September , 1978

Juliet Lupin liked to believe they were safe in Hogwarts, but sadly she herself knew how that was far from the truth. Her and her partner had been patrolling together for a full week — Regulus had been informed by Carrie that Juliet is the only person she trusts to be around Regulus. Apparently, Juliet was the only person who wouldn't try and 'woo' him or fight him. All because the people at Hogwarts either loved his kind or hated them and oddly enough Juliet was empathetic for them. The two often were placed in the dungeons, most slytherins didn't mind Juliet; they didn't necessarily like her but she was better than the some of the other options. At least she was nice to everyone even if her ideals were far from their idea of right.

"Is it true you don't speak to Andromeda anymore?"

Regulus quirked a brow at her; she really had no concept of boundaries. Her kindness knew no ends. Regulus thinks she's nosey; others say she's curious and kind. "I don't even speak to my brother, I don't like blood traitors they are as bad as mud—"

"He misses you." She was quick to cut him off, much like her family and her friends, Juliet hated the word regulus was trying to say. It was a vile word. Regulus was quick to give her a look, face slightly scrunched, head turned up. He was a little bit arrogant, Juliet couldn't deny that. "He speaks about you." There was something sincere deep in her voice — and whilst Sirius has never said to her that he misses Regulus, she can't help but know. She sees the sad look on his face when they stand at opposite ends of the platform. The pained look when he'd drunkly tell Juliet all the stories of the games they used to play. Juliet knew Sirius was pained with guilt.

Regulus didn't think she's right. He abandoned him! Regulus was left alone with monsters, and those monsters got worse, he doesn't have a scapegoat and even if he did any ideas of being free or thinking differently to his parents were long gone when Sirius ran away. His brother was weak. And now home (if he could even call it home) was worse, sometimes Regulus doesn't think his house is his home, sometimes being at Hogwarts with Evan and Barty was better. "He didn't even want a brother." There was anger racing through him, how dare she bring Sirius up, how dare she try and guilt him. "He's always wanted a sister. He's preferred you for half my life, Lupin. People are right, you really are looney lupin."

Juliet furrows her brows. The two meet eyes. Regulus isn't as cold as he likes to pretend and Juliet isn't as friendly as everyone thinks. The two have this silent agreement that maybe they should just drop this topic before someone gets upset.

Juliet was a sensitive person, Regulus was not — at least, that's what he thought.

"There's crying."

"I'm not crying."

Juliet sighs softly. "I didn't say you were crying, that would be an odd way to say you were."

Regulus rolled his eyes but follows the honey coloured hair down the hallway, her robe was folded over her arm, her short skirt on show. He tried not to look, it would go against her feminist agenda of 'my body my choice' if he did look; and he really wanted to. Most people in Hogwarts, didn't mind the glances they had of Juliet; she worked hard for her body (or so they think, she knew it eas her genetics and limited food sources at home that made her look how she did) and that deserved admiring.

Juliet has a knack for feeling empathy. He hated it. He hated it so much because she wasn't the type of person Evan should go to over sensitive topics; but she was always involved in his emotional matters. The girl crouched down in front of a bench as Regulus stayed back, he wasn't good with crying. "Hi, honey." A young slytherin girl held her head in her hands, sobs leaving her lips.

"Please don't give me detention, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." A tiny voice gasps between sobs.

"Can I sit with you?" Juliet asks, finding the girls hazel eyes as she removes her hands. She places herself on the bench when she nods. "What's your name?"

"Rory Carter."

Juliet smiled gently, tucking the almost white colour hair behind the child's ears. "That's a beautiful name, I'm Juliet Lupin and he's Regulus Black, I like your bracelet, did you make it?"

Rory nodded, cautiously watching the hufflepuff. Rory's eyes flickered to Regulus, her eyes widen becoming almost bug like. "Will he tell me off."

Juliet shook her head, her hands falling to her lap. "Why are you sad, Rory, what's hurting you?"

Rory's eyes began to fill up, her body shook her, and words spluttered. Something between I said no, it's my fault, i didn't want to. And Juliet, she felt it deep in her soul. Because in her first year, the same happened to her. Rory was desperate to get her words out but she couldn't. "I... no... my... fault... I'm sorry... I said ... I did.... I said ... I said no, I ... I promise ... I did."

Juliet listened, she didn't just hear. Juliet felt it. "I believe you." And Rory's shoulders eased, they drop. Relief washed to her face as the tears kept falling, she couldn't help the sobs that carry through. "I believe you, Rory, I've seen people not get help. But me and Regulus are going to help you, ok? No detention, no punishments for you, I promise."

Rory's body leaned towards Juliet, her head falling onto her. She hadn't expect to be believed.

Regulus watched the two — he wasn't too sure why she has the nerve to taint his name with her voice, he wasn't sure what feminist movement he's been dragged into; but he supposed he owes one good thing to someone. Maybe it would have ease the chances of him having a better afterlife; even if they are cleansing the world — despite what Juliet said to tarnish Evan's mind into questioning if they were wrong. And well, he supposed Juliet is right, he could almost hear her head think. She's out for revenge, because someone had dared to undermine the one thing she truly cared about. Consent and equal rights for all. Juliet's arms had found themselves holding Rory as Regulus was on look out for anyone who'd interrupt a bitter sweet moment. He hated to think anything about Juliet is sweet. She's was so sweet she seemed sour to him.

"Rory, you're not alone, ok? And I know Regulus looks like he might be a little scary but he's here to help too. He's in your house, if anything happens or you need someone, you can speak to any of us ok? We want to help you."

Rory looked up at Juliet with wide eyes, the honey haired girl could practically hear the younger one's heart pounding. There was desperation in her face and in her voice as she spoke, her eyes searched Juliet. "Promise?"

"I promise."