Disclaimer: I own nothing. Not the characters, not the places, just the plot. Everything else belongs to JK Rowling and associates.
Chapter One: The Vision
It was late into the night when Sabrina woke up in a cold sweat. She was tangled in her bed sheets and didn't quite remember why she woke up. Then it slowly came back to her. The dream. She remembered the setting – a dark room somewhere in London – and the people there. She had seen Peter Pettigrew talking to a tall, thin man wearing a black cloak in hushed voices. Just over the bustle of a nearby room she had heard what he said. I have information for you, Peter had said to the cloaked man in a strong voice that was very unlike his own. Then everything went dark and she had woken up. She didn't know what it meant. She sat there, wondering about this, not quite sure what to do. She got up and put on her dressing gown before leaving the room and going next door. She pushed on the door slightly and walked in. She moved towards the bed on the opposite wall. Under it's covers was her boyfriend of three years, Sirius Black. She got under the covers with him and kissed his cheek. He woke up slowly and turned to look at her.
"What is it Butterfly?" he asked, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. She settled herself in the crook of his arm.
"I had a dream," she said, laying her head on his chest and listening to him breathe. br
"Was it a vision?" he asked, intertwining his fingers with his and laying his hand on the worn comforter.
"I'm not sure. I saw Peter peddling information. If it was a vision, it won't come true for a long time, because it was short and unclear," she said, screwing up her face to remember all the details.
"Well, let's not worry about it tonight," Sirius said. He snuggled closer to Sabrina and kissed her. She settled into his arms and tried to forget her dream, but it stayed on her mind.
The next day, Sabrina woke up in Sirius room, but he wasn't there. She sat up slowly, letting the blood rush from her head, before surveying the room from the comfort of the bed. The midday sun was shining through the bay window, whose window seat was covered in a yellow blanket with red Quaffles on it. On top of the old oak dresser that used to reside in his parents house in London were several picture frames. She got up and walked over to the dresser. She picked up the nearest frame and looked at the moving picture inside. She remembered the scene well. It was from their graduation. They were all wearing their graduation robes and brimmed hats, holding their diplomas. Lily and Sabrina were crying their eyes out while everyone else was grinning madly. The frame next to it caught Sabrina's eye. There were only two people in this picture. They were hugging and kissing constantly, while waving at the person taking the picture. It was Sirius and Sabrina. Sabrina remembered that day fondly. She glanced down at her hand to look at the ring that sat there – her promise ring. Sirius had given it to her just after graduation. She smiled when she recalled how he had knelt down and given his little monologue about how they were too young to get married, but that he loved her more than anything or anyone in the world. She was so lost in the fond memory that she didn't even notice who walked in.
"Sabrina?" James asked cautiously. Sabrina jumped slightly before smiling when she saw who it was.
"Hey James," she replied.
"What are you doing in here?" he asked.
"I could ask you the same thing," she said, putting her hands on her hips, knowing his prankster ways. He smiled weakly and presented the odd contraption he was holding behind his back. It looked like a black box, but upon closer inspection, she saw that it had a microphone and speaker.
"I've been tinkering with a few of Lily's muggle things," he confessed. "Just planning on testing it out."
"Well, you'll have to test it somewhere else," Sabrina said, taking the box from James and carrying it out of the room.
"Sirius went to work," James said, following behind because he wanted his prank back.
"I know," she said, sighing.
"Is something wrong?" Sabrina stopped.
"I'm worried," she replied.
"What's happened?"
"Nothing yet. But I had a dream. I saw Peter peddling information," Sabrina told her friend. James waved it off.
"It's probably nothing. Divination is tricky like that. You think that the most realistic dream is a prophesy, and it turns out to be the opposite."
"That's basically what Sirius said," Sabrina said, not very convinced of this. "Here," she said, tossing the prank back at James and continuing to the kitchen.
"G'afternoon Sabs," Lily greeted her best friend.
"Good afternoon," she replied, not her usual cheerful self.
"What's the matter?" she asked, eying James and his contraption.
"Nothing," Sabrina said, deciding to wave it off like everyone else. As soon as she had said that, she felt a sinking feeling in her stomach, but accredited it to being hungry. "So, what's for lunch?"
"Eggs and bacon," Lily said with a half-hearted smile as she went to tend to her son, Harry.
"Again?" Sabrina asked, not wanting to be rude.
"That's all we have in the house. The Order has us on lock down. We are only allowed to go to and from work," Lily said.
"Which explains why James has resorted to tampering with your electronics," Sabrina said before realizing that her slip of the tongue had just ratted out James. Lily immediately went to take James' contraption from him. Meanwhile, Sabrina munched on a piece of bacon. As she poured herself some pumpkin juice, someone put their hands over her eyes.
"Guess who," said a voice that was unmistakable.
"Sirius," Sabrina said, putting down her glass, taking both his hands and wrapping them around her frame. "I thought you were at work."
"I got off early," he said as he laid his chin on her head.
"If you keep this up Mr. Florenscean is going to fire you," Sabrina said.
"It doesn't matter. I've got two others," Sirius said before burying his face in her black hair.
"James has been bored out of his mind around here," Sabrina said.
"Why do you think I've been working so much? This house is so depressing," Sirius said, taking a look at the cheery yellow kitchen. "Well, maybe not, but it's not that exciting either."
"Why does the Order have us holed up in here anyway?" Sabrina asked. Sirius was silent and didn't answer. "Sirius?" He let go of her hands, took a piece of bacon and walked away from her. He flopped down on the couch in front of the fireplace, which had a roaring fire in it, even though it was summer. Sabrina followed him and sat next to him. "Sirius what's wrong?" She laid a gentle hand on his while he stared at the fire a moment longer before speaking, taking the opportunity to bit off a piece of the bacon.
"James and Lily are in trouble," Sirius whispered. He looked around to make sure that they weren't in the room. When he was sure they weren't, he continued. "Voldemort is after them. He wants Lily for some reason and James won't take that lying down, so both of them are in trouble."
"But why would Voldemort want Lily?" Sabrina asked, tears beginning to glisten in her eyes. What would the most powerful evil wizard want with her best friend?
"Probably to get to James. If he had Lily, James would do just about anything to save her," Sirius said.
"And he's a powerful Auror," Sabrina finished. Sirius just nodded. "Why didn't anyone tell me this?" Silent tears were now rolling down her cheeks. She was caught between feeling mad and worried out of her mind. She was worried for Lily and James, two of her longtime friends, but she was also mad at everyone for not telling her what was going on. She felt like she couldn't be trusted, or that they didn't tell her because it wouldn't do any good.
"We didn't want you to worry. That's why I was a little reluctant about telling you myself. After your dream, I wasn't sure how you were going to take it," Sirius said, looking her in the eye as if trying to read her mind and find out what she was thinking. Sabrina stopped crying. She was still extremely worried, now more than ever, but she knew that she must be brave. For everyone's sake. She stood up and took Sirius by the hand. He followed her, not quite sure what they were doing. Sabrina led him to the balcony and the few plants potted there, which they affectionately called the 'garden.' She sat on the lounge chair, it's blue cushion faded from the sun, and Sirius sat on the end of it. Neither of them dared to continue the conversation from inside, fully aware of how easy it would be to eavesdrop, even if they did have the seventh storey flat. Sabrina laid down on the chair and motioned for Sirius to do the same. She kissed him and he put a hand on her hip, pulling her closer.
"So, how was work today?" she asked, laying her head on the cushion, allowing the warm summer sun to beat on her face, patches of shade from the small trees protecting her from it. The pleasant aroma of roses was present and it only added to the atmosphere.
"Well, I guess it was okay. But I guess it depends on your definition of okay. What I think is okay may be different from what you think. I scooped ice cream in Diagon Alley in a freezer-like shop for five straight hours. Call it what you will," he said. Sabrina laughed at his logic and Sirius responded with his bark of a laugh. She closed her eyes as her body and soul were warmed by her surroundings. Sirius wrapped his arm around her, pulling her to him until she was tucked between his arm and chest. He pressed his lips to her neck and began to move slowly towards her mouth. Their lips met and departed. "I love you," Sirius whispered in her ear. She raised her hand and caressed his cheek, looking deeply into his dark brown eyes.
"I love you more," Sabrina whispered back. They shared a smile.
"Not possible," Sirius responded. They lay there, enjoying the good weather and each other's company for a good hour or two. They spoke of things with no importance whatsoever, just listening to each others voice.
At around two o'clock, Sirius had fallen asleep in the sun, with Sabrina still in his arms. She lay there with him, nearing sleep as well, when Lily walked quietly onto the balcony.
"Sabrina," she whispered. "Sabs, it's two. You'd better get ready for work," she said. Sabrina moved slightly to look at the watch on Sirius' wrist. He stirred slightly.
"Thanks, Lil," she told Lily. She then turned back to Sirius, who had his arms wrapped around her. "Sirius," she said in a soft sing song voice. When this didn't work, she kissed his chin, hoping that this would allow her to go and get ready.
"Hmm?" he said groggily as his eye lids lifted slowly. He smiled when he saw her.
"Siri, I've got to get ready for work now," she said, still wrapped in his arms.
"Say that again?" he asked, still half asleep, now rubbing his eyes in an effort to wake himself up.
"I've got to go to work," Sabrina said. She hated to leave him so suddenly, but this was her only chance to get out of the house for a few days and if she didn't go, she would inevitably go mad. Sabrina kissed the top of Sirius' head before heading to her room to change into her uniform. She pulled the navy blue skirt and white long sleeve button down shirt from her closet and changed quickly. She then stepped in front of her mirror to pull her hair back. She tied it back in a quick and effective bun and began to swipe a little eye shadow around her green cat-like eyes. While concentrating on her make up, she didn't notice Sirius creep up. Only when she saw him in the mirror did she realize his presence.
"What time do you get off work?" Sirius asked, wrapping his arms around her stomach.
"Eight o'clock," she said, continuing her beautification process. She pulled out a black eye liner pencil and began to apply it. Meanwhile, Sirius was examining all the instruments that were spread out on her dresser.
"Why would anyone want to use this?" Sirius asked, picking up her eye lash curler. "They all look like torture devices."
"Because they make us beautiful," Sabrina answered, taking her eye lash curler from him and turning her straight lashes into gorgeously curled ones.
"But you are beautiful," Sirius said, kissing her cheek. She finished applying her lipstick before turning to Sirius.
"Thank you, but I am not taking off of work. I haven't been outside this house in over two days," she said, brushing past Sirius to get her apron. When she had everything she needed, she took Sirius by the hand and led him to the lift. She stepped inside and turned to Sirius.
"Well, have fun. Don't work too hard," Sirius said. Sabrina smiled.
"I won't."
"And come home early if you can," he added.
"I will." She looped her arms around Sirius' middl e. "I love you."
"I love you more," Sirius answered, knowing what her response would be.
"Not possible," she replied. They both smiled at their inside joke. Sabrina kissed Sirius good bye before apparating to the Ministry, where she and Lily worked together in the small café located near the Atrium.
