— chapter twenty seven —
THROUGH THE DARKNESS

—

            IT WAS THAT moment leading to the end of the year; the one of the library hidden away behind numerous amount of shelves in the desk the two always stayed. That moment of serenity as Remus studied for his finals exams – one which were more important than Remelda's – and, being the dutiful girlfriend she was, her helping him study.

         He was stressing over Potions, even though he was amazing at it, and she was looking over the study guide he created for himself and calling out questions. As he pondered one question she pursed her lips and said, "I don't see why you're stressing, you know the answer."

         "Crushed lavender," he answered before rolling his eyes, "And because I want get an Outstanding. For that, I need to study."

         "Yes, but you haven't taken a break in over two hours. Come on, dinner's about to start," Remelda said, about to stand up but he shook his head.

         "I can eat later. You go ahead," Remus said, taking ahold of the study guide and looking over the questions he created for the millionth time.

         Remelda sat down, "I'm not leaving you here. We can go to the kitchens later – together."

         He gave a shy smile and she thought it was pretty cute but instead of sharing that, she kept it to herself and looked back at the study and asked another question, which he answered perfectly. It had been another thirty minutes, them having completed the study guide and started going over it again, when Remelda sighed.

         "We're done with Potions. It's been three hours," Remelda looked at him, "If you're going to study, at least chose another subject."

         "How about Herbology. Don't you have your own exam?" he teased her slightly, a little mischievous glint in his eyes.

         Remelda groaned, "Don't remind me. And for your information, I have started to study for it."

         He gave her a blank look, "How hard?"

         "Lightly. Honestly, I don't really care if I fail the exam and get a Troll," she said honestly, not meeting his eyes for not wanting to see the disappointed gaze of her boyfriend.

         "Remelda," he drawled out and she knew she was in trouble, "You need to study. It's important if you want to get a good job after school. Come on, I'll help you."

         She rolled her eyes, "Not everything is about academics. And I'm pretty sure I'll still be employed even if I failed Herbology. Plus, I'm not sure if I even want a career in the wizarding world."

         Remus furrowed his eyebrows, "Really? Since when?"

         "Well," she began, "I've been talking to Nadia, and she's planning on being a teacher, you know? Says that it's her calling or some other bullshit, and she asked me what I wanted to do, which is something I've never been asked before. And we got to talking about the future and I've been convinced to do something in the muggle world."

         "Like what?"

         "I don't know yet, might follow with Nadia and become a teacher, don't really know, but I don't want to be associated with this world. Not like I'll get far with my reputation."

         "As a Black?"

         "As someone who's been disowned and has been rumored to be with a Gryffindor boy," she corrected.

         Remus frowned slightly, "Well, you are with a Gryffindor boy."

         "Yes, I know, and I'm very happy," she gave him a small peck on the lips, "And I'm talking about the Prophet in January."

         "Ah," he nodded in understanding, smiling at her again, "So, how about Transfiguration?"

         "From what I've heard, you're a genius in that class. I think we'll pass that one," Remelda commented.

         He rolled his eyes, "Doesn't mean I don't need to study for it. For all you know, this whole 'I'm a genius I don't need to study' attitude you have could get me a Troll."

         "Please," she scoffed, "Like Professor McGonagall would let that happen. You're her favorite student."

         "So? I don't see what that's supposed to do here."

         She just gave him another kiss.

―

         Successfully closing her luggage, she was officially done packing. It was summer and she had already written to her cousin Andromeda asking if it would be possible if she could stay with her and her boyfriend, Ted Tonks, for the summer. Of course, she mentioned that Sirius had already offered her home at the apartment he was going to buy for some weeks during the break so she wouldn't have to deal with Remelda she whole time. Andromeda's reponse: she was welcome to stay as long as she liked.

         Really, the two had been sending letters back and forth since January. Well, since it was announced to the whole world that Remelda Black was no longer considered that; a Black, to which she would say good riddance. Remelda never liked the title anyways.

         Nancy, who was brushing her hair and fixing her make-up with the help of magic, set down the brush and looked to Remelda. "Just so you know, the train leaves in an hour."

         Remelda nodded, slightly confused by the fact that Nancy was talking to her and it wasn't malicious. "Thanks, I guess."

         The girl just nodded, not saying anything else as she took the tube of lipstick in her hands and placed an extra coat on her lips. "You're welcome," she said, as if them talking was normal.

         With furrowed eyebrows, Remelda took another glance at the Pendleton girl and looked at her wrist, which was mostly hidden underneath the blouse the girl was wearing, but saw a terrible sight; it was slightly bruised. Like a wound had been conflicted on the girl only days ago. This, of course, caused alarm in Remelda, but she only pursed her lips.

         Even though she hated to admit it, Remelda was a Slytherin through and through. As much as she tried to hide it, ponder the thought that maybe the Sorting Hat, if given a chance, would've placed her in a different house, she knew she was truly a Slytherin. And with her six years of experience in this house, she knew that you would confront someone with a matter such as a bruised wrist. That was much too personal, and pride would never allow Nancy to admit her downfall.

         So, instead of questing the wrist, Remelda simply looked at her rather intently and said, "I'll be staying with my cousin, Andromeda, this summer."

         "Why are you telling me this?" Nancy questioned, placing down the tube of lipstick to look at the girl properly.

         Remelda shrugged, "I don't know. I'll probably be staying there for a while."

         "Okay?" the Pendleton girl asked again but Remelda said nothing else, only taking her luggage off of her bed before going over to her mirror one last time and throwing her hair into a braid. Simple, but classy.

         She didn't spare Nancy a glance as she walked out the door, taking her luggage out of the dorm room and meeting the other people in her house in the common room. They didn't look at her, as if she were invisible. She couldn't find it in herself to care though, standing in the corner and watching them all until it was time to leave. Which didn't take long, and in that time, saw Nancy come down and greet Demetri with a kiss.

         The sight disgusted her. She didn't say a word.

         But then it was time to leave, and she could see out of the corner of her eye Nancy holding onto Demetri and giving a smile, which looked positively artificial, and walked out of the common room. Everyone went to the train, people clumped together as Remelda squished past them, looking inside all the carts until she found the one with her boyfriend and brother.

         She sent everyone a smile as she opened the door, moving inside. "Hello," she greeted, getting a chorus of 'hellos' in return. "Where's Remelda?"

         "Not here yet," Sirius answered in response to the question about his girlfriend, "I think she's been caught by Nancy and Heather."

         "There's another Nancy here?"

         "Well it's a rather common name, you see, and it's not against the law for two people with the same name to go to the same school," Sirius answered in his usual fashion.

         Remelda rolled her eyes, leaning over to the other side of the cart to hit him over the head. The other boys in the cart snickered, James producing a laugh, "Never thought I'd witness Remelda actually hitting you."

         "Well, I told you she was violent," Sirius commented back, looking at his friend and breaking out into a smile.

         Again, she scoffed, "I am not violent."

         "My head begs to differ. It's beginning to hurt now," her brother looked at her.

         She shook her head but didn't respond and Sirius moved on to talking about another subject. "So, boys, where do you think we'll be living at?"

         "Downtown London, has the most culture," James answered immediately.

         "Yeah, but it's also the most expensive," Remus reminded his friend, only for it to be waved off.

         "We'll have to find a place that has two apartments ready for rent," James continued, "One for Lily and I and the other for you two bozos and Nadia."

         Remelda frowned, "What about Peter?"

         "My parents want me to go muggle university," Peter answered for himself, which mildly shocked Remelda since one of the other boys usually spoke for him, "I'll be living in the dorm there."

         "Yeah, but why two apartments? Can't you all just live together?" Remelda asked.

         James shook his head, "It'll be too crowded. Come on, be sensible, Remelda."

         "But you're always willing to stay with us," Sirius interjected, "If you want."

         She shook off the offer again, "I already told you; I have a place to stay. And you know I'll be at your place for a couple weeks in the summer."

         "But you can just move in already!" Sirius cried, "Come on, you're really going to deny your own brother?"

         "Yes."

         "Well, I have to admit, that hurts. But I also have your boyfriend – does that change anything?"

         Remelda turned her head slightly to think about it, "A little, but not enough."

         "Wow," Sirius sarcastically let out as Remus exclaimed, "Hey!" these of course causing Remelda to let out a chuckle as the door of the cart opened to reveal Nadia.

         "Sorry I'm a little late, everyone, Heather wanted to talk," she bitterly spat out the name, but took a sit next to Sirius anyways, the two already interlocking hands. "Anyways, what were you all talking about?"

         "Sirius is just trying to convince me to move in with you guys," Remelda informed her, "Not that it'll actually work."

         Sirius pointed at her, "You don't know that."

         "Actually, I think I do."

         The bickering between the two continued for what felt like forever as Remus interjected to also try and convince but to no avail; Remelda was not budging. She was staying with Andromeda until mid-July. Then, she would make her move to London with the boys, that's if they found a flat by then, and set a date to meet Regulus in the city, seeing as he wanted to stay there for the summer.

         The two had been talking very sparsely throughout the last parts of the school year, Remelda cherishing and holding every letter still in her luggage as if it were gold. And she looked around at everyone, feeling quite happy in her life. A happiness she never thought she'd reach in her life, one found in the darkest of times.