Memories Made in the Rain

Chapter 8

Witch Weekly Bridal Edition Magazines lay spread out all over Leigh's bed and three excited girls sat around them giggling and very expectant of their bright futures. One of the girls was engaged. They sat together making cut-outs and pasting together their dream gowns.

Leigh had noticed the change in Helen who was now happily conversing and laughing with Lily and her. She wasn't sure what had happened between Sirius and Helen over the Christmas holidays but she guessed they had a lot of together time.

Leigh left her friends and went downstairs to the common room to see Remus, Sirius and James gathered close, too close; they were up to something and she would find out what it was. Leigh cleared her throat loudly so that they were aware of her presence. All three boys turned quickly to face her, Sirius' hands flew behind his back.

"And just what are you three up to?" she demanded, and a coaxing manner.

They stumbled around like baby deer trying to walk, searching their minds for a plausible excuse, and finally James was able to manage to explain.

"We don't want Lily to find out, but we were planning to set off some dungbombs near Filch's office, we just wanna piss him off, plus distract him, then head off to the Slytherins that are around the lake, scare the crap out of them, and see how many end up in the water. A complicated process."

Leigh looked at him knowingly and amused, and she was almost fooled. However, she was smarter than to give in so quickly and accept the scheme.

"Then what's behind Sirius' back?" she asked beaming with curiosity.

"Oh, some of the dungbombs and supplies." James replied carelessly, thinking for sure they were off the hook now.

"Oh, well then I want to see 'em. Ya know, make sure that they're of good enough quality for the infamous Marauders. Surely you understand." Her voice was increasingly pressing them for information. She had no clue what she was doing.

The anxious tension in the air could be cut with a dull knife. Sirius was so pale he was nearly green.

"Well, let's see them." Leigh looked impatient.

"Leigh," Remus began, knowing his fiancé hadn't fallen for James' story, "You know what he said was a lie, but…"

Sirius found his voice, "Please don't ruin this for me, Leigh. His voice was a desperate and hoarse whisper as he begged her to forget.

James walked across the room and sat sown. Remus kissed Leigh on the cheek and took a few books to the library. Leigh was looking at Sirius as though he had sprouted another head.

The two turned to sit down on the couch and Sirius pulled his hands from behind his back. His hands were shaking violently and he dropped what he was holding. He bent over to retrieve it; realized that it had tumbled under the sofa, and got down on the worn carpet to get it. He remained sitting on his shins and opened his hands to show Leigh a box, and she knew what it contained. Sirius opened the box.

Leigh gasped, "Sirius. It's gorgeous."

But something caught Leigh's eyes, and she looked up to see Helen standing at the foot of the stairs. Her complexion, even in the semi-darkness, matched that of Sirius' only moments before. Tears overflowed her eyes and spilled on to her cheeks. And she ran across the room. Sirius had resumed his ghostly green look and then took off after her.

Remus walked in seconds after looking very flustered and confused.

"What was…? Sirius just…? Leigh! What's wrong?"

"I…Helen and Sirius…" she told him what had happened.

"Oh, Merlin." He said in a remarkably shocked stupor, and otherwise lost for words.

They waited up all night, but for a long time no one came and Leigh was feeling increasingly worse. Remus assumed that this was not the time to discuss wedding with Leigh. Lily was now sitting on the floor in front of the fire rewriting her notes for potions, 'As though she needs it,' James thought indignantly but admiring his girlfriend. Sirius walked in with a very tired and worn look on his face.

"I can't find her."

James looked at him with a very grim expression, "Get the map and cloak and go to the Room of Requirement. That's probably where she ended up."

Sirius was back out of the tower in less than five minutes, and wouldn't be seen again until lunch the following day.

Remus was trying to assure Leigh that it would be okay and everything would work out. She eventually fell into a restless sleep in Remus' arms.

The possibility of tomorrow hung heavily in the nightly atmosphere, and would tell what the future held.

A/N: Yes! A Cliffie! Haha victory is mine. Lol well… I regret to put before you, my readers, that love for these spectacular couples is shortlived and must soon end in tragedy, it shan't end this way however. I apologize for how long it has taken. I typed up this chapter and was very confused as I had it labeled as chapter 8, and on fanfic I only had 6, so I went back in my notebook, and I haven't even finished writing chapter 7! So…that's what happened with these past two chapters. Thanks for still reading this! xoxo