— chapter nine —
CHERRY BLOSSOMS

—

HER EYES CLOSED momentarily, soaking in the slight bit of sun for a moment as she smiled contently. They were outside – her and Alfie – and she liked it. She always did. There was a tree near the Black lake, a cherry blossom tree, and Remelda loved cherry blossoms. They were light, so pure, and looked incredibly beautiful.

They weren't talking, Alfie always seemed so afraid to speak to her now, always so nervous and timid, like he would spark something inside himself or her that would end badly. She didn't understand, but she never pried. Like her mother used to always tell her, it was just better to sit still, keep her mouth shut, and look pretty. But, probably the only good thing that came from her genes, was the fair skin and beauty. Everything else was pretty rotten, if you asked Remelda.

It was a lovely day, and so a majority of the school was outside playing sports with each other or just relaxing. They didn't have many lovely days, it was already November, so they took advantage of every single one. And thankfully, classes had ended for the day and dinner began in an hour. She could hear laughter and cheer, and opening her eyes, turning her head ever so slightly to the dock at the Black lake, she saw Sirius and his friends.

He had his arm wrapped around Nadia, who was leaning into his embrace. There was James Potter, his head in Lily Evan's lap. They had gotten together a little after Christmas of last year. Finally, seeing as James had been chasing after the poor girl for years. If that were Remelda, she wasn't sure what she would do, maybe commit a murder and seal her fate as a true Black family member.

But then were was Pettigrew. He was very different from the others, a little plumper and timid, and she was never sure why they took him in as a friend. He seemed kind, a liked his food quite a lot, but there was always an obvious difference between his other friends. Remelda could always see why they were a Gryffindor, but she never could find that reason for Pettigrew. Still, she didn't dwell on it.

But her eyes seemed to stay on Remus Lupin a little longer than the rest. He was effortlessly flawless there, a scar right on his nose as he held himself, a nice and warm-looking jumper covering him. And when he laughed, his head went back, exposing his Adam's apple, and Remelda had to fight the urge to smile at the sight of it.

She shook her head and turned away. What was she thinking? She couldn't let her thoughts carry like that, she was a betrothed woman! She had a fiancé who was just on the other side, a circle created around him as Severus Snape stood beside him.

Remelda thought about that for a second. Two years ago, Snape would get two or three others from their house, spat words at Potter and his friends, they would hex him, and then Evans would yell and protect Snape even though he had called her a mudblood so long ago. Remelda remembered that day, it was quite shocking, everyone at Hogwarts knew about his weakness towards Lily Evans. She laughed when she gotten to Regulus' room, it was hilarious. Now Evans would never love him.

But now, two years later, the Marauders never messed with Snape and he knew to keep his distance. Remelda hadn't even realized anything at first, until she was walking to Potions and two Hufflepuff girls were talking about it. That house was quite gossipy, she learned, but no one seemed to realize that. Everyone thought Hufflepuffs were too kind to spread rumors or gossip, oh how they were wrong.

"Everything alright there, princess?" Alfie asked with an amused grin on his face, looking at Remelda who turned towards him and nodded.

"Just thinking," she answered, "There's a lot for me to think about right now..."

"Like what? Surely, there can't be that much. It's only November, you can't have that many problems yet," he let out a laugh, but she wasn't sure if it was genuine.

She lied, of course, if anyone caught wind of what she actually thought, she would be a goner. "If we really kissed...I know that you said that, and you have no reason to lie, but I can't help my thoughts from going there over and over again," so maybe that wasn't a total lie. She did think about that, but not in that moment.

Alfie took a calming breath, pinching the bridge of his nose before letting a smile return to his face. "Let's go back inside, I think that this air is doing something with your brain."

Remelda frowned at that, she didn't want to go back inside – not right then. "But I like these. I like sitting here, under the tree. Cherry blossoms are my favorite, you know."

"I'll keep that in mind, but I personally think roses are much better...more romantic, you know?"

"But I don't like roses," she shook her head, "I like cherry blossoms."

"What's wrong with roses, huh? What, Remelda?" it wasn't a joking tone at all, but she chose to ignore it.

"Because you're keeping this in mind for me, and if you were to ever get me flowers, I wouldn't like roses. They aren't my favorites," Remelda answered calmly, "Nothing against them being your favorite."

"Whatever," Alfie grumbled, "Come on, the library sounds like a lovely place right now, doesn't it?"

"No, it really doesn't, Alfred. It's a lovely day, probably one of the last ones we'll see until next year, so let's stay outside," Remelda smiled fondly, "The sun feels nice."

"But won't the sun ruin your gorgeous pale complexion?" he seemed to be asking this question for himself, for something of his own gain, and not for Remelda.

She disagreed, shrugging, "I wouldn't mind a bit of a tan, it gets a little annoying when you're the palest person around."

"But you look nice with pale skin, so let's go inside. I'll even help you with Herbology," Alfie tried again.

"I already finished all my work in that class," she nonchalantly answered, "Knew I wouldn't do it later, so I finished last night."

"You're so difficult sometimes, Remelda," he rolled his eyes, "Do you realize that?"

"Well I'm not the one trying to change the original topic, now am I?" Remelda snapped back finally, "Sorry that I can't change my thoughts from that."

"Remelda, you said it yourself, why would I lie? Why would I lie to my best friend of six years now?" he asked.

"I don't know...it's just a feeling. I could be wrong, not saying I'm right or anything," she shrugged.

He huffed, "That's because you are wrong. We kissed, Remelda, it's true. Just believe me."

Remelda looked at him with glowering eyes, "Because there is no proof. No one else saw, I don't have my memory, and sometimes people create fake memories...I read about that once somewhere. So how can I believe your memory when I don't know if it will be correct or not?"

He clenched his fists, a little flash of memory came through Remelda's mind, as if piecing together another memory. It had to be from that night, Alfie had to have been mad because he was clenching his fists...no. It couldn't be.

"Just shut up already," he gritted out, teeth clenching together as he tried to calm himself.

"This isn't like you. If you were telling the truth, you wouldn't be so angry...so what are you trying to hide, Alfred?" she taunted, "Unless it was you who hexed me."

"It wasn't! I didn't do it!" his voice was low, untrusting of himself as he tried not to lose himself to anger. But still, his hands searched his trousers for his wand.

Another flash of that, this time of Alfie with his hand raised, wand there, and pointing at Remelda as his race was red in anger. "It was, wasn't it?" she asked again, no more Miss Nice Girl.

He didn't reply, looking down and looking ashamed, unclenching his fists as he no longer felt anger but guilt.

Lifting her head high, and looking quite a lot like her mother, Remelda told him with a stern, cold voice, "Tonight, I'm going to tell Professor Slughorn. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be leaving then."

He didn't say anything. She left.

―

That night, after dinner, Remelda was in her room. She decided not to tell Slughorn right away, plus it was quite late and she couldn't find him. Tomorrow...tomorrow she would find him. But she was in her room, the other girls she stayed with were loud, talking about boys and their futures. She almost snorted, what futures?

         "Haven't you read the paper lately? Another muggleborn family gone and killed!" one of them exclaimed happily.

         "I know, wonderful isn't it?" another agreed, "Another nuisance out of the way."

         "They don't even deserve their magic – stole it from another wizard meant for it," the original girl shook her head, "It's for the pure only, not for those mudbloods. Don't even know they have magic before Hogwarts, solidifying that they don't deserve it."

         "Who died this time?"

         "I think it was the McKinnon family, you know? Heard they had a daughter who went here – Marlene? – yeah, well, she went home 'cause her mother was ill and that was when they were killed."

         "You think the Death Eaters killed them?" one of them asked.

         "Well, duh. And I'm glad they did, too. I'm joining them after I graduate," she stated proudly, "Mum'll be so proud of me, don't you think?"

         "Of course! They deserve to die – and muggles deserve to be in their rightful place – beneath us. Can't wait until school's over with," another smiled.

         Remelda shook her head, refraining from scoffing or snorting and having the conversation turned towards her. She knew that it wasn't the time to have the attention on her, not with the topic anyways. She disagreed with them whole-heartedly, but what could she say against them? Any sign of rebellion would be sent to her parents and then she was sure for a grand punishment.

         Finally reaching her trunk after brushing through all her damp here, she noticed a simple cherry blossom and note on it. Confused, she picked up the note. It only had two words: for you, and the flower was quite beautiful.

         Before anyone else could see it, she crumbled up the note and placed the flower delicately on her bedside table, a little light in all the darkness. Smiling to herself, because it was pretty and someone actually cared about her, she quickly hid it inside the dresser so that no one would know before heading to bed and pulled the covers over her cold body. Someone cared enough, and she had to find out who it was.

re-uploading this because I changed the last part it cause I wasn't happy with it before. now it's longer and shows more of why she can't really say anything against anyone. idk, I like it more like this. hope you enjoyed!