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PERENELLE LYCORIS BLACK had decided that perhaps she was just not having a good week. Two days after arguably the second worst day of her life (the first being abandonment at the hand of her sister) Perenelle still found herself in an odd frazzled state between barely holding it together and wanting to tear the hair from her head.

Overall it was not a great feeling.

Her friends were catching on- that at least she was sure of, as Antonin had been kissing her arse far more than usual, and Vaudeline had toned down her usual snipes at well- everything.

"You're sure you don't want me to walk you to charms?" Antonin asked, as the two walked through the corridors following a gruelling double potions.

"No Toni it's fine- you have a free period, honestly just go do whatever it is you do when you're alone" Perenelle smiled, silently pleading to Merlin that he took her third answer as the final one.

"Alright- I think Snape's got a free" He said, half unconvinced and half to himself, and Perenelle fought to hold in a sigh of relief, as it seemed Antonin had spent the last day and a half smothering her.

She released the sigh once Antonin had turned the corner, fully out of view and most importantly out of her hair, and continued on her walk to the charms classroom.

She had made it to class with barely a few minutes to spare, Professor Flitwick stood on his stool at the front of the class, tapping his foot and glancing at the clock as though willing it to turn.

"Afternoon"

Perenelle slid into her assigned seat, a smile plastered on her face as she repeated the greeting to her seat mate, it was a Slytherin-Gryffindor class, and Alice Fortescue was the most agreeable Gryffindor Pera could choose to be forced to work with.

They weren't friends by any means- no, the two scarcely spoke outside of the classroom, though what little Perenelle did know about the girl- besides the fact that she was acquainted with her cousin and his band of hooligans, is she was a genuinely lovely girl. Pureblood- of course, though not one of the old families, it made being acquainted with her slightly easier.

"Did you finish the homework?" Alice asked, tucking a lone strand of brown hair behind her ear and back in place with the rest of her bob, and Pera nodded, "It wasn't as difficult as I thought it'd be- I found that once I could master the double flick of the wrist the charm is much smoother"

Alice lit up at that, turning towards Perenelle, "I thought the same thing! Frank was driving me bloody mad over it! He kept insisting on the standard one and a half flick thats written in the textbook!" And Perenelle rolled her eyes, imagining Frank Longbottom- her residing head boy, doing just that.

"Alright class, let's settle down" Professor Flitwick's voice cut through the classroom, concluding the casual chatter taking place, and both Perenelle and Alice turned back towards the board.

As Professor Flitwick began the day's lesson, Perenelle couldn't ignore the prickling feeling of eyes on her- though she didn't bother to crane her head to find the culprit, as she knew exactly who it would be.

Remus Lupin, one of her cousins sidekicks- also a fellow prefect who she'd had no problems steering clear of in the past, though who for some reason seemed to have been stalking her for the past two days.

She had noticed it the morning after the incident, at breakfast, between the chatter of morning gossip and the boy's being far too energetic for so early in the day, Remus could not stop staring.

It made her rather uncomfortable if she was being honest, as the boy wasn't any good at it either- for if he was she wouldn't constantly catch him, though he kept catching her eye, staring at her as though he was analyzing something she was unaware of, before quickly looking away when noticed.

She ignored the urge to shudder at the knowledge that he was staring holes through the back of her head, and tried her hardest to focus on the rest of the lesson.

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He was doing it again. Perenelle's eyes turned to slits as she watched the Gryffindor's head turn in surprise from across the great hall, her hand twirling her fork in annoyance. It was annoying. Mostly because she didn't understand why, was it because of her horribly embarrassing display that night? The fact that she was in the kitchens at all? The mere thought of what Remus Lupin may be thinking was going to drive her absolutely insane.

"What's going on in that head of yours?"

Damien's teasing voice, and an arm slung around her shoulder tore her back to reality, and Damien was looking at her inquisitively, his characteristically sly grin ever present on his face.

She sighed, letting go of her fork and letting it flop down onto the plate of roast and potatoes, and now the rest of the group were looking at the two.

"Nothing" She lied, shrugging Damien's arm off of her- a faux look of hurt plastered on the blond's face, "I'm just bloody exhausted, I don't know how I'm supposed to sit through a prefects meeting after this"

"Eh you'll have Sev" Damien replied, spooning a forkful of peas into his mouth- and the boy in question looked up from his food across the table, nodding.

"I suppose" Pera said, and shot Damien an annoyed look as he bumped his shoulder with her's repeatedly- no doubt one of his ridiculous attempts at cheering her up, "Oi- knock it off, go back to annoying my sister"

Vaudeline gave her a disgruntled look from the other side of him, and across the table Toni snorted and Marcie let out a laugh, while Snape- well, he just kept eating his food.

She found herself looking over at the Gryffindor table again- seeking out whether the new bane of her existence was stalking her once more, though instead found him deep in conversation with her cousin, and one of the girls they hung around- Marlene, she thought her name was.

A flash of red hair in the corner of her eye caught her attention, and she took note of the Prewett twins- both laughing wildly at something one of them must have said, to an amused Frank Longbottom, Alice sat to his right.

In her anxiety over Remus Lupin Perenelle had almost forgotten about her confrontation with them as well, and she fought the urge to blush scarlett at the reminder. Though she watched them further, Gideon specifically as he rolled his eyes at his brother, ginger curls bouncing as he shook his head, only to eat a forkful of his food.

Besides the obvious feelings of mortification it was strange- seeing them again, talking to them. Off the top of her head she didn't think she had spoken to them since third year, when Fabian had wished her a happy birthday after crossing paths in the library, Gideon repeating the well wish. She must have had a blush for days- thinking about it; her infatuation with the boy was still strong those days, though waning, as it was then she had started to realize the reality of it never being able to come to fruition, or reciprocation.

She watched him for a moment longer, taking in the way he looked so mature now, much more grown up, dare she admit it- handsome, and it was only when Frank got up from the table she shook herself out of it, realizing she should follow- as he was clearly leaving for the meeting.

"We should go Severus" She sighed, pulling her robes back on, and Severus did the same, both leaving the hall after saying goodbye to the others.

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"So to finish" Amandla Fawley, their head girl began, "Frank and I want to stress the importance of fully patrolling the courtyard, as Filch has been complaining-"

"-We're not stupid, we're all teenagers, but honestly, just tell your mates to find a new snog spot, at least the nights you're designated to patrol" Frank cut her off cheekily, and most of the room laughed while Amandla shot him a dirty look.

"Thank you Frank" She said pointedly, "That will be all for this meeting then"

The room broke into chatter after that, before beginning to disperse, and Perenelle promised to meet Severus back in the library, where the others said they would be, after she spoke to her cousin.

"Reg wait!" She said, tugging on the back of her younger cousins cloak, and Regulus turned around with an annoyed look on his face- before realizing it was her.

"What is it?"

"I can't just say hi?" She countered, an eyebrow raised. Regulus was interesting- to say the least, and the two had never been particularly close. Perenelle often would spend most of her time with Sirius when they were children- while Regulus had always gravitated towards Vaudeline and Narcissa.

Regulus cracked a smile at that, and the two began to walk in sync through the corridors, Perenelle's hair swinging as they went- it was magically straightened today, sleek down her back and half held back by a ribbon. Certainly nowhere near the disaster it was the night of the incident.

"Well I never said that" He clicked his tongue, "It's just that you don't normally single me out"

Perenelle felt slightly hurt by that- as that was the exact reason she had decided to speak to him, following Sirius' dramatic departure from the family a few months prior. She knew what that was like- though Sirius and Andromeda's situations were different, Sirius' departure was expected, so perhaps she should have checked in on Regulus far earlier.

"Well today I've decided to" She said, matter-of-factly, and Regulus looked at her strangely, or rather in a way that conveyed she was strange.

"In fact I thi-"

"-Perenelle, I- uhm, I was wondering if I could speak to you?"

Remus Lupin had cut in front of them, and while Perenelle's face had morphed into shock- Regulus looked downright murderous. Had he followed her from the meeting?

"I-"

"-No you may not, and I suggest that you return to wherever it is you came from" Regulus spoke over her, and Perenelle's eyes widened at the way Regulus' words seemed to cut through the air.

It was silent for a moment- though Remus' resolve stayed the same, and he remained in front of them, staring at her once again as though waiting for her answer.

She knew that she should tell him to shove it and take Regulus' words as her own, though she was burning with a curiosity- an annoyance, as to why he couldn't seem to leave her alone. So she made a choice that she probably shouldn't have.

"Actually Regulus it's okay...I'll see you later"

"What?" He asked, eyebrows raised as he turned to look at her incredulously, and Perenelle straightened her shoulders, trying her hardest to give her youngest cousin a look that said go away. Now.

Regulus complied, though not before rolling his eyes, a dry chuckle leaving his mouth as he went, and Perenelle stood face to face with Remus Lupin.

"I-"

"-Why are you stalking me?" She cut him off, anger cutting through her, "If this is some sort of way to bloody humiliate me then I'll have you know that I-"

"-What? No!" Remus said, grabbing her arm and pulling her towards an alcove off the corridor, and Perenelle yanked her arm away from him as though he had burned her.

"I just wanted to apologize!"

"Apologize?" Perenelle asked sceptically, surveying the boy in front of her.

"For the other night- honestly, I won't ever mention it again" He pleaded, "I just feel horrible- I know you two don't get along, but you were upset, and I don't think he really meant i-"

"-He can come to me himself" Perenelle spat, suddenly overcome with anger at the thought of one of Sirius' sidekicks thinking they had any idea of what went on in their family affairs, "And don't get along? I didn't do anything to him"

She resisted the urge to laugh as Remus didn't say a word, as though he didn't know how,

"Our problems began when he chose you and the other tossers over me- I never did a thing, so no we don't not get along, Sirius is just an overgrown child with a victim complex!"

She walked away after that, not staying to give Remus a chance to say another word, her chest heaving as she stormed down the corridor and towards the lavatory next to the library.

She bound through the door and straight to the sink, drenching her face in cold water and gripping the edge of the sink hard, before staring at herself in the mirror.

In that moment it truly felt like her life was spiralling out of control, though perhaps that was a bit dramatic.

Vaudeline and Marcie practically ran into the room, and Perenelle turned around in a fright,

"What th-"

"-Beverly Goyle said she saw you run in here looking like you could murder someone" Vaudeline accused, and Marceline nodded.

"No" Pera lied, calming herself down, "no- I'm fine, just annoyed with the new patrolling schedules, honestly"

"Alright" Vaudeline said, her eyes piercing through Perenelle, "You're sure?"

"Honest" Perenelle replied, her heart pounding as she prayed that Vaud would drop it.

"I'm going to go- I was helping Damien with his potions essay... just meet us when you're done okay?" And Perenelle nodded, though Marceline didn't follow.

"I'll be there in a minute Vaud" She smiled, and the blonde left, the door swinging behind her.

"You tell he-" Was heard from the corridor before being cut off by the door shutting, though Perenelle didn't have time to question it before Marceline practically hounded her.

"Are you lying?" She asked, concern laced in her face, and for a moment Pera considered actually telling her. Marceline had lost her mother to dragon pox the year before, and though it was different- different being that Andromeda wasn't dead, Marcie would probably be able to understand better than most.

"Honestly Marce... I'm fine, I'm just tired" And she wasn't lying- not entirely, Perenelle was exhausted.

"Okay" She sighed- and Pera could tell she wasn't convinced, though chose not to press it further, "Just know you can talk to me, yeah?" And Pera smiled, before lacing her arm with Marcie's and heading to leave the lavatory.

Which was truly a mistake, as right outside the door stood Vaudeline and Sirius, engaged in what looked to be a screaming match, people flooding from the library and surrounding corridors to watch it unfold.

"-Alright Vaud, you can quit the stone cold bitch ac-"

"-That's rich coming from you, up and abandoning your family, where do you get the nerve!"

"-The nerve? To escape my absolute nutter family? You've got to be taking the bloody piss if yo-"

"Ahem" Marceline had cleared her throat, and upon noticing them Sirius' attention immediately diverted from her twin to her.

"You!" He cried, pointing his finger at her, and Marceline subconsciously pulled her back a step, as honestly, Perenelle was too stunned to react let alone process the situation.

"Where do you get of- well I have to give you this, at least you're actually dressed this time"

"-I beg your pardon?"

"-What? Dressed?"

Both Marcie and Vaud were staring at her now, and the crowd of people began murmuring to themselves at Sirius' words, while Perenelle honestly suppressed the urge to burst into tears.

"Where do you get off telling my mates my business! Insulting them to boot!" He accused, and it was as though Pera had been punched in the gut. Fucking Remus.

"I'm sorry" She laughed, stepping towards him, "You mean my business? I don't know what you've told your band of ingrates but it's not the truth, I never bloody did anything to you!" She said, her voice cracking as she waved her arms furiously, more hurt than angry.

It was as though Sirius had seen red- his face nearly turning the shade, though Marceline pushed him back, "Black you need to leave"

"You know Avery, I appreciate it, honestly, I do" He smirked- his mood suddenly turning a one eighty, "But please keep your pretty little- and I mean it, I really do- forget pretty, gorgeous even" and he flashed a smile "Head- out of my business, this is between family"

If Perenelle hadn't been watching her reaction she would have missed the way Marceline's lip curled at the compliment, before she resumed her stone cold resolve and stalked off, leaving Perenelle with the beasts.

Yes, she counted Vaudeline- as Vaudeline had a temper so fierce it was unbelievable that Sirius would knowingly start a fight so publicly, as reputation be damned Vaud would give him one.
Perenelle had a feeling this was a moment her sister had been simply itching for after he ran away from Grimmauld Place, abandoning the family- and Regulus, specifically.

"Oh!" Vaudeline laughed, so loudly the crowd watching were caught off guard, her blonde hair flying as she titled her head back, "So we're family now? We're nobody when you decide to skive off your responsibilities and abandon the whole lot, but we're family when you want to start a fight?"

"Oh sod off Vaud!" He countered, turning away from Perenelle completely, who was shaking, tears pricking at her eyes as she watched the situation unfold, the way Sirius spoke to her- came at her, it was difficult to believe the two were once so close. Thrown away for what? Absolutely nothing.

"You are nothing but a disgrace" Vaudeline spat, stepping towards him and jabbing her finger against his chest, "You don't get to come and attack us for your mistakes! For choosing those beneath you" Vaudeline visibly grimaced "Over your family! Don't even get me started on what it did to your poor mothe-"

"-Please you two stop!" Pera begged, wiping at her eyes frantically to stop the tears from forming as she watched the two escalate the situation further, both shrugging her off as she attempted to tear the two away from each other-

"-My poor mother? You mean that wretched beast who sits up in tha-"

"-Leave them alone"

The crowd had parted, and the yelling had seized for a moment, as Marceline had returned, With Regulus stood in front of her, his wand raised and absolutely furious.

Sirius didn't say a word, instead whipping out his wand, and everyone- Perenelle and Vaudeline included, watched with baited breath as the two brothers faced each other.

"Well isn't this beautiful- a family reunion now, the gang's all here" Sirius said quietly, sarcasm laced in his voice, while Regulus' expression only soured.

"You're not family" He scoffed, "You made that clear, so leave mine alone and go back to the family you chose"

Perenelle had closed the distance between her and Vaudeline while Sirius and Regulus were speaking, squeezing her sister's hand and pulling her towards her.

"The three of you are bloody pathetic" Sirius shook his head, turning to stare at the twins,

"I'm glad I left, I'm glad Andromeda left your shite family!" And there it was. Perenelle sucked in a breath, and to her surprise- so did Vaudeline, as though anger had suddenly surged through her once more.

"Don't you dar-"

"What? Say the truth!" Sirius defended, waving his wand as he spoke, while Regulus' grip on his own only tightened, "Everyone here knows it!" He continued, motioning to the crowd.

"The truth is, I got out- She got out, while you two? And Reg? Don't think I forgot about your weird little dark shrine in your bedroom, real charming, totally not concerning - you two are not going to be anything more than the perfect little Black Brides you were bred to be" He paused, and Regulus' face scrunched when Sirius threw his accusation, while Perenelle looked concerned, surely Regulus wasn't?

"It's like you're bloody purebred breeding ponies! Honestly pathetic, and I pity you"

"Oh- and I am not an overgrown child with a victim complex!" He spat at Perenelle, who flinched at the raise in his voice.

"What in the name of Merlin is going on here!"

The voice of Professor McGonagall cut through the corridor, and it was though a fire had been lit- as the crowd suddenly scrambled to disperse, leaving only the four cousins in its wake.

"Never in all my years- explain yourselves immediately!" The older witch demanded, and none of them moved to speak.

"Very well then" She said, "detention, my room tomo-"

"-Minnie plea-"

"-Oh no Black- Sirius" She corrected herself, as well, all of them were Black's, "You all have gone too far! My classroom after dinner tomorrow, absolutely ridiculous!" Professor McGonagall looked absolute flabbergasted, and Perenelle felt felt the creeping sensation of shame hot on the back of her neck as their professor stared at them in awe- awe at the embarrassingly inappropriate display.

She avoided Vaudeline's gaze- as her twin would no doubt have questions about why Sirius had started the whole show- and well, why he said some of the things he said, and Perenelle would be lying if she said she wanted to answer.

After more scolding at the hands of Professor McGonagall, the four were sent to their dormitories, and Perenelle silently walked with her sister and cousin back to the Slytherin common room.

None of them said a word, not even when they had reached the common room, and for the first time in her life, Perenelle was thankful for the unspoken rule in their family that urged one to suppress their feelings and ignore the uncomfortable- as uncomfortable the present situation was.

Perenelle couldn't get Sirius' words out of her head, the way he came at her- so defensive, as if her pouring her feelings to Remus was meant to be an attack on him, when in reality she missed him horribly, something she'd never admit. Though most importantly, what he'd said to her and Vaudeline, that they were purebred ponies raised for the slaughter.

No future, no aspirations, straight from their Hogwarts graduation to a wedding ceremony like every girl before them, as though it was all they were good for.

The feeling his words gave her was unexplainable, and Perenelle fought the nauseous feeling in her stomach at the thought of being sold to the highest bidder and spending the rest of her life an unhappy and unloved housewife- purely for show and breeding.

The thought made her sick.

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dun dun dun...
lol I'm not sure how pleased I am with this chapter, as I'm not sure it completely conveys the hurt vs anger the four of them feel in the fight, so don't be surprised if I go back & change it, but here we go! the ball is officially rolling in terms of the black cousins hashing out their problems, though how far will it go? that's for me to know & you to find out (;
until next time! please remember to vote and comment as it means the world <3