Corona

Something lit up over by the lake, and Peter finally recognized the mysterious shadow. It was a face he knew better than he wanted. Corona Hamilton. Hamilton was best friends with Bellatrix Black and Emma Vanity, two people he didn’t cared for much, and Peter usually tried to avoid the trio whenever he could. Why was she out this late? Of course, he could ask himself the same question. However, despite his dislike for this girl, he was impressed she had managed to get out of the castle. Peter didn’t think a lot of students except himself and his fellow marauders were able to get around that easily at night. 

Corona should have known the light at the end of the wand wouldn't show someone she would care to see. A Gryffindor. And Pettigrew at that. Just her luck. Normally, she would have ranted a raved about even being in the same proximity as him, but as it was, they were both out way past hours and could be expelled. Causing a scene wouldn't help anyone, certainly not her. 

Mature of me to think of all human beings as equals, not as scum to climb over to get to the top? Yes, i certainly hope it is. I don’t dislike anyone. I try to keep an open mind about people until I’ve been given reason to make a decision about them. Unlike you who I’m guessing had to knock off a few family members to get where you are now. I’m sorry, and your snake group isn’t a gang how? See, how I understand it is that the definition of a gang is a group of people who bully or cause distress to people they deem unworthy, who use brute force to get what they want, and are often seen threatening others, vandalizing, and stealing. That sounds like nearly all the slytherins I’ve ever met. 

I didn't have to knock off anyone to get where I am now. It comes with the territory. Slytherins aren't a gang. Sure, we use our power and influence to get what we want, but most of us don't spend times playing little pranks on people or diluting ourselves into believing that the world is fair. This school might be a little playground for you a your friend, but out there in the real world? None of you stand a chance. You are all weak and not worthy. As for stealing, why would I need to do that? Unlike you, I actually have money. Lots of it, I don't need to steal or bargain to get what I want. The world is changing, purebloods are getting the respect the deserve. It won't be long before you and your friends end up dead or alone. Grow up, Remus. You won't be protected forever. 

I don’t know why, but I’m getting the feeling you don’t like me. Maybe if you told me what I’ve ever done to you I could fix it….But I guess that’s just the way mature adults handle it. Never mind. Don’t know why I thought you’d be able to do that.

You spend your time with blood-traitors and mudbloods, is there really any guess as to why I dislike you? Oh, and you are a mature adult? That's why you spend half of your time hanging around your little gang and playing pranks on young students and people you guys just generally dislike? Yes, very mature of you, dear. 

Isn't basically everything you do an embarrassment, Lupin? Honestly, if I were you I would never step out of my dorm. 

Corona turned around, facing the man behind the voice. "Is there a reason you are being an ass, Lucius?" She pointed towards her side, "If it's such a bother, why don't you, I don't know..walk around me?" 

"I think she’s always going to think about what happened with Sirius and therefore doesn’t ever want that to happen again," she sighed, chewing on her lower lip. Narcissa understood that their family couldn’t take another hit from embarrassment, but she never did anything bad so she didn’t see why her sister was so worried about her. "Could you tell her that she can learn to trust me just a little?”

Corona rolled her eyes at the mention of Sirius, the little blood traitor. "Yes, well a repeat of Sirius would truly be the worst thing in history, but I know you wouldn't do that." She knew, but the question was; did Bellatrix? "I'll talk to her, don't worry about it. You just keep behaving. Plus, if my chat with her doesn't work, just remember that after this year, she won't be in school with you to boss your around. Then, you can truly rule the roost." She joked, knowing that Bella would probably still find a way to keep tabs on her youngest sister. 

As her friend gave her a death glare, Emma grinned back as innocently as she could muster. She loved to tease her friends, especially Corona. There was something about the way that she reacted to her teasing. “Only two? That’s barely even trying.” She let out a dramatic sigh while she turned back to watch out the window. “Well, I don’t know. So far it has turned out to be positively boring. I’m already started though, why give up now?” Emma looked over her shoulder at Corona, raising one of her perfectly done eyebrows. “Parties are a lot of work you know. It’s not as though I just sit back and declare there’s going to be a party and everything happens on it’s own.” Emma was exaggerating quite a bit, for the most part that was all she did, everyone else brought alcohol or drugs, anything that she wanted. She just needed to secure a place. “Now why on earth would I want to read a book?” She took the join back, carefully brining it to her lips and smirking while she inhaled, “Have you picked out my next boyfriend yet?” 

"Shut up." Corona tried to muster up the most commanding voice she could at the time, but it was hard to control it when she had a laugh the wanted to slip out. She knew Emma was teasing her and it made it truly hard to be angry, or even pretend. "Because that is preposterous. It doesn't even sound like something fun to do." She drew in a sharp breath, "You are going to end up passing out and falling down from the Astronomy tower." This wasn't one of Emma's greatest ideas, Corona had already decided. "Have you even been going to class? Or are you going to need to copy everything from me later?" She tried to act as though she was annoyed at the idea of it, but in all honesty, she could care less if Emma needed to copy some work. "Yes, that's exactly how it goes. Just sit and enjoy. Make the 5th and 6th year students get the actual party together. And when was the last time we ever had to bring our own alcohol?" Sighing, Corona looked out towards the stars, "Not yet, I think you've gone through most of them. Soon you are going to have to start hopping into bed with Ravens."

Narcissa chewed on her lower lip and nodded, offering the older girl a small smile. “I know she does, she can just be a little overbearing at times,” she admitted quietly before raising an eyebrow. “Really? I didn’t think that my sister listened to anyone.”

"I know. I don't think she sees it that way, though. I think she figures she is just trying to help and protect you. Even if she doesn't realize that you are smart, you would be fine on your own." That was true. Narcissa was a very intelligent girl, mostly for her year and Corona could easily understand her frustrations with people constantly trying to watch over her. "Let me rephrase that, she listens to me on some matters. Definitely, not all." She gave a small laugh, thinking of all the times she tried to talk Bella out of something, but it didn't work. "Just let me know if you need anything okay. I know firsthand the expectations of a coming from a pureblood family and how stressful it can be."

"Bella has never broken an ankle, are you saying that you’re not poised enough for them, or that you’re not balanced enough? Maybe you’re not elegant enough." She blew smoke out from her lips, smirking while she did so. "I haven’t slept yet." Emma took the cloak from her friend, pulling it over herself and pulling it close. "I haven’t had time to hide, I’ve been here since yesterday. I’m bored and have decided how long I can go without sleep. It’d been a while. Almost four days if I’ve counted right." She took another drag before offering the joint to Corona watching her carefully, "Smoke, ‘Rona?" She asked, her air voice drifting towards the girl in the wind. 

Letting a scoff fall from her throat, Corona sent a death glare in the way of her friend. "Elegant and poised are not the problem, I will have you know. However, you do have me with the balance. Two-inches are my limit and even that I try not to wear." Heels were not her thing, by far. She wore them, when she had to, but only then. "Why? What in Merlin's sake gave you the idea that seeing how long you could stay awake would be something entertaining?" She eyed Emma carefully, "That's absurd." Corona drew in a deep breath, "Please." She took the joint out of the brunette's hand and brought it to her lips, taking a long drag. "Why don't you just have a party or you know do something really crazy for you and read a book?" She had a playful glimmer in her eyes as she handed the joint back to Emma.

"I’m not brooding, nor am I in a brooding mood." She turned, giving her bright smile. "I didn’t know it was you, at least with Trixie I can tell when she’s approaching. Her obnoxiously loud heels always alert me of her presence. Can you try to be a little more like that please?" She shook her head, playing with the join in her fingers, "You don’t have to leave, unless you’re going to get me a cloak that is. It’s bloody freezing up here." 

Corona shook her head, "Sorry, but five-inch heels aren't my style. I'd prefer to not break my ankle and have to have one of the idiots from the infirmary heal it." She was glad to see that Emma was in fact not in a shitty mood, it made for a much better time. "Well, I'm not planning on walking all the way down to the dungeons just to get her highness a clock. But, here take mine." She pulled the clock over her head and held it out. Her immense time over the year sitting out at the black lake past dawn had caused her to not feel the cold as bitterly as others. "Where were you hiding today? You were out of the dorm this morning before I even woke and I didn't see you in the Great Hall, at all."

"I can see that." Corona walked closer to the other girl, "Silly me, I thought you'd like some company while you were in one of your brooding moods." She let out a small laugh, though she wasn't joking. Emma was one of her closest friends, she could tell when the other had something on her mind. "But, if you'd like me to leave?" She posed the question, not wanting to intrude if Emma would rather be alone. 

Sometimes he envied Padfoot and Prongs. Their forms were so strong and elegant and powerful. Even Moons he envied sometimes. It was terrifying when he turned, yes, but the strength and power was without compare. But Peter didn’t envy them nights like these. Not these night when he could sneak out without ever risking getting caught. Yes, they had the map and Prongs had his cloak, but it was still always a risk. He sneaked down the staircase, into the hole in the castle wall he knew so well. When he ran along the tunnels inside the wall he remembered the kick he got out of transforming. Not only did he felt four times as strong, and ten times as fast. Not only could he jump double his height and length and climb most heights without any problem. He could see in complete darkness. 

Normally, Corona would have just sent a hex straight towards the direction of the voice. But, she wasn't in the mood for a fight or any games. "Lumos." She whispered, letting the tip of her wand light up to show her face. She waited for the mysterious boy to do the same. Who else would be out at this hour? She truly wanted to know.

Narcissa looked up from the letter she was holding and offered the older girl a small smile. “Yes, that’s probably it,” she agreed before raising an eyebrow. “I’m never in trouble, that is hardly something that anyone should be worrying about.” She nodded. “I know. Bells always tells me what to do, I don’t really have a choice but to listen.”

Giving the young blonde a sincere look, Corona waved her hand, "Bella just wants what is best for you. You know that." She knew how hard it could be sometimes to listen to Bellatrix's orders. After all, she had been friends with the older Black since she had begun at Hogwarts. "You'll be fine, Narcissa, But, if you ever need help with anything on the family front, let me know. Bella tends to actually listen to me for some reason."

"I’m already getting letters from my parents. It’s like they don’t trust me…" she sighed, shaking her head. "Oh well."

"I'm sure they are just looking out for their youngest. They wouldn't want you to start following the wrong path." Corona gave a small smile to the young Black, having become very accustomed to her over the years, "Just do what your sister says and stay you of trouble." She paused for a moment, "Your oldest sister."