H I R A E T H
xlix||secrets and lies
The month had moved by quickly and it's already mid September, more and more reports of gruesome deaths and attacks, less and less students attending Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. Maria had spent most of her time browsing in the library for anything to keep her mind off everything going on around her, she'd sometimes see Regulus sat alone with his eyebrows furrowed, reading books that Maria had never seen before. He almost looked as though he didn't want anyone to find out what he was reading about, and this alone made Maria sceptical.
She'd also spent a few nice afternoons studying with Jamie Diggory, who turns out to be quite the friend to Maria. He almost always sits with her when she's alone in the great hall and when she looks lonely.
Alyssa has been constantly keeping an eye on her also, keeping up to date with all Maria's latest updates on boys and friends and family. She appreciates their efforts, but no amount of kindness will be able to fill that gaping hole in her chest, like an open wound that can only be seen by someone willing to look close enough.
The wound made by the boy she loves the most.
Maria had accepted that's all there is when it comes to falling in love, wounds, that just cut deeper and deeper each time. Because, as Regulus had once said on one of their many nights on the astronomy tower when she tried to thrown her wand off the hall tower — mostly because she kept in getting the shielding spell wrong — and the tousle haired boy had grabbed her wrist and shook his head. She had asked why and told him that the worst that could happen was that the wand would fall down onto the land beneath them. Regulus had responded wisely: 'whatever falls, breaks'.
It's now, that Maria understands what the Black meant.
"Tell me again." Alyssa sighs as the two girls enter the great hall and Maria sighs, repeating the incantation they have to learn for charms to the blonde who echoes the words with a smile.
"Lyssa, have you ever. . .done something, but then it's only after you've done it that you regret it?" Maria asks her as they sit at the Slytherin table opposite each other. Alyssa raises one of her eyebrows and nods, Maria huffing and asking what exactly Alyssa had done, only to get the response that she had eaten all of Regulus' treacle fudge and then he'd taken her favourite muggle sweets — Haribos.
"Why?" Alyssa asks the girl in front of her after she swallows some toast.
"Because. . ."
"Spit it out!" Alyssa says impatiently and Maria sighs loudly.
"I slept with Sirius." Maria whispers and Alyssa frowns as her cheeks bulge with a large amount of scrambled eggs.
"Hm?"
"I had sex with Sirius fucking Black!" Maria whisper yells and Alyssa swallows awkwardly.
"Oh."
"And, I have no idea what to do." Maria breathes, running both her hands through her brunette locks that become slightly disheveled after.
"Maybe. . .don't bring it up in front of Stanley." Alyssa says, stabbing a piece of bacon with her golden fork. "He'll end up unintentionally spilling it to Reg, who. . .would not take it well."
"He doesn't own me." Maria rolls her eyes and Alyssa holds her hands up in defence.
"Hey—I'm just telling you the hard truth."
"Yeah, thank you." Maria says softly before the distant squawks of owls are heard from above before dozens of owls come soaring into the Great hall, each holding packages or letters. Maria spots the brown barn owl and smiles when Benny lands on her shoulder, giving him a treat as he loosens the grip on the letters in his beak and she gently strokes his white chest before the owl hoots and takes off — presumably up towards the owlery to rest after his long journey.
Maria sighs and tears open one of the letters, unfolding the parchment inside. She sees the familiar handwriting of James Potter.
Hi Mar,
I hope you're okay, me and the others have been holding up pretty well all things considered. I'm pretty sure Peter is completely terrified of what might come in the future, but Lily told him to cross that bridge when he comes to it. Still, I'm sure he's just worried for his Mum.
Me and Lily are good like really good, I was thinking and we've been together for almost a year now and I really want marry her. As soon as possible, because well, if we die tomorrow, at least we'll be bound together you know?
Anyway, enough with the soppy eugh stuff. How's Hogwarts? I heard it's mental this year, kids being sent home at their parents requests and shit, keep us updated, please.
I miss you,
Love James.
Maria sighs, scratching her nose slightly as if it might hold back her sadness and homesickness towards her older brother. But, it doesn't.
On the back of the next letter, she notices Sirius' scratchy yet impeccably nest handwriting and almost just performs a spell to have the stone ground of the hall swallow her whole and never to be spoke about again.
Maria,
I'm sorry for not writing sooner, I was actually kinda scared of what you might reply or if you'd even respond at all.
But—look, with everything that's going on I can't stand to be like this with you, I just want you to know that whatever you felt for me I know you feel more for my brother, and that's completely fine seriously.
Just, please write back to me. I cannot sit here not knowing if you're hurt or something interesting has happened.
Also, Remus and Peter want to know whether any new pranksters have moved into the school, of course they'll be like amateurs compared to us when we started but at least they could bring some fun to the school.
Is it really as bad as people are making it out to be?
I can't imagine how you feel, not knowing any more than the prophet decides to tell you, it's a pretty shitty deal if you ask me. But, when you let us know you're alive, I'll keep you posted on everything.
Hope you're okay,
Sirius.
Maria sighs, folding both letters back into one of the envelopes.
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Alyssa drags Maria into the Slytherin common room, since apparently the Slytherins are doing a sort of party, Maria knows it's probably by the blood purist maniacs that are probably buzzing with excitement because their auntie just blew someone up. Walking in, she'd never really gotten chance to look around properly, always being to caught up with Regulus Black to notice the details.
It's nice, but also feels more eerie and cold compared to the other common rooms she's been in. It's huge, there's not a doubt that it's larger than the Gryffindors common room, with high ceilings and dark painted walls with minimal paintings, one of Salazar Slytherin and a couple of serpent like creatures and a few bookshelves lining the walls. There's dark, wooden cabinets and at the very bottom of the room, the stairs leading to the dormitories. There's no windows, so it seems darker than it should, but Maria knows it's because the Slytherin common room and dormitories are positioned beneath the large, black lake on the grounds.
There's a couple of dark emerald green, leather sofas next to a tremendous fire with roaring green flames dancing inside. There's also a few arm chairs of the same colour and some cushions on the ground that people are sat on.
She feels out of place, a lion in a snake den, but lions are proud beasts — not the kind that would quake at the sight of a dozen snakes. So, Maria flicks some of her hair behind her shoulder, keeping her chin up as she strolls alongside Alyssa who stops to greet some of her Slytherin acquaintances, as she'd refer to them as anyway.
Then, her wrist is being yanked.
Then, she's face to face with the blonde girl that basically ruined her life. Rolling her eyes, Maria stands slightly straighter now an inch, maybe two, taller than the girl in front of her. She's never been short, not since her third year when she suddenly grew to five foot five inches and now stands at five foot seven, still extremely small compared to her six foot two werewolf best friend and the two six foot Black brothers.
"Hi." Maria deadpans and Rebecca scoffs but Maria follows her gaze and sees Regulus sat with his arms across either side of the sofa and his body slouched forwards, his legs apart and feet on the green rug, a cigarette between his lips. He's still wearing his uniform, seeing as it's only a few minutes before dinner and he'd just gotten out of a detention with Professor Sinstra. His tie isn't on but his off-white shirt has the two top buttons undone and is untucked from his pants.
"Hot isn't he?" Rebecca titters and Maria feels her face unintentionally turn into an annoyed expression. "I suppose you'd know, after he fucked you. . .then you fucked his brother."
Maria's eyes widen as she looks back to Rebecca who's already smirking up at her.
"Oh yeah, I know about that little secret." Rebecca whispers, smiling. "But, I bet you didn't know what Regulus was doing to me—"
Maria shoved past Rebecca and walks away from her, all whilst pouring red wine all over Rebecca's cream top, flipping the blonde off over her shoulder as she takes a swig of the wine.
"Who do you think you are—bitch!?" Rebecca yells after her.
"I'm Maria fucking Potter—who the fuck are you?"
Maria shouts, shoving Rebecca so she lands in a group of sixth years before two arms wrap around her waist to prevent her from hitting the Barnes girl. Then, she's dragged away from the scene by the pair of strong arms until she's in a dormitory and the door is slammed behind her.
"What was that for? Scared for your pretty little fiancé?" Maria snaps and Regulus rolls his eyes, pacing slightly and pointing at her.
"Don't even make this about her—this has nothing to do with her!"
"It has everything to do with her—and since when we're you defending her?" Maria says matching his loud volume.
"I'm not—and don't think I haven't been told about you fucking Sirius!" Regulus snaps angrily at the girl who hesitates for a second.
"Oh—and what did you do, huh?" Maria shouts and Regulus looks at her incredulously. "Lovely Rebecca told me all about your time together."
"This isn't—is about me and you—fuck Rebecca!"
"You did that, didn't you?" Maria retaliates and Regulus' jaw tightens as he shakes his head with a humourless smile. "Didn't you?!"
"Yes! Yes—I slept with Rebecca, but you fucking shagged my brother!" Regulus yells at her.
"And you know what?" Maria raises an eyebrow, walking up to him to her forehead is almost touching his chin as he looks down at her. "It was really, really good."
Then, she's against the wall.
"What? Don't like the truth?" Maria smiles teasingly, watching as Regulus' jaw clenches, one hand on her waist and the other resting on the wall next to her head.
"Don't start something you can't finish, Potter." Regulus warns and Maria sighs, looking down for a second before hooking her fingers through his belt loops and pulling him closer to her, leaning up to his ear.
"Who said I can't finish it. . .Black?"
Regulus chuckles, shaking his head, "it's going to be a long night."
Then, she's pulled him down into a heated kiss.
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Don't worry! I haven't robbed you. . .butttt the smut deserves its own chapter ;)
hope you like it so far, also I was wondering when I've finished this would anyone read a fic about Avalyn (the ghost) and Tom Riddle's story?
thank you so much for reading, I can't believe it's past 100k!!!
~grace xx