Hogsmeade and Another Promise

Someone was shaking me.

"Wake up, Sleeping Beauty." My heart jumped. It was Sirius. Groggily, I opened an eye.

"Leave me alone. It's Saturday." I grumbled.

"So? It's nearly twelve." I ignored him and closed my eye again. Sirius sighed. Then, he bent over and picked me up. My eyes shot open.

"What the hell?" I said, surprised.

"We want to go to Hogsmeade." Sirius said, carrying me up the stairs to his dorm. He pushed the door open with his elbow and took me inside.

"Morning Whisker," said James.

I waved at him. "Padfoot, put me down. I can walk you know. What was the point of bringing me in here anyway? My clothes are in my dorm."

"We're discussing our afternoon. Your opinion is wanted," Peter said, as Sirius put me down.

"Can we go to Donna and George's Witches Clothesline?" I asked hopefully.

"No!" James and Peter cried.

"I'll go with you. After all, you need someone to tell you what looks hot and what doesn't," Sirius said, smiling.

My jaw dropped. "You want to come with me?" Sirius nodded.

I smiled. "Thanks." My life had just gotten better.

"You sure you're going to find something to do at Donna and George's?" James asked doubtfully. Sirius shrugged.

"Where did you go this morning, Prongs?" I asked.

"I woke up early. So, I went to the Quidditch pitch," He explained.

I listened to the four boys discuss where else they wanted to go while in Hogsmeade for a while. Eventually, I got up and said I was going to get ready. I flew out the door and dashed to my own dorm. It was empty. I rushed over to my wardrobe and pulled the doors open. I pulled on a pair of casual black shorts and a hot pink t-shirt. Making my way over to the bathroom, I muttered a cleaning spell on my face and teeth.

Thank Merlin, for Witch Weekly. I thought as I muttered another spell, pointing my wand at my eyes. I looked in the mirror and was pleased to not that my eye make up looked exactly like it did on the model in Witch Weekly. A little mascara and some liquid liner on my eyelids, not to much, but enough to make my eyes stand out. I smiled at my reflection. I brushed my hair thoroughly and pulled it back into a high ponytail. I took the silver studs out of my ears and replace them with black hoops. Over the summer, I'd managed to convince Mum and Dad to let me get another piercing on my left ear. I didn't change the little diamond. It looked nice.

"Hi Lily," I said, coming out of the bathroom.

Lily looked up from her book. "Oh, hey Roxy. You look nice."

I thanked her and asked if she was going to Hogsmeade. "No, I can't. I'm tutoring a second year for Potions."

"Good luck," I grimaced.

"Thanks. Do you want to borrow my black stilettos? They would look nice with your outfit and they would make your legs look longer." Lily offered.

"Wicked! Thanks Lils." I exclaimed. Lily grinned at me and went over to her wardrobe to get the heels.

I thanked her again as I slipped them on. A perfect fit. As I left the room, I told Lily I would get some chocolate from Honeydukes. The heels clicked loudly as I made my way to the common room where the boys were waiting for me.

"Looking good, sis," James complimented.

"Thanks. Let's go. I'm starved."

°°

James and Sirius had just finished having an arm wrestle and Remus was watching Peter throw food down his throat with a disgusted look on his face. I let out a frustrated huff. We were in the Three Broomsticks and I was trying to open my Butterbeer bottle.

"Give. You can't do it. I'll open it," Sirius said, turning the bottle upside down and hitting the bottom a few times, "That's how you do it. It's easy." He then attempted to unscrew the lid, but as I did, failed.

"You were saying?" Remus said, chuckling, as the rest of us laughed.

"Shut up," Sirius mumbled, still trying to open the bottle.

"Okay, so after Wormtail has finished his lunch, Padfoot and Whiskers are going to go clothes shopping," James said, sniggering.

I swatted his arm. "Don't tease Padfoot, it's not his fault he enjoys being dragged into Donna and George's for two hours." Sirius glared at me. I poked my tongue out at him.

"So we'll meet up at," Remus consulted his watch, "three o'clock, outside Honeydukes. That gives you about an hour and a half to shop, okay?"

"Yep!" I said happily. Sirius groaned.

"You don't have to come you know. I am capable of choosing my own clothes," I told him.

"Well, yes, but what happens if you decide to buy a bright orange anorak or something? You need someone there to control you," Sirius smirked. I rolled my eyes.

"Wormtail, you've been eating for a bloody century!" James moaned, banging his head on the table in boredom.

"Don't do that," Remus grinned, "You'll damage what little intelligence you already have."

James glared at Remus, while Sirius and I fell about laughing. Remus, surprisingly, smiled at me. Tentatively, I smiled back. As he, Sirius and James began talking enthusiastically about something or other; I took the chance to watch Remus. I watched his eyes dance as he laughed, his face light up when he made his friends laugh. I watched as a strand of sandy hair fell into his eyes. I smiled softly. I realised Remus was watching me with a questioning look on his face. I looked away. Had I been checking him out? I shook my head.

"Finally!" Sirius exclaimed. I saw Peter had pushed his plate away and was grinning sheepishly.

"Yay," I cried, "Come on, Padfoot let's shop!"

°°°

"Whiskers, come on," Sirius whined an hour later.

I hushed him. He had been whining for the past three quarters of an hour and it was annoying.

"Roxy, you look gorgeous," Sirius started, "Just buy the damn t-shirt and take me away from here!"

I ignored him. Shoving him out of the changing room, I changed out of the blue top I was trying on and put my original back on. I left the changing room and handed the shirt back to sales girl, shaking my head. As Sirius and I left the shop, I had the feeling we were being watched, but as I looked around to see if we were, I saw no one I recognised. Shrugging off the sensation, I listened to Sirius' rant about girls and shopping. We still had a good thirty minutes to kill, so I suggested going to see the Shrieking Shack. Sirius' face lit up and he ran ahead of me towards the battered house in the distance.

I felt relaxed as I walked through the streets of Hogsmeade. I let my mind wander. I had told Lily I would get some chocolate for her. If James had enough money left, he could buy it for her. The first step to showing Lily that he wasn't a complete jerk. I would mention him to Lily, in a casual way every now and than, and say what a great person he was. Hopefully that would get her thinking. I would have to talk to James and tell him not to act so arrogantly and calm down in general. If Lily didn't fall for James naturally, I'd have to… well, resort to drastic measures.

My thoughts turned to Remus, as they had been doing a lot lately. I wondered exactly how long it would be before we could be the great friends that we had been a few weeks ago. The full moon was on Tuesday. I doubt he would want to be there with him and the others. I would be there whether he wanted me or not. I hadn't become and illegal Animagus for nothing. No matter how much Remus ignored me, I would still be there with him during the transformation. How could anyone expect me not to be?

I frowned as I thought of Peter. He wasn't around as much as he used to be. Where did he go all the time? When James, Sirius, Remus or I checked the Marauders map, he wasn't on it. Did he come into Hogsmeade? He seemed to be off in a dream world.

Maybe he has a secret girlfriend. I asked myself.

That made me think of Sirius. Now, just thinking his name gave me the butterflies. The slightest touch of his hand made my knees go weak. The other day, he had leant over me in potions to get something, and I suddenly found it hard to breathe. Sirius was a sucker for a female with willing lips, therefore, it wasn't technically my fault I had to kiss him to make him play Truth or Dare… Oh, who was I kidding? Of course it was my fault. I should have just left him to sulk. Now, he's always on my mind, I blush when he smiles at me, I shiver when he touches me and… Oh God. I'm a Sirius Black fan girl! I cringed. No. I've changed my mind. It's his fault for being so goddamn perfect.

I was so lost in thought I didn't notice the figure that had been following me for the past few minutes.

"Roxanne."

"Emma."

"Where's Sirius? You all on your own?" Emma said spitefully. "Sirius is only friends with you because of your brother you know. He doesn't care about you."

"Shut up."

Emma ignored me. "It's true you know. He doesn't really like you."

"How would you know?" I snapped.

Emma smirked triumphantly. "He told me of course."

I fell silent. Sirius wouldn't do that I thought. Unless… he liked Emma. No of course he didn't. He would never go out with her.

"-and of course that Ravenclaw girl he was with yesterday."

I froze. "Wha… What?"

"You know, Samantha Brown? I saw them kissing yesterday in the hall of the third corridor. He was all over her. Lucky cow."

I studied her face carefully. I hoped with all my heart she was lying. How could I be sure? After all it was a very Sirius thing to do.

"Are you sure it was Sirius?" I asked. She nodded. I was surprised to see that she looked awfully sad.

"Positive," Emma said, quietly. Then, her face became cold again. "Just remember what I said. He's pretending. He doesn't like you. I doubt Lupin does either. God, I feel sorry for your brother having to put up with you all the time. You're worthless." She sneered at me and walked away.

My eyes were starting to water. I forced myself to look normal, as if nothing was wrong. I wasn't sure whether or not to believe her. What she had said hurt. I hated it when people made me feel like dirt. I was upset. I walked on to meet Sirius, composing myself. Maybe later I would let myself cry.

The Shrieking Shack was approaching. I saw Sirius standing by the barbed wire that kept the Shack separate from the rest of Hogsmeade.

"Sirius," I shouted. He spun round.

I got to his side and flung my arms around his neck, burying my head in his shoulder. I inhaled deeply. I felt safe in Sirius' arms. Like nothing could ever hurt me.

"Hey, what's wrong?" He said, softly.

"I…" I started. Emma's words rang in my head. He's pretending…Was he? "It doesn't matter."

"Okay," Sirius said, his voice disbelieving. I closed my eyes and let myself drift away. Now, the only thing on my mind was the fact that I could hear Sirius' heartbeat and feel his chest rise and fall as he breathed.

"We should go and meet the others," I said.

"Mmm," Sirius agreed. It was few minutes before either of us moved. As we walked up the winding country path, I couldn't help but think how perfect this was. The sun was shining. The sky was blue and there was a cool breeze. My breathing quickened as Sirius casually draped an arm around my shoulders and smiled at me. I smiled back, but I was already crying inside. My mind was screaming the same things over and over. Ravenclaw girl. He was all over her. He's pretending.

°°

The moon shone brightly as I sat on my own by the lake that night, crying the tears I had been holding back since the morning. I had been completely paranoid all day. I was careful with what I said, in case it annoyed the other Marauders. I completely cut myself off. I'd had a horrible day. To make things worse, at supper, Sirius had been chatting up a fourth year. I felt so awful. James was sitting next to Sirius and he kept smiling at me, sadly. I let myself go. I was crying about Sirius, Remus and what Emma had said. There was a cool night breeze that made me shiver slightly.

I heard footsteps behind me but I couldn't be bothered to turn around. I closed my eyes, wishing, that Emma had never gone to Hogsmeade. I opened them again. I felt a hand rest on my shoulder. I looked to my left.

"Hi," I said, softly.

Remus smiled at me gently. "Feel like telling me what's wrong?"

"Not at the moment," I said.

Remus nodded. "Okay. Listen, I just wanted to say I'm sorry."

I looked up surprised. "What have you got to be sorry for?"

"I've been acting horribly," He said.

What? It was my fault. I thought. I raised an eyebrow.

"I over exaggerated. You apologised so many times and I didn't have the decency to forgive you. I feel really bad." I stared at him in complete shock.

"Are you out of your mind, Remus?" I shrieked. "You have nothing, I repeat nothing, to apologise for. You get that?"

He shrugged. I grabbed his shoulders and shook him hard. "Take it back."

"No way!" Remus said.

I pouted. "Please?"

Remus laughed at me and pulled me into a bone crushing hug. I grinned widely.

"Good to have you back, Whiskers," Remus whispered softly, his lips brushing lightly against my ear. I stomach fluttered slightly and I suddenly wondered what it would be like to kiss him… What! No! Roxy, you like Srius. Don't get yourself confused now. I told myself.

I rested my chin on Remus' shoulder and closed my eyes, sighing deeply. I felt happier than I had done in weeks. It looked like fifth year wouldn't be so bad after all.

I didn't know how wrong I was…