"- and then she told her to leave her alone," Marlene grinned and turned to give me another proud look.

Sirius barked a laugh and took another sip of his butterbeer, Peter gave a thumbs up, grinning, and the rest of my visitors all smiled.

The marauders, Lily, Marlene and I were all sitting around my kitchen table, enjoying our self-made pizzas. Marlene had invited them all via Patronus, directly after class, and had just shared the story of the day.

I was really embarrassed by her behaviour, but the others didn't seem to mind that Marlene made such a big deal out of it. It was the opposite, actually; they all looked really interested and proud, too.

"To Freya," Remus raised his cup, and the others followed quickly. I blushed profoundly and hid behind my own glass, raising it only a little bit.

"Yes, to Freya," Sirius repeated. "Our tiny Ravenclaw finally Gryffindored up."

James snorted a laugh. "Yeah, we're a great influence. Cheers, everyone."

"Cheers," everyone repeated and took a sip, but I couldn't, because I was still smiling so much.

"I'm really happy you could all make it," I said instead. Not because I'd wanted Marlene to brag about my outburst from earlier today, but because I'd spontaneously turned this into my house warming party.

A small get together with my friends, where we'd made our own pizza and were now done eating, but still sat around the table, talking.

"Of course! We all hang out together way too seldom with this stupid war going on," Sirius grinned, but I saw the little serious glint in his eyes.

It had been his birthday a few weeks ago, but he'd only celebrated with his closest friends. For such an outgoing person like Sirius, this forced isolation was torture.

But we just couldn't risk meeting many people anymore.

Not that it made such a big difference for me; they were the only really close friends I had.

"That's true, so thanks for inviting us, Freya," James replied.

"And I was really curious to see your new apartment," Lily said. "I love the colours, it's lovely."

"Thanks," I beamed. My flat was my whole pride, and it really meant a lot to me that I was able to share it with my friends.

Sirius, who was sitting next to me, leant over and whispered in my ear. "But I still have to meet your mum's dog, now that the flat's finished."

"Yeah, I know," I said and playfully shoved him back on his seat to not hyperventilate because of how close his face was. "If you insist, I'll babysit her next week and you can come over?"

Sirius nodded contently.

"Anyone open for exploding snaps?" Peter asked around. I was grateful for the distraction, so I quickly agreed. After the others nodded too, I stood up and got the game that Peter had given me on my seventeenth birthday.

Just like old days, the evening went by with a lot of games and lighthearted laughter.

We forced ourselves to stop at around eleven o'clock, since some of us had to work the day after and since the others would do some stuff for the order.

Marlene insisted on being the last one to go, so because she and Sirius lived together, I was now alone with both of them.

Sirius, who was a little drunk at this point, pulled me into a bear hug just after I'd opened the house's front door for them.

"I'm very very proud of you, Frey," he mumbled into my ear and patted my back. I couldn't restrain myself from enjoying his arms around me, so I hugged him back with all my strength. "Thanks."

Since I felt as if I'd cross a line if I hugged him any longer, I took a step back from Sirius and pulled Marlene to me instead. "Thanks for always being here for me," I murmured happily, and I could feel her nod. "My pleasure."

Marlene let go and took Sirius' hand. When she stepped out into the cold night, she gave me one last wave. "Sleep well, Frey. I'll see you tomorrow."

I nodded and waved back. "Bye, get home safely! Send me a Patronus once you're there, okay?"

"Promise," Sirius nodded and held up his pinky. He, too, gave me a little wave, then they turned around and walked out of my view.

I sighed and quickly closed the door, not feeling comfortable with an open front door. Besides, it was cold without a jacket.

I hurried upstairs to get back into the warmth and also almost immediately received Sirius' Patronus, telling me that he and Marlene had arrived at their flat safely.

But as soon as I reached my kitchen, the door bell caused me to freeze.

My heartbeat immediately sped up in fear. Who could that be? Did someone forget anything?

With a trembling breath, I pulled my wand out of its pocket and held it with a tight grip. It wouldn't have a big effect, but it still made me feel safer as I walked into the entrance hall and pushed down the button for the intercom.

"Who is it?"

I almost dropped my wand when I heard the reply. My blood froze in shock and cold fear ran over me.

"Freya, please hear me out, it's really important, I swear. This is Regulus Black."

How on earth did he know where I lived!?

Sirius couldn't have told him, they didn't have any contact. Besides, he wouldn't sell information to a Death Eater. And that's what Regulus Black was.

To be really honest, I didn't know what to do. I hesitated, my index still on the button.

I could NOT let a Death Eater into my apartment.

But another part of me was too curious. And it didn't sit right with me that Regulus had used the door bell. What Death Eater would visit nicely??

All of this confused me way too much.

I couldn't exactly ignore him either, since he obviously already knew where I lived.

Fuck.

Regulus must've read my silence as a chance to explain himself. I stood there, frozen, and listened to him talk.

"I can't really explain out here, but I have to talk to you. You're the only person I could think of."

Please, what?!

What kind of weird trap was this??

"I think you know that I'm a Death Eater, right? But I swear on my life that I come in peace. I found something out... I can't tell you right here, but you have to trust me. I need your help, and my brother and his friends are way too hot tempered to listen without cursing my arse off. That's why I came here."

He seemed to be done talking. My thoughts were running highwire, and the hand on my wand trembled.

"How do I know that I can trust you?"

I heard Regulus sigh over the intercom. "I wish I could tell you something, but the truth is, I have nothing. You just have to take my word. Please, Freya, I'll do everything! I'll hand over my wand for as long as we speek, but you have to let me in so that I can talk to you without risking that we get eavesdropped."

There was only the buzz of the intercom as I thought his words over. He seemed sincere. Besides, I'd be able to defend myself, just in case.

"When I come down there, I want to see your empty hands held up, and your wand on the floor, alright? I won't hesitate to hex you if I get a reason to get suspicious."

"Okay, whatever it takes."

The buzzing stopped when I released the button. I briefly cupped my face with my hands. What had I gotten myself into!?

I took a deep breath, gripping my wand even tighter, to a point where my knuckles turned white. I walked down the stairs, quickly using a charm to make the door transparent from the inside.

The person really looked like the Regulus Black I knew from school. His hands were held up and empty, just like he'd promised. His wand laid on the floor.

I pointed my wand at Regulus, opening the door and quickly picking up his wand.

I didn't drop my offensive and nodded him to get in.

Regulus did, his hands still in the air. He used his foot to shut the door behind him.

"Thank you," he said quietly.

My inner voice was still screaming at myself for letting him in.

"Prove that you're Regulus Black."

I didn't know how he would do that, but I had to be careful.

He hesitated, thinking about it. "Uhm... You saw Sirius and me argue in my fifth year?"

I nodded, remembering the incidence, but I didn't drop my wand.

Great, so at least now I was sure that this was the Death Eater Regulus Black. That didn't exactly help my situation.

"Can we go into your flat?" Regulus dared to ask, but still obediently holding his hands up in surrender. "This is really important, and we have to make sure that we're alone."

I still didn't feel comfortable with this, but he was unarmed, and judging by his serious and desperate expression, he really was genuine. I nodded reluctantly, gesturing him to go ahead, so that I could keep my eyes and wand on him.

"That's my door," I said after two sets of stairs, so Regulus waited for me to open the door.

Without breaking my focus, I lead him into the living room.

Regulus sat down on the sofa, giving me a careful look. "Can I drop my hands now?"

I stared at him, before giving him a brisk nod.

He slowly lowered his hands, folding them on his lap. "Can I trust you?"

I almost scoffed.

"Can I trust you!? How did you even find out where I live??"

Regulus fiddled with his hands. "I asked the muggle police."

"What!? Why would they search me up for you??"

"I'm a wizard, remember? And it was really urgent, okay?"

"Still creepy," I muttered, but slightly lowering my wand. I can't tell what it was, but something made me trust him when he said he needed help and meant no harm.

"Now, what do you need?"

"I have to tell you something. Or I have to tell someone, but everybody else I thought of is one of these hot headed and impulsive Gryffindors, they would've cursed me before I could explain..."

I kept quiet, so Regulus took a deep breath.

"I don't want to be a Death Eater anymore. I want to fight against Voldemort, and I found something out, something horrible."