Hi Everyone. Sorry it took a week or so to update. But, well, here ya go. And it's pretty long. Well, for me at least. Please, read to the bottom. I have shout-outs. Love ya. Kisses Now, on to the story. --Aurora
Later. In the Common Room.
Even after an eventful day at Hogsmeade, the students were still happy to return to their warm rooms, and inviting fireplaces. The clock was ticking close to nine o'clock and they'd been back from the village for at least forty minutes.
Lily bustled down the stairs from her dormroom, and hurried towards the Portrait exit. "Lils," James called after her. "Going somewhere?"
She didn't look back. Halfway out of the exit, she called over her shoulder, "I'll be back."
"Prongs, would you make a move, already?" Remus pressed James, who was playing Wizard's chess with him. It was James's turn. Nineteen minutes ago.
His finger was tapping his chin intellectually. "I'm thinkin'. Can't rush this."
Remus rested his head back on the couch of the Common Room. "Don't hurt yourself. All that thinking could get you a brain cramp." And then muttered to himself, "Birk."
They went on playing, James taking longer and longer, Remus growing more and more impatient. After a while, Lily returned, looking confused and scattered. She was sort of looking around and half-stepping in each direction, as if she'd misplaced something, and was trying to retrace her steps in hopes of finding it.
"Looking for something, Lily?" James asked her, looking up from his chess set.
It took Lily a full three seconds to realize anyone had spoken to her. "What? Oh. Um, James, Remus, do either of you know where Linda is?"
"What?" Remus's ears perked at the mention of her name, and turned to face Lily. "Why?"
Lily dismissed his question and asked quickly, "Do either of you remember her coming back with us? Has anyone even seen her since we were in the village?"
"Has anyone seen who?" came a deep voice from the stairs. Sirius was emerging from the steps, drying the back of his wet hair with a towel, wearing a thin T-shirt and jeans.
"Linda," answered Lily. "I haven't seen her all day, and, oddly enough, no one else seems to have either. And I'm not worried–I'm not," she repeated when she noticed James's condescending expression. "I just think it's...weird, that's all. No one saw her, and all."
"I did," Sirius shrugged.
"You did?"
"Sure, I was with her," he sat down next to James on the couch. "Outside the pub. We were talking."
"You were?" Remus asked.
"I'm sure she'll be back soon, that is if she's not already lurking around this school somewhere. But if you're really worried, Lils, we can go look for her if you want," Sirius offered. She let out a relieved sort of sigh, thankful for the help. Sirius went on to suggest that he and Remus should be the ones to go look for her, and that Lily stay behind in case she were to come back.
But Lily didn't feel they were anywhere near out of the woods yet. When they returned from their dormroom with their jackets, she asked "How are you going to get out of and then back into school grounds without getting caught?"
Sirius grinned playfully. "Don't be daft, Lil. Ol' Albus and I go way back. He won't mind a bit."
"In other words," Remus filled in, "We're going to sneak out, and beg to Merlin we don't get caught."
"Precisely," Sirius confirmed, slipping on his leather jacket.
Thirty minutes of running down corridors, sneaking into secret passages, and rushing down miles of underground tunnel later, Sirius and Remus emerged from the trap door in the Honeyduke's cellar.
Remus grumbled, patting dust off of him, "We're lucky practically all of Hogsmeade is closed now except for the pub."
They stepped into the outside, onto practically barren streets. Being winter it got very dark, very fast. Now, the entire place seemed soaked in shadows. It would take forever to find her in this darkness. Not to mention the frigid cold cloaking the night air.
The two young men could see the whiteness of their breaths hang in front of their faces. "It's pos-sitively f-freezing," shivered Remus.
Sirius's lips were nearly blue, his lips chattered so loudly. "A-At least you d-didn't just take a sh-shower." He blew hard on his hands. "Think she might've went into the Three Broomsticks?"
Remus shook his head, shifting his weight from one leg to the other. "No. I looked in the window when we passed. I didn't see her." He cocked his head. "Come on, let's check this way."
As they walked, Sirius pointed to a more-or-less hidden alley. "That's where I saw her last. We were talking right over there."
Remus kept his eyes ahead as they walked, side by side. "She was the pretty girl you mentioned before."
Sirius tried, but failed, to keep back a knowing smile. "You don't want me to think she's pretty." It was a statement, not a question. And Sirius wasn't about to ask permission.
He shrugged. "Why should I care?"
Sirius let out a laugh that sounded more like a bark, he threw his head back. "You're infatuated with her, perhaps? I mean, you're out here, freezing your arse off for her."
Remus screeched to a halt. And looked at his friend. He could've asked why he was out here as well, but wasn't sure of the answer. "If it's alright, I'm not really in the talking mood. And I'd like to find Linda, as soon as possible."
Sirius held back another grin, and straightened his collar. "Whatever you say."
They walked some more, losing feeling in more body parts than either ever wanted to mention. If possible, it got darker, and the two were half-straining their eyes to see in front of them. The Shrieking Shack was next. Only several yards away now.
"Rem," Sirius's voice was hoarse from the cold, but curious all the same. "Think she might've gone in the shack?"
Remus shook his head, his arms folding tightly around him. "Nah. No one would be stupid enough to go in there. And Linda's death-afraid of it. Let's keep going this way." Remus charged on, his feet feeling heavier with each step, but he went on all the same.
And Sirius nearly followed him, dismissing all possibilities that she might be in the Shrieking shack, until... something caught his eye.
Something lay on the ground, half-covered by snow. On the other side of the mangled fence. Sirius was too broad to get through the gap, so Sirius the dog would have to do it. He animagi-ed himself through the gap, and transformed back to his normal self. Kneeling down, he picked up a very familiar looking article of clothing. Very familiar.
Sirius dusted the light snow off of his grey and blue knit scarf in his hand. The one he'd lent to Linda. She was in the shack.
"Remus," Sirius called out to him over his shoulder, but it didn't matter. Remus was too far from him now, having walked north, away from the shack.
Something else caught Sirius's attention. Two tracks in the snow. One slender, one not.
She wasn't in there alone.
Time for the Authoress to give her shoutouts:
Riss--It was so great to see you reply. And you were the first!
Eimear--I'm so glad you're around to chat. Hugs And please continue your story somewhere. It's too great not to.
Manny--Gives some cookies You're just....Ah. Awesome. So happy you're here, too.
Missy--Are there even words to say? Oh, and I LOVE to leave you with those cliffies. You show up afterwards with the funniest threats ever. LoooL. Huggles My freaky, freaky darling.
Kelly--I'll keep writing, as long as you keep reading. I tried to post as fast as I could. Always felt you were over my shoulder. LoL. And this whole "SRD" vs. the "SCD" thing is keepin' me in stitches! Feed Marius the fish for us, and stick around. winks Love ya.
Lyr942--Thank you so much for reading and sticking around all this time, really it means alot. And I'm glad, too, that I can hear from you, and get feedback. Please, don't be a stranger!
Kelli--I know, damn the Wb. They said they were unarchiving everything, and they DIDN'T. Psht. Anywho, as long as you and everyone else are here, that's all that matters. Eat some cookies and drink some Welche's, please.
Whitney--I don't think anything will get unarchived, honestly. But hey, looks like you got my link, too (couldn't really miss it with my posting-it-everywhere-I-could, eh?). Blissfully happy you're here.
Luvshoes--What's your name? And I'm so flattered you read L2B. Sirius and Amelia fan? Pinches cheeks You stick around, too.
Blissfullawakenings--No, YOU rock. Giggles Thanks for the review/bump. I want to hear more from you!
Keeks--Maybe, he knows that he likes Mel, but doesn't want to admit it, and also knows it can't go anywhere. Not now, at least. Realizes she's the author and shouldn't give hints Shut up, Meha. Knocks head
April--Where would WE be without YOU?! Snaps for April LoL, I don't get the boiled egg comment though. LooL. "English Sirius". Well, I try. LoL. And yes, college is going great. 13 hours of school a WEEK? Fantastic. I should've come to college sooner. LoL. How's life with you, darlin'?
Michelle/Shell--blows kisses back Luv ya, too. Dances Yep, we the rebels. LoL. And I LOVE that Sirius and Amelia dance. Did I ever tell ya that? Because I DO. Hugs
Ashley--You should strut and dance the Sirius/Mel dance proudly, anyways! And I agree with you m'dear. The boards ARE the spawn of Satan.
Sam--Sammy! I saw you! Don't you try to hide from me.
Kaitlyn--YOU VIXEN. LoooL. Soo cute, you are. We have GOT to ask more "questions." LoL. "Love him and....stuff." YEAH. I COULD IMAGINE. Giggles You doll.
Paddy--Thank you sooooooo much for the things you said! I've decided I'm going to totally like you. LoL. Hugs And sure, I'm going to try to review your story asap.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE READING AND REVIEWING. Please keep the reviews up, because I love seeing that you guys are still around, and love you to death. Kisses, hugs, and cookies. --Meha.