Under My Skin
x. Change .x
"We change, whether we like it or not." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
4
"I hope you don't expect to get this all in one day. It took us two years." He raised his eyebrows as she removed her cloak and rolled her sleeves up, raising her hands to tie the long strands of blonde hair out of her face whilst sliding her shoes off her feet. They'd been at it for three hours straight now, James and Peter had even returned from Hogsmeade, stopped by for an hour, then disappeared again promising to return after dinner.
"Right." She murmured offhandedly, he rolled his eyes and she flashed a grin. "I got you Professor! Whilst you had to work it all out by yourselves I have a fabulous teacher, so I'm basically just following instructions." She teased, his lips twitched upwards, before she once again attempted to transform. Her brow furrowed in concentration, her fingers clenching into fists at her sides. She stopped abruptly, her cheeks coloured red. He raised his eyebrows at her again, struggling to squash the smile threatening to spill onto his face, and she reluctantly turned round to find a rip in the back of her skirt, a long black tail swished signalling her discomfort. He couldn't help himself, he burst out laughing. She blushed again quickly summoning her magic to make it disappear.
"It's not that funny." She snapped defensively, twisting her skirt round so it was on her hip and mending the split with her wand. He chuckled, wiping tears from his eyes, and pointed to her head. She paled slowly turning to catch her reflection in the classroom's mirror, thank god they were using a Charm's room. Her hair had turned black and bushy, a full fringe replacing her side and bangs. Worse still two ears pointed out from behind the thick strands. They swivelled forward upon staring at her reflection then pinned backwards when Sirius began roaring with laughter once more. Her face closely resembled a tomato as she undid her transformation and sent a glare at the young Black.
"Your blonde hair suits you far better." He teased, a twinkle dancing in his eyes cheekily. "It's all very well being able to shift back ma belle but I don't think you've quite grasped the concept of a full transformation." He chuckled.
"Well, mon chou, why don't you help?" She ground out, her embarrassment pressing on her patience. He sighed, seeing her mood change, and moved to stand behind her. He raised her arms so they were pointed out on either side before placing a hand on the centre of her back.
"Collect your magic here, like I told you. But instead of trying to force it where you want it to go just let it consume your body, allow it to travel all over you." She glanced back at him over her shoulder.
"That's easier said than done." He felt the corner of his lip twitch again. It was something he'd also found difficult; just letting the magic take over. It had been incredibly unnerving not being entirely in control of something within his own anatomy, he understood her reluctance.
"Just concentrate, Levana." He told her softly. He turned to be on her right, considering his options, it wasn't something he could exactly demonstrate. Her eyes strayed to meet his and everything seemed to slow down. Her heart beat picked up as she felt his fingers slide easily across her arm to the base of her neck, then down her back. "There are distinct pathways for it to travel, direct it along them but afterwards you have to let them run their course." She nodded not trusting herself to speak. His hands advanced to either of her sides and drifted slowly downwards to her hips. Her skin tingled in response. He blinked, remembering himself and took a step back. "Try again."
She swallowed, taking in a deep breathe. "Right." She nodded, finding her voice. She closed her eyes, gathering her witchcraft and summoning it forward, progressing through all the notions he'd taught her. She collected it in her centre, building it up until it was significantly strong. Taking in another deep breathe she released it. The power soured through her veins, it's strength catching her pleasantly by surprise. It was a pure rush of ecstasy as it took over and coursed through ever inch and ran over her skin in a burst of energy. She heard her clothes shred and tear but paid no heed, enjoying the thrilling sensation.
"Levana." She opened her eyes and found Sirius staring at her. 'What?' Nothing came out of her mouth but she felt her head move to the side and her ears flicker back and forth confused. She started, her ears did what? She twisted round and felt herself quiver with excitement. She was a horse. Her tail swished and her ears pricked forward scrutinising herself closely. She snorted blowing down her new nose and shook her head triumphantly, raising onto her back legs to kick out with her front ones. She'd done it. Sirius grinned, watching the spectacle. She brought herself down elegantly, retouching her hooves onto the floor with surprising softness. He turned to the pile of tattered fabrics and shot her an amused glance.
"Next lesson. Morphing with your clothes."
x. Over and over I look in your eyes, You were all I desired, You have captured me .x
"She's black."
"Well spotted, Peter." Sirius scoffed, as his friends looked back at the transformed Levana having reappeared shortly after.
"But her hair's blonde..."
"What's your point, Wormtail?" He rolled his eyes at what he deemed to be his friend's idiocy, watching as she swerved in and out of the rows of desks, testing her new body.
"Shouldn't she be one of those yellow horses?" James saw his best friend's patience dwindling.
"Well they had to be compatible some how." He teased, low enough to avoid her overhearing. He expected the other teenager to retaliate but instead his gaze remained fixed on the animagus Rhoswen. His friends' jaws dropped as he moved away without replying.
"You need to transform now, it's nearly night." He told her. She halted looking back at him and reluctantly registered what he was saying. She twisted round, gripped her cloak between her teeth and trotted behind a bookcase. Changing back wasn't such an exhilarating experience. She felt the magic withdraw, leaving her slightly drained.
"Sirius. Can I have your jumper?" A grin stretched at the corners of his lips as he removed said item and passed it round the wooden shelves.
"She didn't actually manage to take her clothes with her." He motioned with a nod of his head to the discarded pile of fabric. She reappeared clutching her cloak around herself, his jumper covering the one gap that would have exposed her chest. She took her shoes from him with a grateful smile. "That'll be next lesson I assume?" She pushed him gently rolling her eyes to hide the colour tint in her cheeks.
"After you la belle dame."
"Merci, bon monsieur ." She rolled her eyes again, playing along with the cliché moment as she took his offered arm and the duo walked out of the room.
"Well... that was.." James started as they disappeared.
"Different?" Peter suggested quietly.
"No, just weird."
x. Now you are here by my side, You are next to me .x
With the aid of the Marauders creating a distraction, in the form of dumping a pot full of gunk on a group of unsuspecting second years, she managed to successfully avoid any unwanted attention by bolting up to her dorm. Quickly grabbing fresh clothes she dragged them on, hurling everything else into her trunk. She breathed a deep sigh of relief, a smile spreading across her lips. Suddenly the days events spread warmly through her again, still generating an incredibly fulfilled feeling. She burst into content giggles and collapsed backwards onto her bed, completely happy with the world.
"Levana?" Gemma knocked on the dormitory door raising an eyebrow at her friend. She sat up sharply, a guilty expression written on her face. "Where've you been?" She considered her options, lying wasn't one of them. She would just have to evade the truth.
"With Sirius." That damn knowing smile crawled onto the brunette's face as she sat beside her. She was off the hook as soon as it appeared.
"Oh really? Doing what all day? By the way, how's your head? James said you managed to somehow fall down the stairs, you cluts!" Her friend chuckled affectionately nudging her shoulder. The blonde blinked and nodded, accepting his cover story and making a mental note to thank him later.
"Yeah, umm Pomfrey fixed me up." She shrugged casually. "And nothing happened with Sirius, we just talked a lot." Her friend looked sceptical but still faintly disappointed all the same. A wave of guilt crashed down on her; she was deceiving one of her best friends. Yet, berating herself for forgetting, she realised there was something else she had to tell her. "There was this one moment..." She began, her eyes straying to the side as the memory replayed. "He ran his fingers across my arm, then down my back and his hands went across my sides. I felt that funny feeling you get in your stomach and when your heart pulls a bit." She hesitated, they both grinned at her poor description.
"Do you like him?" Gemma asked softly, bringing her legs up to rest her chin on the top of her knees. "I felt the same with Liam. It's a nice feeling though, isn't it?" She grinned back at her friend, tilting her head to the side. Her hazel eyes sparkled at the mention of her boyfriend, they'd been dating for years, it was hard to imagen the brunette with anyone else.
"It is and I'm not sure. He's been my friend for so long, I'm not sure I can see a change. I don't know if I want a change."
"I think you do."
"What?"
"I think you want something to happen. You're just nervous and worried. Sirius has been unrestrained in his relationships in the past, but he hasn't so much as looked at another girl since the middle of last year."
"I know, Gemma. I know, but what if he rejects me?" Her friend reached to fiddle with a piece of her long hair.
"He'd have to be blind." Moving to kneel behind her she pulled the strands out of her face and began to plait the blonde locks down the teenager's back. It served to calm her and they lapsed into a companionable silence.
"All done." Pulling the bobble keeping her own hair in a bun out, Gemma tied it to the end of her work. The side fringe and shorter pieces still framed her face but the Rhoswen suited the simple style. From her trunk she found a black and white hair band and slid it gently into place. The look was basic but effective. "Go knock him dead."
x. I want to hold you, Touch you and Taste You .x
"Sirius, just ask her man!" James shot watching said male twiddle his wand absent-mindedly between his fingers as he lay on his cot. The Black looked up, sighed, and ran a hand through his hair.
"I'm not like you James, I don't just randomly walk up to a girl and say "Hey, I think your well fit and just bloody brilliant. Wanna go out?"" He retorted, swinging his legs back over the edge of the canvas and striding towards the door.
"Why not? I do it all the time." The other boy stated, jumping up and following after him.
"Point proven." He muttered, pulling the bronze handle open.
"I don't get it, you never had any problem in the past with other girls, you would ask them out all the time." Sirius whipped round to stare at his best friend.
"She won't be one of them." He retorted, James's eyebrows rose as the other male turned back round.
"You've got it bad, haven't you mate?" The dark haired boy nodded grimly, surveying the common room. Below Remus was talking to Katie with Peter in the armchair beside them, listening intently. Lily sat next to her friend, the green eyed gaze frequently straying up to her dormitory. No sign of a certain blonde. He let out the air he hadn't even noticed himself holding in and rushed down the spiral staircase. James went straight to Lily, no surprises there, leaving him standing alone. "Traitor." He mumbled under his breath.
"Sirius? What are you doing?" A voice spoke behind him, he almost jumped. Almost. Turning he found the middle Rhoswen looking back at him with a raised eyebrow. Beside her Gemma whispered something, patted her friend's arm, then walked off to join their friends.
"I, erm, was just waiting for you actually." He admitted, had his gaze not averted to her shoulder to break eye contact, he would have saw red rush to fill her cheeks.
"Oh?" Her voice jumped an octave higher, her heart started to thump again and hope swelled in her chest. That was a pleasant surprise.
"Yeah, er, fancy a walk? Or run? Or we could-"
"Yes." His gaze snapped to meet hers, her smile was contagious and he felt his lips curve upwards. Meanwhile the group gathered around the fireplace watched on. Levana met Gemma's eyes and sent her an excited glance. Her friend grinned back ushering her on with a nod of her head.
"So does that mean I win? I was the closest." James spoke as his fellow Gryffindors followed the pair's retreating backs.
"They're not officially together just yet, Potter."
x. Could I have this night to share, This night together .x
Padfoot ran alongside the tall horse, her mane and coat shimmered in the star light as she cantered, frequently jumping obstacles that lay in her way. He watched, growing entertained with each passing minute as she pushed herself, testing her capacity. She was fast; athletic with impressive agility. He struggled to keep up with her, then another burst of speed made her over take him until she had disappeared amongst the trees. He drew to a halt, pressing his nose to the ground to pick up her scent. Ahead she reappeared from behind a willow and watched, nodding her head up in down in anticipation. He found her, she squealed and took off again, bolting away into the night. Her back legs flying out in a double barrel kick at the air. Excitement fuelled her muscles and she sped through the forest. For a while they continued their own version of hide-and-go-seek until she fell into a stride suited for the both of them. Eventually they slowed to a walk, the night was wearing on, in 6 hours the Sunday sun would rise. Standing on the edge of the forest they transformed, back to Sirius and Levana. The blonde this time had successfully (with the exception of two minor slits on her Cloak's sleeves) kept her clothes in tact. They shared a grin, stumbling their way back up to the castle, arms linked and high on good cheer even as they re-entered their school. Smiling contently, they hurried through the corridors and into a passage. He slid onto the stairs as she leant against the wall their breathing coming in pants, grinning he pulled her down beside him.
"Can I ask you something? What do you think of change?" She asked after they'd regained their normal breathing pattern, watching as he considered her question. He met her gaze, those beautiful blue eyes that were so stunning and captured him so easily.
"I'm all about change." He answered, tightening his arms to curve round her, shortening the gap between them. She felt his breathe on her skin, his lips gaining a dangerously close range.
"BLACK! I've got you this time, boy!" Filch's voice sounded, they jumped, twisting round frantically to search for the caretaker. Sirius stopped suddenly, an amused look spreading across his handsome features, she threw him a confused glance.
"He doesn't know the entrance to this passage, he must have just heard, look." He whispered into her ear, she raised one eyebrow following his gaze and finding a shadow at the base of the stairs.
"Come out! No point hiding!" He flashed her a grin, lacing their fingers together and rising to his feet, tugging her up with him.
"Come on."
x. Could I have this kiss forever? .x
