Sweet in Winter, Sweet in Rain

By ann no aku

General Disclaimer:  Harry Potter is owned by J.K Rowling.  The opening quote is a portion of the song "Dirty Epic" by Underworld

Author's Note:  Takes place during the Christmas holiday of the Marauders sixth year.  And a special thanks to all of my loyal reviewers (save Nik, she's evil!)  Also, with exams on the way, I may to only be able to update once a week.  Thanks again!!

Opening Quote:  "Ride the sainted rhythms on the midnight train to Romford.
Ride the sainted rhythms.
Sweet in winter, sweet in rain.  Shake well before use she said.
You never touch me anymore this way.  Oh no.
Connector connector connector connector.
You're a connector connector connector connector."

Chapter Two:  Ride the Sainted Rhythms on the Midnight Train to Romford

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          "This has to be the dumbest thing you have ever come up with, Prongs!" Sirius hissed as the three of them exited the Potter's house.  "I hate not being able to see you."

          "Well, somebody has to pay fare on the Knight bus, and you lost," James prompted as he tugged the cloak tighter over him and Remus.

          "This is not fair.  We are going to visit your stupid Muggle born obsession, and I have to pay fare?"

          "Come on, Padfoot, stick out your wand and signal the Knight bus," Remus commanded trying to stop himself from laughing.

          "I cannot believe the two of you," he grumbled as his wand tip lit up.  "How do you even know where she lives anyway?"

          "Sh, the bus is here," James ordered not wanting to answer the question.

          "Just one, eh?" the old man standing in the doorway asked.

          "Yeah," he replied shuffling through his pockets for some sickles.

          "Three sickles, then.  Hurry up, boy; this bus has places to go.  Where you headed?"

          "Er," Sirius paused.

          "Well?"

          "Magnolia Drive," James whispered.

          "What was that?" the man demanded sounding irritated.

          "Magnolia Drive," Sirius echoed.

          "Visiting a Muggle, eh?"

          "Something like that," he grumbled as he entered the bus.  There were half a dozen tables with two to three chairs each.  He figured that it must be lunchtime for the other riders.  Sirius sat down at a table with three seats and wished that he didn't have to look like he was all alone.  He watched in mild interest as the chairs slid across the floor and banged into each other creating a lot of noise.  Sirius began to wonder if the driver or the door hop would notice that two chairs accompanying him were not moving and very close together.  Then, he decided that he did not care.  The fact that he was on his way to some stupid Muggle's house had him annoyed enough as it was.

          "Magnolia Drive is next!" the driver announced after a house jumped clearly out of the bus's way.

          "Great," Sirius mumbled to himself wishing that he could talk to his friends.  Never before had he been the one left out.  It had always been Pettigrew looking awkward in the group.  Not that he didn't like Pettigrew, okay, so he didn't, but the little rat deserved it at times.  He seemed to play the field between him and his friends, and that stupid git Snape.

          Being so lost in his thoughts, Sirius hardly noticed that the bus had stopped and had to be nudged by an invisible James.  He wanted to turn around and snarl at him for stabbing him so hard in the shoulder with his wand.  He did not know which house belonged to the Muggleborn, so just listened to the whispered directions from James.  "I think it's this one!"

          "How do you know anyway?" he demanded trying to look as though he was not talking to himself as his shoes crunched in the snow up the driveway.

          "Well, all those time's in Filch's office sure came of some use."

          "Besides the map, you mean," Lupin corrected.

          "Yeah," he agreed not sounding as enthused.

          "What do I do?  Knock on the door?"  Sirius started hating the idea of visiting Lily more and more as the seconds ticked by.  He approached the large wooden door and rapped on it twice silently hoping there'd be no answer.

          "Eh, good afternoon!" Mr. Evans came to the door looking almost as uneasy as Sirius felt.  He eyed his odd attire and took note of his robes.  "Friend of Lily's, I presume?"

          "Yeah, is she in?" he asked trying not to sound so uncomfortable.

          "Yes, come on in."  He opened the door widely, but not wide enough to fit the two hidden boys beneath the cloak.  They slipped quietly through the crack and waited in the parlor.  "Lily, someone from your school is here to see you!" Mr. Evans called from the bottom of the stairs.  "Wait just right here, I reckon she'll be down in a minute."

          "Thanks."

          As Mr. Evans slipped back into the den, James and Remus slid the invisibility cloak off of themselves and waited anxiously for Lily to come down the stairs.

This is the end of Chapter Two!  I hope that you enjoyed!  I am sorry that it is so short!  Have a good Thanksgiving!

~ann no aku