19: What are We Doing?
A few weeks had gone by bringing the first day of October. Lexi and Dumbledore had gone back into her dream several times now and had felt they had enough detail. Sadly they had yet pinpointed a date. They just knew it would be near the end of the year. The First Hogsmeade trip was creeping closer, and rumors of seeing people patrolling the gates were running wild. The Marauders, Lily and Lexi knew they were true of course. There was a threat of an attack. Yet, they tried to continue as normal.
It had been common to see Blake and Lexi speaking in the common room or corridors between classes. Nothing had come of it and Lexi had made that clear to him after her time with Sirius. It had been fun for Lexi and Sirius since he was definitely jealous and liked to remind her that he was good at what he did. Everyone was shocked, including the girls throwing themselves at them, that James, and seemingly Sirius, had stayed single and had not been seen with anyone.
Lexi was sitting at dinner with Lily and Remus. James and Sirius had not returned from quidditch practice yet. They hadn't seen Peter since their class together earlier in the day.
"Nasty weather to practice in," Remus commented looking up at the ceiling which reflected the rainy sky outside.
"At least it's not actually storming. It's just a little rain," Lexi shrugged.
"See there you go sounding like James again," Lily laughed with Remus.
"Especially when it comes to quidditch," Remus shook his head. Just then, wet and muddy, James and Sirius sat down next to the three. James had sat next to Lexi and was dripping all over her. Lily seemed to be having the same problem with Sirius.
"Can you learn a drying spell," Lexi groaned scooting away from him.
"You have showers down there," Lily complained, making Remus move some to have space as well.
"It's just a little water and mud, Red, you weren't playing in it," Sirius grumbled. She looked at him and gasped.
"What happened," he had a cut above his eye and a bruise forming around it. His lip was split and swollen.
"It's raining. Missed a bludger," he didn't look at her.
"How was practice," Lily asked James timidly.
"It could have gone better," he sighed. Lexi noticed the glare he shot Sirius.
"What makes you say that," Lexi asked.
"The weather just had some people in a bad mood," James brushed off. Remus was eyeing his friends curiously. Lexi knew something had happened as she watched the two who were much less joyful than usual. She shared a look with Remus and Lily as the two ate.
"C'mon, Lil, we need to look over that Defense essay," Lexi said pointedly. The girls got up and left.
"Alright," Remus sighed, moving closer to them once the girls left. "What happened?"
"Padfoot here can't control his temper, as usual," James gritted, dropping his fork. Clearly he had been holding in the outburst.
"That tosser needs to learn how to dodge a bludger," Sirius rolled his eyes.
"Wait, but what happened," Remus sighed.
"Practice was fine, we took a short break and then we moved into maneuvering down the field with obstacles. I had Jefferson watching for the snitch. I had to yell at Lloyd, Padfoot, and Jefferson to get focused as we started," James glared at Sirius. "Then nearly right after I blew the whistle Sirius beamed a bludger at him knocking him into the arm and almost off his broom."
"Bloody hell, Padfoot," Remus groaned.
"C'mon it wasn't-"
"It gets worse," James interrupted Sirius. "We all land to check on him. He was good, but then words were exchanged. Jefferson cursed at Padfoot for hitting him. Told him and I quote, 'you're just pissed that Garrett is shagging me and not you.'" James rolled his eyes as Sirius' fists clenched. Remus' jaw dropped, he knew why this would have triggered Sirius more than James did. "Padfoot then lost his temper and tried charging him. Luckily Lloyd and Twead grabbed him pretty quickly, but then it is raining and you've held this prat back before," James sighed. "Jefferson started laughing and well...fists were swung."
"So Jefferson is…"Remus asked, looking down the table noting his absence.
"In the hospital wing," Sirius smirked.
"Blimey, how many detentions do you have," Remus shook his head.
"McGonagall gave me every night the rest of this week and next, including this weekend. Also knocked fifty points," he was still smirking. "Worth it." Remus chuckled and James even smirked.
"My question is what made you hit the bludger at him," Remus grinned.
"Prongs, you would've done it too. He was talking about Lexi," Sirius grumbled, going back to his food.
"What did he say," James asked, raising his eyebrows.
"To clean it up, let's just say bragging about a rendezvous they supposedly had," Sirius gritted through his teeth.
"Well, he was lying. They aren't shagging,'" Remus sighed. James looked at him a little shocked. Sirius stabbed a few potatoes angrily. "They've just been talking, and not like that. Lex drew the line a few days after quidditch trials."
"He was just trying to piss you off, Padfoot," James finally grumbled clearly angry at the news of rumors being spread about his 'sister.' He looked down at his food. Sirius and Remus shared a bit of a smile while he wasn't looking.
"While I was beating his arse I told him to keep away from her," Sirius grinned but winced at the pain in his lip.
"I wish I could throw him off the team, I'm just not sure about Fitz," James muttered darkly.
"What if he quits now," Remus asked.
"I didn't really think about that," James grumbled.
"That didn't look like it was from a bludger," Lily said once they were out of the Great Hall.
"No, it looked like fists," Lexi rolled her eyes. "And I also noticed Blake wasn't there."
"You don't think they fought do you," Lily asked incredulously.
"I do. I wouldn't put it past Sirius," she sighed.
The next day, Lily had to patrol on their long break so Lexi made her way back to the common room. There were a few other older students on their break lounging around. Lexi found an open table in the corner and pulled out her assignment from Herbology. She had started answering one of the questions when the chair next to her pulled out and Sirius sat next to her.
"What do you want, Black," she smirked, not looking up from her parchment.
"To talk," he replied. She smiled as she looked up at him. His lip was slightly bruised but he definitely had a nice black eye.
"You look like hell," she leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs making her already too short skirt shift higher.
"You should see the other guy," he winked before sneakily brushing his fingers across her thigh before dropping his hand again.
"I did this morning," she smirked, his grin faltered. "Bludger my ass," she chuckled, making him wince from the smile that pulled his lip. "So, why'd you pummel him?"
"I didn't like something he said," Sirius sighed.
"What did he say," she looked at him earnestly. He took a deep breath before speaking again.
"Some pretty foul things about you," he rubbed the back of his neck nervously. She pursed her lips and nodded.
"Well, you know they aren't true," he looked at her, she was grinning, "and thanks."
"Anything for you, Red. So, do you want to help me get back to health," Sirius smirked.
"Maybe later," she giggled at him. "How many detentions have you got?"
"Every night until next Friday, starting tonight," he chuckled.
"Rough, James is thrilled I'm sure."
"It's cutting into practice, so he's just the happiest," Sirius said sarcastically.
"I think I'm the only one more disappointed ,'' she purred quietly.
"Don't tease me, pet," he smirked and laughed when she pouted. "Anyway, James' getting a little worried about Jefferson now though. The first match is only three weeks away."
"Is he gonna throw him off the team?"
"No, he doesn't want to sub in Fitz," Sirius said, lowering his voice so the other students wouldn't hear.
"Kid's not bad, just needs some work. To be fair he made it to second pick." she sighed.
"By default," Sirius chuckled. "You were there, no one else showed up for Seeker. At least no one that was there to be legitimate."
"What if he quits?"
"Prongs said he'll do what he has to."
"That's going to be difficult. Fitz gets distracted easily."
"You could always step in," a sly smirk was on his lips.
"Is that your real plan," she laughed. "Knock out players until I have to step in?"
"Oh no, you found me out," he said dramatically. They laughed as the portrait hole opened. An angry James stormed into the common room and plopped into the open chair next to them.
"What's got your wand in a twist," Lexi teased.
"Just got done talking with Jefferson. He quit," he muttered darkly. The portrait hole opened again and the person of topic entered. He shot a dirty look over at the three before storming up to the dorms.
"He didn't seem happy," Sirius chuckled.
"He wasn't. Bloody hell, at least I've got time to work with Fitz, already talked to him on my way up here."
"He's good, just needs some focus," Lexi tried encouragingly.
"Can't you just-"
"No, James," she sighed as the bell rang. "C'mon, we don't need Rakepick on us for being late to Defense," she packed up her things and they left the common room.
XXXXXXXXXX
Sirius was looking over his reflection in the mirror on the morning of the Hogsmeade trip. His black eye was slowly fading but was a light purple. Several girls had tried babying him about it but he continued to push off the advances. He had been kind of proud to keep it, fighting for Lexi wasn't a hard decision for him. He looked over his dark jeans and adjusted the rolled up sleeves of his black button up that he had untucked.
"Are you done checking yourself out, Padfoot," James asked from the other side of the room as he messed his hair up in the mirror again.
"You're one to talk," Remus laughed at the pair.
"Let's go," Sirius chuckled as he grabbed his leather Jacket. The Marauders made their way down to breakfast. Sirius and James grinned at each other when they saw the two red-heads. They made their way down the table to them. Sirius drank in the sight of Lexi with her wavy hair falling onto her shoulders. The sunshine from the ceiling made her look like she was glowing. She was wearing a navy blue low v-neck sweater. As they got closer he saw her light blue jeans and boots. Her leather jacket and Gryffindor scarf sat next to her on the bench.
"Goodmorning, Ladies," James grinned as they sat down.
"Boys," the girls smiled in unison. Sirius and James feigned being appalled receiving laughs from the group.
"So where to first," Sirius asked as he grabbed food.
"We have our own plans," Lexi smiled slyly and Lily.
"I thought you two weren't going with anyone," James said, sounding a little disappointed.
"We aren't," Lexi laughed.
"Though we do have other plans," Lily grinned pulling on her jacket.
"You're going already," Sirius pouted at Lexi.
"Relax, you'll see us later. Make sure you're near the park at one," she winked at them before they left.
"What was that about," Peter asked as they watched them laughing and leaving.
"Moony," James quirked an eyebrow at Remus.
"No clue, they have been secretive for a few weeks about something. I just assumed it was about one of you," Remus chuckled.
"Rem's got it all set up," Lily grinned as they walked down the path to the village.
"Just make sure you're with them before it starts. I don't need next year's head girl getting caught," Lexi laughed.
"I know," Lily giggled. "I can't believe you're doing this."
"I can't get into too much trouble. I'm not disturbing the school. The village is used to craziness on trip weekends."
"Oh, you're getting detention," Lily rolled her eyes with a smile.
"I'm sure of it," Lexi laughed. "We've got lots of time, let's hit Honeydukes and then the Three Broomsticks." A little while later they were sitting at a table in the Three Broomsticks sipping on butterbeer.
"Getting nervous," Lily asked.
"No, I'm really excited," Lexi beamed and checked her watch. "Fifteen minutes." The door to the pub opened and they watch the Marauders head to the bar to get butterbeers. "I better go before they ruin it," she chuckled and left quickly while their backs were turned.
"Remus," Lily called out as they began searching for a table. "You all are cutting it close," she grinned as they sat.
"What are you on about, Evans," James chuckled.
"She's right, Lex told us to be near the park at one. It's ten til," Remus smirked.
"Slam your drinks, let's go," Lily encouraged. The five finished quickly and made their way outside. The park was across the street.
"Do you see her," Sirius asked, trying to look over the crowds. Just then loud music started playing drawing the attention of villagers and students to the park. James and Sirius' jaws dropped as they followed Lily closer to the fence. There were a few picnic tables and scattered around them were large speakers. Lexi was standing on one of the tables with a wicked grin and a mic.
"No way," he, James, and Peter, gasped. Back up vocals started. She winked at Sirius before she started singing.
"...Wish that I could be a selfish motherfucker like you. I give and give, you take and take-So now you have your cake and eat it too. You always say that I'm too much-too much. Well, baby, you're just not enough-not enough. So I think I gotta learn to be a selfish motherfucker like you," she was smirking and dancing around on the tables. The students had started dancing with her. "So come on, won't you lie to me, babe, yeah, lie to me, baby-Say that you're changing, we both know you ain't-So lie to me, babe, yeah, lie to me, baby. Yeah, you talk, talk, talk, but that's just it-Yeah, you had your chance and you lost that shit-So come on, lie to me, babe, yeah, lie to me, baby. Come on, won't you lie, lie, lie," the back up vocals kicked in as she danced her way over closer to where they were standing. Sirius watched, amused. He had never heard this kind of stuff from her. "...Lie, lie to me...You always like me when I'm pretty-pretty with the filter. I don't really feel like being pretty or to filter-My thoughts right now, I hope you hear me out-You always get defensive and you start to run your mouth," She smirked at him and pulled a face making a talking motion with her hand while she sang the line making him laugh. The crowd was loving the show she was putting on. "Always saying that I'm too much-too much. Well, baby, you're just not enough-not enough-So how you like me now that I'm a selfish motherfucker like you?" She pointed at him with a wink. "So come on, won't you lie to me, babe, yeah, lie to me, baby-Say that you're changing, we both know you ain't-So lie to me, babe, yeah, lie to me, baby-Yeah, you talk, talk, talk, but that's just it-Yeah, you had your chance and you lost that shit-So come on, lie to me, babe, yeah, lie to me, baby. Come on, won't you lie, lie, lie...Lie, lie to me...Before you say that I'm too much-too much. Well, baby, you're just not enough-not enough-So I know you're thinking that I'm crazy-If you're gonna say it, just stop." She froze with the music playfully before falling back into the bridge. "So come on, won't you lie to me, babe, yeah, lie to me, baby-Say that you're changing, we both know you ain't-So lie to me, babe, yeah, lie to me, baby...Yeah, you talk, talk, talk, but that's just it-Yeah, you had your chance and you lost that shit-So come on, lie to me, babe, yeah, lie to me, baby. Come on, won't you lie, lie, lie...Oh, come on, baby...So come on, won't you lie...Come on, lie, baby...Lie, ha." she finished singing and the crowd cheered loudly before beginning to disperse. Lexi was smiling walking over to her friends when she saw a very disapproving McGonagall.
"Miss Garrett," her voice was stiff.
"Yes, Professor," she smiled nervously.
"Thirty points from Gryffindor I think. Detention with me tomorrow night," she peered over her square glasses.
"See you then, ma'am," Lexi smiled. She noticed the corner of the teacher's lips tug upwards before she swooped off.
"Bloody brilliant, Lex," James high fived her walking over.
"Only one detention, that's shocking," Remus smirked.
"You helped her didn't you, Moony," Sirius laughed.
"He was sworn to secrecy," Lexi defended him.
"Why didn't you get us involved," James laughed.
"You don't involve us in what you do," she smirked.
"Because that would be dangerous," James rolled his eyes.
"Then why do you do it," she challenged, crossing her arms.
"Well, we've got some time before having to be back at the castle. I still need to stop at Zonko's," Peter suggested timidly trying to stop the argument.
"I'll go with you Wormtail," Remus offered quickly. The two wandered back off down the street.
"Evans, want to get a drink," James asked her. Lexi nodded yes at Lily behind James' back.
"Um, I- I-sure," she finally stuttered out with a blush. Lexi beamed along with James.
"Alright," James offered his arm to her and she took it. They left together leaving Lexi and Sirius alone.
"Are you a miracle worker, Red," Sirius laughed as they began wandering down the street.
"Just a good wingman," she smiled slyly.
"Ouch," he teased holding his heart and faking a stumble. "That was great by the way," he pointed over his shoulder with his thumb. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I wanted to surprise you too," she winked. "But I thought it might be fun to cause some trouble," she smirked, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "You can't have all the fun."
"Want to head towards the shack?"
"Why not," she grinned as they began down a path through the trees.
"Do you believe it's haunted," Sirius asked as they exited the path and stood in front of the gate.
"It's definitely not the most haunted place in England, I mean c'mon we live at Hogwarts," she laughed sitting on an overturned log.
"But," Sirius raised an eyebrow straddling the log to face her.
"I think it could be," she smiled looking off to the abandoned, rickety took her scarf off and tied it around her waist. Sirius smirked when he saw the sun glint off of the necklace she was wearing. "How d'you think Lily and James are getting along?"
"I'm sure Prongs is so beside himself that she said yes," Sirius laughed.
"Hopefully being a gentleman," Lexi chuckled.
"It's Lily, I'm sure he is," Sirius winked at her. He looked off towards the mountains on the skyline. Lexi watched his handsome face, her eyes looked at the scar on his chin. Her own words from that night echoed in her head. But she still wasn't sure.
"What," he asked her with a smirk.
"Nothing," she blushed slightly.
"C'mon, Red, what's on your mind?"
"A few things," she laughed lightly.
"Like," he prodded scooting closer to her.
"Mostly school, my music…"
"Nothing else?"
"You scared me that night, Sirius," she looked at him. His smile slowly faded when he saw the fear and tears in her eyes.
"Lex," he whispered before pulling her close in a hug and kissed her forehead. "I'm fine, I'm here. They weren't going to get rid of me that easy," he mumbled into her hair as he held her.
"You were covered in blood," she said hoarsely. "I thought you were gone." He guided her chin up so she was looking at him.
"I'm not going anywhere without seeing you at least one last time," he grinned at her. She gave a half hearted smile as he wiped away the tears on her face.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled suddenly putting distance between them. He knew why she did it. They hadn't really kissed like that. It was snogging normally. It wasn't a relationship type kiss ever yet, but he wanted to, Merlin did he want to.
"Nothing to apologize for, Lex," he smiled slightly and squeezed her hand. "I knew you liked me deep down," he gave her a wink making her laugh. "Want to move closer," he asked, smirking at her and gesturing to the shack.
"I don't want to know if it's haunted or not that badly," Lexi laughed.
"Scared, Red?"
"Maybe next trip, we've got to get back," she shook her head smiling.
"Next trip then," he grinned at her standing up and offering her his arm. She took it and they began back towards the village. "Lex," Sirius stopped her at the edge of the path. "What are we doing?"
"What do you mean," she mumbled.
"You know what I mean," he looked at her earnestly. "We're together. I want people to know you're mine." His silver eyes were boring into her ice blue ones as he pulled her close to him.
"We are and I am," she sighed finally. "Look, I would love to just walk out of here holding hands and not stressing about anything, but...what happens when James finds out we were shagging under his nose for months," she laughed, making him chuckle as well. "I'm also having a hard time believing any of this is real."
"I'm going to prove that it is," he said softly, taking her hand and pulling her close. He took her cheek into his hand and slowly lowered his lips onto hers. It was a much softer romantic kiss than they ever had. She melted into him. They finally broke apart and he rested his forehead against hers.
"Okay," she smiled at him. His lips split into a grin.
"Okay," they began walking back down the street of the village.
"One other thing," Lexi sighed.
"Anything, love," he beamed at her.
"No more fist fights."
"I can't promise that one," he laughed. "Especially when it comes to you."
"Well try," she laughed as they made their way up the path to the castle. "I don't see Lily or James," she commented looking around at the other students making their way back.
"I believe our dear Jamie had some wooing plans," Sirius grinned.
"And what do you know about these plans," she was smiling.
"Don't tell him I told you but he has had this grand date idea including the uh-room in place for a while now. He's just been waiting for her to say yes."
"I knew he was a gooey romantic. If that's what is happening I'm sure Lily will tell me later."
"Wait until then to tease him," Sirius laughed. "Should we just head to the common room?"
"Well my studio might be occupied," Lexi giggled as they began to climb the stairs which were crowded with students. After having to stop a few times due to congestion Sirius sighed aggravated and grabbed her hand pulling her down a corridor.
"I know a shortcut," he said, pulling open a painting of a wizard studying a map of the sky. They slipped in and began climbing the stairway behind it.
"How do you guys know all of this," she chuckled, shaking her head.
"Lots of rule breaking," he winked. They made it to the top of the stairs and peeked out the other portrait. He opened it and they slipped out. Lexi noticed they were now three floors higher on the sixth floor.
"Brilliant," she smirked as they made their way out to the last flights of stairs before their common room. They gave the password to the fat lady and entered. They spotted Remus and Peter in a corner and joined them.
"Where did you two run off to," Remus smirked at them as Lexi sat in the open armchair and Sirius sat next to her legs leaning against her chair.
"We walked to the shack and back," Lexi shrugged, looking around the common room missing the shared look between Sirius and Remus. They four chatted for a while. Around sunset Lexi asked the group, "did you two see Lily and James? They're still not back."
"We saw them walking back to the castle but we lost sight of them once we were inside," Peter grinned.
"It's possible we won't see them until tomorrow at this rate," Lexi smirked, making the other three laugh.
"Dinner then," Sirius asked looking back at Lexi lying his head on her lap. She suppressed a shudder and nodded. It always felt electric when he touched her. The four made their way down to the Great Hall for dinner.
"So Lexi, I hear you had a ride on Padfoot's motorbike," Peter grinned as they ate.
"Yeah, it was fun," Lexi said, giving Sirius a sly smile. He smirked at her and winked as he ate.
"Just fun," Remus teased. Lexi gave Remus a warning look that Sirius didn't miss, his grin grew bigger.
"Yes, Moony, fun," she rolled her eyes. "Oh, look who decided to join us," she quipped as James dropped into the seat next to Sirius and Peter while Lily sat next to Remus and Lexi.
"Lost track of time," Lily muttered with a slight blush on her cheeks.
"Lost track of time and Prongs grinning like an idiot," Sirius smiled wolfishly, sharing a look with Lexi.
"What could that mean," she asked dramatically.
"Absolutely nothing, other than the fact that we have decided to try not to argue," Lily said matter-of-factly still blushing.
"Yeah, alright," Lexi laughed, making James blush as well. Dinner continued with the friends all laughing and joking like the other students around them. Lily and Peter were discussing Care of Magical Creatures while Sirius and James had their heads together whispering. She was staring at Sirius as he laughed at whatever James had said. Maybe she was just being stupid.
"Have a good time at Hogsmeade," Remus asked her, snapping her out of her thoughts. She looked over at him noticing the slight furrow of his brow.
"Yeah, it was nice," she smiled at him. "We...came to an understanding," she winked.
"What are you-" Remus smirked.
"We'll talk about it later," she chuckled, shaking her head.
"Talk about what later," James asked, having picked up on their conversation.
"Nothing that's your business, Potter," she laughed. "I'm going back to the tower. I'll see you later," she smiled to the group before leaving. As she headed up the stairs she heard someone call out behind her.
"Oi, Red," she stopped on the steps and turned to see Sirius skipping steps to catch up to her. "You alright? You left pretty quickly," he grinned, shoving his hands into his pockets as they walked.
"Just wanted to avoid Jamie's questions," she smirked. "Hopefully he'll be a little more preoccupied by his new 'friendship.'" Sirius let out a barking laugh.
"It's a step in the right direction."
"Better watch comments like that," Lexi laughed. "James will jump on it," she gave him a wink and she giggled as he saw him blush. "Sirius Black blushing, my goodness."
"Only for you," he grinned wolfishly. They made their way into the common room which was mostly empty as most students were still at dinner. They took the open couch in front of the fire. They sat quietly for a moment. Sirius had been staring into the fire. Lexi was staring at him.
"What are you thinking about," she finally asked. A grin grew on his lips as he turned his eyes on her.
"Not sure you want to know."
"Try me," she leaned closer to him speaking flirtatiously.
"Well, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you on my bike," he smirked. The portrait hole opened and their friends made their way in.
"Hold that thought, Black," she winked. The other Marauders and Lily joined them. The group was chatting happily when Lexi smirked over at Sirius. He winked at her before turning back to his conversation with Remus. Lily then looked at Lexi knowingly. The girls said good night and made their way to their dorm to talk about their evenings.