Mrs. Black

1st September 1972

Grasping onto the handle of my suitcase, I stood beside Irene as we waited for Mother to be done lecturing my sister whatever she was lecturing. I tapped on the ground impatiently.

Irene nodded with debilitated sigh.

Mother then turned to me. "Just focus on your grades. Its too early for you to be worrying about other things anyway." She impassively said. Oh she didn't realise this when she was making attempts to set me up with Black last year?

Father, who had a protective arm wrapped around her shoulder nodded, displaying assent.

They then told us to go board the train while they waited by a pillar on the station. The family was too distant for poignant goodbyes. I tailed Irene onto the train. "I suppose you'll be fine on your own." She said, without looking at me.

"Y-yeah. Pfft. Of course." I attempted to play it cool.

Irene nodded and departed off to a compartment where probably her friends were.

One year into Hogwarts and I have realised that I have not really made any real friends. Severus was just someone I sit with at classes. I can't stand Evans. She's annoying. I'm just civil towards Bellatrix and Narcissa because that's what Mother expects from me. Okay, if I look at it from this vision, its kind of pathetic.

As I dragged my trunk through the aisle of the train arduously, suddenly the door of the compartment to my right slammed with a loud bang. I lifted my gaze to see that it was Regulus Black who had slammed the door shut. His eyes fell on me.

"Hey." I awkwardly said.

"Morning, Lierre." Regulus said moodily. Something must've happened.

I opened my mouth to say something but someone interjected. "Miss Lierre!" An enthusiastic voice spoke. I swiveled my head to the direction of the source of the voice. "We danced at my brother and sister-in-law's wedding, remember?" Rabastan Lestrange.

"Ahh indeed I do. How have you been?"
"Great; now that I met you. I had been scrounging for you ever since I boarded the train."
"Is that so?" I smirked.
"Indeed. Indeed. Why are you out here? You can join our carriage if you like!"

"Oh, that would be lovely." I glanced at Regulus. "But I've also got someone else here with me."

Lestrange's gaze fell over Regulus. "Ah... Black."

"I suppose there'll be enough space for him as well?" It wasn't a question but a demand. Lestrange forced a smile. "Certainly. Crouch Jr. is also staring this year. He is there too"

I smirked as a response. "Rabas- Oh hey Lierre." Avery had approached us from the opposite direction. "Morning, Avery." I responded. "Lierre and Black are joining us, Gaspar." Lestrange informed his friend. "Black?! Wasn't he- Oh Oh younger Black. We have enough space. Tag along." Avery must've thought it was Sirius instead.

"Thanks!" I beamed. "It might take me a while to reach there though. My luggage is a little weighty."

"Oh, a lady shouldn't be doing that! Let me." Soon Avery was the one that was hauling my luggage while Lestrange led the way. I smirked, contented as I tailed them. Regulus was walking alongside me while staring at his feet.

I slung an arm around him.

"What's wrong?"
"Sirius."
"What did he do now?"
"Sirius had taken me to the carriage he shared with those snobbish friends of his and tried to mingle me with them. Like why would I?!"

I sensed something was wrong the moment I spotted Regulus exiting the compartment with a bang which was why I decided to bring him along with me. I nodded, taking in the information.

"Let's reach Hogwarts. We'll definitely pick on your brother and those snobbish friends of his!" I suggested. A faint smile ghosted Regulus' face. "What do you mean by 'pick on'?"

"You'll see."

~.~

Regulus was obviously sorted in Slytherin.

But when he descended the platform and approached the Slytherin table, I spotted Black gasping in disbelief at the Gryffindor table. Severus, who was seated beside me must've noticed it as well because he patted Regulus on the back as he slid into the seat on the other side of Severus while sneering towards the Gryffindor table. I snorted at Black as well.

On the other hand, Narcissa had dyed her hair into a shade of platinum blonde which reminded me awfully of her boyfriend, Lucius Malfoy. Despite owning the silver prefect badge, Narcissa appeared miffed. She was zoning out through the entire sorting ceremony. I wonder what was troubling her.

Probably some tussle with her boyfriend.

Ew. Couples.

~.~

2nd September 1972

During the breakfast, owls were soaring around the entire Great Hall. I don't expect myself to receive any letter anyway. I spotted a great horned owl. It was our family owl. But it zoomed in towards the other end of the Slytherin table. I stretched my neck to catch a view of who it was aiming for.

Oh... Irene.

I sank back into my seat. What was I even expecting. I shook off the stupid hopes. Suddenly a majestic eagle-owl flew towards us. It landed on Regulus's shoulder and dropped a letter on his lap. I peeked in to try to catch the contents of the letter. Regulus was sitting beside me anyway.

"Stop peeking. My parents have gifted me this owl as a reward for being sorted into the house they wanted me to." He sighed and patted the owl. It glided away.

Severus was staring intently at the owl as it winged its way out.

"Its common for pure-bloods, Snape. You wouldn't relate." Bartemius Crouch Jr., a first-year with straw blond hair, who was seated on the other side of Regulus sneered. Lestrange and Avery snorted. Severus muttered something under his breath.

"Wow, Reggie, at least you received something in exchange of pissing your brother off." I spoke as an attempt to soothe the building tension. "Don't call me that," Regulus muttered. "You know, you and Sirius are just the same. He calls me by that preposterous name as well."

I dramatically gasped. "Don't insult me by comparing me with your brother, Reggie."

Lestrange and Avery sniggered.

Regulus was about to say something when a certain voice dominated the rest across the Great Hall. "What exactly is your family duty, Sirius? Go 'round with creeps like Snivellus and Mulciber? Marry your cousin?" It was James Potter. His voice was loud enough for the entire hall to hear.

Did he used to instruct animals in fields as a kid?

"Oh yeah." Black spoke.

His voice was just as loud as that of Potter. I narrowed my eyes at him. The chatter around me had died down. "Inbreeding and creeping are key aspects of my noble heritage. And picking on kids smaller than me, of course, lying and cursing my way into power..."

This bitch sure does have some nerve.

"Well, mate, I'm sorry to break it to you," Potter replied jovially. "But it doesn't sound like you're a Black at all!"

"Goodness!" Black's hand flew to his face in mock surprise. "What on earth am I then?!"

"Its obvious, isn't it?" Potter shrugged. "You're a Marauder."

Marauder? That must be a new lame inside joke those gits came up with.

I noticed Severus reaching out for his wand. Ooooh this is going to be fun to watc- "Don't do it, Snape." Regulus muttered with his gaze steadfastly on Sirius. Though being a half-blood, Severus was probably aware of the Blacks' heritage and power as he obliged to Regulus.

Severus slipped out of his seat instead.

"Come on," He sneered, starting for the door, "We'd better get away from all this filth if we want to keep our breakfast down." Crouch and Mulciber tailed him. Regulus stepped out of his seat as well.

"I shall take my leave too, then." I flashed a charming smile at Lestrange and Avery before following Regulus.

But Regulus's tracks halted at the Gryffindor table. Curious regarding what was about to unfold, I halted at the Ravenclaw table. I recognised the girl with dark hair sitting at the edge as Emmeline Vance of first-year. I had noticed her during the sorting ceremony.

"Shift." I hissed brusquely to her.

Vance immediately obliged with a start. I made myself comfortable at the Ravenclaw table with a satisfied smirk. I crossed my legs as I watched the drama between the Black siblings unfold before me.

"You can borrow it if you want." Regulus edged towards his brother. "I never asked her to send anything. But you know what she's like."

"Yeah," Black snorted. "I know."

A momentary awkward silence fell between the two of them. Almost the entire hall was watching them at this point.

"Look, I am sorry, ok- you knew I'd end up in Slythe-" But Regulus was interjected by Black jumping to his feet.

"I don't want your owl." Black said, gruffly. "If I need to send a letter, I'll borrow James'." Pushing Regulus aside, Black swept out of the hall, his little friends following him. I groaned. I had expected more drama. But okay I suppose.

I exhaled, rising to my feet and approached Regulus who was staring at his brother leaving.

"Aquamenti." I pointed my wand at the floor right where Black was about to set his foot. The sudden appearance of water made him trip and land on the ground right in front of the entrance of the Great Hall.

I snorted as I reached Regulus.

"You didn't need to do it." Regulus sighed. "Oh come on, watching him trip and fall soothed my soul." I dramatically said.

"Mother confiscated his owl." Regulus said with his gaze propped on Black who was now back on his feet, looking the same as before but with a twinge of embarrassment evident.

"Why?" I asked, watching Black look around for the malefactor behind this mishap.

"He's not at his best behaviour at home, you see." Regulus sighed. I sniggered. "He's not at his best behaviour here either." I replied. Black had spotted me. He narrowed his eyes at me.

He's probably suspecting me.

A smirk ghosted my face as I waved sarcastically at him.

"The sooner he commences conduct, the easier his life at home will be." Regulus shook his head, disdainfully.