Chapter 7

The following week flew by as Hogwarts prepared itself for the influx of guests. Everywhere Sirius went, the castle was being decorated and the house-elves seemed to be going on an all out spring clean. Even James had noticed that Hogwarts had become exceptionally tidy, though Sirius noticed that this was because Professor McGonagall was keeping an exceptionally close eye on the marauders, meaning it was far more difficult to cause anarchy than usual.

By Saturday morning, the school was sparkling; Filch was prowling the corridors and snapping at students who were making too much noise. As the students sat in the Great Hall at breakfast, there was an ecstatic buzz of conversation and the atmosphere was alive with excitement.

The post arrived. A large tawny owl crash-landed and skid across the Gryffindor tables varnished surface into a stack of toast, before delivering its letter to Ebony. She opened it with one hand, trying to brush the bread crumbs off the owl's feathers with the other.

Ebony frowned before writing a reply and watching the owl take flight once more.

"What was it?" asked Lily.

"Oh, my parents can't come," said Ebony, a bitter tone evident in her voice. "Some crisis or another has come up. Again!"

Lily smiled weakly. "Oh well, you can have mine!"

"Thanks," said Ebony sarcastically.

The families arrived later that afternoon. Sirius looked anxiously down from the Gryffindor tower at the sea of joyous faces, looking for his mother and father. He spotted them near the back of the crowd with Regulus, who was talking animatedly with his father.

Sirius jerked his head back inside the dormitory and closed the window too, before flopping down on his bed and staring up at the ceiling.

James, Remus and Peter had already gone downstairs to meet their parents, leaving Sirius alone. They'd asked him down, but he couldn't bear to see Mrs. Potter's concerned face looking at him, her eyes welling up with tears when she saw his unhappy face.

He stared up at the ceiling, lost in thought, when there was a gentle knock on the door. Sirius groaned loudly thinking it might be the Potter's or Lupin's and not wanting their company.

"What," he said finally.

The door opened slowly, blocking Sirius' view of the visitor. As it was pushed open further, he could see that it wasn't the Potter's or the Lupin's.

"Hi," said Ebony timidly. "I thought you might be up here."

Sirius leapt up off the bed awkwardly, bashing his head on the bed frame. "Oww," he yelped, clutching his head.

Ebony laughed, "Now who's clumsy!"

Sirius scowled humorously, "What you doing?"

"Not much," she said, glancing around the room, her eyes pausing to look out of the window. "The common room's deserted. Everyone's outside with their families, being a nice day and all." She looked back at Sirius. "Are your parents here?"

"Um, yes unfortunately," said Sirius uncomfortably, slowly sitting back down on his bed.

"At least they came," she said, moving across the room and sitting on the edge of Sirius' bed.

"Yeah but look what happened last time," he groaned, leaning back against his engraved headboard and shutting his eyes. "They're a nightmare!"

"At least they treat you like you exist," Ebony sighed, shifting and lying down on her stomach, looking at him searchingly.

"Ha, that's a joke, they try to de-exist me!" he laughed bitterly. "Anyway, what do you mean by treating me as if I exist?" he continued, opening his eyes and looking down at her delicate face.

"Well wouldn't it be worse if they ignored you, like you don't exist, like you were a guest who lived for short periods of time in their house, who smiled and spoke to you simply to appear friendly, but finding out it was all a superficial front?"

"Is that what your parents are like?" said Sirius butting in, staring at her, his mouth slightly open.

She looked away from him guiltily, shocked at her own daring.

"Ebony.God! Well at least they don't literally try to drive you insane, or murder your friends," he said trying to lighten the mood.

"Yeah, though I doubt my parents even know I have friends!" she sighed

"Really!"

"Well they act like a couple. They're always making excuses not to see me. I nearly died the other week, and they haven't come to see whether I'm okay."

Sirius went red. "But don't you have any brothers or sisters?"

"No, it's just me, and I reckon I was only the result of an accident, which they made sure would never happen again."

Your parents and mine should get together sometime," Sirius muttered grimly.

"God, could you imagine the chaos if they did. They'd probably end up killing each other!" groaned Ebony.

Sirius laughed. "I'd love to be there if they did meet. Can you imagine my mother's face. 'Muggles, Muggles,'" he shrieked.

Ebony laughed. "You really shouldn't do that. You sound just like your mother."

Sirius clamped his hand over his mouth in mock horror.

Sirius and Ebony were still talking and laughing when Remus entered the room an hour later. He stopped dead in the middle of the room on seeing Ebony lying on Sirius' bed, halfway through pulling off his T-shirt. He yanked his shirt back on and turned to leave.

Sirius threw a pillow at him laughing, "You're not interrupting anything!"

Remus turned round, his face flushed, a sheepish smile upon his face.

"Nice body," Ebony laughed good-naturedly. Remus flushed even redder.

"Hi Eb. Um, what are you doing up here."

"Oh nothing much, I was bored," she said, jumping off the bed, her eyes twinkling.

Remus shifted uncomfortably under her gaze.

"Well I better go then," she said finally, and moved towards the door. "Better let you get dressed in private." As she passed Remus, she wrapped her arm around his waist and whispered "I love a man with scars. It gives a body character."

"Hey," said Sirius grinning. He chucked another pillow at them, hitting Remus' shoulder. "I've already told you Ebony, he's taken."

Ebony grinned, removing her hand from Remus' waist, saying, "Yeah yeah, whatever," as she left the room, Remus still flushed with embarrassment.

Sirius smiled at Remus, who looked worried. "Don't fret mate, she couldn't have seen all your scars from that distance. Personally I think you have an admirer!"

Remus remained unconvinced.

"Look mate, she only caught a glimpse of the new scar you got on your side the other night because it's still inflamed. Don't worry!"

Remus shrugged and turned to his trunk, pulling out clean clothes to get changed.

"Dinner's in half an hour," Remus mumbled, as he left the room.

Still smiling, Sirius began pulling out clothes from his trunk and got changed, feeling in much better spirits than he had done all day.

The rest of the evening was spent eating, chatting and watching the Quidditch match, Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw. After two tense and exciting hours, with some superb goal scoring by James, the golden snitch was finally caught, another Gryffindor victory.

As they made their way back up to the Gryffindor tower to celebrate, Remus pulled Sirius out of the way as Mr. And Mrs. Black, accompanied by Regulus, walked past, not even acknowledging Sirius with so much as a glance.

Sirius scowled at the floor and stalked off ahead of the others, running up the marble staircase and out of sight.

"He's probably gone up to the dormitories," said Mrs. Potter gravely as the climbed through the portrait hole. James and Remus made a move towards the stairs before Mrs. Potter said, "No, leave him alone for a while. He probably needs some time to think."

Grudgingly they sat down on a dilapidated sofa and joined in the celebrations rather half-heartedly. Ebony, not really in the mood for celebrating either, stayed a while out of politeness and then got up to leave, heading for the girl's dormitories.

"Eb, can I have a word?" said Remus catching up with her.

"Umm, yeah okay."

Remus headed for a secluded spot by the window and sat down in a free armchair.

"Do you know what's wrong with Sirius," he said finally.

"No more than you do, I don't think!" she said surprised. "Why?"

"Well he just won't talk to anyone. I know he's really angry and upset, but there's nothing anyone can do to help him unless he talks."

"Well why do you think he'd talk to me?" she asked.

"Ebony, are you as blind as Sirius and James?" he exclaimed.

"What... I..."

"Ebony, he likes you." Ebony blushed. "And you always seem to be talking; I just thought he might have said something!"

"Well of course we talk," said Ebony, looking out the window into the night sky. "We're friends."
Remus rolled his eyes emphatically.

Ebony scowled. "We just have fun together, that's all. We haven't really talked about what's happened over the last few months. I mean if he won't talk to you..."

"Will you go and talk to him?" said Remus, desperation in his voice.

"What...Now!" she exclaimed.

"Yes," he said simply, watching her as she thought. He smiled, then got up and headed back over to where James and Peter wereperforming a practical joke to an applauding crowd.

Ebony sat for a few minutes, staring absently out over the dark grounds, lost in thought. What could I say? She pondered. I mean it's not like I've experience in this field.

Slowly, she made her way across the room, picking up two bottles of contraband Butterbeer and headed for the boy's dormitories. Remus gave her an encouraging smile as she apprehensively opened the heavy oak door and disappeared from sight.

Outside the sixth floor boy's dormitory, Ebony paused, leaning her head back against the stone wall nervously. She closed her eyes as the cool air washed over her face. The two bottles of Butterbeer were held limply by her side. The muffled cheers and laughter rising from the common room and her deep slow breathing were all that could be heard in the quiet, dimly lit stairwell.

She turned to face the closed oak dormitory door and knocked on it gently. There was no reply. Sighing, she gave it a firm push, its creaking hinges echoing loudly around the small silent landing.

Pausing, her hand still resting on the door handle, she scanned the room, her eyes falling on each disheveled bed in turn. Finally her gaze came to rest on a hunched lonesome figure, whose knees were drawn up to his chest, framed by the tower room window.

The room was lost in the darkness. The only light source was that of the moon, which highlighted Sirius' tall thin frame. His dark shoulder-length hair glistened in the eerie light. It fell forward hiding his face, which was tilted towards the window, looking out over the grounds.

Ebony stood awkwardly by the door, not knowing whether Sirius had heard her come in, unsure of whether to stay or go.

"Sirius," she spoke tentatively. He didn't show any recognition of her presence. "Can I come in?"

Again there was no response.

Ebony closed the door behind her, standing just inside the room, watching Sirius intently. Quietly she walked towards him, the Butterbeers still clasped in her hand.

"Can I sit down?" said Ebony gently.

Sirius shifted to give her room but didn't speak. Ebony sat down on the windowsill, crossing her legs, and watched Sirius continue to stare out over the grounds.

"You okay?" she said uncomfortably, holding him a bottle of Butterbeer.

"Umm," he muttered, taking it.

They sat for a while, staring out over the moonlit grounds, a heavy silence filling the air.

"How can they be so cold!" said Sirius angrily, startling Ebony out of her thoughts.

Ebony remained silent.

"I'm still their son, even if we hate each other!" he continued, his voice rising.

Ebony touched his knee which was still tucked up under his chin and smiled. Sirius turned to look at her, their eyes meeting. He turned away quickly, avoiding her gaze.

Suddenly he leapt to his feet and shouted, "I hate them!"

"Sirius, you don't hate them. If you did, you wouldn't care about their behaviour," Ebony said, turning to look at him. "You still love them, you're only human, that's why their behaviour makes you so angry and upset. It hurts so much because deep inside of you, you still want their love and affection.

"They hate me, so I'll hate them," Sirius yelled.

Ebony sighed deeply. "You've every right to hate them," she said gently.

"It's like I don't exist anymore," ranted Sirius. "Why do they have to see everything in black and white? Why can't they just accept me for who I am?" he yelled.

He turned, grabbing a pillow off James' bed and threw it across the room angrily. "I hate them. I bloody hate them!" he howled. He picked up a book and threw it across the room venting his rage. "I HATE THEM!" he hollered, picking up and throwing everything he could lay his hands on. "I HATE THEM, EVERYTHING THEY STAND FOR! AHHH!"

Ebony, startled by his behaviour, didn't speak but simply watched him, spellbound.

"I COULD KILL THEM!" he roared, ripping down the hangings on his bed. He slumped down on the floor, breathing heavily, his fists clenching his face.

Ebony hesitantly got to her feet and walked over to where Sirius sat by his bed. She knelt down beside him looking at him tentatively and placed a hand on his shoulder. Beneath it she could feel all his muscles tense, shaking with his ragged breathing.

She sat down beside him, her back leaning against his bed and brushed his hair out of his face, playing with it gently, waiting for Sirius to calm down.

From behind them, Ebony heard the dormitory door fly open and bang back against the wall. Turning around, she could see a shocked looking Remus looking round the room.

"I was just on my way to the bathroom and-" he began.

"It's okay," she said hastily, after seeing his shocked expression and glanced round at the mess Sirius had made.

"You sure?" said Remus concerned.

Ebony nodded and he left the room. She turned back to see Sirius hadn't moved and was still breathing heavily. Ebony returned to running her fingers gently through his hair in silence, waiting until he'd calmed down before speaking.

As his breathing became more steady and lighter, Ebony shoved his Butterbeer into his hand.

"Drink," she instructed.

"Thanks," Sirius replied, still looking at the floor. Anger was still coursing through his veins and blood was pounding in his ears. The hatred that had welled up inside him was slowly ebbing away.

He looked up at Ebony, who was staring silently into space, absentmindedly running her delicate fingers through his smooth thick hair. She was sitting in a pool of moonlight which shone into the room through the tower window. Her eyes twinkled in the harsh light amongst the darkness, her skin gleaming with an eerie ghostly glow. The pounding blood and anger he felt inside finally receded and was replaced with a tranquil feeling as they sat in silence.

"I obviously have a bad effect on people," Ebony smiled, looking round the room.

"Yeah, I think you do," he laughed gently, in spite of himself.

Ebony pointed her wand at the torn hangings lying beside them and muttered, "Reparo!" The hangings flying back into place. She got to her feet and began to pick up the books, occasionally muttering "Reparo!" if the books had been ripped from their spines, and placed them back on the right trunks.

Sirius watched her in silence, taking a swig of Butterbeer before heaving himself onto his feet, wiping away the angry tears that had threatened to spill from his eyes and turned to help clear up. They worked in silence until everything was tidied away.

"You feeling better?" muttered Ebony.

"Yeah," Sirius sighed.

"Destruction is always a good way to vent your anger," smiled Ebony, throwing several pillows onto Sirius' bed and sinking down onto it, leaning against a bedpost and closing her eyes.

Sirius sank down onto his bed, laying flat on his front, gazing up at Ebony's thin frame, her curly dark brown hair cascading over her relaxed shoulders.

Silence descended the room again. Sirius could hear the distant cheers and celebrations from the Gryffindor common room six floors below. He half wondered what the others were doing, half not wanting to know.

Ebony opened her eyes and saw Sirius' face staring up at her own. She smiled and said, "You want to go down?"

"No. I'm not in the mood to celebrate," he said shifting and sitting up right.

"Me neither."

Ebony got up and wandered over to the window, looking out over the grounds. Smoke was rising from Hagrid's cabin and the Forbidden Forest, behind it, was lit up by the moon and stars.

Sirius followed her, and standing right behind her, he followed her gaze. Ebony could feel his breath on the back of her neck as she stared up at the stars, thinking of where her parents were, what they were doing and whether they were thinking about her.

"A Knut for your thoughts," said Sirius, making Ebony jump.

"I'm just thinking about my parents. I wonder what they're doing."

Sirius put a hand on her shoulder. She turned to face him smiling, though it wasn't reflected in her eyes. Sirius could see her eyes were glistening with tears in the moonlight.

"Parents can really screw it up," he muttered. "Mine do it intentionally whilst yours do it unintentionally. I don't know which is worse."

Ebony smiled meekly. You're not alone, she thought desperately, looking at Sirius. You're not the only one who feels lost and alone. Sirius looked down at her, his hand still resting lightly on her shoulder. She looked away shyly, becoming intensely fascinated with the curling smoke that was escaping out of the chimney of Hagrid's cabin.

"Eb?"

"Hmm," she replied, still watching the smoke.

"Eb?"

"What," she said, turning to look at Sirius again, his eyes penetrating her own. She shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.

"Why can't you look at me?" he muttered reproachfully.

"What...I"

"Just tell me okay, I can handle it!"

"I...it's not that I can't, I just feel awkward," she said, biting her lip nervously. She raised her aqua-marine eyes up to his, smiling with embarrassment.

He smiled, his grey eyes not moving from her own. Ebony could feel his breath upon her skin as his hand moved from her shoulder, sliding down her arm and resting in her hand. Her breath caught in her throat as he leant forward to kiss her.

Behind them, the door creaked open, causing Sirius and Ebony to jump apart, both flushing.

"Hi. You okay?" said Remus tentatively, as he entered the room.

"Yeah," said Sirius, breaking apart from Ebony and threw himself onto his bed casually.

Remus eyed him cautiously before looking searchingly at Ebony.

"I'd better go," said Ebony uncomfortably. "See you both later."

Her gaze fell on Sirius, who smiled before she left the room, closing the door behind her. She collapsed on the floor beside the door, her head in her hands, her heart pounding.

"Great timing mate!" muttered Sirius sarcastically, throwing a pillow at Remus.

"Did I interrupt something," Remus asked innocently, though smiling guiltily.

"Oh no!" Sirius cried, sarcasm dripping off his tongue, as he threw a second cushion at him.

"What's happening between you two then?" said Remus curiously.

"Well not much now, thanks to you mate!"

Remus flushed. "Sorry."

"Oh I bet you are!" laughed Sirius.

"Seriously. What's going on between you two?" said Remus.

"Oh I don't know. One minute I think she likes me, the next, well..."

"God you're getting as bad as James, though without the outrageous chat up lines and flirting.

"If I get anywhere near as bad as him I give you permission to put me out of my misery," Sirius laughed.

"Haha, thanks a lot, I'll do that," said Remus. Sirius threw his head back onto his arms and stared up at the ceiling. "You coming down then or what."

"No, I'm not in the mood."

Remus headed back over to the door and left Sirius still staring up at the ceiling, smiling, as he headed back down to the common room.