𝕄𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝔻𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕

What on Earth was happening? Why was James Potter of all people walking straight toward Sekhmet with none other than Remus Lupin?

Sekhmet honestly had no clue. She had spoken to Remus before, on account of them being patrol partners, but she had not spoken to James since the situation regarding lesson planning for a certain first-year Ravenclaw.

Amina was currently seated right across from Sekhmet in the library. Her back faced the door, meaning that she couldn’t see James heading their way. He walked up, with his usual strut and stood behind Amina’s chair, his hands resting on its back.

“Hello, you two,” James greeted in Arabic, his smile growing bigger once Amina whipped her head around at the sound of his voice.

“James!” Amina shouted, springing up from her chair and earning herself a harsh glare from Madame Prince the librarian.

Amina quickly hugged James who wrapped his arms around her like Sekhmet’s older brothers used to do with her. Remus gave her a small smile and a nod from behind James. Sekhmet stayed sat but gave a polite smile to Remus.

“Hello, Lupin. What brings you both here?” Sekhmet asked, her head tilting a little to the side in question.

The library was a quiet, tranquil place full of wonder and magical books that were centuries old. It had tall windows that looked out upon the grounds of Hogwarts and provided a feeling of peace for those who didn’t wish to sit and stare at a wall for hours at a time. The room smelled damp and warm with hints of vanilla and wood in its fragrance. Sekhmet often came to spend time in the library, loving its cozy atmosphere. Remus was similar, so seeing him come into the library wasn’t all that shocking. No, what puzzled Sekhmet was why James Potter of all people was in the library willingly.

“Beats me. James told me to take him to the library, nothing else.” Remus disclosed, his hands in the pockets of his robes. The scars on his face were shining from the sunlight outside the window beaming down on him.

“You didn’t know where the library was Potter? Aren’t you a seventh-year?” Sekhmet addressed James, her brow lifted in a playful jab.

“Don’t listen to her Amina. She’s a mean lady” James fake whispered in Amina’s ear who giggled while he directed a funny glare at Sekhmet.

James let go of Amina and started to walk toward Sekhmet when footsteps that she recognized all too well came up from behind her.

“Everything all right Sekhmet? These two bothering you,” called none other than Evan Rosier, his hand coming up to rest on Sekhmet’s shoulder in a protective stance.

“Everything’s fine Evan,” Sekhmet reassured, “Though I’m still not certain as to what these two want?” Sekhmet directed the last sentence at the two Gryffindor boys, her statement more of a question than anything.

Tensions between Gryffindors and Slytherins had only increased this past year. Many Slytherins having pureblood families meant that they, along with their family, followed the Dark Lord or were to become Death Eaters. This, paired with the fact that many Gryffindors were supporters of the Light side, caused even more controversy and violence than usual between the two houses. Evan was right to be cautious. All things considered usually when an interaction like this happens nowadays it means a trip to St. Mungo’s.

“Right! We— well I— wanted to know if you would be willing to tutor us in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Lily talked about how quickly you won your duel against her and how many nonverbal spells you cast. She thought that you were quite impressive. I thought it’d be a good idea to come ask you for some pointers or lessons” James responded, his tone chipper though obviously holding out on a significant piece of information.

Sekhmet narrowed her eyes, staring straight into James’ soul. She wasn’t a fool and she’d be damned if she was treated like one.

“Sirius doesn’t know that you’re asking me, does he?” Sekhmet questioned her face and tone similarly deadpan.

James fumbled his words, no clear sentence quite coming out of his mouth. He moved his hands about as if trying to convey his nonsense message nonverbally. Remus stepped in front of him with an expression that made it clear he had previously gone through this sort of situation. He rolled his eyes and sighed turning his head to Sekhmet.

“That’s right, he does not” Remus answered once it was clear James was trying to find a way to work around the truth.

“You both are aware that I am best friends with his estranged brother are you not? Not to mention that ALL of my friends are Slytherins?” Sekhmet asked thinking that the two boys were clearly out of their minds for thinking that renowned Slytherin hater Sirius Black would ever agree to be in the same room as any of them for longer than ten seconds.

“Yes we are aware, BUT we also know that our friend Marlene is shacking up with your friend and that Lily vouched for you—,” James explained rambling, though that wasn’t what caught Sekhmet’s attention.

“What I-“ Evan spoke up his tone shocked and his fingers running through his hair.

“You and Barty owe me ten galleons” Sekhmet interrupted his surprise quietly, glancing up at him with an ‘I told you so’ look.

“Shut up” Evan shoved her shoulder playfully his face breaking out in a small smile.

Sekhmet smiled back at him then turned to face James and Remus again. She studied them with a severe look.

“What do you think Anima?” Sekhmet asked the young girl out of the blue, her eyes not moving from the two boys.

Anima straightened her posture from where she had been standing off to the side. She had thought they had forgotten about her. What she hadn’t grown to realize yet was that Sekhmet never truly forgot anybody. She knew what it was to be left out and put aside for the favor of another, and she never wanted anyone else to be drowning in the kind of shadow she had to grow up. Anima smiled at Sekhmet, her eyes fully of the giddy happiness of youth.

“You should let him! Both of you guys are super nice! And your guys’ friends are cool too!” Anima spoke, her tone joyful at having been able to contribute to a seemingly major decision between the two teens.

“Well then Potter, you heard the lady. The first lesson will be tomorrow in the Room of Requirement.”Sekhmet announced, standing up from her chair with an air of professionalism that people only mastered after years of having been in a position.

She grabbed her bag, her books somehow already packed away without any of them noticing her doing so. Sekhmet glanced up at the two boys one last time, her face covered in a polite expression. She then looked over at Anima, who bid her goodbye with a big hug and a large smile. For the first time, either of the Marauders could recall Sekhmet Arafa sporting a genuine smile toward the child.