Just Run, He Said

Simone looked upon her reflection for a long time, hovering somewhere between inspecting herself and the whirlwind of thoughts that seemed to be getting the best of her attention. Below she could already hear the bustle of a hundred guests, her parents friends, and the crème de la crème of the wizarding world. Smoothing out the deep blue fabric of her gown and inspecting her hair, which had been pinned fashionably for the occasion, Simone sighed in defeat before heading out of her room and toward what she knew would be a taxing evening. The long emerald corridors that were usually so quiet stirred with the sounds of busy servants, and Simone took care to avoid their sad eyes as she made her way down to the great ballroom where the party had gathered. The clocks chimed midnight signaling that the time had arrived for her father to address the crowd. From the doorway Simone gazed down upon them in feigned interest. It would be yet another evening of inflated egos and talk of pureblood superiority, she knew, and the free flowing booze brought out the best in them to be sure. While he spoke in a booming voice about something along the lines of great power and overcoming mudblood scum (something she knew would never happen, not even this group would have the heart to commit something that heinous) she scanned the crowd for familiar faces. Her eyes landed upon the head of a certain boy she hoped to avoid, his satin black hair falling over broad shoulders and a bored mischievous look in his eyes that set him apart from those around him. This evening his attitude was different than what those at Hogwarts would expect. There were no marauders here to distract him from the stark reality of his station in life. No, like her he was here because of family duty. Simone watched as he broke from the crowd after a particularly rash comment from her father caused a cheer to erupt throughout the room. Her eyes remained fixed on the spot he had previously occupied until a cold voice broke her gaze and caused her to redden in embarrassment.
“I must be a most curious creature Miss Simone. What seems to have caught your eye?”
Simone turned around slowly a deep frown on her face.
“Perhaps I’m just surprised to see you among these ranks? I would never have guessed that Pureblood Elitist was your style.” She replied coldly taking in the cocky stance he’d assumed beside a great marble statue.
“ Ah, well we can’t all be frigid cows dearest.“ Sirius replied with a wide smirk.
Simone broke away from the stone balcony overlooking the ballroom, and strode out of the room in a huff. Though the two of them shared the same outlook on their situations she could not help but loathe the boy as much as everyone else who was attending the evening’s festivities. The next morning she would be boarding the train back to school from winter holidays, an escape that she desperately needed. Reentering her room she removed her dress feverishly along with the many pins that held up her hair and collapsed onto the vast bed. Simone closed her and eyes and listened to the voices stirring in the corridor outside. One in particular caught her attention. It spoke in a voice that was both hurried and excited. She strained to make out what he was saying. Though only one small bit, a name, came to her clearly; “Voldemort”. It was a name she had never heard before. Curiosity lost, Simone closed her eyes and let sleep envelop her thoughts.

The platform had nearly emptied by the time the car her parents sent her in arrived at King’s Cross the next morning. Simone watched jealously as mothers kissed their rosy cheeked children goodbye and waved tearfully to faces in the windows. The train’s horn let out a loud blow reminding Simon to hurry aboard. As the train sped away into the early morning fog she couldn’t help but let her mind wander to the previous evening’s events. Why would Sirius attend the party if he’d severed all family obligations. It had been over a year since he called Grimmuald Place home after all. As if he sensed her mind on him, Sirius slid the compartment door open giving Simone, who was deep in thought, a start. Without a word he hauled his luggage in and sat opposite her. His usual demeanor had made a return, and Simone frowned at the façade. Sirius mocked shock at her reaction to his arrival.
“ What no welcome wagon?”
“ I hate to disappoint. No friends I see. What a shame.” Simone mumbled shortly, shifting her attention to the passing countryside outside the cold glass windows.
“ For someone who loathes Pureblood supremacy so much Simone, you’re certainly perched on a high horse. How does it feel to be so insufferable?” Sirius retorted
“ Touche.” Simone finished hoping to change the subject.
“ So, what brought the likes of you to chateau Chilton? I would have thought you’d washed your hands of that nonsense a while ago.”
Sirius rolled his eyes and ran his fingers through his long hair, giving Simone a look that was oozing with superiority.
“ You’d like to know wouldn’t you? Well, get used to disappointment.”
Simone just sunk into her seat growing angrier by the moment. Did he enjoy torturing her like this? She began to loathe her mother even more for introducing her to him as children. For nearly 18 years she’d been suffering his presence. Feigning disinterest Simone began to pull her hair back into a ponytail at the nape of her neck.
“ Mm almost pretty.” Sirius crooned still out for blood. “ You’ll have to do better than that if you want to snag the likes of me. I’m valuable property.”
Finally resigned that she’d had enough Simone left the compartment in a rage to change into her robes. She hated to let him win. It was no lie he had grown to be very attractive as the years had passed and there was no denying the girls made sport of catching his eye in the hallways, but Simone saw nothing but an ignorant prat. It wasn’t that she thought she was better than anybody at all; in fact she was rather well accepted at Hogwarts. Perhaps her attitude was the result of her upbringing. Still having that flaw nagged at constantly by one of the most pompous boys to ever set foot in the magical world infuriated her.
After cooling down some she returned to find the compartment vacant. Something she was extremely grateful for.

The welcome back feast lay abundant on the long house tables, and laughter roared throughout the great hall. Simone strode over to the Ravenclaw table and approached a tall striking girl with sharp features and long blonde hair that fell playfully over her shoulders.
“Simone!” She shrieked gathering the girl into her arms and pulling her down into the seat beside her. Melody was never much for subtlety.
“How was your holiday?” Melody inquired as Simone piled her plate high with food.
Simone just rolled her eyes in reply, causing a fit of laughter to erupt from the two of them.
“ It was about as enjoyable as a lobotomy if you must know.” Simone replied finally nibbling on a hot roll.
From across the room there was a loud crack and several shrieks. Simone scanned the crowd to find a small group of boys huddling and laughing as a tall elegant redhead strode over to them, her face covered in tart, and infuriated.
Simone’s attention was broken by a light tap on her shoulder. She spun around to see a short stout Slytherin standing beside her with a somber expression on his face and a tightly rolled piece of parchment in his hand. Without a world he shoved it toward her and stalked off to his own table. Simone took the parchment in her hand tentatively as if it might bite and shoved it into her pocket hoping to avoid Melody’s attention. Though, her friend’s ,like everyone else’s in the room, eyes were upon the scene that was unfolding between Lily Evans and the now groveling Marauders. Simone hated to hide things from her friend, but instinct told her this was best kept to herself.

Hours later after feasting and chatting about the highlights of their trip the two girls drug themselves back to the Ravenclaw common room and then to the welcoming warmth of their matching four poster beds. Laying in the darkness Simone’s thoughts reverted to the conversation she’d held with Sirius earlier that morning on the train. In her mind she could see his dark eyes and chiseled jaw line clearly, marred by that demeanor that made her loathe him so much. What could he be up to? She wondered silently. Worse, why did she care? Pushing him out of her mind Simone climbed from her bed careful to maintain perfect silence and freed the letter she received earlier from her robes. Melody stirred lightly in her bed, causing Simone to freeze. She waited a few moments then continued, shame filling her for being so secretive.
“Lumos.” She whispered in the darkness letting a small bit of light erupt from the tip of her wand. In the soft glow she could make out the contents of the letter. It simply read.

"Those of nobility rise to your destiny. The time is now.
Seek those who’ve come to pass and destiny will be
Yours."

Simone stared down at the piece of parchment, her face wrinkled in both concentration and confusion.