Disclaimer: Fanfiction. Fan. Fiction. Get the connection?
Love stays the same
-1977
Snow was piling up around the castle, and a buzz of excitement was in the air. It could mean only one thing- Christmas was just around the corner.
Sirius promptly celebrated this revelation by checking (and rechecking) that all of the mistletoe in the castle was in perfect working order. The magical mistletoe, which activated once stood under, wouldn't let the two people under it move until they had kissed. Sirius enjoyed this greatly.
With every day that drew closer to Christmas, Sirius grew more and more excited, spreading his love of the holidays to all- even giving Remus a quick peck, before being chased around the common room by an angry Mia, James laughing and catcalling. At least, James was laughing until Sirius kissed Lily- then there were hexes sent his way, by both Mia and James (not to mention Lily herself).
Sirius called it 'sharing the Christmas spirit'. Remus called it 'sharing the Christmas spit', which according to him was likely to spread rabies. When he heard this comment, Sirius threw his shoe at the werewolf, who ducked; causing it to hit Harriet, who went off at Sirius- again.
With everyday that Sirius was giving Christmas cheer, Harriet Carson was getting more and more aggravated. And she didn't have a clue why.
Harriet rolled over in her bed, punching her pillow into shape. She had come up to bed early- very early. It was only six thirty. She had been feeling restless and irritated for days now, and she could not give a proper reason for it! It wasn't even 'that time of the month' as Lily had delicately asked that morning.
A light knock came at the door, and Harriet growled a 'come in'. Mia entered, and came to sit next to her sister.
"Hey- you alright?" she asked gently. Mia, unlike her sister, had an idea as to what was bothering the younger girl. Two ideas, in fact.
"I think I know what's up with you." She said, and at her sisters' inquisitive look, continued. "I have two theories. The first- I think that you're missing home."
Harriet snorted, but did not meet Mia's gaze.
"This is the first Christmas that you've spent away from your family… Ginny."
"Mia!" Harriet said, her eyes wide. She obviously thought it dangerous to speak about their true identities, even while alone.
"No. You are Ginny Weasley- not Harriet Carson. I know how hard it is for you Gin; it's been hard for me as well. I miss them all so much- Harry and Ron and the members of the Order… heck, I'm even starting to miss the twins!"
Harriet smiled, eyes slightly wet. Mia continued. "We've got to stay strong- for them. They are why we are here. We're giving them a better future, Ginny. It will be ok, in the end. I promise."
Harriet sighed, wiping at her eyes. "You're right Mi- Hermione." She corrected herself. "I'm being silly. We'll see them again! And everything will be all the better for this… this… trip."
The two girls hugged, and Harriet pulled back. "So what was that other reason you'd thought of?"
Peter had been given instructions to go up to the girls' room to try find out what was the matter with Harriet. She had been acting very… well… vicious, lately, and the Marauders wanted to know why. It had been Sirius' idea, as he was the one most concerned by Harriet's new apparent dislike for him. She had been avoiding him, and when that was impossible, making sharp comments and getting into petty arguments with him.
Peter was in rat form, because he could never cast the spell James had taught the others correctly that allowed them up the girls' stairs without sliding back down. He had transformed in the boys dorm, and then had snuck up the girls staircase until he heard two familiar voices.
"We've got to stay strong- for them. They are why we are here. We're giving them a better future, Ginny. It will be ok, in the end. I promise."
Ginny? Who's Ginny? That's Mia talking but-
"You're right Mi- Hermione."
That's Harriet- Why would she call Mia 'Hermione'? What kind of name is that anyway?
"I'm being silly. We'll see them again! And everything will be all the better for this… this… trip."
What trip? They're only at Hogwarts, they could go see their parents during the holidays, but they said they wanted to see the castle at Christmas time- it would be their only chance after all…
"So what was that other reason you'd thought of?"
Reason? Oh- maybe this is why Harriet has been such a grump lately…
Wormtail settled beside the door, his sensitive ears focused on the two girls inside.
"What was the other reason that you'd thought of?" Harriet asked as she pulled back. Mia smiled and shook her head. "I don't think I should say…"
"Oh come on Mia!" Harriet pleaded. "Tell me, please!"
Mia gave in. "Oh, alright. You know how Sirius has been 'sharing the Christmas spit, and giving everyone rabies' as Remus puts it?"
Harriet tensed, ever so slightly. "Yeah…" she said warily.
"Well that's just it."
"What is?"
Mia shook her head, grinning at her sisters' lack of insight. "That's what's annoying you. You don't like Sirius kissing every girl he can get his hands on."
"Don't forget Remus."
Mia scowled.
Harriet looked confused. "But, why would that annoy me? We're not going out, and it's not as if he likes me…" Harriet suddenly realised what she had said, and swore under her breath.
Mia gave a triumphant grin. "Ah ha."
"Ah ha what?" Harriet asked, annoyed.
"You think he doesn't like you."
Harriet looked at her sister as though she had grown an extra head, and had just called her weird.
"Of course he doesn't like me!" she said angrily. "He's been kissing every single damn girl- and Remus- (Mia scowled again) in the school but me!"
"Maybe that's because he actually likes you, and doesn't know what to do about it."
Harriet snorted. "Umm, hello. Have you actually met Sirius Black? Cute, black hair, good body, amazing dark blue eyes, and, oh, there was something else… what was it? Oh yeah- womanizer of the century!"
Mia shook her head and moved to her bed, picking up the book on her cabinet. "Just, I don't know, talk to him or something Harriet. Because I know for a fact that he feels the same way."
"How?" Harriet asked, and Mia grinned as she kneeled on her duvet, reaching for the hangings.
"Instinct."
She closed the curtains to her bed, leaving her sister with a lot to think over.
Outside, one brown rat sat back on its hind paws.
Instinct? Must be a werewolf thing- maybe that's why Remus seems so amused by Sirius and Harriet arguing all the time…They can smell emotions, can't they? Ah- that explains it. I'll have to tell Sirius- otherwise, he'll never figure out why Harriet is acting the way she is- not unless she tells him, that is. For such a 'womanizer' he's a bit slow…
Maybe I should just keep quiet for the moment…
Well, one thing is for sure. There's something up with Mia and Harriet- and I want to find out what.
With that final thought, the little rodent nodded to itself, and scuttled down the stairs.
22/1/08
SORRY! Yes, I reposted- I have just realized a mistake I made (hopefully noone noticed it) and, because I'm a perfectionist, I had to fix it...
Next chapter up soon!
HEY! Yes, next chapter should be coming soon, just have to write it! Sorry it's been so long- I'm in Nelson, with no internet available! Grrr…
Anyway- the poll. I've had no suggestions, so I thought I'd go with this one- it's a biggie in the plot, and I'm going to ask you to tell me what you want…
Peter figures out 'what's up' with Mia and Harriet by himself.
He confronts them about it- they lie/tell truth?
He forgets all about it, until… later.
It's your choice ladies and gents! Poll closes on the… hmm… 29th of Jan. That's enough time, I think.
If this bit in this chapter confused you, here is an explanation…
'they said they wanted to see the castle at Christmas time- it would be their only chance after all…'
This is because although this is (apparently) their first year at Hogwarts, they are 7th years.
Ok. I think that's it!
More coming soon!
Read and Review- thanks!
Chels
Writing Dreams – it's what I do…