Chapter Four

Sitting at the table for tea, Larissa was surrounded by watchful eyes as she popped two white tablets from a gold case in her purse. Feeling slightly like the star in a freak show, she leaned into Sirius and whispered, "aren't you going to introduce me?"

Snapping out of his reflective trance, Sirius turned to the table and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Family," he started, "this is my dear sister Larissa."

The room remained silent as they had no idea how to interpret the words that just came from his mouth. He smiled, "alright then, let's start from the top. To my left, we have Arthur and Molly Weasley; they are responsible for all the gingers at the table. You know Remus – quite well – and his wife Nympho. Next are George and his very pregnant wife Angelina. Beside her is his twin brother Fred. The two boys run a successful joke shop in Diagon Alley. The gorgeous brunette at the end is Hermione, and beside her is her dopey husband Ron. Ginny is the enchanting woman next to Harry – the one you sensed earlier – and then we're back to me."

Larissa burst out laughing when Sirius had finished his rant, which he had accomplished all in one breath, as the deadpan faces on each of them were priceless. "Sirius I adore you" she said, wiping a cheerful tear from her eye. "I'm sorry for my laughter, but you should have seen your faces. I'm sure I will learn my own favourite things about you during my stay. Besides, I can tell none of you have the slightest clue who I am."

Just then, a very tired and dishevelled-looking blond trudged into the kitchen and sat on Fred's lap, burying her head in his neck. Larissa watched as different looks of annoyance passed across the faces of her company; but Ron was the only one who looked nervous; his once freckled cheeks had almost become transparent. She flashed him a cheeky wink and his embarrassment brought a little colour back.

"Blimey, thanks for finally joining the human world" mocked Sirius.

"This your secret call-girl then?" she snapped back, motioning her head towards Larissa; she did not believe for a second that Sirius could bed such a goddess.

"Well that's one way to describe me," quipped the vampire. With a smile, she turned to her brother and sarcastically said, "by the way dear, I am charging you extra for making me drive all the way out here. No matter how hard you tie me up and make me scream – I still get paid," loud enough for the table to hear, and finished her speech by licking the outer edge of Sirius' ear. The room erupted in scoffs as Lavender's jaw could not go any lower, and Sirius was sitting so straight-backed from the shock of his sister's behaviour.

"Still know how to torture the poor mutt" Remus laughed. Lavender still had a dumb-founded look on her face. George leaned over, "she is Sirius' sister you bloody ditz, she was taking the piss."

Tonks stood up at the table loudly and took her dishes to the sink in a fuss. She thought Larissa's behaviour to be incredibly rude, and did not want to be in the same room as her anymore. Remus' face fell as she excused herself, and Larissa did not look in his direction for the rest of the meal.

"Well, we better get going mum, the appointment is in an hour" George said, helping Angelina stand. Molly had completely forgotten about her daughter-in-law's ultrasound today and jumped out of her seat.

"You'll show us all when you come home, right?" Ginny asked, beaming at the 8 month pregnant belly.

"Of course Gin, have fun with the girls today. Nice meeting you Larissa" she smiled as she waddled off with her doting husband.

"Larissa," Hermione stated. "Ginny, Lavender and I are going to a muggle-mall today if you want to come along?" Larissa grabbed Sirius' hand and he smiled; he knew she was reading his thoughts for approval. Ever since she was little she would place her delicate hand in his to speak to him through their unbreakable bond. A faint grin flashed across her face as she said, "if you're all ok shopping with an old broad like me, then hells yeah I'll join you." Ginny and Hermione smiled at the raven lady, while Lavender merely scoffed.

"As if you can go outside, Fred told me you are a bloody vampire. Wont you burn into a little pile of ashes?"

"For your information young lady," Sirius remarked, standing from his seat. "She wears protective clothing that Dumbledore gave her so she can go out. Next time I hear you talk to her that way again, I will have you and your ruddy gossiping boyfriend, out on the curb faster than the Night Bus could pick you up." Lavender's eyes were as big as saucers, while Fred's visible embarrassment made Larissa smile.

"Now lamb chop, we should go get you ready for your outing," he whispered into her ear, and she stood and followed him upstairs, holding his hand and having her own mental conversation with him.

"Boys!" Arthur began. "Let's get out of this estrogen-filled house; we have to be at work soon." Harry, Ron, Remus and Arthur cleared the table and left to get ready to Floo to the Ministry. Ron was the last up the stairs and Larissa met him at the top.

She was wearing a sleek black summer dress with knee-high boots and an elbow-length velvet glove. Ron's jaw dropped at the noire princess before him.

"Darling, you flatter me too much," she giggled, placing her one bare hand on his cheek. Ron blushed and trudged off; what he had not realised was that Larissa had telepathically found out the secret as to why he had been acting so nervous.

"Larissa, why couldn't Albus have given me a wardrobe?" Ginny asked with a fake pout on her face.

"Oh my dear, if I were allowed to wear what you can, I would gladly trade places" she replied, pulling on her other glove and hiding her guilt; reading someone's mind was not always easy on her conscious.

Once all four women were at the entrance to the house, Sirius saw them off with a peck on the cheek to Hermione and Ginny. Larissa walked through the door hesitantly, as if unsure to waste the young girls' time with her, when a slight slap on her behind cleared her mind.

"Have fun lamb chop"

"Please stop calling me that"