a/n Thanks for all the lovely reviews, you really cheered me up :) I know this has turned into a Sirius/Tiff thing instead of Lily/James, but it does have a point - trust me! I'll try to put more of L/J into it, but I think I work better with Si/Tiff. Oh, btw, Amber will be finding out next chapter plus, many of you want Sirius and Tiff, hmmm... **looks at plan and smirks** hehehe, I'm revealing nothing on that area. Sorry I've taken so long to post but lots has been happening; going on holiday and getting a new horse (which is called Merlin!!! Total coincidence!) By the way, this fic is a prequal for my next one, just kind of a background thing. Anyway, on with the fic...
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Chapter Five - Family, Friends and Foes
"My Lord. It has been accomplished. The child is dead." A masked, hooded figure knelt before a pale man seated on an emerald throne, dark power radiating from him.
"Excellent Rosier, you have proven yourself to be one of my most loyal death eaters. In time, you will be highly rewarded. Now that Alexandria is gone, there is only the Potter boy to worry about." said Voldemort, his cold voice triumphant.
"The Potter boy master? Do you wish me to dispose of him?" asked Rosier eagerly.
"No. You have done your part in getting rid of the little witch. I will take care of the boy myself, it may be hard gaining access to him. He will be under Dumbledore's protection, which may prove to be more useful than not," said Voldemort evilly. Rosier frowned from behind his mask.
"But surely my Lord. Under Dumbledore's protection... how do you plan to get near him, if I may ask?" said Rosier nobly, without a trace of mockery. Voldemort narrowed his slit-like eyes and hissed. A rattlesnake slithered onto his lap and wound itself round his arm. He looked from the snake to Evan Rosier who was still in prostration.
"I have my spies Rosier, spies of all species, snakes being my preference of course. But one, the most recent addition to our family, has proven himself to be quite useful," Voldemort sneered.
"Our little friend, I have questions about where his loyalties lie. How can you be sure that he's really on our side, and not spying on us for the Potters?" asked Rosier, a worried frown appeared on his face.
"I don't know for certain. But I believe that he is one of us, he has told us far too much information about the Potters to be truly on their side. No, he will prove himself, one day..." he grinned evilly, petting the snake with his free hand.
"He is close to the Potters I presume?" asked Rosier, a satisfactory smile replacing the frown.
"Yes..." hissed Voldemort. A deranged cackle echoed throughout the chambers of the black fortress. Vengeful waves crashed up the crystal walls outside, thunder rolled through purple clouds, the atmosphere was electrical, creating an undeniable sense of foreboding.
Tiffany sat bolt upright, sweating and breathing heavily. She could remember the dream this time, clear as glass. She glanced at the window as a cloud shifted and the room was bathed in the silvery light of the full moon.
"Voldemort..." she whispered to herself, daring to say the name that so many had already begun to fear. She was certain that it was him in her dream. Tiffany rose silently, and walked over to the wash stand, intent on getting a glass of water. She looked out the window, across the grounds which were eerily quiet in the night. She gulped down the water, trying to arrange her thoughts in some sort of order. She set down her cup, and was just about to turn away when she noticed movement out the corner of her eye. She peered through the glass onto the grounds near the forest, where the trees were being blown by harsh winds. Out of the forest came several animals. Firstly a stag, it's magnificent head gazing skywards at the moon, and then to the horizon where a faint blue glow showed the swiftly approaching dawn. Next came two dogs, no wait... A dog and a wolf, one black and looking uncannily like a Grim, the other brown and sinewy, smaller than the dog but more ferocious looking. Finally a little white speck in the grass, which had to be a rat, as it was too big for a mouse and too small for a ferret. The stag herded the wolf towards the Whomping Willow, gently prodding it towards the roots with its antlers. For a minute the tree froze; it's branches which normally thrashed wildly were blown by the wind alone, making it look almost like an ordinary tree. As the wolf slipped out of sight, the other three animals made their way towards the castle.
Tiff looked around the dorm, frowning. Lily and Amber were still fast asleep; six ten on her watch, Tiff grabbed a blanket off the end of her bed and went into the common room for a hot chocolate. She drank it slowly, snuggling into the blanket whilst curled up in an armchair near the fire. She slowly grew drowsier, just a single thought in her head; something about the stag and antlers which was familiar to her.
"Should we wake her?"
"Yeah, really loudly!"
"Let her sleep."
"Nah, it's time for her to get up anyway." Sirius leant towards Tiff who was fast asleep on the chair. "Tiffikins, time to get up!" he chanted softly, in a sing-song voice. "Wakey wakey." Tiff's dark lashes fluttered gently, she opened her eyes, slowly focusing on Sirius.
"Am I still having a nightmare or is Sirius really here?" she said aloud. Sirius giggled then put on a serious face.
"I resent that. If you really were dreaming of me then it'd be a good dream, full of kink." he grinned as Tiff yawned and sat up slightly. She blinked twice then looked around the common room.
"Shut up Sirius. What am I doing down here?" she asked, puzzled.
"Erm, I dunno. We were just coming er... down to breakfast and there you were. Sleeping like a small child without a care in the world." said Sirius, smiling at her fondly.
"And that's why you're sweating like a paedophile in a nursery. So early in the morning too." Tiff raised her eyebrows and stood up, the blanket wrapped tightly around her. Sirius wiped his brow self-consciously. Damn, he was sweating, probably all that running around in the forest, he thought. Sirius frowned at her.
"I'm going to get changed," she shuffled off to her room, occasionally tripping on the blanket.
"James, where's Remus?" asked Amber, her curiosity getting the better of her. James looked up from his breakfast, he glanced at Sirius, then back to Amber.
"Hospital Wing, he's ill," said James around a mouthful of food. Lily gave him a disapproving look.
"Don't talk with your mouth full. Honestly, are you a man or an animal?" she said, frowning.
"He's an animal! Aren't you Prongsie?" Sirius grinned at James who was laughing surreptitiously. Tiff looked slowly from Sirius to James. Prongs.... she thought.
"Sure Padfoot, I'm as much as an animal as you are a dog." he said, a slightly secretive grin creeping across his face, as Lily and Amber thought that they were just trading insults. Prongs... Padfoot...
"Oi Wormtail! Over here," Sirius waved to Peter who was walking through the doors.
(a/n not too much of a coincidence eh?!?!)
"Thanks for that Si. I might not've noticed you at the table where we always sit; morning, noon and night." said Peter sarcastically. Prongs... Padfoot... Wormtail... what do they always call Remus? Tiff thought hard for several moments. Moony? She was sure that was it. Right, so it's Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs... Tiff's eyes widened as realisation dawned on her. Ohmygod, she thought incoherently.
"Hey Tiff," Peter smiled at her, blushing slightly. Tiff looked up, bewildered. She stared at Peter, rat, then Sirius, dog, and finally James who was joking with Lily about the size of Snape's nose, stag, she thought. So that means that Remus is...
"Holy shit!" Tiff exclaimed, her face set in a horrified expression.
"What?" said Peter, looking at her curiously. She stared at him for a long moment, then she left the table hastily, without another word.
"What's her problem?" asked Sirius, sounding as though he couldn't care less.
"SO anyway... what's wrong with Remus exactly?" asked Amber. inquisitively
"Sick."
"Headache." said James and Sirius at the same time. Amber narrowed her eyes, knowing fully well that they were both lying.
"I'll find out, one way or another," she said determinedly. Sirius and James exchanged a worried look.
"Oh my god. Oh my god! Remus is a werewolf? Does anyone know? Duh, of course! That's why he was going into the Whomping Willow. Sirius, James and Peter... they're animagus? How on earth did they do that? It can't be right... can it? It's the only explanation..." Tiff thought wildly to herself as she hurried along the corridor towards the Medical Wing. She had to see Remus to talk to him about this. So this is what he wouldn't tell Amber? Tiff genuinely didn't blame him. She knew that Amber would throw a fit when she found out, but Tiff was sure that she'd understand. Eventually.
"Tiffany." came a sharp voice, directly in front of her.
"Oh," she jumped back, startled and not exactly pleased to see Lucius Malfoy with his cronies, Crabbe and Goyle. "Hello," she said politely.
"Tiffany Zabini. Your family is an old one, almost as old as mine. You're from a long line of purebloods." he stated simply, his cold grey eyes flickering to her confused purple ones.
"Erm, yes. I suppose I am. Although that doesn't really mean anything," she said coyly.
"Not to you maybe." he said, moving closer to her. Ok, his eyes are really scaring me... she thought. He leaned closer, his face only inches from hers. Ok, I'm terrified now... HELP ME! she thought wildly. "I want you..." he said, softly yet ambiguously. "... to come to the Christmas Ball with me." Tiffany stared at him for a second, then frowned.
"The what?" she asked, genuinely not having a clue what he was talking about.
"The Christmas Ball," he repeated. "You know, Dumbledore's way of making up for the cancelled Hogsmeade trip," he said at her blank face.
"Oh," she said simply. "I really ought to listen more. I didn't even know that a Hogsmeade trip was cancelled, silly me. So, when is this 'Ball'?" she asked, immediately regretting it afterwards.
"Two days before the end of term. So, I'll see you there," he said, a self-satisfied smirk crept over his pale, pointed face.
"Oh you'll see me there alright." He grinned. "But not with you." she added, smirking irresistibly. How she loved to be a bitch!
"And why not with me? You're not going with anyone else are you?" he said huffily.
"Because I don't want to go with you Lucius. You insult all my friends and then expect me to go on a bloody date with you? I think not somehow." she exclaimed, letting stress get the better of her. "Now could you just leave me alone, because before you held me up I was actually on my way somewhere." And with that Tiffany stalked off down the hall, leaving behind her a shocked Malfoy and his bodyguards.
"She'll regret that," Malfoy hissed under his breath.
Tiff pushed her hair off her face, she sighed with frustration. Out of the shadows a soft clapping noise sounded, as though gently mocking her. Tiff glared at the figure which emerged.
"Stunning performance darling. I really must say," came a rich, British accent. The boy was tall and lithe with perfectly chiselled features, dark hair and wicked brown eyes that sparkled with intelligence and wit.
"Go away. I'm not in a good mood and I doubt you'll do much to improve it." she snapped at the boy, who started walking alongside her.
"Now now, Tiff. Don't turn me away, I have advice," he said, grinning mischievously, although his dark eyes held a certain amount of knowledge that seemed far too much for his seventeen or eighteen years.
"Ok, just tell me whatever it is. I have to go soon," she said quickly, knowing that it would do her more good than harm to listen.
"Ok. Some things are worth waiting for, and you did well by refusing Malfoy - pimp - congrats on that accomplishment. Also, don't dig yourself in too deep, don't get too involved in things that really don't concern you. That's all. Oh, and beware the ape with three legs," he said with a grin and walked off. She thought about this for a moment, then stared after his retreating back.
"Zane." The boy turned and grinned at Tiff. "Thanks," she said, smiling slightly. He winked, then strode off.
Tiff shook her head disbelievingly, in half an hour she'd discovered that Remus was a werewolf, Sirius, Peter and James were animagi, there was a Christmas Ball being held, and she had consorted with four death eaters, one of whom was a seer.
"Well, this is definitely not my day," she said aloud, chuckling disbelievingly. She could remember when she was about five and used to play with Zane in Bluebell Woods near the creek in her hometown. That was before Zane's father, her uncle, had turned to the dark side. Now she never saw anyone from her father's side of the family, they were all supporters of Voldemort. Tiffany was surprised that Zane still spoke to her, seeing as he'd just been 'recruited'. But even after that, he still regarded her as his little cousin, always picking her up when she fell, helping her out of sticky situations. He could see the future through dreams and visions; his power had only really awakened within the last six years of Hogwarts through Divination lessons with the amateur Professor Trelawney. He had the sight even when they were little. He'd always known where to go when they were lost, and where not to go when danger was around. His visions had helped Tiff a lot, quite a lot recently...
Tiff walked into the Medical Wing; Madam Pomfrey was nowhere to be seen, but looking straight at her, with his sad but knowledgeable brown eyes, was Remus. She stared at him, standing stock-still, not knowing what to say.
"Hello Tiff..."
* * *
"James... Please...?" Amber whined, clinging onto his arm.
"No, I'm not telling you," he said, trying to shake her off and failing.
"Pleeeeeeeeeeeeaaase," she said. "Just give me a clue then."
"No. If you want to find out, go the Hospital Wing and ask him yourself," he snapped, detaching himself from her grip. Amber frowned.
"He wont tell me, I've asked him so many times." she said, looking dejected.
"Amber, why do you think he hasn't told you?" said Sirius, trying to be helpful.
"Because he hates me and probably thinks that I'll tell the whole school with my big gob!" she said resentfully. Sirius, James and Lily all tried to hide their laughter.
"Amber you couldn't be more wrong if you tried!" Lily giggled.
"Well you tell me why then." she snapped. Lily immediately sobered, and put an arm around Amber, who was more upset than she looked.
"Amber. Remus loves you. Even Sirius's noticed!" Sirius snorted at this. "I don't know why he wont tell you, but I do know that he doesn't want to hurt you. If that makes any sense at all," said Lily, frowning at her own advice.
"She's right Amber. He really cares about you. I think you should go and see him." said James encouragingly. Amber glanced at each of her friends, giving them all an appreciative look.
"Right. I'm going to get some answers," she said determinedly, turning around and walking in the opposite direction to the others.
"Ok, just don't upset him."
"And be nice. See you in DADA."
"Remember to use protection," shouted Sirius. Lily and James gave him a long look. "What? It could happen," he shrugged, then ran to catch Peter up.
* * *
"Hello Remus. How're you feeling?" Tiff walked towards him cautiously. "Is Pomfrey here?" she asked, looking around cautiously.
"No, she had to talk to Dumbledore about something." He looked exhausted. His face was pale and ghostly, with lilac shadows under his eyes. On his arm were a few scratches and a painful looking bruise.
Tiff just stared, not knowing what to say. She edged a little closer to him.
"I don't bite." said Remus sombrely. Tiff's eyes widened. It's just Remus...she thought. She sat down on the edge of his bed.
"That's a nasty bruise," she stared at his arm.
"Sure is," he grimaced. "Was there anything you wanted Tiff? I'm assuming you're not here for a health check." Tiff frowned. It wasn't like Remus to be this sarcastic... it kind of scared her a little.
"Why am I such a wimp?" she thought to herself, not realising that she was saying it aloud. Remus gave her a strange look.
"Erm, I don't know. Why are you such a wimp?" he said tentatively.
"Oh, bugger. I just said that didn't I?" Tiff looked mortified, then flopped down on the bed, half lying, half sitting on it.
"You know! This really isn't my day. More things have happened to me in the last hour than in a week." she stressed.
"Why? Did Sirius get you in the broom cupboard again?" he asked innocently. Tiff hit him with a pillow.
"You know that never happened," she said mutinously.
"Ok, ok. So, what's your problem?" he said, sitting up, looking more awake.
"Well.... actually it's you," she gazed at him awkwardly.
"Me...?" he looked a little worried.
"Look, Remus..." she looked around the room quickly. It was deserted. She leant closer. "I know," she whispered.
"What do you know?" he replied softly, his large brown eyes quivering with fright.
"I know about your... monthly changes, and I know about Si, Peter and James."
"Who told you?" his voice shook and his hands were visibly trembling.
"No-one, honestly. They're having more trouble keeping Amber from finding out to worry about suspicious little me. I worked it out by myself. You know, it really doesn't help with the nicknames. That's what tipped me off," she said truthfully.
"Does anyone else know? ... Amber...?" he asked.
"No, I don't think so. Amber definitely doesn't know. It's driving her insane," Tiff giggled. Remus smiled weakly.
"So.. what are you going to do now?" he asked, tensing up.
"What do you mean?" Tiff then noticed how scared he looked. "Oh, no, no, no. I'm not going to tell anyone. Jesus, is that all you give me credit for?" She laughed softly. "Aww, you're so stupid sometimes. We're your friends, how could you not tell us."
"I wasn't sure how you'd react. People have said they're my friends then ran a mile when I told them." Tiff visibly melted, she sat next to him, and gave him a big cuddle.
"Awwww, I don't care Remie. Look at what I've got for family, a bunch of bloody Voldie Worshippers! And look at the men I attract; Malfoy, Snape, Sirius..." she screwed her face up in disgust. "At least you've got Amber."
"Correction HAD Amber. She dumped me if you remember. And anyway, what's so bad about Sirius liking you? More to the point how'd you figure that one out?"
"I didn't. You just told me," Tiff grinned evilly as Remus looked horrified. "Well, well, well, I never would've guessed."
"Oh my god! Please don't let him know I told you. He'll kill me. And I mean, absolutely slaughter me," Remus looked mortified.
"Relax, I wont tell him. I'll just have a bit of fun. Oh, and by the way, don't let on to them lot that I know, ok? Does Lily know?"
"Erm, ok, and I think James told her." he replied.
"Right. Hmm, I'd better be going now, DADA. When are you coming back to normal lessons?" she asked brightly.
"Probably tomorrow," he replied, looking a great deal happier as though a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
"Great, I'll see you then," Tiff stood up and kissed him on the cheek, ruffling his hair fondly. "Bye," she smiled warmly and left the Hospital Wing.
"Bye," he called, shaking his head in disbelief. Oh he'd really underestimated that girl.
"Hi Amber, bye Amber," said Tiff, hurrying to get to her DADA class.
"Tiff." She spun round quickly. "How is he?" asked Amber, her face full of concern.
"Fine, he's great. Don't worry about him, and don't pressurise too much, bye." She ran the rest of the way down the hall to the classroom.
"Nice of you to join us Miss Zabini. Seeing as you're late, you can sit next to Mr. Black." Tiff's face split into a wide grin, her eyes sparkling amethyst as she thought of how much she could torment Sirius. But... no, she'd promised Remus, and she was going to keep her word. She sat down next to Sirius, who winked at her. She smiled, batting her eyelashes at him flirtatiously.
"Did you know about the Christmas Ball thingy?" she asked.
"Erm, yeah. Dumbledore told us yesterday didn't he?" replied Sirius. Tiff shrugged.
"I dunno, I've only just found out. Shows how much I listen," she snickered.
"Today class, we will be studying the ways of using and protecting against illegal curses. I assume that you were taught about the Unforgivables last year?" He arched an eyebrow questioningly as the class nodded simultaneously. Professor Jonathon Mondoc had only been teaching at Hogwarts for several months. There were rumours flying round that he was an ex-Auror, but he only looked young, (around 27) so this was probably untrue. The Gryffindors had Defence and Herbology with the Ravenclaws, and had quickly created their own pretentious stories about the mysterious professor, each story being more ludicrous than the first; spy for the Ministry, Spy for Voldemort, Sheep farmer?!?
"Can anyone tell me one of the six illegal curses which are current favourites of Lord Voldemort?" he said, ignoring some of the students flinching at the mention of 'Voldemort'. "Yes Miss Evans?" Mondoc flashed her a toothy grin; James narrowed his eyes menacingly.
"Veritas," said Lily knowledgeably.
"Ah, yes. The Veritas Curse, taken from 'Veritaserum' the truth potion. I believe Voldemort uses this on all wizards, Ministry ones in particular... Miss Evans?" he said as Lily cleared her throat loudly.
"What about the witches? Not everyone in the magical community is a wizard," she protested; James groaned nonchalantly.
"The witches as well Evans," he said smoothly with an amused smile. Lily grinned triumphantly.
"Anymore?" Several hands shot up, including, much to Tiff's amazement, Ilianna's. Mondoc nodded towards the blonde.
"The Incendium Curse. It shoots fireballs at your opponent, and is commonly used when duelling to the death," she said in her 'barbie-doll' voice.
"Well done Ilianna, I couldn't have said it better myself. Take ten points for Ravenclaw," he winked as she batted her eyelashes and fluffed her soft blonde hair.
"No points for guessing who the teachers' pet is today," Tiff whispered to Sirius.
"Yeah, but maybe she'd like to 'pet the teacher tonight'!" he grinned as Tiff stared at him strangely, appalled.
"You sicken me," she hissed.
"I know. But I'm such a funny guy. You gotta love me," he gave her a cute, puppy dog smile.
"Of course Si! We love the way you're funny looking," she said sombrely. He frowned, then narrowed his eyes into a glare.
"Aww, only joking hon! You look fantastic, really," she giggled, noting Ilianna's wistful gaze at Sirius. "And I'm sure your 'not-so-secret' admirer's noticed too."
"You think I look fantastic?" he asked subtley, ignoring Ilianna completely.
"Of course. I never lie. Well, almost never. Hmm... actually, I think I lie quite a lot." she said, looking thoughtful.
"Oh really! Then maybe you'd like to wake up 'lying' next to me tomorrow morning?" he said smoothly, a wicked glint in his eye.
"Sirius you pervert!" Tiff slapped his arm. "Honestly, is that all you think about?"
"Hmm, pretty much. Although there are many different areas; lesbians, bondage, span...." he grinned excitedly.
"Ok STOP! I get the picture, and might I add 'gross'!" she said grimacing.
"Oh you 'get the picture' do you? A big mental picture? NO, an enormous mental picture?" he raised his eyebrow suggestively.
"That's it! I'm not talking to you. You can twist anything!" she turned her attention to her schoolwork. Sirius leant over her shoulder and placed his hand lightly on her back.
"I really can twist anything darling," he said seductively; his hand creeping around her waist.
Tiff gritted her teeth and forced a smile, resisting the urge to slap him hard round the face.
"Finally! An explanation of how you comfort yourself on these lonely nights," she smiled innocently, yet allowed his hand to linger on her waist for a long moment before removing it with the aide of her claws.
Sirius, for once unable to think of a witty comeback, sat nursing his scratched hand for the rest for the lesson, occasionally mock-glaring at Tiff and muttering, "Beast." The lesson ended with Sirius making illegible, copious notes from Tiff on the rest of the illegal curses.
Sirius handed his half finished work in and bolted for the door before Professor Mondoc could call him back.
"Professor? Could I have a word with you?" asked Ilianna timidly; her cute smile collaborating with her sparkly baby-blue eyes. "I didn't quite understand a few aspects of the Icendio Curse," she smiled innocently.
"Of course Ilianna, I'm glad you asked," replied Mondoc, flashing her a dazzling grin in return.
Lily, who was the last to hand in her work, turned for the door with the ultimate look of revulsion set on her face. James immediately put an arm around Lily and kissed her forehead.
"So you're coming to the dance with me right?" he asked, hoping that he didn't sound too possessive. Lily frowned at him.
"No James I'm going with Sirius," she said sarcastically.
"Woopeedoo!" exclaimed Si.
"Of course I'm going with you.... imbecile. How could you think otherwise?" she said incredulously.
"Just checking, that's all," James said effortlessly, although he was secretly pleased that she had already decided beforehand that she would be going with him.
"So, who're you going to the dance with Tiff?" asked Peter, his beady eyes sparkling hopefully at the concept that she might take pity and ask him.
"Oh, no-one yet. I've turned down a couple of people, losers really, but nobody I like's asked me," she didn't even have to glance in Si's direction before she felt an arm drape lazily over her shoulders, pulling her into him.
"I know the perfect person for you to go with Tiff," he said sincerely, although his blue eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Really? Then I'm guessing that you can't be referring to yourself," she said with added sarcasm. Sirius traded a glance with James then smirked.
"You guessed correctly," he said, the tiniest trace of a smile played on the edge of his lips. Tiff gave him a long look, then blinked twice.
"So... who?" she asked, not quite able to hide her interest, however faint it may have been.
Sirius grinned in a very evil, almost scary, way.
"Oh, you'll find out. At breakfast one day this week. So I'd watch my back if I were you." he smiled widely.
"Are you threatening me?" said Tiff, shrugging his arm off and narrowing her eyes.
"Not at all babe, just trying to shit you up a bit." he winked, then strode off towards the Great Hall for lunch. Tiff gave Lily a confused look.
"Why is Sirius such an arse?" she asked.
"I dunno, why are you two always fighting?" asked Lily, raising an eyebrow suspiciously.
"We're not always fighting, we hardly ever fight actually," retorted Tiff with dignity.
"Yeah but you're always trying to out-do each other. Some people would notice that as a sign of mutual attraction," said Lily, unable to retain her smile. Tiff went slightly pink, but looked furious.
"Hey, I said some people not us people," said Lily, backing up into James as she eyed Tiff's nails with caution.
"She's right Tiff, there is a certain spark between you two," said James with a cheeky grin. Tiff exploded.
"Under no circumstances are Sirius and I EVER going to date, snog, shag, whatever. You hear me NEVER!!!" she said loudly, drawing the attention of a certain blonde Ravenclaw (Ilianna), who having just emerged from the classroom, grinned widely. 'Ooops,' thought Tiff, smiling inwardly. "Now go to lunch, and I'll join you shortly when I've cooled off," she snapped.
"Ok, see you later Tiff," said Lily with a secretive smile. She linked arms with James and walked down the corridor, with Peter trailing behind.
"That means she likes him," she whispered into James' ear.
"Tiffany, Hi." Ilianna smiled at Tiff in what some would call a friendly way.
"Hello Ilianna," she said icily.
"I hope you don't think me rude, but I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. So... does this mean that Sirius's single?" she asked excitedly. Suddenly Tiff had a brainwave. If he was going to set her up, then why shouldn't she set him up.
"Yes he is single. But we're still friends, and he's been talking about you quite a lot," said Tiff with a crocodile smile.
"Really?" Ilianna squealed, not unlike a farmyard animal with snout and a curly tail. "I just knew it! What did he say?"
"He's been thinking about asking you to the Christmas Ball, but the only thing is... he's shy."
"Sirius, shy?" Ilianna looked puzzled.
"Yes, he's extremely sensitive. And he said that he's terribly afraid that you'd turn him down. (Ilianna gasped.) But... maybe..." said Tiff cunningly.
"What...?" Ilianna was hanging on every word that she said.
"Well... maybe if you asked him out, then that would take the pressure off him."
"Yes! That's perfect! Oooh, goodie. I'll go and ask him now! Thankyou," Ilianna hugged Tiff, shrieking excitedly.
"Wait, don't ask him yet. Because if it's in front of everyone else then he'll say no. He's really shy. Ask him quietly at breakfast, one morning this week. I think he has Quidditch practise on Wednesday with James, you could ask him then." suggested Tiff, 'helpfully'.
"Ok, I'll do it on Wednesday. Thanks again," Ilianna smiled gratefully.
"It's ok, just don't tell Sirius about this conversation. Just act as though it was your idea, ok?"
"Ok," Ilianna walked off with a spring in her step. Tiff laughed silently to herself, snickering all the way to the Great Hall.
a/n Thanks for reading (if you actually got this far!) ;) Next chapter we'll find out: who exactly Alexandria is, what happens on Wednesday morning, The Christmas Ball and more about Tiff's mysterious past. Please review.