Once more, I don't own the characters, but I like to pretend I do. And my reviewers are amazing.
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Something New
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Needless to say, Sirius did not visit James over the summer. In fact, neither did Remus or Peter; as both has written to James, informing them that they "couldn't make it." But this didn't stop the three of them from owling each other at least twice a week.
Remus had finished seven muggle classics, Peter visited his Aunt who happened to make the best pies known to man, and James was so intent on making the quiddich team next year that he had practiced flying until he nearly passed out from exhaustion.
None of this, however, had reached Sirius, who was, by his standards, having the worst summer of his life.
The dark-haired boy crossed his arms, growling in frustration as he shifted in the leather chair. He sat sideways, legs dangling over one arm, hair spilling over the other.
It was completely unfair.
The house had been warded against any and all unknown owls and his own, Talon, had been taken and locked up who-knows-where. Sirius wasn't sure whether or not his friends had even written him letters, a matter he was currently pouting over.
Hiding in the study seemed the perfect solution, not only is it the last place anyone would expect to find him, but it was always woefully neglected. In his opinion, the best place to brood. Dark wood furniture dotted the room, and full-length bookshelves lined the walls. Old and antique books covered the desk and the shelves, with only a single lamp in the corner.
The book he was supposed to be reading lay ignored on the floor, the boy's attention currently focused on the window. Below was their greenhouse, though the word really didn't seem appropriate. A walkway made of glass lead from the back of the house to an expansive cobblestone courtyard.
Immense windows were lined with candles, and the stone walls were overrun with ivy and wisteria. A single willow tree covered the entrance with its long green stands dotted with jasmine. Inside, seated on rustic benches, surrounded by every plant and herb you could ever need and the soft glow of candles, were his brother and his private tutor.
Regulus, Sirius snorted.
His younger brother would be starting at Hogwarts this year, a detail Sirius was trying desperately to avoid.
Anticipation and anxiety had waged a constant battle the past few days, and it was making Sirius exhausted. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, the blue-eyed boy sat up angrily, running his hands through his hair. He heaved a breath, growing restless. He'd been under house arrest since the summer started and Sirius was sure he was going insane. His mother had even ordered Isabella to go and pick up their school supplies without him.
Now he was back to that topic. Sirius was frustrated. He couldn't stand this sort of limbo. Last year, he'd had his school bags packed weeks in advance, now he hadn't even bothered to start. All in all, Sirius wasn't sure whether he should be looking forward to this year at Hogwarts with anticipation or dread.
Attempting to ignore his brother, he strode across the room and yanked the curtains shut violently. Blue-eyes looked at the calendar to his side, and he sighed softly. August 31st.
Tomorrow.
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If the activity on the platform was any indication, then Regulus was going to get along just fine. Sirius stood off to the side, watching as Bellatrix and Lucius rushed over to greet his younger brother. Handshakes ensued and the blond laughed, putting an arm around the smaller boy's shoulders. Bellatrix looked over at him blankly, their eyes met briefly and when she walked away with the other boys, Sirius felt the pang of a feeling he couldn't quite name.
He shook his head, bringing himself back to reality. He'd been standing there for what seemed like an eternity and still, there was no sign of them. No James. No Remus. No Peter. Interrupting his search, the train's whistle screeched, reminding the boy that it was nearly nine, and the driver was eager to leave.
He sighed, hefting his bag up and climbing onto the train, pushing past the other students who were desperately seeking a seat.
Students crammed themselves into rooms, and the compartments were filling up fast. Seeing no other open seats, Sirius headed towards the back of the train, and opened the door. Seated inside was a boy in Slytherin robes, looking altogether irritated and miserable. He sat hunched over a book; long, dark hair covered his eyes, and he seemed utterly absorbed in his scribbling.
"Mind if I sit in here?" Sirius asked, walking in and sliding the door shut behind him before hearing an answer.
The other boy looked up, clearly startled, before his expression was replaced with a mask of neutrality. "No. Go right ahead." The boy replied, and Sirius couldn't help but notice the marked sarcasm. They sat across from each other in silence, analyzing, sizing one another up. Grey eyes met blue, and as the train started, neither flinched, almost daring the other to move.
All of the sudden, the two were startled by their door being opened, both whirling to see who had dared to intrude. "Would you like something from the trolley?" An elderly witch with a cart full of assorted candies stood outside their compartment, waiting for a response.
The other boy seemed to struggle with the question for a few seconds before Sirius interrupted. "Two pumpkin pasties and two chocolate frogs please."
The woman smiled after the money was exchanged, and Sirius returned the smile briefly before sliding the door shut again. He sat back down and handed one of each to the boy across from him. Grey eyes regarded him carefully, as if attempting to find an ulterior motive. "I don't need your charity."
"It isn't charity."
A few seconds ticked by in silence before his body visibly relaxed and the other boy took the offered snacks.
At this, Sirius leaned back in his seat, unwrapping a chocolate frog. "So what's your name?" He asked simply, preferring the point-blank approach. The other boy shook dark hair out of his face, and looked at him evenly. "Severus Snape. Second year." Sirius was happy to note that he didn't offer to shake hands. It was a ridiculous gesture in his opinion.
"I'm Sirius Black, also second year."
Severus blinked in surprise. "Black?" Oh great. "Yeah" He answered with a sigh, just barely containing an eye-roll. The grey-eyed boy fell silent again, watching him.
Then out of nowhere, he said simply, "You look different than I thought you would."
Sirius burst out laughing. It was a relief, in a way that he couldn't express. Being taken at face value was a new concept for Sirius, the Black family name usually preceded him. The other boy's face seemed to have softened.
"Yes, your family has quite the reputation, though I only learned of you halfway through first year." Sirius considered this for a moment. Then he must be either a halfblood, or a muggleborn. "I've never noticed you in the common room, though I think I've seen you in a few classes. You keep yourself busy then?"
Sirius looked to have sobered a bit at that remark. "No." He answered, pulling his house scarf from the bag beside him. "I'm not in Slytherin."
Grey eyes widened in surprise, looking at the scarf's colors. Red and gold…
"You're in Gryffindor."
The dark-haired boy was silent, fiddling with his witches and wizards card, eyes in his lap. The other boy looked at him, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Well….that sucks."
"Tell me about it." Sirius laughed, shaking his head and shoving the chocolate frog into his mouth. "The house itself isn't bad, but my parents, you can imagine, are furious." Severus nodded, unwrapping his own chocolate. "I know what you mean."
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It seemed all too suddenly, that the Hogwarts Express was pulling into the station. Sirius had no idea so much time had passed, it felt like he had only just boarded. Gathering his bags, he said his goodbyes to Severus and the two of them parted ways, Snape with his nose in a book, and Sirius running off to find James.
The three boys stood near the train, trying to see over, or in Peter's case, under the crowd of students. "Remus, do you see him yet?" James asked anxiously, standing on his tip-toes, scanning the faces of their classmates. The brown-haired boy shook his head. "No, not – ah! There he is."
Heading towards them at a speed that would make flying look slow, was Sirius Black, dark hair bobbing around his face, bag clunking behind him. The smile on Sirius' face was contagious, spreading from James, to Peter, to Remus, as the dark-haired boy bounded over excitedly, and, arms open wide, leapt on James, nearly knocking him to the ground.
"Jamsie! Oh I've missed you!" He laughed, and other boy beamed, throwing his arm around Sirius' shoulders. "Well someone didn't write us all summer!" James pointed out, forehead resting against the other's.
Sirius sighed heavily, "It's a long story," he began, then looked at Remus and Peter with a soft smile. "Lemme tell you about it."
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Reviews are wonderous. You want to be wonderous don't you? Yes. That's what I thought.
Jyouousama- yes, I am, in fact a woman. : D I'm glad you're enjoying it. You keep reviewing, and I'll work on making the chapters longer for you, how's that sound? And no, Evander was just something I made up. Thank you muchly for the love and chocolate.
Neela- Indeed, only a matter of time. Thank you for the review!
KrisXD- muahahahaha review smoothie! I apologize for taking so long to update, I feel like a super weenie. But at least this chapter is longer than the others, so I hope that'll make up for it.
Icy Sapphire15- aww, thank you! I'm glad you like the chapter, and trust me, the evilness that is Mrs. Black, is –just- beginning. But then again, so is the romance. :D
Cofcgirl- thank you, I appreciate it.
The Sea Fairy- I'm glad you like it; hope the update is up to par.
lambert the sheepish lion- meep. Please don't hurt me.
Dempi- I'm honored, thank you!
slayer faith2- here you are! Hope you like it.
Raine- will do. I hope you're enjoying it thus far, I threw Snape in just for you.
Strawberrysmiles- I'm glad, thank you.
elsie777- thank you! I was worried people would riot that I had James and Sirius fight when they first met. Thank you for the review.
