𝕄𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝔻𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕

The cool, fresh air along with the breeze coming off the Black Lake was indescribable. The wind brought with it the smell of the autumn season that was on the horizon. The sun was shining down its rays, bringing a revitalizing sense of calm. This was arguably the thing most dear to Sekhmet regarding Hogwarts. After a long day of classes, sitting by one of the trees near the Black Lake was a very pleasant way to spend her evening. Her friend’s laughter could be heard around, echoing with the wind.

Dorcas sat facing Pandora while she painted Pandora’s nails. Pandora herself was doing tarot readings, speaking softly to Dorcas about each of her interpretations of every image presented. Evan and Barty were seated on the edge of the lake, their legs dangling awfully close to the water. Evan was droning on about how his Ancient Runes class, which he shared with Sekhmet, was absolutely horrendous. He waved his hands about in a manner almost identical to that of a Niffler trying desperately to grab a piece of gold. Barty nodded along to Evan’s story, slowly but surely managing to maneuver himself behind him. When Evan wasn’t paying attention, getting exceedingly passionate about the contents of his ramblings, Barty nudged him just enough that he would lose his balance. A shrill cry could be heard, accompanied by a sudden splash.

“You absolute wanker!” Evan exclaimed in astonishment, his eyes lighting up.

As Barty and the rest of the group burst into hiccoughing laughter, Evan too started to chuckle. The water that he sat in was shallow allowing him to push up on his arms and face the group while still being seated. Regulus, who was next to Sekhmet, cracked a smile, a rare giggling coming from his lips. Sekhmet laughed and went over to help Evan. She offered her hand to him, staying a decent distance from the edge of the lake. Evan trudged up to her and took her hand. Instead of letting her help, she pulled her in with him, jerking his arm back so she would have momentum coming in his direction. Sekhmet, being amusedly shocked by this development, did the only thing she could think of. She grabbed Barty’s arm and dragged him right on in with her. Another splash bellowed from the lake, more shocked laughter accompanying it.

“Evan! I have patrol later tonight!” Sekhmet whined jokingly, her gaze coming down to look upon her now-soaking-wet uniform.

“Oh like you get to complain! You pulled me in with you!” Barty countered, jerking his head to face Sekhmet, his drenched hair falling into his face.

“If I remember correctly you started this chain of events did you not?” Regulus chimed in.

He was now leaning up against the tree that he and Sekhmet had sat under, his arms crossed over one another. His eyes twinkled with poorly disguised joviality and his mouth turned up in a smirk. Barty snapped to look at him in mock offense.

“I would never do such a thing to my dearest friend! Evan, would I ever commit such a heinous act?” Barty asked, his voice turning innocent as he referred to Evan.

“Please. We all know how much you would love to see him drenched in water,” Dorcas commented, her coy gaze trailing slowly over Evan’s skin-tight shirt as if emphasizing her point. She moved her gaze back to Barty her eyes somehow saying “I told you so” when no words were spoken.

“I’m still going to have to change after being caught in your twos’ lovers quarrel. What time is it Pandora?” Sekhmet inquired standing up, her hands doing her best to wring out her wet hair.

“It’s almost 7 o’clock” she answered, her focus shifting from making sure her tarot cards hadn’t been splashed in the commotion to Sekhmet.

“Patrol starts in an hour. Would you like me to accompany you to the common room? I realized I had forgotten my ring anyways and wanted to see if it was in my trunk somewhere” Regulus offered, his posture perfect as always.

Sekhmet thought it over. Merlin knew she wanted to wash up now that she had been in the lake. She had hoped she could just wear her uniform while doing perfect duty. As she made her way to the bank she sighed, resigned.

“I suppose I should leave now if I want any chance of trying to clean up before prefect duties,” Sekhmet said, moving to place herself next to Regulus once again.

The sun was starting to set, and a slight chill coming with the new development. Sekhmet and Regulus walked toward the castle, its grandness casting a shadow over the yard. She shivered, moving her arms to hug one another, but continuing to walk with the same level of grace she always did. Regulus fixated his eyes on Sekhmet, noticing her lack of warmth. Without asking her, he began to pull his robe out his bag.

“What are you doing Reg?” Sekhmet inquired, her befuddled stare directed toward his sudden movement.

Regulus didn’t answer her, instead moving to put his now unbuttoned robe around her shoulders. Sekhmet and he had charmed their robes to keep them at a perfect temperature. When the sun began beating down on Hogwarts, their robes would respond by chilling the inside, keeping them cool. When the cold was biting and they could see their breath in the halls, their robes would heat them, making them nice and toasty. Sekhmet had not truly appreciated their forward-thinking until this moment. Her tense shoulders began to relax under the robe, her body slowing down its shaking.

“Thank you,” Sekhmet muttered quietly, gaze down. Her face was getting quite hot for some reason.

The two seemed to arrive at the common room quicker than either of them expected. They could both see the entrance in the distance.

“Who are you patrolling with tonight?” Regulus asked her, his steps slowing.

He looked at her out of the corner of his eyes. His cheekbones were highlighted by the sunset pouring through the windows in the hall. He looked regal like he came straight out of a painting. His hands were placed in his trouser pockets, his arms relaxed in a way that seemed natural to him. Sekhmet snapped out of her thoughts.

“ I patrol with Remus Lupin this year. What about you? Who’s the sorry sod that has to be stuck with your brooding self?” Sekhmet joked eyes full of contentment, a little smirk working its way up her lips.

“I do not brood,” Regulus said in response, his tone conveying a level of sass only the Black brothers could wield. He leveled Sekhmet with an unimpressed gaze and narrowed eyes continuing his previous statement and answering her question, “And I’ll have you know that I have patrol with the male Hufflepuff prefect.”

“What’s his name?” Sekhmet challenged, knowing the answer already.

Regulus stayed quiet, looking down at his feet. Sekhmet hummed in response.

“His name is Amos Diggory, which you would know had you been paying attention in the meeting. I don’t blame you though,” Sekhmet said in explanation, “He’s a new prefect this year. The old Hufflepuff prefect was a seventh-year last year.”

“Who is your brother paired with?” Regulus probed, his tone filled with innocent curiosity. He turned his attention back toward her.

“I believe he’s paired with Lily Evan’s this year,” Sekhmet said in reply. She had seen Anubis during her Charms class, which Regulus too shared. They were both placed in seventh-year Charms due to their proficiency in the subject. This led to them being in a class with not only  Sekhmet’s brother but also with a handful of rather renowned Gryffindors. The renowned Gryffindors in question being James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Marlene McKinnon, Alice Fortescue, and Lily Evans.

“Potter is going to go bloody mental…” Regulus said to himself more than Sekhmet, his face covered in an expression that showed his pity.

Sekhmet and Regulus had arrived at the door to the common room, its large wooden exterior seemingly looking back at them. The most striking part about the entrance to the common room was the large white snake body that seemed to loom over the door, perfectly outlining it. The scales on the snake glowed a gold color in the dim light of the dungeons.

“Basilisk” Sekhmet said directly to the entrance door, her words clear and steady. The two stepped forward as the door began to slowly open, allowing them entry to the nearly empty common room.

Although many students thought that having a common room under the Black Lake was cruel, Sekhmet adored it. She loved spending time watching the different creatures peek their heads into the windows of their common room as they swam past. The green hue covering the room was another part she loved about it. The light and underwater atmosphere mixed to create a perfectly unique tranquil environment that couldn’t be found anywhere else in the world.

“I suppose I should let you get going then,” Regulus drew her attention back to him, his eyes already on her. He seemed disappointed that he had to separate from her.

“I suppose” Sekhmet countered.

“If Lupin does anything you can come get me. You know that right?” Regulus asked in a concerned but sincere voice. Sekhmet had not heard him speak this way before, or at least not often.

“Of course, I know that Reg. Why the worry all of a sudden?” Sekhmet replied in a lighthearted manner, trying to make the conversation less tense.

“Things are happening outside these castle walls, things that we will have to face. I just don’t want you to get hurt from those who will make assumptions” Regulus expressed, his eyes displaying the caring nature with which he held for Sekhmet.

“I’ll be careful” Sekhmet insisted, the look in her eyes showing that she was being serious.

Regulus nodded at her, his lips pursing and his brow furrowing with severity. He moved to walk away at the same time Sekhmet did, her quickly remembering that she had on his cloak.

“Oh! Here, I nearly forgot,” Sekhmet giggled at her forgetfulness. Regulus gave her a small smile back.

They proceeded to walk over to where they were each making their way previously. Sekhmet went up the girl's side of the stairs while Regulus went up the boy's side. Each of them advanced to the top, making their way toward their dormitory.