𝕄𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝔻𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕

Regulus and Sekhmet walked side by side toward where Hagrid would be, leading a group of first years from the train.

“Which ones do you reckon will be in Slytherin this year?” Whispered Regulus, hovering over Sekhmet’s shoulder and glancing at the first years behind them. He was quite a bit taller than Sekhmet, standing about a whole head above her.

“Are you too scared to bet on it like you did last year Reg? Evan told you that I had a hidden talent for knowing what house people are in just by looking at them, yet you didn’t listen” Sekhmet replied whilst spouting a smug grin. Last year, Regulus and Sekhmet, alongside the rest of their friends, decided to make a bet about who could guess which first year would be in which house most accurately. Sekhmet had won by a landslide, surprising nobody but Regulus, who had thought that he too would be better at determining who would be in which house.

“ma chérie, pardonneras-tu un jour ma stupidité?” Regulus commented in mock sorrow, leaning in closer to Sekhmet and putting on a fake frown that he couldn’t help smiling through. (my darling, will you ever forgive my stupidity?)

Sekhmet laughed, though to Regulus it seemed as though her happiness was contagious. Her joy always managed to lift his spirits, no matter how far down in the depths of sorrow he lay.

The pair continued their stroll, hearing the first years’ excited chatter and seeing Hagrid in the distance.

“Sekhmet, are yeh an' Black here ter bring the firs' years? well, just lead 'em over there toward the dock will yeh?” Muttered Hagrid, busy doing a head count to see how many first years would be in each boat.

“Hagrid, always a pleasure. We’ll lead them there straight away! Good luck with the first years,” Sekhmet exclaimed. She smiled at him and continued to corral the first years toward the boats. Regulus too gave Hagrid a small smile and a nod of appreciation.

Sekhmet walked back over to Regulus’ side after having finally led all the first years to their destination. Regulus glanced down at her.

“Let’s head to the carriages, the feast should be starting soon,” Regulus declared warmly, giving Sekhmet a small nudge on the shoulder. “You know Pandora is going crazy dealing with Barty and Evan all by herself.”

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

The Great Hall was filled with the constant chatter of students and the excited rumblings of first-year students who had just gotten sorted into their Hogwarts houses. Silverware could be heard banging against plates and drinks could be seen sloshing about as friends engaged in animated conversation.

Regulus, Evan, and Barty sat on the left side of Slytherin’s table, their backs to the wall of the Great Hall. Sekhmet, Pandora, and Dorcas Meadowes sat on the right side of the table, their backs facing Ravenclaw’s table. Evan, Sekhmet, and Dorcas all engaged in some sort of heated discussion.

“He’s bloody fit and you know it! It was in the third year anyway! Besides, it’s not like it ever led anywhere!” Evan emphasized, his hands punctuating his words.

“Evan, for the last time, this is not something you can just spring on me! This is my bloody أخ ('akh: brother) you’re talking about! And no, I will never, ever say that my brother is fit!” Sekhmet exclaimed, regarding Evan with a shocked expression.

“Evan’s awakening being your brother is hardly surprising,” Dorcas chimed in cheekily. “Horus has always had a habit of making himself the center of attention. He’s almost as bad as Sirius.”

“Speak and I shall be summoned! What is it that you and your friends were talking about my dear أُخْت (ukht: sister)?” Horus bellowed as he came up behind Sekhmet, a smirk on his lips. Horus and Sekhmet had a complicated relationship. Horus was very protective of Sekhmet- often taking the brunt of their father’s fury when it was unleashed toward Sekhmet. Sekhmet was often treated poorly by their father for being the supposed reason for their mother’s death, it being a greater shame that her mother had died for a girl. Horus’ protection against their father made Sekhmet have a different kind of connection with him than her other siblings. Although he would never admit it to anyone, Horus’ recklessness, despite being purely authentic, was a trait he often exaggerated so that he would get their father’s anger rather than Sekhmet's. This made her undeniably fond of him; caring and standing up for him in ways that she would not have otherwise done.

“Nothing that you need to worry about Heru,” Replied Sekhmet with a roll of her eyes and a fond smile. Heru was Sekhmet’s nickname for Horus, due to it being another name referring to the Egyptian god Horus.

Evan, Regulus, and Barty all waved to Horus. The three were familiar with him from seeing him at every pureblood gathering as well as at the Arafa family estate. Although they were not friends, they were all friendly with one another because of their shared affection for Sekhmet.

“What brings you this way Heru?” Sekhmet asked her brother. He typically sat at the other end of the table with his friends: Marcus Fawley, Delmar Avery, and Sorrel Flint. She glanced up at him as he loomed on her right side, in between her and Pandora. Horus had his hands on the table and was leaning over to talk to the group.

“I wanted to talk to you little lioness. Baba has sent a letter regarding Osiris. Our dear أخ has found us a sister-in-law.” Horus raised his brows as he spoke, his expression one of mock surprise. Both he and Sekhmet were well aware that their father would arrange Osiris a marriage sooner or later, whether or not he wanted it. Regulus noticed Sekhmet flinch slightly at the mention of her father. He wished he didn’t understand why. They had never talked about it in depth, but he knew how pureblood families treated their children; he had the scars to prove it. Sekhmet, on the other hand, was simply relieved that the letter had nothing to do with her- not that she had done anything worth warranting a letter. Baba has never needed a reason before, her mind supplied in an almost ridiculing manner.

“Who is to be my زوجة أخي ( zawjat 'akhi: my brother’s wife)?” Sekhmet asked quizzically, a single eyebrow raised. Horus gave her a look that told her she wouldn’t like the answer.