the woman's expression, but from what she assumed her professor really meant Pera had half a mind to tell the woman to mind her own business. She didn't, of course.

"Here" McGonagall said at her silence, and she walked over to her desk to write on a slip of paper, before walking back to Perenelle and holding it out to her, "This will excuse you from your classes today— I hope that come Wednesday morning you'll both feel better and be able to perform as usual" She gestured to the teacup as she said the last words, and Perenelle blushed in embarrassment, a thank you mam barely leaving her lips.

"Off you go dear" and she was practically shooed out of the classroom.

After finding the nearest girls lavatory and looking at herself in the mirror Perenelle thought that perhaps McGonagall was speaking from genuine concern. Her eyes were red— whatever, she had suspected that. But she looked tired. Not I couldn't sleep last night tired, but rather there is something eating away at me I just can't shake tired.

Then again McGonagall had proved herself to be a woman incapable of minding her own business.

Perenelle thought about going back to her dormitory. She hadn't made her bed when she got up, so she wouldn't feel too guilty about crawling back under the covers— but no. Deep down she knew she'd feel worse if she did. Gideon had said Sirius would be sleeping...

She wouldn't have to speak to him. Therefore she wouldn't have to do anything difficult— she'd just pop in for a couple of minutes and sit by his bed to make sure he really was okay. That would make her feel better, and maybe Vaud too. Her sister had seemed so angry at the prospect of Antonin going behind their backs that surely reassuring her that their cousin was breathing would calm her down.

Perenelle couldn't remember the last time she had even entered the Hospital Wing. She didn't get sick very often— and even then it was never serious enough for her to have to visit the Matron.

As she opened the double-doors to the Wing she was struck by how quiet it was, save for movement in an adjoining room. There was no one there.

She hadn't even stopped to think about whether or not Sirius would have any visitors— though none of his friends must have a spare that period. The revelation was comforting, she didn't know what she would have done if she had walked in to see a vigil at Sirius' bedside— a crowd of friends all staring and wondering why she was bloody there.

"Hello dear, can I help you with something?" Madame Pomfrey had appeared from the other room, wiping her hands on her apron.

"I'm here to visit?" Perenelle said quietly, though it came out more like a question, "Sirius Black"

"I'm sorry, I just turned away some of his other friends" She admitted, "I think it's best only family visits for the meantime, shouldn't you be in class? I'd suggest coming back after supper, he should be awake by then"

Perenelle nodded, slightly disappointed, and almost moved to leave, Madame Pomfrey had begun to busy herself with the shelves by the door.

"I am family mam, my name is Perenelle Black— Sirius is my cousin"

The words felt strange as they left her mouth, but the Matron stopped what she was doing, her hands back resting at the front of her apron.

"Oh! Well in that case dear— Mr. Black is in the fourth bed on the right" She said, "I'll be popping out for a few minutes to pick up some potions from Professor Slughorn, but I won't be long"

She left after that, and Perenelle was left to her own devices in the large room.

She opened the curtains around Sirius' bed and her heart sunk.

It was strange seeing him look so peaceful. He was sleeping. Snoring even. Though the sound that used to drive her mad when they were younger and sharing a room (her, Sirius, Vaud and Reg— once even a thirteen year old Narcissa, all lazily scattered under a fort of sheets in one of their bedrooms— she almost couldn't picture it now) brought her a jarring sense of comfort.

Nevertheless Perenelle couldn't help but feel as though she was intruding— like his peace wasn't available to her anymore. It felt almost wrong to be next to him in such a state of vulnerability, sitting nervously in a rigid chair while he was blissfully unaware. It made her so self conscious of the fact that they barely knew each other anymore.

But she was still there— now that she was sitting next to him, eyes glued to the rise and fall of his chest with her knees tucked under her chin in her chair, she didn't think she'd have been able to forgive herself if she hadn't come.

She picked at her stockings— a loose thread providing momentary distraction from her thoughts. It was no use.

He looked physically fine, that made her feel better. Only his face was visible above his blanket, but if Sirius had sustained any injuries to his face Pomfrey had already gotten rid of them. Perenelle thought he'd appreciate that— Sirius was vain. It was one of the few things about him she was still confident about, her sister was the same way.

Once, when they were children Vaudeline and Sirius had bumped heads during a game of sleeping lions— and both cried equally as hard about their matching goose eggs that had come from it. Their grandfather had mended them both immediately, but it was funny to look back on.

Perenelle wondered if Sirius ever thought back on their childhood fondly. She wasn't a fool, but she was certainly naive. There were rogue memories that stood out to Pera as unpleasant or alarming... but it was almost as though she had blocked them out. She never dwelled on them much, not when new toys and glittery dress robes followed every scolding— or argument she had either witnessed or been a part of.

It couldn't have been like that for Sirius. Not for him to leave. The two may have been close as children but as they grew older their differences only became more apparent. She was content in her life— both the positives and the negatives. To her the former always outweighed the latter. She was sorted into Slytherin, kept good grades and acquaintances, and had always known when and when not to speak. Until recently, though that was why she was even contemplating it all in the first place.

Sirius' childhood brazenness had developed into a desire for more, he challenged authority, actually did things with only his happiness in mind— and he wasn't willing to be complacent.

All things her family made out to be grievous sins, but she wasn't so sure anymore.

She liked to think that if the roles had been reversed Sirius would have come to check on her.

"Hello?"

Perenelle nearly jumped in her chair as the door opened and the voice called out, but Sirius didn't stir. It couldn't have been that long at all— Pomfrey couldn't have reached Slughorn's classroom and back. The voice also clearly belonged to a man.

It was a Healer— Perenelle recognized his robes, and he walked towards Sirius' bed. He hadn't noticed her.

"The Matron went to run an errand, but she should be back soon" She said, and he turned towards her. The man looked at her strangely. She couldn't place it— but she knew for certain that she had never seen the sandy-brown haired man before in her life. She must have startled him.

"That's fine, I'm just visiting" he said, and Perenelle's eyes widened,

"Wait— visiting him?" She asked, gesturing to Sirius' sleeping form, "But I thought it was—they told me it was minor and he was fine?"

The man didn't say anything for a moment, and he looked between her and Sirius.

"Im sorry, I've forgotten my manners" the Healer chuckled, "What's your name? Are you a friend?"

"Perenelle" She answered, "He's my cousin"

For a moment Perenelle thought the man looked taken aback, but he quickly stuck his hand towards her to shake, and she took it,

"Healer Tonks"

The strange man— who had finally named himself, sat in the chair on the other side of the bed opposite Perenelle.

"Slytherin huh?"

"Yes, I'm in my sixth year"

"My wife was a Slytherin" he mused, and Perenelle found his smile unnerving. It was as though he knew something she didn't. She really hoped it wasn't to do with the snoring teenager passed out between them— if this was all a prank and Sirius jumped out at her she'd drown herself in the prefects lavatory's private bath, "I was a Hufflepuff myself, many moons ago now"

"Is he alright?" She changed the subject, as in all honesty Perenelle was not in the mood to make small talk with a stranger, "I didn't think it was serious enough for the school to have to call St. Mungo's"

"Mr. Black is right as rain I assure you— it's only procedure one of us heads down to fill out some paperwork and do a once over— you know, head injuries and such" Healer Tonks answered, and Perenelle felt her shoulders relax— she hadn't even noticed them tense in the first place.

"I should probably go then, Pomfrey will be back soon and I don't want to be in the way" Perenelle explained, and she stood up, smoothing out her skirt.

"Would you like me to tell Mr. Black you visited?"

"Oh no that's alright" She answered quickly, "I'm sure I'll be back later, it's no worries" the lie rolling effortlessly off her tongue, and she swiftly left the Hospital Wing.

What a strange man— at least she knew Sirius would be okay. It made her feel better.

•° ✿ °•.

°•. ✿ .•°

omg you guys this is easily the LONGEST chapter so far. It definitely wasn't planned but I'm not mad about it, I initially focused so much on the hogsmeade portion because I thought I'd need to make it more of a filler & then I just kept going & going & couldn't stop.

also, I think it's time to address the elephant in the room, gold rush is now titled uptown girl!
personally I think it makes a lot more sense in regards to the story (both pera being a posh heiress & her & gideon bonding over billy joel)
but I will admit the perfectionist in me is very mad that I miscalculated the dimensions for the new cover & it looks a little off-centred, but I'm just going to pretend LOL

SO much happening in this chapter I nearly gave myself whiplash writing it, I'm so excited to hear what you guys think, your votes & comments mean the world to me xxx
until next time, jess <3