Sirius didn't remember too much of the rest of the night. Come to think of it, he didn't even realize how he had made it to class the next morning. But he did and that's what counted. He finally mentally woke up at lunchtime to find himself at the Gryffindor table with his crew. Curses on Raddick, slimy git, Sirius frothed. He had spent all night doing the prat's busy work. The Slytherin head was, simply put, an ass. At least it was Friday.
Ava had sat down at the Ravenclaw table to have a conversation with one of their clan. After discussing what she needed to concerning the previous assignments, she headed back to her own table. She passed the marauders along the way, catching Remus' eye and smiling she sat down to say hi.
"Survived, eh?" She gave Sirius a nudge that knocked him out of his daze. He turned to look at her, the sleep, or lack there of, apparent. He gave her a small smile anyways.
Lily walked into the dining hall with some friends. She spotted Ava and walked towards her. Ava laughed mentally at the look Lily had on her face, the look that was wondering why Ava would be here of all places. Before Lily reached them, Ava turned to James a playful smile playing at her lips. "I saw you jetting across the quad the other day. Cute."
James looked at her for a moment, and then laughed with a small shrug. Lily walking up at this moment had a questioning look on her face. "What?"
"Just conversing," Ava supplied. "Didn't know it was prohibited." She smiled innocently at her friend.
"Hmph. This lot will get you in trouble." She mock glared around at the four. She turned back to Ava, "not that you need the help."
James looked at Lily, having at least an excuse. "Why's that?" he raised his hand up to her as a hint to take it and sit down with them. She accepted.
"Our little transfer student over here managed to lose the house quite a few handful of points over," she made a face, "sytherins."
Ava shrugged. "It was worth it, the stupid twats." Ava's eyes went big as she raised a hand to her mouth embarrassed. She flushed a slight red. "Sorry."
Lily was giving her a look. James and the rest just laughed. "We've all heard and said worse, especially about them, don't feel bad."
"We all know they're horrible," Lily snapped, "but we don't need to contribute."
"Guess I need to go clean more toilets. Maybe the fourth floor?" Ava teased her friend gently. Lily still glared at her, but finished by rolling her eyes.
Lily hadn't been surprised when Ava had got detention for the garbage she had spouted. Lily, Ava could tell, had had a very proper upbringing. Ava on the other hand was a little more 'rough and tumble'. But nonetheless, they still got along. A little difference was good in a relationship.
"Yeah, you know what?" Ava said peeking down at her watch. "I think I'll go get started on that. See you all later." She hopped up and left the hall.
"She was kidding I guess?" Peter spoke for the first time.
Lily laughed. "Yes, she needed to stop by the library before her next class."
"Me on the other hand? I would skip class in a heartbeat to clean the loos." Remus exaggerated. He gave a shrug. "But no matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to get detention."
"That's because you have a baby face. So innocent, so cute." Lily reached over and pinched Remus' cheek. She noticed a definite silence as she sat back down. "Sirius? Cat got your tongue?"
She looked over to find his arm propping him up, and dead to the world. Giggling she raised her finger to her lips in a 'shh' gesture. She got up and waved goodbye to them and headed for class.
"You know, now that I think about it," James mused, "Sirius didn't come in last night did he?"
"Don't think so." Remus agreed. Peter nodded.
Peter stood up and reached over and gave Sirius a swift tap, jarring him out of his sleep. He sent a glare at his waker then glanced around looking disappointed.
"Class time." Remus said reaching over the table and yanking him up. Sirius yawned. At least the day was closer to ending now that lunch was finished.
The day seemed to wear on for Sirius, not quite going as fast as he would have liked. But eventually he found himself at dinner again. This time, truly managing to be awake and alert this time. James was eating fast so he could finish and head out to practice. Remus had an opened book in his lap. Peter seemed to be looking around randomly at the rest of the students.
"You're going to chunder all that darting around up there." Sirius eyed James' vigor at eating, only slightly disgusted.
"Haven't before." James said between mouthfuls. With two more bites he was gone and out the door, broom in hand.
Remus headed of to the library after dinner, accompanied by a very lovely Ravenclaw. Sirius asked Peter if he was in the mood for a prank or two. With a noncommittal response, Sirius dragged him off to go find some fun.
*(~)*(~)*
The morning of Hogsmeade had finally arrived. Sirius could never understand why they didn't have them more often. What was the point of only a few trips when the village was right down the way? He took each opportunity when he could, lest there be detention involved. He saw Lily and James heading out the door together, and almost choked on the budding romance of it all. The rest of the marauders gave each other a silent nod and went off to find some feminine amusement and company.
After five years of authorized visiting the small village, it got old and if not extremely boring. It was old by the end of the first year he started going, legally. Of course the marauders had been before their third year. But something lacked in the tiny place now that he had been here so long.
Sirius walked around, talking with friends and femmes. He felt like he had outgrown this place, even school. His feelings from the start of the year floated back to him. He was ready to move on. As much as the marauders were his brothers, more so than his own real brother, he needed to move on. It was getting past the point where he felt he wanted to move, now it elevated to a need.
Quietly, Sirius wandered past the outskirt of the village into the surrounding fields and woods. He had also spent much time here, a lot of it in dog form. As if it were a revelation, Sirius felt the urge to transfigure. Things were easier, feelings simpler when one was a dog. Seeing a little rabbit, he went on the chase.
After flopping down in the grass, sprawled in the sun, tail-wagging Sirius enjoyed the peace. He usually loved to be around people, very true to dog form. But he did have to admit it was nice not to always have to be 'on'. True, he did love the flirting and the hi-jinx, but everyone needed a holiday.
Although he was used to being a dog a least a few nights every month, it was a nice break. He didn't go back to the school until late afternoon. Usually a late arrival on Sirius' part was due to a girl, even though this one wasn't, he just let everyone think so. It was early evening when he finally wandered into the common room. His face was still warm and glowing from his day off. It seemed to fit that he take a holiday after that horrid detention.
After dinner and a trip to the library, Sirius and Remus went through the castle to discuss upcoming hi-jinx. While Remus was not one to approve of the pranks, after seven years, Sirius could bounce ideas off him and get a slight nod or shake on his thoughts. Wandering through the halls they came across many desperate young girls in need of flirtation. Taking an odd way back to the commons, the two heard noises coming from a hall down the way.
"Hey!" Sirius quietly exclaimed, waving frantically for Remus to come listen. "It's Prongs and Evans!" he snickered.
"C'mon mate, give them some privacy," Remus pulled him away and into the common room.
*(~)*(~)*
The next week went off went out a hitch. Saturday, the game against Slytherin, was fast approaching. James had been gone every night out on the pitch as were various member of the team, including second string. Friday night was loud in the house that night. While many people would usually be on some sort of date, they opted instead to stay for a party to rally the troops for tomorrow's big game.
Ava, not one for pep rallies, sat in a corner looking out the window. The weather was getting colder now, and she gave a small shudder. Lily came bouncing over.
"C'mon Avie," She grabbed her arm to pull her up. "The fun's over here, and you're way over here. Let's go have some fun."
Ava slipped her arm out of Lily's grasp, though smiling. "Just give me a bit longer. I want to finish this letter." She sort of lied but wasn't in the mood quite yet to be sociable. She was writing a letter to a friend back home, using it as an excuse to people watch for a while. Lily shrugged a danced away.
Sirius saw the whole encounter and resisted the urge to grab that girl, toss her over his shoulder and make her have some fun. He gave her a few minutes, that seemed to creep by very slowly, and walked over to her. Sitting down in the chair next to her he just watched her waiting for her to acknowledge him.
"Yes?" she said, smiling, after a seconds of him staring.
"You can't tell me that you don't like quidditch." Sirius said with a mock seriousness. Like anyone else around here, he loved the game, though granted he wasn't obsessed like James.
"Yeah the game's great." She agreed.
"But?" Sirius said eyeing her with an inquisitive look.
"But I'm one of those mellow fans."
"'One of those', eh?" Sirius grinned at her words. She laughed too. He gave her an appraising look, and grabbed her hand. He stood up pulling her up with him. "Up, up. Lets go."
She bit her lip in hesitance. He turned and gave her a look by narrowing his eyes and then continued along. He pulled her along lightly so that if she wanted to she could back out. To his delight she followed him willingly. When they got back over by the crowd he pulled her over to him to dance with when Heath picked up his guitar and started playing.
Lily bit her own lip trying to hold back the huge smile she had on her lips. She wasn't too successful, her smile obvious. She was happy that Sirius had pulled Ava over to join the fun. Lily couldn't really blame her for agreeing to go with Sirius and not Lily herself. Sometimes-not every time, but sometimes, a guy is more convincing than a friend, especially when it was Sirius. Lily laughed and joined along as James lured her to the makeshift dancing floor-a little bit of space cleared in the middle where the chairs had been pushed back. Overall, Gryffindor was ready to face Slytherin.
::Thanks everyone for the reviews! Thanks to all you who read and don't leave reviews I still love ya! I am hard at work trying to get this out quick. Contrary to tradition on fanfic.net I'm going to be posting like mad trying to get this story out of my brain by spring break. I know I will get distracted and wont get back to it if I don't. Besides, I love this story so much I just can't wait for you all to read it!! Keep on reading!!