Title - When You're Strange
Chapter title - Legs
Author - OblivionsGarden
Genre - Romance/Friendship/Drama/Fantasy
Disclaimer - I do not own the Harry Potter, books or films, in anyway shape or form. I only own the plot points surrounding my oc's, not recognized from the books or films. For this chapter I own, Malorie, Professor Grimsby and Warwick.
Chapter Word Count - 2369
To: MajesticHippo - Thanks for the review, more Siri/Mal time coming up! :D xx
To: LivingDreadGirl - Thanks so much for the review! xx
To: green angel01 - Thanks! xx
To: The Dancing Huntress - Thanks for your critique but can you be more specific on what you mean by monotone. It's supposed to be 3rd person cause I'm not a fan of first but I'm not sure that's what you meant. xx
A/n - Please leave a review, let me know what you think. I'd really appreciate it!
The weeks of November were a strange few for Malorie. Not only was she having to deal with her body growing up faster than she was prepared for, she also had to deal with Sirius' fan club constantly putting ideas in her head and Warwick always appearing from nowhere to hang out. Not to say she didn't like Warwick of course she did, he was one of the nicest guys she knew apart from her boys but the constant sniggering from her friends drove her to the brink of insanity. She couldn't even convincingly tell them that she had no interest in boys anymore because every time her mind wandered to Sirius her heart would start to pound, her palms would get sweaty and her head would spin and damn those bloody second years for putting it in her head.
The day after Halloween Professor Grimsby, the DADA Professor, had given Sirius and Malorie detention for missing his lesson. They had managed to make the rest of the lessons though so it wasn't too bad. They were left to clean out some creature cages without magic for the evening, something that nobody should look attractive doing. But with her mind reeling from the night before, Malorie had found herself glancing over to Sirius on more than one occasion. He'd gotten taller since second year and his jaw line was more defined. Even his cheek bones seemed more prominent and all his quidditch practice had paid off, making his body lean and slightly muscular. He had his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing the gently tanned skin and when she looked at his eyes... God those eyes. A stormy grey colour that constantly held a hint of mischief. His hair was jaw length and dark, framing his face perfectly. She must have silently cursed those second years at least twelve times in that one evening.
She spent the last week before Christmas break having a dare bet with James. Remus insisted it would only end in tears but when Sirius insisted the pair of them keep it light hearted all four boys were excited to see who would win. It began with James having to go and tell Moaning Myrtle that Peeves wanted to take her on a date. Peeves vowed to get revenge on whoever told Myrtle that and she flooded the bathroom when she realized it was a joke. Then Malorie had to cartwheel her way down the great hall during dinner, McGonagall looked fit to burst but Dumbledore began a small round of applause. Then James had to sing everything he said, which he somehow managed to do all day, even in DADA. Then Malorie got detention for telling McGonagall that she was 'lookin' so fine in that hat, damn.' Peter hadn't stopped laughing about that one all week. James had also gone skinny dipping in the black lake, which even during summer was a grim prospect and in return Malorie had morphed into Dumbledore and started roaming the halls to talk to students about the weirdest topics. That was fine until Dumbledore realized what she was doing and joined her. The look on students faces when they were confronted with two Dumbledore's talking about sock patterns was almost enough to make James declare Malorie as the victor in their bet. Almost. It was an even draw and the pair of them were having trouble coming up with a dare that would make them win.
"Bungee jump from the Astronomy tower." James suggested and then shrugged when Lily glared at him.
"If I do that then you can build a tree house in the womping willow." Malorie retorted.
"Attempt to put a saddle on the giant squid." Peter grinned as they laughed at his suggestion.
"Really put a saddle on a centaur." Sirius countered and they all chuckled again.
"Go a whole week without detention." Lily said dryly, moving away from the group when they all burst into hysterics at her words.
"Tell McGonagall that the reason you haven't done your homework is because your training to become an illegal animagus." Remus muttured, barely audible over the chatter in the common room but the four of his friends caught it and shared a laugh.
"Mess up Sirius' hair and then run for your life." James grinned, wiggling his eyebrows at Sirius' affronted expression.
"Build a catapult and fire James somewhere. Ten sickles to whoever finds him first." He shot back.
"Alright, alright. Potter... I suggest we call this game to a draw for now. Should either of us come up with a dare, we continue." Malorie yawned.
"Ok. So the game is on hold."
"Temporary hiatus."
"Sorted."
It was well into the evening when Malorie decided to talk to James again. This time on a topic that they were all excited about.
"Hey, Potter... How's that map you've been planning coming along?"
"Great. I think I've pretty much placed where all the passages are. And I've decided how I want the map to be... Now I just have to figure out how to make it."
The five of them sat up all night, planning on the map and each taking a task to help this come to life. Remus was looking for spells and charms to show everyone in the school on the map, where they are at the exact moment that someone is using the map. Peter and James were going to make rough draft maps of the school, ensuring to include as many details as possible and Sirius and Malorie were going to come up with ways to keep the map secret from prying eyes and give it a defense mechanism should someone unwanted try to read it.
With the plans for the map, quidditch practice and the boys practicing becoming animagus ever night, they barely had any spare time. They only just managed to get their homework done to an acceptable standard. Malorie refused to relax whilst the boys were in the shack each night, she stayed with them, giving them any advice she could think of. And in the final day before everyone went home for Christmas, Sirius had a break through. All of the boys were concentrating hard, Malorie and Remus watching for any signs of a change when it happened. Sirius' legs shortened in length, growing alot of shaggy black fur and claws. Remus elbowed Malorie, pointing to where Sirius as struggling to keep his balance. Malorie stood and moved closer, taking his hands in hers to keep him steady.
"Wha-"
"Don't loose concentration." She murmured. "You're doing great."
James and Peter had opened their eyes now, aware that something was happening. Sirius squeezed his eyes even tighter, his face reddening in his concentration. But soon, his normal legs were back and he collapsed to his knees breathless.
"What happened?" He frowned.
"You're legs changed. Dogs legs I think." Remus smiled.
"Nice one, Sirius." James grinned.
"This is brilliant, you guys are almost there." Malorie grinned. "Pretty soon there's gonna be four animals to help out during the full moon."
She glanced at Remus, whose wide smiled mirrored hers, before looking back at Sirius. He was still catching his breath, shaking a little with the effort of holding himself upright. She squatted beside him, gently resting her hand on his shoulder.
"You ok?"
"Yeah. Just tired." He shrugged.
"Well I think that's enough for tonight." Remus nodded at Malorie's concerned expression. "Let's all get some sleep or we'll miss the train in the morning."
"I'm not going home." Sirius leant heavily on James as he stood. "Not this year."
"But... I thought you were going to try and talk to Reg." Peter frowned. "You'll get more chance to at home than here."
"I know. But I keep telling you, he's a lost cause. There really is no use in trying."
"There's always use in trying." Malorie mumbled. "Giving up has no use."
"It's already planned anyway. I didn't sign the form to say I was going home so it's too late." Sirius tone indicated the end of the discussion and for a while it was silent. Peter was the first to speak again.
"Well, whilst we're home, Malorie and you can carry on with the map and you can get more practice in for your transformation."
"Yeah. Hopefully by the time we get back we'll know what species those furry legs belonged to for certain." James chuckled.
Sirius insisted on practicing nearly every night of the winter break. Malorie obliged most nights, but on days where she could see the exhaustion in his eyes, she refused to let him leave the common room, threatening to morph into a lion if he even tried. On the quieter nights she went through her wardrobe, throwing out what no longer fit and making a list of things she needed to repurchase on their first trip to Hogsmead after Christmas. So far she needed more underwear, since her bras weren't doing much other than making breathing difficult, new quidditch robes since the ones that Lola fixed for her weren't exactly new and smelt like something had rotted inside the armpit stitching, and some new jumpers too, since she'd stretched out her old ones. She was just thankful that the Dementors Kiss shirt Sirius had gotten her for her birthday still fit. Just.
Warwick had also decided to stay at Hogwarts over Christmas, which in someways was a blessing since Malorie wanted as much practice as she could get. But he always seemed to be there, often interrupting very private conversations between she and Sirius. She didn't want to be rude but she always felt a little bad since Sirius would usually just leave the room.
On one evening, after she'd finished her favorite hazelnut hot chocolate (no one makes it quite like the Hogwarts elves), and finished her letter to Miss Fox, she was planning to send Bowie off with the letter and then head to the shack with Sirius. However, Warwick met her at the entrance to the hall asking if she wanted to go for a walk. She said she already had plans but she could have short walk around the courtyard if that would suffice. He didn't say much, just smiled and gently tugged her along by her hand. However, the five minutes she promised soon turned into ten and then thirty and before she knew it, it was almost time to be in the common room.
"Damn. I was supposed to meet Sirius hours ago." She winced, thinking of what his reaction was going to be. He already teased her about Warwick as it was.
"Are you and him a thing, then?"
"Huh?" Malorie balked. "Me and Sirius? No, he's my best friend."
She couldn't help the twinge in her stomach at that admission but it was short lived as Warwick smiled, nodded and leant forward. Their lips were only connected for a millisecond but even that was too much for her.
"Oh, Warwick!" Malorie stepped back, her face flushing faster than it ever had. "I'm sorry, I don't... I mean I'm-"
"You're not interested. It's fine." Warwick was blushing now, looking everywhere but at Malorie.
"I'm sorry. I'm not really interested in anyone right now. Honestly." She bit her lip, awkwardly. "We're still friends though, right?"
"Of course." He smiled. "You're the best seeker we've had for years and we were friends before I tried to kiss you anyway. Stupid to throw that away, eh?"
"Thanks, Warwick." She smiled. "I really should get back though. Before Filch comes to give us a detention."
"Good point. Let's go."
Sirius wasn't in the common room when they got back and so, once she was sure Warwick was in his own dorm, she headed to Sirius'. She knocked on and when she heard no reply she pushed the door open. He was nowhere to be seen and so she assumed he was still in the shack. As fast as she could she left the common room, shifting into her preferred form of a red fox and made her way out of the castle. She didn't change back into herself until she was running up the stairs of the shack. Sirius was sat in a moth eaten arm chair that Peter had found one evening, a brooding look on his face.
"Sirius, I'm so sorry I completely lost track of time. I was just going to send my letter to Miss Fox but then Warwick asked if-"
"Oh Warwick?" Sirius scoffed. "I might've known it would've had something to do with that slimy git."
"Warwick is not slimy." She frowned. "I said I could spare five minutes but we got talking and I lost track of the time. I'm really sorry Sirius."
"You do realize why we were supposed to meet don't you?" He stood from the chair, easily half a foot taller than Malorie. "We're supposed to be learning to change so we can help Remus. Y'know our werewolf friend? But I suppose your boyfriend is more important to you."
"How dare you!" She was positively seething. "How dare you accuse me of forgetting about Remus. Who is the one who stays with him during the full moons so that he doesn't hurt himself? Who is the one who is here whenever you and the boys are trying to transform so she can try and help?" Malorie had never had a real argument with any of the boys. Sure they'd have their playful little scuffles here and there but nothing like this. "And as a matter of fact Warwick tried to kiss me tonight-" Sirius made an expression of 'I knew it' but she ignored him. "And I told him I wasn't interested in him or anyone like that. And he's happy to be my friend. Which is a good job seeing as one of the people I thought was my friend will accuse me of nasty things the moment I make one tiny mistake."
She left faster than she had arrived. She went straight to her dormitory, changing into her pajamas and climbing into bed. It wasn't until she heard thuds on the door the following morning that she got up.
A/n - All of the dares between Mal and James, including the suggested ones, were from a post on tumblr. Except for the morphing into Dumbledore and him joining in, that was another post on tumblr but regarding Tonks. They're on my tumblr page at OblivionsGarden, tagged as HP if you want them. xx