mudblood
The second night at Hogwarts Arabella lies in her bed unable to sleep. It didn’t hit her last night but tonight she’s realizing just how much she misses her parents. Fifth period double potions she just didn't know any of the ingredients and she felt like everybody was looking at her.
Regulus was her partner and he was so nice and gave her some advanced potions books to read. She’s made a decision to stay up reading every single one. Arabella isnt used to not being the smartest in class and she isn't used to being beaten by people.
She sniffles, flipping through the pages. Arabella reckons the later she stays up, the more she reads than the less she’ll have to think about her parents and how much she misses them.
It doesn't work.
After Arabella puts down her books and lays down to sleep she can’t help tossing and turning. She just misses them! She misses them talking to her and asking her how her day was, and she misses being home. In her own bed.
She throws her comforter off a bit grumpily and pulls a sweatshirt over her black and white plaid pajamas before grabbing a book (Wuthering Heights this time, a reread) and tip-toeing down the stairs.
The common room is empty in an almost haunting way. The fireplace still glows its signature warm green and the leather chairs and couches scattered throughout cast shadows from the light of the fire. Arabella grabs one of the fluffy black blankets and curls up in one corner of the leather couch closest to the fireplace.
Halfway through chapter five a soft voice speaks from behind her, “hey Arabella.”
She turns around to see Regulus standing with ruffled hair, red eyes, and in a pair of pajamas, much unlike how she’s seen him before. “Hey,” she whispers back.
“Umm, can I sit?” He asks, his voice still in a whisper. She nods and sits on the couch next to her. He keeps his distance though, he leaves about a foot or two gap between them and he pulls his knees up to his chest, resting his cheek on them so he’s look at Arabella. “What are you reading?”
“Wuthering Heights,” she informs him.
“I’ve never heard about it, is it a muggle book?”
She nods, “I guess, although I suppose you never know if it’s a wizard or muggle writing them.” He shrugs and she bites her lip, nervous that she’s overspoken, “you can borrow it if you want.”
A smile creeps over his face and he nods, “mum wouldn’t like that, she doesn’t like us to read books by muggles.”
Arabella smirks, “well she doesn’t have to know, does she?”
For a second Regulus looks scared but then he laughs quietly, “I suppose not.” Regulus has an extremely posh accent, one that she assumes is close to hers although she guesses she may have a bit more of a French accent after spending her whole life growing up in France.
After that Arabella schooches closer to Regulus and allows him to read over her shoulder at the book. At first Regulus tenses when she leans into him but then wraps his arm innocently around her and she snuggles closer to him
If it wasn’t so dark you would’ve been able to see the deep blush on both of their cheeks. Neither have had such a friend before.
When Arabella wakes up her head is resting on Regulus’ chest with his arms around her. “‘Morning,” he murmurs groggily as she turns to look at him.
“Good morning,” she hums, “what time is it?”
“Early. The sun is just rising.”
“Oh…” she pauses, unsure of what to say, “did you sleep?”
He laughs, “yes. Sirius is- was always manic about how early I got up.” She grins at his light hearted tone. If she has learnt anything about Regulus these past two days it’s that he’s awkward. She’s glad this isn't awkward, she thinks that they make a good pair.
***
The rest of the day is uneventful. Well, except for dinner that is.
First period they have Transfiguration followed by Herbolgy, both with the Gryffindors. Arabella doesn’t mind them but the others in her house seem to have something against them. Winter and Regulus described a house rivalry to her, it all seems stupid.
Arabella has quickly met the other Slytherins in her year. Other than her dorm mates and Regulus there are three other boys. Otto Mulciber is a tall boy with messy blonde hair, confident. Barty Crouch has dark hair and a sneer on his face that hasn’t seemed to go away. Alastair Zabini has jet black and extremely dark blue eyes, he seems the quietest .
She doesn’t like to judge people by first impressions but she certainly does not like Barty Crouch. Within the five sentences he’s said to Arabella he’s told her about twenty times how important his father is at the ministry, managed to insult both her and Winter, and spout some very nasty words.
Alastair Burke is much quieter than the others, Arabella thinks he’s a bit more like Reglus than Otto or Crouch.
Otto, or Ottowald, is tall and the leader of the boys. He emits confidence yet isn't too pushy or annoying, like Barty. Alastair and Otto have been best friends since birth, they come as a duo Arabella has found.
Next in the day after a free period and lunch is her favorite class, charms, this class is just the Slytherins and she finds herself seated in between the duo of Alastair and Otto. None of them bother her very much, they make pleasant small talk and she shows Otto the proper way to do the levitating spell. When he finally does it right he flashes a blinding smile at her.
The last period of the day is another free period so Arabella walks back to the common room with Winter and Regulus. The three of them have become very close in the first few days at Hogwarts. Where Regulus and Arabella are softer and quieter, Winter is louder and braver, she really completes the trio.
Winter groans and mumbles about the charms essay they were given and Arabella offers to help her with it from where she’s sitting writing a letter to her parents.
“It’s fine… I need your help with potions though!” Winter practically yells causing a few older students to glare at them. Quieter she says, “can I borrow a quill?” Arabella rolls her eyes and passes Winter her extra quill as Regulus looks over at Arabella's parchment.
“Are you almost done? I can walk to the owlery with you, I’ve got a letter to post as well,” he says. Arabella signs her letter and rolls it up before following Regulus’ lead to the owlery.
“Who are you writing to?” Asks Arabella.
He shrugs and fidgets with the letter, “my mother.”
“Oh,” she says, “is that a bad thing?”
“No…” he starts, “it’s complicated, she’s just very upset with Sirius right now. I think- I’m scared that me getting sorted into Slytherin has made it worse for him…”
“Oh Regulus, you can't help where the hat sorts you!” She reasons, “besides, Sirius hasn’t done anything wrong.”
“Mother- he… he's a blood traitor.” He frowns, lip quivering.
Arabella wrinkles her nose, “now thats just stupid. I don’t understand how he can be a blood traitor just because he was sorted into Gryffindor!”
Regulus stops walking, “it’s not so much that… it's because he’s associating himself with them.”
Arabella turns to look at him, “who?”
“Muggle-borns.”
“What? Now that’s just ridiculous! Why does it matter?” Arabella asks, all of this talk of blood and status, she just doesn't understand it.
“I’m not saying- I don’t think… its my mother, she believes in pureblood supremacy and whatnot, y’know that wizards are better than purebloods.” Regulus fidgets uncomfortably, it’s clear that he doesn’t like talking about it.
Another thing Arabella has learned about Regulus is that he’s scared. Of his mother, of disappointing her.
Arabella places her hands on her hips suddenly feeling very old, “well just because your mother says it doesn't mean it’s true.”
Regulus nods looking frightened at her stern tone, “are we… are we fighting Arabella? I don't want to fight.”
She sighs and takes his hand leading them back down the hall, “no Reggie, I don't think I could possibly be mad at you.”
And he grins the rare Regulus Black grin, the one that makes his eyes shine and face crease.
At dinner Arabella sits across from Lucy and in between Regulus and Winter. Winter and Otto, who is sitting on the other side of her, are having a very intense conversation about the best kind of Honeydukes sweet. Arabella, who has never been to Honeydukes nor had any of their candy, listens to Penelope and Lucy discussing some sort of clothing brand, inputting her opinion when necessary. Regulus, on the other hand is staring warily at a tall witch with messy black hair and a mean snarl walking towards them. Reglus turns to face her and Arabella, intrigued, does the same.
“Well well well!” The witch practically cackles, “little Regulus did mommy proud and got sorted into Slytherin. Was she so pleased? Did she tell you how your just her favorite!”
Regulus swallows hard and cringes when the witch runs her fingers through his hair, “hello Bellatrix.”
“I thought I told you to come speak to Cissy and I after you got sorted? Yet I haven’t seen you all this time…” The witch, Bellatrix, trails off and smirks, “has itty bitty Reggie been making friends with the wrong type?” Regulus bristles and jerks back away from him making Arabella frown.
Feeling suddenly very bold, Arabella speaks up,“why don't you just go away? He clearly isn’t interested in talking to you right now!”
Bellatrix turns her gaze towards Arabella and giggles, “yes I see… you’re the Rosier girl.”
Arabella fidgets nervously with her ring but crosses her arms, “yes, and?”
“Sassy this one is!” She smirks, “you and your filthy mudblood mother, messing up a beautiful pureblood line… tsk tsk.” Arabella creases her eyebrows, she knows this is an insult at the way everyone around her goes quiet but she’s only insulted at how Bellatrix used the word filthy in the same sentence as describing her mother.
“Go away Bella,” Regulus spats. Arabella can see him shaking and she resists the urge to grab his hand and hold it tightly. Winter grabs Arabellas hand though and glares daggers at the older witch.
“You are to meet with us Saturday for tea, noon, don’t be late.” Bellatrix directs this last bit at Regulus then turns on her heel and walks away.
The atmosphere at the table is much more subdued for the rest of dinner. The loud laughter has quieted into whispers, Regulus doesn’t speak anymore and Arabella still doesn’t know what that all meant.
Regulus doesn’t want to talk about it. He tells Arabella Bellatrix is his cousin but doesn’t discuss it further. Arabella isn’t one to push it.
Later that night after Penelope and Lucy have gone to bed she crawls in next to Winter and softly waves her up.
“Ara…” Winter groans using the nickname she made up for Arabella, “what time is it?”
“Late, twelve maybe?” Arabella states, causing Winter to bury her face in one of the many pillows, “I’m sorry to wake you but… I was wondering if- do you know what that word meant?”
Winter uncovers her face and looks at Arabella, “what word?”
“Mudblood.”
Winter’s eyes widen and she sits up, “it- it’s not a very nice word… Lucius uses it all the time. It’s directed at- at muggleborns, Ara, its- its very very mean.”
Arabella tilts her head, “In what way?”
Silence follows Arabella's questions for a few minutes until Winter responds, “it basically says their blood is dirty, that they are dirty.”
Arabella stays silent for a few moments, “oh.”
“It was very rude for Bellatrix to say that,” Winter continues.
“I suppose.”
“It should bother you.”
“It’s just a word, Winter.” All of the sudden Winter wraps her arms around Arabella and pulls her so the two girls are lying next to each other.
“Goodnight Ara.”
“Goodnight Winter,” Arabella whispers as her eyes begin to grow heavy, “sleep tight.”