Chapter Eleven: My 'Fifteenth' Birthday

I own zilch.

I decided to skip to the ending of fourth year because I need to race through twenty-one years of time in this one story! Enjoy!

A staggering three years had passed since that first Christmas with the Potters. In the following months James and Sirius had finally figured out Remus' secret and had let Peter and me in on it. Remus had no idea that we knew, nor would he until we figured out how to become animagi. Unfortunately things had been going slowly, mostly because I was still blind.

As it turned out the hospital refused to do anything unless we gave them the names of my birth parents. Though Mr. and Mrs. Potter both knew of my situation, the boys couldn't understand why I wouldn't give up my parents' names. Mrs. Potter and I often visited St. Mungo's alone during the summer holidays in the hopes that they'd change their minds. And so far, we'd had no luck.

The idea occurred to me to just trust one of the healers, but Dumbledore didn't like my thoughts when I asked him if it'd be all right. He said that if he found someone whom he thought was trustworthy, he'd let me know. I've got a funny feeling Dumbledore doesn't like healers.

So here I was. Seemingly fifteen on May twentieth. It was a Saturday as well as the day of the Quidditch final. The game was to be Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw. I would of course go to listen to the game because both James and Sirius would be playing. James as seeker and Sirius as a chaser. Nickie and Lexi had both tried out for chaser in third year, but the only position went to Sirius. They both planned to try out again next year. Amanda and Lily weren't interested in the game as much as other people were. The fact Remus talked about the sport more than those two was saying something.

"You ready to see us win Keena?" Sirius asked that morning, nudging my side.

"When have I ever seen you lose?" I replied, eating a piece of toast.

"Well, today will be a first then won't it?" came the voice of Ludo Bagman, a seventh year beater, and Ravenclaw's team captain.

"Right, that'll be the day when Gryffindor loses a championship," James laughed.

"This year'll be different, I can tell,"

"Stow it Bagman, you'll jinx our team," a Ravenclaw player by the name of Christie Sherman said coming over to our table.

"Gryffindor team! Field, now!" shouted Gryffindor's captain, Rose Jenkins.

"See you guys later," I said as Sirius and James got up and followed the other players out. I turned back to my plate, waiting for someone to run back and remind everyone it was my birthday.

"Hum…" I sighed.

"They forgot didn't they?"

"Morning, Remus," I said. "Where've you been?"

"Sleeping," That's right; full moon was just a few nights ago…

"That's nice," I said, picking at my toast.

"Would it mean anything if I said 'Happy Birthday' or would it make things worse?" Remus asked, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Thanks," I said smiling. "I guess that they're just too wrapped up in Quidditch just now,"

"Happens every year, doesn't it?"

"Yep,"

"When do you want to get down the stadium then?"

"Don't you want to eat?"

"I'm not that hungry,"

"Why is it I'm the only one not allowed to skip a meal then?"

"Fine, I'll bring something,"

"No, I'll bring something for you," I said, grabbing another piece of toast and a napkin (everything was always set up in the same place at our table for obvious reasons).

We headed down to the field and got prime seats. At least I think they were, we'd climbed several staircases to get to them anyway.

"Where's Pettigrew?" I asked.

"He was still asleep when I left,"

"Slug,"

"Why don't you call him Peter anymore?"

"Peter is a boring name," I said.

"Keena,"

"It just reminds me of someone that's all," I lied.

"Is Peter your father's name?"

"No," I said flatly. "When are you guys going to drop that?"

"When you can see again,"

The stands were slowly filling up and the match was finally set to begin.

"Good morning and welcome to the Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw Quidditch cup match!" shouted Nickie, who was substituting for the current announcer, who was in the Hospital Wing for certain things said during the Slytherin versus Ravenclaw match. The Slytherins had not been a happy group; let's just leave it at that.

"Here come the teams! For Gryffindor it's Captain and chaser, Rose Jenkins, chasers Sirius Black and Monica West, Beaters Jeremy Stuart and Mandy Hopkinton, seeker James Potter, keeper Ben Wood, and lastly our catcher Stephen Jones!" There were hundreds of cries from the stands and I could just barely here the whipping of the players' cloaks in the air.

"And now for the Ravenclaw team! Here's Captain and beater Ludo Bagman, beater Charlotte Simmons, chasers Ricky Smith, Madison McGimmons and Christie Sherman, keeper Tommy Higgs, seeker Thomas Richardson, and catcher Sheng Chang!" More cheering from the stands.

"And here comes Professor Scoter with the balls, as teams make their way to the center of the field. And the bludgers are released. Holy crap!" there were gasps from the crowd. "Looks like one of our bludgers is over-excited today! Nice hit by Stuart, before the take off!" There were several laughs from the crowd. "Would someone help Professor Scoter off of the ground please?"

"Did the bludger go at him?"

"Nah, you know how jumpy he is," Remus replied.

"And the snitch has been released, beginning the game!" Nickie yelled to the crowd. "It's Black with the quaffel, no it's Smith with a bludger hit at Black. Wait, now it's Black again? No that's not Black, that's uh…oh wait…that is Black! Black passes to West who throws to Jenkins back to West and look out for the bludger! Nice save by Hopkinton and it's a clear shot to the goal! Come on Monica!"

There was a loud gong and cheers went up all around us.

"And Higgs is just too slow today! Now it's Ravenclaw in possession, and Smith has the quaffel. Smith to Sherman, to catcher Chang back to Smith and here comes the bludger from Stuart, oh and it's saved by Simmons! Now it's just Smith and Wood! Let's go Ben!"

There was a mix of groans and cheers and I couldn't tell what had taken place.

"Yes! It's a brilliant save by Wood! And the quaffel is with Jenkins, whose riding up the field, completely unchallenged by the other team! Eep! Rose watch out for Bagman!"

There was a deafening crack and I shuddered along with the rest of the crowd. I didn't have to see to know what was going on.

"Is she okay?" I said, my eyes opening wider on reflex.

"She got hit in the head with a bludger," Remus replied.

"Oh my God,"

"And it's Gryffindor's first time out! Bagman you bastard! Everyone knows you've got perfect aim!"

A whistle was blown and the chatter in the crowds increased in volume by the second.

"Sirius! Is she okay?" Remus yelled out to the field.

"I don't think she'll be playing again," Sirius yelled back, worriedly before descending to see what was going on.

After several moments Nickie was back on. "It looks like Jenkins is out for the rest of the game," there were boos from the crowd. "And yes, Ravenclaw will suffer a penalty, thrown by Black. And it's twenty-nil to Gryffindor!

"Black in possession and—wait! Potters seen something! He's diving! Like a bomb! Closely followed by Ravenclaw's catcher, Chang! Go James! Go!"

Hundreds of gasps filled the stadium, and I assumed the dive was still in progress.

"Just a bit further James just a bit! And…Yes! James has the snitch! Gryffindor wins the cup! Gryffindor wins the cup!"

Remus and I made our way down from the stands and towards the locker rooms, where we waited for about ten minutes for the team to come out. From there we headed strait to the Hospital Wing to tell Rose the good news.

The rest of the day was a giant party for the Gryffindors. Some seventh year sent a letter to the new bar tender, Madame Rosemerta, and got us a huge delivery of butterbeer. The party lasted until about eight o'clock when everyone started to get tired. We had been partying since about two in the afternoon, after all. I was about to head up to the dorm when Sirius called after me to stay a moment.

Maybe Remus reminded them…

"Come with me," Sirius said, pulling me out of the Common Room.

"Sirius, it's past curfew,"

"No it's only eight; curfew is in an hour,"

"Is it?"

"Yeah,"

He led me down several staircases then out of the castle and onto the grounds.

"Why are we outside?"

"Because that's where your birthday present is," Sirius replied.

"I thought you and James forgot,"

"Well, I don't know about James, but I didn't,"

We stopped walking somewhere close to the lake (I could hear the sound of the water hitting the shore).

"Time to mount,"

"Mount what?"

"My broom,"

"Sirius, you know I can't fly,"

"No, you can fly, you just won't try,"

"Exactly,"

"Come on, Keena, it took me a month to plan this,"

"A month?" I asked, not believing him for a second.

"Do you know how hard you are to shop for?"

"Sirius," I moaned.

"Please?" he said, pulling me closer to him.

"Alright," I said, giving in.

"Right, put your hands here," he placed my hands onto the broomstick and I mounted. He got on behind me, holding my hands under his so that he could steer.

"Ready?"

"No,"

"Good," he kicked off from the ground and I shrunk closer to him. It felt like I was floating in space. I couldn't see and I couldn't feel the ground beneath my feet. It was slightly unnerving, but at the same time it was exciting.

"How high are we?" I asked timidly, my hair whirling around my face.

"Don't worry, I'm in complete control," he whispered in my ear.

We flew around for what felt like hours. Suddenly, Sirius took a sharp dive.

"Sirius!" I shouted. Suddenly we were going flat again. Wordlessly, he took one of my hands off of the broom handle and brought it to what I thought would be the ground. It turned out to be the lake and chilly water. I gasped and he laughed at me.

"Want to try something new?" he asked.

"Why not?" I dared. How many more things can turn up…?

"Hold your breath," I did and we took a sharp dive into the lake and were speeding along under water for about ten seconds. We broke the surface and I couldn't help but laugh.

Finally we returned to the ground and I got off of the broom.

"Was this a good present?" he asked, standing very close to me.

"It was a wonderful present," I said smiling.

"That's good," he whispered. He was close enough that I could feel his breath on my face. The next moment we were lip-locked. I put my hands around his neck and he placed his round my waist. It felt as if we were standing there for an eternity when we were interrupted.

"Am I interrupting something here?"

We sprang apart like two of the same magnetic charges and turned to where the voice had come from.

I hope that isn't who I think it is…

"Well, sir, actually yes," Sirius said sheepishly, still holding onto one of my hands.

"Please excuse the intrusion, but I was told I could find Miss McIntosh here," it was who I thought it was; Dumbledore. Talk about embarrassing moments.

"Sorry sir," I said, my lips still tingling with the excitement of the moment.

"Do not be sorry at all, it is after all, still before curfew, at least for the moment," Dumbledore said. "I'll assume you had a happy fifteenth birthday then,"

"Yes sir,"

"Good then I'll make my point quickly," he said. "July 31st,"

"What sir?" my mind immediately thinking of Harry.

"July 31st, that is when Healer Lasik will make it possible for you to see again,"

My jaw dropped and I was speechless.

"Oh my God! Keena!" Sirius enveloped me into a hug and I hugged back, still in a state of shock.

"Now, you two had better hurry back to your Common Room, lest Filch finds you out here," Dumbledore chided. "He does not understand the beauty of young love," Naturally at this moment, I wanted to burst out laughing for joy.

"Thank you sir," I said, breathlessly and Sirius and I practically ran the whole way back to the Common Room.

"There they are," James said as we burst into the Common Room.

"July 31st James! July 31st!" I screamed, jumping up and down, still holding Sirius' hand.

"What?" James said, completely perplexed.

"Dumbledore just told us!" Sirius said, equally excited.

"Told you what?" Remus asked.

"I'm going to see again!"

"That's great!" James shouted, getting up from wherever it was he was sitting to give me a hug. "We should have another party!"

"We should have two more," Remus said quietly.

"What for?"

"Keena's birthday,"

"Sirius! We forgot her birthday!" James yelled, feigning to cover my ears.

"I didn't forget mate, what did you think we were doing?"

"Well, when we looked out the window last, you two were just on the ground, very close together by the lake," James teased, before clearing his throat. "And by the way, I'm letting you know now, I consider Keena my little sister,"

"I'm older than you," I said. …not true…

"That doesn't matter," James said. "Just don't break up and hate each other,"

"Why would we do that?"

"Would you?"

"No,"

"James, you're being ridiculous," I said laughing.

"If you say so,"

The next two months seemed to crawl by, and the more anxious I got, the more slowly time seemed to pass.

News of Sirius and I got out so fast, that it became old news within two days. A few girls in his fan club seemed convinced he was only taking pity on me, and even a couple of guys thought he was taking advantage of the situation. It didn't matter for long though, school ended on the 15th of June.

The girls from the fan club were quiet vicious when it came down to it, though. On the train ride home, Nickie and I were heading back to the compartment when we were ambushed by a bunch of the jealous bitches.

"So, McIntosh, I hear you're with our dear Siri?" the leader of the pack (inside joke) Sandy Williams stated.

"I don't know anyone by the name of 'Siri' do you Nickie?" I replied coolly.

"Not a soul,"

"Oh honestly, he's just trying to prove how compassionate he is,"

"Then why are you so defensive?"

"You had just better back off, or there will be trouble," she threatened.

"What are you going to do? I know way more spells, meaning I know even more counter curses. You are no threat to me whatsoever,"

"Keena,"

"Yes Nickie?"

"How many can you handle at once?"

"Maybe five?"

"That's what I thought,"

Next second Nickie and I are racing down the hallway being chased down by what sounded like twenty girls, all shrieking spells as we made our way back to our compartment.

"Lexi! Leave the door open!" Nickie yelled.

Suddenly we made a sharp right and the door was slammed shut.

"Where's the fire?" Remus asked.

"Actually, I thought I heard someone shout 'Incendio' behind us, but I wasn't sure," I said, panting.

"What?"

"Who was chasing you?"

"A pack of boy crazed girls," Nickie said, no doubt glaring at Sirius.

"Why are you making that face at me?" Sirius asked defensively. I know them well.

"Because, Siri, it was your lot of love struck girls chasing us this time,"

"Siri?" Remus laughed.

"This time?" James asked.

"Don't even get me started on all the girls who try to attack us whenever they feel that Keena is getting too much attention from one of you. I believe last week it was your fan club, James, that was hunting us down on our way to breakfast," Nickie informed.

"I have a fan club?" James asked, dreamily.

"Don't let it get to your head," I warned.

"Well, you'll understand their point this summer, Keena," James said still in a dream state.

"See what you do Nickie?"

"Yeah, now he knows that all the girls are after him," Amanda said.

"As if that would make a difference," Lily snorted. "He still has a huge head,"

"You're just jealous Lil," James said.

"You wish," threatened Lily, as the train began to slow to a stop.

Everyone began getting up to find his or her luggage and go home for the summer. Before we left the compartment, however, I distinctly heard James say, "You have no idea,"

That's the end of this chapter! Finally, we see some James vs. Lily action take place! I've been trying to fit that in! It's so much fun seeing the two of them want to kill each other! I'm not making any promises, but I think I'll let Keena/Kailey have her sight back in the next chapter, but I'm not positive yet…oh well! Review if you've got an opinion on the matter! Review if you don't! PLEASE REVIEW!

:-D