Silver Sunshine
Chapter One
I rested my cheek on my balled fist, staring at Professor Binns. He was raving on about the signing of some magical treaty.
"Merlin was the first to sign his written document..."
I looked over at my best friend, Gabe, who was nodding off in the seat beside me. Really, this class was so boring. I mean, what the point of it? We don't really need to know about stuff that happened five hundred years ago, do we?
Thankfully, the bell rang. The class jumped to life and began to gather its books. I looked over at Gabe. He was still asleep. I prodded him awake with my finger. He started and looked around, alarmed.
"What's wrong, what happened?" he asked.
"A dragon's found it's way on the grounds and Dumbledore is trying to fight it," I told him, suppressing mischievous giggles.
His eyes widened and he jumped to his feet. He gathered all his things, stuffed them in his bag and rushed out of the room. Probably gone to hide somewhere.
"Gabe!" I called after him. "Gabe, I was just joking!"
But he was already out of sight. I sighed and walked out of the classroom. Gabe was real sweet and all, but he wasn't the brave of heart. Sometimes, I wondered why he was in Gryffindor.
As I walked down one of the long, dark corridors of Hogwarts, I couldn't help but noticed how pretty it was outside. Temptation surged inside of me and before I knew it, I was outside, walking along the huge blue lake.
I looked up and spotted a nearby tree with a lot of shade. I ambled across toward it. When I got there, I noticed there was already someone sitting there, reading a book. He looked up and my heart began to beat painfully faster. It was Remus Lupin.
"Hello," he said, smiling.
"Oh, hey," I said, looking at everything, but him. "I'm sorry, I didn't know anyone was here-"
"No, it's quite all right," he said in the sweetest tone. " I could do with some company."
I sat down without saying a word. I opened my bag and took out my Transfiguration book and began to read. I could feel Remis's gaze, and I began to lose concentration.
"Are you Willow Black?" he asked, slowly.
"Mmm hmm," I replied still looking at the book.
"I heard you were really smart, but I didn't know you were so pretty."
I felt my face grow hot. I usually hated when boys compliment me on my looks, but I didn't mind when Remus said it.
"Oh," was all I could say.
"I didn't mean to sound rude," he said quickly. I looked at him. He was blushing.
"Oh, no," I said feeling ashamed. " I didn't mean it like that. You weren't being rude at all."
He didn't look convinced, but he smiled all the same.
"I'm Remus Lupin," he said holding out his hand. I couldn't help but grin.
"I know. One of the famous Marauders." I accepted his hand. "We are they anyway?"
A dark expression passed over his face.
"Somewhere, tormenting Severus Snape."
"Oh," I said again, trying to hide a grin. It was always fun to watch the Marauders pick on Snape. He deserved it.
"I take it you don't like it when they do that."
"Not at all. I'm not a stick in the mud, it's just that sometimes they take things a little too far."
I nodded and looked down at my book. I liked sitting here and talking to Remus. His calming voice made me feel calm, protected.
"Willow."
I looked up. "Hmm?"
"Are you doing anything-?" he began.
"Moony!" shouted a voice that came from the lake. I looked there and saw James Potter, little Peter Pettigrew, and-my stomach dropped-Sirius Black. Sirius and I have this sort of love-hate relationship. His dark blue eyes were fixed on me when he reached Remus and me.
"Hey, Will," he said, grinning. "Didn't know you'll be here, cuz."
I grimaced when he called me "Will"; I hated that nickname he gave me and I hated when he called me "cuz". I opened my mouth to say something, but James spoke up.
"We were about to go and throw some Dungbombs in Twinklelittle's office. Wanna come, Moony?"
Remus gave me a quick glance. I sighed.
"It's okay," I told him. He stilled looked uncertain.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm posit-"
"Only fools are positive, Will," Sirius said, still grinning. I rolled my eyes.
"All right, count me in," Remus said, although he looked like he rather not.
"How 'bout you, Will?" Sirius asked. "You comin'? It'll be loads of fun..."
I gave him a skeptical look. " As much fun as throwing ill smelling particles sound, I must refuse." Sirius laughed.
"I hate it when you use big words on us, Will."
"You know, Sirius, I thought you was supposed to be smart."
"Well, we better get going if we're not gonna get caught," James said quickly.
"Goodbye, Willow," Remus said softly, just as Sirius yelled, "See ya, Will!"
