𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗜𝗜 ━━ 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗠𝗜𝗗𝗗𝗟𝗘
081. ancient potions and bad people

          𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗘𝗧 𝗪𝗔𝗦 𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧 𝗔 𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗞 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗖𝗔𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗧 with Sirius trailing wet kisses down her neck. "Blondie?" He gasped against her skin, the smell of cigars and withering springs filling his nostrils. "Can I suggest something?"

She hummed in a gesture for him to continue, fingers twisted in his silky hair. As she touched his hair, she remembered the two-hour-long lecture she received for the stunt she pulled by turning his fabulous hair neon-green. It made her smirk in satisfaction.

"It's just a suggestion. We'll do whatever you feel comfortable with." Sirius said, pulling his head from the crook of her neck and looking into her enlarged black pupils.

"Sirius, just say it." Scarlet sighed, he had been intensely careful with everything he had been saying for the past two days — it was causing her patience to run thin.

"I think we should keep our... relationship illicit," he said. "They're never gonna accept us anymore. I'm not the perfect, wealthy pureblood heir for you anymore — a Bridget heiress with a blood traitor won't sit well with these people."

"Sirius, I don't care what they have to say—"

"No, no, but I do," said Black. "Look, the kind of cruel things they say to me — I'll be damned to allow them to speak to you that way. I know how much pride you hold in your name and reputation. I cannot be the reason for all that to be destroyed."

"Are you sure it would not bother you?" Scarlet asked, touching his cheekbone with one hand, and he melted into her touch instantly. "I don't want you to think I'm keeping you a secret."

He placed his palm over her hand that was on his face, "Of course not," a charming smile sprouted on his lips that were tinted rosy. "After all, our friends will know. I'm sure telling Chasseur about this is the only thing that matters to you anyway — we can tell all our friends together—"

Sirius saw Scarlet cringe as he said the statements, and he furrowed his brows.

"So..." she pursed her lips, trying to hide a grin. "I already told Everest about us."

      He shot her an unamused look, and it made her want to burst out into laughter. Thankfully for her and Sirius' lack of amusement, the door swung open and the couple unwrapped their hands from each other and widened their distance significantly as though they were a plague.

"WHAT THE HELL?!"

"I SWEAR TO SALAZAR'S SOUL, POTTER!" Scarlet finally snapped. "EVERY TIME!" She truly lost count of how many times Potter walked in on them — every time passing, his reaction was filled with more and more shock.

James merely ignored her and squealed. Like, he actually squealed as he turned to Remus who awkwardly stood at the back. "I told you the map never lies!"

"What map—"

"Merlin, I'm so happy for you two!" James told Sirius and Scarlet and then towards his two other friends. "It worked. You guys are together again — I told you my efforts would not go to waste."

Remus scoffed. "Shut up, Prongs, you didn't even do anything."

Peter spoke up, eyes trailing to the blonde girl, "Prongs has been trying to get you two together for two months now," revealed the shorter boy. "He says you're the best thing that's ever happened to Padfoot."

"Is it?" The grin on Scarlet's face only enlarged, and she folded her arms in a teasing manner when looking at a reddening Sirius. "Well, Potter, I'm flattered."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Sirius rolled his eyes. "Surprise, everybody. But we're keeping it a secret. If all her friends find out, the world will cease to exist."

"That is a tad bit dramatic but true," Scarlet nodded. "We're—uh... we're keeping a low profile."

"Understood," Remus sighed. They did not ask for extended explanations. "Now that we got the image of Sirius in between Scarlet's legs — can we get the things we originally came here to get?"

"That's a nice way to put it, Moony." Peter grimaced, nose scrunching up.

"Oh, yes, yes," James spoke again and started to move through the potions that rested on the shelves. "Madam Pomfrey asked us to get some potions for Moony's furry little problem."

      Scarlet realised it was a full moon. She was going to offer to accompany them but she realised her mother specifically told her to stay out of trouble. Celeste was getting tired of her daughter using unlicensed magic here and there with no warning — the Bridget woman had to risk her job trying to delete all her information from the Ministry's collection system. She has been banned from Apparition and Animagus — she has not performed the latter magic for quite some time.

      She often found herself wondering why she turned to a dove — one would expect her to turn to a crow given her personality and family lineage. Burying away the thought deep into her mind, she thought of another new spell she learned from her special book. Her eyes lingered over to Potter who laughed at something silly Lupin said — the blonde wondered that if he had not handed her the wrong book, would she ever get her hands on the piece?

      This was forbidden magic, one that was so dark — she could feel it coursing through her body hours after. She only hoped nobody else could feel its aura as they approached her. Reading and learning the ancient, unknown-to-most charms felt maddening, like an addiction and she could not stop.

      As she thought once before, there are certain things you cannot turn your back on. You can never go back — this book and the spells it held were one of those things.

"Blondie?" Sirius's hand on her hips broke her out of her deep thoughts, and she shot him a warm smile.

"I should go," she nodded, "Good luck tonight."

"Thanks, Bridget," Remus nodded at her, a thankful tight-lipped smile on his lips.

"Do you—" Sirius started, turning to his girlfriend. "Do you tell Chasseur everything?"

Scarlet's lips pulled to a seductive smirk, and she leaned forward to bring her lips near his ear to whisper softly, "Everything."

When she walked away, he could not even hear the loud lick of her shoes and instead stood frozen. It was Peter who waved a hand in his face, concerned, "You alright over there?"

"Uh-huh — Godric fuckin' Gryffindor," he blinked himself back to sense; the boy huffed at the idea of the girl and the unimaginable pull she had over him. "Hey, Prongs?"

"Yea?" James turned around, locking eyes with him.

Sirius inhaled before asking, "Do you know what sort of things Lily tells Marlene about your relationship?"

      SCARLET VOLUNTEERED TO HELP MADAM POMFREY prepare paste, medicine and other potions for Lupin. Of course, her intention was to help with Lupin's injuries — and her real intention was to find some answers to her questions.

"Who do you think is fantastic at potions — medical potions and all other sorts?" Scarlet asked curiously, a sweet tone to indicate that this was a casual conversation. It was not casual. In no world is Scarlet Bridget ever casual. 

Poppy hummed, "Lily Evans, I would say, she really is the brightest witch of her time," said the woman. "Potter is fabulous but I don't suppose he cares about it too much."

"Potter doesn't care about anything but Quidditch," Scarlet agreed. "I am sure dealing with him has made all of Professor McGonagall's hair turn gray." 

Poppy let out a sweet, genuine laugh, "Very true. Potter and Black, always causing trouble for poor Minerva. Black did outstanding in his OWLs but he has not done very well in the previous test as Professor Slughorn tells me — I sternly reminded Horace it only makes sense, after all the horror that young boy has been through." Poppy solemnly shook her head with a click of her tongue.

      It was clear she deeply cared about all the Hogwarts students. Poppy has been working here for quite some time, and Scarlet wondered if it was tiring to have to say goodbye to all these students she has treated and taught great things to.

"Severus Snape does significantly good, always curious about things, that boy," she chuckled lightly. Scarlet made a mental note to have another conversation with Snape. "And of course, you, Miss Bridget — Horace says you are right there at the top with Miss Evans. I have noticed your work in his classes when I wander around the castle. Have you thought about being a Healer? You would do miraculously." 

"I do think being a Healer would be a brilliant career," Scarlet mused. "But I am going to be an Auror."

Poppy chuckled in amusement at her confidence, "Well, Miss Bridget, I hope you become the greatest Auror of the decade — I am sure you perform wonderfully in whatever path you choose."

      Scarlet could not help but smile. Being in the Healer's presence was like a breath of fresh air. All worries almost left her mind. 

"Do you mind if I ask you something related to potions, Madam Pomfrey?" the blonde asked politely, carefully swirling the potion she was creating with a rod. It turned to a perfect pink tint. "I was reading a book in my father's library, and I came across something... sinister, it was quite curious too."

"Do tell, love," Poppy smiled again. "I will try my best to answer."

"So this mysterious potion, the book says it inhibits magic. It forbids a witch or wizard to perform any sort of magic no matter how powerful their wand is, no matter how strong they are. One sip and for the time being, they are practically Muggles." 

      Poppy shot her a curious look, although concentrated on the girl's questions, her hands carried out the task at hand perfectly. She did not seem stressed out or alarmed which hinted Scarlet did not ask something too suspicious. A sigh of relief left her lips. 

"I do know about it, we studied it near the end of my Healer's training — it is not talked about in a good light," Pomfrey answered. "It is very, very ancient; it remains unused for hundreds of years."

"Is it... dark magic? Is that why?" Asked Scarlet.

"It's not dark magic since it is a clever, possibly extinct potion," Poppy answered thoughtfully. "There is a misunderstanding that any rare, peculiar magic that seems a bit too powerful for a person to possess is dark magic. It is simply not true. Some charms are not considered dark magic and still intend to harm."

      Scarlet nodded, and a perfect smoke billowed from her potion indicating she had done a well-enough job.

"That was great!" Poppy complimented. "Oh, you really do have a good hand for Potions, dear."

      Suddenly, the door swung open and they were alerted that the Full Moon had passed and the Marauders were back. Except... Remus did not seem to be the only one injured, Lupin was really quiet as he sat down due to this being a regular routine for him.

      It was the louder, and more agonising voice behind him that alerted the two women in the room.

"I'M GONNA DIE!" the voice yelled. "I'LL DIE! THEY'VE KILLED ME!"

"SIRIUS IS GONNA DIE! SIRIUS IS GONNA DIE, MADAM POMFREY!" James followed Sirius' worried screams.

"Mr Black! What has happened?" A concerned Pomfrey rushed forward, leaving Scarlet to attend to Lupin's wounds. Whilst Lupin looks sorrowful and absolutely disheartened, Scarlet surmises whatever happened was not a big deal.

"I'm not even going to ask," Scarlet said, watching Potter carry Black into the room by supporting his weight, and pushing him down on a Hospital bed. It turns out he bruised his knee and claimed he had broken a bone despite Poppy's assurance that all he needed was a simple flicker of a spell. 

      Lupin looked back guiltily and winced visibly and repeatedly when Scarlet's icy fingers applied a paste on his wound after cleaning off the dried blood with cotton. Suddenly, he stood up and shook his head miserably.

"I don't need any of this," Lupin told Scarlet.

"Not again," Scarlet sighed before Lupin started a monologue about how horrifying he was. Remus Lupin? Horrifying? That is a joke. "SIT DOWN!" She sternly yelled at him, and Lupin instantly sat back down with wide eyes — as though a magnetic force pulled him back into his chair. Scarlet continued her 'expert work' as Poppy put it beautifully, and continued to apply the paste to his wounds. 

"I only ever hurt people," Remus whispered after Scarlet was done and pulled his shirt back down, looking downhearted as he stared at his injured friend. "I'm a monster." Poppy flickered her wand over Sirius' knee again and smiled when Black relaxed instantly in relief.

She then turned to Lupin, "You cannot say things like that, boy, nobody believes it." She genuinely reminded him, her assuring tone was impossibly perfect. "None of this is your fault."

"Moony, if you ever say things like that," Sirius started, looking rather disappointed at Remus' choice of words. "I'll unleash Scarlet on you."

"Are we using my existence as a threat now?" The blonde girl asked, looking unamused. Potter snorted.

"I do it all the time," Remus softly replied, not knowing he was not meant to. Scarlet sent him a glare.

      Lily came in a few moments later to check up on the boys, and Potter followed her back to the Gryffindor Tower since it was almost four in the morning. Peter stayed longer but he too left after some time. Remus' injuries healed rather quickly that night, and Sirius insisted he was too injured to go back even though it was not all that serious. He confidently claimed his three friends tried to murder him.

      Peter told the story the best whilst the other three only rambled on. It turns out that during Remus' transformation, Padfoot and Wormtail were messing around — trying to tickle Prongs' belly. Whilst distracted, they did not realise Moony lunging towards them. Moony did not intend to attack but fell on the Black dog rather harshly by accident, and it resulted in an injury in Padfoot's knee.

"Visitation hours are over, Mr Lupin, Miss Bridget," a voice interrupted them, and Madam Pomfrey asked the two to leave. "Out."

Scarlet softly smiled at Sirius, leaning down to kiss his cheek and pushing away a few strands of hair before muttering, "Goodnight, love."

"Sweet dreams, Blondie," he said wryly, almost drifting into sleep.

      Remus and Scarlet made their way out of the Hospital Wing.

"God, I feel so terrible." Remus groaned, pressing a hand against his abdomen to ease the dull ache from the wounds.

"It wasn't your fault, Remus, those block-headed morons were messing about and Sirius got hurt in the process," Scarlet assured.

"If I had just—" he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Merlin, I was terrible."

"Lupin," she groaned roughly, turning to him as they came to an abrupt stop, "a few years ago, you found a girl crying on the Astronomy Tower, and she looked absolutely hysterical," she chuckled, turning to face his side profile as the two of them walked slowly, her voice softened quite a lot. "She told you that she feels like a horrible person, and you know what you told her?"

"Remind me," he shrugged, a smile stretched on his lips.

"You told her she's not a bad person, you told her she's just a girl to whom terrible things have happened, that doesn't mean it's her fault..." her voice was unimaginably light, so soft, Remus found it indecent. "And believe it or not, every time something is out of order, the girl reminds herself of your words to make herself feel better, and it truly gives her a lot of peace."

      Remus suddenly stopped walking, turning to his side to face her fully, watching as she smiled genuinely, hands shoved in her pockets. Under the moonlight, Scarlet could see the glistening tears in Remus' eyes, his Adam's Apple bobbing as he swallowed nervously.

"A monster never gives another person peace, Remus," she spoke, and the boy was taken aback by the use of his first name, it came and went like a figment of his imagination. "Take your own advice—and believe me when I say that girl was not the only person to whom you gave so much peace, it's a long list of people."

"What if I can't ever escape it? The guilt of it all — this feeling."

      Scarlet looked him in the eyes. She realised they were not so different after all.

"You're a Gryffindor, fight it," she said through gritted teeth, shoving away the urge of tears forming. "And find your own solace too, Remus."

Remus smiled lightly, "I think I already got it." He raised a brow with humour.

Scarlet laughed. "I don't mean me, I mean find yourself someone special, so you don't have to be a fifth wheel anymore."

"I have Peter."

"What happens when Peter gets a girl before you?"

"That can never happen," Remus looked around in realisation, suddenly feeling rather motivated. "I can't let him find someone before I do."

"Exactly, think about it," she sternly pointed an index at him, watching him nodding dreamily. "Oh, you're already dreaming... goodnight, Lupin." She walked away awkwardly, turning back to see Remus still dreamily staring ahead at the sky with no acknowledgment of her fading presence. What an idiot.

𝑪𝑨𝑹𝑨 𝑺𝑷𝑬𝑨𝑲𝑺

the next few chapters won't essentially
add anything to the plot
it will be more about the friendships 
and regular school years.

then ACT 3!! WIZARDING WAR ERA!!