The next time Ginny saw Sirius Black, he was not debauching woman but had his normal age and a relaxed breakfast with Molly Weasley in the freshly decorated morning room. The big windows were open towards the small garden and fresh and clear autumnal air filled the bright room.
Sirius and Molly were talking amicably which allowed Ginny to study the man in front of her a bit longer than usual:
High Checkbones, slate-grey eyes and a stubborn, square chin. A big mouth. Sensual. His hair was tied back but much longer than 20 years before. It had been chin lenght then and fell satiny right to the middle of his back now. Which looked even better.
The whole man did. Years on the verge of despair in Ascaban had caused a maturity and sobriety that the young and haughty marauder would not even have been able to imitate.
Ginny just started to trail away by the look of his broad shoulders when he suddenly looked up and stared at her in his unblinking, catlike way.
" Good morning" he said friendly and indifferently.
Ginny got angry. How could she loose herself like that? Circe, the man had no idea how she had seen him yesterday!
She mumbled her Good morning colder than she intended to and sat down next to her mother.
Sulked.
Snarled at the house elf who tried to pour her coffee but tea.
Sirius looked irritated but quickly busied himself with his croissant.
" Hmpf. FRENCH breakfast!", Ginny remarked sniffy. " Didn´t know you liked France."
" I do." he answered puzzled. " Always did since I ´ve been there as a boy. And since I can afford it now, I allow myself a croissant from time to time if you don´t mind."
Ginny just snorted but her mother heckled her.
"Oh yes Sirius, that reminds me! ", she chirped. " Did you get more news from Harry? Last time he got along quite well with Anais Capet and her team, is he still happy there? Do you think I should send him pumpkin juice again?"
Sirius opened his mouth to answer but Ginny blurted out: " ANAIS !" She nearly spilt her tea.
Her mother threw an angry look at her.
" What is it with you today! I am really annoyed by your ill manners! And don´t they teach you anything anymore at Hogwarths that you don´t know the french minister of magic!"
That really made her day. The arrogant prick vis-à-vis would not do it under the minister herself, of course not. And even had the impertinence to look completely innocent and uninvolved!
" If you will excuse me." She thrust aside her chair. " I need to check the smoking rooms wallpapers."
" You´d better do." Molly was used to her redheads and their outbursts. " And if you are done, you could check the selection of carpet-samples for the bower. Borgin and Burkes have delivered them this morning. It would be good if you could get through with it this today as we will open the house in a week."
If Ginny would not have slammed the door, she would have seen the strange look on one Marauders face.
AN: Sorry, I think my chapters are getting shorter and shorter! But I can´t help it, unfortunately- it helps me writing.
And: on the other hand it makes me update sooner..
And:Let me thank you for all your lovely and friendly reviews: it´s really amazing that people read me - this is my first story at all and I am utterl utterly happy if and that someone writes me!