Faith wrapped the scarf tighter round her neck and leaned into James' warm chest. Kira and Sirius sat down in the snow next to them, watching over the icy lake.
"Where's Remus?" Kira asked, playing with the snow.
"Hospital Wing. Full moon's on Saturday, remember." Faith said, rubbing her fingers in an attempt to return some feeling to them.
"You all coming?" James asked, pulling a snitch from his pocket, and tossing it in the air.
"No, I can't," Kira said. James and Faith stared at her, the snitch forgotten. Sirius jumped up and grabbed the small golden ball before it flew off over the lake.
"And why not?" Faith asked, crossing her arms over her chest and looking expectantly at Kira.
"I have to help Avery with Transfiguration."
"Still?" James asked. Kira nodded and threw the snow on the ground that she had been playing with, before pulling her hand inside her cloak.
"That sucks," Faith grumbled.
"Don't I know it," Kira said, standing up and starting back up to the castle.
"Where are you going?" Sirius called.
"To the hospital wing," Kira said, before disappearing inside.
"Hey Remus," Faith said sitting down next to the bed. He smiled weakly, propping himself up against the feather pillows as James and Sirius walked in.
"We're joining you tomorrow," James said, grinning, ruffling Remus' sandy hair.
"How was Kira?" Sirius asked.
"I haven't seen her," Remus said, batting James' hand away.
"What?" Faith asked confused.
"Why?" Remus asked, just as confused.
"She said she was going to the hospital wing," Sirius said.
"Oh, you're the only ones who've been here," Remus said, shaking his head slightly.
Kira sat on the cold stone, watching the clouds. Ignoring the numb feeling spreading through her legs, she remained motionless, counting the minutes. A flutter of wings to her left made her turn, and an owl she didn't' recognise alighted next to her. She pulled the parchment out, curious of who would have written to her when they could have easily found her. Reading the letter, Kira's face turned slightly pale.
"Remember Saturday. I'll be waiting for you."
She groaned slightly. There goes all hope of sneaking out with Remus. Quickly she took out a quill and scribbled back, "How could I forget?" before throwing the owl over the turret of the astronomy tower. It flapped its wings and hooted indignantly at her, nipping her sharply on the hand before flying away.
"Where did you go?"
"I was in the astronomy tower," Kira said curling deeper into the armchair. Faith stared at her.
"What were you doing there?"
"Thinking."
"But it was bloody freezing!"
"I am well aware of that fact. Can we go to supper?"
"Not until you tell me why you were up there." Faith folded her arms and Kira groaned at her stubborn friend.
"So, now you're depriving me of food as well?" Faith merely raised an eyebrow and said nothing. Kira sighed. "I already told you. I was thinking."
"About what?" Faith asked suspiciously.
"Transfiguration," Kira said simply before walking out of the common room and down to the great hall. Faith hurried after her, sitting down opposite James and Sirius.
"Don't worry about it, honestly," Faith said, laying a calming hand on her arm. Kira turned to face her, a worried frown creasing her brow.
"Faith, he scares me," she said, shaking her head slightly as if to dodge the memory. "We duelled, and he... I ran out. He sent me an owl reminding me about tomorrow." Faith smiled sympathetically.
"Just eat, Kira. Food always cheers you up. You'll feel much better afterwards, and warmer." Kira complied, fiddling with her food dejectedly as Faith turned to James and Sirius. "Planning something?" She asked, taking in their excited faces. They grinned.
"Maybe," James said mysteriously.
"Hey, where was Kira?" Sirius asked, glancing across at her as she pushed the food around her plate.
"She went to the astronomy tower," Faith replied before turning back to Kira. "Stop being stupid. I know that you know you're hungry so stop worrying and eat!" Kira smiled sheepishly at her friend before eating a potato.
"How come she never listens to me?" Sirius grumbled.
"Because you're you," Faith said simply, smirking at him. James shrugged as Sirius turned to him confused and hurt.
"Women," James muttered.
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