A/N: The time period has changed from this chapter to the prelude. Obviously =]. We're in The Marauder's 6th year at Hogwarts, but I'll reveal that in the chapter as well.
Disclaimer: Gred and Feorge are definitely mine. Otherwise, I can't say I own Harry Potter or any of the characters.
"James, look at her mate, she's gorgeous."
James Potter begrudgingly looked away from Lily Evans to stare blatantly at his best friend. "I'll look later, mate. I'm a little busy here."
Lily replied to this by raising her eyebrows at James. "You're a little busy?"
"You know what I mean, love." James assured her smoothly.
"But she's so amazing." Sirius cooed to himself. "How can anyone not want that? Know what I mean, Prongs?"
"Yeah, I know what you mean." James agreed absentmindedly.
Lily grabbed James hand, which had been in the process of pulling her in for a kiss. "You know what he means, do you?"
James shook his head frantically. "Of course I don't. Don't be like that."
"Be like what?" Lily fired back with ferocity in her voice.
"C'mon, Evans. Don't ruin the moment." James teased. Trying to apply a smooth charm, he began to pull her back in for the desired kiss.
"Go to hell, Potter." She replied with a punch in the arm. Shooting him a glare she rose and stalked off away from the group.
"Damn you, Sirius." James hissed as he got up. "Evans! Come back!" He called as he began to follow after Lily.
Sirius didn't even both looking up at him. Lately, Sirius Black had eyes for only one person and James Potter just didn't have the anatomy to claim that position.
It was a warm spring day that found Sirius, Remus, Peter, and until recently, James and Lily relaxing under a large tree close to the lake. Winter had just broken, the grounds rid itself of frost, and students had rushed to get outside.
Most sixth and seventh years could be found avidly studying, the pressure of their upcoming N.E.W.T.S mounting. Remus and Peter were two such students, Remus his book in hand, Peter frantically quizzing himself. Sirius, however, wasn't too concerned about tests or anything else really. All he had on his mind was one girl.
"She's gorgeous isn't she, Moony?"
Her name was Isadora Torrent.
Lupin looked up for a moment, surveyed her quickly, and then went back to his book. "She reminds me a little of a lion."
Truth be told, he had a point with that one. Isadora had a deep, honey blonde mane of hair, liquid gold eyes, and naturally tan skin. She often let her hair flow out behind her, not wasting the effort it would take to tame it. Inside, it would lay fairly straight but outside, in the breeze, it became a gushing waterfall of unruly honey colored waves behind her.
"A lion?" Sirius asked incredulously, "Moony, she looks like a goddess!"
"Well," Remus replied in lofty tones, "She certainly doesn't seem to be too concerned with upcoming tests."
Again, Lupin made another point. Currently, Isadora wouldn't be found any where close to a book, much like Sirius. At the moment she was sprawled out on the grass under some shade, her eyes closed and a content look decorating her features.
"Moony," Peter finally piped up, "you of all people should know she has some of the top grades in our level."
"There you go," Sirius announced triumphantly, "a lion that has better grades than a werewolf."
Remus' eyes flashed dangerously, "Padfoot, need I remind you that I have some of the top grades in our level as well. At least I will if some people let me study." He put an extra emphasis and growl on the last three words.
"Aw, don't listen to old Moony," Peter sniveled as he moved closer to Sirius. "He's just stressed about end of year testing."
Sirius gave a shrug of agreement.
"So, you think you can get with her?" Peter asked in a wheezy, excited voice.
Young, dark, and attractive, the last thing Sirius Black had to worry about was dating. There were plenty of girls in his house and others that'd be eager to date Sirius. But for some reason, Sirius seemed to find that Isadora had the infuriating habit of not noticing him. Needless to say, it drove him absolutely insane.
There were few around Hogwarts that didn't know or admire the prankster sixth years James Potter and Sirius Black. Everyone loved James for his Quidditch skills, Sirius for his humor and attitude. Of course, it didn't hinder either of them that they were both attractive, James in his way and Sirius in his own. Yet, despite years of being in the same house, Isadora didn't appear to have the least bit of knowledge either of them existed. Sirius had yet to figure out how to fix this problem.
"Of course I can." Sirius said as though Peter were ridiculous for even suggesting that he couldn't. "It's just going to be trickier with this one."
"For God's sake, Padfoot!" Remus suddenly interjected, "I know you're a dog but she's not a piece of meat. If you want to date her, go talk to her! Don't just sit here licking your chops."
"Well fine!" Sirius shot back rather indignantly. "Just watch me!"
Sirius hoisted himself upward with a dog like snarl. Before he knew it, he was storming across the grounds to where Isadora lay. It occurred to him that it might not be best to disturb her while she was seemingly napping but it was far too late to return. Moony would never let him forget it.
"Hello, Isadora," Sirius said, kneeling down on the grass next to her, "I'm Sirius Black."
She opened one eye to slightly glare at him, "I know." She said coolly.
Sirius was mildly taken aback by her response, but no less pleased at the answer.
"I was wondering if maybe you'd like to meet me sometime later this week. We could talk and get to know each other a little better." Sirius said in his most charming voice.
Isadora sat up, surveying Sirius very slowly. She moved closer to Sirius, peering straight into his eyes.
"No." she finally said.
"W-what?" Sirius asked, a little thrown off guard.
"I don't think so." She restated.
"Why not?"
"Well," she threw him a small smile, "You're cute, but you're not my type."
"I bet I could be." Sirius contradicted.
"I don't want what a person could be." She told him simply, "I want what a person is."
Sirius knew that she was shutting him down but he couldn't help feeling attracted to her. She sounded so comfortable, so assured.
"Is there something I can do to change your mind?" he asked, grasping at a final straw.
"We'll see." She said giving him another coy smile.
With that, she stood up and walked away. Sirius watched in slight awe, not sure how he should react. Suddenly she turned around, waving in his direction. Sirius felt himself turn slightly pink as he raised his hand to wave back.
