A SLIGHT CHANGE
CH.5- LETTERS
DISCLAIMER- You know it. My grandma's here and now I don't even have my room. Sorry, there aren't any separator things but my computer won't save em to the story. I'll make the first word of a new "part" in all caps.
A/N- I know I said Sirius's eyes were brown but I saw a picture and realized that his eyes were blue. Yay, Gary gets to keep his perty eyes! And for his Animagus form, I took the description from the book because I just don't like the Grim. It creeps me out. I also changed Reina's age. Instead of turning five, she's turning six.
"Sorry, lad!" A wizard in ragged clothing yelled.
I surveyed the tavern until I finally caught sight of Remus, who was talking with a young girl while Snape looked on. This is my chance. I can run away now and never have to go through this again. I can pretend I never saw the photograph on Snape's desk. I can forget that Remus and Snape ever had a relationship.
No. I am going to make an appearance. If Reina doesn't like me, so be it, just as long as she knows I exist.
As I made my way towards their table, someone grabbed me around the waist and into a bone crushing hug.
"Hey, Lor!"
I looked into those familiar blue eyes and my jaw dropped. "Sirius? Is that you?"
Sirius Black's grin grew wider. "You like?" He had cut his scraggly hair and now it was slightly spiked and pointing every which way. His goatee was neatly trimmed and sprinkled with grey. He looked like a whole new man. Except for the haunted look in his eyes. But other than that, he looked hot!
"Wow, I… you look great!"
"Thanks. Hey, I saw your dad over there with Snape. I better warn you, Snape's in a foul mood. Watch out."
"Thanks, Siri."
"'Siri'. That's cute."
"Do me a favor: Never say cute again." I gave him a pat on the shoulder and finally made it to Remus's table.
"Lor, you made it." Remus smiled up at me as I took a seat beside him.
"Sorry, I'm late. I ran into Sirius."
"He looks good, doesn't he?"
"I wouldn't have recognized him if he hadn't have mobbed me." I turned to the little girl sitting next to Snape, chewing on a Chocolate Frog. "Hello."
"Hi."
"I'm Lorelai, your, um… your sister."
She looked questioningly at Snape, who nodded. "You're my sister?"
"Sure am."
She hopped out of her seat and crawled into my lap, wrapping her skinny arms around my neck.
"I've always wanted a big sister," she said.
"Well, I can't say that I felt the same way, but I'll give it a shot." I glanced at her shirt. "Do you like the Kicks?"
"'Hello, Hong Kong'." She mock saluted me and burst into a fit of giggles.
"Well, you have good taste. So, what did you get for your birthday? I made you a card."
We chatted until way past four when Snape decided to take Reina home. After promising to write, I gave her a good-bye hug and watched her leave with Snape.
After four hours of talking, I felt as if I grew up having Reina as a sister. As strange as it may seem, I got along really well with the little girl. She seemed so much older than her six years. We talked mostly about music (she likes the Chili Peppers!) but we also touched on the subjects of books and famous wizards. She knew quite a bit, despite her young age.
"YOU two seemed to get along fairly well," Remus stated as we walked back to Hogwarts.
"She's great! If I had to choose anyone to be my little sister, I'd choose her in a heartbeat."
"That's good."
"Hello, Lupin's!" Sirius popped between us, wrapping one arm around each of our shoulders. "How's it hanging?"
"That doesn't deserve an answer. But, good. And you, buddy?"
"A little to the left, my young lady."
"Sirius!" Remus scolded. "She has virgin ears."
"Bollocks! She's been around me for a month. She's learned."
"More than I needed to," I muttered.
"Ah, there's where you're wrong. You haven't learned enough. Repeat after me: fuckpad."
"What the heck's that mean?"
"No bloody idea, but it sounds brilliant!"
"NOW, your homework is to bring your stuffed rat back as a live rat tomorrow." Professor McGonaggal dismissed the class after a rather unsuccessful lesson of Transfiguration. Ron managed to get his rat's nose to twitch but poor Neville's rat lost its stuffing, leaving just the shell of fabric.
It's been a week since mine and Hermione's disagreement and I've managed to extract a few words from her. Though we still don't talk as much as we did at 12 Grimmauld place, we can carry a conversation, so that's a start.
"That went well. Don't you think?" She asked, cradling her squirming rat, whom she named Michel.
"Just peachy," Ron mumbled, watching the nose of his rat twitch.
Harry reached for my hand, weaving his fingers into mine. sigh
"Whatcha holding Kelsey's hand for, Potter? Scared?" Draco Malfoy appeared in front of us, his white blonde hair glossy.
"Bugger off, Malfoy," Harry snarled.
"Why, are you gonna sic your daddy-in-law on me?"
"Back off, Malfoy." I glared at him as we shoulder past him and continued to Defense Against the Dark Arts, I was still grasping onto Harry's hand.
"Are you two going together?" Ron asked.
"I think so," Harry admitted.
"Yes, we are." I smiled into Harry's eyes as Hermione scoffed.
"You two just met a month ago. Isn't it a little soon?" She enquired.
"I think it's about time," Ron stated.
"Me, too." Harry nodded.
"QUIET down, class." Remus cleared his throat as the class hushed. "Thank you. Today we are going to begin learning about Animagi. Does anyone know what an Animagus is?"
Hermione, of course, raised her hand.
"Yes, Miss Granger?"
"An Animagus is a person who can transform into a chosen animal whenever he or she wishes."
"Correct. Ten points to Gryffindor."
"Way to go, 'Mione!" I congratulated her, but she just huffed. Fine, then. Be that way.
"A dear friend of mine just happens to be an Animagus so please welcome Sirius Black."
Several people gasped loudly as Sirius entered from the door that leads to Remus's dorm. Girls began pointing and giggling, saying how different he looked. Boys were just psyched about having a "murderer" in the classroom. Honestly, guys, don't you read the papers? He's innocent!
Sirius looked slightly nervous but still relished in all of the attention he was receiving. I could practically hear the girls' hearts flutter. He's, like, twenty years older than you! Bad!
"Hello," he said. Everybody in the class replied enthusiastically except Malfoy and his gang. They just made a rude remark about whether or not Remus and Siri were "more than friends". Sometimes I just want to bloody his friggin' face.
"Before we get to studying, does anyone have any questions for Mr. Black?" All the hands flew into the air. "Yes, Miss Cayum?"
A timid looking Slytherin stood up. "Are you really innocent?"
I could see Sirius's jaw clench tightly. "Yes, I am really innocent. Can we please stick to the subject of Animagi, please?"
"Of course, Sirius." Remus nodded to Harry, whose hand was raised.
"What animal is your Animagus form?" Of course, Harry already knew the answer; he knows just about everything about Sirius.
"Good question. My Animagus form is that of a big, black dog. It's about the size of the Newfoundland breed. Large and fluffy."
"Let's see it," Malfoy said with a sneer.
Sirius shrugged. "Okay. Those with a weak stomach might want to leave."
Nobody left.
Sirius took a final glance at Remus before his face took that of a dog. (AN- I don't really know how they transform. Sorry.) His nose grew into his mouth, forming a snout and his blue eyes became rounder than usual. Black hair covered his body, leaving no part untouched. He hunched over and a tail sprouted from his behind, causing people to groan, Finally, a dog stood before us, panting slightly.
"He's so cute!"
"May we pet him?"
Remus looked down at Sirius, asking, "Can they pet you?"
In response, the dog rolled over onto his back, awaiting a belly rub. Several people chuckled at this doggy antic. When class ended, almost all of the students stayed behind, seeing as to this was the last class on Thursdays.
I stood next to Remus, watching Sirius being spoiled by the girls.
"He's in Heaven," I commented.
"And he's loving every minute of it."
"Will he be here tomorrow?" A Gryffindor asked.
"We'll see."
"Okay. Bye, Sirius. Take it easy, Professor."
After everyone left, except Ron, Harry, and myself, (Hermione had to go to the library) Sirius nudged my hand with his wet nose. I pet the huge dog, sitting down next to him and trying to figure out what was wrong with Hermione. We were doing fine until she found out that Harry and I was seeing each other. Was she jealous? I doubt it. I'm pretty sure she has a thing for Ron. Then what's her problem?
"Ron and I are going to dinner," Harry told me. "See ya later?"
I nodded, forcing a smile. "You bet."
"All right." He left, with Ron following him. Sirius walked into Remus's dorm and emerged back in his human form, still wearing his Muggle clothing: blue jeans and a black sweater. (AN- I think black sweaters are sexy.)
"I noticed something during class," Remus started. "Miss Granger was giving you the cold shoulder. Why's that?"
"I don't really know. I don't think… She was kind of upset when she found out that I was going out with Harry, but I don't think she's jealous."
"She's jealous all right," Sirius said, lighting a cigarette. "She thinks you're stealing her friends."
"What makes you think that?"
"Well, you're an outgoing kid, unlike Hermione, and you're easy to talk to. You joke around a lot and you're into Quidditch. You're the total opposite of Hermione and just the type of friend the boys need. That makes Hermione jealous because the boys want to hang out with you instead of her."
"Oh."
"Just try to include her in your things." He blew a perfect smoke ring as Remus looked on, disgusted.
"You are slowly killing yourself."
"Well, you've got to go someday, right?" He smirked.
"How long are you staying?" I asked him.
"Dunno. However long Dumbledore'll let me. All those damn Death Eaters are still after me just because they don't like me."
"So you're safer here."
"Yep. But I can't stay here forever." He ran a hand through his newly cropped hair and sighed. "I get restless very easily."
"You speak the truth." Remus nodded knowingly.
Sirius stood up quickly. "Time to eat."
"All righty. Ya wanna sit with us, Siri?"
"You called me Siri again."
"And you think it's adorable."
"So?" He stuck out his elbow to be and I latched on as Remus trailed behind, a small smile on his lips.
I'M all at sea, where no one can bother me
Forgot my roots, if only for a day
Just me and my thoughts, sitting far away…
Jamie Cullum's voice sang me to my own sea, where I was deep in though. What Sirius said, could it be true? Did Hermione actually think that I was trying to steal her best friends from her? That's crazy! I'll have to talk to her later, maybe try and talk some sense into her. In the meantime, I'll just take Jamie Cullum's advice and forget my roots while I get lost at sea….
"LOR… Lor, you've got an owl. Lorelai, wake up!"
I felt my cheek hit the cold hard floor as I was pushed out of bed. I groaned, rubbing the side of my face, as I looked into the bright green eyes of… Ron.
"You're not allowed in the girls' dorm. How'd you get in here?"
"'Mione let me follow her."
I looked at Becks, who was quietly nibbling Ron's ear. "Why didn't Becks just bring it to me?"
"Oh, it was addressed to Lupin and I ran into him in the hall so I volunteered to bring it to you."
"Well, thanks."
"I'm gonna go now." He raced down the corridor and I laughed as the stairs turned to a slide and he toppled down to the common room.
I took the rolled up parchment and looked at it. It was from my mom.
Lorelai,
I'm sorry I didn't right sooner but I was scared. Of what? I don't know. Probably the fact that I might still be in love with Remus or someone else. You're probably rolling your eyes at me right now ( and I was) but I don't know.
Anyways, how's he treating you? Good, I hope. Nothing's changed here. I got a puppy though. A little boxer pup. I named him Moony Padfoot, which were Remus and Sirius's nicknames. He's a cutie.
How's Hogwarts? Have you met Harry Potter? (I laughed. If only she knew.) I hope you're having fun.
Oh, on one final note to make you jealous: I saw Bon Jovi in concert. (I gasped. Nuh-uh!) Yep. I saw him shake his oh-so-fine-leather-clad booty.
I asked Remus if I could come see you during Christmas Break. I hope I can.
I love you, sweetie.
Mom
I jumped up and down on my bed, laughing happily. I might see my mom at Christmas! That would be the best Christmas present.
I took a shower and put on my Muggle clothes since today was Saturday. I went to the almost vacant common room and caught Remus and Sirius talking with Harry.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," Sirius greeted.
"Mornin', Siri. Um, Dad, can I talk to you?"
"Sure."
I led Remus to a secluded corner where I hope nobody heard us.
"I got a letter from Mom…. Why is your nickname Moony?"
He laughed softly. " Back at school,. I hung out with a group of guys and we called ourselves the Marauders. We all had nicknames that dealt with our Animagus- or unintentional- forms. James Potter was Prongs because he was a deer. Sirius was Padfoot, since he was a dog. Peter Pettigrew was a rat so we called him Wormtail. And I, a werewolf, became Moony."
"Oh. Now it makes sense."
"Did she tell you about Christmas break?"
"Yes, and now I've got my hopes up." I added a big smile in hopes of getting him to say yes.
"Did she tell you anything else?"
"She said she looooooves you," I said in a sing-song voice.
He grinned broadly. "Really?"
"Yep."
"Um, splendid! I'll go owl her now." He ran off to his dorm and I rejoined Harry and Sirius.
"So... What's Moony so happy about?" Sirius asked.
"He figured something out."
"Ooh, cryptic. What'd he figure out?"
"He'll tell you if he wants you to know."
"You are so much like your mother. You're both impossible."
"You knew Mom well, then?" I asked, eyes bright.
"Oh, yes. I dated her for a while."
"Serious?"
"What?"
"No, I mean, are you serious?"
"Did you really date her mom?" Harry rephrased my question exasperatedly.
"Yeah, I did. She was the first girl I ever really loved."
"That's hard to believe," Harry mumbled.
"Shut up." He playfully shoved his godson, laughing. Wow, it's been so long since he laughed and, now that he's a free man, it seems to be all he's doing. It's kind of nice actually.
"No really. I loved Tina." He smiled in reminiscence. "We met at a party that my mom threw when we were 13. After we met, we spent loads of time together. She was great and we had such a good time together. We would cause trouble and laugh and just do things that lovers do. When I ran away to the Potters', she would still come and visit." He turned to me and asked, "What's she doing now? Is she seeing anyone?"
"Well, um, I'm not entirely sure. I mean, she might have met somebody while I was gone." I didn't want to tell him that she might still have feelings for Remus, because that would surely hurt him. Great, now I'm torn between wanting Mom to get back with my father and Sirius wanting to get with Mom. It's a friggin' love triangle. It's time for a pro and con list.
The good things about Remus: 1. He fathered her only child. 2. He obviously still loves her and she might feel the same. 3. He's a great guy. The bad things: 1. He's a werewolf. 2. He's got other responsibilities with Reina.
Time to "pro" Sirius: 1.They seemed to get along well and have fun together. 2. He has some sort of feelings towards her. I mean, she was his first love and all. 3. He's fun to be around. 4. He's good-looking (always a plus). The bad: 1. He's an ex-convict. 2. He's known as a "player" or "womanizer".
Well, they both have two cons but Sirius has more pros, so… why the hell am I letting a stupid list choose for me? And why's it choosing for me? Mom's the one who's gonna be dating the guy! Who would I rather her be with?
Geez, I don't know.
Remus, my father? Well, yeah.
Sirius, my friend? Quite a possibility.
Jesus Christ, help me.