I didn't mention this in my last post, but with all this emphasis on Efa hating flying, I think she will eventually learn to conquer her fear. She wants to be braver and part of that is learning to not stay stuck in your safe zones, such as focusing on things you are good at while avoiding the things you are not. In war, flying can be a useful means of escape, so it's important she learn how to do it properly regardless if she's never going excel in it. She has to get beyond this mindset that she can always avoid failure or mediocrity. I have the same problem because I am an OCD-overachiever who wants to thrive at whatever I do, but real life doesn't always work like that.

And the plot thickens

:))

This chapter reminded of why I really dislike Sirius. Make no mistake: I also sympathize with the abuse he suffered at home, his later false imprisonment, and his untreated PTSD. He didn't deserve any of that, and he isn't evil. However, as a person, I find him such a self-righteous hypocrite. Efa called it right when she pointed out that he was a prejudiced bully.

In many ways, he is very similar to his mother, and I wonder if he also might share some of Walburga's mental illnesses due to Black inbreeding? As Regulus pointed out, Bellatrix also has the same issues, so mental illnesses and/or personality disorders clearly run in their pureblood family. Such things also are in my own family tree.

Either way, being raised a Black left its mark on Sirius, regardless of whether he acknowledges it or not. It's evident in how he treats people he deems "cowards" like Efa or "freaks" like Snape. Even years later, when he admits that him and his friends were bullies, he still wants to justify his bad behavior towards Severus (whom I am no fan of) with the adamant belief that "he deserved it!" That sounds like something his raving mom would say.

As I have said before, Sirius really doesn't know what it's like to be a muggle-born or even a half-blood, so really, it's not his place to tell Efa how she should have dealt with the blood prejudice leveled at her. Now, a fellow muggle-born like Lily could definitely take her to task because she's been there and suffered all kinds of bigotry while Efa stayed semi-safe, but he doesn't know what it's like to be them, any more than they know what it's like to grow up in an abusive home like him and Regulus did. Empathy does not equal understanding.

On a more shipper not, I really like how Efa retorted to Sirius that she considers Regulus the better man. That was such a profound statement and I can only imagine his shock and pleasure if he heard her defending him to his brother. We already know that for all his arrogance, Reg doesn't believe he's good, so hearing that girl he loves state her belief in his inner nobility would really be a moment for him.

And to finish my post, I want to suggest Efa/Regulus's couple theme song: "Heroes" by David Bowie. It is SO them!

Hey !

Ahhhhh, sirius is so annoying. Like, way too much lmaooo
It's kinda weird that he doesnt get it's about survival, not pride that Efa hid her blood status. I hope he is the only one having this opinion, because it really isnt fair. It's not because he stood his ground that everyone should do it. Also, it actually should be the opposite : he should understand that by standing your ground, you're in danger; and Efa isnt a Gryffindor.

Anyway, can't wait for them to return to Hogwarts!

Just checking in to see how you are doing. Hope all is well.

Holy crap! I just stumbled upon this story last night, and have spent my day binge reading every chapter. I absolutely LOVE your writing! I’m excited to find out what happens next once Efa returns to Hogwarts. Keep up the amazing work!

I forgot to add Elton John and Queen to the suggested "Axioms" playlists. Efa and Regulus would definitely like them!

Nice chap !

I am on the fence when it comes to the whole "coward" issue between Efa and Sirius. IMO, they were both right and they were both wrong.

Efa shouldn't have lied for YEARS. It was wrong because she basically tried to play it safe while other muggle-borns had to feel the brunt of the prejudice at Hogwarts. And yes, I do think there was a certain arrogance and shame to her actions because by her own admission she always felt the need to prove to everyone she was just as good as the purebloods when it came to magic. I understand wanting to be the best. I am a Slytherin-Ravenclaw hybrid after all. But clearly, Efa internalized some of the blood-prejudice. Some small part of her truly thought that blood made someone better at magic than hard work or talent. She needs to come to a place where she realizes she doesn't need to prove anything to anyone. Easier said than done. However, I was glad that Dr. Hathaway didn't let her get off easily while still supporting her decision. His "Give them hell" speech was perfect. I also like that Peter understood her reasons for being afraid because despite everything they were realistic and valid.

As for Sirius, while he's welcome to his own opinion, I really don't think he has the right to talk. He's a Pureblood even if he has "rejected" his family name. He will never be a muggle or a muggle-born wizard and he doesn't know what they face? His lack of knowledge about muggle society is damning enough. He chose to leave his home (although, I know it probably hurt him way more than he wants to admit, especially leaving Regulus), went to live a cushy life with his best friend, and didn't even have to worry about money thanks to his Uncle Alphard. He's basically acting like those so-called allies who judge minorities and claim they know what it's like without having walked a mile in their shoes. The first rule of understanding Privilege is knowing the difference between empathy and actual understanding. They are not the same and Sirius's life couldn't be more different from Efa or her father's. He will never have to deal with their issues simply because he is Sirius Black. Nothing he does will ever change that fact.

Great chapter. I'm looking forward to seeing her back at school. I think you did just fine with dumbles! :)

This chapter is really beautiful, loved it.

Awesome chapter!

Ah this chapter made me so emotional love it

I reread the part of your fic where Efa and Remus have their Hogsmeade date (LBR, it was more of friendly outing). The part where he clearly starts sensing that she's drawn to Regulus was interesting because of his insistence that there could possibly be nothing good or worth redeeming in the younger Black brother. Obviously, some of it was his jealousy talking, but I also think his narrow pov shows a failure on the Order's side.

In TLJ, Rose Tico says that incredible line about how they're not going to win the way by killing what they hate, but by "saving what we [they] love." That's a mentality you rarely see in HP. It's all good guys are forever good, and bad guys (or more likely, morally gray guys), are forever bad. But instead of possibly wasting more time fighting, shouldn't it be a prerogative of the Good Guys to help those that could change their negative stances see the light? Regulus and Evan Rosier are not evil. They are definitely prejudiced, but if someone were willing to offer them the chance to grow they might take it. After all, Regulus did redeem himself in canon, and even Draco and Snape had their moments.

Instead of automatically labeling all Slytherins "evil," the rest of the Houses should have tried to work with them. Besides, anti-muggle feelings are not limited to snakes. Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs all suffer from arrogance and ignorance concerning non-magic users. Even Efa had the nerve to act like she knew best when it came to hiding things from her father because it was "her world" and he couldn't possibly understand it. Sure, it was an act of love, but it also kept him in the dark and made it seem like saw him as a gullible burden. Even her pretending that he was a squib, while understandable given her hostile school environment, could also seem like she's embarrassed by him being a muggle to outsiders.