Chapter 15

Sirius POV

Sirius leaned against the compartment door, his usual air of confidence masking the curiosity that stirred as his eyes landed on Petunia. "There you are, Angel," he said smoothly, testing the waters with his nickname for her.

When her wide eyes met his, there was a flicker of something—annoyance, maybe? Amusement? He couldn't quite tell, but it was enough to hold his attention.

"Excuse me?" she asked, blinking as if she hadn't quite registered him.

He smirked, stepping fully into the compartment. "Sirius Black. Remember me?" He paused for effect, as though his name should trigger some kind of recognition or awe. "Mind if we join you? Everywhere else is full."

The truth was, it wasn't. Not really. James had spotted her from a distance and nudged Sirius to make an introduction. Sirius, naturally, had taken it as a challenge.

When she reluctantly gestured toward the empty seats, Sirius took the spot directly across from her, noting the way her expression danced between polite indifference and mild irritation. Intriguing.

As James, Remus, and Peter introduced themselves, Sirius barely paid attention. Instead, he watched Petunia closely, the way she straightened her posture, her eyes darting to Severus as if silently asking for his input.

"What house are you hoping for, Angel?" he asked, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

She sighed, visibly unimpressed. "It's Petunia," she corrected, her tone sharp enough to draw his smirk wider. "And Ravenclaw."

"Figures," James said, leaning back. "I'm definitely going to be in Gryffindor."

"Me too," I said, though his tone was less certain. "But who knows? My whole family's been in Slytherin. Maybe I'll be the black sheep."

James made a face. "Slytherin? Ugh. Who'd want to end up there?"

The atmosphere in the compartment shifted. Sirius noticed Severus stiffen, his dark eyes glaring daggers at James. Petunia's face hardened, and her voice cut through the tension like a blade. "What's wrong with Slytherin?"

The challenge in her tone made Sirius sit up straighter. This wasn't the response he'd expected from her.

When James shrugged and muttered something about ambition and sneakiness, Sirius caught the way Severus clenched his fists. Before he could step in, Petunia spoke again, her words laced with anger. "You're being prejudiced."

Sirius found himself grinning again, though this time it was quieter, more genuine. He hadn't expected her to stand up for Severus

James tried to recover, but it was too late. Petunia was on her feet, her voice sharp and unyielding. "You're nothing but a bully."

Lily joined her, both sisters glaring at James before storming out of the compartment. Sirius watched them go, an unfamiliar mixture of admiration and guilt settling in his chest.

"Well, that was interesting," Sirius said after a long pause, his tone light but his mind spinning.

James huffed. "She's got a temper, that one."

Sirius smirked, leaning back against the seat. "Yeah, but she's got guts too. I like that."

He didn't mention the lingering curiosity the way her fierce loyalty to Severus caught him off guard, or how her sharp wit made him feel like he'd met his match. For the first time in a while, Sirius wasn't just interested in charming someone; he was genuinely intrigued.