Capítulo 13: Chapter 13 - Confrontations
The chill of winter had settled over Hogwarts, leaving the castle blanketed in a thick layer of snow. The Yule holidays were coming to an end, but the festive cheer still hung in the air.
Serena stood in front of her mirror, inspecting her reflection. She was small and dainty with long, silky black hair that glimmered under the soft light of her dormitory. Her skin was as pale as freshly fallen snow, contrasting starkly with her vibrant red lips. She was beautiful, and she knew it. Out of habit, she kept up with the beautification magic her mother had taught her.
With a sigh of frustration, she reached for the hair clip that Potter had gifted her. It was a simple, elegant thing, but it was from Potter, and that complicated matters. It was red too. But since it was a present and there's barely anyone in the castle these days to see it, she decided to wear it.
"Just this once," she told her reflection, fastening the hair clip in her black tresses.
"Never again." She didn't get why her inner Omega was so insistent about wearing it and why it was preening. It was only just a ribbon.
Pulling on her winter coat and wrapping her scarf snugly around her neck, Serena headed out into the snowy landscape. She carried with her an exhausted rooster she had borrowed from Hagrid, the school's groundskeeper, a few days ago. She had needed it for the Basilisk, but now it was time to return it.
As she approached Hagrid's hut, nestled at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, she noticed the half-giant sitting by the entrance, looking rather gloomy. Hagrid had a soft spot for all creatures, great and small, and the absence of his rooster had clearly taken a toll on him.
"G'morning, Hagrid," Serena greeted, pulling the rooster from her bag. It squawked loudly, causing Hagrid to look up so fast she thought he might have whiplash. "Found this little fellow strutting about near the Black Lake," she lied smoothly, handing over the rooster. "Thought you might know what to do with him."
Hagrid's face lit up at the sight of his lost pet and he accepted the rooster gratefully. "Oh, I've been lookin' all over for him! Thank ye so much!" Hagrid exclaimed, pulling her into a bear hug that nearly crushed her.
After extracting herself from Hagrid's enthusiastic embrace, Serena was invited inside the hut for tea. Normally, she would decline - Hagrid's tea was notoriously strong - but today she felt a strange sense of accomplishment. So, she accepted, stepping into the warm hut and leaving her footprints in the snow behind her.
Maybe wearing the red ribbon hadn't been such a bad idea after all.
~~~
Mid-February arrived, casting a quiet atmosphere over the Great Hall. Most of the students had gone to Hogsmeade for a day of fun and exploration, leaving the castle less crowded, with only the first and second-year students and a few upper-year students who had chosen to stay behind. Serena, Lucius, Evelyn, and Regulus found themselves gathered together, conversing amidst the peaceful ambiance.
Lucius had decided to forgo the trip to Hogsmeade, claiming that his friend Barty was on a date with a Ravenclaw and he didn't want to intrude. Serena knew that Lucius and Barty Crouch Jr. were close friends, which still surprised her given their differing personalities. Barty seemed more balanced and level-headed in this world, perhaps influenced by Lucius' influence.
Lucius scoffed at the idea of watching his friend snog and preferred the relative solitude of the castle instead.
In the midst of their conversation, Regulus innocently asked if any of them had a partner, causing a sudden halt in the conversation. The silence hung in the air for a moment as they exchanged startled glances. Evelyn spoke up, admitting that she was interested in someone, but the house rivalry and the boy's guarded nature presented a challenge. Regulus couldn't help but be incredulous at the idea that she had a crush on a Gryffindor.
Evelyn simply shrugged and confirmed her attraction to someone from Gryffindor, disregarding the conventional expectations and the house rivalry. Regulus was left stunned by her admission, unable to comprehend the idea of such an unconventional romantic interest.
Serena, ever the pragmatic one, interjected with a blank face. "As for me, I don't think a relationship is on the cards anytime soon. I have other priorities." The underlying truth was that she knew the complications of her secondary gender, but she chose not to elaborate.
Before she could continue, Lucius interrupted, his voice laced with a hint of knowing. "Ah, Serena, my little snake, you say that now, but you never know. You might find yourself needing one sooner than you think." His words carried an undercurrent that he understood her secret, that he knew she was an omega just as he was.
Serena's eyes twitched slightly, she opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, they were interrupted by the approach of a group of students. The Marauders made their way towards the group.
James Potter, the leader of the group, was the first to approach the Slytherin table. His hazel eyes twinkled as he greeted everyone cheerfully. "Good morning, everyone," he said, giving Serena a charming smile.
Serena, however, was not easily taken in by his charm. She leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms over her chest. "What do you want this time, Potter?"
James, unfazed by her frosty demeanor, simply shrugged. "Actually, it's not me who wants something this time. It's Sirius."
At the mention of his name, Sirius Black, who had been standing a little way behind James, stepped forward. His gaze was hard and intense, focused solely on his younger brother, Regulus. "I need to talk to you, Reg," he said tersely.
Regulus, looking truly displeased, responded coldly, "I have nothing to say to you, Sirius."
But Sirius was not about to take no for an answer. He strode over to Regulus and reached out to grab his arm, intending to drag him away from the table. "You've been avoiding me ever since we came back from the holidays, Reg. You can't ignore me forever."
Before Sirius could do anything further, Lucius stepped in, his eyes sparkling with a hint of challenge. "If you want to talk to Regulus, do so here, Black," he said calmly but firmly. His voice held a tone of provocation, as if he was daring Sirius to react.
Sirius paused, his hand still in the air, as he turned to stare at Lucius. A tense silence filled the air as the two boys locked eyes, their past and impending future creating a layered complexity to the standoff. For a moment, it seemed as though Sirius would retaliate, but he just shook his head, breaking eye contact.
"This is between me and Regulus," he said gruffly, pulling his hand back. Without another word, he grabbed Regulus' arm and, despite his brother's protests, hauled him away from the table and out of the Great Hall, leaving a stunned silence in their wake.
~~~
As the stunned silence lingered on the table, James Potter, seemingly oblivious to the tension, broke the stillness with an innocent question directed at Serena. "Hey, Serena, why aren't you wearing the present I got you for Christmas? That ribbon would look super pretty on you."
Serena's eyes widened in embarrassment as she realized that the others at the table, including Lucius, Evelyn, Peter, and Remus, had heard James's proclamation. She closed her eyes briefly, trying to regain her composure before responding. "Potter, could you please shut up? I told you, I'm not going to wear it."
Undeterred, James gave Serena a pleading look, his hazel eyes wide and puppy-like. "Come on, Serena, just wear it for me once. I bought it with my own allowance money. Please?"
Serena scoffed, a hint of a sneer tugging at the corners of her lips. "And did you actually work for your allowance money, Potter?"
Before James could respond, Lucius, who had been observing the exchange silently, stood up from his seat. "I think I'll go check on those brothers of yours," he said, his voice calm and detached. Sensing the tension in the air, he decided it was best to intervene and diffuse the situation.
Without waiting for a response, Lucius gracefully made his way out of the Great Hall, his pale blonde hair catching the light as he disappeared from view. The remaining group at the Slytherin table exchanged glances, the atmosphere lightening slightly now that Lucius had broken the tension.
Evelyn, always the peacemaker, spoke up, her voice gentle. "Perhaps it's best if we give them some space to sort things out."
Peter nodded in agreement, his eyes darting nervously around the table. "Yeah, it's probably better not to get involved. They'll work things out on their own."
Remus spoke up for the first time, "Let's hope they can find a way to reconcile. Family is important, after all."
"I did work for it!" Potter's voice was heard in the background.
~~~
In a secluded alcove near the Great Hall, Sirius and Regulus engaged in a hushed, heated argument. Regulus, his voice filled with frustration, confronted Sirius about his avoidance. "Why do you think I've been ignoring you, Sirius? It's because of what you've been saying about my new friends in Slytherin!"
Sirius scoffed, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Slytherins, Reg, they're bad news. You're going to end up just like the rest of our crazy family and relatives if you continue hanging out with them."
Regulus' eyes narrowed, his voice growing louder with each word. "You don't understand, Lucius and Evelyn are nothing like the others. They've been there for me, guided me, helped me."
Sirius, still not comprehending his mistake, retorted, "You think you know them, Reg? You think you can trust them? They're Slytherins, for Merlin's sake!"
Regulus' frustration boiled over, and he shouted back at his brother, his voice laced with anger. "You're so blinded by your prejudice, Sirius! You have no idea what they're truly like. Lucius is not what you think he is, and whatever history you have with him, it's nothing compared to the friendship and kindness he's shown me."
Regulus' words hung in the air, the weight of their argument palpable between them.
Sirius, his anger momentarily subsiding, looked at his younger brother, a mix of confusion and realization crossing his features. For the first time, doubts flickered in Sirius's eyes, as he began to question whether he had misjudged Lucius and the Slytherins.
Regulus, his voice softer now, continued, "And Serena... She's different too, Sirius. Aren't you actually friends with her? So why can't you be nice with Lucius? You used to tell me that you'd rather play with Lucius than me back then. What happened?"
Sirius was frozen and didn't know how to respond.
"You're missing out on knowing some incredible people because of your assumptions."
A heavy silence settled between the brothers, their confrontation reaching a temporary impasse. It was a pivotal moment, one that would shape their relationship and force Sirius to reevaluate his preconceived notions. Deep down, he knew there was more to Lucius and the Slytherins than met the eye, and Regulus' plea for understanding resonated within him.
Regulus, his emotions still raw from the argument, silently turned away from Sirius, leaving his older brother standing alone in the alcove. As he walked away, a mix of disappointment and hope swirled within him. He hoped that Sirius would eventually realize the error of his judgment and be willing to bridge the gap between them.
After a brief moment of solitude, Sirius was startled by the sound of footsteps approaching. It was Lucius, his presence commanding and graceful. Lucius had observed the argument from afar and had a good idea of what had transpired. He walked towards Sirius, his gaze steady and piercing.
Lucius's voice held a touch of provocation as he asked, "Regulus seemed quite upset. Do you regret judging people and assuming things so quickly, Sirius?" He poked where it hurt.
Sirius glared at Lucius, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "What are you doing here, Malfoy? Are you here to gloat and rub salt in my wounds?"
Lucius simply laughed, the sound echoing in the alcove. It was a melodic laughter that seemed to captivate Sirius, drawing his attention to the beauty and enchantment that radiated from Lucius when he smiled. Memories of their childhood played in Sirius's mind, their short lived letters, and fleeting glimpses of a time when they were carefree and innocent.
Shaking off the memories, Sirius narrowed his eyes at Lucius. "It's none of your business," his voice laced with defiance. He turned to walk away, but the blonde quickly intercepted him, blocking his path.
With a serious expression on his face, Lucius spoke firmly. "If you want to reconcile with Regulus, Sirius, you'll need to be more open-minded about Slytherins, whether you like it or not."
Sirius's gaze softened for a moment as he registered Lucius's words. There was a flicker of understanding in his eyes, the realization that his assumptions had caused the fracture in his relationship with Regulus.
Deep down, he knew that if he wanted to mend their bond, he would have to let it go.
But the memory of the incident at the birthday party came flooding back into Sirius's mind. He remembered how he had asked Lucius about his beliefs, about whether he would follow in the footsteps of his family and become a dark wizard.
Instead of denying or confirming it, Lucius had only given him silence, a non-answer that had left Sirius feeling betrayed and disappointed. Isn't that the same as confirming?!
The memory brought a surge of anger that Sirius didn't know he was still harbouring. He had hoped that Lucius would be different, that he wouldn't just be another Slytherin with the same old prejudice.
Lucius's voice cut through his thoughts, pulling him back to the present. "You're really thick for a Black," Lucius stated, a smile playing on his lips.
The remark made Sirius' blood boil. Is he calling him dumb?! It wasn't the insult that angered him, rather it was the fact that only Lucius could get a rise out of him like that. He didn't understand why Lucius was the one who could draw such strong emotions from him.
Without thinking, Sirius stormed towards Lucius, his anger driving him forward. He cornered Lucius against the wall, his gaze burning with anger and determination. "I'm not thick, Malfoy," Sirius bit back, his voice low and dangerous. "You're just hard to understand."
Frustration coursed through Sirius as he leaned in closer to the blonde. Their faces were so close that their noses almost touched. Sirius could see the surprise in Lucius' icy blue eyes, but he didn't care.
"I don't believe what Regulus or Serena told me about you," Sirius hissed, his voice barely above a whisper. "That you're different. I'll be watching you, Lucius. Watching and waiting for you to slip up and show your true colours."
With that, Sirius planned to pull back, his glare never leaving Lucius. He was determined to uncover the truth about Lucius, to prove that he was right about him.
But just as he moved to leave, he found himself rooted to the spot. An intoxicating scent filled his nostrils, making his head spin. It was sweet and alluring.
The scent was foreign yet strangely familiar, like a distant memory he couldn't quite grasp. It was intoxicating and it drew Sirius closer to Lucius, who was now pinned against the wall, his eyes wide with surprise.
Sirius' heart pounded in his chest as he leaned in closer, the scent growing stronger with each inch he moved. It was almost too sweet with a mixture of fresh parchment and the crisp winter air, and it was coming from Lucius.
Lucius, who was now pressed against the wall, watched Sirius in silent shock. Sirius' proximity was unexpected, and the intensity in his gaze was unnerving. He could feel Sirius' breath against his skin, warm and irregular, causing his heart to flutter in response.
"Wh-What are you doing?" Lucius stammered, his voice betraying his agitation. But Sirius didn't answer, his gaze focused on Lucius' lips. The world seemed to slow down as Sirius leaned in closer, their lips a mere breath apart.
Suddenly, Sirius snapped back to reality, his eyes wide with sudden realization. He quickly pulled away from Lucius, his brain struggling to comprehend what had just happened. He looked at Lucius, his eyes wild, reflecting his confusion and the beginning of an understanding he wasn't quite ready to accept.
"I...," Sirius inhaled, quickly sucking in a mouthful of fresh, unscented air like he was dying of thirst. "I need to go." He turned around, fleeing the alcove and leaving Lucius alone, the imprint of their almost-kiss lingering in the air. Lucius watched him retreat, his heart pounding in his ears, a mixture of relief and disappointment washing over him.
As Sirius disappeared from view, Lucius brought his fingers to his lips, a soft smile playing on his face. He was not offended by Sirius' words or his actions. He was, in fact, elated. Because to him, Sirius' reaction was proof that he was capable of seeing beyond the labels and the stereotypes. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.
But as he watched Sirius' retreating figure, a sudden realization hit him like a bolt of lightning.
He was in his preheat.
It was a sensation he had never experienced before. It was strange and made his head fuzzy. And it was triggered by Sirius, by the close proximity of the Alpha. Lucius' mind raced as he tried to process what this meant. His first heat cycle was coming, and it was coming fast. And if Sirius found out, it would change everything.
Lucius knew that his engagement to Sirius was looming on the horizon, a fact that he had accepted long ago. But with his heat cycle just around the corner, everything felt more urgent, more complicated.
He had to prepare. He had to be ready for what was coming.
Lucius disillusioned himself and made his way towards the hospital wing, his thoughts were consumed by a mix of anxiety and excitement. When Sirius finds out about their engagement, he would be faced with a choice. Would he reject Lucius, seeing him only as a pawn in their families' political games? Or would he embrace their connection, defying the constraints of their predetermined roles as secondary genders?
Lucius was nervous, but he was also excited. Because for the first time in his life, he felt like he had a choice. A choice to be who he truly was, regardless of what was expected of him. And with Sirius by his side, he knew that anything was possible.
Sirius had just had his first encounter with the scent of an Omega in preheat. And that Omega was Lucius Malfoy.
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