Fated Four

The encounter with Sirius Black had not only affected the school's sleeping arrangements for that night, but the focus and atmosphere around Hogwarts. All anyone could talk about was the Gryffindors' close brush with death, and speculate on about how a murderer had gotten into the school. The theories were getting so extreme that the group would joke about them all day.

The Fat Lady, understandably, did not wish to return to her portrait for the time being. Skylar, Raelynn and Paige refused to go the Gryffindor tower because of the annoying personality of the new portrait. Juliette had to go to the other common rooms instead.

Harry, Raelynn and Skylar were possibly the most impacted by Sirius Black's sighting. Teachers trailed them, along with Percy Weasley, all with the same, solemn expressions. To make matters worse, they weren't subtle about this, leaving the rest of the school with more to speculate on. For example, at the end of Transfiguration, Professor McGonagall asked to see Juliette and Skylar after class. Suddenly, all eyes turned to them.

"There's no point hiding it from you both any longer." McGonagall said to the pair after the lesson, once everyone had left. "I know this will come as a shock to you, but Sirius Black—"

"We know everything Professor, he probably wants to kill Jules and kidnap me." said Skylar honestly.

"I see!" she said after a moment. "Well, in that case, I'm sure you'll both understand why I don't think it's a good idea for you to be practicing Quidditch in the evenings, Miss Potter. Out on the field with only your team members, it's very exposed—"

"We've got our first match on Saturday, Professor!" Juliette cut in furiously. "We have to win this year, and if we can"t train, we stand no chance!"

"To be honest, Professor, I don't think we're going to be attacked while anyone else is around, bit stupid really," said Skylar, "Also, I'm guessing that I'm here because you've realised that I keep sneaking in on their practices but I'm not gonna stop doing that. I'm nosey."

Professor McGonagall had always been delighted by her and Harry's Quidditch talent, and extremely supportive to the team. Their words had clearly gotten through to her, because she spaced out, staring out of the window at the Quidditch pitch, seemingly undergoing some major deliberation.

"Well... goodness knows, I'd like to see us win the Cup at last." she muttered finally. "But all the same, I'd be happier if a teacher were present. I'll ask Madam Hooch to oversee your training sessions."

Skylar found out not that long later that Gryffindor weren't even playing Slytherin anymore. Draco and Cedric had both told her, both with very different tones. Cedric, being captain of the Hufflepuff team, was annoyed at the short notice demand while Draco was finding the ordeal hilarious.

Skylar didn't really pay attention to it, she'd just spend the newfound time (when Juliette was in practice) annoying Cassius. Cassius found that the only person he wanted to be around was Skylar with the occasional meeting with Flint.

"I have defense now so I'll see you later," said Skylar to Cassius slightly.

"I'll walk you to class, I'm ditching History of magic anyway," Cassius replied.

When Skylar arrived at the classroom, she was no doubt shocked to find out that her friend's father was not teaching. Instead, the potions master that so many people despised was waiting for the class to turn up.

It was an odd atmosphere with Severus Snape and Skylar Black. You see, Snape hated Sirius more than anyone could have imagined but Ruelle (Skylar's mother) had known the man rather well. They weren't best friends but Ruelle trusted Snape to keep her secrets and he did.

Snape had never been friendly to Skylar, considering her last name. However, the only reason that he was horrible to her like he was to Harry was due to her relationship with the Malfoys, being in Slytherin and her mother.

"Where's Lupin?" Skylar asked as she sat down,"Oh wait, nevermind."

"Nothing life-threatening," said Snape with a drawn-out voice.

"I'm aware," Skylar rolled her eye,"So...how you doing?"

Snape simply glared at her while failing to give a reply. Skylar spent five minutes humming, tapping on the desk and whistling, all things that had annoyed the Professor, until Juliette arrived. Unlike her brother, Juliette had never been late to a lesson.

"Professor Lupin has not left any record of the topics you have covered so far—" Snape began.

"We've done loads, Professor," Skylar interrupted.

"I did not ask you, Black," Snape replied.

Snape flicked through a copy of the textbook, and Skylar watched as he skipped past all familiar, relevant sections, to the back of the textbook. It was as though he was looking for the most unfamiliar, advanced content possible.

Yet, he managed to spend the entire lesson talking about werewolves. Skylar and Juliette both felt uncomfortable with this as they knew the Professor was trying to get Professor Lupin fired.

"He wants you to do an essay about werewolves too?" Raelynn questioned as she and Paige joined their friends.

"Yeah," Juliette replied, grimmly.

"Great, Hermione will figure that out," Raelynn sighed.

"Let's not think about it, how about we talk about...the fact that Cassius is totally in love with Skylar," Paige suggested.

"What?" Skylar gasped,"No!"

"Yes!" The other three corrected.

"He flirts with you, looks at you like a lost puppy and does anything for you," Paige listed,"If that is not love, what is?"

Skylar rolled her eyes,"We've just been best friends for years and I—"

"Love him back?" Juliette suggested.

"Shut up Jules, you can't talk," Skylar huffed,"I think Lee Jorden wants to be more than friends with you. Not to mention, George clearly has a crush on your too but you can't see that!"

"No, no, no!"

"Okay," Raelynn held her hands up,"Let's stop that before we have a fight."

Skylar and Juliette weren't looking at each other as though they wanted to grab the sword of Gryffindor and strike each other. In fact, if you looked close enough, you could see the look of familiarity with the words being said striking them like the cold hard truth.

"I have the mandrake leaves," Paige whispered.

"That's great!" Skylar clapped, breaking eye contact with Juliette.

"Don't get too excited," Raelynn interrupted,"It could still take years, Sky. For once, you can barely talk for a whole month."

"However will she cope?" Juliette teased.

"Says you!" Skylar replied in the same tone.

"The point Is," Raelynn continued impatiently,"I'm not going to let you die for me so if it takes years, it will be safe years...not dangerous months. If it takes months, I hope it works...since this is very illegal."

"You know me," Skylar grinned,"Illegal is a pattern in my family."