The next few hours passed in a blur, as she scoured every book about the 'Blacks' in the library, but to no avail.

They held their secrets to death. Ila couldn't find the strength to go on, her eyes were warm from the strain and her hands shivered in the cold, but she persevered, till the cold took over her body, forcing her to fall asleep on the library floor.

⏟

Soon after, Harry found her right there, her cheeks splotched red, tear streaks down her eyes.

"Ila? " He whispered, bending low to wake her up. She rose with a start, gasping, her eyes fluttered open, then thinned, " What happened to you? " Harry asked.

Ila, who was in no right mind to speak to him simply shook her head, " Nothing, had an assignment, " She mumbled, gathering her hair inca bun, holding her books close. She stood up, ready to walk out, when -

" I - I don't know -"

" - what, do you have an assignment too? " She asked, staring at the first friend she made in this new world.

" I am sorry, I didn't mean to say all that, I just, was very very angry, then you were defending him -"

" - I was defending what I thought was morally wrong in history. Regardless of whether or not he is - or might not be my dad, I have every right to question what is wrong. You on the other hand didn't even listen to me. " Then Ila shook her head, " We're kids Harry, we aren't meant to fight a war. What we are meant to do are be friends, support each other. If I am telling you something, all I needed you to do was listen before you reacted. " She walked out of the library door, her footfalls loud in the silence.

" But -" Harry ran after, " What if it is true! What if he did -"

" - if he did, I will abandon my uncle myself. " Ila answered, not turning around.

But before Harry could have another word in, Ila turned sharply to the magical stairs, climbing down to the dungeons.

" If she says this Sirius Black is her uncle, who is her dad? " Harry muttered out loud.

⏟

" In today's class, " Snape limped around the room, " You will all he making a cure for boils. But one drop of Gillywig extra and you'll have more boils than you wanted to remove, if at all you have to. "

Ila could see the Harry and Ron whispering to each other, while Hermione listened intently to both her professor and her friends.

" What if it's just a scratch from iron or something Harry, there's a high chance there's nothing-"

" - Miss Granger, do you have anything to share with the class? " Snape's sharp voice cut through everyone's early morning haze.

" I - professor - "

" Professor, Hermione and I were wondering, if the cure for boils is specific to boils or any inflammation of the skin where an infection is formed followed by inflammation of the space with fluid. " Ila cut in.

His eyes darkened as he stared at Ila, thinning into slits, " Any such inflammation, though if used without proper dosage may result in after effects. " He answered, though surprisingly didn't give her snark.

" And what about wounds professor, I have a friend who is limping because-"

"- no Miss Black, " He said sharply, " It cannot cure wounds. Only those which form an abscess or similar to those can be cleared. " He said, " Please, read the material provided to you before asking such, nonsensical, " He stopped, staring at Ila with a straight face, " questions."

While the rest of the class Ila did remain quiet, what it did mean was that she heard Harry's whispers.

" He's been to the third floor, look, it's a bite mark," He mumbled, while Ron nodded in earnest.

" Who do you reckon would know the most about animals? " Ron asked, scribbling away furiously, even as Snape erased the board.

" Hagrid. " Hermione and Ila said simultaneously.

" We need to go to Hagrid." Ron said, wiping his inky hands on the parchment.

" But when, " Hermione asked, " We have classes till late today, then dinner and -"

" - then we'll sneak out after dinner."

" But- " Hermione sighed, " Fine, let's just not get caught alright. "

" But what about -"

" Ila, we're going. " Harry said, she then stared at the boy with wonder.

" Who are you to tell me to go with you? For that matter, why should I go with you. I couldn't care less about what you three saw, stumbled upon or have so many doubts about." She answered angrily, " And for that matter, no, I'd rather my mother not see me dead. " She stormed away towards the inventory of Snape's dungeons.

" Ah, our troll fighter is here, " Theo said, holding his books in his hand. He looked bored, as usual.

" Did you bring the list of ingredients? " Ila mumbled, not paying attention to his usual mockery, while browsing through the glass jars. She held her nose to suppress the pungent smell, squinting her eyes in the dark.

" I happened to overhear that you are sneaking out tonight? " He said smartly, pulling off a few bottles from the shelf.

She rounded on him, snatching the notebook from his hand, " A) No, I am not. B) Don't you dare to follow them. You'll get into trouble. They have the thrill of risk. I'd rather not get caught and then punished. " She huffed.

" Is that why you were sitting just outside the restricted section? " He said, grabbing her hand to pluck the bottle of gillyweed from it.

She looked at him with surprise, " What - no I -"

" Pish posh Ila, you aren't a good liar. But yes, I won't tell anyone... " He trailed off. Ila sighed in defeat. What favour was he about to ask of her now.

" You need to write my charms essay. I have something to do tonight. " He said sneakily, a smirk on his lips.

" Which is? " Ila asked, raising an eye brow.

" It's for me to know and for you, to... Well, let's just say, you'd rather not know. " He walked away to their cauldrons, whistling when a spell hit his head.

" Mr Nott, please be Romeo outside my classroom, I do not tolerate unnecessary noise here. " Snape drawled, his back still to the board.

Ila nearly roared with laughter, slapping her hand to her mouth to hold it in.

He stared at her with annoyance, before sitting on the benches.

⏟

" Are you sure you should be -"

" Ila, " Harry said, " If I find something, it'll help us understand if Snape is bad or not. He's the one we're after. "

" When's your next flying class?" Ila asked suddenly.

" Why? " He said, eyes crossing over in confusion.

" Well, it's just, you saw what happened last time. You getting called by the professor herself, yada yada. I want to see you make a fool of yourself. " Ila giggled.

" Bold of you to assume I was punished, " Harry answered, " In fact, " He walked closer, bending low to her ears. " Don't tell anyone, but I'm about to be the Gryffindor seeker. " He said and Ila gasped out loud.

" Oh my gosh! " Ila screamed and Harry clamped her mouth shut with his hand, staring at her sternly.

" Announce it to the whole bloody castle. " He said, " I'm not supposed to tell anyone. You're my friend, it's why I am telling you -"

" - but still! " She said giddyly, " Oh my! " She excalaimed in a whisper, pulling him into a tight hug.

The two had completely forgotten about their argument.

Maybe the elders were right. Love is stronger than hate, or apathy.

" Alright go. Just, be careful okay, " She said, ruffling his hair once.

⏟

Hoi guys... *peaks over mountain of college work*

How was the chapter? Tell me in the comments.

I missed my one year anniversary on wp.

I began writing Karunika on the 23th of January last year and it has been one of the most interesting years.

I made new friends, learnt so many new things and your love and support mean a lot to me.

All my love ♥