The day passed by in blur after lunch. Ginny could hardly believe what she'd committed herself to. She was confident that what she was doing was for Alina's benefit; that helped to ease the guilt. It wasn't until dinner that Ginny really began to worry about Alina. Ginny hadn't seen her all day and had no idea where she went. She began to chew on a finger as she sat shaking her leg worriedly.
"You keep doing that and you won't have room for dinner."
Ginny looked up and laughed to see Sirius seating himself across from her. The rest of the great hall was relatively empty as dinner wasn't for another twenty minutes. Most students would wait until the five minute mark, plus or minus before they sat themselves down.
"Should you be up?" Ginny asked worriedly.
"He never listens to anything that does him good." James said seating himself next to Sirius.
Remus, Peter and Lily came in shortly after and seated themselves as well. Ginny looked around at the large group she'd suddenly become engulfed in. It made her smile to think she'd manage to make friends that made her feel so accepted, even in such circumstances as the ones she was in.
"What are you worrying for?" Sirius asked her taking Ginny's hand from her mouth.
Ginny smiled embarrassed and bit her lower lip instead. "I haven't seen Alina since morning."
Sirius nodded his head and asked, "She really hates me doesn't she?"
Ginny shook her head slightly, "no I told you earlier, she knows it wasn't your fault-"
"Yeah what did you mean by that?" Sirius asked forming his hands into a steeple.
"Well, I happened to come into the knowledge that you were slipped a potion that made you say those things."
The conversations around them seemed to cease as the new information was passed along the group.
"Who would do that?"
"Who do you think?" James seethed.
Ginny crossed her arms and used her mother tone, "it doesn't matter who, or why."
"Slytherins." Remus said shaking his head. "We'll get them back-"
"No!" Ginny said in a tone that booked no room for argument. "The only reason anything was slipped to Sirius in the first place was revenge for something you did, which was revenge for something they did and so on. The fact of the matter is that your little prank war is starting to hurt other people, innocent people; in a bad way."
The boys all nodded but continued to grumble. Ginny shook her head and looked at Lily for assistance. She simply shrugged and gave the look that said what are you gonna' do?
"So, anyway," Lily said trying to break the odd silence that fell. "I think this is good news for you Sirius, Alina may yet forgive you."
"Oh that is good news; that means she won't have to kill you." Ginny said smiling.
Sirius smiled and looked like he wanted to say something but changed his mind. "I really do need to apologize to that girl. But I think we need to find her first. Has anyone seen her?"
"I looked in the dorms but she wasn't there." Lily said.
"She wasn't in any of our classes." Ginny sighed.
"I saw her go into the forbidden forest this afternoon." Remus suddenly worried about her.
"What?!" James looked around wide eyed. "Didn't anyone tell her she could die?!"
"Should we tell the headmaster?" lily asked anxiously.
Ginny tried to hush their worries and assure them Alina would be fine but the panic was rising.
"Guys there's no way that she went into the Forbidden forest!" Peter said trying to help Ginny. "I mean they have all kinds of wards and stuff to keep students away. She probably just went to go see the animals in the pens behind the grounds keeper's house."
"Yeah," James said cooling his tone, "yeah you're right, we don't need to worry about anything, she' probably talking to animals or something right now."
"Even if she did go into the forbidden forest, she'd be fine." Ginny laughed.
"I believe it." Sirius mumbled. "Mooney I would make fun of you for getting beat by her again but…"
"But she kicked the crap out of you!" Peter laughed.
"What happened?" Lily asked amazed.
"Padfoot here thought he'd tell Alina a thing or two, and she proceeded to beat him bloody." Remus laughed smacking the table.
"At least Sirius learned his lesson the first time!" James laughed. "You're the moron who picked a fight with her again and got thrown across the room!"
"Wait-"Ginny said looking from one to another, "did you just call him Padfoot?"
"Yeah" Sirius said still laughing, "I'm Padfoot, James is Prongs, Peter is Wormtail, and Remus is Mooney."
"Don't ask why, they'll never tell you." Lily said with an affectionate smile.
Ginny remembered the conversation in the library where she had heard those names for the first time muttering, "I think I can guess."
"I have tried so hard to curb the pain in my heart. You think I don't see?! You think I can't hear?! Alina is a painful irritation to the thorn in my heart! I can't help how I feel around her, but look at me. I'm an old man now, it's just wrong."….
"Padfoot, you can't replace her. Targeting Ginny is just, wrong!"
Food began to litter the tables and Ginny realized that lost in her musings and conversation she had entirely missed when the hall filled. She craned her neck looking in all directions but she still couldn't see Alina. Ginny was about to go into the forbidden forest that second when she heard James say,
"Speak of the devil…"
Alina, looking just as haphazard as she had earlier that morning, if not more so, came meandering toward the table. She had a faraway look and seemed hesitant to sit with the group. Remus quickly glared at a third year that scurried away and left room for Alina to join them. She moved slowly to the seat and lowered herself not looking at anyone in particular.
"Uhm, you've got some..." Remus gestured to her hair with his hand.
She looked around at the others nervously before gingerly touching parts of her hair, leaves and other bramble fell loosely to the table. Alina quickly swept it away from them and turned a light shade of pink. Remus smiled and breathed deeply trying to catch her scent. It was mingled with many smells of the earth and forest, but there was something refreshing and familiar about it, like he'd smelled her before.
"So…"Ginny folded her arms and stared down the table at Alina, now thoroughly upset Alina made her worry. "Have a nice time in the forest today?"
Alina nodded and a peaceful look came over her face, "you wouldn't believe the things I saw."
"Like what?" Remus asked basking in the glow of her presence.
"I rode a Unicorn this afternoon; I thought it would be more fun than going to class." When everyone stared at her Alina simply shrugged her shoulder said, "Well I did."
"I have no doubt" Ginny laughed. "Only you could manage something like that and not understand the significance of it all."
Alina shrugged again and looked down.
Lily noticed how pale she was and the way she sort of swayed as she sat there. "Are you okay?"
"I'm tired." Alina said honestly. "Bone tired, actually."
Remus frowned and leaned forward stretching his hand toward her. He paused long enough to assure her he meant no harm before feeling her forehead, his eyes grew huge.
"Alina, you're freezing!"
Alina's eye lids fluttered and she moaned softly, "Remus don't move!"
Alina reached out and grabbed Remus's other hand placing it on her cheek. The night air had given her a deep chill and it was really starting to weigh her down. Remus was warm and his hands were surprisingly soft. She nuzzled herself against him covering his hands with hers. She felt better from that simple warmth.
"Ali?" Ginny moved to sit next to Alina and feel her skin temperature. Alina felt like ice.
"I just need some food and I'll be fine." She assured them.
"Hey, how are you?" Ginny whispered to her.
Alina simply moved one of her hands from Remus's to Ginny's and pat it gently.
"Remus?" Alina called softly, "could you sit next to me?"
Remus could hardly believe his luck; he all but jumped the table to get to her but somehow managed to walk to the other side nonchalantly. He sat so close to Alina there was no space between her body and his. He could feel her shivering and slowly put an arm around her. She huddled closer to him and covered her nose with her hands shivering slightly.
"Sirius?" she asked softly.
Sirius paused in his eating, his spoon halfway to his mouth. "Yes?"
Alina looked at him and unconsciously leaned further against Remus. "I'm sorry."
Sirius chocked on the food in his mouth and stared at her, "I beg your pardon?"
Alina sighed and looked Sirius in the eyes, "I'm sorry, for attacking you, and encouraging Lucius to as well. It wasn't your fault and you didn't mean to say those things."
Sirius stared at her in shock and wasn't sure how to respond. Emotion choked his voice and he sat breathing heavily. I can't believe this girl is telling me she's sorry. After the things I said to her and the way I made her feel, she's guilty on top of it. How can I tell her what that means to me? Ginny looked at Sirius and then at Alina. It was an odd sort of moment, but Ginny still felt that it was a father-daughter bonding situation. Ginny also knew that Sirius would not know what to say, so she reached out and took Alina's hand in hers.
"I don't think it needs to be said on either end. Your both sorry and you both want a fresh start. Just go on from here."
Sirius looked at Alina and they nodded to each other in understanding. Remus absently rubbed Alina's side trying to warm her. Alina noticed that Remus's hands were very large. As he ran his hand along her side, her skin tingled. Warmth trailed behind his touch causing her to shiver again; she breathed deep turning her head slightly to catch his scent. He noticed her shiver and held her even closer in a sort of half hug. He turned his head and found they were so close in doing so his mouth touched the top of her head. He couldn't help nuzzling her hair slightly when he asked her.
"Are you warmer?"
Alina gulped and nodded not trusting her voice. His smell was sharp and earthy. When she closed her eyes and breathed in she could see herself standing in the forest again, fresh after a rain, when everything smells new and clean. She felt the urges coming on again; heat started to build in her stomach and she started to shake. Alina clenched her fists until her knuckles were white. Ginny noticed her change before Remus and asked her quietly,
"What's wrong?"
Alina opened her eyes which had darkened considerably; she dramatically rolled her eyes toward Remus and mouthed 'help.' Ginny sniffed to avoid laughing; when she did she noticed something. The air seemed…flavored? Ginny closed her eyes and breathed deep, in her minds eyes she saw the entire hall. She could picture the food that went with the smells and the people with their individual scents. She could only clearly see the people nearest to her with the strongest scents. There was something off about Alina, something that wasn't there before, a hot tangy aroma…Ginny scrunched her nose trying to identify it. With a sudden realization that cause her to open her eyes with a gasp, Ginny knew-arousal.
"Ali-"Ginny said shocked.
Alina gave her a look that said That was what I was trying to tell you! Remus looked down as Alina pulled away from him. She gave him his special smile and whispered her thanks. Remus nodded and sighed regretfully. He stilled with the breath he had just taken, what is that smell? Remus exhaled and tried to discretely sniff the air. His eyes rolled to the back of his head and his lids fluttered shut as the delicious aroma filled his nose. He laid his head against a fist as he sat enjoying the sensation the smells were causing. His blood began to race and his skin felt hot. Remus's fists clenched as his groin tightened. He heard a soft mew from beside him and cracked an eye to look at its source. Alina was trying to eat but seemed unable to because of some unknown preoccupation. It was then Remus realized the smell was coming from her. He leaned closer to her and deeply inhaled. Merlin yes! It is definitely her, what else could be so divine! Remus couldn't help the deep purring that resonated quietly from him. Alina jumped slightly and dropped her fork. Her clenched fists began to visibly tremble and her breathing became labored. She gulped and looked at Remus from the corners of her eyes. The tension between the two was practically tangible and was more than apparent to Ginny. Ginny's head began to spin from the spontaneous aromatic overload. She shook her head lightly and stared at Alina. If I don't do something right now they're going to go at it on the table!
"Uh, Alina, now that you've eaten I think we should head up to bed."
Alina didn't acknowledge her but leaned closer to Remus with a sigh. Ginny cleared her throat but they continued to stare at each other intensely. Sirius saw the interchange and his jaw dropped slightly. He tried to tell James what he was witnessing only to find that James was totally engrossed in Lily's retelling of her day. Peter was the smart one; he scurried off somewhere leaving Ginny and Sirius to be the only ones unaffected by their hormones. Ginny growled lightly and grabbed Alina's arm pulling her up from her seat and toward the door.
"Wait!" Remus cried stumbling from his seat and chasing them
Sirius rolled his eyes and got up as well grumbling. He stood next to Ginny and watched with her as Remus and Alina wandered away. Ginny folded her arms and scowled; Sirius laughed and lightly put a hand on her arm. Ginny nodded to him and stalked after her friends. She met them in the hallway where they had gained some composure.
"Oh thanks for waiting," Ginny grumbled.
Once the quartet was together they all made their way silently through the corridors. Sirius looked at Alina and the random peaceful look on her face.
"So…you really rode a unicorn?"
Alina looked at Sirius and then faced forward again nodding.
"I used to live in the woods, back in the States, so when everything happened I just….I don't know I needed a little of home. Anyway I just ran until my anger burned out."
"How long did that take?" Ginny asked sarcastically.
Alina smirked but didn't comment. "Anyway, I ended up at this place with this just, uh, the most beautiful cascades! I laid down by the bank and…." Alina trailed off not wanting to tell them that not only had she cried the entire time while running but after she reached the cascades she collapsed and cried until she couldn't breathe.
"And…?" Sirius asked rolling his hand encouraging her to continue.
"And-"Alina shook her head slightly. "I was just thinking and then this horse showed up. It was the whitest most pristine looking animal I have ever seen-"
"How do you know it was a unicorn?" Sirius asked pointedly.
Alina gave him a look, "Because of the giant horn sticking from its head."
Sirius made a face behind her back but remained silent.
"I left it alone and it left me alone, but it started to get dark and I needed to head back so it gave me a ride. "
"Just like that?" Ginny asked askance.
"Well I mean, it was probably cause I was talking to him all afternoon."
"What did you talk about?" Remus asked amazed.
"Everything, and nothing. I mean I just talked; I told him about how I felt and what I thought and everything that was happening to me."
"and what did he say to all of this?" Sirius asked mockingly
"Oh he was very understanding; he helped me to see a lot of things. We're going to make a regular thing out of it, every week, maybe twice a week."
Sirius shook his head, "and what is this Unicorns name?"
"oh there's not really an English translation for it." Alina said shrugging.
"That's convenient." Sirius mumbled.
Alina smiled and looked at him and saying, "He said you'd say that."
