Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recognize from any Harry Potter book. If you don't recognize it: Hey it's mine! The sock puppet idea and pig/duck comment came from The Simpsons.
Heylo everyone! I'd like to say a huge thanks to everyone who reviewed – THANKS! They were wonderful. This chapter is… I don't know – filler, maybe? We're going through our first week back at Hogwarts. I was in an… odd mood for the first bit before Muggle Studies – so I'm sorry if it sets a different mood in the beginning then changes partway through – I've tried to fix it. ;) And uh – I apologize now – I didn't go over this chapter and check spelling and shit, so just bear with me, I'm not in the mood, plus I've read and added to certain parts already. All should be good, but don't rat on me for spelling, I'll probably go over it tomorrow or something and fix any mistakes… or later in the week when it's not Easter Sunday. ;) Anywho – I hope you enjoy this chapter! Don't forget to review and tell me what you think!
(I did my grammar and spelling check. Forgive me if I overlooked one or two – that always seems to happen)
* * *
"I can't believe you're singing Elton John." Lily commented to Sirius early Wednesday morning before breakfast. She and the other girls had woken up early with Arabella who, incidentally, gave them no choice in the matter. Today was the day. What day you ask? The first day Ara will be within twenty feet of Professor Adams since Monday. The poor girl was still getting ready.
"And what, may I ask, is wrong with Elton John?" Sirius asked, attempting and failing once again to prop his legs atop Lily's, on one of the Common Room couches.
"Nothing." Lily assured him quickly, flattening the creases on her skirt. "But with how you sing… there has to be some sort of law against it…"
"Hm… rude and uncalled for. Good morning to you too, Lily." Sirius sat up straight and proper.
"Good morning love." Lily said, and Sirius could hear smile in her voice.
"I knew you'd come arou-" He turned and saw James standing behind their couch, giving Lily a kiss on the head. "Around sometime James. About time you're here." Sirius covered.
Jen and Remus, who were silently sitting on an armchair, Jen on Remus' lap half-asleep and slouching, decided not to comment on anything. They, instead, decided to watch a few fourth years attempt to hold hands, much to the humour of the poor young couples friends who were either quietly giggling or outright laughing at their friends' obvious discomfort with being watched.
"The boyfriend will be singing a different tune when he gets his first real kiss." Remus pointed out, his chin on Jen's shoulder and arms around her waist. "Then he'll see who's laughing when he's getting some action…"
Jens head was resting on the back of the chair so their heads were beside one another. "And she'll have a slumber party reason, complete with pillow fight, chocolate, and hair styling." She smiled and kissed Remus' cheek. "Quite different reactions to that action." (A/N: Every action causes a reaction… yay physics!)
"Hm…" Remus kissed her lips, and pulled back with a lazy smile on his face. He looked beyond his girlfriends face. "And here comes the girl of eternal tardiness now." Remus commentated in his Quidditch game voice as Ara descended the stairs. "Rumour has it this Gryffindor woke her roommates at an ungodly hour, only to kick them out to 'be on time'." He presented his invisible microphone to Peter who was sitting on the table before them.
"Yes, that is quite right Remus." Peter added enthusiastically. "The word about is that she is destined to spend – what was it Melissa?"
"An eternal lifespan in the burning carnage of Hades, with an amplified amount of mental trauma she has caused us this morning." Mel finished with a yawn.
"And that is only after we torment and smother you in your sleep." Lily told Ara with a smile, hanging her head over the back of the couch to see the anxious girl, fully ascended.
"Good morning Ara." Sirius said pleasantly.
"Nice to know you're all here for me." Ara whined with a mixture of disbelief and defeat.
"Oh we are – we just plan on throttling-"
"Smothering." Lily interjected.
"Sorry, smothering you afterwards." Jen said reassuringly, climbing off Remus with a stretch.
"You can always sleep in my bed if you need to feel safe, Ara my dear." Sirius said suavely, offering an arm (and his bed) to Ara.
She politely declined with a slap on the offered arm. "I think I'll risk it." She looked to the others. "Can we go? I'm sorry for waking you a little early-"
"Four AM constitutes as night, Ara." Jen told her, Remus wrapping his arm around her waist as they began to file out of the Common Room. "Was the sun awake?" She asked. "No? Then it's not wakey time."
Ara grabbed Jen's finger that was wagging in her face and held it at waist level. "I'm a tad emotionally unbalanced, sleep deprived, anxious and have a wand. Along with those, there's six years of hexes and curses with five books equipping me for prank wars lodged in my memory at my disposal." She tightened her grip on Jens purpling finger. "Care to run the 'wakey' time by me again?"
"No." Jen said with a high voice, all of them now walking down a flight of stairs, pretending to not pay attention to Ara's hysterics, but listening all the same.
"No?" Ara repeated.
"Ara!" Sirius yelled as he stopped walking ahead of her and began towards her. With an echoing crash of heads the two continued on their way, both nursing their sores. "You want me to sit near you in classes today so it's not obvious if you slip up in your state of… slippiness?"
Ara burst out laughing as they walked into the Great Hall, putting a hand on Sirius shoulder. "Thanks," she said, sitting at the table, "I needed that."
"Guess you needed some sense knocked into you Ara, didn't you?" Peter joked. Everyone groaned and looked away, eating his or her breakfast.
"Have you talked to Genie yet?" James asked Sirius.
"About what?" Sirius questioned, filling his mouth with cereal, orange juice, bacon and a bite of toast. He chewed it in a few bites and swallowed. James shrugged.
"You eat like a pig Sirius." Ara commented with a disgusted face, pouring syrup on her pancakes.
"No, I'd say more like a duck." Remus said with a tilt of his head, apparently comparing Sirius to a duck. "Pigs tend to chew." They all watched as Sirius swallowed an obscene amount of partially chewed food. "Or a pelican." Everyone made sounds of agreement. Well… except for Sirius. He was rolling his eyes and grabbing for some more juice.
"At least it got everything off your mind." He pointed out to Ara. "And James, I haven't talked to her yet." Sirius took a huge gulp of juice. "What have we today, other than Muggle Studies?"
"Charms." Lily answered with a smile. "And I don't know why Mel and I are awake if we don't have class now."
Mel agreed. "And did you take Advanced Transfiguration?" She asked Sirius.
"I did." Sirius answered.
"Then you have that fourth while Lily, Peter and I have History of Magic." Mel finished, leaning against Gus who came in just before she began talking. "Hello."
"Hey." He said, kissing her cheek. "I'd have thought you'd be in bed."
Lily and Ara glared at Ara. "Me too."
"Well, class calls." James said after a few minutes, grabbing his bag from under the bench. "See you two in Charms." He kissed Lily on the lips and got up.
When nearly the entire Hall emptied, Lily and Mel stayed and picked at their food. There were only a few students on the four house tables, all looking upset to be awake.
"You know," Mel began. Lily looked up, "I'm going to be the only one out of us who has no reason to meet Professor Adams, aka Carl." Lily nodded. "I mean, they all have him for Muggle Studies and you met him as some 'Head Girl' thing… and me? Nothing." Lily's head kept nodding, staring over Mel's left shoulder. "And I think I'm pregnant with Gus' child." Nodding. "But it could be Sirius'." More nodding. Mel checked over her shoulder and saw no one anywhere. "But then there was that one night with James and Snape-" nodding "-so I can't really be sure." Mel looked at Lily amused as her head slowly rocked to and fro. "Hell," she continued, "it might even be yours, eh Lily?"
"Maybe."
"What should we name it?" Mel asked, tapping Lily's leg with her foot.
Lily jerked, hands on the table, and looked around rapidly. "Name what?"
Mel's smile grew. "Our child."
Lily's brow creased, her eyes crossed and her mouth moved slowly as she tried to piece together what had happened the past five minutes. She came up with nothing, so she decided to play along. "Justin?"
Mel burst out laughing. Lily sounded so helpless and not to mention she looked it. "Yea, I like that. Should we keep my name or yours?" She asked, wiping her eyes on her sleeve.
"Yours?" Lily answered in the same voice as before, not cottoning on but still attempting a conversation.
"Sounds good." The tables were cleared of the plates but kept a few baskets of fruit for any late comers or students who had this morning to sleep in. "I think that's our cue to go back to sleep."
"You don't have Muggle Studies?" Came a slick voice from behind Mel. Lily looked up and groaned. "I thought you and your clan all stuck together."
"Not like we need to explain ourselves to you, Rockshoot, but we don't need it." Lily told Slytherin coolly.
Leo Rockshoot sneered at them. "Oh right, mudbloods, if I'm correct." He added smugly.
"Actually they aren't." Keaira Blair, Slytherin who catcalled Professor Adams (and has been caught watching him during dinner) at his introduction, said, walking up to her housemate, dark red hair pulled up into a high ponytail. "Gorman here had wizards for parents, am I right?" She focused her ice-blue eyes on Mel, not giving any sign of aiming the indirect insult to Lily.
"Actually Blair," Mel said with false sincerity, matching Keaira's glare with her amber eyes, "there are no mudbloods in or out of the school." She then gave a fake smile. "Perhaps the excess black eye liner has clouded your vision." She feigned concern for the other girl.
Keaira grinded her teeth. "Perhaps." She squinted one of her eyes and tilted her head. "I heard you two talking about Adams." She said conversationally. "All I know is that I should have taken Muggle Studies…" she looked off for a minute then clicked back to reality. She shook her head, seemingly trying to fix her thoughts back into 'Slytherin' mode.
Leo stared at her for a minute. "You'd take a mudblood class just to ogle a teacher?" He asked incredulously with scorn and wide blue eyes.
"I thought we discussed this Lee. There are no mudbloods in or out of Hogwarts." Keiara gave the two dumbfounded and seated girls a half sneer, half smile. "See you two and your lot in Potions on Friday." With that she pulled Leo out of the Great Hall.
"Bye." Mel said quietly. "Rockshoot's as Slytherin as they get… but Blair – she seems…" Mel tapped her finger on the table, trying to find the word, "…undecided. You know?" She looked at Lily who hadn't said anything since the beginning. "Anything wrong Lily?"
Lily focused her eyes on a concerned Mel. "Why would you as that?"
Mel's head quirked back a bit. "You've been spacey this morning." She stood up with Lily. "That can't be good for our baby."
~ * ~
"So you're ready to go in Ara?" Jen asked as they stood before the door to the Muggle Studies classroom. Everyone else was inside and had given the group odd looks as they entered.
"Yes." Ara answered, squaring her shoulders.
The group walked into the classroom and weren't surprised to see all the girls at the front, avidly watching the Professor and the boys moodily sitting in the back, occasionally shooting glares at Adams.
With amused looks at each other, the group took their seats in the middle of the rows of desks. The classroom was very slightly slanted downward, giving the people in the back a good view of the teacher. Remus, Jen and Peter sat in front of James, Sirius and Ara, filling up the last six seats. The last two sat together to casually bonk heads if either slipped up, especially with Ara's 'slippiness' that day.
James had sat down beside Janna Rosado, Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain. "Hey," he said, taking out his parchment, "got a good team this year?"
Janna, with curled dark brown hair pulled up in a ponytail, turned to James. "Hopefully. We need to hold a few tryouts, but we're still good. You?"
"We just need a Keeper, but I have my eye on a couple who have tried out before." He shrugged, unscrewing his inkbottle.
"Too bad we'll still kick your ass, though." Janna joked but kept a serious face. "No matter who your Keeper is, Ravenclaw will win – you guys beat us by just 12 points last year in the House Cup, and 8 for Quidditch."
James raised his eyebrows. "Remember these things, do you? Isn't that a tad too competitive for a quaint Ravenclaw like yourself?" He joked back.
Janna mock glared. "You know I could hurt you any day James, it's just my sweet demeanour that stops me from pummelling you." She heard Sirius laugh from beside James. "And you too Sirius. All you beaters think you're so tough – but the stick you shield yourself with is just compensating for something."
Everyone around them 'oooooh'ed or laughed as Sirius' face went red and he mouthed wordlessly, not knowing how to respond to that.
"You're not going to take that, are you Sirius?" Ara asked, nudging him.
"Yes I am." Sirius said. "If she can kick James' ass, I'm not going to correct her on her obvious misjudgement."
As the class began to settle down, Adams stood in front of his desk and casually leaned on it, arms crossed and waiting for silence.
"Does he honestly think we'll shut up if he just stands there?" Sirius whispered to James who smiled, watching Adams in silence. Ara elbowed Sirius and nodded to the front when he looked at her. Sirius complied by slouching back in his seat and crossing his arms.
Adams smiled. "Thank you Mr. Black." It was then that Sirius noticed he was the last one to talk.
James and Ara side glanced bemused looks at Sirius while the three before him slightly turned their heads to also give him humoured looks.
"How'd you know my name?" Sirius asked, straightening up.
"Your reputation precedes you." Adams said. Sirius beamed proudly. "Some teachers eagerly offered stories, while others asked me not to speak of you to them."
"Alright…" Sirius nudged James. "I've corrupted the staff."
"Now, I'd like to introduce myself to you." Adams stood straight. "I am Professor Adams and went to Beauxbatons for my seven schooling years, that is why, before you ask, none of you know me." He turned and grabbed the attendance from his desk. "When I call your name please enlighten us, the class, with a short fact about you or your childhood that we, who are not in your House, would not necessarily know."
Everyone looked around, hoping that they weren't the only ones looking sceptical of this. Sirius looked positively delighted.
"Alright, let's start with…" Adams skimmed the list, "Fawcett, Tegan."
Tegan, who had attended the birthday party at the Black's over the summer, tapped her quill on her the desk, thinking. "Um…"
"Tell them about summer before fourth year!" Hunter Fawcett yelled to her from the back. Hunter was in Ravenclaw while Tegan resided in Hufflepuff.
Tegan's face went pale. "No!" She turned and yelled at him. "Ok, I once volunteered at a muggle soup kitchen." She said shyly. A chorus of 'awww…' came from the girls (plus the Marauders).
"Very nice Tegan. Fawcett, Hunter – how about you?" Adams said, checking off Tegan's name on the attendance.
"Yea, I uh…" Hunter laughed. "I made a bathtub full of gelatin last summer." Some of the guys cheered while the girls rolled their eyes. Sirius reached a hand behind him and gave Hunter a high five.
Adams smiled. "What flavour?"
"I mixed them all to get enough, but predominately strawberry and cherry." Hunter replied.
"Ok. Black, Jennifer." He checked off Hunter's name.
Jen looked up and leaned back. "I…" she blushed. "I used to eat worms when I was younger."
The class laughed and Remus patted her knee. Adams was trying not to laugh. "How nutritious… Yurt, Piotrek." He checked off Jen's name.
Piotrek looked at Adams and he too had to think for a minute. "Ok, first off, just call me Yurt, and something everyone other than Ravenclaws would know…" He grinned. "I am a closet Elton John fan." People laughed and Sirius cheered.
"Tell our Head Girl that." Sirius added.
"Alright, Rosado, Janna." Adams checked off Piotreks name.
Janna looked around at everyone before answering. "I broke ten bones before the age of 10." She answered simply.
"Yours or other peoples?" Sirius asked, looking over James to the brunette.
Janna gave him a sarcastic smile. "Do you really want to find out Sirius?"
Sirius' grin faded. "No." His eyes widened as his and Ara's heads met in a crash. "Sorry Ara." He mumbled as Ara glared at him. Everyone was laughing at them, not caring to wonder why they just hit heads.
"I think we better go to Black, Sirius now." Adams said to them, checking off Janna's name and sitting on his desk.
Sirius' face lit up. "There's so much to tell…" He put a fist to his mouth and thought for a bit.
"Something embarrassing Sirius." Jen said, obviously with something in mind. "Like Mr. Bubbles?"
Sirius' eyes grew wide. "No!" Once again his and Ara's heads bonked, but no one noticed as they were all chuckling. "You're not to mention him!" Jen just laughed.
"Come on Sirius, tell us of Mr. Bubbles." Janna mocked, her green eyes sparkling. "Was he your teddy bear?"
Sirius glared at her, then Jen. "Not really. Mr. Bubbles was a sock puppet Jen made when we were younger." He stated.
"You know that's not what I meant." Jen said, making him continue.
"I was scared-"
"And still is." Jen added.
"Of Mr. Bubbles." Sirius finished sourly. The class roared with laughter, and even Adams had to put a hand to his mouth to cover his mirth.
Adams cleared his throat. "Ok then." He was looking at Sirius but gave a quick glance to Ara. "Lupin, Remus." He checked off Sirius' name.
Remus gave his friends a quick look. Oh yes, there was definitely something people wouldn't know about him… "Uh, my brother and I got flashed by a muggle in downtown London over the summer."
People laughed some more and Adams said, "That was you?" He gasped. "I'm so sorry!" Everyone stopped laughing and stared at Adams. Ara and Remus were the only ones to keep laughing. "Moving on." People started chuckling. He checked off Remus' name. "Figg, Arabella."
"Something you wouldn't know…?" She mumbled to herself with a sly smile to Adams.
Adams looked at her from his desk. "Yes, me and the rest of the class."
"I punched the first boy who kissed me in the face." Ara grinned. "After I learned why he did it of course."
People laughed some more. "I bet that taught him." Adams smirked.
"He hasn't done it since, Professor." Ara told him.
"Maybe he's scared you'll sock him, and is forever worried of sitting near you when you're on the war path." Sirius said grumpily.
"It was on a dare." Ara said without looking at him.
"You were 5!"
"So were you!" Ara argued back, facing him. "I'm not apologizing."
"My mum fussed over me for nearly a week!" Sirius yelled.
"Dad found it hilarious." Jen added into their conversation.
"You cried." Ara stated, facing the front again.
"You punched me!" Neither noticed the entire class laying face down on their desks, laughing or Adams chuckling.
"Yea well, you hurt my feelings." Ara said, wanting to end the conversation.
"I'm sorry." Sirius sighed.
"Apology accepted."
"Aren't you going to apologize?" Sirius asked.
"Sorry."
"Ok!" Adams interrupted. "Thank you Arabella… and Sirius for that lovely moment. Moving on to Potter, James."
James smirked. "I dared Sirius to kiss a girl at a park when we were 5." People laughed again.
'This is going to be a great class,' was a thought going through everyone's head.
Shaking his head, Adams continued, checking off James and Ara's names. "Onto Hennessey, Laura."
The shy Hufflepuff looked down and said quietly, "I wanted to be a zebra when I grew up." A blush crept on her cheeks as she smiled.
People chuckled while Jen and Sirius 'awww'ed her.
"Ok, Manning, Halle." Adams called, giving Laura a smile and checking off her name.
Halle smiled. "Well, I'm a half blood, so knowing my mum was a witch… my brother told me that if I jumped off my trampoline – I could fly." People chuckled.
"How'd that work out for you?" Sirius asked, a couple seats up from the blonde.
Halle turned around. "Not too well."
"Very good." Adams smiled at the class. "Pettigrew, Peter."
Peter glanced around at everyone. He too had something that no one knew… but he obviously couldn't say that. "I used to write 'secret messages' on my face in yellow highlighter thinking no one could see them." Everyone roared with laughter (having learned about highlighters in first year), even Adams.
He wiped his eyes a minute later. "Good on you Peter. Ok…" He checked off Peter's name. "Next is Loquart, Dennis."
Dennis had been sitting in the back with the other boys from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. "I used to climb telephone poles, and fell off once. My grandmother gave me hell."
"Hell?" James repeated, having heard this story a few years ago in their dorm.
"Absolute hell." Dennis said again with a smile. "I thought they were just odd looking trees."
Adams nodded and checked off his name. "Patron, Ryan is our last one." He looked back up.
A mischievous smile crept on his face. "I got a piercing over the summer." Everyone's eyes went wide and searched his face and ears.
"Where is it?" Peter asked sounding horrified.
"Can I show it, Professor?" Ryan asked.
"Do you have to take off any clothes?" The Professor asked, already knowing the answer.
"Only my robes and shirt." Ryan replied casually.
"Then no. That is the sort of thing you do on your own time – not mine." He got off the desk "Everyone open your books to the first chapter, and we'll quickly review what you should already know." The class went on for another hour, going through the review, and questions that the class had, asking things the previous Professor couldn't answer well. "Ok, that was our first lesson. Read chapter one in your textbooks, and summarize it on one-foot parchment, to be handed in next week. Now that we all know a bit about each other, I hope we're all more comfortable and can have fun in this class. Class dismissed."
Everyone excitedly got up and left the class, highly amused by today's lesson.
"I am definitely going to enjoy that class." Remus commented as they all left to meet Lily and Mel in Charms.
"I wasn't even the 'slippery one' in class, was I Sirius?" Ara said, throwing Sirius a look. "I think I'll need to see that new nurse, Pumphrey was her name? For some good ol' headache cure."
"Pomfrey. Her name is Pomfrey." Remus told her. "I met her yesterday, but only briefly."
"Is she nice?" James asked. "I mean, I'm sure Sirius and I will be well acquainted with her as well."
"And you're saying I won't?" Peter asked, a bit upset and hurt that he didn't think of him.
"I think Prongs means that we all end up in the Hospital Wind more than others – but you Peter don't take as many stupid risks as James and I." Sirius explained. They all entered the Charms class and saw Lily and Mel already there. "Would you rather us to think you that stupid?" (A/N: I picture the classrooms the same as in the movies – so Charms is like that of PS/SS)
James and Peter sat beside the girls as Remus, Jen, Sirius and Arabella took the row behind them.
"How was class?" Mel asked, leaning forward to see the two boys who sat beside them.
"Absolutely great." James told them. "Even I didn't know Sirius is afraid of sock puppets."
"Sock puppets?" Lily repeated dryly.
"It's not something that often comes up in civilized conversation." Sirius said from behind them. "And I'd thank you not to mention Mr. Bubbles again." He shuddered when he said the name.
A grin tugged at Lily's lips and Mel flat out smiled. "Mr. Bubbles? Is that your concoction Jen?" Mel asked.
"Most definitely." Jen responded. "Now I wonder Peter," she said, turning to her left and looking down a Peter, "in Herbology this year, as we haven't assigned partners-" Sirius grinned like a mad-man "-I might need help with the pus."
Peter turned red and everyone around them sniggered. "I already have a partner." Peter said quietly, causing the others to stop laughing and pay attention. "Sorry about that Jennifer." Still red, he turned around and got out his wand, waiting for class to begin.
All the friends raised their eyebrows and shared looks of amused curiosity. Remus cleared his throat. "And who might this partner be?"
"I do not wish to tell you her name." Peter replied, not looking at them.
Everyone's grins widened but were stopped from commenting as Flitwick began the first lesson.
~ * ~
Classes for Wednesday were over and all Hogwarts students eagerly retired to their Common Rooms for the afternoon. Our group had taken two couches near a window to relax before dinner. Remus and Mel were playing a quick game of Wizarding chess to pass the time while others lounged, sprawled about and made small talk.
Sirius all of the sudden sat up straight. "Oh right!" He stretched, everyone watching him. "I've got to talk to Genie…" Everyone nodded to him and went back to their previous (and oh so exciting) activities.
Sirius walked around the Common Room, looking for his girlfriend or whatever they were now… yea, girlfriend. He saw her friends – Ivani and Dakota. Sirius put on a smile and walked up to them. "Hello ladies." They both looked up, saying hello. "Either of you know where I might find one Genie Yale?" He asked, rocking from his heels to the balls of his feet, arms swaying.
"Yes, she should be up in Trelawney's class." Ivani said with a roll of her eyes. "I swear she's just kindling to Trelawney's fire."
"What do you mean?" Dakota asked. "Trelawney is so good. Much better than that Rosebud teacher we had before." Dakota looked up at Sirius. "Although you and your friends enjoyed Rosebud." Ivani snorted and Sirius went pink. "Or was it McGonagall? Oh no – you had the poem-"
"Well I'm off to fine Genie now." Sirius interrupted. "I'll see you two around." The girls (laughing) bid him farewell.
He wandered the halls, not too intent on seeing Trelawney again. When they had gone back for their second class of Divination, she kept shooting him sad and pitiful glances. He had it in his mind to fake his death during her class, just to appease her. After a long walk and climb up the North Tower, Sirius reached the trap door and silver ladder.
Both Genie and Trelawney looked at him when he entered, Trelawney with a sorrowful stare. "Can I help you with anything, Black?" she asked. "A tarot card reading perhaps?"
"Er… not really…" He guessed, more so hoped, it was just the fumes going to his head, but he was quite uncomfortable standing there before the two females. "But thank you. I was actually looking for Genie – but then again, you probably knew that."
Trelawney pursed her lips. "It had come to me, yes, but I dared not bother thinking of it when there are more troublesome matters at hand." She said airily, fixing her bug-eye glasses. "Are we done here, Ms. Yale?" She asked, indicating the star charts.
"Yes Professor, thank you for the extra time." Genie replied, gathering her books. "I'll see you in class next week."
"Very well." Trelawney began to look over her charts once more as Genie made her way to Sirius.
Sirius stepped away and let her descend first before following. As they began walking back, Sirius cleared his throat. "Well, I wanted to talk to you, Gene." He started, side glancing her. He saw her watch him. "Um… I don't feel that this relationship is moving ahead anywhere…" He scratched his head, hoping he wasn't sounding too harsh or stupid. "So I thought we'd, you know, end it here." He stopped and looked at her.
Genie stared at him for a minute. "I was waiting for this." Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Trelawney and I saw that this would happen soon. It was fun though." She gave him a small smile. "But I just – saw it coming in class earlier, and Trelawney second it."
'Yea, you keep telling yourself that.' Sirius thought. But aloud he said, "Well that makes it easier, doesn't it? Can't mess with the stars." Genie shook her head. "Well, dinner should be ready – shall we?"
Genie smiled at him. "We shall."
Sirius and Genie parted ways when they entered the Great Hall, each going to their group of friends. Sirius sat down with a big smile.
"Witches and wizards – I, Sirius Black, am now single. Watch out girls – Padfoot is on the prowl." He said, spooning some mashed potatoes for himself.
"That was the cheesiest thing I've ever heard…" Remus muttered, shaking his head. "On the prowl?" Jen stifled a laugh.
"So you two are broken up?" James asked. Sirius nodded, stuffing his face with chicken. "Did she 'See' it coming?" Everyone smiled.
"Her and Trelawney." Sirius told them. "Can't mess with that, can you? Pass the pumpkin juice please, Peter." Peter complied. "Yea, so not much love lost there… I mean, she was fun – but nothing too… what's the word? Spark filled."
"That's two words there, Sirius." Ara told him. "So you and I are the single ones now…"
Sirius gave her his flirtatious smile. "My offer still stands – you can always sleep in my bed if you want." He touched her leg under the table with his shoe.
Ara jumped and then kicked him. "Don't be a prat."
"And it starts again…" Lily mumbled behind her glass to Jen and James on either side of her. "So is there anything you lot want James and us to do this year?" She asked her friends. "Seeing as we're Heads now… and can come up with fun things."
"A ball would be nice." Mel shrugged. "We've never had one – well, other years have, but we were in second year I think, last time there was a ball."
"How about some sort of fun… week?" Gus suggested. Everyone gave him confused looks, so he elaborated. "Well, I have a muggle friend, and at his school they have ghost weeks or something… different days-"
"Oh spirit week?" Lily asked.
"Yes – spirit. They sound fun." Gus said casually.
"We'll bring those up at the meeting with the Prefects Friday. So a ball, spirit week…" James trailed off, waiting for anyone else to throw things in.
"Hogsmeade every weekend?" Sirius tried. "I think everyone would like that."
"Everyone would like no more classes also, Tampon." Remus told him. "But that won't happen."
"Remus is right." Lily told Sirius. "Do we have Astronomy tonight?"
"I believe so." Jen said, pulling her schedule out of her bag. "Yes, Astronomy at 11."
"Oh good – we'll see what else the stars have in store for me!" Sirius said excitedly. "So I'll die… break up with my girlfriend… what else? Get trampled by a rampaging hoard of Hippogriffs?"
"Nah," Gus said, waving his hand, "drowning by Giant Squid, and sacrificial burial by mermen."
* * *
And that's the end of Chapter 6! I put the website for palmistry in my bio and took off the little paragraph that was in the previous chapter. So go check it out if you're interested! But other than that I have nothing to say right now… so onto my thank you's!
GryfindorGirl: Yea, a lot of people apparently forgot about the curse on Ara and Sirius. Tut tut. Bold and italics? Read the directions for posting a story – they tell you about html vs. doc in Word. It really helps – thanks for the review!
nobody: Well, I think you're somebody. :) But on another note – thanks very much!
LadyArwen: Happy I make you laugh! I make me laugh too. (Is that a good thing?) And no – this would be the first time you've mentioned such dreams with the Nazgul. I loved the review and little cheesy ending sentence! It's like something out of… some movie review or something!! "This chapter might not have been a cliff hanger but it still leaves you wanting more!" Nice. Very, very nice! Thanks for the review~
TheSilverLady: :) I liked the chapter title too. Good song, that. Yes, I think Remus the drug dealer sounds marvellous. How about we make him stick to a certain kind? Essence of asphodel? Sound good to you? That's what he's known for in "the trade." Right then – thanks for the review!
kerry: I hope you don't mind me making you into some sort of… indecisive Slytherin that doesn't really want to hate everyone, but doesn't want to – you know, not fit in and be ridiculed by her house mates… does that make sense? But yes – that is the kicker that you won't be a Death Eater. Right then. Alright – thanks for the review!
Narwen: Nice to have you back. *wipes tears* I missed you man… Can't decide if you want Carl or Sirius with Ara? Annoying, isn't it? I still have that problem too… And I don't know what you're talking about with Lily and James… maybe I wrote them that way a bit unintentionally. Anywho – thanks for the review!
Liv: LOLOLOL I loved the letter!!! LOVED it. Although it caused you distress and possibly detention… it was hilarious. And good on you for the picture! Oh you two are hilarious. The picture reminds me of Jen that we read of in TGTYEL with James and Sirius having a mud fight in the background. Thanks for the review! Oh wait! The second one! Thanks for that one too – made me laugh.
running-out-of-ink: Ok – no I never said Remus and Jen are going out… but I never said Mel and Gus were going out either… actually – let's just say that it's all just assumed. I like the whole Div part of last chapter. God knows I'd have done that. :) I hate my computer sometimes too *glares at CPU* Thinks it's all cool for shutting down on its own and freezing… dammit. I like how your reviews get longer :) I don't think JKR will make a MWPP series, or even a few books… dammit though, eh? Thanks for your review! Love 'em!
Vega Black: Thanks! I hope you had a fun trip in DC. Thanks for the review!
Beaver Buddy: Eww – student/teacher relationships are wrong – except for C/A in my story. They were dating before the teacher thing. I would have Trelawney see the Grim for Sirius if they did tealeaves or crystal ball gazing. But you can't see that in a hand. I'm actually having you on the team for Ravenclaw. Sound good to you? Hope so! Thanks for the review! I just got your second review – yes don't worry, I'm the most HP obsessed in my town, I think. Well, at least in my age range. Happy you liked everything. ;)
SiriDragon: Hmm… don't like Carl, eh? You're the first to think that after my Ara/Carl time – most people like him more now. ;) My friend is doing a Tarot Card reading for me right now!! (Over the phone) It is so fun :) Thanks for the review!
Feyla: Yea, I want Carl and Ara together – but I also have a tad bit of love for Sirius and Ara… we'll see how it all comes out, eh? Thanks for the review!
Lizmaurder4eva: *lol* If you wanted to change the spelling of your name (which you don't have to do) it's spelt Marauder. ;) I'm actually 18 years-old, therefore I was in England at age 15. Thanks for your review!
sayuri-chan: You got Harry Potter stickers!? Oh yea – there was a little bucket of them at Walmart last time… I didn't check this time! Damn – I'll have to go back and jack some. I love PoA the best too ;) – gotta love Remus and Sirius! I'm sure the movie will be done better also. (or else…) Right then – thanks for the review!
puddy103: Thanks for the review! Happy you enjoyed Divination class!
SJAngel: I know what you mean – ff.net has been messing up way too much lately… Thanks for all the comments! I love knowing what you guys liked! :):) Thanks for the review!
Melu: *gasps* No! You never have reviewed! Well, first off – thanks for reading and sticking with me! *clears throat* Yes, thank you – I changed what Ara said during breakfast. (damn!) So all is good. Thanks for the great review!
Lily Smith: Happy you liked my research on palmistry. I enjoyed doing it. Now – there is another thing I had to research for something in later chapters – and it was none too pleasant to look up. *grumbles* But you will all find out when the time comes! (When you are ready…) And as you can see (ex. Flower birthday thing, palmistry, etc) I can't bullshit my way through – it irks me. Thanks for the review!
Snuffles 55: *lol* Yea, I didn't tell you you'd be there, eh? Surprise!! Yea, I'm sick and tired of the Hufflepuff stereotype. Damn annoying. Especially when we have no reason to think that from the books. I mean – what Hufflepuff have we met that's like that? Cedric? Harry was just pissed off that Cho went with Cedric instead of him, so he called him a useless jock who doesn't have enough brains to fill an eggcup. So people thought: "If Harry thinks that about someone he's jealous/envious of – all Hufflepuffs are like that!" Anywho – thanks for the review!
Star: *lol* Yea, last chapter was a real laugh. Oh it is such a compliment when people say my story is light hearted and such! Or that it's positive even in sad situations… thank you so much. Oh I'm blushing at all the compliments I'm getting on my shower scene and realism!! I know about the being joined at the hip – I was making them like that then thought: "When was the last time they ate alone?" So I decided to throw it in! Stop saying that I'm as good as or better than JK!! Just – thanks. That's a real super compliment to give someone. Really. And thanks for the absolutely great review. It was different from most, and was just a really good read – I sincerely thank you.
everblue3: *looks upset* So it's not as long… when I saw that a review I had was 8K – I thought to myself: "Now Jen – only everblue3 writes reviews that large – but that cannot be hers! Her highest is 12K!!" Alas – it was. But it was still long, no doubt about that! Since I'm running far behind (again) this thank you won't be as long as usual! Oh yes – I read pommekitty's update. God I love that story. I just started to read it, actually, when your review came in. :) (lol – my bird just gave me a kiss with a bit of tongue and tasted my lip gloss. He won't stop asking for kisses, giving me them and using his tongue just a bit to taste some more. Then he pulls back and says: "Wow…" Then he tastes the lip-gloss for a bit on his tongue and beak then says: "Give me a kiss." Gives me one, then says "Wow…" again. It is too cute.) Right then. Actually – the cookie part of last chapter were direct quotes from the song "If Moon Was Cookie" from the Cookie Monster. We can all thank Sarah for sending me all the Cookie Monster songs over MSN. Thank you Sarah. And that's where I got the title of the chapter, too. *cheeky grin* It's not overbearing of Carl to want Ara to call him Professor. If it gets out, he can lose his job and Ara could be humiliated and screwed in school. Not cool. I am still wondering on whether they will have "breaks" and have mini snog sessions… that could be fun. Thanks for the lengthy review!
Agent AAA: *lol* Thanks for the review! I'm still undecided about the Ara and Sirius thing, but we'll see, eh? Thanks again!
song*breeze: *lol* Uplifting apart from when it's not uplifting? Thanks! Actually – a lot of people say that kind of stuff so thanks! Thanks for the review!
Kari: I just had my fortune and stuff read by my friend with Tarot Cards over the phone! It was really fun. :):) Thanks – gotta love Remus and Jen! (mmm… Remus…) And you were kidding about the sex change? Oh no – don't mind me… I just *sniff* have something in my eye…
magnolia: Yes, yes – Ara as old lady… I have my plans for now… but that will all be in good time. Do not fret my friend! Do not fret. Thanks for the review!
mystikalolo: You know what – thinking of titles for my chapters are so much fun. I like the ones I have so far – they're just great. And all have hidden meaning! I think… Thanks for the review! More head banging in this one. ;)
chanzo654: Yes, owls can take care of their own babies – I never said they couldn't ;) But what makes you think Psyche is pregnant? Happy you liked Divination, and hope you liked my first Muggle Studies class. Thanks for the review!
Amethyst: Well, well – happy belated birthday! Oh God – people were attacking each other at your party? Doesn't sound too… fun. But I'm sure you'll say it was – so I take it back! Thanks for the 'review'! (lol – go read it – you didn't mention the chapter once ;););)) *lol* Bye!
MandaB: *lol* Your hair is orange but not by choice? Genie is done after my friend (I asked her if she wanted a character, so she gave me the name and looks – pretty much her) and that's what she got done a couple of weeks ago. Bleached her blonde hair and got orange streaks. Oddly enough – it looks good. Oh I'm happy you checked out the Elfwood page! That's actually my friend who's Genie (if you didn't read that part of my bio) – and she got all excited when I told her you liked it! Thanks for the review!
penpunk: You're back, you're back!! Yay!! Yes I realize that I've gone a bit more with Sirius and Ara – but their lives are more exciting as of this moment… but now that Ara has had her first class with Adams, and Sirius and Genie are done for – we should be back to normal. ;) Ok – more with Lily and Voldemort? It's put on hold for a bit (as Mel found out, and Lily learned) but it will come back. But when? I dunno – before Christmas in the story for sure – I have a plan for that… hehehe… Can't tell too much, eh? So many people like PoA the best – as do I. Love it. (mmm… Remus…) Anywho – thanks for the review!
Jess: OMG – the finger lightly on the palm of your hand is too ticklish. I made James' reactions as mine were. Right away I started rubbing my hand on my knee and leg. It was so tingly! Happy you've enjoyed this story so much! Thanks for the review!
ferahgo: I hope you don't mind me making you slightly evil and very Slytherin-ish. But that's what Slytherins are, eh? Thanks for the multitude of reviews! They were all very good. Thanks so much!
blinky86: Awww… happy you enjoyed MSTT so much! I think that and the shower scene with James are people's favourite parts all together. I cracked up with what you said about Genie and using her "Inner Eye". I told my friend (who Genie is the portrayal of) about it. *LOL* She just replied to that comment with: "I hope she (you) dies and that she was only in it for the sex." She's joking about the dieing of course, and yea… there was no sex – but it's hilarious. *wipes tears* Anywho – thanks for correcting me on the "No" thing – I fixed it! Thank you! Thank you all together! That was a fun review…
Nessie: So where were you in your little 'let's not read Laminas story', hmmm?? Have better things to do apparently? *clears throat* Thanks for correcting me on Sirius and the "No" thing – only a few of you did and thanks! It's all fixed now. And the website is: the-leaky-cauldron.org/ You'll have to look back a bit on their archives to about a week or two ago, and it'll put it there. Holidays? I'm not on holidays… well, there's Easter holidays this weekend and they're going well so far! Congrats on the job, too! I need to get one… hm… anywho! Thanks for the review!
~sundust~: Oh thank you! And how do you keep coming up with these things? Oh I have a document!! Woo! Now I can show all my friends and family to prove to them that I truly am the Master!! *wipes tears* Thanks man. Thanks for the review and gift!
Clearbrook: Thanks for the review! Happy you found it hilarious! ;)
She shoots, She Scores: Ah… there's the new name!! I know, more people than I expected want Ara and Carl to work, but then I have the Ara and Sirius regulars – but then there's the undecided (like me) that just don't know what to do!! I read "Snogwarts" already – don't know if I've told you that… hmm… but it is great. Right then! Thanks for reviewing!
GreenEyedPickle: Ok – I officially love your reviews. Like – really, they're great. I read my friend your reviews now, and she laughs with me. And once again with the Remus/porn – I do think he could be quite animal in the sack. (sorry – had to word it like that) It's usually the quite ones who get kinky. Honestly – I had this discussion with about 4 of my friends, and a few guys. We all agreed on that… so you never know. I must say that I died laughing at the "I say, Albus, another glowing deer." That part on its own was absolutely great. Just keep the fun reviews coming! *clears throat* I don't know what you're talking about… there is absolutely nothing wrong with Psyche. MOVING on… Ok – I'll end this now cause I have to go to the bathroom. ;) Thanks for the super fun reviews!!!
blackpanter13: Ah yes – I'll miss the old penname I will! Did you get a new account or just change your address? Why'd you get grounded? (she asks rather than laughing… but I will. *lol*) Right then – I'm done here (hehehe), so thanks for the review!!
Ok WOW – now I'm onto my thanks for other chapters, and I believe some for TGTYEL! Running-out-of-ink (*shakes head* good for you…), Vega Black (*lol* thanks!), VoldemortsIllegitimateChild (*laughing* good on you!), penpunk (Oh you're back!!! Although I said that earlier…), ferahgo (thank you, thank you, thank you!!), duckiesRcool (could you possibly e-mail me if you get this? I'd like to get some more info from you;) my e-mail's in my bio), sa;lk (yes I know – I just wanted to see who thought Prongs was silver;)), saj aneri (aw, when you get here and if you look here – thanks!), squorpionlady (thanks for all the reviews!), boot (um… yea.), Kaeldra (*lol* Guinea fowl? Nice. I know James is a chaser, but I just felt like making him a chaser. Thanks for everything!).
*wipes brow* And I am finally done! Those all took me… 4 hours. Plus time for lunch (which I ate while I typed), a tarot card reading from my friend over the phone (and I typed as I did that too) and many a other phone conversations that all involved me typing in the background… but I'm done!! *laughs insanely* I'm done!!!! And anything else?
How about some sort of poll thing again… OK! What is your favourite book (you can't say Book V cause you 'know' it will be – no Trelawney responses like that allowed) of the four we have already, and your favourite part. Example: For me, I love Prisoner of Azkaban. Why? I'm in love with Remus and love Sirius. Favourite part? Boggart scene with Snape in Grandma Longbottoms clothes.
Nothing can beat that. Nothing. So tell me your fave and why and what part is the best (in your opinion). I love reading those kind of things! I'll see you all next week! Tally ho!