AUTHOR'S NOTE:
This story was written way before the 5th book came out. Although you all know what happened in the book, I couldn't see myself scrapping this story. It was written from out of my imagination. Certain characters in this story where created by me and most of the plot is my own. I do not make any kind of monetary profit from this story. Just self satisfaction.
DISCLAIMER:
HP and related characters belong to JK Rowling, who if it was for her, the world would not have know the magical world of HP.
BCHAPTER 2: STARTLING REVELATIONSB
~~~*@*~~~
A knock on the door and a voice broke Sirius out of his reverie.
"Padfoot? Are you in there?" Sirius sighed as he sat up on his bed. He ran his hand through his hair.
"Yes, I am Moony," he answered. "Come on in!" He turned slightly on the bed to see his old friend, Remus Lupin, enter smiling.
Remus' smile faded when he saw the glazed look in Sirius' eyes, evidence that he'd been in tears.
"Sirius? You okay, old boy?" Remus asked, concerned. He then saw the photo album on Sirius' bed. He walked over and sat on the other side of the bed, and then he saw it. He looked up at Sirius', his mouth in a weak smile, understanding. Sirius just nodded his head and turned his gaze back at the picture. Remus had looked down again and watched the image of a girl waving and smiling.
"She was beautiful wasn't she?" he said, smiling at the picture. "Generous and caring to boot."
Sirius sighed as he got up from the bed and walked towards the window. He crossed his arms on his chest and leaned his shoulder against the window sill, staring out into nothing in particular. Remus' eyes narrowed, and his heart went out to his friend. He knew how much Sirius loved Edi, and how much Edi loved him back. They were inseparable when they were in school. They did everything together. Well, almost everything.
Edi was understanding enough to spend time away from Sirius so he could be with his best friends. She had made it clear to him from the very beginning that he will not abandon his friends just to spend every waking moment with her. In turn, he would have her spend time with Lily, Christine, and Maria, who had graciously accepted Edi into their little circle. They also all went out as one big group, enjoying everyone's company and having good times.
"Sirius, I know you miss her," Remus said, looking at his friend with narrowed eyes. "I miss her too. And Christine."
Sirius looked at his friend sadly.
"Remus, I tried," he said. "But I can't. I just have this feeling that she's still out there!"
"But Sirius, she died!" Remus exclaimed. "With Christine and Maria!"
"But how did her body just disappeared, Remus?" Sirius said, getting angry. "We had a funeral for Christine and Maria! Edi had an empty coffin!"
Remus just stood there silently. He didn't know how to answer that. What Sirius said was true.
"Maybe Voldemort just took her Sirius," he said quietly.
"What? And why would he do that?" Sirius exclaimed.
"I don't know Sirius," Remus replied calmly. "We never did find out why he was after her in the first place!"
Sirius sighed and went back to sit on the bed, putting his face in this hands. He looked up at Remus.
"All Edi said was he killed her mother."
"Sirius, Edi never mentioned anything about her past," Remus pointed out, walking over and sitting next to him on the bed. "Every time someone tried to ask her, she would clam up, remember?"
Sirius sighed again and nodded in agreement. Edi would never talk about her life back home. All Sirius remembered was that she told him that it was too painful for her to talk about it. She had begged him not to ask her again, and that she would tell him when the time was right. He promised her that and that he'd wait until she was ready.
"Remember when I was on the run, Remus?" he asked, looking on the floor.
"Yeah, why?"
"Well," Sirius begun, looking up at him. "I went there."
"Where?" Remus asked getting confused.
"To the Philippines," Sirius answered.
"You never told me that!" Remus exclaimed. "And?"
"I looked everywhere for her. I went to her old school and asked about her. A lot of the teachers there were her old school mates."
"Well? What did they say?" Remus asked impatiently.
"I met her old best friend back home," Sirius said. "She told me that the last time she heard from Edi was when she had owled her and told her that I had asked her to marry me."
Remus looked at Sirius sadly. He remembered that day, because Sirius was really nervous about it.
"I remember you driving me, James, and Peter batty with it!" Remus chuckled. "I've never seen you so nervous!"
Sirius couldn't help but laugh as the memory played in his head.
"Yeah, I remember," he said.
"So what else did her friend say?" Remus asked.
"Well, she cried when I told her about the fight with Voldemort and that she.," Sirius swallowed hard before continuing. "That she died from it."
"So her friend didn't know?" Remus asked surprised. Sirius shook his head.
"No. She said that Edi was supposed to owl her to let her know when the wedding was going to be." And with that, Sirius lost it. He couldn't stop the tears now. Remus put a consoling arm on his shoulders and let him let it all out.
"Sirius, you're going to have to let her go," he said gently. Sirius sniffed as he wiped the tears from his eyes with his hands.
"I know that Remus!" he said getting up again. He walked back to the window and leaned on it with his hands. "But I can't! And you know what else I found out?"
He turned to his friend, backed onto the window, and crossed his arms.
"It's like she's not even real! Nobody knew anything about her!"
"What do you mean?" Remus asked puzzled.
"Her friend said that Edi never talked about her family either. Not to her or anyone. All they know was that she was a loner. And very powerful. A lot of the other students were scared of her, Remus," he stopped and swallowed.
"What?" Remus asked. "What do you mean Iscared of herI?"
"Remus, she told me the reason why Edi left and ended up here."
"What?" Remus almost shouted.
"She.Edi." Sirius couldn't say it. He's still having a hard time believing it himself.
"Sirius! Just spit it out!"
Sirius sighed and turned to look out the window again. Tears were welling up in his eyes.
"Sirius?" Remus called. "What is it? What did Edi's friend say?"
Sirius took a deep breath but did not look at Remus.
"She said that everyone was really curious about Edi. She was the top witch at their school and have powers that even some of the teachers could just dream of having. There was a group of girls that envied her and tried to find out about her. Edi caught one of them prowling through her things in her room. Apparently, that girl IdidI find something about Edi and threatened to tell the whole school. Edi got furious. Remus, Edi almost killed that girl!"
"What!" Remus exclaimed standing up.
"Edi's friend said that something just triggered her to go off on the girl. They couldn't stop her. The girl was begging for mercy, Remus. Only when her friend pleaded for Edi to stop, that she let the girl go. But she cursed the girl. She made the girl mute, Remus. So she couldn't talk. And Edi somehow had put a spell on her. Remus, Edi made it that if that girl ever told anyone about what she found out, she would die, and so will the people she told!"
Remus was stunned. He couldn't believe what he just heard. It just didn't sound like the girl he knew.
"But Sirius," he said, not really knowing what to say. "Surely you don't believe that?"
Sirius turned and looked at his friend with sad eyes.
"Remus her friend told me that that girl did try to tell people. She had written it out and gave the information to her friends. Remus, they all died the same day!"
Remus was shocked. He didn't know what to say. He just couldn't see Edi cursing someone like that. Sirius was crying silently. Remus just shook his head. What Sirius had just told him was just a bit too hard to swallow.
"B-but Sirius," he stammered. "Not even Voldemort's that Ipowerful! I've never heard of any wizard or witch cursing anybody like that!"
"I know that Remus!" Sirius exclaimed, slamming his hand on the window pane. "I was shocked too when I heard it!" He walked across the room and put his hands in his pockets. Then, he turned toward his bed. His eyes narrowed as he saw the photo album again, still open. He walked over, reached for the picture, and pulled it out. Remus saw the tears fall on Sirius' cheeks, as he too felt his own eyes water. Sirius just stood next to the bed silently, staring at the picture.
Remus knew that his best friend was hurting, but he also knew that Sirius needed to be left alone when he's like this. Remus walked quietly towards the door. He took one last look at Sirius who was still looking at the picture, then stepped into the hall, closing the door gently behind him.
Sirius didn't look up until he heard the door closed. He let out a breath he'd been holding and sat on the bed. Then before he knew it, he was sobbing uncontrollably, shaking as he held on to the picture in one hand, and put his face in the other.
Sirius cried his heart out, letting all his sadness and hurting spill out with every teardrop. He had put his hand on his mouth to muffle out his sobbing; all the while looking at the picture of the only girl he ever loved. The girl he had asked to marry him and spend the rest of his life with. The girl who had kept secrets from him; secrets that he couldn't fathom to hear, nor believe, now that he'd heard them.
"Why didn't you tell me Edi?" he asked the girl in the picture. The image of Edi just continued to smile, wave and blow kisses at him. Sirius sighed as he laid down on his bed, not taking his eyes off the picture, afraid that if he did, he'd completely lose her. Memories started to flood his mind again.
~~~*@*~~~
Sirius knocked on Edi's door at the Leaky Cauldron. He quickly ran his hand through his hair, and straightened out his shirt as he waited. When the door opened, he drew in a breath as he looked at the sight before him.
Edi was wearing a pink dress, with different colored flowers printed on it that tied around her neck. The skirt reached just below her knees, and she wore shoes that were slightly a shade lighter than the dress. Her hair was down her back in soft waves, and she had a pretty straw hat that was folded if front and pinned with a pink petalled flower. She had put on a bit of makeup that brought out her eyes, and to Sirius, made her even more breathtaking.
"Wow!" he said, as he just stared at her. "You're beautiful!"
Edi blushed as she stepped aside to let Sirius in. He couldn't take his eyes off her.
"IStop making a fool of yourself, Sirius!I" a voice in his head scolded. Sirius blushed when he finally realized that he was gaping at her. He reluctantly averted his eyes from her and turned. Sirius smiled when he finally absorbed the surroundings.
Edi had made this room up and turned it into a temporary home. As Sirius looked around, he noticed that there were candles everywhere, of all shapes, colors, and sizes. There were also vases of flowers all around the room. And on her bed, there were a collection of different dolls and teddy bears. There was a table by the window also laden with candles and a flower vase, lamp, and books that were neatly piled on top of each other. One thing he didn't see were photographs, of any one.
"II wonder.I," he thought to himself. But he quickly pushed it to the back of his mind because he didn't want to pry.
"Your room looks really nice," he said, smiling awkwardly. He wanted to kick himself for being so lame. But to his relief, Edi didn't seem to think that of him.
"Thanks Sirius!" she said, smiling brightly. "Well, as I am going to be here until term starts, I thought that I might as well make it homey."
They stood there for a moment just looking at each other, smiling. Sirius could feel his heart beating wildly for her.
"Uh, shall we go?" Edi finally said, breaking the silence.
"Yes, let's," Sirius said smiling. Then he bowed slightly and said, "May I escort thee, fair maiden, to lunch?"
Edi laughed, but she curtsied to him. "Yes you may, my fine sir."
Sirius held out his arm to her which she graciously accepted as she put her hand on the crook of it. Sirius opened the door and he let her step into the hall first. He followed, closing the door behind them.
When they got downstairs, Sirius saw his friends at their usual table at the back of the pub. He felt a pang of guilt as he remembered what had happened the day before. He was about to lead Edi to a table on the other side when he heard his name.
"Sirius?"
Sirius stiffened as he turned around. It was Remus. Behind him were James and Peter, both with their hands in their pockets.
"Yes, Remus?" he asked stiffly. Edi looked at him puzzled. Sirius could feel her gaze on him, but fixed his eyes on Remus, his jaws set.
"Uh.could we have a word?" Remus asked.
"Can't it wait Remus? We're about to have lunch."
"Sirius, it's okay," he heard Edi say. "I'll wait."
Sirius looked at her apologetically and nodded.
"Hold on, Remus," he finally said. Sirius led Edi to a table and helped her to a chair. Then he bent over to her and smiled. "Order me a butterbeer will you?"
Edi smiled back and nodded. Sirius reached for her hand on the table and gave it a squeeze.
"I'll be right back!" He straightened up and went to Remus, who had joined James and Peter.
"What is it Remus?" he said through gritted teeth, when he reached them. Remus and James looked at each other guiltily as Peter flinched at the sound of Sirius' angry voice.
"Well, uh, Sirius, er.," James started, clearly uncomfortable. Peter just looked at the ground, shuffling his feet.
"Look Sirius. We just wanted to apologize about yesterday," Remus finally said. "We were just playing around. We just didn't think that you would get so offended by it."
Sirius felt his conscience eat away at him. He was still upset that they had joked about his attraction to Edi, but he couldn't stay mad at them. He was the one to blame because of his past behavior around girls. But he also couldn't tell them just yet about how he really felt for Edi.
"Look guys," Sirius said, finally letting his conscience win. "I know you were just playing around and I know that you didn't mean anything by it. I guess I just let my temper get the best of me, is all."
Remus, James, and Peter all looked at him and smiled. Sirius did the same as he extended his hand out to them.
"Let's just forget it, okay?" he asked them. His friends took turns shaking his hand, all glad to put what happened yesterday behind him.
"Well, uh, I better get back," he said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder. Remus, James, and Peter all smiled and nodded at him.
"How about you two meet us at the ice cream shop later?" James asked eagerly.
"Sure!" Sirius answered enthusiastically really glad that they're all friends again. He told them goodbye, turned around, and went back to Edi.
"Sorry about that," he apologized as he sat down across the table from her. She had ordered them two butterbeers while she waited for Sirius to return.
"That's quite alright," she assured him, smiling. "But um, what was wrong? You seemed tense earlier."
"Oh it was nothing really," he told her with a wave of his hand. "It was just a little misunderstanding. But it's all over now."
Edi smiled at him, deciding not to pursue the matter anymore.
"Oh yeah," Sirius said. "They invited us to meet them at the ice cream shop later. Is that alright with you?"
"Of course!" Edi said smiling. "That'd be great!"
Sirius and Edi spent their lunch talking about things that they liked to do. As it turns out, they have a lot in common. Well, as far as being pranksters. Sirius found out that Edi loved to play jokes, especially to people that are mean to her. Edi had asked Sirius questions about his life that he answered as truthfully as he could. Edi had different expressions on her face as he told her different things about himself. But, Sirius refrained from asking her things about her life. He remembered how she avoided them yesterday. He was having a great time with her and he wasn't about to spoil it. He loved watching her smile and laugh. He couldn't stop looking at her. Edi had caught his stare more than once and blushed, but not once did she tell him anything about it.
They spent a couple of hours just talking after their meals. Edi had asked more questions about Hogwarts and the more he told her, the more she hoped that she'd be sorted with Sirius and everyone. Sirius had vowed to himself that even if she doesn't get sorted into Gryffindor, that she will always be his friend. He'll spend as much time as he could with her.
"IWhat is wrong with you, Black?I" the voice in his head said again. "IYou don't know her at all! And there are plenty of girls who'd be glad to go out with you!I"
Sirius pushed that thought to back of his head. He doesn't know what's wrong with him. He doesn't know why he only wants to be with Edi, and no other girls.
"Well, Sirius," Edi said. "Should we go and meet the others?"
Sirius smiled at her, and she smiled back. He got up and hurried over to her chair. He helped her out and offered his hand for her to get up. She looked him in the eyes when she took his hand and got up. They stood there in silence for a moment, just looking at each other, when a jolt brought them back to their senses. It was the same feeling that they got when they first met. Sirius looked at Edi with a questioning look. She looked at him and smiled.
"Don't worry," she told him reassuringly. "It's a good thing."
And before Sirius could react, Edi had kissed him on the cheek. Edi chuckled at his shocked face. Sirius blushed. He bent down and kissed her on her cheek in return. Then their hands still together, they left the Leaky Cauldron and headed to the ice cream shop to meet Remus and the others.
As they walked along Diagon Alley holding hands, Sirius had noticed that many people were staring at them. In addition, many girls were shooting Edi angry looks. Many boys were also gaping at her. He looked at Edi to see if she noticed these. Obviously she had because her face was red. She looked up to Sirius and smiled weakly. Sirius just smiled back and gave her a kiss on the forehead. When he did, he heard some gasps from a group of girls by the bookshop.
"II guess they're not used to the new Sirius BlackI," he chuckled to himself. Edi looked at him again, but looked away rather quickly. Sirius didn't seem to notice it as he kept walking with her, still holding her hand.
When they finally reached the ice cream shop, Edi noticed that there was a new couple there with everyone else. Sirius smile broadly when he saw his friends. When everyone looked up and saw Sirius and Edi approaching, they all waved them over. James and Remus noticed their hands, looked at each other with raised eyebrows, and smiled.
"Hey guys," Sirius said. He helped Edi to a chair again and then sat down next to her. "Hey Scott! Hey Lucy!"
The two new friends looked at him and smiled.
"Hey yourself, Sirius!" Scott, a tall boy with short dark brown hair greeted. The girl next to him had shoulder length blond hair.
"Hey Sirius!" she said. Then she turned to Edi and extended her hand. "Hi! I'm Lucy Turner."
"Hello! My name is Edi Lenizo," Edi said, smiling and shaking her hand.
"Hi, Edi. I'm Scott Patrick," Scott said, also extending his hand. "Lucy and I are in Gryffindor too." Edi shook his hand and smiled. They seemed to be really nice and made Edi wished to be sorted to Gryffindor even more. The group enjoyed their ice cream and talked excitedly about the up coming term.
"Oh yeah, that reminds me," James suddenly said. "Robert Spinnet and Charlie Johnson both graduated last year. That means we have Chaser positions open!"
He turned to Edi with a sly smile.
"What?" Edi asked, confused.
"Well, if you get sorted to our house, wanna try out for the team?" James asked. Everyone had then turned to look at Edi, who blushed profusely.
"You haven't even seen me play!" she tried to argue. "I don't want to give you an answer right now. Just wait til I find out which house I get sorted in first."
"Well how about we go to your house James?" Scott suggested. "We can play Quidditch there."
Everyone started talking excitedly all at once.
"Er.you have a Quidditch field at your house?" Edi asked surprised. Everyone looked at her smiling at her shocked expression.
"Well, not really a full size field," James said. "Just big enough to play around in."
"So how about it Edi?" Sirius asked her eagerly. "It'll be great!"
Edi laughed in defeat.
"Oh alright!" she finally said. Her new friends cheered. "But I'm telling you now, I'm gonna be flying circles around you Potter!"
Everyone laughed. They all wanted to see this. James, Remus and Peter had told everyone that Edi played Quidditch back home and everyone had been curious to see just how good she was.
"Well, I have to change first and get my broom," Edi said standing up. Sirius stood up as well.
"Er.do you want me to wait for you?" he asked her shyly. He could feel everyone looking at him and tried to ignore it. "We could meet everyone back over at the Potters'."
James finally caught on to what Sirius was hinting at and got up as well.
"That's a great idea," he said smiling. "Sirius can take you there. We'll all go ahead and get the pitch ready. That way, Scott and I can warm up as well."
Edi smiled and nodded. "Okay then. We'll see you at your house."
Everyone all headed back to the Leaky Cauldron all talking excitedly. Everyone would be flooing over to the Potter house. Edi and Sirius all bid them goodbyes and went upstairs to her room.
"I'll be back okay?" she told Sirius as she grabbed some clothes from an old dresser and headed in the bathroom. Sirius sat on the chair by the window to wait for her. He looked around the room and smiled again on how she had fixed it up. Edi emerged from the bathroom moments later wearing a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt. She had pulled her hair up in a pony tail and put on a pair of sneakers. Sirius smiled at her. She still looked feminine even though she wore pants.
"Well grab your broom and let's go!" Sirius said. "I'm anxious to see this!"
Edi laughed and went to the closet to retrieve her broom. It was a Comet 150. When Sirius saw this, his mouth dropped.
"Whoa!" he said. "James has one just like that one! Boy, he's in it for real now!"
Edi laughed again as she swung the broom on her shoulder.
"Do you fly or play at all Sirius?" she asked.
"Well, yeah, I fly." Sirius answered. "Play, no. I just rather watch from the ground. Not really fond of getting bludgerred off my broom thanks!"
Edi laughed again. "Well, then. Maybe we should go flying together sometime."
"I'd love that!" Sirius said, his eyes lighting up.
"Well, let's go then," Edi said. "I am really anxious to play!"
Sirius laughed and grabbed her hand and led her downstairs to the fireplace.
"Boy! James and Scott won't know what hit them!" he chuckled as he helped her in the fireplace.
Sirius appeared in the Potters' fireplace just seconds later and bumped into Edi, who was being helped up by Remus.
"Oops! Sorry!" he apologized to her.
"That's quite alright," Edi assured him smiling. "I never did like floo travel! I'd rather Apparate to places, myself."
Everyone stopped whatever they were doing and turned to look at her with their mouths open.
"Er.did I say something wrong?" she asked worriedly, looking at everyone.
"You can Apparate?" Lucy asked, very stunned.
"Uh, yeah," Edi said, still puzzled by their reactions. "I've been doing it for a few years now."
Sirius was speechless as was everyone else.
"But you have to pass a test!" Peter exclaimed.
"Er.test?" Edi asked, now really confused.
"Uh, yeah, Edi," Sirius said, still in shock. "You have to have passed the test first and registered at the Ministry of Magic."
"Oh. Okay then," Edi said, with a shrug. "I guess I'll have to take care of that before school starts."
"Uh, can you show us, Edi?" Maria asked eagerly.
"Umm.," Edi uttered. "Yeah, I guess."
"You can just go out to the field," James said, pointing out a side window.
Edi nodded and walked in front of the window. She turned to look at everyone who had gathered together to watch. She saw Sirius with an anxious look on his face. She smiled and winked at him. Then she closed her eyes and muttered a spell under her breath. With a soft 'pop', she disappeared. Everyone rushed over to the window and saw Edi waving to them out on the grounds.
"Whoa!" all the boys exclaimed.
"Wow!" all the girls exclaimed at the same time. Then they all ran outside to meet Edi, with Sirius, of course, in the lead.
"That was just amazing!" he called to her, running. He had brought her broom along for her. When he reached her, he dropped the broom, and he just engulfed her in a hug, before he could stop himself. Edi had returned it without hesitation.
When everyone caught up with them, they all praised Edi, who in turn, had blushed a deep shade of red.
"So uh, are we playing or not?" she said, trying to change the topic. Everyone agreed. The boys had gotten everything ready while they were waiting for Sirius and Edi. And so, since there were five boys, and five girls, they all teamed up against gender.
"This should be a piece of cake!" James joked to the guys who chuckled.
"Excuse me?" Lily said in mock anger. Then she turned to the girls. "Hey girls! Are we gonna let them get away with that?"
"Those are fighting words, Mr. Potter," Edi said, mockingly. "Remember, I was a captain."
"Oh yeah?" James said. "Just so you know. The girls don't really play. So you're pretty much on your own."
"But II'mI in ItheirI team," Edi said proudly. The other girls cheered happily. James just shook his head as he walked over to the trunk holding the balls. Sirius looked at Edi and smiled at her. She smiled back and winked at him.
~*~*~
Please review. Any comments or criticism will be welcomed.
This story was written way before the 5th book came out. Although you all know what happened in the book, I couldn't see myself scrapping this story. It was written from out of my imagination. Certain characters in this story where created by me and most of the plot is my own. I do not make any kind of monetary profit from this story. Just self satisfaction.
DISCLAIMER:
HP and related characters belong to JK Rowling, who if it was for her, the world would not have know the magical world of HP.
BCHAPTER 2: STARTLING REVELATIONSB
~~~*@*~~~
A knock on the door and a voice broke Sirius out of his reverie.
"Padfoot? Are you in there?" Sirius sighed as he sat up on his bed. He ran his hand through his hair.
"Yes, I am Moony," he answered. "Come on in!" He turned slightly on the bed to see his old friend, Remus Lupin, enter smiling.
Remus' smile faded when he saw the glazed look in Sirius' eyes, evidence that he'd been in tears.
"Sirius? You okay, old boy?" Remus asked, concerned. He then saw the photo album on Sirius' bed. He walked over and sat on the other side of the bed, and then he saw it. He looked up at Sirius', his mouth in a weak smile, understanding. Sirius just nodded his head and turned his gaze back at the picture. Remus had looked down again and watched the image of a girl waving and smiling.
"She was beautiful wasn't she?" he said, smiling at the picture. "Generous and caring to boot."
Sirius sighed as he got up from the bed and walked towards the window. He crossed his arms on his chest and leaned his shoulder against the window sill, staring out into nothing in particular. Remus' eyes narrowed, and his heart went out to his friend. He knew how much Sirius loved Edi, and how much Edi loved him back. They were inseparable when they were in school. They did everything together. Well, almost everything.
Edi was understanding enough to spend time away from Sirius so he could be with his best friends. She had made it clear to him from the very beginning that he will not abandon his friends just to spend every waking moment with her. In turn, he would have her spend time with Lily, Christine, and Maria, who had graciously accepted Edi into their little circle. They also all went out as one big group, enjoying everyone's company and having good times.
"Sirius, I know you miss her," Remus said, looking at his friend with narrowed eyes. "I miss her too. And Christine."
Sirius looked at his friend sadly.
"Remus, I tried," he said. "But I can't. I just have this feeling that she's still out there!"
"But Sirius, she died!" Remus exclaimed. "With Christine and Maria!"
"But how did her body just disappeared, Remus?" Sirius said, getting angry. "We had a funeral for Christine and Maria! Edi had an empty coffin!"
Remus just stood there silently. He didn't know how to answer that. What Sirius said was true.
"Maybe Voldemort just took her Sirius," he said quietly.
"What? And why would he do that?" Sirius exclaimed.
"I don't know Sirius," Remus replied calmly. "We never did find out why he was after her in the first place!"
Sirius sighed and went back to sit on the bed, putting his face in this hands. He looked up at Remus.
"All Edi said was he killed her mother."
"Sirius, Edi never mentioned anything about her past," Remus pointed out, walking over and sitting next to him on the bed. "Every time someone tried to ask her, she would clam up, remember?"
Sirius sighed again and nodded in agreement. Edi would never talk about her life back home. All Sirius remembered was that she told him that it was too painful for her to talk about it. She had begged him not to ask her again, and that she would tell him when the time was right. He promised her that and that he'd wait until she was ready.
"Remember when I was on the run, Remus?" he asked, looking on the floor.
"Yeah, why?"
"Well," Sirius begun, looking up at him. "I went there."
"Where?" Remus asked getting confused.
"To the Philippines," Sirius answered.
"You never told me that!" Remus exclaimed. "And?"
"I looked everywhere for her. I went to her old school and asked about her. A lot of the teachers there were her old school mates."
"Well? What did they say?" Remus asked impatiently.
"I met her old best friend back home," Sirius said. "She told me that the last time she heard from Edi was when she had owled her and told her that I had asked her to marry me."
Remus looked at Sirius sadly. He remembered that day, because Sirius was really nervous about it.
"I remember you driving me, James, and Peter batty with it!" Remus chuckled. "I've never seen you so nervous!"
Sirius couldn't help but laugh as the memory played in his head.
"Yeah, I remember," he said.
"So what else did her friend say?" Remus asked.
"Well, she cried when I told her about the fight with Voldemort and that she.," Sirius swallowed hard before continuing. "That she died from it."
"So her friend didn't know?" Remus asked surprised. Sirius shook his head.
"No. She said that Edi was supposed to owl her to let her know when the wedding was going to be." And with that, Sirius lost it. He couldn't stop the tears now. Remus put a consoling arm on his shoulders and let him let it all out.
"Sirius, you're going to have to let her go," he said gently. Sirius sniffed as he wiped the tears from his eyes with his hands.
"I know that Remus!" he said getting up again. He walked back to the window and leaned on it with his hands. "But I can't! And you know what else I found out?"
He turned to his friend, backed onto the window, and crossed his arms.
"It's like she's not even real! Nobody knew anything about her!"
"What do you mean?" Remus asked puzzled.
"Her friend said that Edi never talked about her family either. Not to her or anyone. All they know was that she was a loner. And very powerful. A lot of the other students were scared of her, Remus," he stopped and swallowed.
"What?" Remus asked. "What do you mean Iscared of herI?"
"Remus, she told me the reason why Edi left and ended up here."
"What?" Remus almost shouted.
"She.Edi." Sirius couldn't say it. He's still having a hard time believing it himself.
"Sirius! Just spit it out!"
Sirius sighed and turned to look out the window again. Tears were welling up in his eyes.
"Sirius?" Remus called. "What is it? What did Edi's friend say?"
Sirius took a deep breath but did not look at Remus.
"She said that everyone was really curious about Edi. She was the top witch at their school and have powers that even some of the teachers could just dream of having. There was a group of girls that envied her and tried to find out about her. Edi caught one of them prowling through her things in her room. Apparently, that girl IdidI find something about Edi and threatened to tell the whole school. Edi got furious. Remus, Edi almost killed that girl!"
"What!" Remus exclaimed standing up.
"Edi's friend said that something just triggered her to go off on the girl. They couldn't stop her. The girl was begging for mercy, Remus. Only when her friend pleaded for Edi to stop, that she let the girl go. But she cursed the girl. She made the girl mute, Remus. So she couldn't talk. And Edi somehow had put a spell on her. Remus, Edi made it that if that girl ever told anyone about what she found out, she would die, and so will the people she told!"
Remus was stunned. He couldn't believe what he just heard. It just didn't sound like the girl he knew.
"But Sirius," he said, not really knowing what to say. "Surely you don't believe that?"
Sirius turned and looked at his friend with sad eyes.
"Remus her friend told me that that girl did try to tell people. She had written it out and gave the information to her friends. Remus, they all died the same day!"
Remus was shocked. He didn't know what to say. He just couldn't see Edi cursing someone like that. Sirius was crying silently. Remus just shook his head. What Sirius had just told him was just a bit too hard to swallow.
"B-but Sirius," he stammered. "Not even Voldemort's that Ipowerful! I've never heard of any wizard or witch cursing anybody like that!"
"I know that Remus!" Sirius exclaimed, slamming his hand on the window pane. "I was shocked too when I heard it!" He walked across the room and put his hands in his pockets. Then, he turned toward his bed. His eyes narrowed as he saw the photo album again, still open. He walked over, reached for the picture, and pulled it out. Remus saw the tears fall on Sirius' cheeks, as he too felt his own eyes water. Sirius just stood next to the bed silently, staring at the picture.
Remus knew that his best friend was hurting, but he also knew that Sirius needed to be left alone when he's like this. Remus walked quietly towards the door. He took one last look at Sirius who was still looking at the picture, then stepped into the hall, closing the door gently behind him.
Sirius didn't look up until he heard the door closed. He let out a breath he'd been holding and sat on the bed. Then before he knew it, he was sobbing uncontrollably, shaking as he held on to the picture in one hand, and put his face in the other.
Sirius cried his heart out, letting all his sadness and hurting spill out with every teardrop. He had put his hand on his mouth to muffle out his sobbing; all the while looking at the picture of the only girl he ever loved. The girl he had asked to marry him and spend the rest of his life with. The girl who had kept secrets from him; secrets that he couldn't fathom to hear, nor believe, now that he'd heard them.
"Why didn't you tell me Edi?" he asked the girl in the picture. The image of Edi just continued to smile, wave and blow kisses at him. Sirius sighed as he laid down on his bed, not taking his eyes off the picture, afraid that if he did, he'd completely lose her. Memories started to flood his mind again.
~~~*@*~~~
Sirius knocked on Edi's door at the Leaky Cauldron. He quickly ran his hand through his hair, and straightened out his shirt as he waited. When the door opened, he drew in a breath as he looked at the sight before him.
Edi was wearing a pink dress, with different colored flowers printed on it that tied around her neck. The skirt reached just below her knees, and she wore shoes that were slightly a shade lighter than the dress. Her hair was down her back in soft waves, and she had a pretty straw hat that was folded if front and pinned with a pink petalled flower. She had put on a bit of makeup that brought out her eyes, and to Sirius, made her even more breathtaking.
"Wow!" he said, as he just stared at her. "You're beautiful!"
Edi blushed as she stepped aside to let Sirius in. He couldn't take his eyes off her.
"IStop making a fool of yourself, Sirius!I" a voice in his head scolded. Sirius blushed when he finally realized that he was gaping at her. He reluctantly averted his eyes from her and turned. Sirius smiled when he finally absorbed the surroundings.
Edi had made this room up and turned it into a temporary home. As Sirius looked around, he noticed that there were candles everywhere, of all shapes, colors, and sizes. There were also vases of flowers all around the room. And on her bed, there were a collection of different dolls and teddy bears. There was a table by the window also laden with candles and a flower vase, lamp, and books that were neatly piled on top of each other. One thing he didn't see were photographs, of any one.
"II wonder.I," he thought to himself. But he quickly pushed it to the back of his mind because he didn't want to pry.
"Your room looks really nice," he said, smiling awkwardly. He wanted to kick himself for being so lame. But to his relief, Edi didn't seem to think that of him.
"Thanks Sirius!" she said, smiling brightly. "Well, as I am going to be here until term starts, I thought that I might as well make it homey."
They stood there for a moment just looking at each other, smiling. Sirius could feel his heart beating wildly for her.
"Uh, shall we go?" Edi finally said, breaking the silence.
"Yes, let's," Sirius said smiling. Then he bowed slightly and said, "May I escort thee, fair maiden, to lunch?"
Edi laughed, but she curtsied to him. "Yes you may, my fine sir."
Sirius held out his arm to her which she graciously accepted as she put her hand on the crook of it. Sirius opened the door and he let her step into the hall first. He followed, closing the door behind them.
When they got downstairs, Sirius saw his friends at their usual table at the back of the pub. He felt a pang of guilt as he remembered what had happened the day before. He was about to lead Edi to a table on the other side when he heard his name.
"Sirius?"
Sirius stiffened as he turned around. It was Remus. Behind him were James and Peter, both with their hands in their pockets.
"Yes, Remus?" he asked stiffly. Edi looked at him puzzled. Sirius could feel her gaze on him, but fixed his eyes on Remus, his jaws set.
"Uh.could we have a word?" Remus asked.
"Can't it wait Remus? We're about to have lunch."
"Sirius, it's okay," he heard Edi say. "I'll wait."
Sirius looked at her apologetically and nodded.
"Hold on, Remus," he finally said. Sirius led Edi to a table and helped her to a chair. Then he bent over to her and smiled. "Order me a butterbeer will you?"
Edi smiled back and nodded. Sirius reached for her hand on the table and gave it a squeeze.
"I'll be right back!" He straightened up and went to Remus, who had joined James and Peter.
"What is it Remus?" he said through gritted teeth, when he reached them. Remus and James looked at each other guiltily as Peter flinched at the sound of Sirius' angry voice.
"Well, uh, Sirius, er.," James started, clearly uncomfortable. Peter just looked at the ground, shuffling his feet.
"Look Sirius. We just wanted to apologize about yesterday," Remus finally said. "We were just playing around. We just didn't think that you would get so offended by it."
Sirius felt his conscience eat away at him. He was still upset that they had joked about his attraction to Edi, but he couldn't stay mad at them. He was the one to blame because of his past behavior around girls. But he also couldn't tell them just yet about how he really felt for Edi.
"Look guys," Sirius said, finally letting his conscience win. "I know you were just playing around and I know that you didn't mean anything by it. I guess I just let my temper get the best of me, is all."
Remus, James, and Peter all looked at him and smiled. Sirius did the same as he extended his hand out to them.
"Let's just forget it, okay?" he asked them. His friends took turns shaking his hand, all glad to put what happened yesterday behind him.
"Well, uh, I better get back," he said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder. Remus, James, and Peter all smiled and nodded at him.
"How about you two meet us at the ice cream shop later?" James asked eagerly.
"Sure!" Sirius answered enthusiastically really glad that they're all friends again. He told them goodbye, turned around, and went back to Edi.
"Sorry about that," he apologized as he sat down across the table from her. She had ordered them two butterbeers while she waited for Sirius to return.
"That's quite alright," she assured him, smiling. "But um, what was wrong? You seemed tense earlier."
"Oh it was nothing really," he told her with a wave of his hand. "It was just a little misunderstanding. But it's all over now."
Edi smiled at him, deciding not to pursue the matter anymore.
"Oh yeah," Sirius said. "They invited us to meet them at the ice cream shop later. Is that alright with you?"
"Of course!" Edi said smiling. "That'd be great!"
Sirius and Edi spent their lunch talking about things that they liked to do. As it turns out, they have a lot in common. Well, as far as being pranksters. Sirius found out that Edi loved to play jokes, especially to people that are mean to her. Edi had asked Sirius questions about his life that he answered as truthfully as he could. Edi had different expressions on her face as he told her different things about himself. But, Sirius refrained from asking her things about her life. He remembered how she avoided them yesterday. He was having a great time with her and he wasn't about to spoil it. He loved watching her smile and laugh. He couldn't stop looking at her. Edi had caught his stare more than once and blushed, but not once did she tell him anything about it.
They spent a couple of hours just talking after their meals. Edi had asked more questions about Hogwarts and the more he told her, the more she hoped that she'd be sorted with Sirius and everyone. Sirius had vowed to himself that even if she doesn't get sorted into Gryffindor, that she will always be his friend. He'll spend as much time as he could with her.
"IWhat is wrong with you, Black?I" the voice in his head said again. "IYou don't know her at all! And there are plenty of girls who'd be glad to go out with you!I"
Sirius pushed that thought to back of his head. He doesn't know what's wrong with him. He doesn't know why he only wants to be with Edi, and no other girls.
"Well, Sirius," Edi said. "Should we go and meet the others?"
Sirius smiled at her, and she smiled back. He got up and hurried over to her chair. He helped her out and offered his hand for her to get up. She looked him in the eyes when she took his hand and got up. They stood there in silence for a moment, just looking at each other, when a jolt brought them back to their senses. It was the same feeling that they got when they first met. Sirius looked at Edi with a questioning look. She looked at him and smiled.
"Don't worry," she told him reassuringly. "It's a good thing."
And before Sirius could react, Edi had kissed him on the cheek. Edi chuckled at his shocked face. Sirius blushed. He bent down and kissed her on her cheek in return. Then their hands still together, they left the Leaky Cauldron and headed to the ice cream shop to meet Remus and the others.
As they walked along Diagon Alley holding hands, Sirius had noticed that many people were staring at them. In addition, many girls were shooting Edi angry looks. Many boys were also gaping at her. He looked at Edi to see if she noticed these. Obviously she had because her face was red. She looked up to Sirius and smiled weakly. Sirius just smiled back and gave her a kiss on the forehead. When he did, he heard some gasps from a group of girls by the bookshop.
"II guess they're not used to the new Sirius BlackI," he chuckled to himself. Edi looked at him again, but looked away rather quickly. Sirius didn't seem to notice it as he kept walking with her, still holding her hand.
When they finally reached the ice cream shop, Edi noticed that there was a new couple there with everyone else. Sirius smile broadly when he saw his friends. When everyone looked up and saw Sirius and Edi approaching, they all waved them over. James and Remus noticed their hands, looked at each other with raised eyebrows, and smiled.
"Hey guys," Sirius said. He helped Edi to a chair again and then sat down next to her. "Hey Scott! Hey Lucy!"
The two new friends looked at him and smiled.
"Hey yourself, Sirius!" Scott, a tall boy with short dark brown hair greeted. The girl next to him had shoulder length blond hair.
"Hey Sirius!" she said. Then she turned to Edi and extended her hand. "Hi! I'm Lucy Turner."
"Hello! My name is Edi Lenizo," Edi said, smiling and shaking her hand.
"Hi, Edi. I'm Scott Patrick," Scott said, also extending his hand. "Lucy and I are in Gryffindor too." Edi shook his hand and smiled. They seemed to be really nice and made Edi wished to be sorted to Gryffindor even more. The group enjoyed their ice cream and talked excitedly about the up coming term.
"Oh yeah, that reminds me," James suddenly said. "Robert Spinnet and Charlie Johnson both graduated last year. That means we have Chaser positions open!"
He turned to Edi with a sly smile.
"What?" Edi asked, confused.
"Well, if you get sorted to our house, wanna try out for the team?" James asked. Everyone had then turned to look at Edi, who blushed profusely.
"You haven't even seen me play!" she tried to argue. "I don't want to give you an answer right now. Just wait til I find out which house I get sorted in first."
"Well how about we go to your house James?" Scott suggested. "We can play Quidditch there."
Everyone started talking excitedly all at once.
"Er.you have a Quidditch field at your house?" Edi asked surprised. Everyone looked at her smiling at her shocked expression.
"Well, not really a full size field," James said. "Just big enough to play around in."
"So how about it Edi?" Sirius asked her eagerly. "It'll be great!"
Edi laughed in defeat.
"Oh alright!" she finally said. Her new friends cheered. "But I'm telling you now, I'm gonna be flying circles around you Potter!"
Everyone laughed. They all wanted to see this. James, Remus and Peter had told everyone that Edi played Quidditch back home and everyone had been curious to see just how good she was.
"Well, I have to change first and get my broom," Edi said standing up. Sirius stood up as well.
"Er.do you want me to wait for you?" he asked her shyly. He could feel everyone looking at him and tried to ignore it. "We could meet everyone back over at the Potters'."
James finally caught on to what Sirius was hinting at and got up as well.
"That's a great idea," he said smiling. "Sirius can take you there. We'll all go ahead and get the pitch ready. That way, Scott and I can warm up as well."
Edi smiled and nodded. "Okay then. We'll see you at your house."
Everyone all headed back to the Leaky Cauldron all talking excitedly. Everyone would be flooing over to the Potter house. Edi and Sirius all bid them goodbyes and went upstairs to her room.
"I'll be back okay?" she told Sirius as she grabbed some clothes from an old dresser and headed in the bathroom. Sirius sat on the chair by the window to wait for her. He looked around the room and smiled again on how she had fixed it up. Edi emerged from the bathroom moments later wearing a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt. She had pulled her hair up in a pony tail and put on a pair of sneakers. Sirius smiled at her. She still looked feminine even though she wore pants.
"Well grab your broom and let's go!" Sirius said. "I'm anxious to see this!"
Edi laughed and went to the closet to retrieve her broom. It was a Comet 150. When Sirius saw this, his mouth dropped.
"Whoa!" he said. "James has one just like that one! Boy, he's in it for real now!"
Edi laughed again as she swung the broom on her shoulder.
"Do you fly or play at all Sirius?" she asked.
"Well, yeah, I fly." Sirius answered. "Play, no. I just rather watch from the ground. Not really fond of getting bludgerred off my broom thanks!"
Edi laughed again. "Well, then. Maybe we should go flying together sometime."
"I'd love that!" Sirius said, his eyes lighting up.
"Well, let's go then," Edi said. "I am really anxious to play!"
Sirius laughed and grabbed her hand and led her downstairs to the fireplace.
"Boy! James and Scott won't know what hit them!" he chuckled as he helped her in the fireplace.
Sirius appeared in the Potters' fireplace just seconds later and bumped into Edi, who was being helped up by Remus.
"Oops! Sorry!" he apologized to her.
"That's quite alright," Edi assured him smiling. "I never did like floo travel! I'd rather Apparate to places, myself."
Everyone stopped whatever they were doing and turned to look at her with their mouths open.
"Er.did I say something wrong?" she asked worriedly, looking at everyone.
"You can Apparate?" Lucy asked, very stunned.
"Uh, yeah," Edi said, still puzzled by their reactions. "I've been doing it for a few years now."
Sirius was speechless as was everyone else.
"But you have to pass a test!" Peter exclaimed.
"Er.test?" Edi asked, now really confused.
"Uh, yeah, Edi," Sirius said, still in shock. "You have to have passed the test first and registered at the Ministry of Magic."
"Oh. Okay then," Edi said, with a shrug. "I guess I'll have to take care of that before school starts."
"Uh, can you show us, Edi?" Maria asked eagerly.
"Umm.," Edi uttered. "Yeah, I guess."
"You can just go out to the field," James said, pointing out a side window.
Edi nodded and walked in front of the window. She turned to look at everyone who had gathered together to watch. She saw Sirius with an anxious look on his face. She smiled and winked at him. Then she closed her eyes and muttered a spell under her breath. With a soft 'pop', she disappeared. Everyone rushed over to the window and saw Edi waving to them out on the grounds.
"Whoa!" all the boys exclaimed.
"Wow!" all the girls exclaimed at the same time. Then they all ran outside to meet Edi, with Sirius, of course, in the lead.
"That was just amazing!" he called to her, running. He had brought her broom along for her. When he reached her, he dropped the broom, and he just engulfed her in a hug, before he could stop himself. Edi had returned it without hesitation.
When everyone caught up with them, they all praised Edi, who in turn, had blushed a deep shade of red.
"So uh, are we playing or not?" she said, trying to change the topic. Everyone agreed. The boys had gotten everything ready while they were waiting for Sirius and Edi. And so, since there were five boys, and five girls, they all teamed up against gender.
"This should be a piece of cake!" James joked to the guys who chuckled.
"Excuse me?" Lily said in mock anger. Then she turned to the girls. "Hey girls! Are we gonna let them get away with that?"
"Those are fighting words, Mr. Potter," Edi said, mockingly. "Remember, I was a captain."
"Oh yeah?" James said. "Just so you know. The girls don't really play. So you're pretty much on your own."
"But II'mI in ItheirI team," Edi said proudly. The other girls cheered happily. James just shook his head as he walked over to the trunk holding the balls. Sirius looked at Edi and smiled at her. She smiled back and winked at him.
~*~*~
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