Chapter 2: Sirius the Suave
The four marauders took their usual seats at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. Moments after they were seated, the first years entered the Great Hall, and the sorting began.
"Wonder if she'll be sorted with the first years" snickered Peter.
"hmm, I don't see any 17 year old looking girls up there though…geez, the first years get smaller every year, don't they?" whispered James.
"They'll probably sort her separately" said Sirius.
Sure enough, when the sorting had ended, Dumbledore stood up. "And now, we have one last student to be sorted. She will be in 7th year, and has transferred from Beauxbatons School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which as some of you may know, is in France. So, if Miss Dominique Fiore will please come forward to be sorted".
One of the doors of the Great Hall cracked open and a young girl with black hair, and bronzed skin stepped in. She slowly made her way to the front of the hall, where the sorting hat was perched on a stool.
"shiiit…" whispered Remus.
"Sirius, if she looks like any other French girl, I'm moving to France!" whispered Peter.
"Hey! That's the girl who glared at me!" hissed James.
"She glared at you?" whispered Peter, "When?"
"When I was…" The three boys turned to look at James, "when I was yelling at the first years…ok maybe that's why she glared…" James turned a little pink, feeling quite stupid now.
"She's hot!" said Peter, who turned back to look at the girl, who had now reached the front of the hall.
"no shit, I think we've established that Wormtail! Man, if I wasn't so hung up on Evans…" James trailed off.
"What do you think Padfoot?"
"Clearly he agrees with us…look at how he's staring!"
Sirius's eyes were glued to the figure that sat on the stool, but had snapped back into his senses when he heard his name. "Huh?"
"Sirius fancies her!" Peter said, trying to stifle a laugh.
"Shut up Wormtail, no I don't! I don't even know her!"
"She hasn't got anything" James said, putting his hands on his chest, pretending to hold his imaginary breasts, forcing Remus and Peter to stifle a laugh.
"That back side makes up for it though" Peter sighed, which was followed by the sighs of the others.
"Which house do you think she'll be in?" Remus whispered, "the hat's taking a long time with her."
"Slytherin…she looks dark and mysterious…" said Peter.
"No, she looks smart. I bet she'll be in Ravenclaw" muttered James.
"Five galleons she'll be in Gryffindor." said Sirius in a matter-of-fact voice.
"You're on" whispered James.
Dominique sat nervously on the stool, looking at her feet. There were way too many students at this school. Way too many eyes looking at her.
"so missy, you've got an extra helping of brains, I think I should put you in Ravenclaw" the hat said in her head.
"be my guest, I'm sure those ravenclaws have bird sized brains…" thought Dominique.
"attitude, huh? Well, if you're going to be all haughty about it, perhaps I should put you in Slytherin."
"No wait, I heard that's where that Voldemort guy went. No way am I going to be stuck with a bunch of dark arts loving low lifes!"
"Well then, better be"—"GRYFFINDOR!!!!"
"Aw damn!" said James, pounding the table, as the rest of the room broke into applause, "Here, I'll give you six galleons if you don't gloat!"
"sounds good." Sirius said, getting up.
"Oi mate where are you going? Food's here!"
"I'm coming!" Sirius stood up and whistled at Dominique, waving a hand at her to invite her over.
"Hi…Sirius Black, pleasure to meet you…" Sirius said in the most suave voice he could muster, bowing slightly, and taking her hand to kiss it. "pleasure to meet you."
Dominique looked taken aback for a moment, but then smiled and curtsied slightly, "pleasure's all mine".
Sirius smiled back. For someone who had been living in France her whole life, her English was pretty good, and her accent was pretty light. "Let me introduce you to some of my friends. I believe one of them knows you"—
"REMUS!!"
"D!" Remus had gotten up and ran over to Dominique. "Gosh, I can't believe we're finally seeing each other, all these years!"
"10 years exactly! Oh gosh, wow," Dominique stepped back a little. "You look good! Gosh, it's so weird, keeping in touch with you so long, and finally we get to see each other! Oh, you look exactly like I imagined you'd be!"
"You look stunning yourself, if you don't mind my saying. Gosh, this is great. Ok, come on sit down"—
"yea I already asked her on" Sirius said, a bit annoyed. Sirius was generally not the type to get jealous, but he couldn't help envying Remus for already knowing Dominique and being on such good terms with her. "Here, have my seat" Sirius said.
"thank you…"
Sirius scooted in between Dominique and Peter, and saw James smirking at him.
"So, am I invited to the wedding?" he laughed.
"What's that?" Dominique asked, looking up, "Hey! You're that boy who was yelling at the 1st years!"
James grinned. "And you're the girl who glared at me". Dominique smiled.
"Oi, and over there, that red head, that's Lily Potter, er, I mean Evans…she's in our year and you'll be rooming with her…James here is madly in love with her." Sirius said.
"Am not!" the boys around him looked at him appraisingly. "yea, ok, I am."
Dominique laughed. "You're cute" she said, making James blush.
"Oh, and over here is Peter," said Sirius, nudging Peter in the arm, causing him to drop his fork. "H-H-Hi!" Peter squeaked.
"Hi Peter" Dominique said.
"Hey aren't you forgetting someone?" came a voice from behind them. "Hi, I'm Lily Evans. We're in the same year, so we'll be living together. Us, plus a couple of other girls, I can introduce you to them later. So, you're Dominique, right?" Lily had said all in one breath.
"Yea" Dominique said.
"Cool…so you're from France, huh? That's cool. I've been there before. Beautiful country."
"yea, it is. Glad you liked it."
"Wow, you're English is really good, you hardly even have an accent!" said Lily.
"oh, thanks" laughed Dominique. "well, I learned English when I was really little so I've had enough practice to be able to speak it without the accent." Suddenly Lily frowned.
"Stop staring at me, Potter".
"Isn't he your boyfriend though?" Dominique asked.
"Oh yea, I am!" said James, nodding eagerly, "and she's such a wonder girlfr"—
"No, he is NOT my boyfriend, thank goodness!" Lily said. "I'm going to go and join the other girls. You're welcome to join us, but as you're settled here, I won't mind if you stay here."
"Oh..well, I thought I'd just stay here. Want to catch up with Remus here."
"Oh, you know him?"
"Yea! We actually used to live next door to each other…but I moved away like 10 years ago..so…"
"oh! Say no more! I'll see you in our dormitories then! It was nice to meet you Dominique!"
"You too." With that, Lily strode off back to her seat.
"So," Dominique turned her attention to Remus, "You're prefect, huh? Dumbledore told me"—
"I'm head boy!" James grinned.
"More like Big head boy" muttered Sirius, as he helped himself to baked potatoes.
"Hey!"
The boys and Dominique had just finished eating their dinner, when Lily came back up to the group.
"Hey Lily!" said Dominique.
"Hey! Come over here, I want to introduce you to your new roommates!" Lily said, grabbing Dominique by the arm.
"Ok, I'll just see you guys later. It was nice meeting you all!" Dominique called after the boys.
"Ok, hey guys!" called Lily, waving to a group of girls who had just stood up. "Hey! Guys, this is Dominique…Fiore, is that right?"
"yea" Dominique smiled.
"Dominique, this is Kierra," Lily pointed to a tall girl with brown hair and brown eyes, "and this is Alice," pointing to a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. Kierra and Alice said hi together.
"Lily was telling us you already knew Remus?" Kierra asked.
"yea, we grew up together".
Kierra and Alice giggled.
"What?"
"Kierra here has had a crush on Remus since last year"—
"Lily!!"
"What?! Hey, she's gonna be living with us! Might as well"—
Dominique laughed. "Don't worry! I won't say anything to him if that's what you're worried about."
Kierra looked at Dominique, as if to study her, but slowly nodded her head, and smiled back.
"So what's keeping you two from getting together?" Dominique asked, as they walked out of the hall. "He's not seeing anyone is he? He's never mentioned anything to me."
"No, he's not…he's just…well…he's kind of a player.." Lily said.
"What?! Remus?? My Remus?! A player?? You've got to be kidding"—
"No, no I mean…not like that…I mean, a lot of girls like him…and actually most of the time it's the girls asking him out…but he breaks up with girls pretty quickly…seems as if once the relationship gets serious, he just breaks up with them…so, yea, that's why Kierra isn't going out with him. She doesn't want that to happen to her. Oh yea, and also, she doesn't want to be the one asking him out."
"Thanks for explaining to her, mom". Said Kierra, sarcastically.
Dominique laughed again. "Well, I think you're completely in the right. Guys should ask girls out. It shouldn't be the other way around." Dominique turned to Lily. "So what's this thing with James? You don't like him? He seems awfully funny, and cute! And I noticed he kept looking at you the whole dinner!"
"He was? Ugh!" moaned Lily.
"James is a bit too…big headed…for Lily…"
"ooh…yea, he seems a bit egotistical…but otherwise…seems nice…" said Dominique, looking at Lily, who looked as if she's just eaten poison.
"I can't stand him. He hexes people for fun, and picks on everyone! And he's been on my case since 3rd year! Harassing me for so long…" Lily muttered.
"oh well…hey, er, what's that guy's name again, with the long black hair"—
"the one who kissed your hand?" asked Alice, giggling with Kierra. Lily looked at them disapprovingly. Dominique nodded, blushing slightly.
"That," Lily said disdainfully, "was Sirius Black. Best friends with James. Them two, plus Remus and Peter, they're all good friends…inseparable…I'd be careful around them if I were you, Dominique."
"Why?"
"They're absolute trouble makers…always disrupting class…doing stupid jokes…well, of course, Remus isn't like that, he's the good boy of the group."
"They're not that bad!" said Alice, turning to Dominique. "Don't worry, Lily just hates them"—
"I don't HATE them, Alice! They're just…immature!"
"No, just James is.." Alice replied.
"And perhaps Peter.." added Kierra.
"Yea, Sirius isn't…he's pretty…serious!" laughed Alice.
"yea, and he's arrogant and snobby." Lily added.
"Yea, I can see that," Dominique said thoughtfully, "Awfully cute though…"
"sure is…but still, doesn't stop him from being an overconfident, haughty little…prick…" Lily said.
"Oh, he isn't that bad!" Kierra exclaimed, "Lily's just jealous that Sirius doesn't have to study to get good grades"—
"That's not true!" Lily snapped. "I just don't like him because he's arrogant. He thinks he's too good for everyone. You know, he hasn't gone out with anyone in like, ages. You know why? Because he doesn't think any of the girls here are good enough for him."
"Is that so?" asked Dominique.
Lily nodded. "So, now that you're here, I expect he probably already thinks he owns you or something, the snot".
"well then," Dominique said, grinning, "I suppose I shall have to fix that presumption".
"Well, am I best man or what, Sirius?" laughed James, as he plopped onto a chair by the fireplace in the Gryffindor common room.
"Oh shut it Prongs…" muttered Sirius.
"Oi, Padfoot, you were smooth out there!" James continued, getting up. "Pleasure to meet you Remus, baby", James chuckled, taking Remus' hand and pretending to kiss it, sending Peter and Remus into hysterics. "Oww!" Sirius had chucked his potions book at James' head. Yet getting hit in the head didn't seem to have much of an effect on James, since he kept laughing. "real smooth Padfoot! Absolutely suaaaave!"
"I thought it was pretty cute when he did that" came a voice behind them. Dominique, Lily, Kierra and Alice had just come out of the portrait hole and had seen everything, and they were all biting their lips to keep from laughing.
The four boys turned around quickly, not noticing the girls coming in. "Oi, hello ladies!" said James, hopping of the couch, and walking over to Lily.
James took Lily's hand, to mock Sirius, and bent to kiss it, "You look lovely—Oww!" Lily had snatched her hand out of his grip, smacking him across the face in the process.
"I'm going to bed" Lily said to the girls. "Good night Kierra, Dominique, Alice…Alice?" Lily turned around to see where Alice had gone off to.
"She's a bit occupied right now, Evans. We'll give her your salutations when she's free" Sirius said, pointing over to the corner of the common room, where Alice sat with a boy with light brown hair.
"Who's that?" Dominique asked Kierra.
"Frank Longbottom…they've been going out since like…fourth year…always together…prefers his company to ours I think…" Kierra smiled at the couple.
"That's so cute!" Dominique saw through the corner of her eye that Sirius was staring at her. Just as he was about to open his mouth to respond, Dominique cut him short, "Well, I'm off to bed too I think. Night guys! It was nice to meet you all!" With that, Dominique ran up the stairs to catch up with Lily, leaving Kierra by herself with the boys.
Kierra looked back at the marauders, who sat comfortably in a set of couches that she and her friends often sat in.
"Hey Nakofsky!" Kierra turned around. It was Potter.
"Yea?"
"Come here!" Kierra went over to join the boys, and nervously sat down in the only empty seat, right next to Remus.
"What do you want?"
"So, what classes are you taking?"
"We don't get our schedules until tomorrow."
"Yea…but"—
"Don't beat around the bush, Potter. Did you want to ask me what classes Lily signed up for?" James eagerly nodded. Kierra rolled her eyes in response, causing the other boys to snicker.
"Well, I think she's continuing with most of her classes…potions, Defense against the dark arts, transfiguration, umm…what?" Kierra turned to Remus, who was hiding a smile behind his book.
"Nothing…"
"No, what?"
"You think Lily would be happy in knowing you're giving her schedule away to…well…James?"
"Hey! Remus! What're you doing to me, mate?!" whined James.
"Of course she wouldn't be happy," replied Kierra, "but I'm not telling her unless she asks. Are you going to tell her?"
"No, of course not"—
"well then…ok so what else? Oh, I think she's taking muggle studies…yea I know" Kierra said, when Remus raised his eyebrows appraisingly.
"Um.."
"Ancient Runes? I'm taking that! Tell me she's taking ancient runes!" James asked hopefully.
"No, she got sick of that. I'm taking it though!"
"Oh big woop!" James said sarcastically.
"Fine then"—and Kierra got up to leave, only to be pulled back down by James.
"Sorry about that. Seriously, I'm very glad we're in the same class together"—
"yea, so he'll have someone he can steal notes from"—
"oh shut it Sirius!" James said, turning back to Kierra, "well, what else?" he asked sweetly.
"um…oh, she's continuing herbology…I think…"
"what about divination?"
"gave that up, taking arithmancy instead"
"Ugh! Am I the only idiot who signed up for that class?" groaned James.
"No, you're not the only one…" answered Peter.
"Man, I feel bad for Peter, he's probably going to have the worst schedule! Signed up for the worst classes…"
"What other horrible classes are you taking, besides divination?" asked Kierra.
"history of magic"—
"that's not horrible! I'm taking that class too, I'm looking forward to it"--
"It's so dreadfully boring, and completely useless. Besides, everyone takes that class just to get an easy A"-- said Remus, not looking up from his book.
"Just because it's not to your taste, doesn't mean it's useless" Kierra snapped, getting up. Her crush on Remus was beginning to wear away. As she stalked away upstairs, she heard James letting out a low whistle.
"Think you hit a nerve, Moony"
There was no answer from "Moony". Kierra imagined that he had probably shrugged it off. Moony. Who calls their friends Moony? Kierra thought to herself.
Kierra opened the door to her dormitory, and found her three roommates sitting on her bed.
"You should really reconsider, Dominique. There are plenty of other guys around here"-- Kierra heard Lily's voice say.
"Oh, don't listen to her. I say, if you like him, and clearly he likes you, you should go for it, and see what happens" came Alice's voice.
"I agree with Alice" Kierra said, shutting the door behind her.
"Kierra, what were you doing down there so long?" Alice said, "I came up here ages before you. I saw you talking to the boys. And you were sitting next to Reeeemus" she giggled. "Did he say anything to you?"
Kierra shrugged, remembering she was mad at him. "Nothing of any importance".
"What'd they want from you?" asked Lily.
"Er..."
By then, Alice's amused expression had disappeared, and she too began to look at Kierra with curiousity, along with Dominique.
"James...wanted to know...what classes you were taking" she said, avoiding Lily's eyes.
Lily laughed. "Oh gosh, the prat...well, what'd you tell him?"
"uhh..."
Lily's expresion changed from relaxed to fear. "Oh gosh, Kierra, you didn't!!"
"Lily!!!"
"OH MY GOSH!"
"Lily calm down!! It's no biggie!"
"Yes it is!" Lily began pacing around the room. "ugh, he knows my classes now!"
"Lily, you are totally overreacting!! Think about it! By tomorrow, well day after tomorrow, after we've had all our classes, he'd know anyway!"
"Well, now you've given him something to look forward to!"
"Lily!" Kierra laughed. "Are you saying her doesn't deserve happiness?"
"No! I didn't mean that...I meant...well..." Lily stammered.
Dominique laughed. "If I didn't know better, I would say that you like Mr. Potter!"
Lily turned on Dominique. "Are you kidding me?? That sorry excuse for a human being"--
"Lily...you're acting like a typical girl!! Going on and on, bashing away at the guy you like...acting as if you don't like him.." Dominique smirked.
"I'm not acting! I don't like him! Period!!" Lily was now as red as her hair.
"Well, there's some truth in Lily's hate, I think," Alice said, getting up, "but...Dominique brings up an interesting point...girls do that you know...Lily..." she smiled, "I think you like him, on some level..."
"Maybe if he wasn't such a prat, I would" Lily answered.
"I think you guys would be cute together" Dominique said.
"Oh my gosh! I told her the same thing last year, and she almost killed me!" said Kierra.
"Well, if you guys are gonna keep arguing, go down to the common room and do it. I'm tired" Alice said, climbing into her own bed. "good night"
"Night" the three other girls said in unison.
"yea I think I'm gonna hit the sack too" Lily said, as Alice drew the curtains of her four poster bed around her.
Kierra and Dominique looked at each other and shrugged, and decided they should head to bed as well. "see you in the morning" Kierra said, as she drew her curtains shut.
The Marauders sat in their chairs in the Gryffindor common room, gobbling up chocolate frogs and bertie botts every flavor beans. "Wonder what classes Dominique's signed up for...should've asked her" Remus said, finally putting his book down.
"No offense Moony, but I don't really like her. I'm sorry.." said James. "I mean, she's good looking and all, but I don't see anything else. What do you see in her Padfoot?"
"sorry, you say something?" asked Sirius, looking quite lost in his own thoughts moments ago.
"oh nevermind." muttered James, turning back to Remus. "She's too...I dunno...full of herself.."
Remus rolled his eyes. "She's really quite nice. You just have to get to know her"--
"yea, we'll see about that" muttered James, getting up. "well, I'm gonna hit the sack. Wanna be fresh and ready for my first class tomorrow, it might be with Evans!" and with that, James headed up the stairs to the boys' dormitory, with Peter at his heels. "Wait for me, Prongs, I think I'm gonna go to sleep too!"
Sirius stared out the window, watching the leaves wrustle on the whomping willow, but his solitude was interrupted by Remus.
"So, taken a fancy to Dominique, eh?"
Sirius shifted his gaze towards his friend, and looked him in the eyes. For some reason, though Sirius couldn't put his finger on it, he saw something in Remus' eyes when he asked that. Was he pleased that he liked Remus' friend? Amused? Worried?
"yea, I think have...you o.k. with that?" Sirius asked.
"yea of course! She's not mine you know" Remus smiled.
"yes..well...she is your friend, so...well, as long as you're ok with it." Sirius looked at his watch. "hey I think I'm going to head to bed myself. You coming?"
"yea, in a bit..I want to finish reading these last couple chapters first. So I'll see you in the morning, I guess."
"ok, well, goodnight Moony"
"Night Padfoot" said Remus, as his friend retreated up the stairs.
Kierra tiptoed quietly down the stairs. She would just grab her book and go. Hopefully there wouldn't be anyone left in the common room to ask her questions. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw that there was only one person left in the common room, and of all people for her to be alone with: Remus Lupin.
Remus looked up when he heard her come down and put his book down. "Kierra"--
"Remus...er, sorry, I just..uh, came for my book...er, was that my book you were reading?" she asked, pointing at the thick hardcover that lay on the table in front of Remus.
"Oh, yea, sorry, didn't know it was yours, uh, here"--
"No, no, its ok, you can read it...hell, keep it..I'll get another copy.." Kierra said quickly, turning around to go back up the stairs before Remus could see her blush.
"Kierra, wait!" Remus hurtled over the couch and ran up to her, taking her hands. Kierra looked at him, praying he couldn't hear her heart pounding.
"Remus..?"
"I was actually hoping you'd come down here..."
"me..?"
"yea.."
"why..."
"Something I've been wanting to do for a while"--
"what..." but Kierra's throat tightened as she felt Remus' hands go to her hips, pulling her closer to him. She struggled to keep her eyes open to take in the experience, but they fluttered shut in defeat, as Remus pressed his lips on hers.
Just as Remus began to pry open her mouth with his tongue, Kierra's eyes snapped open. She sat up and leaned against the headboard of her bed. 'Always happens...just when it gets good...' she thought, rubbing her eyes. She looked at the watch that lay on her nightstand. 1 o'clock a.m. Kierra yawned and pulled her curtains open halfway to observe the room. It was quite still. Alice lay sprawled on her bed as she usually did when she slept; arms in legs going in every which direction, which was also how Kierra also slept. Kierra looked over at Lily, who slept "perfectly and prim" as Alice would say; on one side, her whole body straight, smiling slightly as she slept. 'maybe she's dreaming of James...' Kierra thought, smiling. She shifted her gaze towards her new roommate, Dominique, who, to Kierra's relief, slept as quietly as the rest of them. Dominique was curled up into a tiny ball, her arms covering her face as she slept. It reminded Kierra of the fetus position that unborn babies took when residing in the mother's womb. Though Kierra could not trace back any of her prior knowledge about sleeping patterns, or biology, or psychology, from when she was in muggle schools, she couldn't help but wonder if sleeping like that indicated some sort of abnormality or problem. That was Lily's field. Kierra made a mental note to ask her about it sometime. Until then, Kierra would need to catch up with her sleep, and hopefully with her dreams. As she lay back in her bed, Kierra thought about the dream she had just had. 'I need to get over him' she thought, 'Otherwise, I'm in for a long school year...'
The four marauders took their usual seats at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. Moments after they were seated, the first years entered the Great Hall, and the sorting began.
"Wonder if she'll be sorted with the first years" snickered Peter.
"hmm, I don't see any 17 year old looking girls up there though…geez, the first years get smaller every year, don't they?" whispered James.
"They'll probably sort her separately" said Sirius.
Sure enough, when the sorting had ended, Dumbledore stood up. "And now, we have one last student to be sorted. She will be in 7th year, and has transferred from Beauxbatons School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which as some of you may know, is in France. So, if Miss Dominique Fiore will please come forward to be sorted".
One of the doors of the Great Hall cracked open and a young girl with black hair, and bronzed skin stepped in. She slowly made her way to the front of the hall, where the sorting hat was perched on a stool.
"shiiit…" whispered Remus.
"Sirius, if she looks like any other French girl, I'm moving to France!" whispered Peter.
"Hey! That's the girl who glared at me!" hissed James.
"She glared at you?" whispered Peter, "When?"
"When I was…" The three boys turned to look at James, "when I was yelling at the first years…ok maybe that's why she glared…" James turned a little pink, feeling quite stupid now.
"She's hot!" said Peter, who turned back to look at the girl, who had now reached the front of the hall.
"no shit, I think we've established that Wormtail! Man, if I wasn't so hung up on Evans…" James trailed off.
"What do you think Padfoot?"
"Clearly he agrees with us…look at how he's staring!"
Sirius's eyes were glued to the figure that sat on the stool, but had snapped back into his senses when he heard his name. "Huh?"
"Sirius fancies her!" Peter said, trying to stifle a laugh.
"Shut up Wormtail, no I don't! I don't even know her!"
"She hasn't got anything" James said, putting his hands on his chest, pretending to hold his imaginary breasts, forcing Remus and Peter to stifle a laugh.
"That back side makes up for it though" Peter sighed, which was followed by the sighs of the others.
"Which house do you think she'll be in?" Remus whispered, "the hat's taking a long time with her."
"Slytherin…she looks dark and mysterious…" said Peter.
"No, she looks smart. I bet she'll be in Ravenclaw" muttered James.
"Five galleons she'll be in Gryffindor." said Sirius in a matter-of-fact voice.
"You're on" whispered James.
Dominique sat nervously on the stool, looking at her feet. There were way too many students at this school. Way too many eyes looking at her.
"so missy, you've got an extra helping of brains, I think I should put you in Ravenclaw" the hat said in her head.
"be my guest, I'm sure those ravenclaws have bird sized brains…" thought Dominique.
"attitude, huh? Well, if you're going to be all haughty about it, perhaps I should put you in Slytherin."
"No wait, I heard that's where that Voldemort guy went. No way am I going to be stuck with a bunch of dark arts loving low lifes!"
"Well then, better be"—"GRYFFINDOR!!!!"
"Aw damn!" said James, pounding the table, as the rest of the room broke into applause, "Here, I'll give you six galleons if you don't gloat!"
"sounds good." Sirius said, getting up.
"Oi mate where are you going? Food's here!"
"I'm coming!" Sirius stood up and whistled at Dominique, waving a hand at her to invite her over.
"Hi…Sirius Black, pleasure to meet you…" Sirius said in the most suave voice he could muster, bowing slightly, and taking her hand to kiss it. "pleasure to meet you."
Dominique looked taken aback for a moment, but then smiled and curtsied slightly, "pleasure's all mine".
Sirius smiled back. For someone who had been living in France her whole life, her English was pretty good, and her accent was pretty light. "Let me introduce you to some of my friends. I believe one of them knows you"—
"REMUS!!"
"D!" Remus had gotten up and ran over to Dominique. "Gosh, I can't believe we're finally seeing each other, all these years!"
"10 years exactly! Oh gosh, wow," Dominique stepped back a little. "You look good! Gosh, it's so weird, keeping in touch with you so long, and finally we get to see each other! Oh, you look exactly like I imagined you'd be!"
"You look stunning yourself, if you don't mind my saying. Gosh, this is great. Ok, come on sit down"—
"yea I already asked her on" Sirius said, a bit annoyed. Sirius was generally not the type to get jealous, but he couldn't help envying Remus for already knowing Dominique and being on such good terms with her. "Here, have my seat" Sirius said.
"thank you…"
Sirius scooted in between Dominique and Peter, and saw James smirking at him.
"So, am I invited to the wedding?" he laughed.
"What's that?" Dominique asked, looking up, "Hey! You're that boy who was yelling at the 1st years!"
James grinned. "And you're the girl who glared at me". Dominique smiled.
"Oi, and over there, that red head, that's Lily Potter, er, I mean Evans…she's in our year and you'll be rooming with her…James here is madly in love with her." Sirius said.
"Am not!" the boys around him looked at him appraisingly. "yea, ok, I am."
Dominique laughed. "You're cute" she said, making James blush.
"Oh, and over here is Peter," said Sirius, nudging Peter in the arm, causing him to drop his fork. "H-H-Hi!" Peter squeaked.
"Hi Peter" Dominique said.
"Hey aren't you forgetting someone?" came a voice from behind them. "Hi, I'm Lily Evans. We're in the same year, so we'll be living together. Us, plus a couple of other girls, I can introduce you to them later. So, you're Dominique, right?" Lily had said all in one breath.
"Yea" Dominique said.
"Cool…so you're from France, huh? That's cool. I've been there before. Beautiful country."
"yea, it is. Glad you liked it."
"Wow, you're English is really good, you hardly even have an accent!" said Lily.
"oh, thanks" laughed Dominique. "well, I learned English when I was really little so I've had enough practice to be able to speak it without the accent." Suddenly Lily frowned.
"Stop staring at me, Potter".
"Isn't he your boyfriend though?" Dominique asked.
"Oh yea, I am!" said James, nodding eagerly, "and she's such a wonder girlfr"—
"No, he is NOT my boyfriend, thank goodness!" Lily said. "I'm going to go and join the other girls. You're welcome to join us, but as you're settled here, I won't mind if you stay here."
"Oh..well, I thought I'd just stay here. Want to catch up with Remus here."
"Oh, you know him?"
"Yea! We actually used to live next door to each other…but I moved away like 10 years ago..so…"
"oh! Say no more! I'll see you in our dormitories then! It was nice to meet you Dominique!"
"You too." With that, Lily strode off back to her seat.
"So," Dominique turned her attention to Remus, "You're prefect, huh? Dumbledore told me"—
"I'm head boy!" James grinned.
"More like Big head boy" muttered Sirius, as he helped himself to baked potatoes.
"Hey!"
The boys and Dominique had just finished eating their dinner, when Lily came back up to the group.
"Hey Lily!" said Dominique.
"Hey! Come over here, I want to introduce you to your new roommates!" Lily said, grabbing Dominique by the arm.
"Ok, I'll just see you guys later. It was nice meeting you all!" Dominique called after the boys.
"Ok, hey guys!" called Lily, waving to a group of girls who had just stood up. "Hey! Guys, this is Dominique…Fiore, is that right?"
"yea" Dominique smiled.
"Dominique, this is Kierra," Lily pointed to a tall girl with brown hair and brown eyes, "and this is Alice," pointing to a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. Kierra and Alice said hi together.
"Lily was telling us you already knew Remus?" Kierra asked.
"yea, we grew up together".
Kierra and Alice giggled.
"What?"
"Kierra here has had a crush on Remus since last year"—
"Lily!!"
"What?! Hey, she's gonna be living with us! Might as well"—
Dominique laughed. "Don't worry! I won't say anything to him if that's what you're worried about."
Kierra looked at Dominique, as if to study her, but slowly nodded her head, and smiled back.
"So what's keeping you two from getting together?" Dominique asked, as they walked out of the hall. "He's not seeing anyone is he? He's never mentioned anything to me."
"No, he's not…he's just…well…he's kind of a player.." Lily said.
"What?! Remus?? My Remus?! A player?? You've got to be kidding"—
"No, no I mean…not like that…I mean, a lot of girls like him…and actually most of the time it's the girls asking him out…but he breaks up with girls pretty quickly…seems as if once the relationship gets serious, he just breaks up with them…so, yea, that's why Kierra isn't going out with him. She doesn't want that to happen to her. Oh yea, and also, she doesn't want to be the one asking him out."
"Thanks for explaining to her, mom". Said Kierra, sarcastically.
Dominique laughed again. "Well, I think you're completely in the right. Guys should ask girls out. It shouldn't be the other way around." Dominique turned to Lily. "So what's this thing with James? You don't like him? He seems awfully funny, and cute! And I noticed he kept looking at you the whole dinner!"
"He was? Ugh!" moaned Lily.
"James is a bit too…big headed…for Lily…"
"ooh…yea, he seems a bit egotistical…but otherwise…seems nice…" said Dominique, looking at Lily, who looked as if she's just eaten poison.
"I can't stand him. He hexes people for fun, and picks on everyone! And he's been on my case since 3rd year! Harassing me for so long…" Lily muttered.
"oh well…hey, er, what's that guy's name again, with the long black hair"—
"the one who kissed your hand?" asked Alice, giggling with Kierra. Lily looked at them disapprovingly. Dominique nodded, blushing slightly.
"That," Lily said disdainfully, "was Sirius Black. Best friends with James. Them two, plus Remus and Peter, they're all good friends…inseparable…I'd be careful around them if I were you, Dominique."
"Why?"
"They're absolute trouble makers…always disrupting class…doing stupid jokes…well, of course, Remus isn't like that, he's the good boy of the group."
"They're not that bad!" said Alice, turning to Dominique. "Don't worry, Lily just hates them"—
"I don't HATE them, Alice! They're just…immature!"
"No, just James is.." Alice replied.
"And perhaps Peter.." added Kierra.
"Yea, Sirius isn't…he's pretty…serious!" laughed Alice.
"yea, and he's arrogant and snobby." Lily added.
"Yea, I can see that," Dominique said thoughtfully, "Awfully cute though…"
"sure is…but still, doesn't stop him from being an overconfident, haughty little…prick…" Lily said.
"Oh, he isn't that bad!" Kierra exclaimed, "Lily's just jealous that Sirius doesn't have to study to get good grades"—
"That's not true!" Lily snapped. "I just don't like him because he's arrogant. He thinks he's too good for everyone. You know, he hasn't gone out with anyone in like, ages. You know why? Because he doesn't think any of the girls here are good enough for him."
"Is that so?" asked Dominique.
Lily nodded. "So, now that you're here, I expect he probably already thinks he owns you or something, the snot".
"well then," Dominique said, grinning, "I suppose I shall have to fix that presumption".
"Well, am I best man or what, Sirius?" laughed James, as he plopped onto a chair by the fireplace in the Gryffindor common room.
"Oh shut it Prongs…" muttered Sirius.
"Oi, Padfoot, you were smooth out there!" James continued, getting up. "Pleasure to meet you Remus, baby", James chuckled, taking Remus' hand and pretending to kiss it, sending Peter and Remus into hysterics. "Oww!" Sirius had chucked his potions book at James' head. Yet getting hit in the head didn't seem to have much of an effect on James, since he kept laughing. "real smooth Padfoot! Absolutely suaaaave!"
"I thought it was pretty cute when he did that" came a voice behind them. Dominique, Lily, Kierra and Alice had just come out of the portrait hole and had seen everything, and they were all biting their lips to keep from laughing.
The four boys turned around quickly, not noticing the girls coming in. "Oi, hello ladies!" said James, hopping of the couch, and walking over to Lily.
James took Lily's hand, to mock Sirius, and bent to kiss it, "You look lovely—Oww!" Lily had snatched her hand out of his grip, smacking him across the face in the process.
"I'm going to bed" Lily said to the girls. "Good night Kierra, Dominique, Alice…Alice?" Lily turned around to see where Alice had gone off to.
"She's a bit occupied right now, Evans. We'll give her your salutations when she's free" Sirius said, pointing over to the corner of the common room, where Alice sat with a boy with light brown hair.
"Who's that?" Dominique asked Kierra.
"Frank Longbottom…they've been going out since like…fourth year…always together…prefers his company to ours I think…" Kierra smiled at the couple.
"That's so cute!" Dominique saw through the corner of her eye that Sirius was staring at her. Just as he was about to open his mouth to respond, Dominique cut him short, "Well, I'm off to bed too I think. Night guys! It was nice to meet you all!" With that, Dominique ran up the stairs to catch up with Lily, leaving Kierra by herself with the boys.
Kierra looked back at the marauders, who sat comfortably in a set of couches that she and her friends often sat in.
"Hey Nakofsky!" Kierra turned around. It was Potter.
"Yea?"
"Come here!" Kierra went over to join the boys, and nervously sat down in the only empty seat, right next to Remus.
"What do you want?"
"So, what classes are you taking?"
"We don't get our schedules until tomorrow."
"Yea…but"—
"Don't beat around the bush, Potter. Did you want to ask me what classes Lily signed up for?" James eagerly nodded. Kierra rolled her eyes in response, causing the other boys to snicker.
"Well, I think she's continuing with most of her classes…potions, Defense against the dark arts, transfiguration, umm…what?" Kierra turned to Remus, who was hiding a smile behind his book.
"Nothing…"
"No, what?"
"You think Lily would be happy in knowing you're giving her schedule away to…well…James?"
"Hey! Remus! What're you doing to me, mate?!" whined James.
"Of course she wouldn't be happy," replied Kierra, "but I'm not telling her unless she asks. Are you going to tell her?"
"No, of course not"—
"well then…ok so what else? Oh, I think she's taking muggle studies…yea I know" Kierra said, when Remus raised his eyebrows appraisingly.
"Um.."
"Ancient Runes? I'm taking that! Tell me she's taking ancient runes!" James asked hopefully.
"No, she got sick of that. I'm taking it though!"
"Oh big woop!" James said sarcastically.
"Fine then"—and Kierra got up to leave, only to be pulled back down by James.
"Sorry about that. Seriously, I'm very glad we're in the same class together"—
"yea, so he'll have someone he can steal notes from"—
"oh shut it Sirius!" James said, turning back to Kierra, "well, what else?" he asked sweetly.
"um…oh, she's continuing herbology…I think…"
"what about divination?"
"gave that up, taking arithmancy instead"
"Ugh! Am I the only idiot who signed up for that class?" groaned James.
"No, you're not the only one…" answered Peter.
"Man, I feel bad for Peter, he's probably going to have the worst schedule! Signed up for the worst classes…"
"What other horrible classes are you taking, besides divination?" asked Kierra.
"history of magic"—
"that's not horrible! I'm taking that class too, I'm looking forward to it"--
"It's so dreadfully boring, and completely useless. Besides, everyone takes that class just to get an easy A"-- said Remus, not looking up from his book.
"Just because it's not to your taste, doesn't mean it's useless" Kierra snapped, getting up. Her crush on Remus was beginning to wear away. As she stalked away upstairs, she heard James letting out a low whistle.
"Think you hit a nerve, Moony"
There was no answer from "Moony". Kierra imagined that he had probably shrugged it off. Moony. Who calls their friends Moony? Kierra thought to herself.
Kierra opened the door to her dormitory, and found her three roommates sitting on her bed.
"You should really reconsider, Dominique. There are plenty of other guys around here"-- Kierra heard Lily's voice say.
"Oh, don't listen to her. I say, if you like him, and clearly he likes you, you should go for it, and see what happens" came Alice's voice.
"I agree with Alice" Kierra said, shutting the door behind her.
"Kierra, what were you doing down there so long?" Alice said, "I came up here ages before you. I saw you talking to the boys. And you were sitting next to Reeeemus" she giggled. "Did he say anything to you?"
Kierra shrugged, remembering she was mad at him. "Nothing of any importance".
"What'd they want from you?" asked Lily.
"Er..."
By then, Alice's amused expression had disappeared, and she too began to look at Kierra with curiousity, along with Dominique.
"James...wanted to know...what classes you were taking" she said, avoiding Lily's eyes.
Lily laughed. "Oh gosh, the prat...well, what'd you tell him?"
"uhh..."
Lily's expresion changed from relaxed to fear. "Oh gosh, Kierra, you didn't!!"
"Lily!!!"
"OH MY GOSH!"
"Lily calm down!! It's no biggie!"
"Yes it is!" Lily began pacing around the room. "ugh, he knows my classes now!"
"Lily, you are totally overreacting!! Think about it! By tomorrow, well day after tomorrow, after we've had all our classes, he'd know anyway!"
"Well, now you've given him something to look forward to!"
"Lily!" Kierra laughed. "Are you saying her doesn't deserve happiness?"
"No! I didn't mean that...I meant...well..." Lily stammered.
Dominique laughed. "If I didn't know better, I would say that you like Mr. Potter!"
Lily turned on Dominique. "Are you kidding me?? That sorry excuse for a human being"--
"Lily...you're acting like a typical girl!! Going on and on, bashing away at the guy you like...acting as if you don't like him.." Dominique smirked.
"I'm not acting! I don't like him! Period!!" Lily was now as red as her hair.
"Well, there's some truth in Lily's hate, I think," Alice said, getting up, "but...Dominique brings up an interesting point...girls do that you know...Lily..." she smiled, "I think you like him, on some level..."
"Maybe if he wasn't such a prat, I would" Lily answered.
"I think you guys would be cute together" Dominique said.
"Oh my gosh! I told her the same thing last year, and she almost killed me!" said Kierra.
"Well, if you guys are gonna keep arguing, go down to the common room and do it. I'm tired" Alice said, climbing into her own bed. "good night"
"Night" the three other girls said in unison.
"yea I think I'm gonna hit the sack too" Lily said, as Alice drew the curtains of her four poster bed around her.
Kierra and Dominique looked at each other and shrugged, and decided they should head to bed as well. "see you in the morning" Kierra said, as she drew her curtains shut.
The Marauders sat in their chairs in the Gryffindor common room, gobbling up chocolate frogs and bertie botts every flavor beans. "Wonder what classes Dominique's signed up for...should've asked her" Remus said, finally putting his book down.
"No offense Moony, but I don't really like her. I'm sorry.." said James. "I mean, she's good looking and all, but I don't see anything else. What do you see in her Padfoot?"
"sorry, you say something?" asked Sirius, looking quite lost in his own thoughts moments ago.
"oh nevermind." muttered James, turning back to Remus. "She's too...I dunno...full of herself.."
Remus rolled his eyes. "She's really quite nice. You just have to get to know her"--
"yea, we'll see about that" muttered James, getting up. "well, I'm gonna hit the sack. Wanna be fresh and ready for my first class tomorrow, it might be with Evans!" and with that, James headed up the stairs to the boys' dormitory, with Peter at his heels. "Wait for me, Prongs, I think I'm gonna go to sleep too!"
Sirius stared out the window, watching the leaves wrustle on the whomping willow, but his solitude was interrupted by Remus.
"So, taken a fancy to Dominique, eh?"
Sirius shifted his gaze towards his friend, and looked him in the eyes. For some reason, though Sirius couldn't put his finger on it, he saw something in Remus' eyes when he asked that. Was he pleased that he liked Remus' friend? Amused? Worried?
"yea, I think have...you o.k. with that?" Sirius asked.
"yea of course! She's not mine you know" Remus smiled.
"yes..well...she is your friend, so...well, as long as you're ok with it." Sirius looked at his watch. "hey I think I'm going to head to bed myself. You coming?"
"yea, in a bit..I want to finish reading these last couple chapters first. So I'll see you in the morning, I guess."
"ok, well, goodnight Moony"
"Night Padfoot" said Remus, as his friend retreated up the stairs.
Kierra tiptoed quietly down the stairs. She would just grab her book and go. Hopefully there wouldn't be anyone left in the common room to ask her questions. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw that there was only one person left in the common room, and of all people for her to be alone with: Remus Lupin.
Remus looked up when he heard her come down and put his book down. "Kierra"--
"Remus...er, sorry, I just..uh, came for my book...er, was that my book you were reading?" she asked, pointing at the thick hardcover that lay on the table in front of Remus.
"Oh, yea, sorry, didn't know it was yours, uh, here"--
"No, no, its ok, you can read it...hell, keep it..I'll get another copy.." Kierra said quickly, turning around to go back up the stairs before Remus could see her blush.
"Kierra, wait!" Remus hurtled over the couch and ran up to her, taking her hands. Kierra looked at him, praying he couldn't hear her heart pounding.
"Remus..?"
"I was actually hoping you'd come down here..."
"me..?"
"yea.."
"why..."
"Something I've been wanting to do for a while"--
"what..." but Kierra's throat tightened as she felt Remus' hands go to her hips, pulling her closer to him. She struggled to keep her eyes open to take in the experience, but they fluttered shut in defeat, as Remus pressed his lips on hers.
Just as Remus began to pry open her mouth with his tongue, Kierra's eyes snapped open. She sat up and leaned against the headboard of her bed. 'Always happens...just when it gets good...' she thought, rubbing her eyes. She looked at the watch that lay on her nightstand. 1 o'clock a.m. Kierra yawned and pulled her curtains open halfway to observe the room. It was quite still. Alice lay sprawled on her bed as she usually did when she slept; arms in legs going in every which direction, which was also how Kierra also slept. Kierra looked over at Lily, who slept "perfectly and prim" as Alice would say; on one side, her whole body straight, smiling slightly as she slept. 'maybe she's dreaming of James...' Kierra thought, smiling. She shifted her gaze towards her new roommate, Dominique, who, to Kierra's relief, slept as quietly as the rest of them. Dominique was curled up into a tiny ball, her arms covering her face as she slept. It reminded Kierra of the fetus position that unborn babies took when residing in the mother's womb. Though Kierra could not trace back any of her prior knowledge about sleeping patterns, or biology, or psychology, from when she was in muggle schools, she couldn't help but wonder if sleeping like that indicated some sort of abnormality or problem. That was Lily's field. Kierra made a mental note to ask her about it sometime. Until then, Kierra would need to catch up with her sleep, and hopefully with her dreams. As she lay back in her bed, Kierra thought about the dream she had just had. 'I need to get over him' she thought, 'Otherwise, I'm in for a long school year...'