— chapter sixteen —
SLYTHERIN GONE GOOD?

—

STEP ONE FOR being disowned: hang out with Gryffindors. It could've been something else, like stepping out or speaking against the values everyone (or most everyone) in her house held. Or also just up and faking your death like some, but for Remelda this came naturally. It accomplished two things; being disowned and mending – slowly – her relationship with Sirius. Two birds with one stone, if you will.

Now, this was especially hard because at the same time she was pretending to be a perfect Slytherin girl. She was still holding Demetri's hand when the occasion arrived and now he basically wanted that affection every time they were in the same room, as if trying to reel her back in. Of course, she knew that these were not his original plans, it had to come from her parents. They were rightfully fearful, their boys were had gone and left them and now all they had was their little princess – one that didn't want to lose. But little did they know that she was already gone.

Already gone and already mingling with the enemy, or at least she would be after this.

They were having a nice service for Regulus in the common room, she was sitting on the couch next to Demetri with her hand interlocked with his as Severus spoke some kind words:

"He was exceptionally good at Potions," that was his compliment to the dead Regulus Black, but it wasn't like Remelda could ask for more. Really, she didn't even want this.

Nancy was next, the little bitch sitting next to Demetri with a nice, short skirt on that showed her thighs. Remelda pretended not to notice how his eyes always seemed to skim over them, not like the really cared, she just hated the smug smirk on Nancy's face because of it. "He was witty," she fluttered her eyelashes towards Demetri.

There was silence for a moment, everyone thinking of what else to say about the dead boy, Nancy ended the silence with a question, "Anyways, Remelda, why didn't you tell us about Regulus' illness before he died?"

"Was it any of my business?" Remelda danced around the original question. The illness was one they wouldn't believe; the illness was their family and this – everything about the beliefs and values. That was the illness Regulus was suffering from, the one she was suffering from.

"We're a family, Remelda, you should feel comfortable telling us anything," Nancy gave her a sickly sweet smile.

"Yes, I understand that, Nancy. Although, you're forgetting that it wasn't my secret to share, now was it? Regulus didn't want anyone to know and I was respecting his wishes by not saying a word about it, alright?" she tried not to let her snappish underline be heard.

Nancy nodded, not saying anything else. Demetri squeezed her hand as if to comfort her but she could not be comforted by him. The only thing her mind seemed to think of when the word comfort was heard was Regulus...and he was dead. Maybe the universe decided she was never meant to feel safe again.

―

Step one was in session; she was with Gryffindors and one Ravenclaw. If only the world could see her now, the scandal it would be. She knew the headlines, what they would say: Slytherin Gone Good? And they would be partially correct, she was going with those associated with good and light, but they would be wrong on the part that she was once bad. Remelda Walburga Black was never a bad person, she was just someone poisoned with hatred and bitterness because of the events that happened in her life.

Remelda had met them in the Room of Requirement, the only place they thought safe. It wasn't as if she could stroll into the Gryffindor common room or anything, and the shared room between Nadia and Sirius didn't have a TV – something the Greene girl thought of as necessary.

And she was sitting on the chair by herself as Nadia put in the tape for a movie. "What movie are we watching again?" Sirius asked his girlfriend, wrapping his arm around her and pulling the girl closer. Remelda nearly gagged.

"Sleeping Beauty, I haven't seen it since summer," the girl seemed a lot happier, smiling more and having the sparkle again. Remelda had heard in the news about her friend – Lucille Knight – and what had happened to her.

"Which one is that again?" James Potter asked, although he had never seen the movie before.

"The one where a wondrous beauty is asleep, obviously," Sirius cracked a smile to his friend, causing Nadia to gasp and hit his arm, causing him to yell out in shock.

"Sounds boring," Remelda commented, tugging the sleeve on her right arm down after goosebumps began to rise.

"I can't believe you'd say such a thing! You're disgracing the name of Disney!" Nadia exclaimed, huffing as the beginning credits began to roll.

"I don't see the point in this," Remelda frowned, "Or why we're even watching a movie."

Nadia gave her a look, "Because movies are probably the best things ever created!"

"Can't be that great," Remelda disagreed.

"It's like you've never seen one before, Remelda!" Potter went off, not thinking of his words as she stiffened at the remark. It was true; Remelda Black was seventeen and she had never seen a muggle film, her parents probably to blame.

She didn't say anything, only nodded, and Sirius sent her a look before whispering to James, "Mate, I don't think she has..."

"What? No...can't be!" then it seemed he took a moment to realize and muttered, "Oh...Sorry, Remelda."

"It's fine," she shook her head, passing it off as if it didn't bother her.

The film was beginning, showing the nice little service for the birth of the princess. Nadia, of course, was engrossed in the film already and Sirius gave her a smirk, though his eyes fond. James was confused mostly, trying to understand the concept of muggle films. And the last person Remelda wanted to think about, Remus, was just enjoying himself, forgetting just how good muggle films could be before that moment.

And then there was Remelda. Peter was being tutored by Lily in Potions, seeing as he was quite awful in the class, so that left the others. She was, like Potter, more than confused about the film. The pictures...it was like they were moving – like in the wizarding world. But how could that be? This was made by muggles...

But she felt terribly alone there, because she felt so different and estranged from them. They were so close, friends for years, and Nadia was already fitting in so nicely with them, but Remelda didn't feel like she did. She was what one would typecast as evil, one who would spark headlines if she strayed from her family because she seemed so normal and then all of this happened...

Then it was over. It felt like it was just beginning but it was over and by the end Remelda was feeling sick. It was so easy in the film, to let go and love, to smile and laugh have all this joy, but it wasn't easy for her. She hated it. Because that wasn't real, it was all a lie and Remelda knew she could never so willingly give herself up so quickly. It just wasn't like her; it just didn't seem right. Or maybe that was right and she didn't realize it.

Nadia sighed, "I still love that movie."

"Really? I bet you've seem it like a million times by now," Sirius chuckled fondly, pressing his lips down to her cheek, causing the Greene girl to blush.

"Doesn't mean I still don't find it magical," Nadia tried to cover her blush by pushing her head into his chest, causing Sirius to laugh even more.

"I don't get it," James muttered, "It's so – what's the word? – magical but it's not. There's no magic at all!"

Nadia rolled her eyes, "Just because it doesn't involve magic doesn't mean it isn't. That's just the power of Disney."

"You're biased, Nadia, you love Disney more than you love life," Remus shook his head, his eyes fluttering to Remelda for a second, frowning when he saw the blank expression on her face.

In reality, she was just thinking, trying to figure out whether or not that's how it's supposed to be. Maybe it was that easy to fall in love for others, but it just couldn't be for her.

"Well, you're not really wrong, Remus," Nadia agreed, "But that doesn't mean Disney isn't amazing!"

"Not saying that it wasn't," Remus smiled before looking back at the Black girl, "What did you think, Remelda?"

"Huh?" Remelda blinked before realizing that all eyes were on her, "Oh, it was nice."

"Nice? Just nice? I can't believe you!" Nadia exclaimed, as if she were disgracing the name of Disney.

Remelda shrugged, "Well I don't have anything to compare it to, so I guess I can say that it was spectacular."

"Thank you, Remelda," Nadia smiled.

The Black girl sighed, realizing that it was probably late enough, "I think I should head back now. You know, before anyone really asks questions."

"Just say you were in the library, everyone will believe it," Remus shrugged.

"I could, but that won't stop Demetri from asking questions," Remelda sighed, not stopping herself from letting his name drip bitterly from her tongue.

Remus frowned, "Demetri."

"My fiancé," Remelda answered simply.

Sirius blinked, "What? What do you mean fiancé?"

"I mean that's the name I supposed to marry once I finish school, per mother and father's request," Remelda rolled her eyes, "But I don't think that will happen, so don't worry."

"Well then, bye. I'll see you tomorrow," Sirius smiled at his sister, waving at her.

"See you tomorrow, Sirius," she smiled back, going out the door and entering the corridor, almost hearing the door slam shut when it was opened again and a lanky Remus Lupin appeared, calling her back.

"We're okay, right, Remelda?" he asked nervously, as if afraid of the answer.

She shrugged, "Why? You think I'm still upset about you practically yelling at me a few weeks ago?"

"I know you can hold a grudge."

"Well, you're not wrong about that, Remus. And no, I don't think we're alright," she saw the deflated look on his face and she sighed, for some reason she was beginning to care about him, "Look, I'm glad that you said what you did, but I'm also not. I don't take kindly at being yelled at, and you haven't properly apologized or tried to win my favor again. So no, we're not alright."

"I am sorry, if you want that," Remus said, "I just...I was having a terrible day and I needed to release some anger, you were close. And I know that's not an excuse, but that's all I can give you. I'm sorry."

She just nodded at him, putting into practice some words of her mother, "Thank you, Remus."

And she turned away again, walking down to the Slytherin chambers to find herself almost alone. There was only one person awake, and to her luck, it had to be the one person she hated most in her house; her fiancé, Demetri Carrow himself.

"Where have you been?" he asked in a slow manner, standing up from his seat on the couch to cross his arms and look at the girl.

"At the library," she lied, using the excuse Remus provided her.

He nodded at that before questioning her again, "For so long? The library closed at least an hour ago."

"Then I wondered around the castle, it's beautiful at night," she lied again. Though, the castle was quite a sight at night if she were being honest.

"Without getting caught?"

"You'll find that I can be quite sneaky when I want to be, Demetri," she smirked internally at the second meaning of that sentence.

"I don't want you to be out so late again. Hear me, Remelda?" Demetri tried to order her, she only chuckled slightly.

"You don't own me."

"I will," he sounded confident, if only he knew, "When we get married, I will own you."

She smiled, walking closer to him and placing her hand on his cheek delicately, "I think you'll find that I have no place for you in my plans for the future."

She didn't wait for a response before leaving.