Chapter 1 – English Summer Rain
Clothes…everywhere. Remus had never seen so many clothes in one place! And more kept coming! They were flying at light speed out of his sister's room. He shook his head and started down the hall to his own room when a certain article of clothing hit him smack in the face. Sighing, he peeled it off and marched into the war zone.
"Maria…" He held the piece of clothing between two of his fingers.
"What? Remus, you know I have to find something to wear! Sirius will be here to pick me up in two hours!" Maria was clad in a towel, having just gotten out of the shower. Her raven hair was wet, clinging to her back and spraying water whenever she moved. She stood up straight to glare at her brother, eyes widening when she saw what he had in his hand. "Mine!" She started forward and snatched it from him. "Keep your paws off my bras!"
"Hey, it hit me in the face! You should watch where you throw things!" Remus sat down on Maria's bed, smoothing the blue comforter with one caramel hand. "Why are you so worried anyway? It's just Sirius."
Maria frowned, clutching her towel tightly. "It is not just Sirius." She said, biting her lip. "It's…oh, Remus! You should know! You'd do the same thing if you had to go pick up Noel!"
Remus blushed. "Well, when you put it that way…" He stood up. "I'll be in my room if you need me." He shut the door behind him.
Maria smiled, and then went back to ravaging her closet.
Maria Ravenwood and Remus Lupin were at home for the summer. During the other nine months, they attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Sirius Black and Noel Potter were two of their classmates and best friends, along with Noel's brother, James, and Lily Evans. Throughout the course of last year, Maria had been "dating" Sirius, if it could be called that. Neither had wanted to admit their feelings, but they kept coming together, to the delight of their friends. Now, Sirius was coming over to take Maria out for a while in Diagon Alley.
Of course, last year hadn't been all fun. At the end of the year, Maria, James, and Sirius had a showdown with Lord Voldemort, and Maria had very nearly lost her life. The pendant she possessed, proclaiming she was an Heir of Rowena Ravenclaw, had saved her.
Maria sighed, flopping down on her bed. "I can't find anything to wear…" she whined. "This isn't some random guy…this is Sirius…I have to look nice…" Sighing, she gave in, yelling, "REMUS!"
An hour and a half later, Maria was ready. Remus had dried and brushed her hair, telling her to leave it down, and picked out a bright yellow tank top and jean shorts with pink flip flops for her to wear. It was all so simple; Maria wondered why she didn't think of it herself. But then, Remus knew what Sirius liked, having been friends with him for six years.
"Maria, honey…you do know it's raining, right?" Mark Lupin, Maria and Remus's father, said as his children came traipsing down the stairs.
"WHAT?" Maria gaped at him, her face falling. "But…but…"
"It's always raining here," Trista threw in. "English summer rain."
Maria sniffled. "But I look really nice…it'll be ruined…"
Remus put a hand on his sister's shoulder. "Carry an umbrella," he suggested.
"But…I don't do umbrellas!" Maria wailed.
"Calm down, sweetie, I'm sure Sirius doesn't mind a little rain…" Mark said nervously.
Maria pouted. "I do," she said quietly.
"But you usually like rain." Trista rationalized.
"Not now. Not when Sirius is coming."
Maria and Trista exchanged a knowing look.
Remus sighed. "Come on, Maria. Put on your green and yellow Converse shoes. Your day's not ruined." He led her up the stairs.
Mark smiled. "What wonderful children I have."
Trista agreed.
a/n: Yes, it's short, I know. It's just a little something for you all to read. Next chapter, we'll have Sirius and Maria's "date."
