Cygnus
The second Walburga saw Cygnus in the hall she contemplated turning around and walking in the other direction, but decided otherwise at the last second. She lifted her chin and strode right past him, her skirt billowing calmly with her.
“Walburga.” His voice was steady and demanding.
She kept walking. The halls were empty except for the two of them.
He grabbed her wrist firmly, and spun her around. Her sleeve flew up with the movement.
“How dare you ignore me,” He hissed in her ear. “Mother and Father and thoroughly disappointed in you and your failure to be decent. They are willing to be kind and let it slide if you behave this summer,” He glanced down at her arm, and this time when he looked at her, she stared at him, daring him to say something. Of course Cygnus didn't care about dares. He let go and pushed her back gently. “You really should stop doing that. You're ruining your skin.”
“Oh, am i? What would you care about my skin?” She hissed back.
“Walburga,” His voice sounded softer. “Contrary to your beliefs, I do care for you.”
“Do you? I have never once seen you care for me, Cygnus. I've never seen you care for Alphard, nor yourself. The only thing you care about are Mother and Fathers wishes. Tell me, why do you care what they want? When they dont give a shit about you?”
“I do!” Cygnus burst out, and then quieted. “I do care for you and Alphard. That's why I need you two to follow mother and fathers rules. That's the only way you two will be safe. Merlin,” He sighed. “Please. Please stop doing that to yourself.” He gestured to her.
Walburga laughed. She laughed and then her face fell flat. Cygnus’ face was as blank as hers, and they both stared at each other for a moment.
“Please, Walburga.”
She screamed in his face. As loud as she could. No words. Just sound. She screamed and screamed and screamed until the Professors and students burst out of their houses and pulled the two away from each other. Cygnus shoved the others off and calmly walked away, not sparing her a glance.
Walburga shrugged off whoever pulled her back and strolled into the middle of everyone, and looked in the direction in which everyone was clearing the way for Cygnus.
“Don't tell me what to do.” She snarled at him.
He paused for a moment, before continuing on.
***
Acantha couldn't sleep. So she did what she did every night when she couldn't sleep. She walked. It helped her think. Sometimes she would find a nice spot and she'd come back during the day to sit or write. She wrote a lot too. Mostly poetry. She had taken a book from one of the common room shelves. An old one at the very top. She took the pages out and replaced them with blank ones. She didn't need to worry about other people touching it, that way. No one knew of it, and no one would touch the book.
She was just exploring when she heard a voice from around the corner.
“Walburga.” The demand rang out.
Acantha turned the corner and slid into an alcove to watch. She’d been curious of the girl since their meeting in the…charms classroom, was it?
Cygnus Black had Walburga by the wrist. He had pulled her close and Acantha couldn't understand what he was saying but saw the tension. She wondered what he was saying. Walburga was fuming. He glanced downwards and she watched as Walburga gave him the meanest glare she’d ever seen.
Fuck shes scary. Acantha thought, a grin building on her face.
Cygnus let go and pushed Walburga back.
He said something else to her. A look of pure anger crossed her face, and she stepped closer, saying something else. He responded, and this time, Acantha could see that he had softened himself a bit. Walburga let out a laugh of disbelief. Acantha knew she was about to say something cruel.
“I do!” Cygnus cried but after that his words were hushed once again.
He sighed and gestured to her.
Walburga laughed, she sounded like a crazy woman. Maybe she was. But then she stopped and her face was empty. They both looked at each other for a minute until Cygnus’ mouth opened one last time and Walburga screamed. She sounded like a wild animal. She screamed in his face. People started to flood the halls at a rapid pace and Acantha tucked herself further in the shadows.
When she looked back, Cygnus was walking back to the Slytherin dormitories and Walburga was standing in the middle of everyone.
“Don't tell me what to do.” Her voice boomed, she seemed much more put together and proud now.
Cygnus stopped in his tracks, probably thinking of turning back around but he didn't and he kept walking.
Walburga stared seemingly ignoring the teachers speaking to her, asking her questions, demanding answers. She just turned and walked in the opposite direction.
Acantha followed her, leaving her hiding spot.
“Ms. Walburga Black!” One of the professors called as she, again, ignored him and kept going.
Acantha turned around in response, stuck out her tongue and flipped everybody off. She just got sighs.