A/N: I am back from Myrtle Beach and ready to start writing again. I least I hope I am. This, I believe, is my third attempt at a Sirius/OC story. Hopefully the third time is the charm.
I've written the first two chapter somewhat. The first one doesn't really have any changes expect that Maci-Belle and Moose are entering their last year instead of the sixth. The second chapter as a few more changes. If you don't want to read the first one again you don't have to. At least reread the second chapter from the dueling to the end.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter One
For as long as I can remember my life has always been imperfect.
When I was born it was three months to early and I was mute. I was given thirty days to live. My mother, being left by my father, couldn't wait thirty days to see if I would or would not live and left me at the hospital only hours later. After thirty-three days I was released to a local orphanage.
I spent ten years of life being ignored in the orphanage. Everyone found me strange. Not only was I mute but I was able to make things happen without ever meaning to and I was the only one in the orphanage who was able to do those things. No one wanted me. I thought I was going to spend my whole life living in that orphanage.
The day after my tenth birthday I was adopted by a single mother, Nina Richards, who all ready had a son my age and was struggling to get by. She was able to deal with my muteness and even taught me sign language. Her son, Peter 'Moose' Richards, grew up to be like an old brother to me. Most people even thought we were twins. I thought my life might actually be turning around for once.
Then came the fire. It left our only home in ashes and we were forced to move. A lot. Nina had trouble keeping a steady job which resulted in us never being to stay in the same place for every long. It got so bad that we even stopped unpacking things at one point. Eventually Nina sucked up her pride and we moved in with her mother, Grandma Mia. I never told anyone but the fire was my fault.
On my eleventh birthday I received a letter saying I was a witch and that I was to attend a school called Hogwarts in the fall. At first I hid all the letters I got from Nina, Moose, and Grandma Mia. I didn't want them to know what I was. I was ashamed and thought they wouldn't want me anymore if they knew the truth and would send me back the orphanage. Three days after I got my sixth letter Nina found it and explained to me that being a witch was nothing I had to hide from her. That both her and Grandma Mia were also witches and Moose was a wizard and we would be going to school together. That cheered me up, but only until September first.
It was on September first that I realized nothing good in life would stay that way for every long. Moose made new friends on the train. I didn't. I couldn't talk and no one but Moose understood my signs. When the sorting came I was sorted into Hufflepuff and Moose was sorted into Gryffindor with friends in every house but Slytherin. I was left a lone once again in my life until summer came around. Even then I barely saw Moose inbetween his friends coming over and him going to their houses. Books were the only real friends I had in my life.
It was the end of fifth year that really changed my life. Though out the school years people went out of their way to avoid me. No one had explained to my teachers that I was mute and as a result everyone thought that I was rather stupid. Even for a Hufflepuff. No one wanted to be my partner or even sit next to me during lessons. The only time I saw Moose anymore was when we passed each other in the corridors. Even then it was just quick glance. It was after we took our O.W.L.s that I realized something rather important.
When Professor Flitwick collected out tests and everyone made their way outside. I had planed to go sit by the lake and read my worn out copy of The Hobbit (the only thing my runaway mother left me). As I made my way through the door I spotted Moose joking with a group of his friends. He saw me and I waved at him. I was close enough to hear what his friends were saying. Not a day goes by that I wish I hadn't even seen Moose that day.
"Who's that?" one of his friends had asked him.
For some reason I had thought Moose would admit that I was his sister and he would introduce me to his friends. I thought Moose would include me in his new found life. What a fool I was to even think that about the boy I use to know better than myself.
"Her? Oh, she's no one."
My heart broke when I heard Moose say those words. I haven't forgiven him for it. Not that he ever apologized for it in the first place. In fact that one little sentence had changed everything between us. It was like our past together had been completely erased and we were two strangers. For the next year we went out of our ways to avoid each other the best we could. When either Nina or Grandma Mia asked us about it we would act like we didn't hear the question.
I had lost the last person I truly had in this world.
"I love you Maci-Belle," Nina said as she hugged me tight.
Currently the three of us, Moose, Nina, and I, were standing on platform nine and three-quarters. Today is September first and Moose and I are going back to Hogwarts for our final and seventh year. Despite the loneliness of being at Hogwarts I'm glad to be returning. Once we step foot onto the scarlet train the awkward year that had passed between me and Moose would disappear until we met again. If we ever do that is.
I love you, too, I signed when Nina finally let me go to hug Moose.
It was clear that Nina was Moose's mother. They had the same tousled blond hair, though Nina's is starting to grey. They had the same dark, midnight blue eyes. Other than that I'm guessing Moose takes after his father, a man I have never met. Despite being the adopted part of the family most people thought I was a natural part of it. I have the long, curly, frizzy, blond hair and the light blue eyes that makes it seem like I belong in the Richards family. Other than that it's clear that I'm not a real Richards. I don't have the vampire pale skin, mine had a most natural tan-ish color to it. My features weren't rugged or soft but somewhere inbetween, something I have in common with my runaway mother. For anyone who bothers to take a second glance know that I am not Richards. In fact I don't even know what my last name is. No one does.
"Be good you two," Nina said, her eyes lingering on Moose.
It was known that even though Moose isn't an official part of the Marauders, that he does contribute to the trouble they constantly find themselves in.
"I will Mum," Moose said picking up his trunk.
The extra emphasis he put on the words I and Mum made it clear to me that my ex-brother was telling me that Nina wasn't my mother but his. He's been doing it ever since we got back from fifth year. Moose seems to need to make it clear to me that I am invading his family and that I wasn't an actually part of it like he was.
With one last good-bye smile to Nina I picked up my own trunk and made my way towards the train. It was moments like these, when I was surround by a sea of people but still utterly a lone that I wish I had some sort of pet like a cat or owl. With me being mute and all Nina doesn't think it's a good idea for me to have one. She doesn't think that I would be able to control it without the use of voice if it got out of control.
As I boarded the train my foot got caught on the edge of the platform and I found myself falling face first onto the Hogwarts Express. From somewhere to my right I could hear the unmistakable snickering of the only Richards child, who was no doubt surrounded by his many friends.
Pushing myself up to my feet I stole a glance to find Moose surrounded by the trouble makers themselves, the Marauders.
The Marauders aren't only infamous for their many pranks and detentions but for stealing the hearts of the female population also. Three out of the four even have their own fan club of girls. The fan club that would have belonged to the fourth Marauder has taken to following Moose around. Everyone at Hogwarts knows who the Marauders are. Even a loners like me.
"Are you alright?" Remus Lupin (the smart, less arrogant, sweeter Marauder) asked me.
I nodded and preceded to drag my trunk in the opposite direction.
"Do you want some help with that?" it wasn't Lupin who asked but I knew it wasn't Moose either.
Without looking back I shook my head and continued down the corridor.
"Are you sure? It wouldn't be a problem." the voice behind me went on.
Again I shook my head as Moose said, "She said no. Just let her go on her way."
"But Moose, I don't remember ever actually hearing her say the word no." I could hear the voice growing louder had it followed me down the corridor.
"Just leaver her a lone Padfoot. She doesn't want your help." a new voice added.
"But Prongs, it's part of the Marauders code to always help a damsel in distress." now the voice was right behind me.
Turning I found myself face to face, more like face to chest, with the one and only Sirius Black.
After years of hearing how Sex God like Black was I figured I would be prepared to see him with my own eyes up close and personal. You know what they say though, hearing about something is rather different than seeing it.
Sirius Black was absolutely gorgeous. There was no other way to put it. His hair was long, shaggy, and black. His eyes a captivating, smoky, grey. He was tall and built. His oh-so famous smirk was planted across his face. He was everything the girls talked about and more.
Before I noticed what he was doing he took my hand off my trunk and brought to his lips.
"Sirius Black, love," he said placing a light kiss on the back of my hand. "What name has been graced to a beauty so rare?"
I wanted to gag. Sure he was smooth and charming but he was a little too smooth and charming for my liking.
I pulled a face and snatched my hand back. Whipping the back of my hand on my skirt I picked up my trunk and pulled it down the corridor away from Moose and his friends.
After the somewhat disturbing scene I was forced to be part of on the train I was more than happy to disappear into the vast corridors of the castle. I swear once I set foot into the castle that is Hogwarts I become invisible. No one ever notices me. Even if they do they act they don't. Because of that fact I find it rather strange that I'm not eating a lone at the welcome back fest.
Not five minutes after I had sat down at the Hufflepuff table, I normally get to Hogwarts early than everyone else, I was joined by a Hufflepuff guy who sat across from me. Despite my hobby of people watching I've never seen him before. His dark brown hair was messy, his eyes a medium blue, and his facial features more like a little boys than a teenager. It wasn't until the food appeared that he introduced himself.
"I'm Tommy Bear by the way," he said inbetween spoonfuls of mashed potatoes. "I'm not kidding either."
I looked up from my plate long enough to give him a half smile.
"What's your name?" he asked.
I didn't look up from my food but instead burned holes through table with my intense glare. Here I am, presented with a chance to make my first friend since Moose abandoned me and I can't even answer the simplest of questions. I am destined to a life on my alone. The worst part being that Nina won't even let me do it being a crazy old cat lady.
"The silent type, huh?" Tommy continued when I didn't say anything.
I nodded without looking at him. Believe it or not this is the longest conversation I've had with another human being who doesn't know about my muteness. I don't count Black's conversation on the train considering I didn't even want to be part of that talk in the first place. Not that I want to be part of this one either.
The two of us settled back into the silence that had taken place during the sorting earlier. It wasn't necessarily awkward but it wasn't all that comfortable either.
"Are you going to say anything?" Tommy asked and I shook my head. "Do mind if I ask you a question then?"
I have a feeling he's going to ask me the question whether I want him to or not.
"Why is Sirius Black glaring at the back of you head?"
Turning around in my seat I conformed what Tommy had asked. Sitting across the room at the Gryffindor table glaring daggers at me was not only Black but Moose. Sighing I turned back around without a glance at Tommy and shrugged my shoulders in attempt to answer his question.
Something tells me this year is going to be a long one.
A/N: So here it is the first chapter of Perfectly Imperfect. I'm not sure I've I'm going to keep Tommy Bear as part of the story so don't be surprised if he seems to fall of the face of the earth after this. Or if he just seems to randomly pop up in the story.
Let me now what you think. This is the first story I have written just to write it so bare with me if updates take forever. I cannot promise that reviews will get it updated quicker. Next week is band camp. Than school starts and color guard pratice follows afterward. According to my friends I'm trying out for the school play. Like I said don't accpet fast updates.
~Kat. The One Who Wonders If She's Going To Have A Life At All.