Tuesday, 19 April 1977
"So how was your birthday?" Lena asked as she mixed their potion counterclockwise until it turned a shade of golden yellow
Regulus had turned sixteen on Easter Sunday, the tenth. In addition to another drawing of him and Layla, Lena had given him a Minding Merlin record and some cards for Magical Creature before the break. She had sent it to him over the break without writing her name on the package. Instead, she had written from "Your Secret Admirer" on the card so his parents didn't have a fit over Regulus befriending a Hufflepuff half-blood. She had told Regulus about her plan to send the package in advance. He thought it was hilarious.
Regulus smiled down at the potions textbook they were using. "Really good, I snuck out late at night with Kreacher's help and saw Layla… I really love her, Lena. I really do. I want to be with her all the time."
Lena looked at Regulus and decided not to respond. His always handsome face, normally full of broodiness and tension, was relaxed. There was a dopey smile on his face, the kind that children get on their faces when they're dreaming of exciting adventures in far off lands. Regulus's eyes were full of stars. He was in another world, one where he was with Layla without any fears.
Lena hoped that that world would soon replace the world they lived in now.
Thursday, 21 April 1977
It was a remarkably warm day outside for a spring day in Scotland and the students of Hogwarts were taking advantage of it. Most of the students had laid blankets on the grass and were laying on them and munching on snacks. Some of the students were dangling their legs and feet into the Black Lake despite its water being cold. Others were climbing various trees, playing football, or were in general just messing around.
Remus and Lena were no exception. They were sitting on a blanket, leaning against a tree. Lena was resting against Remus, who had one arm wrapped around her. He used his other hand to hold his copy of Dune and expertly turn pages single-handedly as he read the book aloud. While Lena loved the pen Remus had given her, which she used constantly, Lena thought there was nothing better than hearing Remus' actual voice. There was just something so special about his voice. It made her feel happy. It made her feel smarter. It made her feel understood. It made her feel safe. It made her feel loved.
Every few minutes or so, Lena would raise her arm and pop a crisp or a piece of chocolate in Remus' mouth. In return, he would kiss the top of her head, causing her to smile a bit wider.
"Hey, lovebirds."
Remus and Lena blushed as they looked up, the sun momentarily blinded them. In front of them stood Raj and Gwen.
Raj and Gwen sat down on the blanket and the former leaned over and stole the bag of crisps. Remus put down the book but kept his arm around Lena. "Hey guys," he said, "What's up?"
"Not much," Gwen sighed. "Although we did just see Maggie snogging Mason Stone."
"Wait, what!?" Lena said, peering her head around in excitement, trying to catch a glimpse.
Raj opened his mouth to say something but stopped as Gwen let out a squeal of excitement. Remus, Lena, and Raj looked at Gwen with faces of shook surprise. Squealing was so uncharacteristic of Gwen.
"What?" Raj said.
"There's a dog!" Gwen squealed gleefully. "Look! Look!"
Raj, Remus, and Lena turned their gaze to where Gwen was pointing. Sure enough, there was a dog. It was a large, black dog in fact. The dog was walking between Peter and James, who were approaching them.
Lena knew from the quiet sight that Remus let out into her ear that this dog was Sirius in his Animagus form.
The dog, or rather Sirius, pounced on Remus and began to lick all over his face and wagged his tail as James and Sirius joined them all on the blanket. Remus pulled back his face and scratched the dog's neck.
The dog turned its body and began to kiss Lena's face. "Oh, get off you mangy mutt," Remus said. Even though he was currently in the form of a god, Remus wasn't a particular fan of Sirius, or anyone else really, kissing his girlfriend. Well, the girl he was dating. Remus really should get some clarification as to what he and Lena were— casual or serious, unofficial or official, not exclusive or exclusive. Remus was rather worried that clarification from Lena could mean the end of their relationship. And Remus didn't want that. He liked being with Lena and he knew he never wanted that to end.
The dog turned its attention to Raj and began to beg for some crisps. Raj obliged and fed the black dog. "Is this your dog?" he asked, looking at James.
"No," James said with a mischievous grin, "He's a stray. He just started following us."
Gwen couldn't contain her grin as she reached over to pet the dog and scratch behind its ears. The dog bared its teeth at her and Gwen, like a mother does to a young child, began to coo and speak to the dog in a baby-like voice.
"Aww, don't be scared. I'm not going to hurt you. Oh, you're so handsome, aren't you?" Gwen said with a smile and started to make kissy noises at the dog.
The dog suddenly had a look on its face, as if it was smirking. Considering the dog was Sirius, it made sense for him to smirk. After all, his long-time enemy was gushing over him. The dog gave in and allowed Gwen to hug him and pet his slightly shaggy fur.
"Gwen, are you feeling alright?" Lena said with a laugh.
"Yeah, did hell freeze over or something?" Raj grinned.
Gwen shook her head. She was still making kissing faces to the dog, who was now licking her face. "No. I just love dogs. I always wanted a dog growing up. My mother would let me."
"Why not?" Remus asked as the dog rolled onto his back and Gwen began to rub his belly."
"According to my mother, dogs are for boys and cats are for girls," Gwen said bitterly.
"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard," James said.
"I never said my mother was smart," Gwen said dryly and James couldn't help but laugh.
"Remus, what the hell are you doing?" Gwen cried rather suddenly.
Remus froze. His arm was outstretched to the dog. He was holding a piece of chocolate in his hand for the dog. "Giving the dog chocolate," Remus said rather hesitantly.
"You can't give dogs chocolate!" Gwen cried, pulling the dog closer to her, as if to protect him. "It can kill dogs! Everyone knows that! You don't want to hurt Snuffles, do you?"
Remus pouted like a child who had been chastised by its mother. His pout soon dissipated as Lena placed a light kiss on his cheek.
"I'm sorry, but did you just call the dogs Snuffles?" Raj asked with a grin as James and Peter began to snicker.
"Yes," Gwen said as she kissed and scratched the dog. "Doesn't it suit him?"
"Absolutely. It's perfect for him," James said gleefully.
"Good, I'll get it engraved on his dog tag,"
"I'm sorry, what?" Lena said, shocked.
"Since Snuffles is a stray, I'm going to keep him. He'll sleep on my bed in the dorms," Gwen said casually.
"Um, I don't think Zabini or Greengrass would like that," Lena replied. She didn't want Gwen to be heartbroken when Snuffles disappeared in the middle of the night because the dog was in fact a human. Lena also wasn't thrilled with the idea of Sirius possibly seeing a group of girls naked without their permission.
Remus nodded in agreement. He understood perfectly what Lena was getting at. "Yeah, the dog," Remus stopped when saw the disappointed look on Gwen's face and corrected himself. "Sorry, Snuffles may shit on their beds."
Gwen continued to cuddle with Snuffles. "It's hilarious that you think that would dissuade me from keeping Snuffles. If anything it encourages me."
James and Raj laughed as Peter spoke up. "But dogs are so expensive. And they're so much work."
"Besides, you'll have to neuter it," Remus said with a devilish grin.
Snuffles let out an indignant bark. Everyone who knew it was Sirius laughed.
"Don't worry, Snuffles," Gwen cooed. "I won't let anyone hurt you."
Snuffles nuzzled his snout against Gwen's neck.
"I really don't think keeping Snuffles is a good idea. Most landlords don't allow their tenants to have dogs. And Snuffles' owner may come to get him," Lena said.
Gwen sighed, understanding Lena's reasoning.
"You're living in a flat next year?" Raj asked in surprise.
"Yeah, I have to. I'm not welcome home," Gwen said, trying to hide her sadness. Despite how things ended between them, Gwen still missed her family. Snuffles like Gwen's face, making her smile.
"You know you're welcome at ours," Peter said.
"I appreciate it, Pete, but that's too much. Besides, I need to strike out on my own."
Do you know where you're going to live?" James asked.
"Not yet. I just got a job at St. Mungo's for the summer so now I'm trying to find a place that's within my budget. The problem is everything's so bloody expensive."
"Why don't you look for someone to share it with?" Remus suggested. "You'd only have to pay half the expenses."
Gwen groaned. "Where would I even find someone to live with?"
James tilted his head. "Talk to the seventh years. They're all graduating and are probably trying to live outside their parents' houses."
Gwen nodded and continued to pet Snuffles. "Maybe."