eunoia | r. lupin

Alena sat in the Astronomy Tower, the cool breeze brushing against her skin, but it did little to soothe the ache in her heart. Isla and Percy had turned their backs on her, their silence a constant reminder of the rumors swirling around the school. The whispers that she had betrayed them by sleeping with Theodore clung to her like a shadow, and the weight of their judgment pressed heavily on her shoulders. Remus had also distanced himself, leaving her feeling more isolated than ever since that encounter with McGonagall.

The Astronomy Tower had become her refuge, a place where she could escape the chaos of the castle below. Though she had always adored the stars, she had never spent much time here before. Now, the solitude offered her a chance to reflect, to breathe, and to find some semblance of peace amidst the turmoil. It was a sanctuary where she could let her thoughts drift like the clouds above.

However, her attempts at solitude had not gone unnoticed. A week into her secret visits, she discovered a note tucked beneath a stone on the ledge, its presence both intriguing and alarming.

Alena,

Sad isn't a good look for you.

-S

Alena's fingers brushed against the note, and as she lifted it, a small object tumbled to the floor. Curiosity piqued, she bent down to retrieve it, only to discover it was a crumpled pack of cigarettes. The scent was unmistakable; James and the others were notorious for their habit, the lingering aroma always betraying their secretive visits to the bathroom, despite their best efforts to mask it.

Yet, her mind was more occupied with the mystery of the note's origin. She pushed the thought aside, her curiosity momentarily quelled. With a flick of her wand, she ignited a cigarette from the pack, the flame dancing to life in the absence of a lighter. As she inhaled deeply, the smoke curled into her lungs, a harsh burn that made her cough. It was a sensation she was still getting used to. She needed to do something.

⪩⪨

Alena stood under the bright May sun, her heart racing as she faced Isla and Percy, who were making their way to Hogsmeade. The warmth of the day contrasted sharply with the turmoil inside her. "I didn't sleep with Theodore," she blurted out, her eyes locked onto theirs.

Isla halted, confusion etched on her face. "What?"

"I mean, I didn't sleep with him," Alena clarified, her voice steadier this time. "Sure, I went to the party with him, but I left because—" She hesitated, the weight of her words heavy on her tongue. "— he was kissing someone else. I should have told Percy, and I regret just walking away. I'm really sorry for being such a bad friend—"

Before she could finish, Isla enveloped her in a tight embrace. Alena stiffened for a moment, then melted into the hug, releasing a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

"It's alright," Isla reassured her, a warm smile spreading across her face. "We don't see you as a bad friend at all. Honestly, I think Percy was just a bit hurt that you didn't mention you slept with Theodore—" Alena's expression darkened. "— not that you actually did, of course. But we're over it now."

Alena let out a soft sigh, her gaze drifting to Percy. "I'm not upset, either," he admitted, his voice steady. "We never held it against you because of Theodore. I was mad because you ditched me at the party, and I suppose Isla was just reflecting that," he added, shoving his hands deeper into his pockets. "Even if you had slept with him, it wouldn't have bothered us."

"Good thing you didn't, right?" Isla chimed in, wrapping her arms around both of them. "He's such an arse, isn't he?" Her grin was infectious, and Alena felt her lips curve into a smile as the sound of their laughter filled the space around them. It felt wonderful to have her friends back by her side.

⪩⪨

Alena continued her clandestine visits to the Astronomy Tower, undeterred by her reconciliations with Isla and Percy. Each week, without fail, she discovered a fresh pack of cigarettes accompanied by a cryptic note, all bearing the same initial: S. Initially, she dismissed it as a mere coincidence, but the mystery gnawed at her.

Determined to uncover the truth, Alena compiled a list of everyone she knew with an S initial who also indulged in smoking. She even cornered Sirius, hoping to find her answer, but he was not the culprit. After a few more inquiries that led nowhere, frustration set in, and she decided to let it go.

Now, seated on the cold stone floor of the Astronomy Tower, a cigarette dangling from her lips, Alena furrowed her brow as she scanned the pages of the Daily Prophet. Deep down, she knew that something significant was brewing in the Wizarding World, a truth she could no longer ignore.

Trouble was on the horizon, thickening the air around her like a storm cloud. Her mother would dismiss any mention of it with a sharp glare, her father wouldn't even entertain the thought, and as for James— well, she couldn't quite tell if he was oblivious or simply choosing to ignore the tension that hung between them.

Alena inhaled deeply from her cigarette, her gaze flitting over the newspaper spread before her. With a flick of her wrist, she turned the page, her brow knitting together in confusion. A hastily scrawled note caught her eye, something urgent and fresh, and before she realized it, the glowing ember of her cigarette fell, smoldering against the paper as she leapt to her feet and dashed out of the tower.

i feel that i'm not as great as writing as i used to be </3.