I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER OR THE MARAUDERS!
The only character that is mine and mine alone, is Jessica Lupin. She is the reason this is a FAN FICTION.
I hope you enjoy and any comments (unless completely and utterly rude) are appreciated!
Chapter One: Mishaps
Everything was quiet in the small house as the young man slowly wandered down the halls, taking careful peeks into every room he passed. He had only been here a few days and was probably going to have to leave again soon, but he was glad his friend had allowed him to stay. It wasn't often he got to see people anymore. His god-son was at school and any friends he had were careful to stay away from him since he was a convict. But it wasn't his fault, he didn't do anything.
"Sirius? Where are you?"
Sirius turned, slightly startled as the back door closed. Good, it was only Remus. He slowly walked back down the hall, slightly cursing that he hadn't been able to get a peek into all the rooms. Entering the kitchen, Sirius stopped and leaned against the door frame watching as sacks magically unloaded themselves and found their proper places in the pantry and on shelves.
"And you tell me I'm lazy," he chuckled crossing his arms.
"I'm just using it to put food away since I know good and well you won't help," replied the blonde haired man smiling at him.
"You're right about that."
Remus rolled his eyes and walked away, Sirius following shortly after. The two men had been best friends for years, all the way back to when they had been first years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Several things neither of them could control had separated them and finally after thirteen years they had been reunited. Remus had asked Sirius to join him at home when he learned the run-away convict had been living in a cave. Sirius had accepted without a hesitation, not realizing Remus was going to make him work for his stay. His friend had always had slyness about him.
"Oh Sirius, do you mind going and getting the box of folders out of the attic?" asked his friend sitting in the chair by the window. "Why can't you get it?" he asked raising an eyebrow. "Because I just sat down and you are still standing and closer to the attic than I am."
Sirius narrowed his eyes but turned and traveled down the hall before he reached the door that lead to the attic. The door looked as if it hadn't been opened in weeks but he knew good and well it had been. He and Remus had just been in there cleaning out some junk just yesterday. Sometimes he just hated magical houses. Grabbing the door handle he gave a strong pull and the door opened with a loud creaking making Sirius wince. He hated that sound.
Slowly looking around, Sirius tried to remember where they had placed the box of folders the other day when they had been moving things around. Not that it would really matter. The house had a tendency to move things around. Sirius found that out the hard way. It took him three days to find his wand after he had left it in the kitchen by accident.
Finally locating the box on a trunk nearby, he walked over and quietly picked it up. He was about to leave the small attic when the cursive gold letters that showed the trunk had an owner caught his eyes. JML. He only knew one person who had those initials. Jessica Marie Lupin. He hadn't seen her for years. He knew good and well she hadn't been in the Lupin house either. But surely this was her trunk. But again, she did have a black trunk like that. He slowly put the box down over by the door and walked back to the trunk just standing there, debating on opening it. Yeah it was an invasion of privacy. But this was Jessica's trunk. There had to be a reason it was here. Without hesitation now, he knelt and quietly opened the latches that let out snake like hisses making him recoil back. Silence filled the room again and Sirius slowly opened the trunk.
He wasn't surprised at all with what he found in the trunk. A lot of it was old papers, essays from school, school robes, posters and pictures. As Sirius kept looking, he felt a large lump fill his throat. Looking over his shoulder at the door he bit his lip. He needed to get the folders to Remus, but he wouldn't look for long. He just wanted to see was left. Turning his attention back to the trunk he quietly picked up the first few pictures that were on the top of her things.
As gasp escaped his lips as he turned over the first picture. It was her. It was Jessica. She was young, maybe only eleven, just getting ready for school. The magic of the picture allowed the young girl to smile up at him shyly then laugh. Sirius slowly sat back against some boxes staring at the picture as he could hear the train whistle ring clearly in his memory…
The platform was bustling with people as the young boy was looking around. Nearby were his parents saying goodbye to his brat of a brother and wishing him luck. As his moth kissed the little boy's head, Sirius rolled his eyes and continued to look around for his group of friends. He had barely had a chance to talk to any of them and he really wanted to catch up on the adventures they had. Plus he wanted to me Remus's little sister, Jessica, who was starting at Hogwarts this year. They had met once but it was brief and all he could remember was her hazel eyes that were so much like Remus's.
"Sirius!"
He turned and smiles as he was a head of blonde hair hurrying that way. Sirius met him and grinned excitedly, embracing his friend in a firm but quick hug.
"Remus, it's so good to see you."
"Same here. Your parents swooning over Regulus?" asked his friend fixing his shirt, slowly looking around.
"Yeah, like usual," muttered Sirius, before casting a glance over his friends shoulder, "Your sister starts this year doesn't she?"
"Yes I do."
Sirius turned and grinned as owner of the voice stopped beside her brother and smiled shyly. Her hazel eyes were still the same as he remembered and her sandy blonde hair was pulled up out of her face, giving her young flawless skin a small glow.
"Jessica, it's been a while," said Sirius, quietly taking her hand and gracing it with a kiss. Jessica said nothing, almost in shock, while Remus glared at him.
"Remember, that's my sister." Remus said, pulling Jessica's hand out of his grasp. Sirius flashed a cocky smirk then nudged his friend.
"Someone's getting moody."
"Shut up, Sirius," he grumbled before grabbing his trunk and starting for the train. Jessica went to pick up her trunk but Sirius was faster.
"Nope. I got it," he said, giving her a smile. Jessica paused but then smiled, a blush spreading across her cheeks.
"Thanks, but I'd hate for you to take my stuff to another compartment then-"
"You're sitting with us," he interrupted before rolling her things toward the train.
He could feel Jessica staring at him with slight confused and rightfully so. He never let anyone sit in their compartment but his friends and himself. To let anyone else in was just unheard of, but this was Jessica, Jess, Jessi (no he didn't like that one), Remus's sister. There was no way she was not going to sit with them. But again, James had to approve as well.
Making sure her things were going to be loaded, Sirius turned at her but stopped seeing a little black head moving their way. He tried to hurry away but the snide comment caused him to stop.
"Already flirting with girls too young for you, Sirius?"
Sirius gritted his teeth and faced his little brother, moving between him and Jessica. Sirius's grey eyes narrowed considerable as Regulus smirked at him, crossing his arms.
"Shove off, Regulus," growled Sirius, greatly resembling a protective dog.
"You know Mum wouldn't be pleased seeing you with a half-blood like her."
"You know what, I really don't care what Mother thinks!" he snapped, "So just leave me alone, you little brat."
With that Sirius turned and led Jessica onto the train and toward the compartment. He couldn't believe that Regulus had the nerve to talk to him, and to bring up the mention of his mother at that! The boy was so stupid sometimes. He never heard himself grumbling until Jessica quietly said his name. He turned to face her quickly that she froze in spot a flash a fear crossing her eyes. He stopped and sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"Sorry," He mumbled quietly, not daring to lift his gaze, "I just really don't like my brother."
Jessica was quiet, giving a slight nod of understanding. He watched as she took a few tentative steps forward and grasped his hand, nothing emotional but in a supportive way. He slowly lifted his gaze to her and let a relaxed smile return. He didn't know how she did it but she had some way of calming him down. Yeah he was still mad, but with her there, everything just seemed to disappear.
"Let's get to the compartment." He said quietly, regretfully pulling his hand away and leading her down the train car.
As they neared the compartment Sirius could tell that James had already found Remus and was acting up as usual. Both were laughing about something, but the conversation was muffled by the closed door. However, when he opened the compartment door they both stopped talking and looked at him almost with shock. Sirius raised an eyebrow as James slowly grinned at him, almost with a look on innocence. Remus just looked really ticked off and wouldn't let his gaze meet Sirius's. Right then he knew what they had been talking about. He didn't need a hint with James's look and Remus's reaction.
"Do you really believe him, Remus?" he asked before rolling his eyes and walking taking his seat beside the other black haired nuisance.
"Well, knowing you," he mumbled turning his head as Jessica slowly came into the compartment.
"Jess!" exclaimed James excited, grinning from ear to ear, obviously accepting the fact that she was going to sit with them.
Sirius shook his head slightly as James stood up giving her a huge hug. James and Jessica had grown that nearly unbreakable bond within the last year because of her love for Quittich. True, Sirius was on the team at school, but he used it more as a venting system rather than a simple pleasure. For him, that pleasure was a good prank. As James started explaining his summer, Sirius took a silent roll: Remus, James, he was there…
"Where's Peter?" he asked, slightly confused. James grew really quiet while Remus grinned slightly behind his book.
"Evans is helping him find his rat," said Remus, glancing up over his book at James who had focused his sight out of the train to the crowd outside.
"Who is Evans?" asked Jessica softly, looking between all the boys as she took a seat beside Remus. Sirius laughed and clapped James on the back.
"Lily Evans, James's imaginary girlfriend." He said, making James turn deep red.
"She is not imaginary," he argued, grinning almost insanely at Sirius.
"Yeah, but her love for you is," chuckled Remus.
Jessica smiled slightly at blushing James and Sirius tilted his head slightly watching her. Her smile was just captivating and happy, not that she had a reason not to be happy. She had an amazing brother, was starting her first year at the most adventured filled school in the world, and was making friends even before the train had left the station. From what he could tell, Jessica was going to be one of the most well-known students at Hogwarts. She didn't need their help with that.
"Earth to Sirius."
James's voice broke through his thoughts and he came to realize that he was staring at Jessica. He quickly looked away, murmuring an apology. He saw Remus watching him, almost protectively, so he turned his attention to James.
"What did you need?" he asked, trying to get his normal demeanor back.
"I was wondering if we were still sneaking into the Slytherin common room tonight to see about their welcome back gift."
Sirius smiled and nodded. Jessica sat up slightly her interest taking over. Sirius glances at her but looked back at James as she spoke.
"Can I help?" she asked.
"No." said Remus firmly, closing his book.
"Why not?" argued Jessica, her tone mimicking Sirius's thoughts.
"They always get caught. We wouldn't want you in a detention on your first day," answered a new voice.
Sirius stopped and sighed. He didn't even have to turn to the door to know who the sweet voice belonged to. James was sitting up straighter and had a goofy grin on his face. Sirius rolled his eyes and faced the compartment door.
"We won't get caught, Evans. Not unless someone tells on us," he retorted looking at the red head that had her arms crossed over her chest, her green gaze glaring at him.
"Do you have to start anything tonight?"
"Yes!" piped up a voice behind her, making her turn slightly, "We always prank Slytherin on opening night."
"Peter, hush," snapped Sirius pulling the young boy in and shoving him roughly into the seat beside Remus, "If you don't keep your mouth shut everyone will know it is us who do the pranks."
"Everyone already knows you are the ones who do it," retorted Lily, rolling her eyes.
"Then why don't you join the popular kids?" asked James, flashing a flirty smile at her. Sirius laughed slightly, shaking his head. Lily glared at him then turned and stalked off.
"She looked at me this time," said James grinning triumphantly. Sirius said nothing and sat back in the seat and watched as Jessica started talking to peter. The two got along easily, which was a good thing for both of them.
As the train pulled away and kids waved bye to parents, Sirius turned his gaze out the window as Jessica waved bye to her parents. When she sat back he never took his gaze away as she pulled out a small notebook and started writing in it with one of those muggle pencils. She seemed so relaxed for heading off to her first year at Hogwarts. Sirius was slightly envious. He never knew a time when he could be that relaxed. However, just watching her seemed to calm him down some. As everyone got settled in the compartment, Sirius felt a small smile grace his lips as Jessica's soft hazel eyes met his…
Sirius let out a sigh as he sat there gazing at the picture of Jessica, almost reluctant to come back to reality. As he set the first picture aside he quietly gazed out the attic vent were just a little light was filtering in. Everything was so peaceful, such a large contradiction to what was really going on outside the house. No one around really seemed to understand completely what was happening. Yes a war was going on, but no one seemed to calculate the risks of what could actually happen.
"Sirius! Did you get lost?" called Remus.
Sirius paused and looked at the door. Putting the other pictures to the side, he stood and grabbed the box of folders going back downstairs. Remus had come to the living room door looking for him.
"I swear, I want to test you for ADHD. You get so distracted," he muttered taking the box. Sirius didn't argue back at the comment but just kind of stood there trying to phrase the next question.
"Did anyone lie here before you?" he asked making Remus look at him confused.
"Well, it was my grandparents' house," he replied slowly, "Why is I may ask?"
"I just found a trunk that didn't look like one of yours. I wanted to ask before I looked through it."
"You already have haven't you?"
"I just opened it. It looks like a bunch of school things."
Remus paused and sighed as Sirius gave him a sheepish grin. He knew that Remus hated it when he did things without asking first. It was a little like an odd parent child relationship. The two shared a look and Sirius shifted under the piercing hazel gaze.
"Go ahead I guess. But if you find anything let me know," he said sitting back in the chair and pulling out a folder.
Sirius grinned and hurried back up the stairs like he was a little kid and found the trunk again. Now that he had permission from Remus he could look further into the trunk and actually see if this really was Jessica's trunk. Sitting down again he picked up the pictures and turned over the next one.
A smile met his lips as the four grinning faces beamed at him: Jessica surrounded by younger versions of Remus, James and himself. Who knew where Peter had been. They all laughed at a long forgotten joke and Sirius shook his head. Back then they had caused so much trouble. And Jessica, with Remus disapproving of course, would be right in the center of it. He remembered so well the conversation they had together on the train as they headed to Hogwarts...
The train had left the station about an hour ago and everyone else had fallen asleep. Across from him Jessica was still writing in her notebook, looking so focused and relaxed. Sirius felt his head tilt almost in curiosity before he looked down at the blank parchment in his hand. His hands were itching to work on something but he hadn't figured out what to do yet.
"Were you serious?" asked Jessica quietly looking up at him. Sirius paused, but never looked up as a playful smirk slid on his face.
"If I wasn't Sirius then I don't know who else I would be," he replied casting his gray gaze on her again.
"You know that's not what I meant," retorted Jessica glaring at him, making him grin innocently.
"Well you have to be more specific. I don't read minds you know," he commented putting down the parchment and resting his elbows on his knees.
"The prank. Do you really want me to help?"
"Why wouldn't I? I've seen what you've done to Remus's room before. Your ideas would be brilliant to pull off on Slytherin!"
He watched as Jessica's cheeks turned a soft pink from the praise he was giving her. Apparently she didn't get that often and she was uncomfortable with the praise, but Sirius didn't she why she should be. She was a smart talented witch who could do amazing things even if it was her first attempt at something. No she wasn't perfect but she was darn well close. It was never something that would use a little work.
"Well, I will help you I guess," said Jessica with a playful smile.
Sirius returned the smile and picked the blank parchment back up staring at the idea that would hopefully come to his head. Nothing came. Why was it so hard to come up with something to do? He could come up with pranks all day, but when it came to drawing something he always drew a blank. He didn't necessarily want to write something, and he wasn't that talented at drawing either.
Several minutes passed and with each one Sirius' aggravation grew. He needed to do something, but he still couldn't come up with anything. Absently he quietly doodled some shoe prints onto the page. He could see Jessica watching him with curiosity. He glanced up and could see a plan forming in her eyes.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked almost warily, cocking up an eyebrow.
"A lot of things: family, pranks, the future. It sort of changed every little bit," she replied quietly, almost absently.
"Now right there is where you are so like your brother."
Jessica glared at him. He knew she hated being compared to her big brother, but he was right and he knew it. He slowly smiled to show her that he meant no harm in the comment and he relaxed as she let out a small light laugh and shook her head.
"You are lucky I don't know any magic yet," she murmured.
"I'm sure Remus has taught you a little," ventured Sirius still doodling footprints on the paper. Jessica tilted her head again and slowly pulled out her wand the hesitated looking worried.
"We can do magic on the train," assured Sirius softly.
Jessica looked at him then bit her lip in that cute way Sirius liked. He was just glad he hadn't said that out loud. He really didn't need to be thinking these things. Remus would kill him. Plus, he wasn't even sure he liked her. Yeah, she was awesome to hang out with, but she was just eleven. She wasn't old enough to even be thinking about dating. He wasn't really for that matter. He watched her quietly as Jessica murmured a spell.
"Tracias Mobilus."
A small glow emitted from the end of her wand. Sirius blinked in amazement as the footprints started moving like some little invisible person was walking around on the parchment. Jessica slowly grinned in triumph as she looked at him.
"That's a really cool spell. I don't think we've learned that one yet," breathed Sirius watching the footsteps.
"Because it's one I made up," mumbled Remus sleepily which caused Sirius and Jessica to jump.
"Go back to sleep, Remus," said Jessica calming down.
"I'd rather not if you are trying new spells,"
"I'm not that bad," muttered Jessica.
"It doesn't matter if you're a new wizard or a master. New spells are dangerous, Jess. And practicing them on a train isn't practical."
"Since when have we ever done anything practical, Moony?" questioned Sirius, "If we were practical we wouldn't be who we are."
"I don't want my sister a part of who we are," growled Remus.
"It's too late, Remus. I'm already helping," said Jessica firmly, which made Remus glare at her.
Sirius watched the two of them closely, unknowingly gripping his wand. He wasn't about to let Remus hurt Jessica. He had no reason to. She was just trying to have fun. What was Remus scared of? They never did anything that would involve expulsion. They always made sure of that. And Remus was always a part of it. Trying to keep his sister out of it was rather crazy.
"Remus, just calm down," he said quietly watching his friend quiver with anger.
"Don't tell me to calm down, Sirius. All of this is your fault," snapped the blonde turning his burning gaze on Sirius.
"My fault? How is any of this my fault?!" yelled Sirius standing up in his friend's face.
"Sirius, walk away," said James quietly, suddenly awakened by the yelling.
Sirius quickly looked that way and saw the looks of confusion on Peter and James' faces. He gritted his teeth and threw one more angered look at Remus before stalking out of the compartment slamming the door closed as he left. He didn't really care if he broke the glass or not. He stalked to the dining car and sat in an empty booth fuming. Slowly casting his gray eyes around the empty car, he realized there was nothing in there to keep his attention and dug his head into the crook of his arm.
He didn't understand why Remus was so uptight about Jessica helping with a prank. They all knew she would get right there in the mix with them no matter what. But that still didn't explain why Remus was suddenly so protective. Did he know something about Jessica that no one else did? But what could be so bad about Jessica that would put Remus on edge like that? Even if there was something wrong, they dealt with the unnatural all the time. Jessica didn't seem to have anything wrong anyway. She was always so sweet and nice, funny, outgoing, sporty, and nothing like her brother. Maybe Remus was scared of being replaced. Maybe he should be. Sirius shook his head slightly. His mood was getting to him. Remus had always been there for him when he needed it. He just needed to let himself calm down.
He didn't know how long he sat there alone, but after a while he heard the door open and soft footsteps come in. He slowly looked up and saw Jessica's concerned hazel eyes looking down at him. He didn't say anything but scooted over so she would have a place to sit down. He wasn't sure why, but he was glad she had come and not Peter or James. Her mood seemed generally lighter than theirs. Not accusing or forcing him to change his mind to keep the group together.
"You okay?" she asked softly, trying not to break the silence around them.
"Yeah, I just don't deal will with over protective people," he murmured looking at her.
"Remus can get rather annoying sometimes."
A small smile slid onto Sirius' features which made Jessica relax physically. He slowly reached over and gave her hand a light squeeze which made her eyes meet his. They just sat there looking at each other for a long time before Jessica looked away a slight flush to her cheeks.
"So I brought your parchment with me," she said pulling her hand away and pulled the rolled up parchment out of her small bag.
Sirius swallows and slowly closed his hand missing the warmth that he had just felt when Jessica's hand had been there. He watched her move a few things back around her bag and wondered if she felt the same way.
"Jess, I'm not going to make you do this if you don't want to," he murmured still watching her.
"I know," she said looking up at him, a smile on her lips, "but I want to. I don't care what Remus says."
Sirius was quiet for a bit before nodding and helping her roll out the parchment. Jessica started explaining her idea for a map of the school that they could use for sneaking around. Sirius grinned at her brilliant idea and started working on the outline sketches of the rooms that he knew were there. As he drew, Jessica explained her plan for the prank. He paused in his drawing and looked up at her as she kept going explaining things with her hands the way she always did. He didn't know why, but he had a feeling that tonight was going to change all their lives...
Sirius smiled as he slowly put the second picture down and sat back against the pile of boxes and closed his eyes. He remembered that the map that Jessica had helped him make had become known as the Marauder's Map, and it was now in the possession of his god-son. Everything that the Marauders' had done or been called was at one point an idea of Jessica's. Maybe the idea hadn't been sued right away, but they always kept them in mind and almost always used them eventually.
He sighed but smiles and flipped through a few more pictures. Several of them were her and her family, occasionally Jessica playing with her muddy red owl, Stryx. One thing he noticed was that most of the pictures were taken when Jessica was younger, closer to when she was eleven. He quietly wondered why there hadn't been any other pictures with those. Had she just quit taking pictures? He was about to admit defeat for the day when he turned over the last picture. Jessica looked older, maybe not much older, only a few months, but the happiness in her eyes just showed how much she had grown mentally. But the figure beside her made his blood boil. The cocky smirk and the shaggy black hair and blue eyes made him want to rip the picture to shreds and act like it never existed.
"Was this always your plan, Regulus?" he muttered, "Did you always know what she wanted?"
He slowly lessened his grip on the moving picture and swallowed hard. The prank that Jessica had planned on the train that first year never happened. That was the only plan that never saw its way through. It wasn't Remus' fault. It wasn't really anyone's fault. What had stopped the prank was something that no one, not even the professors at Hogwarts, ever saw coming...
The train had finally reached the school and all the students but the first years had been herded into the Great Hall. Sirius was sitting beside Peter and had an open seat on the other side of him for when Jessica got sorted into Gryffindor. He quickly chanced a look at the large oak doors as the guys started talking about schedules and nightly traditions.
"You waiting for a troll to come through the doors, Mr. Black?" asked a grinning ghost head as it came through the table.
Sirius jumped nearly knocking Peter off his seat before he grinned at the ghost. He really hated when they did that.
"Oh no, Sir Nicholas," he said, wishing the burning in his cheeks would go away.
"Well, it must be something or someone of interest," chuckled the ghost raising an eyebrow.
"Remus' little sister is starting this year," he explained.
"Oh? Well, that will be wonderful to have another bright Lupin in the house."
With that the ghost glided off and visited with the other students. Sirius swallowed and slowly relaxed. He looked back at his friend and found James watching him, an amused look on his features.
"Your face is redder than Evan's hair," he commented lightly, "You must have a real interest in her, mate."
"James, she's...perfect," he sighed, knowing it was pointless to argue with his friend, "She's just so outgoing and funny and smart."
"Wait, you're interested in a smart girl?" asked Remus entering the conversation.
Sirius froze, his eyes slowly widening a bit. He glanced over to him then back to James for help.
"Well, yeah. I mean think about it Moony," commented James easily, "If he has a smart girlfriend who would do anything for him, he would never have to do an essay ever again!"
Remus rolled his eyes and smiled, shaking his head. Sirius slowly relaxed chiming in a small chuckle. As long as Remus had no idea that he really liked Jessica, he was okay. He didn't know why, but he had a strange feeling if Remus ever found out, the temperamental blonde headed boy would shred him to bits. That was not an end Sirius wanted to meet.
As they waited, his excitement kept growing almost to a point that he couldn't sit still. He looked around at the other house tables and watched conversations unfold and adoring looks smother him from younger students. He quickly flashed a smile and received a few fan-girl squeals before looking toward the Slytherin table. As usual his stuck up family flashed him death glares, but he wasn't worried about them. They would be happy as soon as Regulus joined their ranks. There was no denying the little weasel had Slytherin blood flowing through his veins.
"Snivillus is watching Evans," muttered James crossly, glaring threateningly at a small greasy looking kid who sat at the end of the Slytherin table.
"You know they were friends before they came to Hogwarts," commented Remus warily, knowing this was a touchy subject.
"Yeah, key word being were," he replied with an evil grin.
"And Evans will hate you for the rest of your life," added Sirius confidently, "You don't try to take a girl's best friend from her, even if he is a slimy little pest."
"Then what should I do, oh all-knowing one?"
The boys shared a laugh at this joke. Even Sirius, who was slightly offended, joined in with the laughter. They each had a specialty in knowledge: Remus with books, James with Quittich, himself with girls, and Peter, well, he had all the unnecessary information that no one really cared about. With all their combined knowledge the boys got along in school just fine. Sirius was about to explain his reasoning when the large door to the Great Hall opened with a loud groan.
The new first-year students filed in behind Professor McGonagall, a middle aged witch who wore dark green robes and a matching witch's hat. To Sirius she was the perfect description of a witch physically and as far as her attitude. She was strict and was forever catching him and his friends in the middle of their pranks, although, several times she did let them off the hook. As the traveling group neared the front of the state, everyone else watched as Professor McGonagall put the famous but ragged Sorting Hat onto a wooden stool. An eerie silence filled the hall as a seam ripped in the hat and it began to speak.
"From time to time and day to day
We are given a path to choose our way.
Down only one path you may choose
But remember that you choose your doom.
Whether through smarts you choose your path
And clad yourself with logic's sash.
Or maybe by thy holy courage
Is where you rest thy lonely homage.
Could it be by friend you are surrounded
And could be by pressure hounded.
Or by tricks you find your trade
And lies are of what you are made.
But from time to time and day to day
We are given a path to choose our way.
Down only one path you may choose
But remember you choose your doom."
Everyone in the Great Hall exploded into cheers, but Sirius sat there looking at the hat rather stunned. He slowly looked at James who tilted his head quizzically.
"What wrong, mate?" he asked softly.
"His speech was rather...dark this year," he answered looking back at the stool and hat.
"Maybe he just wanted a different twist this year," assured James and Sirius slowly nodded and Professor McGonagall stood to start the sorting.
"When I call your name, come forward and I will put the hat on your head to be sorted into your house," she paused before continuing, "Natalie Aarons."
A rather small girl timidly stepped forward fingering her braid that fell neatly over her shoulder. She slowly looked around at the large group, her eyes wide behind small glasses.
"I'm guessing Ravenclaw," murmured James and Sirius nodded in agreement.
"Nope, Hufflepuff," comment Remus not looking up.
"Want to bet Bertie Botts? For everyone wrong we got to eat one of the odd ones," ventured Sirius.
James beamed and nodded in agreement while Remus grabbed a loose piece of parchment and jotted down their names.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Sirius and James both stopped, looking at Remus who had a playful smirk on his face.
"How did you know that?" asked James.
"Her parents are Louisa and Benjamin Aarons, people who work with my dad. They both were in Hufflepuff and donate tons of money to the house every year," he answered nodding toward the Hufflepuff table where Natalie was getting warm greetings.
This game kept going with each boy occasionally guessing a wrong house. They had finally gotten through all the A's and started on the B's when Sirius heard his last name called.
"Regulus Black."
Soft murmurs filled the Great Hall as the cocky boy made his way up to the stool. Sirius' eyes narrowed slightly as his brother's blue eyes got covered by the sorting hat.
"Defiantly Slytherin," growled Sirius.
"I'm willing to say Ravenclaw," said Remus glancing at Sirius, who was holding back a barking laugh.
"He would jump off the Astronomy tower if that happened."
They all turned their attention back to the event before them. Everything had grown really quiet at the hat's hesitation and Regulus had grown a look of fury on his face. Sirius swallowed as the hat finally opened its seam.
"SLYTHERIN!"
The Slytherin table erupted into cheers and Sirius rolled his eyes as his brother flashed a smile before walking over to join their family. Sirius looked toward Jessica to see how she was doing. She looked a little nervous but only he could really tell. To anyone else she looked ready and confident, like a true Gryffindor.
The game continued between the boys and it soon became very boring. Students were easy to read and also by the way tables reacted to names gave everything away. Sirius had started entertaining himself with throwing bits of napkin at the back of Peter's head. He was caught off guard when McGonagall started calling out names again.
"Jessica Lupin."
All the boys sat up, watching as Jessica slowly stepped forward and sat on the stool. With just a slight nod they all agreed that she would end up in Gryffindor. As she looked that way Sirius gave her confident wink as the hat hovered an inch above her head.
"SLYTHERIN!"
The Great Hall was silent. Even Professor McGonagall looked startled. Sirius stared at Jessica unbelieving, his breath caught in his throat. Jessica looked from the Slytherin table to the boys, panic in her eyes. Finally Professor McGonagall move to put a hand on her shoulder, but Jessica scrambled up and took off, shoving through the other first years to the back door. No one made a sound until the door was closed.
"There has to be a mistake!" screeched Bellatrix, Sirius' cousin, standing up, "No Half-blood like her is pure enough-"
"Don't talk about her like that!" roared Sirius standing up, Peter grabbing his arm trying to pull him back down, "She's a better witch than any of you are!"
That got an uproar going. Slytherins started yelling at him and Gryffindor's quickly jumped to his aid. Several of the professors stepped between the houses but the yelling only got worse.
"SILENCE!" yelled a booming voice from the professors' table. Everyone grew quiet looking that way. Sirius stood shaking, pulling his arm away from Peter and some other boys' grasp.
"Everyone return to your seats so we may continue with the sorting," said Professor Dumbledore.
Everyone went back except for Sirius.
"Professor Dumbledore, you know something is wrong here," pleaded Sirius.
"Sirius," replied the aging man looking at him, "there is nothing I can do."
Sirius swallowed and hurried out of the Great Hall to find Jessica. He quickly looked around and then heard the quiet sobbing. Walking down the corridor and stopping around the corner, he found Jessica curled up her head digging into her knees. He slowly walked over and sat beside her, pulling her into a tight hug.
They both sat in silence for a long time, Jessica crying into Sirius' shirt and Sirius quietly stroking her hair. He wasn't sure what to tell her. He couldn't fix this or make anyone change this. He felt helpless as he looked down at her quivering figure. Sirius stopped as she slowly lifted her head.
"He's going to hate me, Sirius," she murmured, swallowing hard and looking at him, tears still flooding her cheeks.
"Who?" he asked confused.
"Remus. He hates Slytherin. He told me himself. He'll hate me, Sirius, I just know it. And nothing I do will ever-"
"Jess, calm down," interrupted Sirius.
Jessica fell quiet looking at him. Sirius tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and gently wiped away a tear.
"He's your brother. He won't ever hate you," he assured looking deep into her hazel eyes,
"What about you? I know you hate your family and they are all Slytherin."
Sirius chuckled, shaking his head slightly and promised, "Nothing that you ever do will make me hate you."
Jessica fell quiet and hugged Sirius again, just clinging to him. Sirius held her close and began stroking her hair again. His promise played over and over again in his head. As the sounds of the feast in the Great Hall reached them, Sirius held her closer and closed his eyes, resting his chin on her head...
Sirius sat quietly beside the trunk with the pictures spread out around him. The sorting kept playing over and over in his mind. He wanted it to go away. He didn't want to remember that night. He didn't want to remember Jessica's tears falling into his shirt. He didn't want to remember anything that happened that night.
"Sirius? You okay up here?" asked Remus coming to the door.
"Yeah, just thinking," he answered, looking up gathering the pictures together quickly.
"I've got supper ready downstairs if you're hungry," ventured Remus.
"When am I not hungry, Moony?"
Both men laughed as Sirius got up and joined Remus downstairs. They sat at the kitchen island discussing what Remus had found out looking through the folders, but Sirius was interested in who had recently gone missing and who had been found dead, not that he didn't care about the people; it was just that he was a little more curious about that trunk.
"Moony, we haven't gone to see Jess in a while," he murmured, casting a sideways look at his friend.
Remus stopped and got really quiet fiddling with the rest of his food. Sirius waited for a response with his breath held.
"I've been busy. Plus, Dumbledore doesn't want you-"
"Don't use Dumbledore as an excuse, Remus," interrupted Sirius, "Anyway, I can roam around as a dog. It's not like I haven't done it before."
Remus grew quiet and grabbed their empty dishes, taking them to the sink. Sirius watched him and could tell that the mention of his sister had hit a sore spot. Sirius took another sip of his fire whiskey and leaned back in his chair.
"You can't avoid her forever, mate," he murmured.
"I'm not trying to. It's just awkward, Sirius."
"How? She's your sister. She adored you. She-"
"I never got to apologize, Sirius!" snapped Remus, turning to face him.
Sirius fell quiet looking at him. Never had he seen Remus explode like that. Not over Jessica.
"I never got to say goodbye or apologize. By the time I got there she was gone," he murmured, his temper dying.
"We could go now."
Remus looked at him and sighed shaking his head. Sirius looked away disappointed and started messing with the chipping counter.
"Why are you so focused on Jessica anyway? She's been gone for years," asked Remus looking at him again.
Sirius was quiet for a minute before looking at him, not sure he wanted to say what he had to.
"It's Jessica's trunk, Remus."