Pandora gets bullied
Sirius was still thinking about his letter. He wondered if Regulus would read it, if Irene and Astra would even see it, or if his parents would toss it in the fire before they had the chance. He didn’t want to care, but he did.
James nudged him. "You alright ?"
"Yeah," Sirius muttered. "Just thinking."
They turned down a corridor, but before they could get far, the air was split by a sharp, mocking voice.
"Oi, Rosier. Didn’t realize Ravenclaws let in strays these days."
Sirius and James froze.
Further down the hallway, a group of Slytherins stood in a loose circle, surrounding a small figure in blue and bronze robes.
Sirius recognized her immediately.
Pandora Rosier.
She stood straight, her blonde curls slightly frizzy as if she’d been shoved, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. Her expression was tight, but she didn’t speak.
Evan, was just outside the group, looking furious. "Enough," he snapped, his dark eyes flashing as he stepped closer.
Mulciber, a tall, broad-shouldered boy, sneered. "Oh, come on, Evan. It’s just a joke. We’re helping her."
"By calling her Loony?" Evan spat.
Another boy, Avery, smirked. "Just saying what everyone’s thinking. A Rosier in Ravenclaw? Your parents must be so proud."
The others snickered.
Pandora’s jaw tightened, but she still didn’t speak.
"Oi!" His voice rang through the corridor, sharp and furious.
The Slytherins turned.
Pandora’s head snapped up, her blue eyes widening. "Sirius?"
"Really? A whole group of Slytherins against one person? You lot really are so brave."
Mulciber sneered. "This has nothing to do with you, Black."
Sirius raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that?"
Mulciber, however, crossed his arms. "You think we care what you and Potter have to say?"
Sirius’s grin widened, sharp and dangerous. "Oh, I know you care. Because the moment I leave here, I’m telling McGonagall everything I just saw. And we both know she’d believe me over you."
Avery rolled his eyes. "You wouldn’t."
"Wouldn’t I?" Sirius tilted his head.
There was a beat of tense silence.
Then, slowly, Mulciber exhaled through his nose and turned away. "This isn’t over, Rosier," he muttered before walking off.
The others followed, some hesitating longer than others. Evan watched them go, his shoulders still stiff.
As soon as they were out of sight, Pandora let out a breath and looked up at Sirius.
"You idiot!" she exclaimed. Then, before he could react, she threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly.
Sirius blinked. "Er, hello to you too, Panda."
She pulled back, her blue eyes bright with emotion. "You prat! Where have you been? We haven’t spoken since we got here!"
Sirius smirked. "Busy being a Gryffindor disgrace, obviously."
She huffed. "Well, I missed you, you know."
Sirius softened. "Missed you too, Loony."
She swatted at him but didn’t deny the nickname.
Evan cleared his throat beside them. "You didn’t have to do that, you know."
Sirius turned to him. "Yeah I did."
Evan hesitated before sighing. "Thanks," he muttered.
James clapped his hands together. "Well, that was a fun interruption. So, are you introducing me, or do I have to guess?"
Sirius rolled his eyes. "James, meet Evan and Pandora Rosier."
Pandora beamed. "Nice to meet you, James!"
Pandora suddenly perked up. "Oh! We need to hang out! Evan and I have a study group tomorrow, Sirius, you should come!"
Sirius blinked. "You want me in a study group?"
Pandora laughed. "I know if we dont make you, you just won't do your homework. I’m saving you."
Evan smirked. "Consider it charity."
Sirius scoffed. "Right. Because you’re the expert on good behavior, Ev."
Evan smirked. "I just don’t get caught."
Pandora turned back to Sirius, expectant. "So? Are you coming?"
Sirius hesitated. He didn’t need to study, not really but… He missed them. He missed having people outside Gryffindor. And honestly, Hogwarts was big and strange, and he hadn’t realized how much he wanted a little piece of home.
"Yeah," he said finally. "Yeah, I’ll come."
Pandora beamed. "Brilliant!"
Evan just smirked. "Hope you actually learn something."
James nudged Sirius. "Better than the library alone, mate."
Sirius rolled his eyes but smiled.