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FOR THE SECOND TIME in two days Perenelle found herself dreading how small her dormitory was. The fact that her, Marcie, and her sister were the only female Slytherin's in their year. The fact that she was currently stuck in a room with Vaudeline period.
"I don't understand what is wrong with you!" Vaudeline patronized, her perfectly plucked eyebrows furrowed as she stared at her sister. Perenelle fighting the urge to scream at the top of her bloody lungs and hide under her covers for the next five years.
"I'm sorry? What are you even going on about?You're the one who left! Left a detention!"
Marcie let out a slow whistle from her spot on her bed, eyes darting back and forth between the pair of them like it was a quidditch match, and the twins were in constant possession and repossession of the quaffle.
"It's like sometimes you're an idiot!" Vaudeline laughed, looking to Marceline to back her up, though their friend averted her eyes. "Do! Not! Engage! What is so bloody difficult about that? Yes I ran after Regulus, he was hurt!"
"I can't even believe you're go—"
"—No! I can't believe that you were so focused on clearing your own involvement you neglected the feelings of your family" She huffed, her finger practically jabbing the air in Perenelle's direction. The violent motion she did so making it seem as though every jab physically dug under her ribs— despite them being on opposite ends of the dormitory.
"I mean honestly Perenelle, Mcgonagall does not care! She hates us, all Slytherins! She's using us for some twisted experiment to make her feel better because she's borderline weirdly obsessed with Sirius and his moronic friends!"
"I don't think she hates all Slytherins, I've n—"
"—Marcie shut up!"
Marceline shrunk at the venom in Vaudeline's words, and Perenelle's eyes widened as she watched her sister's chest heave in anger— whatever Vaudeline was upset about, she wasn't entirely sure it was completely about her.
"You know what, I'm not doing this right now alright? I have rounds, but since you and Regulus are so angry with me you can be the one to tell him we've got another detention Sunday night" Perenelle said, throwing her arms up in defeat before snatching her robes off of her bed.
"We what?"
"You heard me— I'm not saying it again" Perenelle chuckled dryly, her voice cracking as Vaudeline's words processed in her brain over and over. "So go ahead, make me the bloody scapegoat for whatever it is you're actually mad about, I'm going to go because Severus is waiting"
Marcie took the pause in conversation as an opportunity as she turned to face Perenelle, who was shuffling her robes on in the doorway.
"Did the boys tell you we're having a small party tonight? If not then if we're too loud come tell us a—"
"—I'm patrolling the courtyards" Perenelle huffed, before leaving and slamming the door behind her.
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Perenelle tried her hardest to mask the anger on her face as she approached Severus, who was waiting for her by the common room door. Antonin and Damien were with him— no doubt repeating the same words thrown her way by Marceline. Her suspicions were confirmed as Severus muttered an "I don't know— we're not even patrolling down here tonight" as soon as she came within hearing distance of the trio.
"Pera, Pera, Pera" Damien chuckled, slipping over to her and slugging an arm over her shoulder, pulling her down almost chest-level and eliciting an annoyed protest from the dark haired girl. She wasn't that much shorter than Damien, standing at five-seven next to his height of five-ten, yet glared up at him before breaking free from his clutches.
"Someone's in a mood— you want us to save you a bottle? We've got some of yours" He asked, gesturing to the staircase that led to the boy's dormitories.
Her uncle Orion and his father— Arcturus, the head of their family, had recently ventured further into the alcohol market, something about increasing the new money coming in to secure the old. She didn't really know. Didn't care too much in all honesty, she knew the basics of how her family remained the richest of the rich— but was more intrigued by how she got to spend said riches.
The Black's held major shares in most workings in magical London— the biggest being almost a double share in St. Mungo's Hospital, as well as minor holdings internationally. Some in Germany, the ancestral home of her grandmother Irma's family, though mostly in her mothers native France— the majority of which being hundreds of years old and in Normandy, far surpassing any other international dealings. Something about it being the home of their family before they came to England during the Norman invasion of the Middle Ages. Either way, they were rich— far richer than any other family, even the other sacred-twenty eights, though the Malfoy's were a close second.
Which she knew irritated her father immensely, he wasn't too fond of her older sister's husband, something about a rivalry with Lucius' father. Perenelle had never bothered to ask, she wasn't Lucius' biggest fan either, and she highly doubted Narcissa's marriage would have been allowed had the Malfoy's not been as economically sound. Love-match be damned.
"The Chateau Rum?— yuck, no thanks" She grimaced, "If you've got any Radiant Knight left I might have some" And Damien shot her a finger gun and a wink in response.
Liquor was not her favourite— Perenelle had never enjoyed the feeling of the burning liquid running down her throat, thus never drank enough to feel its effects and deem it worth it. Her family's signature white wine— named after their supposed involvement and efforts in the Norman invasion however was something agreeable— even if it was only produced to one-up the Malfoy's signature red, their main source of wealth.
They didn't have a rum though. She could just imagine it in her father's smug tone— as that was precisely what had spurred the creation of Chateau Rum only three years prior, unveiled at Narcissa and Lucius' wedding.
"Vaudeline might want it though, I don't know— if someone else wants it don't save it solely for me, but if there's any left I'll have it" She finished, suddenly remembering that her and her sisters small stash had been depleted a few weeks prior— they had foolishly only brought a bottle with them at the start of the semester.
Damien and Antonin bid them goodbye after that, leaving to ready the common room and rid it of any one under fifth year, and Perenelle left for her rounds, Severus behind her.
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Perenelle didn't hate her prefects rounds, they never went too late into the evening, and they meant she could escape the dormitory after hours on the occasion— however they did tend to bore her to bloody pieces. That of course was due to her fellow sixth year prefect.
Severus wasn't necessarily a horrible partner. He was her friend— or at least an adjacent friend as he tagged along with their group, and he didn't flout the rules or abuse them— at least that she was aware of, she had a feeling when her cousin or Toni and Damien were involved things were different.
So what was it that Perenelle found fault in?
Severus never bloody talked.
Perenelle didn't mind silence— no more than the ordinary person, and she'd be lying if she said that occasionally a silent patrol of the grounds wasn't what she needed to clear her head.
Constant silence however was enough to make even Perenelle go insane; the infamous mad Black gene lying dormant inside her certainly not helping the situation. They'd have conversations sure, perhaps a few, though never any that held any meaning or were actually stimulating. Nothing that held— or helped to make the patrols go by any faster.
Though as they walked through the courtyard Perenelle couldn't help but notice that Sev seemed even broodier than usual— his tight lipped mouth curved into an even deeper unmissable frown, and wondered if she should say something.
Severus' quiet nature meant that Perenelle often never knew what was going on in the boy's life. At least anything that wasn't superficial— Toni and Damien surely knew more than she and the girls, but more often than not Sev's moods came at the expense of her cousin and his friends— or Toni and Damien being on his case about his childhood friend Lily from Gryffindor.
Only he didn't have Lily anymore.
"Hey Sev?" She asked cautiously, looking over to the dark haired boy as they walked through alcove after alcove illuminated by wand light.
"Yes?"
"Are— I don't know, are you okay?...I heard about what happened with Lily"
He paused for a moment, causing Perenelle to do the same, and she worried that she had upset him by asking, though his face twitched for a moment before he answered.
"Antonin and Damien were right— it was foolish for me to even be friends with her..." He trailed off, looking over towards the benches on the other side of the yard, "I'm okay, I just don't really want to talk about it— I don't think it needs to be talked about"
Perenelle nodded, though Severus' gaze was still avoiding hers— she felt bad for him, and felt like he wasn't telling her the whole truth. Though, she wasn't entitled to the whole truth— they weren't close, she'd never made an attempt to be before.
Perhaps she only asked because Andromeda had been on her mind lately. It wasn't exactly an identical situation— but it was similar enough to put herself in the quiet boy's shoes.
She tried to remind herself that she hadn't called her sister a slur— though that slur didn't exactly define her sister. So it was different. It was also true though, wasn't it? Is it really a slur or a faux pas when it holds merit? Even if it is often in bad taste?
"Hey" She said, nudging Severus' shoulder with the tip of her wand, "If it makes you feel any better— my cousin and his friends are lousy tossers" And a smile erupted across Perenelle's face as she noticed Sev's lips upturn ever so slightly at her words.
Their attention was suddenly grabbed by sounds coming from the alcove to their right— one of the only ones yet to be checked, and Perenelle and Severus approached, wands in front of them.
"Prefects" Perenelle announced, Snape behind her, "Come out please, or we'll have to fetch a Professor"
There was a rustling in the dark alcove— an oh shit! muttered, before footsteps erupted, and the back of a robe billowing as its owner fled through the back of the alcove,
"Hey!" Perenelle called after her— though the girl was gone, her Hufflepuff tie haphazardly put on and peaking through the back of a— was it blonde? Head of hair the only indication of the girl's identity.
"Bloody hell" Pera muttered, seeing no use in going after her— she was already gone.
Severus took a step forward, his wand in front of him, "We know you're in there— come out or more points will be deducted"
"Alright, you've got me" Rather cheerfully came from the alcove, and it's inhabitant stepped forward.
Auburn hair a right mess— as though someone had been grabbing at it, a dress shirt crumpled and half buttoned— and skin flushed, out stepped none other than Gideon Prewett.
"Oh shit— hi Perenelle, and— Snape? Is it? Really funny sto—"
Perenelle felt frozen to the cobblestones, her mouth slightly open as she stared at Gideon in front of her— the sight of him in front of her. Gideon seemed to have a similar reaction, sheepishly avoiding her eye— though when they did meet feverishly turning back to Severus, as though looking at her would send his freckled skin reddening all over again.
"Ten points from Gryffindor for being out after curfew and inappropriate conduct— detention on Tuesday" Severus drawled, before looking over to Perenelle, his eyes brimming with curiosity, practically saying— you know him?
Perenelle didn't say a word, her heart racing as she connected the dots as to what they had caught Gideon doing— or rather who. The thought setting her mind on fire as she subconsciously pictured different scenario's and scenes, Gideon's voice being the thing to break her from her thoughts,
"Oh come on— Perenelle can't you get him to ease u—"
"— I, well I do—"
"—No" Severus interrupted her stuttering, "You were out after hours"
It was a blur after that— Severus sent Gideon on his way, an unabashed look on his face that practically screamed this wasn't the first time he had been caught after hours for snogging— or, whatever it was he was doing.
The pair left after that, their rounds finished— and it was Perenelle's turn to avoid Severus' questions, denying she knew the boy that he had just given detention. Perenelle had a feeling Snape was a little annoyed she hadn't backed him up, though he didn't say anything.
The party— or small dignified gathering seemed to be in full swing by the time they had reached the common room. Perenelle wanted nothing more than to escape to her dormitory, though it seemed fate had different plans.
You see, the Slytherins partied differently than the other houses at Hogwarts— or so Marcie said, on account of her having attended one Ravenclaw party in all their years of school, Perenelle had never been that brave. Though Marceline seemed to be a credible source.
Slytherins were traditional— "old money" if you will— well... those with reputable and credibly supported blood status. They partied, of course they did, but they weren't undignified animals.
Or if they did become undignified animals— it was after the younger years had gone to bed and were unable to prove anything other than well respectable people having a fun yet well respectable time.
Slytherin parties were filled with highly expensive alcohol— and highly drunk people, but somehow always managed to stay above a certain level of decorum. Except maybe Marcie, the girl loved to party— and Damien and Toni loved to rile her up. Point being there was none of the snog-filled, table turning, couch burning nonsense that Marceline had reported from her partying adventures.
Slytherins were better than that.
Though it didn't mean drunk Slytherins were any less annoying. Or sloppy.
"Pera—oh!" Marceline had sprung up from the couch, before nearly knocking over a champagne glass, and Perenelle braced herself as Marcie grabbed her in a hug.
"Hi Marc" She sighed, squeezing Marceline before escaping the hug, her best friend swaying on her feet for a moment, "Bloody hell— I think you've had a bit too much of the Twisted Fairy there" Referring to the bottle of imported liquor in Marcie's hand.
"Oh no— no I'm good!" And Marcie was gone, bouncing off towards the group of seventh years on the other side of the room.
Perenelle couldn't explain it— but there was a knot in her stomach, a knot that twisted tighter each passing second as she pictured a head of auburn hair and a cocky grin.
She couldn't get the way he had emerged from the alcove out of her mind— skin flushed, the faintest hint of a blossoming bruise stark across his pale neck just under where his tie was carelessly undone— the thought made her sick.
An arm was around her, and she was thrown out of her anxiety ridden day dream by Antonin staring down at her— an almost full bottle of Radiant Knight in his other hand.
"Your sister went for the Chateau Rum tonight" He whistled, gesturing the bottle towards the couch— and Perenelle's eyes followed. Vaudeline was there sulking, no doubt still angry about their fight— the bottle of their family's rum presses to her lips as Damien held her on his lap, whispering something— no doubt something revolting in her ear. Whatever it was, Vaudeline didn't reply, eyes straight ahead towards the fireplace.
Perenelle eyed the bottle in his hand— the knot in her stomach twisting, and she took it from him, offering a smile and a thank you, but I'm going to go to bed before leaving the common room.
She collapsed onto her bed— not bothering to undress out of her uniforms, and after uncorking the bottle took a generous sip.
Stupid Gideon and his stupid snogging.
She didn't know why Gideon Prewett seemed to be invading every corner of her life recently, from her family feud to her prefect rounds— but what she did know was that it gave her an uncomfortable feeling she wasn't able to place.
She took another swig of Radiant Knight before shimmying out of her robe, carelessly tossing it towards the end of her bed.
Really— it's not that she cared he was snogging that Hufflepuff, they barely knew each other anymore.
Besides— he had been a childhood crush, gone by the time she even knew what snogging was, certainly not reciprocated, and definitely never reaching fruition—
Though the knot in her stomach wouldn't leave, no matter how many times she brought the bottle of wine to her lips as she laid on her bed, eyes staring holes through the ceiling.
Maybe it was the fact that she had never snogged anyone— yes, that had to be it. Merlin she hadn't even kissed anyone, let alone whatever he was doing.
Whatever he was doing— gosh! Perenelle wanted to smother herself with her own pillow, what was it with the cocky redhead that made it impossible for her to think about anyone else?
His lips were swollen as he tried to talk Snape out of giving him detention— swollen and pink, like all the blood in his body had rushed to the one spot— oh Merlin, she had let Severus give him detention— she didn't even say anything! Too busy stuttering and stammering to even remember.
Though he was out after hours, she couldn't just abuse her powers as prefect because she happened to have a tiny crush on him when they were children— it wasn't ethical!
He wasn't mad at her? Right?
Perenelle rubbed at her eyes, setting the now nearly empty bottle of Radiant Knight down beside her,
What did she care if Gideon Prewett was mad at her? She didn't owe him anything— she barely knew him.
But she did know that he liked to snog blonde Hufflepuffs.
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next time I tell you guys something in an authors note you should automatically assume I'm lying LMFAO never listen to me again when I give you hints about what to expect next.
ok that was harsh I technically wasn't lying when I said her and gid would talk— they did! but like, I know, I know
the chapter I talked about in the last update is actually going to be NEXT chapter (you guys can trust me I promise it was gonna be one big chapter but I split it so I could update faster lol) where we'll finally see perenelle actually converse like a normal human with him... he's actually in most of the chapter! & will be present nearly every chapter now... I just needed some sort of build up, yknow? It's no fun if I make them interact right away! I can whole heartedly promise that after the next chapter or two we will be seeing gideon frequently! (he is the love interest after all) it's just that this story isn't just about their romance yknow? I've talked about this on my profile but it is a black family centric au that will also have a golden trio era sequel, so there's a lot to flesh out! (take what I mean by that however you'd like... I love predictions)
until next time! (which hopefully won't be too long xx) please remember to vote and comment as I adore hearing from you guys,
jess <3