She Traitor

The Slytherin House was strangely quiet compared to other common rooms at Hogwarts.  The ornate green curtains, the cool light reflecting off the water surface of the lake outside the windows, and the marble columns created an atmosphere of dignified yet chilly surroundings.  Sarah sat between Dorcas, Pandora, Rabastan, and Evan Rosier on one of the couches by the fireplace.

Pandora sighed with a smile.  "I can't believe you and Evan never had a proper talk," she said to Sarah, leaning back comfortably against the arm rest.

Sarah smiled a little nervously.  “Well… there really weren't many opportunities.  But actually... nice to meet you," she said towards Evan, who was sitting across from her and was just calmly sipping a fiery whiskey that Sarah didn't even ask where he found it.

Evan looked at her with his usual confident smile.  “I was under the impression that you usually stick with your Gryffindor friends.  It's quite interesting to see you here."

"Times are changing," Sarah replied with a faint hint of a smile.  "And you all seem to be actually quite… fine."

Dorcas laughed.  "I'd say the biggest bow to us right now."

Evan laughed with her and turned back to Sarah.  “Looks like Pandora plans to incorporate you completely into all of her circles.  And honestly – I'm not complaining at all.”

Sarah gave him a searching look.  "I don't know if I would fit in.  But thanks for the…well, I guess compliment.”

Pandora looked pleased.  "See?  I was right.  You two will definitely get along."

Evan leaned back comfortably against the arm of the sofa, his gaze calmly directed towards Sarah, who was sitting across from him, slowly stirring her tea.  There was silence for a moment, broken only by the crackling of the fire in the fireplace.

"So," Evan began in a light tone but his gaze was searching, he had never spoken to the Gryffindor princess and she seemed different than she appeared on the surface.  "while you're here with us Sarah, tell me…what's your favorite spell?"

Sarah looked at him in surprise, then smiled.  "That's a pretty random question."

Evan smirked.  “Maybe I'm a random person.  But I'm interested in the answer."

Sarah hesitated for a moment before answering, “Well, I guess I'd say the Patronus Charm.  But when it comes to normal magic, I've always been more into protective and defensive spells."

Evan raised an eyebrow and leaned closer.  “Defense, huh?  How about something a little more… interesting?  Any offensive magic you'd like to master?"

Sarah laughed and shook her head.  “I'll probably disappoint you, but I've never been attracted to offensive spells.  I'm more of the type to stay in the background and defend myself until I have a better chance.”

Evan looked at her as if appraising her and then slowly smiled.  “That's…fascinating.  But you know, Sarah, if I had to choose, I'd always choose attack.  Defense is… well, passive.  And I prefer to be in control.”

Sarah snorted.  “Of course you would.  You're a typical Slytherin."

"And you typical Gryffindor," Evan replied promptly, but there was no malice in his voice.  "Brave defender of the weak, eternal fighter for justice.  But you know what's interesting about it?"

"What?" she asked curiously, not denying him the fact about the defender of justice.

"That without those who attack, the defenders would have nothing to defend against.  Sometimes it's better to take the first step and eliminate a threat than wait for it to hit you.”

Sarah looked at him for a moment before slowly answering.  “That makes sense… from a certain point of view.  But I believe that attack is not always the answer.  Defense teaches you patience.  And sometimes what looks like a weakness is actually a strength.”

Only now did Sarah realize that her defense notes were out of date.  half a year ago she would have said that she was defending, but in later months she cursed someone or attacked someone several times. Also because of this she had a few sessions with McGonagall and even a bull once in school punishment with Evan himself.  That time he almost put a hole in her head by talking and she hated him so much

Evan looked at her a little longer than was comfortable, then nodded.  “You're right, Sarah.  But I bet you'd be great at offensive spells too.  You have the energy for it and also the strength to face difficulties.”

"You think so?" she asked with a bit of enthusiasm that surprised Evan.

Evan smiled.  "Definitely.  Maybe I could teach you something other than just cursing hair and skin.  Just… for fun.”

Sarah smiled back.  "Maybe.  But only if you can handle some defensive charm from me.”

"I'll take it," Evan said, extending his hand for a casual shake.  "Agreement?"

"Deal," Sarah nodded, and as they shook hands she couldn't help but feel a kind of fragile truce had formed between them - a Gryffindor defense against a Slytherin attack.

As Sarah and Evan continued to debate the nuances of charms and their uses, the door to the Slytherin common room opened and in walked Regulus Black and Avery.  The room fell silent for a moment as everyone noticed their arrival.  Regulus and Avery made their way to Regulus' usual spot by the fireplace where they started talking quietly without paying much attention to the others.

It was a place for such an unnamed ruler among the Slytherins, and it was Regulus' second year in the position.  He often sat with Rabastan and Evan, but they seemed preoccupied with Gryffindor princess.

Rabastan casually tapped the couch next to him and muttered thoughtfully, “That's fascinating.”

"What exactly?" Sarah asked without looking up from Evan who was quietly explaining to her the intricacies of one of the dark magic offensive spells.

"Regulus," Rabastan replied with an amused smile.  "He's here with us, but he pretends not to see anything.  He ignores you sitting here.  That's not quite usual for Black."

Hearing this, Evan gave a short laugh.  "It's rather suspicious," he said with icy calmness.  "Usually his family has as much patience for Gryffindor as Snape has for your brother – none."

Sarah finally looked up at them, her gaze clear and calm.  “I think Regulus knows exactly what he's doing.  He helped me once before."

Dorcas, who had been sitting silently beside Pandora until now, raised her head.  "Did he help you?  When?"

"It was a few months ago," Sarah replied calmly.  “I collapsed after one of my punishments from McGonagall.  Regulus found me, helped me into the Gryffindor tower and handed me over to Frank.  I thought you all knew about it."

Dorcas blinked, clearly surprised.  "And what did he tell you about that?"

Sarah shrugged.  "Actually, almost nothing.  It was... unexpectedly nice, but also very quiet.  He didn't do any of this for gratitude.  He just...helped.”

Laughing, Pandora leaned toward Dorcas and whispered mischievously, “That's pretty noble of him.  If he met any other Gryffindor, he would curse them."

"And that's not all," Sarah added with a small smile at the odd memory from the Christmas party.  “He even danced with me at the holiday party.  No insults.  We were just talking."

Rabastan suddenly leaned forward, his eyebrows raised.  "Are you serious?"

"Yes," Sarah replied firmly as Rabastan shook his head in disbelief.  "I don't think Regulus is as black and white as many think."

Evan snorted and nodded.  He had known Regulus for seven years and he could hardly say that they were seriously close friends.  "You're right.  But it's still Black.  And Blacks tend to wear masks.” like all purebloods.

"Everyone in our world wants you to believe he's not what he seems," Dorcas remarked thoughtfully.  "It's part of Slytherin."

Rabastan spoke again, more slowly this time.  "Unfortunately, it's like this in every dark family that still follows the old traditions..."

"He's just tolerant of me, though," Sarah interrupted with a determined expression.  "And I think it's just because he doesn't want to deal with unnecessary conflicts."

"Or he'll just leave you alone because he's examining you for now," Evan said dryly.  He knew that this was the closest of all theories.

Dorcas winked at him and giggled.  "Well, whatever it is, this is getting very interesting." Dorcas looked back at Regulus, who was still sitting by the fireplace, his eyes fixed on his book.  "But maybe it's not just a game.  Maybe there's something about you that really fascinates him."

"Or he just sees me as an exception," Sarah replied lightly, the corners of her mouth twitching into a small smile.  Of course, the typical Potter arrogance showed up.  It runs in the family, although it's pretty diluted at Sarah's.

Rabastan shrugged.  "Either way, this is the first time Regulus hasn't written a Gryffindor outright."

Sarah watched Regulus silently, his expression unread.

•••

E

van Rosier sat on the couch, his eyes calmly watching the events around him.  On the surface he appeared as if he was completely uninvolved, but in reality he was carefully analyzing the situation.  Regulus Black, usually so adamant and uncompromising in his opinions, was acting suspiciously calm today.  Not that he was overly friendly—that would be against his nature—but something about his attitude toward Sarah Potter was different.

It was obvious that Sarah was awakening something in Regulus that Evan couldn't quite place.  She was smart, you had to admit.  She could think and react with a cool head, which was something the Slytherins respected, grudgingly or not.  And even though she was a Gryffindor, the way she moved between them without a hint of fear or nervousness was impressive.  This was no ordinary Gryffindor.

Evan had no doubt that this was what attracted Regulus.  His gaze was fixed on the book, but Evan was sure he was watching their group out of the corner of his eye—especially Sarah.  Regulus might be wearing a mask of disinterest, but it was clear to Evan that he was processing every detail inside.

It was fascinating to watch.  Regulus was always one to stick to strict boundaries.  The Blacks hated blood traitors, and the Potters—especially James Potter—were the personification of everything he despised.

He hated James for losing his brother to him.  Sirius left him and Potter took his place.  And yet, here sat Sarah, James' sister, and Regulus was being so... gracious towards her.  Maybe not friendly, but certainly not hostile.

Evan couldn't help but admire how Sarah handled Regulus and the others around her.  Her composure was not feigned.  She wasn't scared of sitting in a pit full of snakes.  In fact, it was more like she was a snake herself, just in a Gryffindor disguise.

But what interested him the most was how Regulus let himself be drawn into her presence.  He wasn't the type to be influenced.  And yet something about Regulus disturbed Sarah, or rather fascinated her.  Evan noticed Sarah briefly mention that he once helped her get into Gryffindor Tower.  And dancing at the Christmas party?  This was unusual for Regulus.

Such things did not happen by accident.  He did it on purpose.

Maybe, Evan thought, it's that Sarah embodies everything Regulus doesn't.  Freedom.  The courage to be yourself without looking back at the opinions of others.  And maybe that's what attracted Regulus—not just as a fascination, but as something he wanted to understand.

Evan smiled softly.  Regulus Black had his icy composure, but Sarah Potter was his weak point, always had been, although Regulus wouldn't admit it, someone like Evan could see it.  Everyone knew, but no one could tell Sarah.

He thought for a moment, so when he heard Pandora's laugh he looked there in surprise.  His sister leaned next to him, playing with a lock of her blonde hair.  “Dorcas is right.  But you know what's interesting about it?  How calm Sarah is.  If I were in her situation, Regulus would have scared the crap out of me long ago and I'd be on my way out of this pit of snakes."

Evan looked at Pandora briefly, his smile deepening, this time with a hint of amusement.  "I wouldn't say.  Pandora, you could probably get more information from Regulus in five minutes than anyone else in an entire year.  You have the ability to draw people into conversation"

"Thank you," Pandora replied sweetly.

Evan then turned back to Sarah.  “But just remember that Blacks have long memories and strong opinions.  If he's calm now, that doesn't mean he'll be calm forever. "

Sarah considered his words for a moment before finally quietly answering, “I believe Regulus knows what he's doing.  And if not, then I will."

Evan smiled again and nodded.  "Good.  I just wanted you to be clear.  Because Regulus never just says anything."

Then he leaned back comfortably, his attention seemingly shifting back to his spells.  But he still watched out of the corner of his eye as Regulus got up, nodded to Avery, and left for his bedroom without a second glance.  Evan was sure it wasn't because he didn't want to.  On the contrary – it was his way of showing that he was noticing everything and yet remained inactive.