The next month passed with excruciating slowness. It was so uneventful even the Marauders had to go out of their boundaries to find ways to entertain them. More often than not, one would complain about the lack of excitement. There was talk of the war waging outside the castle walls but those thoughts were dreary and they chose not to think of them. Several students in Hogwarts had lost family members due to it.
"I want to get out there already!" Sirius was complaining one evening after dinner.
"You still have two more years Padfoot." Said Remus.
Eniko nodded. "And I have three."
"As soon as I graduate I'm going to become an Auror. I want to get in on the action." Said James. The way his eyes lit up like Sirius's made it obvious that sitting inside Hogwarts safe and sound was not what they wanted.
Peter was the only one that didn't seem to share the others eagerness. In a timid voice he interrupted their battle plan discussion. "I don't know. I mean it sounds sort of cool but... actually being out there would be kind of scary wouldn't it? Fighting dark wizards?"
"What do you mean? Wouldn't it be Amazing? Sleeping on the ground! Dueling while protecting your comrades! Hunting down those death bastards!" Hollered Eniko enthusiastically. Like Sirius and James she too wanted nothing more than to be out on the field.
Remus looked between Eniko and Peter, his face scrunched up thoughtfully as if he was trying to remember something. "Peter might be right. When you're actually out there it would be a lot darker. You'd probably want to be back at Hogwarts safe and-"
"Nonsense! It's what we're made for Moony." Interrupted James. "And we won't be safe here for long if things progress like this! Don't you get it? This war isn't going to stop if people just sit by comfortably and wait."
That shut all of us up. We hid behind the pretense that the world was safe and nothing could harm it, but there was a looming shadow of darkness. No matter how much we tried to ignore it the shadows were always there. Eniko thought of her own family. They clearly thought Voldemort had the right idea, but would they join them? Her mother wouldn't, but she could see her father becoming a spy in the ministry. And her brother had probably already signed up. The fool that he was.
"So I got my dress by owl-order last weekend." Eniko steered the conversation to lighter subjects and the others were more than glad to comply. "Who do you all think you're going with?"
"Lilly Eva-" James began, only to be silenced by the four of them muttering: 'in your dreams'
"I'm probably going to end up going with James again this year." Peter sighed. Every time there was a ball or a dance, those two would end up together. Peter because he wasn't good with the ladies and James because he had his eyes on lily alone.
"Wormtail! Just ask a girl out or something. What about Brighlyn, the cute Hufflepuff girl?" Eniko teased, having caught him looking at her before. In truth the marauders were careful with Peter. He was too easy to influence and fell for a girl too hard an too fast. A few girls had tried to take advantage of that just so they could get close to Remus, Sirius, or James. And the marauders didn't take well to that at all. If Eniko remembered correctly one girl who tried that still had boils on her face spelling SLAG. James was quite fond of that one.
Peter looked at Eniko with a red face full of hope. "You think I should?"
"I'll hit you with my wand if you don't." And like that, it was decided.
They turned their attention to Sirius.
His face was a focused; He looked at Eniko for a moment before saying: "I'll take Jamie Everleigh."
The way he said it, as if he knew she wouldn't dare deny him, made Eniko smile a little. He was popular with the ladies. "I'm impressed you're not picking some easy girl." The rest of the guys laugh at Sirius's glare. "I mean, she's actually smart and talented in subjects other than your nether regions!"
More laughter broke out at Eniko's words. Ignoring the look of pure death she was receiving, she turned to Remus. "And who might you be going with?"
"Not a clue." He smiled back.
Eniko flicked him on the chest.
"Oh god there getting sappy. I think it's time to get to Detention. The greenhouse isn't going to clean itself!" Said Sirius, standing and dragging Eniko with him.
"Why do they always have to separate us?" James groaned.
"Because you and Sirius cause too much trouble and since Eniko and I are dating it would be biased."
James didn't appreciate Remus's explanation and so he chose to ignore it and continue grumbling all the way to the front lawn ("on a Saturday too!")
"Well I'll see you guys after potions." Eniko waved to Remus-who was overseeing James and Peter scrubbing cauldrons-and walked with Sirius to the greenhouse.
"You know I think we got the better deal. Planting a few harmless plants for the first years is much more interesting than cauldrons." Sirius said positively as they greeted Professor Lowsley. His flamboyant attitude made them snicker while he showed them just what to do.
"Now this will take a while so I'll be back to check on you in a few hours. Try to be productive." He flashed a grin and disappeared.
"Aww, it sounded like he didn't trust us." Said Sirius.
"Wonder where he would get that idea." Grinned Eniko, filling a pot with dirt on the table.
"It's probably your fault. You're such a klutz and all."
Eniko shot him a glare. "Am not."
"You are. I'm surprised he even let you in here. You can't tell the difference between a rose and a mandrake."
"That's not-"
"Then again the alternative was letting you clean cauldrons. I don't think Slughorn wants you within ten feet of him. What were you thinking? Adding twice as much Flobberworm Mucus and Valerian Sprigs before the crushed Lavender. Actually I don't think you even crushed the Lavender. Anyone with a brain would know that it would blow up and cover the whole room the second the porcupine quills hit the surface. I heard your whole lesson was spent giving antidotes to students and un-melting cauldrons. If you-"
Sirius didn't finish what he was saying because a clump of dirt hit his face. He sputtered trying to get it out of his mouth.
"For your information I was trying to save some time." Eniko defended. Just when she opened her mouth a clump of dirt hit her square in the face as well.
The next thing either of them knew, they were in a war of dirt and plants. Neither seemed to be winning but both were covered in dirt. For an hour they dodge, rolled, hexed, and attacked one another. No anger was in the sport, but pure bliss. Eniko was laughing heartily by the time they were both out of breath, sitting side by side on the dirt-covered floor.
Eniko took a handful of dirt and rubbed it into Sirius's face. "You lose."
"Says who?" Sirius did the same to her. They both chuckled.
"We're going to get into trouble." Sirius pointed out.
"Not to worry! I learned a cleaning charm just last week!" Said Eniko proudly, standing up and helping Sirius to do the same.
"Eh... it sounds like a simple spell."
"Oh it is!"
"Which is why I really don't think you should use-"
"Scourgify!" Eniko shouted loudly, trying to make sure it worked while ignoring Sirius. Her entire will power went behind it. And yet that wasn't enough. Instead of cleaning the floor and table a loud bang like a crowd of witches and wizards apparating forced Eniko and Sirius to close their eyes and cover their ears. When Eniko opened hers she flinched.
This was not what she had planned. Instead of cleaning everything, her wand had just moved the dirt in the large container to cover the entire greenhouse from top to bottom. Eniko grinned sheepishly. "Well, that was unexpected. You've got a little dirt on your face Sirius. Right there."
Eniko reached for the stunned Sirius, brushing his cheek to try in vain to clean it off. Instead of snapping out of it, Sirius just looked at Eniko with the same frozen and wide-eyed expression. She frowned, removing her hand from his cheek and moving to wipe his cloak off. She was waiting for him to start laughing or making fun of her. Instead he stared with a fixed expression.
"I know it was loud, but it didn't scare you that bad did it?" Eniko giggled softly, wondering if he was okay.
Sirius seemed to snap out of his trance and placed his signature smirk on his face. His hand grabbed hers so she would stop fussing over his dirty cloak, but didn't release it. "Sorry love you're not that scary. You got some dirt on your face too though. Quite a bit." He brushed some hair behind her ear in a gentle fashion.
Something about the situation made Eniko's stomach tighten uncomfortably. The feeling wasn't one she could recognize. Her mouth couldn't form words at the moment. when Sirius stopped his movements and Eniko realized just how close they were. If he spoke she would have been able to feel his breath. She should move.
But she didn't. She was captivated by his brown eyes, stuck in a trance. Her body felt too heavy to nudge, as if the energy was gone from her limbs. The feeling one got when they were spacing out with a blank mind. Only her vision was stuck on Sirius.
"What in the... the... this... the greenhouse!"
Instantly Eniko looked away and Sirius jumped back, letting go of Eniko's hand in the process. Professor Lowsley was red in the face. "You two... Ten points from Gryffindor! Each!"
Sirius and Eniko looked at each other in contempt. Eniko forgot about the prior moment between them and shrunk a little. "Professor I-"
"Not a word! Clearly you two cannot serve a detention together! Ms. Pivovarova, please return to your dormitory and you can serve a detention another day. Alone. Mr. Black, you will stay here and clean up this mess. Without a wand!"
It was decided. Eniko felt horrible for Sirius, but she wasn't too happy about having to leave on her own either. Sirius grabbed her wrist on the way out. "Wait outside for me to get done."
"But that will be hours."
"Your brother might be out." Recognition flashed in Sirius's eyes.
"Sirius it's nearly curfew. He hasn't bothered me at all this month. I'll be fine." Waving her hand she proceeded.
"Wait." Said Sirius, thrusting a piece of what looked like old parchment in her hand. Eniko easily recognized the Marauders Map. She shoved it in her robes and continued to leave.
As soon as the cold air hit, Eniko shivered and regretted not bringing a warmer set of robes. She could wear a scarf, but something about them repulsed her. The strangled feeling that engulfed her neck. If Sirius was with her she'd just cower beneath his.
Then she thought of how close she and Sirius had been and her steps fell slower. The Marauders map was still in her cloak untouched. What was that? Was it a charm placed on one of the plants they broke that backfired, making them stare at each other? And that feeling in her stomach? She didn't get it. For a second it was almost as if they were going to-
She cut off her thoughts, ceasing her steps and staring ahead of her with wide eyes. Shame she had never felt colored her cheeks. She was dating, and possibly in love with Remus. Thinking like that about Sirius was unforgivable. It made her feel dirty and want to wash her own eyes out. Of course she didn't like Sirius. She loved him as a friend and that was it. Why was she even convincing herself?
Shaking her head, Eniko resumed her pace. Wasting time and cooling off she walked to a more deserted part outside of the school, planning on entering through another door the Marauders and her discovered.
"Well, well, well. I thought those palls of yours weren't going to leave you vulnerable. They make lousy guard dogs."
Eniko couldn't see the stranger emerging from the shadows, but she recognized the voice. "Leave me alone Dmitri."
It didn't look like he would obey. He walked out of the shadows and stood in front of the unmoving Eniko. He was tall for his age, and managed to tower a good three inches over Eniko. And as stupid as Eniko could be, she was smart enough to know running away would only make things worse. She had been found out. The Marauders map in her possession had been useless. And she had nobody to blame but herself.
"You know I can't do that." Said Dmitri softly, looking with what Eniko assumed was fake affection at her. He brushed a little dirt off her cheek but it made Eniko feel different than when Sirius did it. Where his hand touched it felt like she had been stung.
"The others will wonder where I am." She fought weakly.
"You and I both know they have another hour till detention is out. And there's no way they'll know you're here."
He had a point, and Eniko suddenly wished she didn't have the map so Sirius would be able to find her. Once more she cursed her lack of planning. "What do you want?"
Dmitri smiled as if they were discussing the weather, leaning against a wall. His intimidating gaze swept over Eniko, as if sizing her up. "I want you to break up with Lupin."
Her heart stopped. "Brother... I usually do what you ask don't I?"
"It's what makes you my favorite." purred Dmitri, pushing some hair out of her face.
Eniko pulled away, surprising them both. "I usually do whatever you want, but not this time." She tilted her head down, hiding behind her hair.
"What?" Said Dmitri. He was taken aback by her behavior.
"You heard me brother. I can't. I won't break up with him." Her voice had never held so much resolve.
Instead of an angry retort Dmitri slipped his hand to her shoulder and pulled her against him in a hug. She didn't fight it, but she felt extremely awkward and despite his warmth she was much colder. What would have been a comforting sibling thing with anyone else was a brutal imitation with them. "Don't tell me you love him Eniko."
That hit Eniko hard. Did she? "I..." Words wouldn't form. But if such a thing as love existed, she probably did feel it with Remus. "I do. He makes me happy. And smile. And when I'm with him everything bad in the world disappears. And I could see myself with him for the rest of my life!"
Her words were so true it took her off guard and she smiled a little to herself, despite the situation. She could see her and Remus ten years from now on a porch swing in front of a nice white house in London, hand in hand. A diamond ring on hers and a gold band on his. The more she thought about it the more she realized that yes, she probably did love him.
"You know I won't accept that." Dmitri tightened his grip and Eniko winced. "I told you to break up with him. And you won't do it?"
Eniko swallowed. If she refused Dmitri would surely hurt her. But if she obeyed she would be hurting both herself and someone far more precious. Remus. And as long as she thought of him, of Peter and James and Sirius, she could get through anything her brother threw at her.
"That's right. I will not break up with him."
She closed her eyes and waited, telling herself it would be over soon.
It wasn't. Not until one past midnight. Breaking a curfew wasn't something Eniko cared about as she sauntered up to her dorm, gave the password to the fat lady, and almost missed a sleeping figure on the couch.
Sirius was lying lopsidedly in a rather uncomfortable position. He had yet to shower with clumps of dirt still on his clothing and in his hair. His eyes were furrowed in fitful sleep. Eniko wondered why he was out here and not with the boys. Unless he was waiting for them. But they should have been back hours ago.
Was he waiting for me? Eniko asked herself, looking in amazement at the black boy. Taking off her cloak Eniko draped it over him and wiped a little dirt from his shoulder. She wished in the back of her mind that he would wake up so she could tell him what happened. Spill her heart out and make it all better.
But ten minutes trickled by and Eniko came to yet another conclusion that night. She was relying on the Marauders far too much. Especially Sirius. He always took on the responsibility of protecting her from harm. But it wasn't his job. It wasn't even Remus's. Eniko was a witch with some talent of her own. She needed to stop acting so helpless.
And so she swore to herself that she wouldn't cry over her brother. She'd hide the gash on her left hip and the bruise on her shoulder, suck it up, and move on. They didn't need to be dragged down by her pathetic complaining. For once she wanted to be on equal terms with them.
But she had nothing similar. James was amazing on the broom and excelled in studies. She had never met anyone as proficient as Sirius when it came to dueling. Remus was not only a prefect but also excelled in every form of study. He was more book smart than anyone Eniko had met asides from Lily Evans. Peter was the only one she could outdo, and that wasn't saying much.
So Eniko turned away from Sirius with a heavy sigh and walked up to her dormitory.
She didn't sleep too much in the confines of her bed, but the red curtains stayed drawn. Of course not a single one of her dorm mates bothered to check on her when she slept in three hours the next day. In the end Peter came up in his rat form and woke her. He noticed the bruise on her shoulder thanks to a poor pajama shirt but Eniko assured him she got it messing around the day before and he did not mention it to the other marauders. Her little secret was never found out.
