November Snows Bring Surprises
Snow fell in the first week of November, making many of the students grumpy about having to stay indoors, but Harry and Ron, to Penny's dismay, took to asking her about girl's opinions, and attitudes, and what they should do if they wanted to ask a girl to the ball.
The only advice she chose to give was that they had better ask someone soon, before all the options were taken. Hermione, who was reading a book about Divinations, (to Harry and Ron's surprise) turned to smirk at them, as they tried to shrug off the "I told you so" eyes she gave them.
One night as they all sat around the fire talking about homework, Penny laughing as the boys asked Hermione for help instead of putting in a little more effort, a head popped into the fire suddenly. It was an odd sight, to see a head with no connected limbs attached. It faded out quickly as it made a momentary eye contact with her. She looked wide eyed at the others, and asked "Wha...what was that?" pointing at the fire, fighting the mumbling words she tried to say properly.
Harry and Ron startled, and looked over to where she pointed, but Hermione laughed and said "Sirius, it's alright..she's a friend." Penny's jaw dropped. What was this all about. Harry seemed to relax even more now, and turned to face the fire. "She's right Sirius, come on back."
Seconds later the head reappeared, and Penny tried not to stare at the unnattached extremity. It was hard to believe such a thing was possible.
Sirius greeted Harry with a grin, and Ron with a laugh as Ron looked up from another round of making up future sufferings for Divinations with Trelawney. "Harry, do you think I should get run over by a giant cat, or hit by a Nightbus next week?" Penny rolled her eyes at this, and Hermione must have too, for Sirius had to blink, and looked from one to the other with an "I don't believe there's another one!" look. Hermione snickered and moved closer to the edge of her chair.
"Sirius, this is Pe-"
"Phoenix..." Sirius interupted Hermione's attempt at an introduction. "I should have known you'd be old enough to attend Hogwart's this year." He looked satisfied at this, and turned toward Harry without commenting furthur. "Dumbledore's got a few surprises up his beard yet..!" he smiled again, and turned once again to Penny.
She shook her head, confused. How was it that all of Hogwarts seemed to know who she was, yet she did not?
Unfortunately, Hermione rose, and ushered them all off to bed, with a glance to Sirius and Harry that said they were exempt from the scrutiny of the prefect.