{.0.4. Fourth Year}
Alcyone Montague hated attention. She didn't like any forms of attention on her; especially not after the Boggart incident. She felt like any forms of attention were unnecessary and a nuisance; which is why on her fourteenth birthday she was hiding in the flower garden of their family grounds hiding from her family members who had wanted to throw her a birthday party.
She had been hiding from Arcturus who she had been scared of since the Boggart and it wasn't his fault but she didn't want to think of him being embarrassed by her. She knew that she was the reason that their mother died, she didn't like being constantly reminded of it.
"What you doing out here?" Alcyone looked up from the flower she was holding and smiled at Sirius
"I don't want to be in there," she said simply
Sirius nodded taking the flower from her hand and placing it in her hair. He smiled and shot her a wink. She rolled her eyes knowing that Sirius was a flirt.
"I don't like your birthdays too much either, I always have to behave and look good because you all like Reggie," he groaned
Alcyone was confused at what that meant. She didn't realise that her birthdays were being held at such a standard that made Sirius have to behave?
Alcyone knew that Orion and Walburga were pureblood dicks and Sirius wasn't into all that, he was always making it known that he most definitely wasn't like his awful parents but what had he even meant by Alcyone liking Reggie? They were friends, of course they liked one another.
"I mean you don't really have to behave, I know Atlas thinks you're funny, and we quite like you too," she said with a small smile
"Atlas loves that the attention isn't on him for once," he teased nudging her shoulder
"I'm serious! Nobody can force you to behave anyway,"
"No, I'll have you know that I'm Sirius!"
Alcyone looked at him with a raised eyebrow, biting her lip before she burst into laughter. She had never even thought of Sirius' name being a pun, she thought it was hilarious.
Sirius smiled as he realised that he'd made the girl laugh which was his goal all along and he was happy that he helped her out. He grinned and went to say something when he heard a clearing of a throat.
"Sirius, mother wants you inside and Alcyone, your uncle is leaving now they want you to come back in," regulus said with indifference
Sirius helped Alcyone down from where she was sitting and she followed the Black brothers into her house. She thought it was very strange the way Reggie had spoken to both her and Sirius. It was extremely hostile and she couldn't work out why that would be. She headed towards her uncle who kissed her cheek before leaving with her cousin who just scowled at her.
"Why did you leave the party with Sirius, love?" Alcyone looked up at Wolf and scowled as he raised a suggestive eyebrow
"Wolf that's disgusting I'm fourteen, why must you always be so suggestive? And I was outside first and then Sirius came to find me if you must know." She frowned as an arm got flung round her shoulders
"Yeah Wolf, she's fourteen! You tell him Cece," Oberon said squeezing her tightly "you enjoying your birthday sweets?" He asked
"Can everyone just go home and we spend time with each other, we're never all here together anymore?" She pleaded
Oberon frowned. He knew that as they grew older the brothers hadn't been around their youngest two siblings that much and it really did upset him. He knew that the siblings had been close as Alcyone grew up but he had seriously regretted it as the years went on. Especially as he was getting on in his twenties; he'd learnt to appreciate spending time with his siblings more and he hadn't done that enough.
"I promise Cece next year you won't have to have all this rubbish and your fifteenth birthday will be better," he said
"It'll be just family," Wolf agreed kissing his sister cheek.
***
Sadly for Alcyone Montague, she was not allowed to be home-schooled for her fourth year, despite all her pleading and protests about education at Hogwarts. Atlas had tried to argue in her favour but Perseus protested and said it was a waste of education if she stayed at home.
What Perseus couldn't see however was that it was not a waste if she stayed home but it would be better for her. There would be no bullying, no stress and she would thrive under the teaching of Atlas as she had done when she was growing up.
Alcyone had begrudgingly said goodbye to her brothers that would not be joining her at Hogwarts and cried as she left the platform — she really hadn't wanted to go back. She didn't even find Toby or Luke on the train and opted to sit by herself in a compartment where she could read a book to herself in peace. She enjoyed her own company as the years went by and she definitely appreciated it more now that she was being forced to stay at Hogwarts.
"Alright Al? What you doing in our compartment?" She heard the dulcet tones of Sirius Black ask
"Oh, sorry. I— I'm— well— I'm going to go," she stuttered feeling embarrassed that the four 'Marauders' were standing looking at her
She tried to reach up and get her suitcase but because Caspian placed it up there for her, she couldn't reach it to bring it back down. She was mortified and blushed crimson when James Potter was stifling a laugh. She huffed and threw her head into her hands.
"Sirius, can you reach the suitcase for me please. I can leave then," she huffed
"Of course my little star," he said bopping a finger on her nose
"Sirius, just get the case! Bloody hell, you're also the star!" She sighed in exasperation at Sirius' antics
"I'm the brightest star in the sky!" Sirius teased
"Yes and I'm the brightest star in the Pleiades open cluster so we're both bright stars now please pass me my case!" She groaned
She couldn't help but notice Potter and Remus Lupin chuckling under their breaths. Poor Peter Pettigrew looked extremely confused, especially as he probably had no idea who Alcyone was.
Sirius got the suitcase down from the overhead compartment and handed it to her. She gave him a small smile and went to leave the compartment before she was stopped by Sirius.
"Where are you going Al? Everywhere is full?" He asked
"Sirius, I'll find Casp or Tobes, I— I don't know but I can't be here with all you," she said pushing through the group of boys and running down the corridor
"What was that about?" James asked
"She seemed anxious," Remus stated matter-of-factly
"she's the pretty one from last year right?" Peter asked
"Yes she's the pretty one Pete, honestly get your priorities straight. She was anxious and it's probably because she wanted to be home-schooled this year. It's been quite the controversial topic amongst her brothers the only one that was for it is Atlas,"
"But why would she want to be homeschooled? Hogwarts is the best!" James gasped
"Not for everyone James. You saw her Boggart, she's not skilled with wand magic. She gets called a Squib on the daily and she's tired of it. I'd feel the same if people found out about me!" Remus fumed sitting down
Maybe if the boys in front of him knew what it was like to be different and be worried about it, they too would understand why Alcyone wanted to be home schooled.
***
"Professor Slughorn please! I don't need a tutor!" Alcyone begged
Professor Slughorn was officially the worst teacher in the whole of Hogwarts. He had wanted Severus Snape to tutor her because she was working at a Troll grade in potions. She really hadn't wanted to go down this route but she knew she was bloody awful at it and she had to get better if she wanted any chance at getting onto the OWL course.
"I'm sorry but my hands are tied Miss Montague," Professor Slughorn said
Alcyone walked out of the classroom and groaned loudly. She couldn't believe that Slughorn wouldn't let Toby or Luke tutor her instead. All she bloody wanted was to just be left alone and learn work with Atlas at home.
She headed towards a window seat in an abandoned corridor so she could write a letter to Oberon, Wolf and Atlas. Hopefully before long they would see how unhappy she was and hopefully pull her out of school. That's all she bloody wanted.
To Obey, Wolfy, Atlas
Please, can I just come home? I have to have a bloody tutor now in potions because I am a failure. Everyone is right I'm useless and I really think you guys should really listen to me and allow me to come home and continue my schooling at home where Atlas can teach me proper useful things; things that will make me excel.
How's things with you guys? Auror work going well Obey? Ministry work boring you to death yet Wolfy? How's your Quidditch reporting coming along Atlas? I miss you all so bloody much and I just want to come home. I hate being different and I know Atlas told me being different is great or whatever but I just think I'm over it.
Bloody hell I haven't even spoken to Reggie properly this year! I'm such a mess and I just want to come home so if you haven't understood from the undertone of this letter. I WANT TO COME HOME.
I love you all millions; always and forever
Cece xx
"This seat taken?"
"Reggie, I didn't think you were talking to me for some reason," she said as she moved her hair behind her ears
It was true, after Alcyone's birthday Regulus had ignored all of her Owls and didn't respond to her at all. It made her feel extremely isolated and confused as she hadn't realised what she had done wrong. She assumed it was something to do with Sirius and how there were growing tensions between the two as Sirius had begun spending a lot more time in the Potter's than he would at Grimmauld place.
"I'm sorry Cece, I really am. I just saw you being close with Sirius at your party and I got jealous," he said with a frown
Alcyone was confused at why Reggie would be jealous of his brother. Although, when she thought about it she could understand as it was more than likely that Sirius didn't even speak to Reggie anymore; not since he found refuge in the Potter's.
"Reggie you mustn't be jealous. I'm friends with you and I know things are tough between you and Sirius right now but maybe you can both try work through it yeah?" She said with a hopeful smile
Regulus just frowned but nodded anyway, he didn't want to argue with Alcyone so he just agreed. Hopefully soon Sirius would mess up and he would have Alcyone back to himself again.
***
Wednesday nights brought chess club and the last chess club before Christmas was a big one for Alcyone Estella-Nova Montague as Luke Hector asked her out on a date!
They were playing a friendly game of wizard's chess with Toby keeping an eye — he was helping Ally where he could because she was rubbish — it was a tense game. Luke knew he had more of a chance at winning than Alcyone did as she wasn't very good but he thought he'd make it more interesting.
"Hey Ally, go on a date with me if I win this game?" He asked with a raised eyebrow
"What?"
Alcyone had never thought about boys that way as she always thought she had been too young. She blushed and just nodded once — Toby couldn't believe what he was seeing and was internally shrieking at how good Luke's game was.
The game continued and Toby gave up on helping Alcyone as he really wanted his friend to go on a date. Alcyone hadn't realised she wasn't doing too well and was still holding out hope. She didn't really want to start dating because she felt sorry for the bloke who'd have to face her brothers if she was being honest. Unfortunately, ( or fortunately ) Luke Hector won which meant they were going on a date the next Hogsmeade.
"Nice playing with you," he said with a wink, leaving Alcyone to exit the room extremely flustered.
***
"You're going on a date?"
That was the first question asked by Perseus Montague when Alcyone and Caspian arrived home for their Christmas holiday. The brother's looked at Alcyone with a range of looks. Perseus looked vaguely intrigued with a hint of annoyance, Oberon looked completely and utterly shocked, Wolf was looking at her with an extremely amused grin, Atlas mouth had dropped open and Caspian's fork clattered to his plate.
"Thanks for that Perse, where did you find that out?" She asked eating some more of her beef
"Luke Hector was quite vocal about it in my class this week with his friends." Perseus said with a smile
"Look, it's not even a date! We were playing wizards chess and he said if he won I have to go on a date with him," she said rolling her eyes
"Oh our little Alcyone is growing up! Her first date!" Wolf gushed
"Absolutely not! This Luke Hector is after one thing and one thing only! Allycat you only need us boys in your life and Reggie no more!" Atlas stayed firmly and nodded his head in confirmation
"Come on boys, how old were you when you first took a girl to Hogsmeade?" Oberon asked causing Alcyone to groan into her hands
"It was just after my sixteenth birthday," Perseus admitted
"I was fourteen," Wolf added
"I was fifteen," atlas said
"I was fourteen when I took my first girl and sixteen when I took my first boy, so it's a thing. She's young and I'm sure Casp is dating too," Oberon said with a grin as he ruffled Caspian's hair
One thing that Alcyone admired about Oberon was his openness, she knew that being an openly bisexual man was unheard of when he was a teenager and thank Merlin the seventies were more accepting but she couldn't help but admire his courage. She was proud of her big brother.
Alcyone watched the brothers converse and listened intently as Perseus discussed Hogwarts with Wolf and Oberon. Caspian was in an extremely heated conversation about Quidditch with Atlas which Alcyone would listen in and out of. She really did love her brothers so much and loved it when they all were together. She was gutted that her father never joined in with them though; she knew it was her fault because she looked like their mum but she just couldn't help it. She just wanted to be loved by her dad.
An owl tapped at the window and Alcyone frowned as she recognised that it was her and Caspian's owl. She opened the window which allowed her owl ( Septimus ) to fly in.
To Cece,
I was just wondering if you and Caspian would like to come around the house this week for tea? Mother is also asking if your father or eldest brother could accompany you as they have something to discuss. Hopefully see you soon! It's going to be a long holiday otherwise!
Love, Reggie xx
"Who's that from Cece?" Wolf asked
"Not the boyfriend?" Atlas teased
"Ugh no! It's from Reggie, he's asked if Casp and I would like to go around. He also asked if dad or Perse or Obey can come because Mrs Black wants something," she shrugged
"Salazar, is this woman serious? Three times we've told her no!" Perseus groaned
"No about what?" Caspian asked
Alcyone decided to just listen and sit down on the table to finish her food. If Perseus was getting annoyed then it must be serious as he was the most patient person that she knew. She watched as Oberon let out a small 'oh' and placed his head on the table a few times as he banged it.
Alcyone was extremely confused. She thought all her brothers had caught on but she hadn't? What could be so bad that Perseus wanted to avoid Walburga Black?
"Tell Regulus all seven of us will be there," Wolf said sternly
Alcyone couldn't do anything but just nod.
***
Alcyone thought her life was over, she was sat in the Black's household getting details of a betrothal discussed between Sirius and Alcyone.
Sirius looked as if he wanted to be anywhere but there and she couldn't help but feel the same. There was no way her brothers would allow her to do this surely. She listened intently to Walburga and Orion's reasoning about why Sirius and Alcyone would be a perfect match but she couldn't help but feel slightly disgusted.
Of course, Sirius was nice and funny, he often made her laugh but he wasn't her type and she was sure they were distantly related ( she still hadn't checked the family trees to find out ). She acknowledged that he was handsome — she thought both Black Brothers were handsome — but she just didn't ever want to be in a relationship with him. She thought he would be much better off in her life as a friend and Alcyone wanted to marry for love not some sort of political alliance.
She had noticed that her dad was extremely silent as he was drinking his whisky and it was annoying Alcyone. She understood that he was listening to the reasonings but she couldn't understand why he wasn't sticking up for her. She was his youngest and only daughter. She thought he'd put a bit more effort into it.
"Sirius? What do you think about this farce?" Perseus had asked
"No offence but as lovely and beautiful as you are Al, I couldn't think of anything worse than buying into this. As it happens I've taken the fancy to a Muggle-born girl in my year that I'd quite like to snog," he said nonchalantly shooting Alcyone a wink
She giggled slightly but when she saw the looks of the adults in the room she realised it was most definitely not something to laugh about. The brothers were looking at Sirius with an almost pitiful look while Walburga and Orion were glaring daggers at him.
"Sirius Orion Black!" She spat "get out! Get out NOW!" She screeched
Sirius shot Alcyone a wink after he ran over and kissed her cheek causing Alcyone to blush, Regulus watched on in fury as his brother was flirting with his best friend. Another thing that he started to dislike Sirius for.
Orion stood up and followed Sirius out of the room and Atlas walked over to Alcyone and covered her ears. Atlas wasn't sure whether Orion would use a silencing spell and he wasn't prepared for Alcyone to hear.
"Atlas what are you doing?" She asked trying to get out of his hold "don't hurt him!" Alcyone shouted
The Montague's winced at the sounds of Sirius screams and Alcyone struggled against Atlas.
"Let me go! They're hurting him! You're a monster!" She screamed at Walburga
Atlas looked at Perseus who nodded and apparated away with Alcyone, who was now screaming. When they arrived in the Montague Mansion Alcyone pushed Atlas off her. She was furious! Poor Sirius was getting hurt and she didn't know why! It was all her fault because she was difficult.
"They're hurting him! Atlas take me back!" She screamed "take me back now! What if they hurt Reggie? Atlas!" Her throat burned as she screamed at her brother hitting his chest
"Allycat, we don't get involved in other people's family affairs. I know that's tough but we can't. Sirius will be alright," he said running a hand through her hair
"This is barbaric! Why on earth is he getting treated like that for wanting to snog a Muggle-born! Atlas please!"
Atlas looked at his sister and get his heart break, he wiped her tears and hugged her tightly. He didn't know how on earth to comfort her properly as he always gave lighthearted advice.
"Cece, sweetie, remember when you were younger we spoke about the type of people that believed in blood purity? That muggles are awful people? The Black family is like that and Sirius doesn't believe in it," he explained "you mustn't misbehave or speak out about these issues in front of Walburga and Orion ok? They wanted to form a betrothal to make it so Sirius fell in line," he explained
"I'm not something to be auctioned off!" She shouted
"I know sweetie, Perseus and Oberon are working on it. Wolf is just there for the drama and I don't think Caspian cares because he's friends with Regulus. You won't be forced into anything you don't want I promise," he said kissing her forehead
Alcyone went to bed that night with the heaviest heart, she couldn't believe Sirius was treated like that and nobody even bothered to stand up for him. Her heart was truly hurting.
***
Alcyone had hated getting tutored, she thought that Severus Snape had absolutely no bloody patience at all.
He was trying to explain the Polyjuice Potion to Alcyone but it wasn't much use. She understood the uses and the ingredients but she didn't understand the steps it just wasn't sinking in with her. She knew that Snape was getting frustrated as he was sighing every few moments.
"Snape, please, can you just be a little more patient I am really trying!" She pleaded
"You insolent girl, you have all the mental capacity of a flubberworm and you will never pass potions with your complete and utter lack of talent," he spat
Alcyone felt her lip tremble and she nodded twice before grabbing her things and walking out of the room. She walked to the Hufflepuff common room where Toby was sat laughing. He looked up and saw her crying and he immediately wrapped his arms around her tightly and kissed her forehead.
"You're ok Ally, it's alright now love," he said softly
Alcyone sniffed and wiped her nose, squeezing Toby tighter. Moments like this she was extremely thankful for him.
***
Alcyone's first date to Hogsmeade was weird. She felt as if she was going on a date with her brother. She thought that Luke Hector thought the same as he hadn't made any move to kiss her — thankfully. They had walked around the village and were sat in the Three Broomsticks where Toby was sat with a Gryffindor girl on the booth opposite them.
She was sipping her butterbeer silently and listening to Luke talk about things that interested him, she really thought that they were better as friends and listening to him talk about his interests was fun but Alcyone didn't exactly want Luke to be her boyfriend.
She looked over to the tables where the Marauders sat and saw Sirius laughing with his friends, she was extremely happy that he seemed to be ok after everything that had happened.
"Ally?"
"Sorry, what we're you saying? I zoned out a little bit," she said quietly rubbing her nose anxiously
"It's ok, you're not feeling this eithe—"
"Alright Cece? Hector treating you like the princess you are?" She heard Caspian drawl sitting next to her
She groaned as Regulus sat next to Luke with a disgusted look on his face. Alcyone didn't understand but then she remembered what Atlas had told her and frowned because she didn't want Reggie to be like his parents.
"Yes we're good can you both leave, we were just talking," she said with a smile
"If you hurt a hair on my sisters head—"
"Actually Ally and I were just talking about what good friends we are," Luke said with a smile
Alcyone was thankful that he put it out there in front of her brother and Regulus, maybe now they'd realise she was old enough to look after herself.
***
Alcyone was sat in the library trying to practice her transfiguration with Toby when James Potter sat down on the table with them. Toby raised an eyebrow as if to ask what on earth he was doing sat on their table. Alcyone shrugged, she had a feeling it was something to do with Sirius and their little group but she wasn't entirely sure. She just continued trying to practice the spell but was coming up short, she didn't really need to perfect it as it was the end of term but she wanted to try her best.
"Alright Montague?" He asked
"Fine thank you Potter, how are you?" She asked politely practicing the wand movement
"You're a girl aren't you?" He asked
"That's brilliant observation from you James mate," Toby teased
"How can I get Lily to like me?" He asked
"I think you should be yourself and she'll like you for that Potter," Alcyone said with a smile
She went back to practicing her skills and Remus Lupin walked up and huffed. He grabbed James by the arm and scowled.
"Leave the poor girl alone James, sorry about this Alcyone," he said with a small smile
Alcyone thought Remus Lupin was extremely handsome and she couldn't help but flush with embarrassment because he was talking to her she nodded and smiled back as he pulled James away.
"What's that about?" Toby asked with a raised eyebrow
"He's handsome isn't he?" She blushed coyly
"Alcyone Montague you little dog!"
She couldn't help but smile at the teasing though, he truly was handsome.
***
Unedited
I hope that you guys like this! We're getting so close to the first act now!
I hope everyone is doing ok!
Please comment and vote it means the world to me and motivates me to write. See you next time
Rhi xx