Leaving Defense Against the Dark Arts, Aurelia was certain of one thing, and one thing only.
Her absolute hatred towards the teacher.
Professor Everhart had been annoying, but at least he hadn't been practicing curses on their students. No, Professor Wisteria was certainly someone you didn't want to mess with.
The worst part was that there was absolutely nothing they could do.
And after that incident with the Boggart she had barely been teaching them how to protect themselves; the teacher would perform the curses but not say how they were supposed to fight them. Like they had to learn for themselves.
Aurelia wracked her brain — trying to find something she could do to help the other students who were struggling just as much, if not even more, than she already was. And she was almost close to giving up when an idea popped inside her mind.
Maybe there was something they could do after all.
She remembered during the end of her fifth year that she had thought that if by her sixth year there still wouldn't be a sufficient Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, then she would put matters on her own hands. She didn't want others, and herself included, to do poorly during the N.E.W.T.S examinations. If she wanted to be successful, then she had to try her hardest in order to end up in a career she actually enjoyed.
Obviously, Aurelia didn't know exactly where she planned the replacement class to be held; and, for that matter, if people would be willing to join in the first place.
As her mind was occupied with coming up with ideas for where she could go, she hadn't realized she had paced a wall three times, all with the intent of finding a place to teach. A door magicked itself right in front of her, as if it had been there the whole time. Aurelia questionably looked at the door, wondering whether this was one of her many mind hallucinations. Once she figured that it couldn't possibly have been, considering those typically happened every three days and it had only been two since her last hallucination, she went in — wondering why she hadn't seen the strange room on the Marauder's map before.
Inside, the room was exactly what Aurelia pictured the perfect classroom to look like. No desks and chairs — well, there were a few chairs; presumably in case someone was lazy. No, this was the perfect room where people could engage by actually performing spells; not doodling on pieces of parchment because they were bored.
Ehem, sound familiar? Aurelia, what say you?
Aurelia scowled. That's hardly fair; you would too if you had to put up with the teacher's obnoxious—
Too true, and I don't regret it. Now would you please stop arguing with yourself you crazy lunatic?
Aurelia stared up at the ceiling as if she were looking at her head, her face etched with hurt. That was uncalled for.
I only speak the truth.
The truth hurts.
All right then — you're sane and enjoyable to be around.
"I don't feel like being around you anymore," Aurelia said aloud. "You're toxic and rude. I can't have you in my life if you continue acting the way you do."
"What are you going to do about it, you airhead?" Aurelia mimicked her brain.
"I'm going to be an airhead once I rip you out—"
Just then, the door opened, and there stood Regulus Black. He seemed about ready to walk in, but upon seeing Aurelia he halted, and Aurelia — oblivious to him being there — continued to banter with her head. It was quite the spectacle.
"You have quite the ego."
"Well that would make sense, wouldn't it?"
"Ugh, couldn't you just be neuromal for once?"
"What the actual fuck is that pun?"
"I'd stop with the puns once you stop giving me a psychology lesson and quit babbling about Sigmund Freud and Heinz Hartmann. It's getting quite annoying and I'm visibly cringing."
Aurelia turned, saw Regulus, then turned the other way again. "Now I'm actually visibly cringing." Aurelia turned once more so she was facing Regulus, and gave an over-the-top smile. "Lovely day, isn't it? I was just about to be on my way. I heard some... strange voices arguing with one another. I do believe there's someone else in the room. Making quite the ruckus, might I add."
"Oh, uh. I was just finding a place to study," Regulus said, a hint of confusion evident in his tone. "I didn't know there'd be someone else... and especially..."
Aurelia nodded uncomfortably, feeling a bubbling pit of nerves form. Regulus seemed to notice, because his eyes looked towards her eyes imploringly. "Actually, I was looking for you. I wanted to ask... erm, or say more like, something."
"Well you might not want to say it here when there's other people..."
Regulus gave her a look. Aurelia cringed. He knows.
Well duh. I do applaud you though. No one else could have embarrassed themselves more than you have just now.
Aurelia mentally scolded herself.
"What I said about your dad in the summer, I'm sorry. I really am. What I did was unfair." Regulus paused. "Honestly though, I was being dramatic on purpose."
Regulus seemed about ready to say something else, stopped, then continued. "And, as you know... I'm a... you know." He couldn't muster up the words to say it.
Aurelia nodded in understanding. "So it seems."
"I didn't want it," Regulus said truthfully. "I would do anything to get the wretched ink out of my skin. I don't hold the same views as I once did. I don't agree with him. Aurelia, I don't care that you didn't tell me about your Dad; I would have done the same had I been in your position. I don't care even if you're a muggleborn. I couldn't care less if you were a muggle. As crazy as you are — no offense — I like you. I love you. I always have. Please, please don't hold this against me. I can change, I have. I'll defy him; I'll defy all of them."
"I love you too," Aurelia said softly, and it was the truth, she never felt more confident with her words at that moment. "But how would that help you? You'd get yourself killed. I wouldn't like that — I'm sure Sirius wouldn't either. Not to mention Avery, and Mulciber. Rosier as well..."
"You have the Dark Mark," she added in a whisper, and Regulus looked away, ashamed. "And there's nothing you can do about it."
"I'll be a spy then, for Dumbledore," Regulus said, his voice cracking. "Please, I can help. I'm capable."
"Regulus," Aurelia started, "what does Voldemort have planned?"
Regulus didn't respond.
"Regulus?"
"They want everyone who isn't a pureblood dead." Regulus said. "There are a few exceptions, like Severus Snape..."
But Aurelia wasn't listening. Her throat went dry and she felt as if she would be sick at any moment.
They were in danger.
More danger than what she initially thought.
A/N Haha I finally posted lol. I want to finish this soon so expect more updates. You won't have to wait half a year anymore. Also it's my birthday on the 30th and I'll be turning 15... so, if I get enough happy birthdays I'll post around that time... We'll see. Who am I kidding, everyone's gone after having had to wait for so long. Sorry, sorry. Just me being lazy.