chapter 2.
Our feet led us to the Fat Lady's portrait, the entrance to the Gryffindor Tower.
-Wow. »
-What? » I asked without turning around. He was probably going to say something really usueless and boring.
-We've killed eight minutes and thity three seconds. » I told you so.
-I have to go to the Hospital Wing. »
-Why go there? »
-Gotta pick up something. »
-Okay, just let me drop off my bag. »
-Hold on, who said you were coming? »
-You're not going to stop me. Besides, I've got nothing better to do. »
-Do what you want. » I shrugged. As long as he didn't ask questions I was ok.
-So what do you need over there? » He motioned to the door at the end of the hallway.
-None of your business, Black. » He opened his mouth to reply, but shut it after he saw the look on my face. Squinting always made me have the last word. Pomfrey had the door wide open, waiting at the entrance.
-You're a few hours late, Dawn. »
-I know, sorry. »
-What are you doing here, Black? You should be in-»
-He got kicked out. So did I. » Pomfrey's eyes widened. « Long story. » I explained and quickly grabbed the flask she was taking out of her pocket. God, I could smell it from up here.
I had just un-capped the potion when Dumbledore stormed down the hall. His face was expressionless, but he was walking quite fast, as if nervous, or anxious.
-Dawn, I need to have a word with you. »
-Sure, just a minute. »
-It's urgent. In a way. » I tilted my head to the side and realised I hadn't tied my hair this morning. Unusual.
-What about Black? » I said. « he's got nothing else to do. »
-He may follow, if he wishes. » Trust me, he wished. They say curiosity killed the cat. He was the cat.
After taking a seat in the Headmaster's office, I began to feel there was something quite scary about the tense atmosphere. Professor Dumbledore got straight to the point, as if he was afraid I might not absorb the importance of what he was about to say if he delayed it any longer.
-You are aware of Lord Voldemort's general plan, I imagine? » I nodded. Who wasn't?
-And are you also aware of whom he targets? »
-What does that-»
-It means he recruits people, and creatures that might have some relation to you. »
-You're telling me he's building an army of evil that must be stopped at all costs. »
-Precisely. You are at a great risk, Dawn, and I feel there's something we must do about that. »
-Are the students of this school in danger? »
-In a way… if matters got out of hand, yes. » He'd kick me out, better yet, lock me into one of Gringott's safes.
-What were you planning for me? »
-Nothing for the moment, but if anything changes, if, let's say, summer leaves you shelterless… »
-I know where she can stay. » Sirius cut in, earning himself two surprised looks. I'd forgotten about him… «My uncle left me a muggle house in northern London. That's where I stayed last summer... I don't think Voldemort knows about it. » Dumbledore took a few seconds to consider the pros and cons, and finally accepted to leave my life in Sirius' hands. Great.
-Sounds like a plan. »He said.« Have a good day. » He nodded his head and showed us to the door.
It was a good few minutes before anyone of us said anything. We were heading back to the common room to fetch our bags. I was the first one to talk.
-Sirius, what were you thinking? What if I don't want to go live with you, what if Voldemort finds us, what if he kills you?» He merely shrugged in response. There was nothing else to say. «Why do you do this for me? Why do you risk your life for my safety?» This time I expected he'd react, somehow. Anything to convince me he wasn't out of his mind. I grabbed his sleeve to keep him from walking off like he had done this morning. « That's what friends do. » He shrugged again, not sure he was saying the right thing.
-That's not all, is it. » I whispered.
I hated the fact that, without wanting to, I'd fallen for him. I remember two years ago I swore I'd never like that guy, that I'd never be like the other fangirls flocking around him night and day (God, they were pathetic). We were assigned seats in potions class, and I just happened to land beside him. He wasn't really as bad as I'd thought when I'd heard him gloating for the first time while wandering about Diagon Alley before our first year. I thought at first that the fact that he was nice to me was all an act, but it seemed to become more and more natural, and so we became friends, in a classmate sort of way, and I ended up in his bed after an evening of drinking games. I was so stupid to fall for it. I was so stupid for not having managed to stick the quill inside the empty ink bottle Potter was holding out. It looked easy, heck it looked really dumb, but when I dropped the quill before even concentrating on the bottle, I knew I was in for a rough time.
-Sorry, what was that? » I snapped back to reality, feeling Sirius' breath on my neck. I knew he'd said something, but I wasn't exactly listening.
-You're so not romantic. »
-You're so not supposed to be wanting to kiss me. »
-Why not? I'm a guy! » Oh, that ridiculous excuse about guys' minds being controled by… inferior body parts.
-Oh, and I suppose what happened last night was because of the same thing? » I retorted, feeling anger starting to bubble inside me.
-No, we were both piss drunk ,and you know it. » He stated.
-So you're telling me there was nothing 'special' about it? »
-Why, » he slammed my body against the wall. I'd forgotten he was so close. « because you felt something 'special' last night? »
-Get off me! » I shouted.
-Answer me first » I hesitated. Come to think of it, there was nothing much else I felt other than the beginnings of a hangover.
-No. »
-Good. » he said, eyes narrowing. « I didn't want your feelings to get hurt. »
-What? »
-There was nothing special about last night. Nothing. » Uncomfortable silence.
-Let go, Black. »
-Sure, whatever. » He walked off. Again. This time for the better, maybe. Then again, maybe not. I didn't want him to leave, I knew he was lying, and I knew I'd lied as well.
-Come back, Sirius. » He wasn't turning around. I had to say something. Anything. « Don't turn your back on me, you… you're disgrace to the wizarding world! » That hit the spot. He spun around and charged, swinging his right arm forward. It took less than a second to realise I was on the floor, bleeding almost to death, yet it seemed an enternity or two had passed before I understood what a stupid thing I'd said.