EARLY RISERS
Hi again everyone! Sorry that it took me a while to post this chapter. I was having some trouble figuring out what I wanted to happen next, so I had to reread things and reorder my thoughts. I hope you like the newest chapter!
Oops, realized I forgot to do this in the last chapter, but I think you all know the drill by now :P My name isn't J.K. Rowling, so, alas, I do not own Harry Potter.
"So how exactly did this happen, again," Sirius asked at dinner for the hundredth time (tonight's meal was a delicious homemade chicken soup, and I was beginning to find that Remus was a rather accomplished chef).
Remus and I glanced at each other, silently deciding whose turn it was to explain everything over again. I guessed that it was mine. "It's supposed to be 1997," I began, making sure that I was over-enunciating every word for clarity. "I became an Auror and had a mission at the Ministry. I knocked over a shelf of Time-Turners, and the next thing I know, I'm in the sitting room of Remus' house."
Sirius nodded. "So, are you going to go back?"
I hesitated a little before I answered, "Yes."
"How are you going to do that?" Sirius asked, taking another noisy slurp of his soup.
"You eat like a dog, Padfoot," Remus jibed.
Sirius waved him off, and I laughed before I answered Sirius' question. "I don't know yet. We've been reading books to try to get some answers, but, as far as I know, no one has ever been in a situation like this, so there we haven't found much."
Sirius' head perked up. "Is there anything that I can do to help?"
"You can help us read," Remus answered. Sirius' nose scrunched up in disgust. "What did you expect me to say?" Remus defended. "It's not like you can go out now that the entire Wizarding community is looking for you."
"Ha ha," Sirius replied sarcastically.
"We can bring back books for you," I offered.
"Yeah, it'll actually be nice to have an extra person to help us finish the books faster," Remus added.
Sirius fell back in his chair, disappointed. "Why must reading always be the answer for you, Moony?"
-oOoOoO-
That night, Remus tried to find a place for Sirius to sleep while I changed. When I had returned from the bathroom, I found one of the chair cushions lying on the floor across from the couch. Remus flicked his wand and muttered "Engorgio", and the cushion instantly grew to the size of a small mattress. Remus then excused himself to go down the hall to find a blanket for his friend.
I stepped further into the room, and Sirius eyes instantly fell on the old shirt I was wearing. A small smirk flashed across my cousin's face, and my face and hair glowed beet red. I fiddled with the hem of the shirt, trying to pull it further down than my knees. Sirius chuckled at my discomfort.
"Remus give you that?" he asked casually. I was too uncomfortable to give a reply.
Remus returned several seconds later with an old quilt in his arms. "It isn't much, but-" he trailed off.
"It's better than the cell," Sirius finished. Even though Sirius' comment was meant to be a joke, there was no mistaking the dark tone in his voice.
"Well…" Remus started awkwardly, "I hope you'll be comfortable."
"Thanks for this, Moony," Sirius said, and I could tell that he wasn't just talking about giving him a place to stay.
"Anything for an old friend," Remus returned before heading back to his room.
-oOoOoO-
The next morning, I was awoken to the smell of eggs cooking. I peeked open my eyes and glanced at the clock on the side table: 11:30. I saw Sirius lying on the enlarged cushion about three feet away from me. He was still snoring peacefully.
I stretched, and threw the blanket back off my legs. I got up and headed for the kitchen, yawning sleepily.
"Good morning," Remus said cheerily from over by the stove. I meant to say "Good morning" in response, but it came out in more of a yawn.
"I didn't wake you, did I?" Remus asked, concerned. "I tried to start late enough not to wake you or Sirius. I swear you two sleep later than I've ever seen in a person. We nearly had to drag Sirius out of bed at Hogwarts so that he wouldn't be late for class." I laughed.
Remus' hair was neatly combed back, and he was already dressed in slightly worn jeans and a green sweater. He turned to me, and I noted how the dark green of his sweater not only brought out the light silvery flecks in his blue eyes, but it also made his hair seem especially light and golden.
Remus placed two plates of eggs and bacon on the table and motioned for me to sit down. "Now comes the real challenge," Remus began. When I shot him a confused look, he continued, "Getting Sirius out of bed."
Now this I absolutely had to see. I followed Remus into the sitting room and stood in the entry. Remus strode over until he was by Sirius' side. "Sirius," he said in a similar tone to a parent scolding a child, "you need to get up."
Sirius groaned and pulled the quilt until it was over his head. "Sirius, you really need to get out of bed."
Sirius groaned again and tried to kick Remus in the shin. Remus seemed to be expecting it, however, and moved his leg to the side. He then pulled the quilt off of Sirius and tried to pull the cushion from underneath his friend. Sirius kicked again, and this time, he didn't miss Remus' left leg. Remus toppled backwards onto the ground with a thud.
I couldn't help but laugh at the sight of it. I covered my mouth with my hand to try to muffle the sound of my giggles.
Remus stood up, visibly frustrated. "C'mon, Sirius," Remus yelled impatiently. "There's food in the kitchen!"
Sirius perked up as if something had flipped a switch in him. He was awake and in the kitchen almost within a second.
Remus sighed, exhausted, and walked back into the kitchen. I patted him on the back as he passed. "A job well done," I teased.
"I told you it was going to be a challenge," he returned defensively. "You can try getting him up next time; I don't think my poor shins can take much more." We both chuckled and headed into the kitchen together.
When we entered, I couldn't help but notice Sirius glancing at us in a strange way. I couldn't quite place it, but there was something odd in his look. I brushed it off, resolving that it was probably nothing. I sat down at the table and everyone served themselves some eggs.
"This is fantastic, Moony," Sirius enthused, scooping several forkfuls of eggs into his mouth.
"Well, I thought that you deserved a decent meal after-" Remus hesitated, "everything that's happened," he finished.
Sirius swallowed and cleared his throat. "Thanks," he replied lightly.
Well there it is! I hope you liked it! Don't forget to Review! I read every one of them, and they really make me so happy! I'll try to have another chapter posted soon!