The silence and the darkness that surrounded the room was an unusual occurrence in the Fray mansion . Only three people were sitting and one candle was lighting the room, enough to see the faces of those sitting . Giving a more dramatic aurora to the atmosphere than it was already .

The woman obviously was anxious looking at her folded hands on her lap , as a grave feeling was on her chest . The time has come , the truth would be out soon-

"Alya enough with the dramatics. And why in Merlin's name did you turn off the lights? We aren't in medival ages, go turn it on for God's sake. "

Her husband Michel Fray huffed annoyed, lifting his head from his hands to look at her, both ignoring the old man sitting in their living room .

"I didn't turn off it you moron! The lights went off but you obviously didn't notice that . He is always so ignorant when he is distressed. " the woman-Alya whispered the last part to Dumbldore who nodded with false look in his eyes.

He put a comforting hand on the younger man's shoulder nodding at him in sympathy .

"I understand it is very difficult for both of you, you raised her not him . And I understand you might feel dread , upset and angry that you have to give your daughter up. But you had agreed on all responsibilities before taking her in . But think Michel , Peter just escaped and you know better than anyone that Voldemort is rising . And Hazel needs to know about her real heritage, before it is too late . There is a war coming and I must say I am not convinced if everyone will come out as they went to the war . " Dumbldore's voice was grave , as if he didn't even want acknowledge his own words .

But he wasn't finished.

"You both made a mistake . You become his soldiers without thinking . You weren't thinking , either of you . But I respect your choices  , you were young and head full of many ideas that would make the world a better place . You were falling apart , troubled . Angry at the world . I understand. I was just like you back in my age . However , you were given a second choice . A proper family just like you wanted. But now , it is time it ends . Hazel needs to know who are her real parents . "

By now Alya was sobbing in her husband's chest , still not believing this day would come . The truth would be a slap in their faces after all those years of having her.

The biggest mistake in their life was getting that dark mark and being one of them . It would take everything out of their hands until they had nothing . But they were young and foolish. Really foolish .

The old man stood up, with a pitying look on his face .

"I really hate to remind people their mistakes in past but it could have been all different . I still remember seeing both of you in Great Hall hand in hand, all young and carefree Oh , these old good days . "

He looked out of the window and nodded gravely .

"The calm before the storm . " and walked out of the house silently.

The couple hugged each other a tad tighter .

"Oh dear Merlin, look what a mess it became . " the man muttered with a grim face .

The woman sobbed harder closing her eyes tightly and not opening them . Maybe when she opened her eyes again this all would be a bad, harmless nightmare .

The crying sounds echoed in the walls of the house Hazel Fray had lived in for past fifteen years as a lonely man walked in the dark night sadly .

Where it had all gone wrong ?

꧁꧂

"Nicholas , don't be such an asshole and give me back my notes . I will need them ."

Running to keep up with him she frowned.

"Nicholas , what is wron-" she squealed as he turned around suddenly his hair swinging her on the face.

Students nearby stared but continued on with what they were doing with one look from Nicholas.

He gave Hazel a deadly stare warning her to not push it . Hazel didn't want to make her friend uncomfortable but she really wanted to help him .

"Do you want to talk about it? "

A pout formed on his lips , he nodded his black curls flying as he did so .

"My parents are getting a divorce. And-"

"What the fuck." The words fly out of brunette's mouth before she can stop herself . She looked at him with her eyes wide , very suprised .

She launched herself at him , bringing his head to her chest, not giving a single care who was watching .

He breathed in her neck , grasping onto her tightly.

"I am really sorry you have to go through that . No one deserves that. " She murmured into his hair .

He only nodded .

She removed her face from his face and stared at him for a moment .

"You know what?"

"What?"

"Go to common coom . I will go and tell with Professor you are ill . A little lie won't hurt anybody . And then-"

"And then what? " The boy looked at her .

Hazel grinned .

" We are going to talk about everything and have the best night ever! We will make you take you head off things but not before you pouring your heavy heart of yours . " she shot him a smile .

He nodded once again .

"He is on the time of the what?" Professor McGonagal asked incredulously as the student in front of her stared back unbothered .

The next lesson on Nicholas's schedule was Transfiguration so Hazel took it upon herself to make an excuse for her friend .

"Time of the month . " she corrected him , staring at her worst which had no watch on , she just wanted to go to her friend.

"Who is ?" A masculine voice came behind her, she turned around so fast she thought it would snap .

A displeased expression etched into every line of her face upon seeing who it was .

James Potter and Remus Lupin .

His little crew was what she called them .

His unruly black hair was laying on his head messily , just like his son .

Remus Lupin, Sirius Black's husband .

How could she not recognise him . They were the best couple out there , (that's what Daily Prophet said don't blame her ) and happy as ever .

They were probably worried about Peter Pettergew's impossible escape.

"Mr Potter , this is a private conversation. Please wait till we finish. " she threw a strict look towards her, however the warm glint in her eyes didn't pass Hazel .

The man put his hand across his heart dramatically, huffing .

"Minnie , I was just trying to help a student out ."

Hazel looked at him unamused .

"Mr Potter!"

"What?"

"I will not have you fooling around like that and listen to private conversation s."

"Professor please, he is not feeling well and I want to stay with him incase he needs something ." Her voice now sounded almost pleading.

She sighed .

"Well , then you are free to go, Miss Fray, however I except to see you in Professor Umbirdge's lesson . I wouldn't want you to miss yours and Mister Archer to first lesson with her . "

Hazel nodded, and sprinted towards Ravenclaw common room .

What she failed to notice was the expression on the werewolf man's face after hearing her last name .

Her alarm ringing woke her up after a long night . They had a good time , and hopefully she distracted Nicholas enough to make him happier for the time being .

For some reason  she felt a headache brewing at the back of her head . She also felt unnecessarily groggy but shrugged it off thinking it was because she had stayed up late .

When she got ready and came down to common room, Nicholas was already there with his bag on his shoulder and his curls hiding the bags that sat under his eyes.

Before being able to enter the Hall , the pair was stopped by Potter boy and his now ex girlfriend - the red head .

They seemed to be bickering however as soon as their eyes caught sight of the girl and her friend , they stopped .

The redhead was the first to quick try to jump into conversation with the pair.

"Hello my name is Rose . I belive we met at the Great Hall at the feast . I didn't introduce myself then , but you must be Hazel Fray . Nice to meet you . " Badeaux nervously smiled and tucked her ginger hair behind her ear .

Before she could answer the redhead , Harry cut in and grinned at her.

"Hello Fray , nice day isn't it ?" He run his hand through his hair arrogantly , and smiled down at her.

He seemed happy , but too happy . Now this was something she hated, in morning before eating breakfast no one could talk that cheery . She hated it , like how could someone be so happy when they wake up six in the morning ?

And Nicholas knew better than talking to her that energetically. She would simply bark like a dog who wasn't fed .

"Yes indeed ." She frowned as he walked closer and his entire demeanour changed .

"Can I ask you a question. " it wasn't a question

"No-"

"‐Go on a date with me‐"

"-No."

Both of them turned to look at her friend, who had a blank expression on his face .

"Don't be such a twat Archer ." Harry drawled out, being the asshole he was .

"I am not . Just answering for her ."

Hazel stared at her friend for a second and then turning back to Potter .

"Potter , you are going to get something that you haven't gotten in your lifetime ." She neared him, noting the expression on redhead's face , who she actually forgot was there .

"What is it love ?" Potter seemed to have a smug expression , thinking she was flirting.

Oh , how wrong he was . She would die before going on a date with twat like him .

"A rejection you toerag. " His face fell for a moment , glaring at her . However the cocky expression soon took over his face again.

"I am sure that was supposed to be a joke . All jokes aside Fray , me.You Hogsmade. "

Disgusting . Seriously, did this boy think she will agree to go on a date with him only to be dumped in front of entire school .

Nope, not happening today .

"No, but thank you asshole. " sending a quick smile to Rose ( who seemed flustered for some reason ) , she tugged Nicholas's arm towards great Hall where they would have breakfast before heading to their lessons .

"They are staring here again ." Nicholas frowned looking towards the Slyhterin table who were staring at them with smug expressions .

Hazel lifted her head, her mouth full with oatmeal and cursed .

"Creepy ass Slytherins. What do they want ?"

He shurrged. They seemed to be whispering , and he would have sworn he saw them whispering their names to each other.

Hazel looked towards her friend, he was focused on their movements .

"Are you reading their lips?"

"Yes . "

"I didn't know you could do that. " He sent her a look .

"You never asked. "

𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚.