Sirius Black listened to James talk about Storm Hunter with a growing sense of envy. She was beautiful and brave and perfect for him. James couldn't even begin to comprehend the kind of childhood purebloods like them had. James was his best friend, but he could never understand. But Storm? She would understand him. Sirius watched her that day. She was a good actress; the only thing that gave her away was her eyes. They kept flitting to over too look at James. Sirius convinced James not to tell the other Marauders about Storm. He said it under the pretence of protecting her secret, but really, he was worried Remus might notice that he was jealous. That boy was too perceptive. James had always loved Lily. It was ironic; really, that the girl to turn him would be the only girl Sirius would ever truly want.
Storm whispered the incantation, her wand moving fluidly to complete the spell that would allow her to listen in on conversations held by her Slytherin peers by from her dormitory. It had been a while since she had made any move to help out the order, and she had received a note form Dumbledore asking he to meet him later that week. Storm wanted to make sure she had something for him, even if only small.
She had become too preoccupied with James. Every night, like clockwork, they would meet behind the tapestry. He always asked her to sleep the night. She never did. He had never asked her why. In truth, Storm was scared. Sure, she had had boyfriends in the past. But no one had ever roused the same feelings in her as James. Love was for fools. It made you weak and vulnerable, something that Storm could not afford.
Pulling the hangings around her bed, and casting a quick muffilato, Storm tapped into the charm, listening for anything that could be of interest.
"Apparently, Storm Hunter kicked Malfoy down a few rungs. No one knows why but I say she thinks he's a threat. I mean, they say he's marked and I checked her arm in charms yesterday and there was nothing. If you ask me, she better hurry up and join him. I know I will be the second I get out of here," a voice said.
"…she's hot though, but I reckon it's only a matter of time before she shacks up with Jamie, that adopted brother. Have you seen the way he looks at her? I heard he beat up Malfoy for asking her to Hogsmeade."
Storm rolled her eyes. The rumour mill was churning, and she couldn't say she was surprised to find that she was hot gossip at the moment. Especially with what had happened with Bellatrix, and then Lucius. Suddenly, she heard a voice that made her sit up straight.
"I will be taking Storm to a meeting with him next break. She will be joining. I won't hear any more of it, Bella," Jamie's deep timbre sliced through the air.
"She better be! I might follow her now, but out of school I follow the Dark Lord and the Dark Lord only. If she refuses to align herself with him, then I say she goes," Bellatrix's voice was bitter.
"Enough, Bella. She will join. Now leave," Jamie finished the conversation angrily.
Storm shivered from her place in the dormitory. She had somehow avoided joining so far. Apparently her run of luck was coming to an end.
James was in love. He was certain of it. He had never felt this way about a girl before, even Lily. As he waited for Storm in their usual meeting place he felt his resolve set. He would tell her tonight.
James watched the tapestry lift, and the girl in question came into view, approaching him silently. They never really spoke much. Talking ruined the magic. This was the only place their relationship existed, here in the hidden passage on the third floor, under the cover of darkness. With words came reality, and reality was harsh and unforgiving. In reality, Storm would never leave her position as a spy. In reality, they could never be together publicly. But here, anything could happen.
James frowned slightly as she lit a cigarette, blowing the smoke out the window. She only smoked on bad days. Her eyes were tired, but otherwise her expression an unreadable mask. Her face was always blank, James observed. It was as though the expression had been permanently ingrained in her features, having held onto it for so long. He never knew what she was thinking. Raising a hand, he ran his fingers down her face.
She made a pretty picture, leaned against the window and gazing across the grounds. Her wine red lips were parted slightly, closing every so often over the end of her cigarette. Her eyes were distant, but bright as ever. The green orbs seemed to carry the weight of the world. Her black waves rolled down her back, disappearing into the darkness. Her skin glowed, iridescent in the moonlight.
"I love you," James said suddenly, surprising himself.
If Storm was surprised, she didn't show it. She blew out a long stream of smoke, tossing the remainder of the cigarette out the window. She watched it fall all the way down, before finally turning to him, her gaze almost curious.
"Really?" She asked her tone light.
Suddenly, James was infuriated. Here he was, telling her he loved her, and she responds with 'really'?
"What do you mean "really"? I tell you I love you, and that's your response?" James snapped.
He immediately felt bad when he saw it. A flash of fear in her eyes. She was scared.
"What are you afraid of?" He asked softly, after a moment.
Storm froze. He had seen it, she knew. Nothing ever escaped her eyes, but in that moment she had felt fear, and she knew her face had betrayed her.
"I have always thought myself very perceptive. My mother is the only person I don't understand, and it scares the shit out of me. I have never understood love," Storm was looking at him now, her eyes devoid of emotion.
"So you're scared of what you don't understand. That's fine, that's normal, Storm. But I know you love me, even if you are scared," James responded, staring at her beseechingly.
Storm knew she did. And so did he. But they had disrupted the quiet, and with words came reality. She couldn't speak again. Not after this. If they kept talking, they would eventually come to the big, pink elephant in the room. They would be forced to discuss the fact that their relationship would never, could never, become public. And she would have to reveal her plans to be marked, and take her place as a death eater in order to continue spying for the order. Once that happened, they would be over. She wouldn't risk his life like that. The death eaters would kill them both if they ever found out.
"I love you," Storm said, before quickly pulling him into a passionate kiss.
They didn't speak again until James asked her to stay. And that night, for the very first time, Storm actually did.
Storm rose early the next morning, disentangling herself from the sheets on the makeshift bed in behind the tapestry. She paused for a moment to observe James. He loved her. He loved her.
Albus Dumbledore was troubled. He remembered when Storm, so many years ago, had flooed him. And he had been forced to make a difficult decision. He hated putting her in such danger, and hated the way her spying had forced her to become reclusive and friendless. But it was a necessary evil. For the greater good. He shivered as he paced his study, waiting for Storm to arrive. He heard a knock at the door, and seated himself behind his desk.
"Come in," Dumbledore smiled as the girl approached him, seating herself opposite him.
Legimency never had worked on her. She had learned it all as a child; her family had made sure she could defend her mind in case anyone ever tried to discover their secrets.
"It's happened. They want to mark me soon, Jamie said this break but I think I can delay it until after school. He just wanted to placate Bellatrix. I'm going to do it," Stormed paused, a steely glint in her eyes. "I understand the dangers. But you need someone, and I'm perfect. I'll join; I'll spy for the Order."
Dumbledore marvelled at how easily the girl was willing to give up her life for others. She was far more selfless than she gave herself credit for. But she was strong willed, and nothing he could say now would convince her to change her mind. It was with a heavy heart that Dumbledore consented.
"We, the Order and I, will never be able to thank you enough. You have saved so many lives, over the years. Prevented so many evils. I know you are set on this but I urge you to take some time to think on it. You have given enough, you have earned the right to pursue a life of your own," Dumbledore implored.
Storm nodded briefly. She had made up her mind, she wouldn't be thinking on it again.
"Breakfast will be starting soon. I need to go and meet with the Slytherin's. I won't change my mind," Storm spoke resolutely, leaving the room with a nod of farewell.
A/N: I wrote three pages! This is my second longest chapter yet, and the second chapter I have posted tonight. Please review, if only to thank me for my extreme dedication haha! REVIEW! (: