Cosmic Joke
Chapter 6 : Pumping Up Clouds
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Luna's third year at Hogwarts came to an end without any major fuss. The Basilisk had been killed with a rooster by the Ministry and the second-floor toilets were renovated within a matter of days.
The Daily Prophet had written about it and Luna had been surprised to find her name in the publication, it hadn't been much, just a sentence identifying her as a third-year Slytherin and as an 'exceptionally gifted Seer.'
Her parents hadn't been happy and had threatened to sue the Daily Prophet but there wasn't much they could really do in the end.
James' overprotectiveness had reached new heights after she'd ditched her Potions class and he all but walked her too and from all her classes in case she got lost along the way. He'd only calmed down when exams had begun months later and he was too busy actually studying to pay her much attention.
As June drew to a close, and exams finally came to an end, Luna was one of the few third years who left the classroom practically bouncing along the way.
"I need to sleep" Peter groaned, his usually neat blonde hair was a mess atop his head, the strands flopping in every direction.
"Me too" Remus agreed as they made it to the Entrance Hall.
"Food first" Sirius tiredly said, nodding at the double doors that led to the Great Hall, "then sleep."
The trio began to trudge over to the Main Hall and James absentmindedly grabbed Luna's hand and tried to steer her along but Luna tugged her hand, causing James to face her with a frown.
He looked as exhausted as the rest of their year mates, third-year exams weren't anywhere near as bad as O.W.L.s but they were still pretty awful.
"Are you not hungry?" James asked. The trio that had gone on ahead finally noticed they were missing James and had come to a stop, staring back at the twins
"The Halls infested" Luna seriously warned James.
James' frown deepened, he let go of Luna's hand and heaved a sigh. "Luna I promise, there are no Nargles in the Hall," he said imploring her with his large hazel eyes to believe him.
"You're right" Luna agreed and for a moment, James grinned, back straightening in relief, "There are Heliopaths" she assured him and he deflated on the spot. "A small army of them, they'll burn down the Hall"
"What?" Peter cried out.
A few students had slowed down on their way to the Hall, snickering at what Luna had said. "Told you she was stark raving mad" A young boy said to another, both in Hufflepuff uniforms and most likely first years from their height. "They call her Loony-"
James whipped his wand out, and glared at the boy, "finish that sentence and I'll hex your tongue off' he growled.
The boys wilted, flinching James' threat, the fear clear on their faces as they ran off into the safety of the Great Hall.
"It's a nice day," Luna said grabbing James' attention, "I want to eat lunch outside"
"Me too" Peter called out, striding back towards the pair, he came to a stop in front of them, "If Helio-whatever they are, are in there" he pointed at the Hall, worry marring his face, "then I don't want to be." He stubbornly said.
"Peter" Remus sighed, as he and Sirius walked back "there's nothing in the Hall except food"
Peter sent him a look that made it clear, he thought Remus was mad, "I think I'll trust the Seer on what's in the Hall" Peter snarkily said, moving to stand closer to Luna.
James sighed, his shoulders drooping. "Let's have a vote" he suggested. "Majority wins" his eyes narrowed at the two blondes across from him.
"All in favour of eating in the Hall-"
"The Heliopath infested Hall" Peter insisted, cutting him off.
"All in favour of eating in the Heliopath infested Hall" James corrected, raising his arm before he even finished.
Remus' arm shot up in the air, a glint of determination in his brown eyes, a hungry Remus Lupin was a testy one.
There was a wave of triumph in the air for but a heartbeat until the boys locked eyes on the form of Sirius Black who was doing his best to avoid their gaze.
Remus sent him an incredulous look, "the suit of armour isn't that interesting" he snapped.
"All in favour of eating outside?" Peter quickly asked, half-hidden behind Luna's body.
Luna and Peter raised their hands and Sirius froze, his body growing tense under the gazes of the other four.
"For fuck sake let's just eat outside" he grumbled, getting defensive.
Luna's eyes lit up, her lips pulling into a large smile, "we have the majority" she told her twin. "Loser's get lunch from the kitchen" she demanded, wrapping her hand around Peter's, he yelped as she dragged him towards Sirius who stumbled back but had no way of escaping Luna's tight grip around his arm either.
Sirius looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him up.
"We shall see you outside" she beamed at James and Remus, "By Hagrid's hut" She ordered as she dragged Sirius and Peter outside.
James watched them go befuddled and only had a few seconds to get his brain working before the trio disappeared out the door.
"Don't go near that Groundskeeper Luna!" He yelled after her.
"But he's my friend" Luna laughed, the words barely audible from the distance they were at.
James sighed and only then felt a dark gaze on him, slightly hesitant, he turned to face the scowling and very annoyed Remus Lupin.
James mentally did the math in his head and realised that yes, the full moon was this weekend.
"Can I bribe you with a chocolate frog?" He asked, plastering on a smile.
"You" Remus growled, "owe me a box" he stated and then his eyes flickered to the doors and the grounds beyond, his sister and his friends were no longer in sight. "Sirius owes me a whole barrel full" Remus declared.
James nodded his head in agreement, and put his arm around Remus' shoulder "come on, Remus my old boy, let's go to the kitchens"
"Two barrel fulls" Remus pouted, letting James drag him along.
"Trust me" James smiled "we'll make Sirius fill up an entire vault for you" he promised, "Heliopaths? Peter being scared, now that is understandable but Sirius?" James shook his head in confusion.
Remus sent him a puzzled look.
"What?" James asked
"Nothing" Remus quickly said, "let's get lunch" he added, picking up his pace so quickly that James was struggling to keep up.
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Madame Cassandra Vablastsky lived in a large white Villa surrounded by acres of land in Viedma, Argentina. Over the years Luna had learned of every inch of the property, from the large oak trees that dominated the south, to the circular tower she was currently in.
Summer's in Argentina was a tradition for her by this point, the Villa was spelled to repel Muggles but it was still a hive of activity, Madam Cassandra was the greatest Seer to currently live and people paid extortionate rates for her visions and wisdom.
Luna was sat in what Cassandra called the Art room, it was one big circular room, with an oval-shaped wooden table that took up most of the space, covered in art supplies. The large oak doors were wide open as were the windows and Luna was sat, drawing in her sketchbook.
"The Madame was expecting you this morning," said a stern voice, it was followed by several sets of feet on the stairs. Marvin appeared by the doors, with three people, two men and a teenage boy around her age. Marvin Sullivan was the Head of Cassandra's household, he was an elderly man even for Wizarding standards, in charge of everything from the minuscule to the major.
"That would be my fault." Said one of the men sheepishly, he had long black hair, a bushy moustache, and brown eyes, with a thick British accent. The other man was tall, with a small frame, long black hair, and the palest skin Luna had ever seen, whilst the boy was a foot taller than her, perhaps around sixteen or seventeen, with blonde hair, dark eyes, and the same pale skin. "The man in the marketplace had some fascinating information about Bardsey Island, you see and I lost track of time" he explained.
"Ms. Luna" Marvin acknowledged, as the group entered the room, "pardon the intrusion" he smiled, his annoyance with the group clear, "would you mind if Mr. Sanguini's Apprentice waits with you, whilst I take these two men to see the Madame?" He asked.
Luna tilted her head, her eyes roaming over the group, there was something strange about the man, Marvin had pointed out as Mr. Sanguini and his Apprentice.
"Of course not" Luna smiled.
"Luna?" The British man eyed her with growing fascination, he eagerly stepped forward, thrusting his hand out, "Eldred Worple" he introduced, "Writer and Explorer at your service" he divulged, "what a pleasure to make your acquaintance" he smiled.
Luna shook his hand, a bit taken aback, not many people recognised her so far from home.
"This is my companion" Eldred introduced, gesturing to the man who still stood by the doors."The renowned Vampire, Mr. Sanguini and his young Apprentice, Benjy Fenwick."
Luna's brow furrowed at the term 'vampire.' Her eyes flickering to the window, where the sun was shining through.
The young Apprentice caught her look and smirked.
"The sun doesn't hurt us" he informed her with a grin.
Us?
Luna let her gaze wash over the boy, apart from the unusually pale colour of his skin, there really was no way to tell that he wasn't human.
"We must hurry" Marvin chided, "The Madame does not like to be kept waiting." He turned on his heels and stalked out of the room, climbing up the steps. Mr. Sanguini immediately followed but Eldred seemed reluctant to part from her.
"Mr. Worple, you best hurry, this meeting is costing you a fortune" the young boy, Benjy, advised.
Mr. Worple reluctantly followed the other two out the door.
"Do you always cause such a stir?" Questioned Benjy, a light smile on his face.
"Not this far from home" Luna replied, quizzically watching the boy, "why aren't you burning up in the sun?" She asked, unable to hold back her curiosity.
Benjy snorted, coming to take, one of the empty seats at the table.
"Burning in the sun is an old wive's tale," he told her, "like garlic and silver"
Luna frowned at him, "my mother donates to the Society for Tolerance of Vampires every year and they host their charity ball at night" she pointed out.
"We don't fry in the sun" Benjy clarified "but most Vampires prefer to be away from the sun, its rays can be discomforting if you're over a certain age."
"A certain age?" Luna queried. Vampires were notoriously secretive, refusing to divulge much of their nature to outsiders.
Benjy waved his hand over his own form, "you have vampires like me" he explained, "the sun doesn't bother us, then you have those like Mr. Sanguini who can withstand the sun but prefer to not be in it if it can be helped and then there are others who find its rays uncomfortable." He remarked.
"So there are three different types of Vampires?" Luna surmised.
Benjy smirked, and made a motion of locking his lips, "I'm afraid I've said too much" he grinned, "now what is a girl like you, doing in a place like this?" He asked.
"I'm studying under Madame Cassandra," Luna explained.
Benjy's eyes narrowed, "so an Apprentice, as well?" He inquired.
"No" Luna shook her head, "Not officially, I attend Hogwarts for most of the year, I only take up the Madame's time during the summer."
Benjy's lips pressed into a thin line, his dark eyes churning with a look she couldn't decipher.
"It must be interesting" Luna spoke up, "being apprenticed to a Vampire."
Benjy shrugged, "it can be" he conceded.
"Why have they come to see Madame Cassandra?" Luna asked.
Benjy seemed to be deciding if he should tell her, then he slouched in the chair with a sigh, "Eldred is a writer and he's trying to cross over to Bardsey Island." He said.
"Cross over?" Luna questioned
"Bardsey Island is just off the coast in Wales, along the Llyn Peninsula in Uwchmynydd" he told her, "but the Llyn Peninsula is Giant territory and the waters surrounding the Island are infested with Merrows." he explained. "So we've come here, to find out what we can do to gain safe passage."
Luna looked at him puzzled, "but why?" She asked, "What's on the Island?"
"Nothing" Benjy laughed. "It's just acres of field and forest, abandoned by those both Muggle and Magical."
"Then why go?" Luna asked.
"For the story" Benjy grinned. "For the adventure," he said with a glint, "you heard Eldred, Writer, and Explorer and this is just another one of his stories." He shrugged.
"That's…..rather odd," Luna stated.
"I know" Benjy agreed with a nod of his head, "but I am only a simple Apprentice" he conceded, "I've no choice but to tag along and try not to die a horrible death."
"I don't think you'll die," Luna said, "Vampires are rather difficult to drown and Giants don't like to pick fights with your kind." She reassured him.
Benjy smiled at her, "keep an eye out for Eldred's book" he told her. "It's bound to be a number one hit."
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The summer before his fourth year was Sirius's favourite.
He'd managed to escape his family within a matter of days and he and James spent their waking moments creating chaos and having fun. Peter and Remus had been in and out all summer and the foursome had the time of their lives.
Although he'd never admit it, the only thing that had been missing from his perfect summer, was one, eccentric Luna Potter.
"I am telling you, this is my year" James vouched, as he took a swig of his Butterbeer. The summer heat beat down on the four Gryffindors as they sat around the stream.
James was sat on the bank, next to Peter, their feet submerged, whilst Sirius and Remus were sat within it, they were at the lower end of the stream and so the cold water only reached their chests when they were sat.
All four were only wearing their swimming trunks, their skin various shades of tan from the summer heat.
"The day Lily Evans agrees to date you, is the day I kiss Snivellus" Peter laughed. Sirius and Remus joined in but James was unfazed, confident in the face of his friend's laughter.
"Mark my words," James said, "It'll happen, I have big plans this year"
"Merlin help us" Remus chuckled, his brown eyes content as he took in his friends.
"Your last plan didn't exactly go down very well" Sirius smirked, flicking water in Remus's direction.
James cringed, remembering his rather disastrous plan for the last day of school.
"That wasn't my fault" he defended, kicking water at Sirius.
"You left her locked in a classroom for hours" Sirius laughed.
"And you lost us thirty house points" Remus complained.
"I was going to let her out" James groaned, "rescue her" he explained, "but I had to take Luna to the Hospital Wing, and….I forgot about Evans" he confessed, his cheeks turning a shade of red.
"I'm sure she would have understood," Peter nodded, "if you hadn't been the one to lock her in there" he burst.
James groaned, his hazel eyes turning to the stream, "do you think the water is high enough to drown me?" He asked.
"No" Sirius shook his head, "trust me, I've tried" he advised, earning three identical looks of confusion.
"Speaking of Luna," Remus said, "isn't she meant to be back soon?"
Sirius's whole body went rigid, excitement and fear erupting in his stomach, he tried to look natural, feigning indifference.
"She's meant to be back tomorrow" James nodded, a soft smile appearing on his face. Sirius hadn't been the only one to miss Luna.
"Has she enjoyed her summer?" Peter asked
"Sounds like it" James grinned, "She even met a Vampire!"
"A real one?" Peter asked, surprised.
"Yes, a real one" James said, gently shoving him.
"I still can't believe your parents sent her off" Peter frowned. Luna Potter was a walking accident, it was a miracle she hadn't been eaten or abducted.
"Madame Cassandra is like family," James said, "she wouldn't let anything happen to Luna," he said with firm conviction, "and with her visions getting so much stronger" he frowned, "Mum and Dad thought it was the best option."
"Her basilisk vision was impressive" Remus complimented.
"It terrified the whole community" Peter exclaimed, only realising his mistake when Remus and Sirius sent him identical glares. "We-well not everyone" Peter hastily stuttered, sending James an apologetic look.
"Did you see the Hufflepuff's sobbing" Sirius grinned, trying to lighten the mood. "I thought Parker and Stella were putting on a right show." he laughed.
The comment worked, as the other three boys broke into laughter.
"You seemed to do a decent enough job of comforting them," James said, sending him a suggestive look.
The smile disappeared off Sirius' face as he thought of Stella Graham. He sighed in frustration, tilting his head back to stare up at the clouds.
"Are you together then?" Peter asked.
"No!" Sirius snapped, looking back at the three curious looks he was receiving.
"You took her to Hogsmeade," James said
"And you kissed her," Peter stated, "multiple times" he unnecessarily added.
Sirius scowled at the two, trying his best not to get angry when it was his own stupid fault, that he was in this predicament.
He had no interest whatsoever in Stella Graham, she just happened to look like the only girl he did like and his body had….urges he struggled to contain.
"Why don't you leave him alone" Remus spoke up, "And focus on your own love lives" he suggested.
Sirius sent him a grateful look as Peter and James defended their lack of romance.
"Did you miss my grand plan?" James asked.
"I was this close to asking Clara to go to Hogsmeade," Peter said, holding up his fingers to show a small gap.
Sirius shook his head and laughed as Remus gave the two a difficult time.
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After being dragged back to his own house for the final week of school, Sirius was over the moon to be back at Hogwarts for his fourth year. He'd settled right back in to pulling pranks, classes, and trying to turn into an Animagus.
Things were perfect…..well almost perfect. This year he had the added problem of one Stella Graham.
She was everywhere and in her defence, Sirius hadn't actually told her to leave him alone but repeatedly saying 'I don't want to date you' also hadn't scared her off.
So he was in a strange conundrum and he had no idea how to free himself.
He had a study break before Ancient Runes and as he was the only one who took it, he was all alone as the other three were currently in Divinations. He'd settled into the library with thoughts of actually studying but Stella's appearance had put a pause on that.
"Sirius" she beamed, her whole face lighting up at the sight of him. She was rather tall for a girl, with wavy blonde hair and blue eyes and with an inward sigh, Sirius wished that he could force himself to like her….as much as he liked-
Sirius shook his head, that path only lay danger.
"Hey, Stella" Sirius smiled, trying to hide his annoyance.
She took the empty seat across from him, leaning forward in a way that had Sirius's eyes flickering to her breasts for a beat too long.
"I was wondering" she coyly said, "if you want to visit a broom cupboard. with me?" She asked, batting her eyes at him.
His mind screamed no
His mouth said "yes"
She triumphantly smiled as he shoved his textbooks into his bag and briskly walked out of the library.
She hurriedly followed after him, a bounce in her step as she tried to clutch his hand. Sirius swiped his hand away and she frowned at him.
He came to a stop, looking around to make sure no one was around to hear them. "This doesn't mean anything," he said. "We are not together" he felt like he said those words every time he saw her and they were beginning to lose any meaning.
Stella frowned at him, but he saw the look of determination in her dark blue eyes.
"I know" She smiled. "Come on" she urged him, walking ahead and Sirius wished he had the power to say no.
The broom closet was tiny, filled with mops and buckets but it was good enough for what Sirius planned to do.
He shoved Stella against the wall and had his tongue down her throat before the door had properly shut.
She groaned as he tightened his arms around her waist and snogged her senseless. Sirus tried to focus, tried to change the scene in his mind, swapping out one girl for another.
She was too tall, too firm in his arms, her hair the wrong shade of blonde, and her eyes far too focused. She smelt of cinnamon and spice instead of the vanilla and rose he'd come to associate with Luna Potter.
"Sirius" she breathily moaned and the illusion Sirius was trying to maintain, was close to shattering.
He pulled back, his body fighting against him but there was no way he could keep going if she kept talking.
"Can you…not talk?" He managed to ask.
Stella's face darkened, the anger creeping up in her eyes.
She shoved him and although it wasn't hard enough to push him off, Sirius let her go and stepped back.
"Not talk?" She spat at him, "what in Merlin's name is the matter with you Black?" She demanded.
Sirius stood, unable to answer.
"You're such a berk" She snapped, shoving him aside as she left the broom cupboard.
Sirius was left standing there, his body wound up, angry and confused at himself as the bell rang, signaling the end of his break.
With a huff, he grabbed his bag off the floor and made his way to class.
What was the matter with him?
He had a girl throwing herself at him and Sirius could barely kiss her without cringing. Stella had tried multiple times to take things further and although he was most certainly interested, there was no connection there for him.
He had no real interest in her.
Which he tried not to care about, because why did it matter that she didn't make his heart race, as long as other parts of his body were interested?
Sirius frustratedly sighed as he stormed into his Ancient Runes class and came face to face with the bane of his existence.
Luna was sat at her usual desk by the windows, a bright ugly green hairband kept her hair back, she had on what seemed to be a beetle ring and her usual cork necklace.
He paused at the sight of her, feeling like he'd been sucker-punched and run over by a herd of Hippogriffs.
Why couldn't Stella or any other girl at Hogwarts make him feel this way?
Luna was staring out of the window, her Ancient Runes textbook left unopened on the table.
With a shake of his head, he settled into the empty desk behind Luna. Prissy Carrow usually sat next to her, whilst Sirius was always alone for this class.
Professor Warren had yet to arrive and the class was chatting amongst themselves. Sirius angrily flipped open his textbook, his eyes straying towards Luna.
There had to be something wrong with him, Luna Potter was a complete headcase.
She dressed funny, she talked weird, she barely even knew he existed or where she was half the time and she was James's sister!
Sirius groaned as he tried and failed to look away from Luna. She was touching the window, tracing some image with her finger that only she could see.
Annoyed at her for merely existing, he leaned forward and tugged her hair.
Luna turned in her seat, her blue eyes focusing on him.
They were an odd shade of blue, not like the bright blue of a clear day or the light blue of crystal clear waters, they were a unique mix, a strange in-between that seemed to suck him in.
"Yes?" Luna asked. She looked so small, no wonder James always worried about her.
Having no idea what to say, he blurted out "Where's Carrow?"
Luna looked at the empty seat beside her in surprise, her lips turning down in a frown and butterflies erupted in his stomach. The queasy feeling was an unwelcome one.
"I don't know" Luna smiled. "Perhaps she's swimming in the lake?" she suggested.
Sirius looked at the large clock by Warren's desk, the class was starting any moment now and if Carrow was still turning up, she'd most certainly be late.
In a split second, Sirius made a choice.
He grabbed his textbook and his bag and left his seat, without looking at Luna, he placed his stuff down and took the seat beside her.
He could feel her gaze on him as he took out his notebook and quill but he was saved from having to say anything by Professor Warren entering the room.
Sirius sighed in relief as Luna turned her attention to their Professor, but even Warren couldn't keep her eyes on him for long, her focus had quickly returned to the window.
Sirius wondered what could possibly be so fascinating about rain?
He sat there, his work long forgotten as he thought about how to get Luna to look at him? Maybe even talk to him again? This wasn't an issue he had with other girls, most of them fought for his attention but Luna's focus was short-lived and difficult to gain.
Not that he'd really ever tried, but he'd been around long enough to see the struggles her family faced. When it came to Luna, you were constantly competing with whatever was going on in her head.
He nudged her with his elbow, half a plan in his head.
Luna tilted her head, her eyes on him but not her attention.
"A Sickle for your thoughts?" He whispered, the class was quietly chatting as they got on with their work but Sirius didn't want to attract any attention.
Luna frowned at him, "I don't need a sickle" she replied, her blue eyes unfocused.
"Then anything you want" Sirius replied without thinking.
That got her attention.
"Anything?" She asked, her attention finally on him.
Sitting so close, he could smell vanilla and rose. His heart violently thumped in his chest, his stomach twisting with nerves but Sirius faked a grin, unable to back out now.
"Anything," he confirmed.
Luna smiled up at him and whatever nerves he felt died as the butterflies returned and his palms turned sweaty.
"I want a Christmas gift," She said
Sirius frowned, "from me?" He asked, confused.
Luna nodded, her nose scrunching as she smiled at him.
Fuck, she was so cute.
"Okay" he agreed. "So what were you thinking about"
The smile disappeared and Sirius hated that he was the cause of it.
"A vision" she quietly confessed, "something…something bad is going to happen but I don't know where or when"
"Something bad?" Sirius frowned, worry creeping up his spine, "to you?" He asked
"No" Luna shook her head, "In the Muggle world" she corrected. "If I could just focus, I could stop it."
"It's not your job to stop it, Luna," He said, "bad things happen all the time" he tried to reason.
Luna sent him a funny look, "It is my job" she replied, "It's exactly what I'm here for"
Sirius's brow furrowed, "you can tell Headmaster Dumbledore," he said, "he could probably stop it."
She sent him a quizzical look, "that's one of my options" she nodded.
"What are your other-"
"Mr. Black, Ms. Potter!" Professor Warren's voice cut him off and Sirius turned his head to see the Professor sending them an annoyed look "you can have your chat after my class."
"Sorry, Professor." They both replied.
Once the Professor had moved on, Sirius tried to restart their conversation but whatever spell that had kept Luna focused on him had run its course, her attention now enthralled by whatever vision was haunting her.
By the end of class, Sirius wondered if he should tell James, he was the best at getting through to Luna.
The bell rang, bringing an end to class and their lessons for the day.
Without thinking much of it, Sirius grabbed Luna's bag along with his own and walked them out of class. He stayed silent as she worked through whatever was in her head.
He gently ushered her through the corridors, they had a while before dinner and usually, Sirius would head straight for the Common room but since he didn't have the invisibility cloak he couldn't sneak Luna in and there was no way he was just leaving her.
They were making their way towards the Grand Staircase when he spotted his friends in what seemed to be an argument with Filch and his cat.
Luna came to a stop at the sight, her blue eyes zeroing in, on the Caretaker.
Sirius's lips turned downward, as a small surge of jealousy shot up his spine.
"We didn't do anything to your cat" James could be heard arguing and Sirius began to make his way over to them, with Luna following right behind him.
Filch was spitting mad, wagging his finger at James, Remus, and Peter, "I'll be reporting you to Professor McGonagall" he warned them. He sent them a dark look and furiously stormed away, his cat cradled in his arms.
"What was that about?" Sirius asked, coming to a stop behind his friends. The trio turned, surprised to see him standing there.
"He's raving mad" Peter exclaimed. "Thinks we want anything to do with that mangy mutt of his" he complained, "there aren't enough Galleons in the world to make me take that thing" he swore.
"Forget it Peter" James insisted, "everyone knows he's not right in the head"
Remus looked back at the Caretaker's retreating figure, "I wonder why he's always so angry?" He wondered.
"Because he's like us," Luna remarked.
They all looked at her, puzzled, but it was Remus who held her attention. "He's a squib" Luna disclosed, "he doesn't belong in this world" she noted "but he doesn't belong in the Muggle world either" she explained.
Remus had grown tense at her words, the panic and fear clear on his face.
"Li..like us?" Remus queried, absolutely terrified.
James got between the two before Luna could say anything more, "let me walk you back to the Dungeons" he insisted. He grabbed ahold of Luna's hand and began to steer her away, "Peter with me" he prompted, and their blonde friend quickly obliged, "Sirius, make sure he doesn't faint" he worriedly added, his eyes on Remus.
Sirius just about managed to hand Luna's bag to Peter as the three made their way down the empty hall.
"Luna you can't just say things like that" James gently admonished, "Remus is sensitive about his…..furry problem," he said as they turned the corner.
"She knows?" Remus fretted, his skin a sickly shade.
Sirius stood, unsure of what to say, James had never told him that Luna knew about Remus's werewolf status but he'd sort of assumed she knew everything.
"She is a Seer" Sirius shrugged, "kind of comes with the territory" he reckoned.
Remus looked like he was going to collapse there and then and Sirius hurried to his side, "let's get you back to the dorm" he said.
Remus stayed quiet on the walk back but Sirius could practically hear his mind screaming with questions.
"When?" Remus asked as soon as they were back in the safety of their dorm room.
"I don't know" Sirius honestly answered, sitting down on his bed. "Probably since the beginning"
Remus looked taken aback at his answer, his knees giving in, he plopped down on James's bed.
His head snapped up, panic filling his brown eyes, "do you think she'll tell-"
"No" Sirius vowed. "She's not the sort and she's never treated you any differently" he reasoned. "Just breath, Remus." He advised.
The panic somewhat eased as Remus took multiple deep breaths, he still looked sickly but that was mostly because of the coming full moon than his encounter with Luna.
"Sorry" Remus breathed out, a tinge of embarrassment on his face.
"You don't have to apologise" Sirius smiled, "Luna's enough to scare anyone." he joked.
Remus snorted, his lips tilted up into a crooked smile, "clearly not you" he commented, a curious look in his eyes.
Sirius stiffened, taken aback by the turn of the conversation and that seemed to be enough for Remus.
"You like her" he acknowledged, the bemusement clear on his face.
Sirius couldn't hide the confirmation that flickered across his face.
"James is going to kill you," Remus announced.
Sirius groaned, running a hand over his face. "He'll never know" Sirius vowed.
Remus laughed, "not to burst your bubble, but you're an awful actor" he quipped.
Sirius sent him a puzzled look, a thought entering his head, "how long have you known?" He asked.
"Ever since you enthusiastically helped James put all her dates in the Hospital Wing, " Remus confessed.
Sirius faltered, what little confidence he had disappeared. "It doesn't matter" he reasoned, "I can't do anything about it."
Remus looked at him confused, "if you like her, you should tell her" he encouraged. "James will get over it."
Sirius sent him an incredulous look, "have you met Luna?" He demanded, "She's…." Flashes of different coloured spectacles, ugly green headbands, massive lion hats, corkscrew necklaces, and unfocused blue eyes entered his mind, "she's not for me" he asserted, ignoring the tiny voice in his head that didn't agree.
Remus frowned.
"Let's just drop it, okay" Sirius pleaded.
"If that's what you want" Remus agreed.
Sirius stood and grabbed his bag off his desk, "let's do some homework" he suggested. He needed to think of anything other than the churning pit that his stomach had turned into.
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End of Chapter 6
So do I know where I'm going with this story? I have a general outline, big plot points I know I'll definitely cover but a lot of little stuff that I haven't figured out yet but I love thinking about.
Benjy being a vampire was needed for a future plot point, I technically just needed a Vampire but I didn't want to make up a character, will we see him soon? No, will we see him eventually? Yes.
Sirius! Man, he's so frustrating, is he madly in love with Luna? No. but he does he have a big fat crush that absolutely terrifies him. Yes. He's a popular almost 15-year-old who just wants to live his life and have fun but Luna's complicating things for him. I think he's adorable.
We will finally slow down the next chapter for Fifth Year.