Chapter 3- She Has No Time

"You say your days are ordinary,

And no one ever thinks about you.

But we're all the same,

And she can hardly breathe without you."

-Keane's "She Has No Time"

He liked it here. It was content. Sirius was happy and they weren't fighting. He didn't have to think about whether Sirius and James would leave him to go prank someone. It was just Remus and Sirius. Remus enjoyed that.

That was what was zooming through Remus's head the morning that they were to learn of their jobs.

He sat in his bed with his head slouched against the headboard. Sirius was snoring loudly in the bed next to him. He glanced over and saw one massive lump.

With a sigh, he got out of bed and crossed to the dresser. He pulled on a pair of pants and a t-shirt. He snatched up the letter he had written to his mother and walked out the door leaving Sirius snoozing behind.

He knew his mother was worrying, after all, it was nearing a full moon. She was probably scared that he'd attack the whole hotel. There was also an aching feeling in his stomach that needed to be filled with chocolate.

Back in the room, Sirius vaguely heard a shuffle at the door. He grunted but ignored it. Just as he was about to fall asleep again saw the rims of light on the sides of the pillow.

"Remus," he muttered. "What is Merlin's na-"

"Oh! Wow- uh sorry- uh," he heard a voice say that was definitely too feminine to be Remus's. He glanced up, one eye snapped shut and his other one covered with his hair. Nope, definitely not Remus.

The girl shook her head, "I'm sorry. I didn't realize- You see, I'm supposed to make the beds-"

"With people still in them?" he muttered. He reached over, snatched his pocket-watch. Upon seeing the time, he sighed. Sirius turned in the bed and gave a small smile at the girl.

She was standing there, holding a pillow and biting her lip, her eyes on her feet. She was rather pretty in her dark jean shorts and her white button up shirt over a bathing suit. Her hair was pulled back at the nape of her neck.

"You work here?" he asked, sitting up, knocking his hair out of his eyes.

She nodded, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "Yeah... yeah."

He smiled, "Me, too."

She paused, her smile falling a little, "Liar."

He laughed as he sat up, "Nice meeting you, too."

"How come we haven't met, then?"

He shrugged, "I don't know. How come we haven't met?"

She peered at him cautiously and yet playfully, "What do you do here?"

He paused and thought a second, "I'm not sure yet. We learn today. I mean, Jan is supposed to tell us today."

"We?"

"My friend," he said, getting out of the bed. "Remus. We're working here for the summer."

"Oh! Yes, now I know. I met him."

"When?" Sirius wondered aloud. They'd been together the whole time.

She paused, "Two days ago. At the front desk. He was very quiet."

"That he is," Sirius said, stretching. "Quiet, smart and chocolate loving. Yup, that's Remus."

She smiled. She had particularly nice teeth. She glanced down at the already made bed on the other side of her.

"And he makes beds?"

"And he makes beds," Sirius agreed.

She laughed (it was a rich sound, he observed) and moved to make the bed.

"No," Sirius said. "I can make my bed too. Let me do it."

"I really don't mind," she smiled. He stared at her across the bed. "It is my job."

"Then let me help," he insisted. She nodded, faintly.

Sirius pulled the sheet tight over the mattress and she watched a moment.

"I'm Sylvia" she said. He straightened. They both leaned over the edge of the mattress to shake hands.

"Sirius Black."

Her hands her not as soft as he would have thought. His were not as rough as she would have thought.

"Black..." she paused. "Where have I heard that name?"

He shrugged, "It's as common as White or Smith, in my opinion."

She smiled, "I mean like at school."

They were both silent as he folded the covers over and she fluffed the pillow.

"Oh!" she said, suddenly. "I know! You're a pure blood. One of the last."

He swallowed but nodded, "Yeah. Those are the lovely Blacks."

"But we learned about you in particular," she said.

"Wait, what?" Sirius asked, suddenly alarmed.

"You. We learned about you in-"

"You studied me?" he said. "At your school?"

She laughed, "Well, we studied the living pure bloods one day in class. That name came up."

"My name?" he asked.

"Yes," she nodded. "Sirius Black. You were supposed to be Syltherin like your family, isn't that right? But you got Gryffindor. Or was it Ravenclaw? Those houses always confused me."

"You studied me?" he mumbled. "In your school? Where do you go- Beauxbatons?"

She nodded.

"Do you study all the Hogwarts students? Do we all have our own little profiles?"

She smiled, "Of course not. You're name just came up."

He sank to the bed, "This is bizarre."

She laughed and sat next to him, "It's not like you're famous or anything. It's just a mention."

"It's still weird," he mumbled, smiling.

She grinned a little.

"So, you go to Beauxbatons?" he asked. "Little French school girl?"

She nodded, "Yes. That's where learned about you."

They both laughed but he shook his head sarcastically, "Haha."

She smiled and slid her hand under her hair.

"What are you doing here, Mademoiselle Sylvia?" he asked.

She nodded, "Working. And you, Monsieur Sirius?"

"Working," he nodded, solemnly. "Very hard."

"I can see that," they both relaxed a bit. They went from just meeting, to being acquainted.

"How did you wind up here?" he asked. "I mean, it's not like working at a boarding home for the summer is a common pass time."

"Point taken. Well," she said. "I work here during the summer because I live here during the summer and that is how I pay for it."

"Why do you live here?"

"Do you start all your conversations like this?" she asked, in a tone that he couldn't tell was shocked or charmed.

"What, you mean eight in the morning, wearing pajamas and without proper introductions?"

"Precisely."

"No, but as frequently as I can."

She laughed loudly this time, "Well, how about I tell you all of it at a normal time."

"Why not now?" he asked, somewhat surprised.

"You seemed to be very caught up in your activity before I entered."

"Sleeping?" he asked. "Oh, hardly. In fact, I wasn't sleeping, I was sniffing the pillow."

"Oh, I see," she nodded. "But I must insist. I have to finish the beds."

He shrugged, "But some other time?"

She smiled, "Surely."

"Promise?"

"Vow it."

"Alright, Mademoiselle Sylvia," he said, standing and offering her the pillows. She nodded and took his hand, shaking it.

"Wonderful meeting you, Monsieur Black."

"Like wise."

She smiled at him a moment and he glanced at the ring on her hand. It was ruby red set in gold. She followed his gaze before gently tugging her hand away.

"Until we meet again."

He watched her walk out. He waited thirty seconds after she closed the door before he fell back onto his bed and let out a heavy sigh.

"Can you cook?"

"No."

"Garden?"

"Not really."

"Fix things?"

"Uh, no, but we can break them."

"Can you read, even?" Jan asked, perplexed. She, Remus and Sirius had been going over their "talents" but were coming up short.

"On my good days," Sirius smiled, teeth and all.

They were seated in her office. There were portraits hanging on the wooden walls and small trinkets everywhere. She had mentioned they were gifts from traveling wizards and witches.

"Can either of you do anything without magic?" she asked.

"I can cook a little," Remus said. "I can clean."

"I'm wonderful with people!" Sirius said.

She sighed, "Remus, I want you to do different things. Namely, clean the pool, water the plants and help our other worker, Sylvia. Have you met Sylvia?"

"Yes, b-"

"Good. She'll tell you what to do," she turned her eyes to Sirius. "As for you. Seeing how you are so 'wonderful with people', I'm going to set you up at the front with Pierre. The summer rush will be coming soon so you both will have to start working very hard. We do have part-time workers that will drift in and out during the summer. You will be only working during the day unless I tell you otherwise, and you will receive one thirty minutes lunch break during the day. Do you have any questions?"

Sirius glanced at Remus only half a second before nodding, "When do we start?"

She gestured to the door, "Now. Sirius, go find Pierre. He'll show you what to do. Remus, I would like a word with you."

Sirius smiled, though Remus could tell he was alarmed. He nodded to Jan, "Thank you, again."

"Yes, of course, close the door on your way out."

After Sirius was gone, Jan turned her attention on Remus. She was a powerful looking woman with sandy hair and gleaming eyes. She smiled.

"I was notified that you have a condition."

He paused and thought a moment, "Condition?"

"Yes. One that should be coming into effect soon."

Realization hit Remus like a train.

"Oh. That."

"Yes, Remus. That," she smiled. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about. I myself was friends with a werewolf when I was younger. He was one of the kindest people I knew. Everyone loved him."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, it-"

"Dumbledore informed me last night. He thought I would find the knowledge valuable."

He nodded, "I thought I could take care of it. I mean, I can. Especially with Sirius's..."

But he trailed off. He was going to say "help" but then she might ask questions. Learning that Sirius was an unregistered animagus could lead to an fathomable amount of trouble for not only both of them but also James, Peter and even Dumbledore.

"Sirius's?" Jan questioned.

"Support," he finished.

"Support?"

"Support," he reassured.

"I see," she smiled.

"Yeah," Remus nodded.

"Well," she said. "I've arranged a room for you to... stay whenever you need to."

Remus nodded faintly. She smiled sadly, "It's hard."

"What?"

"Being different."

"Yes. But, you know, everyone's... different. At least that's what we're all told growing up."

"Yes, but we're also told that good always triumphs over evil. And that's just a lie."

Remus finally looked up. He finally stopped staring at his toes and looked her in the face.

It was expecting him.

"Go on. Sylvia's waiting for you."

Remus watched her, coldly. Finally, he stood up and moved towards the door.

He paused, his hand lingering on the handle. He turned his head to the side, barely looking over his shoulder, "May I ask a question?"

"Certainly."

"What... whatever happened to your friend? The werewolf? Did he grow up and get married with kids and stuff?"

She didn't speak for a long minute. He was about to repeat the question but turned to fully looked at her. Her hard eyes told him exactly what happened to him. She didn't even have to say it, but she did.

"He died."

"Since we're going to be working together, I think you should talk," Sylvia, his coworker said three hours later. He glanced up at her. She was standing at the edge of the pool, leaning on a bug net pole. She was wearing a pair of jean shorts and a bathing suit, much like she had been wearing the first time he has seen her. She was looking at him expectantly.

"I could," he nodded. He looked around him at the empty pool. They had drained it and were cleaning it in preparation for the crowd that was to come. "But why ruin the lovely mood?"

She relaxed against the pole and smiled, "I met your friend today, you know. He was a real-"

"I know," Remus smiled, hosing down the sides. "You don't even have to say it."

She watched him clean the pool. He wore khaki brown pants and green t-shirt. He looked extremely worn.

"Who are you guys?" she asked, laying down the pole. "At school, I mean. What's your group?"

"You don't seem like a clique-y girl," he mumbled.

"I heard that," she called, steadying herself before hopping into the deep end of the pool next to him. He smiled.

He would have liked to think he wasn't talking because he was thinking about what Jan had said or about his new job. But it was all because he didn't know what to say to the prettiest girl that he had ever seen.

"Answer the question," she said, taking the hose from him. He watched her.

"We're..." he thought. "Sirius is the most popular kid in the entire school. Every boy wants to kill him for it while secretly wanting to be him."

Sylvia laughed, "And every girl wants him?"

Remus scratched his nose, "I would say that, but you see every girl's had him."

She laughed loudly and aim the hose at his feet. He jumped back and she raised an eyebrow, "Scared of a bit of water?"

"No," he smiled.

Her eyes were on him but she aimed back at the pool, "So what about you? If he's the most popular boy in school, are you the second?"

Remus thought of how strange a statement that was.

"No," he said again. "Not at all. James is. Potter. James Potter. And Lily Evans is the most popular girl."

"Is Lily Sirius's girlfriend?" she asked, staring hard at the wall. "Usually, those things go together."

"It's James and Lily. They're..." he thought. "Together."

"Are they your friends, too?"

"Yeah," he said, kicking his toe against the ground. "James and Sirius are best friends. They do everything together."

"They're not together right now," she observed. "Unless there's another one of you hiding about."

He realized her point. It was him here, not James.

He went on.

"And Lily's great. She's nice and really smart and the prettiest girl in school."

"Not a snob?" Sylvia asked.

"Not at all."

"Let me guess," she smiled. "James is the all around great guy. Pretty smart, great at flying, gets the girl."

"Right," he said, leaving out how long it actually look for him to get the girl.

"Lily is loved by all, especially the teachers."

"Yup."

"Sirius is the bad boy. Spends his time beating up small first-years, snogging any girl he can find and sleeping during class."

Lupin smiled at her and she grinned over her shoulder, "Thought so."

"Pardon moi, but I do not only beat up first-years, I do not snog every girl and I stay awake every once in a while," a voice called from above them.

They both spun around to see Sirius standing there wearing his droopy jeans and gray t-shirt. His black hair seemed to permanently fall in his eyes. His arms were crossed.

Sylvia laughed, "Didn't you ever learn it's not nice to eavesdrop?"

"And didn't you ever learn it's not nice to talk about other's behind their back?"

"Well," she said, dropping the hose and crossing her own arms, "If it makes you feel any better, I would have said it to your face anyway."

His face was drawn a moment before he laughed, "I've been sent to call you to lunch."

Sylvia's face fell a moment and she glanced at Remus and then the hose, "I don't think that is possible."

"Why not?" Remus asked. He was quite hungry.

"Because I was the one who was supposed to fix it."

Sirius laughed and Remus smiled.

"I think Pierre figured. He's in there making sandwiches."

Sylvia shuddered, "Oh, Merlin. I'm sorry in advance for Pierre's terrible food."

Remus smiled and they moved to the stairs in the pool. They walked up and washed their hands at the hose.

The sight that met their eyes in the kitchen was not pretty. Pierre had every food from the cabinet lying out on the table. He had a slab of peanut butter on his nose.

Sylvia started giggling on at the sight. She tried to stop and hide it. She covered her mouth and turned away. Her shoulders bounced in laughter. Pierre glared at her, sarcastically.

"Something funny?" he asked.

"Um, well, you see, Pierre," she said. "You've got something on your nose."

He glanced down at the dish he had out and his face was reflected. He scoffed.

"Don't worry about it, Pierre," Sirius said, coming up next to him and clapping him on the back. "Not everyone is a natural cook. Why, look at Moony here."

"Excuse me," Remus said. "I am a fine cook."

"Sure," Sirius grinned. "Compared to a blinded five year old."

"Why 'Moony'?" she asked of Remus's name.

Remus opened his mouth to speak but then actually thought of the answer. He cleared his throat and tried to think up an excuse up Sirius beat him to it.

"His eyes," Sirius said, his brow slightly furrowed. "They look like moons."

Both Sylvia and Remus were watching him but Pierre was slicing bread.

Sylvia watched both of them a second before turning to Pierre. She wiped the substance off his nose.

"Pierre, make reservations," she said. "We're going out tonight. I think Moony and Sirius should learn the city."

"Nice safe back there."

"Thanks."

"I mean it, really. I appreciate it. I-"

"Got it, Moony. You're thankful," Sirius snapped as they set out plates. Sylvia was in the bathroom and Pierre was seeing to a customer.

"Did you write your mother?" Sirius asked after a pause.

"Yeah. Did you write James?"

"Yeah."

Sirius dropped a cup. It luckily didn't shatter.

"So, what are you going to do here?" Remus asked.

"Helping Pierre with guests and such. I'm supposed to charm," he grinned, despite himself.

"I clean pools and you charm," he said, getting out another glass. "How appropriate."

They were silent for a minute but Remus knew what he had said amused Sirius. His next comment caught Remus off guard.

"What did you and Jan talk about?" he asked rudely.

Remus opened his mouth but shut it. He thought a moment.

"My condition."

"Oh," he said. He went on straightening plates. "And?"

"She's going to let me use this basement for, you know."

"Yeah."

"She knows that you know. But-"

"Not the Animagus?" Sirius hissed.

"No! I'm not a moron," Remus said. "But this means you can't help. It would be-"

"Suspicious."

"Yes," Remus said, fiddling with a fork.

"Yeah."

"Best if I take care of it myself," Remus nodded after a pause.

"Well," Sirius grinned. "If you ever need a lending paw..."

"Francis?"

"Yes, dear?"

"There's an owl at the kitchen window!"

"Oh, blessed be! It's Remus!" the woman cried, scurrying to the window. She let the owl in with a pat and snatched the letter. After a moment of silence, she smiled.

"Darling, he says he's fine."

"Well, that's spiffing," he said, watching the television screen. "All's well with everything?"

She was silent a moment before she squealed, "Oh, yes. Every Everything is wonderful."

"Splendid! Splendid. It's good for the boy. By the way, Francis, what did you make for the pot luck tonight?"

"Spinach casserole."

"Splendid."