A/N: Hey, you guys are great!
Disclaimer: Don't own anyone but Rowena, but she's cool.
The months passed quickly, classes were sometimes dull, other times a little too exciting. Rowena was glad it was the weekend in October, for their would be a Gryffindor-Slytherin Quidditch match and a Hogsmeade visit. Rowena felt both events were very needed, for day after day, week after week, life was just boring. She missed Sirius. Badly. This often surprised her, because she had lived fourteen years without him, and after living with him a couple of months, she needed Sirius. And the permission that Dumbledore gave her to go visit Sirius and Remus on weekends didn't help. Rowena was always needed at the school, for various things: grading papers, patrolling the halls, and even looking over the Gryffindor Quidditch practices on McGonagall's orders.
Rowena found some scarlet red robes in her closet, naturally for the Quidditch Match. Rowena looked at her room for a second. She liked the quarters Dumbledore provided for her. It was simple and nice. She found that breakfast would be over soon, so she ran down to the Great Hall for anything that was left. She found that Harry was still eating, looking slightly nervous, partly for Ron, who was pale and shaking. She imagined that all the other students were either practicing Quidditch and having pep talks or finding good seats for the match. Rowena sat down across from her students, both clad in Quidditch robes, and grabbed herself a bowl of porridge.
"You alright, Harry?", Rowena asked tentatively, trying to be more interested in her porridge than his answer, "Quidditch Match jitters?"
"It's not that, Professor. Um. . . I dunno if this is the time. Quidditch Match is in an hour. . .", Harry said, looking quite interested in his porridge as well.
"You might not play as well if you're worrying yourself about something else, Harry.", Rowena answered, knowingly.
"Ron, go ahead and practice with the team, I'll be there in a few minutes.", Harry said. Ron looked like he was hit in the face with a bludger.
"But you're the captain!", Ron protested, "We need to practice!"
"A few more minutes, Ron. . .", Harry answered calmly, reminding Rowena strongly of Dumbledore.
Ron left the table, puzzled, but willing.
Rowena waited a few seconds, putting a small Soundproofing Spell around them.
"So, what's up?", she ultimately asked.
"Um. . .the nightmares. . .they're getting bad."
"You mean the Occlumency isn't working?"
Harry shook his head.
"These aren't connected to Voldemort's thoughts. I've been seeing people getting black letters, so naturally I dream about death. I see the Longbottoms suffer. I see people I don't even know suffer."
Harry was having trouble speaking. His eyes were blazing green flames. He looked downward, as though he wasn't helping anything.
"So you feel like nothing's being done?", Rowena asked gently.
"Yeah, I guess. I dream about Sirius, too. He. . .it's like he's suffering too, having nightmares, and he can't wake up. . ."
Harry fell silent. Rowena found that she was unable to answer. She was afraid that she would just scream out that Sirius was alive and well. Harry looked up at her and she looked back, wanting to hold him, as a sister would. But she was his professor, part of the staff; they had boundaries.
"I think it's time for me to go, you know, Quidditch.", Harry said quietly,
"You know, Harry, you don't have to feel like you're a burden to me. I asked you what was wrong."
Harry didn't answer.
"Harry, let me walk you to the Pitch."
Harry remained silent.
"You know, I was a Chaser for Gryffindor, when I went here."
Harry looked at her.
"Really? What year did you join?"
"Third, but I quit after fifth year. I became concerned with grades, and found that our obsessive captain wasn't helping. I took quite a few N.E.W.T. classes, though I wasn't as busy as Hermione. Or your mother, for that matter. Your dad was. . . an awesome Seeker, but I never let him know, because it would go to his head. Lucius Malfoy was no comparison. Sirius was a Beater, but quit a year after I did, because it wasn't as fun without me. That's what he claimed anyway. So we spent most of our time studying together, sometimes with Remus. Turned out that we got high N.E.W.T. scores."
Harry stared at her. She realized all that he asked was what year she joined the Gryffindor Quidditch team, and she had given him a discourse.
"Sorry, I tend to ramble on, don't I?", Rowena said, grinning.
"Oh, I don't mind.", Harry replied, laughing a little.
"Do you find my class. . . dull, Harry?", Rowena asked.
Harry glanced at her, twisting his Firebolt broom around.
"No, it's interesting. It's good everyone is learning about Voldemort, but it does disturb them a little. But they need to know, right?"
Rowena nodded.
"It was Severus's idea, however. He practically forced Albus to let us teach the students about the Dark Arts and Voldemort."
"Eventually, Snape is going to take over the position.", Harry said resentfully.
"If Albus Dumbledore is anywhere near sane, there is no way Snape will get the position.", Rowena replied simply, "You, of all people, should know that."
Finally, they reached the Quidditch Pitch.
"Good luck, Harry!", Rowena called after him.
"Thanks."
And with that, he went to the Gryffindor locker room.
Rowena walked to the Gryffindor section of the Quidditch Pitch, finding Hermione looking anxiously at Ron on the field, who was trying to relax.
She sat next to her fluffy-locked student, asking,
"How are you, Hermione?"
Hermione jumped with surprise, then exhaled.
"It's only you, Professor. You scared me. Well, I hope Ron isn't too nervous. It's hard to get him to ignore the Slytherins. He gets really panicky."
"Ah, well he is playing Slytherin. That made us nervous every match, but we managed to succeed. He'll be fine."
"I do hope so, Professor."
The match started.
Ron, who had color restoring to his face, flew up near one of the hoops to guard. Ginny had the quaffle, however, and was zooming past Millicent in order to throw the quaffle in. Millicent elbowed Ginny in the ribs, but didn't seem to hurt her at all, as the quaffle got in.
"GRYFFINDOR-10! SLYTHERIN-0!", she heard from a boisterous Colin Creevey, who was now the speaker since Lee Jordan graduated the year before.
Now was Ron's test. A sinister looking girl had the quaffle in her hands and was zooming towards the three hoops Ron was guarding. He started to pale again, but whirred in front of her, managing to guard the hoops. Suddenly, a bludger from Seamus Finnigan hit the girl, forcing her to leave the hoops.
Rowena's eyes left this scene to find Harry who was high above the action, scanning the field for, no doubt, the Snitch. Draco was doing the same, at a much lower altitude. A bludger from a Slytherin beater was about to unseat Harry, but he flew fast and far from it.
After this, Rowena seemed to have lost interest, as her thoughts started to drift. . .
*Sirius and Rowena were on the Pitch, but they were the only ones practicing. Others decided to study for O.W.L.'s, or N.E.W.T.'s, but the two Gryffindors were much too confident. The funny thing was that James was actually going to study. . .or just stare at Lily studying in the Library. Either way, he was gone.
Rowena was much more concerned with bludgers than with O.W.L.'s. The Slytherin Beaters, Crabbe and Goyle, would keep hitting the bludgers towards Rowena, so it was impossible to score a goal without getting hit. If they were smart, they would've gone after James, the real threat towards Slytherin in Quidditch. But this was Crabbe and Goyle; they did things without thinking. Rowena had already broken her arm three times this year and was tired of Emma Creevey getting in all the quaffles.
Sirius reluctantly agreed to help Rowena practice, which meant he had to hit bludgers at her constantly, while she tried to throw in the quaffle. If she could dodge Sirius's bludgers, then Crabbe's and Goyle's would be a piece of cake.
So it started. Sirius hit a bludger towards her, she dodged it narrowly, throwing the quaffle in, trying to imagine how the Slytherin keeper would try to stop her. This repeated numerous times, and Rowena found herself tired, but she continued.
Sirius hit a fast bludger at Rowena, much faster than the others had been. She quickly threw the quaffle into the hoop, trying to fly upwards as quickly as possible, but it was no use. The bludger hit her leg, and then the practice broom she was using. The broom broke in half, letting her fall. She could feel the wrenching pain in her thigh as the wind blew fiercely. Feeling something beneath her, she knew she had reached the ground. She couldn't think . . .
Rowena felt someone's arms beneath her knees and her back. She opened her eyes, realizing she didn't fall to the ground. She looked up and saw Sirius looking down at her, beyond concerned, he was anxious. His hazel eyes were wide open, his black bangs plastered in front of them, and his mouth was slightly open. Even then, he was handsome.
Sirius gently kneeled to lay her on the ground. He caught the bludger with some difficulty and placed it in the case, then did the same with the quaffle. Sirius went back to Rowena, and laid down beside her.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean. . .", Sirius started.
"You didn't do anything wrong. That was a good one. Hit one like that at Malfoy sometime. I should've been faster anyway.", Rowena cut in, not wanting him to take any responsibility.
"It wasn't your fault either.", Sirius said.
They both laid silently next to each other, staring at the sky, which was starting to go dark.
"I think I better take you to Madam Pomfrey.", Sirius said, moving his arms to pick her up, but Rowena resisted.
"I can walk myself, Sirius Black. Just give me some support."
Sirius helped her up, and Rowena winced, feeling the pain in her thigh sharply. She put her arm around his shoulders, which was slightly difficult because of his height (he was quite a bit taller than she), and he put his arm comfortably around her shoulders. They walked slowly, Rowena feeling the pain sharper and sharper in her leg.
"I'm carrying you!", Sirius said stubbornly. He picked her up, not listening to her protests.
"Put me down!", Rowena yelled.
Sirius viciously shook his head.
"I bet you twenty Galleons that you broke your thigh. You can't walk on it!"
"Fine!"
Sirius walked briskly, holding Rowena in his arms, letting her feet dangle beneath his right arm. Rowena, noticing how uncomfortable she was, put her arms around Sirius's neck. He gave her a small grin.
"Not so bad, is it?", he asked playfully.
She jerked arms away from his neck, crossing them in front of her chest. He laughed, his eyes sparkling.
"Why don't I want to be with him?", Rowena thought, "I mean, isn't he all I've ever wanted?"
She sincerely hoped Sirius had no idea what she was thinking, for that would be a catastrophe, making it likely for Sirius to tell James. She wouldn't care if he told Remus. Remus could read her like an open book, and whenever Rowena was around Sirius, Remus always managed to wink at her when no one was looking. She blushed at this thought, realizing that Sirius was right there.
They finally reached the infirmary, with Madam Pomfrey staring at them.
"What happened?", she asked, concerned.
Sirius explained everything, while Rowena nodded.
"I see. Let me check your leg.", Madam Pomfrey said matter-of-factly.
Madam Pomfrey noticed that Sirius was still there and cleared her throat.
"Mr. Black, a few moments, please?", Madam Pomfrey said, annoyed.
"O-oh, sure.", Sirius replied, walking out the door.
Madam Pomfrey drew a curtain around the bed Rowena was laying down on. Madam Pomfrey lifted her robes, firmly checking her thigh.
"It's broken. Awfully well, too. You'll need to stay here for the night. It will take me longer than usual to mend this broken bone, Ms. Flintwood.", Madam Pomfrey said, a little subdued. "Would you like me to bring Mr. Black in? I have to go tell Professor McGonagall that you will not be in the Gryffindor dormitories tonight."
"Alright.", Rowena said, sighing.
Sirius sat down on a chair next to Rowena's bed, looking very solemn.
"Blimey, broken bone, wasn't it?"
Rowena nodded.
"I should've been more careful. I'm such a git.", Sirius lamented, putting his hand awkwardly on her shoulder.
"No, no you're fine.", Rowena said, putting her hand on top of his. "Thanks for. . .you know, catching me. And helping me get here."
Sirius just smiled softly. He gently leaned towards her, so close to where Rowena could feel him exhale. His hand was trembling, as was hers. His eyes started to narrow, his lips much too close to hers. . .
They heard McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey enter. Sirius jerked his head away from Rowena's. Rowena blushed heavily, unable to believe what was about to happen a few moments before.
"So you've broken your leg, have you?", McGonagall said briskly.
Rowena nodded, feeling her throat becoming dry.
"You shouldn't worry about Quidditch so much, Ms. Flintwood. I suggest you start studying for your O.W.L.'s."
Rowena nodded again.
"Can you not talk, girl?", McGonagall asked, flustered.
"Sorry. I'll start studying.", Rowena answered, her voice raspy.
Sirius looked at her, biting his lip.
"Black, I think you should go back to the common room. It is about that time.", McGonagall said, turning to Sirius.
"Yes, Professor.", Sirius said quietly, avoiding Rowena's gaze.
He left silently. If McGonagall thought this was odd, she gave no sign of it. After a few minutes, she left as well, leaving Madam Pomfrey to heal Rowena
~-~
Rowena noticed that Sirius was avoiding her at all costs. He couldn't look at her or talk to her, or even sit anywhere near her. Rowena was somewhat thankful for this, because she realized what would've happened that night in the infirmary. He would have kissed her, and Rowena would have reciprocated, and they would be a couple at this very moment. Rowena didn't want that, though. She liked being Sirius's friend, being able to laugh with him and such. She never wanted to be his girlfriend; in fact, she despised the term "girlfriend". She never wanted to be like every other couple in school. Rowena had a special bond with Sirius. The fact that neither of them had a real family was what made them close in the first place. She was content with that, and wanted no fling with Sirius.
Rowena walked briskly to the Library, finding Sirius talking to Remus, or rather Remus pressuring Sirius to tell him "what was wrong". Rowena thought, "You really don't want to know, Remus."
She walked up to Sirius, placing her hand on his shoulder. He looked up at her and then looked away.
"Hey Rowena.", he mumbled. Remus was smiling.
"Sirius, can we talk?", Rowena said, hearing her voice shake slightly.
"Sure."
And they walked onto the Hogwarts grounds, making sure no one could hear them. Rowena didn't know how to say what she wanted, but decided the sooner she said something, the better.
Rowena stopped, overlooking the lake, and then looked to Sirius, who decidedly would not even glance at her.
"Sirius, about that time we were in the infirmary. . .neither of us were really thinking straight. I mean, I'm your friend, and I like it that way. I'm sure you feel the same. I guess we were just in some sort of. . .daze. Let's forget about it. Nothing happened, alright? No damage was done. You mean a lot to me, Sirius. I don't want anything to change."
Rowena embraced Sirius, and he did the same. She could feel his face burning. They grinned at each other, afraid and awkward. They both wanted to forget.*
A loud chorus of "Weasely is our King" erupted from the Gryffindors, bringing Rowena back to the Quidditch game. Gryffindor had won. She noticed Harry was beaming, the snitch in his hand.
"Quick game.", Rowena thought.
Everyone seemed to rejoice, with the exception of the Slytherins, of course. They all seemed happy that the next day they could go to Hogsmeade and have a proper celebration. Rowena was leaving the Quidditch Pitch, a swarm of Gryffindors around her, and noticed someone was waiting outside. Remus.
No one else seemed to look at him, as they had just wanted to get back to the common room and celebrate. Rowena, however, was now in no mood, especially after the memories she had just relived. She walked up to Remus and hugged him.
"Oh, it's been so long!", Rowena exclaimed.
Remus smiled.
"Two months or so. We missed you."
Rowena laughed.
"I'm glad to hear it! Do you want to go to Hogsmeade? We could stop by the Three Broomsticks."
Remus nodded in agreement.
Hogsmeade was in walking distance, but students were forbidden to go unless it was a planned Hogsmeade weekend. If it was, they had to go in carriages.
Remus and Rowena found themselves in Hogsmeade, noticing the small bookshops and jokeshops, along with sweetshops. They found the Three Broomsticks and walked in.
There were mostly wizards trying to get some refreshment before they headed back to business. The whole place smelled like cinnamon and butterbeer, which was no surprise to Rowena.
She walked up to the lady who was serving everyone, noticing how familiar she was.
"Rowena Flintwood?! I haven't seen you since Seventh year!", the woman squealed in a sickeningly sweet fashion, her blonde curls bouncing, her blue eyes glittering.
Rowena remembered this woman, though not in happy memories.
"Ah, Bebe Juniper. It has been a while.", Rowena said coolly, sounding much like McGonagall.
"Remus Lupin?! I remember you! You were Sirius's friend.", Bebe acknowledged.
Remus smiled, though not out of pleasure. It was just for the sake of being polite.
"Bebe, we'll have two firewhiskeys.", Rowena ordered sharply, very annoyed with Sirius's old crush.
Bebe stopped smiling, catching onto Rowena's sour feelings. She mutely filled two tankards with firewhiskey. Rowena silently gave her ten Sickles. Rowena and Remus took their drinks respectively, sitting down at a table in a corner.
"THAT was unexpected.", Rowena said.
"Indeed. You still can't stand her.", Remus added.
"Well, she's still the same, isn't she?", Rowena replied.
They remained silent for a while.
"I've come because there's a slight problem, Rowena.", Remus said, sounding concerned.
"What's wrong?", Rowena asked.
Rowena had no clue what could be wrong. She had a sinking feeling that it was to do with Sirius. She quickly put a Soundproofing Spell around the table.
"Well, um, Padfoot is. . .he's sick. Really sick. He's been having a fever, and he's constantly asleep, he's having nightmares. He tosses and turns, shivers even. I try to shake him awake, but he just doesn't wake up. I don't know what's happening. I can't give him any tonic or potions because isn't awake to drink it. He calls out for James, me, you, even Harry sometimes. I just thought maybe we should both talk to Albus about it."
Rowena froze, remembering exactly what Harry had told her that morning: "I dream about Sirius, too. He. . .it's like he's suffering too, having nightmares, and he can't wake up. . ."
Rowena immediately told Remus what Harry told her that morning.
"It can't be just coincidence, can it?", Rowena said, all her feelings jumbled. "We've got to stop him from having these dreams, otherwise Voldemort might catch on to it. Occlumency isn't flawless. Perhaps, we should give Harry some sleeping potions."
"This is bad. But Padfoot is our major problem. We need to find a way to help him. Harry will stop having the dreams if we give him potions, that is no problem. But how can we help Padfoot? We can't take him to St. Mungo's, we can't ask Snape's help because he isn't supposed to be alive, and Dumbledore might have some idea of how to help him, but we aren't sure."
Remus looked desperate. The circles under his eyes were more pronounced, and he was pale. Rowena finally realized why he was acting so differently; the full moon was approaching, and when one is a werewolf, they become highly emotional around that time.
"I suppose we might as well see Dumbledore now.", Rowena sighed, finishing off her firewhiskey. Remus gulped his down quickly as well. They made their way back to Hogwarts.
Rowena's head was swimming in thousands of thoughts. Sirius was in trouble and she had a feeling that she couldn't help him right now, that she would have to wait until the right time.
They approached Dumbledore's office, Rowena muttering "fizzing whizbee" under her breath, Remus following her up the spiraling steps.
"Ah, Rowena, Remus, please sit down. What is the matter?", Albus asked softly.
Rowena placed yet another Soundproofing Spell on the room so no one could hear them.
"Sirius is ill.", Rowena whispered.
Remus told Dumbledore all about the nightmares and visions Sirius was having, the fact that he couldn't wake up, and giving every detail about it.
Dumbledore gravely looked from Remus to Rowena, as though they were students again.
"I knew this had to happen. Perhaps this is the time for me to tell you.", Dumbledore said softly, more to himself than anyone.
"Tell us what?", Rowena said loudly, losing patience. The only one she'd ever cared for more than herself was in pain, and Dumbledore was taking awfully long.
"The veil. If you walk willingly into it, you meet your death. If you are forced into it, you keep your life, and become stronger. However, everything comes at a cost. The feelings that a person is having while they force you into the veil haunt you in the way they want. Bellatrix Lestrange was having highly negative and rash feelings toward Sirius, so he is being haunted by the worst times of his life and cannot escape. One must have the very opposite feelings Bellatrix had in order to lift the curse off of Sirius. Now, Rowena, what feelings do you think Bellatrix had at the time?"
Rowena knew what was coming.
"Hatred, vengeance."
Dumbledore's eyes lit up.
"And the opposite would be?"
"Love."
Remus and Dumbledore looked at her for a long time, while she examined the floor.
"You expect me to break the curse, do you?", Rowena asked softly, feeling angry.
"The only other person who can do it is Harry, Rowena. He can't know about Sirius. And I . . . I'm not strong enough to do such magic.", Remus said.
Rowena bit her lip.
"Rowena, you won't be able to do this now. I suggest you keep yourself focused, make sure that you take sleeping potions, to limit your dreams. Harry will have to take sleeping potions as well. I will tell Severus to prepare them for you. It has been good seeing you Remus."
Remus left, patting Rowena on the shoulder. Once he did, Dumbledore added,
"You are capable of loving him, Rowena. You will be able to do this."
Rowena left, not wanting to talk, but to drink more firewhiskey. They expected so much of her. This was silly. It sounded like a fairy tale, in which a handsome prince was under enchanted sleep and it was up to the brave princess to save him. Rowena couldn't laugh at this, it was so foolish.
A/N: I find this chapter a little bit of a disappointment, but couldn't find any way to fix it. Um, I won't be able to update for a few weeks, as I will be out of town. Thanks if you're reading this.
Disclaimer: Don't own anyone but Rowena, but she's cool.
The months passed quickly, classes were sometimes dull, other times a little too exciting. Rowena was glad it was the weekend in October, for their would be a Gryffindor-Slytherin Quidditch match and a Hogsmeade visit. Rowena felt both events were very needed, for day after day, week after week, life was just boring. She missed Sirius. Badly. This often surprised her, because she had lived fourteen years without him, and after living with him a couple of months, she needed Sirius. And the permission that Dumbledore gave her to go visit Sirius and Remus on weekends didn't help. Rowena was always needed at the school, for various things: grading papers, patrolling the halls, and even looking over the Gryffindor Quidditch practices on McGonagall's orders.
Rowena found some scarlet red robes in her closet, naturally for the Quidditch Match. Rowena looked at her room for a second. She liked the quarters Dumbledore provided for her. It was simple and nice. She found that breakfast would be over soon, so she ran down to the Great Hall for anything that was left. She found that Harry was still eating, looking slightly nervous, partly for Ron, who was pale and shaking. She imagined that all the other students were either practicing Quidditch and having pep talks or finding good seats for the match. Rowena sat down across from her students, both clad in Quidditch robes, and grabbed herself a bowl of porridge.
"You alright, Harry?", Rowena asked tentatively, trying to be more interested in her porridge than his answer, "Quidditch Match jitters?"
"It's not that, Professor. Um. . . I dunno if this is the time. Quidditch Match is in an hour. . .", Harry said, looking quite interested in his porridge as well.
"You might not play as well if you're worrying yourself about something else, Harry.", Rowena answered, knowingly.
"Ron, go ahead and practice with the team, I'll be there in a few minutes.", Harry said. Ron looked like he was hit in the face with a bludger.
"But you're the captain!", Ron protested, "We need to practice!"
"A few more minutes, Ron. . .", Harry answered calmly, reminding Rowena strongly of Dumbledore.
Ron left the table, puzzled, but willing.
Rowena waited a few seconds, putting a small Soundproofing Spell around them.
"So, what's up?", she ultimately asked.
"Um. . .the nightmares. . .they're getting bad."
"You mean the Occlumency isn't working?"
Harry shook his head.
"These aren't connected to Voldemort's thoughts. I've been seeing people getting black letters, so naturally I dream about death. I see the Longbottoms suffer. I see people I don't even know suffer."
Harry was having trouble speaking. His eyes were blazing green flames. He looked downward, as though he wasn't helping anything.
"So you feel like nothing's being done?", Rowena asked gently.
"Yeah, I guess. I dream about Sirius, too. He. . .it's like he's suffering too, having nightmares, and he can't wake up. . ."
Harry fell silent. Rowena found that she was unable to answer. She was afraid that she would just scream out that Sirius was alive and well. Harry looked up at her and she looked back, wanting to hold him, as a sister would. But she was his professor, part of the staff; they had boundaries.
"I think it's time for me to go, you know, Quidditch.", Harry said quietly,
"You know, Harry, you don't have to feel like you're a burden to me. I asked you what was wrong."
Harry didn't answer.
"Harry, let me walk you to the Pitch."
Harry remained silent.
"You know, I was a Chaser for Gryffindor, when I went here."
Harry looked at her.
"Really? What year did you join?"
"Third, but I quit after fifth year. I became concerned with grades, and found that our obsessive captain wasn't helping. I took quite a few N.E.W.T. classes, though I wasn't as busy as Hermione. Or your mother, for that matter. Your dad was. . . an awesome Seeker, but I never let him know, because it would go to his head. Lucius Malfoy was no comparison. Sirius was a Beater, but quit a year after I did, because it wasn't as fun without me. That's what he claimed anyway. So we spent most of our time studying together, sometimes with Remus. Turned out that we got high N.E.W.T. scores."
Harry stared at her. She realized all that he asked was what year she joined the Gryffindor Quidditch team, and she had given him a discourse.
"Sorry, I tend to ramble on, don't I?", Rowena said, grinning.
"Oh, I don't mind.", Harry replied, laughing a little.
"Do you find my class. . . dull, Harry?", Rowena asked.
Harry glanced at her, twisting his Firebolt broom around.
"No, it's interesting. It's good everyone is learning about Voldemort, but it does disturb them a little. But they need to know, right?"
Rowena nodded.
"It was Severus's idea, however. He practically forced Albus to let us teach the students about the Dark Arts and Voldemort."
"Eventually, Snape is going to take over the position.", Harry said resentfully.
"If Albus Dumbledore is anywhere near sane, there is no way Snape will get the position.", Rowena replied simply, "You, of all people, should know that."
Finally, they reached the Quidditch Pitch.
"Good luck, Harry!", Rowena called after him.
"Thanks."
And with that, he went to the Gryffindor locker room.
Rowena walked to the Gryffindor section of the Quidditch Pitch, finding Hermione looking anxiously at Ron on the field, who was trying to relax.
She sat next to her fluffy-locked student, asking,
"How are you, Hermione?"
Hermione jumped with surprise, then exhaled.
"It's only you, Professor. You scared me. Well, I hope Ron isn't too nervous. It's hard to get him to ignore the Slytherins. He gets really panicky."
"Ah, well he is playing Slytherin. That made us nervous every match, but we managed to succeed. He'll be fine."
"I do hope so, Professor."
The match started.
Ron, who had color restoring to his face, flew up near one of the hoops to guard. Ginny had the quaffle, however, and was zooming past Millicent in order to throw the quaffle in. Millicent elbowed Ginny in the ribs, but didn't seem to hurt her at all, as the quaffle got in.
"GRYFFINDOR-10! SLYTHERIN-0!", she heard from a boisterous Colin Creevey, who was now the speaker since Lee Jordan graduated the year before.
Now was Ron's test. A sinister looking girl had the quaffle in her hands and was zooming towards the three hoops Ron was guarding. He started to pale again, but whirred in front of her, managing to guard the hoops. Suddenly, a bludger from Seamus Finnigan hit the girl, forcing her to leave the hoops.
Rowena's eyes left this scene to find Harry who was high above the action, scanning the field for, no doubt, the Snitch. Draco was doing the same, at a much lower altitude. A bludger from a Slytherin beater was about to unseat Harry, but he flew fast and far from it.
After this, Rowena seemed to have lost interest, as her thoughts started to drift. . .
*Sirius and Rowena were on the Pitch, but they were the only ones practicing. Others decided to study for O.W.L.'s, or N.E.W.T.'s, but the two Gryffindors were much too confident. The funny thing was that James was actually going to study. . .or just stare at Lily studying in the Library. Either way, he was gone.
Rowena was much more concerned with bludgers than with O.W.L.'s. The Slytherin Beaters, Crabbe and Goyle, would keep hitting the bludgers towards Rowena, so it was impossible to score a goal without getting hit. If they were smart, they would've gone after James, the real threat towards Slytherin in Quidditch. But this was Crabbe and Goyle; they did things without thinking. Rowena had already broken her arm three times this year and was tired of Emma Creevey getting in all the quaffles.
Sirius reluctantly agreed to help Rowena practice, which meant he had to hit bludgers at her constantly, while she tried to throw in the quaffle. If she could dodge Sirius's bludgers, then Crabbe's and Goyle's would be a piece of cake.
So it started. Sirius hit a bludger towards her, she dodged it narrowly, throwing the quaffle in, trying to imagine how the Slytherin keeper would try to stop her. This repeated numerous times, and Rowena found herself tired, but she continued.
Sirius hit a fast bludger at Rowena, much faster than the others had been. She quickly threw the quaffle into the hoop, trying to fly upwards as quickly as possible, but it was no use. The bludger hit her leg, and then the practice broom she was using. The broom broke in half, letting her fall. She could feel the wrenching pain in her thigh as the wind blew fiercely. Feeling something beneath her, she knew she had reached the ground. She couldn't think . . .
Rowena felt someone's arms beneath her knees and her back. She opened her eyes, realizing she didn't fall to the ground. She looked up and saw Sirius looking down at her, beyond concerned, he was anxious. His hazel eyes were wide open, his black bangs plastered in front of them, and his mouth was slightly open. Even then, he was handsome.
Sirius gently kneeled to lay her on the ground. He caught the bludger with some difficulty and placed it in the case, then did the same with the quaffle. Sirius went back to Rowena, and laid down beside her.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean. . .", Sirius started.
"You didn't do anything wrong. That was a good one. Hit one like that at Malfoy sometime. I should've been faster anyway.", Rowena cut in, not wanting him to take any responsibility.
"It wasn't your fault either.", Sirius said.
They both laid silently next to each other, staring at the sky, which was starting to go dark.
"I think I better take you to Madam Pomfrey.", Sirius said, moving his arms to pick her up, but Rowena resisted.
"I can walk myself, Sirius Black. Just give me some support."
Sirius helped her up, and Rowena winced, feeling the pain in her thigh sharply. She put her arm around his shoulders, which was slightly difficult because of his height (he was quite a bit taller than she), and he put his arm comfortably around her shoulders. They walked slowly, Rowena feeling the pain sharper and sharper in her leg.
"I'm carrying you!", Sirius said stubbornly. He picked her up, not listening to her protests.
"Put me down!", Rowena yelled.
Sirius viciously shook his head.
"I bet you twenty Galleons that you broke your thigh. You can't walk on it!"
"Fine!"
Sirius walked briskly, holding Rowena in his arms, letting her feet dangle beneath his right arm. Rowena, noticing how uncomfortable she was, put her arms around Sirius's neck. He gave her a small grin.
"Not so bad, is it?", he asked playfully.
She jerked arms away from his neck, crossing them in front of her chest. He laughed, his eyes sparkling.
"Why don't I want to be with him?", Rowena thought, "I mean, isn't he all I've ever wanted?"
She sincerely hoped Sirius had no idea what she was thinking, for that would be a catastrophe, making it likely for Sirius to tell James. She wouldn't care if he told Remus. Remus could read her like an open book, and whenever Rowena was around Sirius, Remus always managed to wink at her when no one was looking. She blushed at this thought, realizing that Sirius was right there.
They finally reached the infirmary, with Madam Pomfrey staring at them.
"What happened?", she asked, concerned.
Sirius explained everything, while Rowena nodded.
"I see. Let me check your leg.", Madam Pomfrey said matter-of-factly.
Madam Pomfrey noticed that Sirius was still there and cleared her throat.
"Mr. Black, a few moments, please?", Madam Pomfrey said, annoyed.
"O-oh, sure.", Sirius replied, walking out the door.
Madam Pomfrey drew a curtain around the bed Rowena was laying down on. Madam Pomfrey lifted her robes, firmly checking her thigh.
"It's broken. Awfully well, too. You'll need to stay here for the night. It will take me longer than usual to mend this broken bone, Ms. Flintwood.", Madam Pomfrey said, a little subdued. "Would you like me to bring Mr. Black in? I have to go tell Professor McGonagall that you will not be in the Gryffindor dormitories tonight."
"Alright.", Rowena said, sighing.
Sirius sat down on a chair next to Rowena's bed, looking very solemn.
"Blimey, broken bone, wasn't it?"
Rowena nodded.
"I should've been more careful. I'm such a git.", Sirius lamented, putting his hand awkwardly on her shoulder.
"No, no you're fine.", Rowena said, putting her hand on top of his. "Thanks for. . .you know, catching me. And helping me get here."
Sirius just smiled softly. He gently leaned towards her, so close to where Rowena could feel him exhale. His hand was trembling, as was hers. His eyes started to narrow, his lips much too close to hers. . .
They heard McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey enter. Sirius jerked his head away from Rowena's. Rowena blushed heavily, unable to believe what was about to happen a few moments before.
"So you've broken your leg, have you?", McGonagall said briskly.
Rowena nodded, feeling her throat becoming dry.
"You shouldn't worry about Quidditch so much, Ms. Flintwood. I suggest you start studying for your O.W.L.'s."
Rowena nodded again.
"Can you not talk, girl?", McGonagall asked, flustered.
"Sorry. I'll start studying.", Rowena answered, her voice raspy.
Sirius looked at her, biting his lip.
"Black, I think you should go back to the common room. It is about that time.", McGonagall said, turning to Sirius.
"Yes, Professor.", Sirius said quietly, avoiding Rowena's gaze.
He left silently. If McGonagall thought this was odd, she gave no sign of it. After a few minutes, she left as well, leaving Madam Pomfrey to heal Rowena
~-~
Rowena noticed that Sirius was avoiding her at all costs. He couldn't look at her or talk to her, or even sit anywhere near her. Rowena was somewhat thankful for this, because she realized what would've happened that night in the infirmary. He would have kissed her, and Rowena would have reciprocated, and they would be a couple at this very moment. Rowena didn't want that, though. She liked being Sirius's friend, being able to laugh with him and such. She never wanted to be his girlfriend; in fact, she despised the term "girlfriend". She never wanted to be like every other couple in school. Rowena had a special bond with Sirius. The fact that neither of them had a real family was what made them close in the first place. She was content with that, and wanted no fling with Sirius.
Rowena walked briskly to the Library, finding Sirius talking to Remus, or rather Remus pressuring Sirius to tell him "what was wrong". Rowena thought, "You really don't want to know, Remus."
She walked up to Sirius, placing her hand on his shoulder. He looked up at her and then looked away.
"Hey Rowena.", he mumbled. Remus was smiling.
"Sirius, can we talk?", Rowena said, hearing her voice shake slightly.
"Sure."
And they walked onto the Hogwarts grounds, making sure no one could hear them. Rowena didn't know how to say what she wanted, but decided the sooner she said something, the better.
Rowena stopped, overlooking the lake, and then looked to Sirius, who decidedly would not even glance at her.
"Sirius, about that time we were in the infirmary. . .neither of us were really thinking straight. I mean, I'm your friend, and I like it that way. I'm sure you feel the same. I guess we were just in some sort of. . .daze. Let's forget about it. Nothing happened, alright? No damage was done. You mean a lot to me, Sirius. I don't want anything to change."
Rowena embraced Sirius, and he did the same. She could feel his face burning. They grinned at each other, afraid and awkward. They both wanted to forget.*
A loud chorus of "Weasely is our King" erupted from the Gryffindors, bringing Rowena back to the Quidditch game. Gryffindor had won. She noticed Harry was beaming, the snitch in his hand.
"Quick game.", Rowena thought.
Everyone seemed to rejoice, with the exception of the Slytherins, of course. They all seemed happy that the next day they could go to Hogsmeade and have a proper celebration. Rowena was leaving the Quidditch Pitch, a swarm of Gryffindors around her, and noticed someone was waiting outside. Remus.
No one else seemed to look at him, as they had just wanted to get back to the common room and celebrate. Rowena, however, was now in no mood, especially after the memories she had just relived. She walked up to Remus and hugged him.
"Oh, it's been so long!", Rowena exclaimed.
Remus smiled.
"Two months or so. We missed you."
Rowena laughed.
"I'm glad to hear it! Do you want to go to Hogsmeade? We could stop by the Three Broomsticks."
Remus nodded in agreement.
Hogsmeade was in walking distance, but students were forbidden to go unless it was a planned Hogsmeade weekend. If it was, they had to go in carriages.
Remus and Rowena found themselves in Hogsmeade, noticing the small bookshops and jokeshops, along with sweetshops. They found the Three Broomsticks and walked in.
There were mostly wizards trying to get some refreshment before they headed back to business. The whole place smelled like cinnamon and butterbeer, which was no surprise to Rowena.
She walked up to the lady who was serving everyone, noticing how familiar she was.
"Rowena Flintwood?! I haven't seen you since Seventh year!", the woman squealed in a sickeningly sweet fashion, her blonde curls bouncing, her blue eyes glittering.
Rowena remembered this woman, though not in happy memories.
"Ah, Bebe Juniper. It has been a while.", Rowena said coolly, sounding much like McGonagall.
"Remus Lupin?! I remember you! You were Sirius's friend.", Bebe acknowledged.
Remus smiled, though not out of pleasure. It was just for the sake of being polite.
"Bebe, we'll have two firewhiskeys.", Rowena ordered sharply, very annoyed with Sirius's old crush.
Bebe stopped smiling, catching onto Rowena's sour feelings. She mutely filled two tankards with firewhiskey. Rowena silently gave her ten Sickles. Rowena and Remus took their drinks respectively, sitting down at a table in a corner.
"THAT was unexpected.", Rowena said.
"Indeed. You still can't stand her.", Remus added.
"Well, she's still the same, isn't she?", Rowena replied.
They remained silent for a while.
"I've come because there's a slight problem, Rowena.", Remus said, sounding concerned.
"What's wrong?", Rowena asked.
Rowena had no clue what could be wrong. She had a sinking feeling that it was to do with Sirius. She quickly put a Soundproofing Spell around the table.
"Well, um, Padfoot is. . .he's sick. Really sick. He's been having a fever, and he's constantly asleep, he's having nightmares. He tosses and turns, shivers even. I try to shake him awake, but he just doesn't wake up. I don't know what's happening. I can't give him any tonic or potions because isn't awake to drink it. He calls out for James, me, you, even Harry sometimes. I just thought maybe we should both talk to Albus about it."
Rowena froze, remembering exactly what Harry had told her that morning: "I dream about Sirius, too. He. . .it's like he's suffering too, having nightmares, and he can't wake up. . ."
Rowena immediately told Remus what Harry told her that morning.
"It can't be just coincidence, can it?", Rowena said, all her feelings jumbled. "We've got to stop him from having these dreams, otherwise Voldemort might catch on to it. Occlumency isn't flawless. Perhaps, we should give Harry some sleeping potions."
"This is bad. But Padfoot is our major problem. We need to find a way to help him. Harry will stop having the dreams if we give him potions, that is no problem. But how can we help Padfoot? We can't take him to St. Mungo's, we can't ask Snape's help because he isn't supposed to be alive, and Dumbledore might have some idea of how to help him, but we aren't sure."
Remus looked desperate. The circles under his eyes were more pronounced, and he was pale. Rowena finally realized why he was acting so differently; the full moon was approaching, and when one is a werewolf, they become highly emotional around that time.
"I suppose we might as well see Dumbledore now.", Rowena sighed, finishing off her firewhiskey. Remus gulped his down quickly as well. They made their way back to Hogwarts.
Rowena's head was swimming in thousands of thoughts. Sirius was in trouble and she had a feeling that she couldn't help him right now, that she would have to wait until the right time.
They approached Dumbledore's office, Rowena muttering "fizzing whizbee" under her breath, Remus following her up the spiraling steps.
"Ah, Rowena, Remus, please sit down. What is the matter?", Albus asked softly.
Rowena placed yet another Soundproofing Spell on the room so no one could hear them.
"Sirius is ill.", Rowena whispered.
Remus told Dumbledore all about the nightmares and visions Sirius was having, the fact that he couldn't wake up, and giving every detail about it.
Dumbledore gravely looked from Remus to Rowena, as though they were students again.
"I knew this had to happen. Perhaps this is the time for me to tell you.", Dumbledore said softly, more to himself than anyone.
"Tell us what?", Rowena said loudly, losing patience. The only one she'd ever cared for more than herself was in pain, and Dumbledore was taking awfully long.
"The veil. If you walk willingly into it, you meet your death. If you are forced into it, you keep your life, and become stronger. However, everything comes at a cost. The feelings that a person is having while they force you into the veil haunt you in the way they want. Bellatrix Lestrange was having highly negative and rash feelings toward Sirius, so he is being haunted by the worst times of his life and cannot escape. One must have the very opposite feelings Bellatrix had in order to lift the curse off of Sirius. Now, Rowena, what feelings do you think Bellatrix had at the time?"
Rowena knew what was coming.
"Hatred, vengeance."
Dumbledore's eyes lit up.
"And the opposite would be?"
"Love."
Remus and Dumbledore looked at her for a long time, while she examined the floor.
"You expect me to break the curse, do you?", Rowena asked softly, feeling angry.
"The only other person who can do it is Harry, Rowena. He can't know about Sirius. And I . . . I'm not strong enough to do such magic.", Remus said.
Rowena bit her lip.
"Rowena, you won't be able to do this now. I suggest you keep yourself focused, make sure that you take sleeping potions, to limit your dreams. Harry will have to take sleeping potions as well. I will tell Severus to prepare them for you. It has been good seeing you Remus."
Remus left, patting Rowena on the shoulder. Once he did, Dumbledore added,
"You are capable of loving him, Rowena. You will be able to do this."
Rowena left, not wanting to talk, but to drink more firewhiskey. They expected so much of her. This was silly. It sounded like a fairy tale, in which a handsome prince was under enchanted sleep and it was up to the brave princess to save him. Rowena couldn't laugh at this, it was so foolish.
A/N: I find this chapter a little bit of a disappointment, but couldn't find any way to fix it. Um, I won't be able to update for a few weeks, as I will be out of town. Thanks if you're reading this.