The full moon was just two days before my birthday, and nothing hurt more than knowing what it was, and how Eli wanted me on that damned hill under the moon light. I had seen Sirius in the hallways, seemingly always catching his eye. Every time I would turn and walk the opposite way, or just be fast enough to get through the crowd and him get stuck behind others.
I got through dinner, and walked out into the field to lay flat on my back. I laid there for hours, hearing people in a far off distance as they went to bed. I went unnoticed and in the deep darkness I heard howling. I stayed where I was and out of nowhere a big black dog showed up. He seemed to be confused to see me and then he walked up and woofed at me.
"Am I in your spot?" I asked it and when I heard the howl again the dog put it's ears back and I smiled. "What's wrong girl?" The thing was well groomed and with it's ears down and it's big eyes, there was no doubt that it was a girl.
That was until it growled at the term and went toward the other side of me and showed off it's... gender.
"Must be something among the male species that hate being mistaken for what they aren't." I whispered on a gentle laugh thinking back to Sirius Black. "What are you doing here any way?" I asked the boy and I noticed how he seemed to look around into the woods. "I don't know how hungry you are... but I am not going in there with you." I told him and he looked back at me.
He took a stance and looked from me to the castle and I just laid back down. But then he took to nudging my foot.
"No! I am staying here. I have a right to do so." I told him and crossed my legs and bopped him on the nose as he bumped me again and he took to moving up my legs until he was near my hands and I pushed him away again. "What?" I asked before sighing and getting up. "Fine. I will move." I said before going to the left, which did put me closer to the other side of the woods and he rushed in front of me and stopped me. "What now?" I asked him and crossed my arms. "Oh why am I asking you. Can't even talk the stupid mongrel." I ground out before turning around and going to sit.
But then I heard the howl, and it sounded a lot closer. I looked into the forest and saw a deer trotting to the castle and I looked to the dog who didn't seem to notice at all. I thought he was cute, but the antlers were dangerous. I sat there, ignoring the dogs prodding and watched the Stag move about before he made some sort of noise and counted his hoof and I knew something was about to happen.
He started to run at me, and I screamed and turned and knocked into the dog before grabbing at him and pulling it along until he go free and barked at the stag. They seemed to fight before another howl went through the air and they both turned to look at me. The dog ran at me and the Stag went off into another direction. The dog snagged my robes and started to drag me until we were heading upstairs and it seemed to get me into the castle before turning and taking off.
I continued into the castle though, not wanting that deer to charge me again. I ran to the Slytherin common rooms and decided that I should get things prepared for my brothers birthday present. I wrapped it, wrote out a letter about what had happened this full moon and how I was almost mauled by the deer and how a dog basically saved me.
I put it to the side and happily went up to the owlery the next morning and sent it off. I was still up there when I felt someone behind me. I turned and spotted Remus. "Early morning mail?" He asked and I noticed how tired he looked.
"Yeah. Are you okay? You look positively exhausted. Did you hear all the howling last night as well?" I asked and he looked shocked before nodding.
"Yeah, that's why I didn't sleep." he told me and I nodded.
"Well be careful... last night I was out looking at the moon... and a deer tried to charge me. Strange it made it's way into the campus with the wolf hanging around. And I guess someone lost their dog too. Kind of scared the Stag away last night." I told Remus and he looked almost amused and then nodded.
"You be careful as well. Maybe no more full moon nights. I hear the Muggles say that is when the crazy people come out to play." He laughed lightly and I smiled.
"Get some rest Remus. It's Saturday." I told him before going down the stairs. I stopped when I saw Sirius and looked both ways before he stopped right in front of me.
"So as I hear it, the name is Riley?" He asked me and I nodded before trying to go around him. "And what do you like to do?"
"Avoid people who hate Slytherin house for no good reason except for their own personal reasons with certain people. Just because I am in Slytherin doesn't mean I am anything like you know who!" I shouted at him kind of going off what I should have said but it gave me a relief as he paused and I went around him.
"That's not why I was asking." He said trying to keep up with me.
"Then please tell me what you wanted from me Sirius? Last time I made a mistake you shouted at me and insulted me House." I said and turned the corner before he was ready and he tried to keep up yet again.
"I meant what I meant. I want to know what you like to do for fun." He stated and I just blurted out the first things that came to mind.
"I like dogs. I like laying out under the full moon and I like being left alone by stuck up Gryffindor boys." I stated and walked in the great hall and looked around before spotting James and Lily, she looked ready to smack him. But she just turned and left him standing there and I saw him run a hand through his hair. Looking rather pissed with himself. "Looks like your friend needs you. Go bother him with your questions." I told Sirius as he grabbed my arm to stop me. He looked to James and I pulled away from him.
I got to my usual area of eating and watched out of the corner of my eye I saw Sirius look from me to James and then taking off in his direction. He chose to sit across from me and kept trying to get my attention, but once I was done not only had Peter joined them but Remus had just walked past me and gave me a small smile.
I got outside and walked back to the common rooms before I realized I was to meet with Lily and Severus in a little over two hours.
I got cleaned up from last night, put a slight curl to my hair and moved to get the best clothes on as I walked around.
Before I could even get to the two we were all ordered to the Great Hall and when we walked in everyone was standing, waiting around and I knew someone was watching me as I stood near the middle and left wall. I looked around and spotted Sirius walking towards me and he was just in front of me when Dumbledore entered and asked everyone to listen up.
"I know it is Saturday, and the last thing you all want to do is hear about classes, but as a school we have to band together in this dark time. We have to prepare those going out into the world as best as we can. Therefore, all 5th through 7th years will now have double Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, as well as Charms. Quiet!" He called out when people started to whisper and I made eye contact with Sirius for a moment.
"Slytherins will always have doubles with Gryffindors, which leave the Ravenclaws with Hufflepuffs. This term only. We might switch it up after Christmas holiday. However we need to get this going now, so you all have to band together, no more pranks, no more fights. The only hexs and curses will be in class, dueling and learning." He called out and I waited for Sirius to say something. But he had no objections.
He went on to tell us about last night events, about the progress the dark lord was making and it seemed like Sirius was getting antsy. He turned and started to look around and when he spotted what he wanted he started to move closer. I blew out a breath and watched as he made it to Regulus.
At least he will always know if his brother is safe. They go to the same school still.
