"Chapter 3: Sirius Stumbles

Sirius was very pleased with himself- very pleased indeed. He tucked Calamity's wand into his robe pocket and slid back into the commonroom silently.

"Where'd you get to," asked Remus suspiciously.
"Moony, I am offended by your tone," Sirius said dramatically placing his arm over his forehead. A nearby fifth year giggled and Sirius winked at his audience.
"Don't encourage him, please," requested James scribbling something on his parchment. The air changed suddenly, the noise of the commonroom grew faint and seemed far away.
"Are we going to plan for our next adventure," whispered Peter looking around carefully. Sirius beamed.
"Nice muffling charm,Peter!"

Peter smiled at the compliment as James glanced over to Remus.
"Afraid not, gents," Remus said. "It'll happen over break and I don't reckon we could explain how a stag, a dog, and a rat got into my basement."
"I think we could," said Sirius already imagining the wild scenario that would allow such a thing to occur.
"'Why aren't you staying here for Holidays," asked Peter.
"Mum wants me to be home for Christmas this year," Remus said.
"Ugh, no fun," said Sirius,leaning his chair back.
"You think you're ever going to get started on your homework," Remus asked.
"Ugh, no fun," Sirius whined again, this time bringing his chair down to sit properly. "I'll do it after I take a trip to Hogsmeade."

James and Peter looked up interestedly.
"Anyone want to join," Sirius asked innocently.
"I can't," James whined. "This is due tomorrow and I won't have any other time because of Quidditich practice."
"Wormtail?"
"Peter looked very tempted but Remus gave him a stern look.
"Moony is helping me so I can't," said Peter. "Besides I said I'd help him with potions after."
"What could you possibly need at Hogsmeade," asked Remus. "We just went last weekend."
"Fine," Sirius said standing and undoing the muffling charm. The commonroom roared to life again. "I'll go alone if you're all going to be-"
"Evans! Lily! Hi!" James jumped up so quickly that his ink pot almost spilled on his essay.

Lily looked exasperated, though her two friends seemed amused as always. Sirius could not understand how two girls with such humor could hang around Calamity and Evans. Neither of them seemed that fun. At least Evans was smart.

"Have you seen Calamity," asked Susan. "We can't find her anywhere."
"We haven't seen her," James said with a shrug. "Hey, have you done the potions homework? You can join us if not." He motioned to the chairs.
"Not for all the galleons in the world, Potter," Lily said sternly. She turned to Remus. "Tell us if you see her, alright?"

Remus nodded and waited until the girls left before saying, "Padfoot..."
"Can't stick around to chat," Sirius replied hurriedly. Remus always knew how to see right through his fun. "See you when I'm back!"

Getting to Hogsmeade was easy and staying dry was even easier with a simple repellent spell. He chuckled thinking that Calamity couldn't do this. He restocked his supply of sugar quills and chocolates, then looked around for any final christmas gifts. Feeling very satisfied with himself he headed to the Three Broom Sticks for a butterbeer. He made a face at his reflection in the bookstore's window. He bet this was were Calamity spent all her time last weekend- just going up and down the aisles, reading and buying.

"Weirdo Yank," Sirius said shaking his head. He arrived at the Three Broomsticks ready for the relief of butterbeer. Just as he was putting on his flirtiest face, he heard a voice that made his face melt into an expression of horror.

"The Antipodean Opaleye is a breed of Dragon native to New Zealand, although it has been known to migrate to Australia in search of territory. It resides in valleys, which is unusual as dragons typically reside on mountains. In generally the Opaleye is considered one of the most beautiful dragons, with pearly scales that line its body, and glittering multicolored eyes that have no pupil."

Sirius leaned slowly around the booths just as Hagrid was looking down at the book being offered to him.
"She's beautiful," Hagrid said affectionately. " I've always wanted a dragon of me own."

Calamity smiled and her eyes darted up. Sirius pulled himself back quickly, hoping she hadn't seen him. How did she get here (and dry) with Hagrid? Why weren't his pranks working? Sirius glanced at the bar. There was no way to go there without being spotted by her. He's lost his appetite anyway. Sirius marched back to Hogwarts in a rage. He burst into the dormitory to find James lazily reclining on his bed, still working on his essay.

"Prongs! How did she do it?"
"Who?"
"That American? She keeps besting me!"
"So you did do something," James asked eyes twinkling with mischief. "What was it?"
"I locked her in the rain, without her wand." He held it up as evidence. "It was brilliant! So simple, yet so effective. But she was at the Three Broomsticks with Hagrid, reading as if nothing had happened!"
"Oh, Padfoot," James looked as if he were about to start laughing.
"It's not funny! She's making a fool of me!"
"You need help with it?"
"Prongs, I'm serious!"
"You always are," chuckled James.
"This is not time for jokes, Prongs," Sirius snapped. "No matter how pun filled they might be. This is important!"
"Padfoot, why do you care so much?"
"I don't," Sirius spluttered indignantly.
"Seems like you do," James said with a smirk. "Seems like you're very focused on making sure she knows you can prank her."
"I just refuse to be beaten!"
"Of course," James said skeptically. Sirius stomped out of the room, leaving a smirking James.

At dinner Sirius was still in a foul mood when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning he found Calamity, smirking at him.
"Wand?"
He put his face in neutral and handed it to her.
"Cypress wood, Phoenix feather core, 12 1/2, slightly springy flexibility," Calamity said smoothly. "I doubt it would have suit you. Did you enjoy your trip to the Three Broomsticks?"

So she had seen him. And she was taunting him! He narrowed his eyes as he saw James' familiar smirk reappear. She seemed unperturbed by it."Don't feel too bad," she said. "It's the thought that counts, right?" She rejoined her friends as Lily glared daggers at them.

"She's taking it a lot better than Evans is," Peter noted. "Probably doesn't help your chances, Prongs."

"Are you done now, Padfoot," asked Remus. "Are you beat?"

"No," Sirius replied. James let out a resigned sigh. Sirius glared at him and said, "I have just begun!"

""So much for Prongs getting a date with Evans anytime soon," said Peter.