Red Horizon
Chapter 25 – Padfoot the second.
DISCLAIMER: Buffy the Vampire Slayer belongs to Joss Whedon, and Harry Potter to J.K. Rowling. I don't own anything…
RATING: PG-13 (T) to R (M) - violence, language, angst, horror, mild sexual interactions, etc. If you can watch BTVS/AtS and read HP, I doubt you'll have any problem with this story.
TIMELINE: Takes place after season two in BTVS, and after the marauders last year at Hogwarts. Sequel to "Out of the Blue."
SUMMARY: BTVS/HP crossover. After Graduation, Buffy's life takes another turn once again. She finds herself being thrown into war against Voldemort along with her friends, and not everyone will make it out alive...and not everyone is loyal to the light. But who is a friend and who is an enemy? Who can you trust in a time of darkness?
CENTRAL PAIRING: Buffy/Remus
OTHER PAIRINGS: James/Lily, Sirius/Eliza
Special Thanks to: My Beta - CharmedChick
Sirius had to hold back a scream as he stared at the monster in front of him.
Big.
Black.
Definitely intimidating.
Scary.
Could he handle it?
He took a hesitant step closer.
He couldn't hold it anymore.
He screamed.
Of happiness.
"You like it?" The muggle-clerk asked, raising his eyebrow as he stared at Sirius who was doing some sort of victory dance on the shop's floor.
Sirius wasn't listening. His eyes had turned back to the monster- the motorbike. His new baby. He stroke the seat carefully, as if he were afraid it would break, and grinned dopily as he took in the shiny dark steel with hungry eyes.
"I guess he does..." the clerk muttered, before he started to ramble up all the positives about the bike, but Sirius tuned him out, as he mounted the bike and grabbed the handles, pretending he was riding it.
"...and of course, it's not cheap, but that's to be expected. So? How's it going to be? You want it or not?"
Sirius looked up at the man, eyes shiny and strangely glassy.
"Hell yeah!"
Remus', Buffy's, Eliza's, James' and Lily's eyes widened as they took in the sight before him.
"Hey guys! Happy twenties, Moony!" Sirius grinned as he turned off the motor and de-mounted his motorbike. "This," he said and patted it lovingly, "is a Triumph- namely 'Padfoot-Junior' -or 'Padfoot the second' whichever you prefer."
James let out a light snort at this and Lily's lips twitched. Remus just stared dumbly at the bike, and Buffy's eyes were shiny as she took in the powerful machine. Eliza's was also shiny, but because of Sirius' leather pants which sat really tight around his lower areas, and made for quite a tasty picture.
"Eliza?" Sirius asked, grinning. "It's delicious, isn't it?" He said, and pointed towards the motorbike.
Eliza nodded. "Uh-hu..." But it wasn't about the bike thatshe said it.
Remus frowned. "Well...I guess it's...umm...cool. But...do you really know how to handle it?"
Sirius looked offended. "Of course I do! I drove her here, didn't I? Besides, I'd never do anything to endanger my baby."
"My baby?" James mimicked at Lily, who just shrugged, trying not to laugh.
"It wasn't really the bike I was worried about...?" Remus mumbled, glancing a little at Lily, who grinned.
"Well, if Sirius thinks he can handle his...erhmm...baby, then I guess we should let him. But now I need to go and handle my own," she added, before stepping inside Remus' cottage as she heard Harry cry from inside.
"Well? Prongs?" Sirius said, expectantly. "Aren't you going to say anything?"
"What are there to say?" James said. "It's really cool, I'll admit that. But it's a muggle one, right? Well, it can't have been cheap- and...what use is it? Except letting out a lot of noise? I have to say I prefer brooms."
Sirius pouted, sounding slightly wounded. "I thought you'd love it! And there are lots of good stuff coming with this bike!" He started to count all the positive sides off from his fingers, one by one. "It's cool, it brings class, status and respect, it's intimidating, it's pretty and it will bring jealousy and attention. It will be like free marketing for Sirius Black, Auror Extraordinary. Everyone will want one of these!"
"Well...it's just a metterbike," James said. "A nice one, I'll admit that- it's really awesome, but it's not really...you know, special? I mean, I'm not jealous. I still think brooms are better."
Sirius glared. "It's 'motorbike' - and I agree that brooms are cool - but this is just different! What's so special about brooms anyway?"
James shook his head, giving his best friend an incredulous look.
"That bike has turned your head around completely. You love flying! And, brooms FLY! And as far as I can see, that one doesn't," James said, nodding towards the bike.
Sirius frowned. "Point taken," he muttered, and bit his lip. Then, bit by bit, he began to grin. Remus started to shake his head slowly- he could already guess what was coming next. And sure enough -
" - Then Ill just enchant it!" Sirius said, sounding triumphant. Remus groaned.
"It will be even more extraordinary! The first flying motorbike in existence!"
James eyes were glittering now, and he was clearly more enthusiastic about it.
"You think you can do it?" He asked.
Sirius scoffed. "There's nothing I can't do, Prongs!"
Remus winced. "Is that legal?" He asked, carefully. "Don't you need special permission from the Ministry for that?" He immediately regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth. Sirius and James looked, if possible, even more ecstatic.
"And since when have rules and regulations stopped us before?" Sirius said, a glint in his eye that clearly said he was up to no good.
"What about the muggles?" Remus tried. "If they find out, won't they be scared out of their wits?"
Sirius shrugged. "An obliviation spell, and that problem will be out of our way."
James frowned a bit now. "Well...you can't exactly go around and obliviate muggles at random."
Sirius grinned, looking quite scary. "Watch me."
Buffy spoke up.
"Can I have a ride?" She asked, excitedly.
"But of course, lady Buff!" Sirius said. "Go on, welcome to the Padfoot-express."
Buffy laughed.
"Whether you enchant it or not, it's still awesome," she assured Sirius, who grinned back.
"I knew I could count on at least one of my friends."
"Well, how do you like your present, Moony?" Sirius asked expectantly.
"Umm...Remus held up the clothes Sirius had given him. "I'm not sure...aren't they a little...tight?"
Sirius scoffed. "Maybe. But they're hot! Don't you agree, Buff? Buffy?"
Buffy had her eyes closed.
"Don't disturb me, Siri," she mumbled. "I'm having a very nice...sex...fantasy...right about...now..."
Sirius grinned. "See? She loves 'em."
Remus flushed and gave the leather pants and jacket another dubious look.
"Still...it's really not something I'd feel comfortable walking around in public with...and...it's really not my style," he finished meekly.
Harry let out a gurgle from his crib, seemingly laughing.
"See? Even Harry agrees with me!" Remus said. "He thinks I'd look ridiculous!"
Sirius thumped Remus on the back.
"He's not laughing at you - he's trying to tell you I'm right! Plus, you need to stop hiding under your overly stuffy clothes sometime right?"
Remus spluttered indignantly.
"They're not stuffy! They're just a little...worn out. And they're comfortable. Which I doubt these are."
"Well," Sirius actually fidgeted a little in his seat, discretely trying to make the pants sit less tightly around his groin. "Maybe not- but they're still hot!"
"A bit...too hot," Remus muttered.
"You don't have to use them in public! Only at home!" Sirius said, as a last resort. "I'm sure Buffy would love having you in leather at home!"
By Buffy's rather stupid grin, you could easily see that that was the truth.
James smirked. "Just think of all the kinky stuff you can do..."
Remus flushed again. "Fine! I'll keep them."
James and Sirius cheered, and Buffy drooled a little.
"Though I won't wear them," Remus added under his breath, but as he saw Buffy's feral look he wasn't so sure. The front door opening interrupted them.
"Hi guys!" Peter said. "Sorry I'm late. What's that thing out there?"
"That, my dear Wormtail," Sirius said, "is Padfoot-junior, muggle-motorbike extraordinaire."
Peter blinked. "Oh. Well, it's cool," he said, though he inwardly thought it was disgusting that a pureblood like Sirius bought something so...well...muggle.
He smiled at Harry in the crib.
"Can I?" He asked James. "I haven't really held him yet...I never saw him at the hospital..."
"Of course," James said. "Just don't drop him on the head," he added jokingly.
"I think he's had enough of that already." Sirius smirked. "Prongs has already dropped him twice."
Lily turned a murderous look at her husband, who hastily put up his hands in surrender.
"I have not!" He squeaked. "Padfoot's lying!"
Lily turned to look at Sirius, who was howling with laughter.
"I believe you," Lily said. "For now," she added at James' relieved look. As soon as she turned her back at them to help Peter with Harry, though, James gave his 'best friend' a look that clearly promised 'pain'. Sirius gulped. A loud scream from Harry interrupted them.
Peter, who was holding the baby in his arms, looked terrified, and was about to drop him, but Lily quickly grabbed Harry before that could happen. The baby immediately quieted, and Lily frowned.
"Strange...try again," she said to Peter. "Maybe you didn't hold him quite right. He's not usually so fussy though..."
Peter stretched out his arms again, more nervously this time, but as soon as his fingers came in contact with the already messy-haired baby, he started to cry again, and Peter hastily backed off, sweat breaking out on his forehead. Harry stopped his crying again. Lily looked immensely confused.
"I don't understand..." she muttered.
"Well, maybe he just doesn't like me," Peter tried to joke, though his heart was beating madly in his chest. "I don't think I'm really good with babies..."
Lily was still frowning, but she nodded thoughtfully. "I guess...Harry has been an angel up until now, I suppose something had to set him off sooner or later. He can't like everything and everyone, after all. Still, I feel bad for you, Peter."
Peter shrugged, and tried to look unsuspicious.
"Nothing to worry about. Probably just as well, with me being ill more often than not. Wouldn't want the littletyke to catch something." He gave the baby a shaky smile. "Well, I should get going - can't stay long. I have an appointment at St Mungos. Happy birthday, Remus." He practically ran out of the room.
Buffy stared after him a long time after he left, suspicion shining in her eyes.
Two weeks later, Sirius came driving his beloved Triumph once again. This time, it was at the Potter's place. James, Remus, Buffy and Eliza were sitting playing exploding snap outside,
"Prongs! Watch this!" Sirius screamed happily, and rose in the air on the motorbike.
"You're crazy!" James laughed. "I can't believe you actually enchanted it to fly!"
"As long as the muggles don't find out about it," Remus said worriedly; he had to raise his voice so Sirius would hear over the motor-sound. "I don't really see a problem. Do you think you could make it fly less loudly!"
Sirius stared at him.
"Less loudly!" he screamed, "Moony, my dear friend, it's the sound that makes the motorbike so SPECIAL!"
"Well, I have to say it suits you!" Buffy laughed, "you're big and black too!"
"Hahaha, really funny, Buff," Sirius said ironically, but laughed anyway. Inside, he agreed. Suddenly, he heard a cry, and Lily came running out of the house.
"SIRUS BLACK," she shrieked, "TURN OFF THAT HORRIBLE MOTORBIKE THIS INSTANT! YOU'RE WAKING HARRY!"
"Take it easy, Lils...you sound like my mother..." He smirked, but then he frowned. He had the weirdest feeling...as if this had already happened once before...
"NOW!" Lily interrupted his thoughts, and Sirius shrugged the feeling off and turned back to the bike.
"Yeah, yeah..." he muttered, and did as the red-head had told him- her look was really scary... Then he turned to James, shaking his head slowly.
"If I had known being a Godfather was such of a tough responsibility, I would never have agreed." Then he lit up. "Still, what do you think? It's better than a broom now, isn't it?"
James grinned. "I still can't believe you actually went through withthe enchantment- I didn't think you would. But yeah, it's way cooler now. Though not better than a broom- but just as good."
Sirius grinned. "I knew you'd agree with me, sooner or later, Prongs."
A/N: First, I just wanted to say thank you for all your lovely reviews in respons to the last chapter! They make me really happy! I just love hearing about your opinions and hope you keep it up! I also hope you liked this chapter - writing this story is really fun - I have written 32 chapter now, plus, half of chapter33, 34 and 38, and the last chap andtheepilogue (no, I don't always write them in order...if I get a brilliant idea for one of the chaps, they get printed right away, so I'll not forget it), so for me, it's all coming to an end - this story will be forthy chaps -then we're on to the next sequel. Or in this case, part three, or the threequel. Peew. Anyway, hugs and kisses to you all! I'm now gonna enjoy my one weekbreakafterworking at a move-production company for a month before going back to school!-Does a happy dance- Ah, the sweet sound of freedom...
/Ida