Audrey blinked as sunlight streamed through her blinds and onto her blankets. During the night, Paul's arms had fallen away from her, and he lay flat on his back beside her, snoring toward the ceiling. She smirked as his nose whistled loudly and she pinched it closed. For a moment, it was silent, but then Paul startled awake with a gasp.

"Lovely way to wake up in the morning," he groaned.

"It's worth it when you get to see this beautiful face," Audrey grinned.

"Hard to argue with that," Paul smiled and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. They lay like that for a moment as the sun grew brighter beyond the window.

"Will you grab us some breakfast rolls from town?" Audrey said finally.

Paul sighed. "Aw, why don't you get them?"

"I still have to pack because somebody distracted me last night."

"I don't remember hearing you complain then."

Audrey bit her lip. "Please? I told Natalia I'd be at her place by one."

"Oh, alright," Paul said and he rolled out of bed. Audrey smiled at the moles on his back as he pulled on sweatpants. She was disappointed when he slipped his T-shirt over his head.

"You're a good friend, you know," he said, heading to the door. "Staying with Natalia like this."

Audrey shrugged. "She needs me. She so rarely falls for people, you know? She gets that much more wrecked when she gets her heart broken. She'll be back on her feet soon enough, and then I'll come home."

Paul nodded. "I'll be back in thirty."

Audrey waited until her front door slammed and then crept downstairs. From her cupboard, she removed her trunk of magical items and began sifting through its contents. Her wand was at the top; she had stowed it there before Paul arrived the night before. She pointed it at her bewitched radio. A burst of static echoed from its speaker, but when Audrey fiddled with the knob, a drawling song she didn't recognize played. She was looking forward to hearing what wizard radio stations played these days.

Audrey sorted through her spellbooks and was elated to find that, when she was done, the trunk had plenty of space left. Her clothes and personal belongings would fit in one piece of luggage with her magical equipment. She moved to the living room and longingly gazed at her record collection. There was no way her stereo was fitting into her trunk, and even if she used an Extension Charm, Paul would be suspicious that it was missing from the room. She grabbed her portable tape player and a few cassettes and tossed them in the trunk. Though Muggle technology didn't work at Hogwarts, Audrey vowed to fiddle with electronics just this once for the sake of music. Audrey shook her head: that is, if she was going to Hogwarts. She still hadn't officially accepted Dumbledore's offer.

Audrey had just slammed her trunk closed when Paul returned with sandwiches. Audrey ate quickly out of relief that she finished packing in time, and when he finally caught up with her, Paul volunteered to carry the trunk to his car.

"My God, Audrey, this is heavy," Paul grunted. "What did you pack?"

Audrey laughed brightly and assumed his question was rhetorical. Outside, she patted her Volkswagen goodbye. She told Paul she wouldn't need it at Natalia's flat in London, and she definitely wouldn't need it in the Wizarding world.

Paul let Audrey flip through the radio as he drove into London. She settled on an oldies station and let the Rolling Stones welcome them to their hometown. Audrey navigated them to a narrow street called Belmont Way. The buildings were stony and gray, standing tall and close together. She stopped Paul in front of one halfway down the road. It was hard to believe Natalia's vibrant personality called this dreary neighborhood home.

"I can take it from here," Audrey assured Paul, but he wasn't having it. He dragged the trunk behind Audrey all the way up to flat 3A.

Natalia didn't answer her door until Audrey knocked three separate times, and Audrey was shocked at her appearance. Her eyes were swollen and puffy behind her spectacles, which were askew on her face. Her hair stood up at odd intervals, and her scarves drooped around her neck. Across her shoulders, Natalia wore a heavy blanket and she clutched tissues in her hand.

"Audrey, you made it!" The blanket fell to the ground as Natalia threw her arms around Audrey and sobbed into her shoulder.

"Of course, Nat, I said I'd be here by one." Audrey shot Paul a knowing glance, but he was staring at the ground, looking distinctly uncomfortable.

Natalia looked up as if noticing Paul for the first time. "And Paul you drove her here yourself? You're too good. Oh, let me take that."

Paul seemed afraid Natalia would cry into his shoulder too so he let her heave the trunk into the apartment. Audrey gave him a small smile.

"I'll see you later, Paul."

"How long will you be gone again?" He seemed wary.

"As long as it takes," Audrey shrugged. "Could be a while."

"Could I take down Natalia's phone number? I'd feel better if I knew I could call you."

"Er… she doesn't have one," Audrey said. A witch would have no need for a Muggle telephone, but Paul couldn't know that. "Nat's very spiritual, thinks technology messes with her aura."

Paul looked back at the flat, his nose wrinkling. Audrey worried he smelled bullshit, but she strode over to him and touched his arm.

"Hey, there's a payphone by the hospital. I can call you from there. Don't worry about it."

Paul was still tense, but he pecked her on the lips and left. She had the same queasy feeling in her stomach that she had when she convinced Paul he imagined her Apparating in front of her house. Audrey entered Natalia's apartment and shut the door behind her.

"He bought it!" Natalia squealed, sounding distinctly like Ferris Bueller who tricked his parents, feigning sick to stay home from school.

"How did you know he'd follow me upstairs?" Audrey asked, still overwhelmed the plan worked.

"I was counting on it," Natalia grinned. "I only hoped my years of Academy training wouldn't be wasted."

"Yes, Hogwarts is renowned for its theatre program," Audrey laughed. "But seriously, I'm just glad he didn't want to come inside. I'm not sure he'd really believe I was staying here."

Audrey and Natalia stood in the living room, which doubled as a dining room and kitchen. A sofa was shoved in one corner with a table in front of it while an old-fashioned stove, counter, and fridge lined the other side of the room. A tiny hall led to Natalia's cramped bedroom and a bathroom.

"Hey, I've made this a lovely home. Don't knock it." Natalia put her hands on her hips as she surveyed her flat. It did appear comfortable despite its size. The walls were covered in bright tapestries and a calming smell of incense lingered, though Audrey couldn't tell where it came from.

"Besides," she continued. "You know I'm saving for my dream cottage by the sea. Spot of tea, dear?" Natalia moved to the kitchen-half of the room.

"No, I really ought to get to Sirius's place," Audrey said. "I want to get settled before I go to work tonight."

"Merlin's beard, Audrey, it's Sunday," Natalia rolled her eyes.

"People still get sick on Sundays," Audrey told her.

Natalia held up her hands. "Fine, but before you go I've got hot gossip. Would have gone well over tea, but I suppose this will have to do."

"Ooh, what is it?" Audrey longed to sink into the sofa and let Natalia rant, but she knew if she got settled, she'd be lured into a trance and would listen to Natalia's stories all day before she knew it.

Natalia raised her eyebrows. "I'm seeing Jackie this week."

"Who?"

Natalia was disappointed. "Jackie! My mystery Ministry woman, come on, Audrey!"

"Oh, my goodness, right! How exciting!" Audrey mentally kicked herself for not paying better attention to Natalia's story several days before. "But what about Tonks?"

Natalia sighed. "Seems she doesn't play for my team after all. I heard her going on with Ginny about that hunky seeker for Puddlemere United." She shook her head lamentably. "Could have sworn she was a Holyhead Harpies fan."

"A… what?"

"That's the all-female Quidditch team. Honestly, Audrey, I'm making clever sexual references here. I wish you'd appreciate them."

"I would if I knew anything about Quidditch, darling, sorry," Audrey said. "But where are you meeting Jackie? The Leaky Cauldron?"

"To start," Natalia smirked. "We'll see where the night takes us from there."

"Grand, I'm so happy for you, Nat," Audrey beamed. "Give me every juicy detail afterward, alright?"

"Don't I always?" Natalia said with a laugh. "Now, go on, get out of here."

Giving her friend once last smile, Audrey clutched her trunk and spun on the spot. In a moment, she found herself outside of Grimmauld Place, panting from the uncomfortable sensation of Apparition. She approached number twelve and knocked. For a moment, nothing happened, but then she heard a loud, argumentative voice. The door flung open, and Hestia Jones jumped at the sight of Audrey on the stoop. When she recovered, she stepped aside to let Audrey into the house.

"Didn't hear the knock," Hestia told her. Her cheeks were flushed a furious crimson. She turned a fiery gaze to Sirius who stood behind her, looking exhausted. "You're a sick man, Sirius Black."

Hestia gave Audrey a curt but polite nod and stormed out of the house, slamming the door shut behind her. Audrey opened her mouth to ask Sirius what happened but was interrupted by a loud wail. The curtains covering the portrait on the stairs flew open to reveal a screaming, distinguished-looking woman. Her eyes rolled madly as she shouted.

"Vermin! Vermin in my house! Disgusting filth! Traitors and mudbloods!"

"Shut up, you horrible woman!" Sirius bellowed as he sprinted to the portrait. Audrey followed at his heels, leaving her trunk in the hall.

"You!" she roared when she saw him. "Traitorous scum! Shameful burden to my family!"

"Enough!" Sirius snarled. He tugged forcefully at the curtains until they finally slid over the woman's face and she fell silent.

They stood for a long moment in the entryway as Sirius breathed heavily. At last he gave Audrey a dark smile.

"That would be my mother."

Audrey's mouth dropped open. She couldn't think of anything to say, except, "Wow."

"Tell me about it. She must have used a Permanent Sticking Charm on the back because we can't get the portrait down. Believe me, we've tried."

Sirius treaded wearily into the kitchen, and Audrey followed again. He picked up two mugs from the long table, put one in the sink, and filled the other with hot water from a kettle.

"Tea?" he mumbled.

"Sure," Audrey said, settling in a chair. A moment later, Sirius placed a steaming mug in front of her and sat across from her, holding one of his own. She took a sip and was pleased that he left out cream and sugar. She enjoyed tea most in its purest form.

"Mind if I ask what that was all about?" Audrey ventured, nodding toward the front door.

"I ended things with Hestia," Sirius admitted. Audrey didn't even know they were dating, but before she could respond, Sirius waved his hand vaguely. "Not that there was anything to end, really. A casual thing."

"Did she not get that memo?" Audrey said. Hestia was tall and strong. Sirius was lucky she didn't snap him in half like a toothpick.

"I reckon not," he said. "She was looking for something serious, and I…"

He trailed off, and Audrey couldn't stop herself. "You were a different kind of Sirius than she was looking for."

Sirius smiled in spite of himself. "Something like that." He rubbed a hand over his tired face, and Audrey noticed he was dressed in a thin robe tied at the waist and striped pajama pants. A tattoo peeked out of the opening of his robe on his chest, but Audrey couldn't tell what it was—words of some kind. He bit at his thumbnail absently.

"Probably should have done it before she stayed the night."

"Sirius, you didn't!" Audrey exclaimed. "You just had to get that last shag?"

"It does sound awful hearing you say it like that," Sirius cringed.

"I'd say it didn't help matters," Audrey said, shaking her head.

Sirius shrugged and then downed his tea. He looked around the room. "Haven't you got any luggage?"

"I left my trunk in the hall."

"I can show you your room if you like."

"Alright then," Audrey said and she drained her mug.

Sirius's eyes widened. "I didn't mean to rush you."

"You just did the same thing," Audrey pointed out. Sirius shook his head but led Audrey to the hall to gather her luggage and then up the stairs past the row of house-elf heads. Sirius pointed down the hall on the first floor.

"Molly's got the kids cleaning out the drawing room at the moment. The house was in quite a state when I moved in a few months ago. Kreacher hasn't done a damn thing to maintain the house in the ten years since my mum died. The place was downright unlivable. It's starting to get better now."

Sirius climbed more stairs to the second floor and turned to the left.

"Ron and Harry are staying in this room here," he said as they passed one door. He gestured to another door farther on the left. "You'll be staying in that one. There are more rooms upstairs, but we haven't cleared them out just yet. At least here you'll be able breathe without inhaling a decade's worth of dust."

"Always appreciated," Audrey laughed, and Sirius smiled back at her.

"I'll let you get settled then," Sirius said. "Have you had lunch? Molly already made sandwiches for the Hogwarts crowd, but I was going to cook if you wanted anything."

"I ate already, but thanks a lot, Sirius," Audrey told him. "Besides, I have to run to work soon."

"Oh," Sirius seemed disappointed. He ran a hand through his long hair. "How long is your shift?"

"Eight hours," Audrey sighed. "I'll be back in the early hours of the morning."

Sirius nodded. "Well, take this then."

He flicked his wand a set of keys zoomed up the stairs and into his hand. He held them out to her and smirked. "We won't wait up for you."

"Sweet of you," Audrey laughed, taking the keys from his hand.

"So," Sirius crossed his arms over his chest with a mischievous look in his eye. "Where does Paul think you are?"

Sirius had confided in her downstairs, so she responded comfortably. "Staying at Natalia's place and helping her through a tough break-up. Not sure how long I can keep that one up."

"Long enough, I'd say," Sirius said, nodding approvingly. "You gave yourself an indefinite amount of time. Decent plan."

"It is, I mean, it had to be if I came up with it," Audrey said in mock snobbishness.

Sirius let out a bark-like laugh, which was soon drowned out by a loud whining sound coming from upstairs.

"That'll be Buckbeak wondering why I haven't been up to feed him yet," Sirius said. "He's a hippogriff. Been staying in the master bedroom."

Audrey's eyes widened. "You have a hippogriff in your house? What—?"

"We're both on the run from the Ministry, believe it or not," Sirius explained. "Seems a bit cruel keeping him cooped up inside, but he'd be dead if he was recognized in public."

Sirius's eyes darkened, and Audrey had a feeling it wasn't the hippogriff's plight he was thinking about anymore.

"Can I meet Buckbeak?" Audrey asked. "If I just put my trunk down first?"

Sirius's face brightened. "Absolutely. I'll fetch his ferrets and be back in a few minutes."

Audrey grinned as he took off down the stairs. There was something charming about Sirius Black. He was easy to talk to, even if he had his dark moments. And he was handsome in an easy, carefree way. She didn't blame Hestia for wanting him to settle down with her. Her thoughts strayed to the tattoo on his chest, and she imagined herself slipping of his robe and tracing the letters inked into his skin with light fingers. She shook her head quickly and let herself into her new bedroom. Where did that fantasy come from? She forced herself to think about the night she just spent with Paul instead, and her heart hammered against her ribs.

Audrey turned her attention to the room itself. It was larger than her bedroom back at Magnolia Road but featured the same kind of furniture: a double bed, a long mirror, and a wardrobe, though it all looked ancient and considerably more expensive. Heavy curtains covered the window, and she kept them closed, choosing instead to open her trunk and retrieve her scrubs. She didn't want to worry about changing in time for her shift. She dressed quickly and was just tying her hair into a ponytail when someone rapped at the door.

She opened the door to see Sirius with a bunch of ferrets tied together and thrown over his shoulder. He smirked at her scrubs and raised an eyebrow.

"Ready?"

Audrey swallowed, looking steadily into his grey eyes. "Absolutely."