A/n: Here's chapter 14 guys! Not to bad on the wait, right? I'm trying to get a hang of this whole reply to reviewer when I get the review in my e-mail, thing. If I missed you I'm sorry. If you had a question feel free to repeat it in another review and I'll reply. Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I really appreciate it. So, without further ado, here is chapter 14! Enjoy!
Challenge
Chapter 14: Slytherin's Revenge
"Careful," Bellatrix warned, "Don't distort the picture. It can't look like it was messed with. It has to look like she actually posed for this."
"Would you lay off?" Regulus Black snapped, "I happen to know what I'm doing." He carefully dipped his wand tip into the moving photograph solution that Snape had made and muttered, "Eximo."
"Don't disturb the water too much," Snape cautioned.
Regulus stopped what he was doing and looked up, "Shut up," he growled. He returned his full attention to the picture once more and muttered the Removing Charm a second time. "There," he said removing his wand.
Bellatrix smacked a pale boy with straw-colored hair and freckles on the arm, "Pull it out and dry it off, quick."
"Alright," the boy snapped. He picked up a small pair of tongs and carefully removed the photo from the magical solution. He levitated it with his wand and cast a quick drying spell on it. "Here," he handed the now dry photo to Bellatrix.
"Thank you, Junior." Barty Crouch Jr. rolled his eyes. He'd been given the nickname in order to establish a difference between him and his father. Bellatrix dropped the photo back into the solution, "Now to make this look even more realistic."
Regulus pushed his longish dark hair out of his eyes and leaned over the flat bucket. "Tell me what you want me to do," he said dipping his wand back into the solution.
Bellatrix leaned over the bucket and began muttering instructions. "Wait a minute," Lucius said taking a peek into the bucket, "You said it had to be realistic. Those are not realistic." He pointed to something on the photo.
"He's right," Regulus agreed and then smirked, "They're far too large."
Bellatrix rolled her eyes, "Fine, make them a little smaller."
A few minutes later Barty pulled the photo from the solution again and placed another drying charm on it. "Now what?" he asked.
"Now," said Lucius, "We make more." He smirked evilly, "And then we distribute them."
"Good morning! Good morning!" Izzy exclaimed jumping up on Rachel's bed.
"Time to get up!" Alyssa added smacking Rachel's hip.
Rachel groaned and burrowed under her covers. "No. Not yet," her grumpy reply came out muffled.
"She sounds like me," said Alyssa grinning.
Izzy glared at her, "Yeah, she's picked up one of your bad habits." Alyssa stuck her tongue out at the blonde. "Real mature."
"If you're going to bicker—do it elsewhere," Rachel broke in grumpily.
"But it's your birthday!" said Izzy.
Rachel pushed the covers down and puffed her hair out of her eyes, "So, being the birthday girl would entitle me to sleep late right?"
"You wish. We have McGonagall first thing," said Alyssa.
Rachel sighed, "Perfect."
-
"Think she's gone?" Peter asked quietly.
Remus shrugged, "I don't know. Why don't you go check it out?" he suggested to the smaller boy.
Peter shook his head furiously, "Uh-uh. Why can't you go do it?"
Remus opened his mouth to respond as Sirius walked in the door, a towel thrown over his shoulder and his hair still slightly damp from a shower. Remus closed his mouth and fixed his gaze on Sirius. Peter took the hint and turned to look at Sirius too.
Sirius felt two pairs of eyes on him and he turned around. He noticed their pointed looks at once, "What?" he asked suspiciously. Remus merely smirked and pointed to Andy's bed where the hangings were still closed. "Oh, so you're going to get me to do it because the two of you don't want to?" Remus and Peter nodded. "And what if I don't want to either?"
"You'll just have to suck it up," Remus said mischievously.
Sirius sighed irritably and muttered, "Wuss," as he walked over to Andy's bed. He stuck his hand through the gap in the hangings and called, "This is your three-second warning. We don't want to scar little Peter's virgin eyes."
Andy chucked, "Alyssa left about an hour ago, Sirius."
"Really?" said Sirius pushing the hangings open. "Well, did she at least wish you a happy birthday?"
"Of course," said Andy.
Sirius grinned, "I'll bet she did."
-
"The birthday girl has risen and decided to grace us with her presence," James said as Rachel, Alyssa, and Izzy descended the stairs. Lily smacked him in the stomach. "Happy birthday," he added grinning.
Rachel laughed, "Thanks," she said giving each of them a hug. She turned and found her brother and Alyssa joined at the lips. "Hey, birthday boy!" she tapped him on the shoulder.
He broke away from Alyssa and smiled apologetically at his twin, "Sorry. Happy Birthday, sis," he said giving her a hug.
"Happy Birthday, bro," she said returning the hug.
"So, who's up for breakfast?" Sirius asked after a moment.
Rachel rolled her eyes, "Always thinking of your stomach."
"Well, the birthday girl and boy have to eat too," Sirius reminded her.
"The birthday girl would really like to go back to bed," said Rachel yawning.
"But it's your birthday," said Izzy, "You can't spend it in bed."
"She's right," said Remus wrapping his arm around her shoulders, "And birthdays are supposed to be good days."
When they entered the Great Hall a few minutes later, Rachel knew instantly that something was amiss. Everyone began staring as they walked toward empty seats at the Gryffindor table. Some were inconspicuous about their staring while others were just plain obvious. People were whispering and pointing, giggling and goggling.
"What?" Rachel muttered under her breath. She found it rather aggravating to have everyone gawking at them like they were some kind of bizarre circus act. "Why is everyone staring at us?" she asked Sirius, sitting down beside him.
"People are staring?" Sirius asked looking up. He frowned when he noticed that people were indeed staring. "I don't know," he said shrugging, "It's probably nothing."
"Yeah," Rachel said quietly reaching for a slice of toast, "Nothing."
-
"Okay, did anyone else feel that their every move was being watched?" Alyssa asked when they left the Great Hall. Eight hands rose into the air. Alyssa sighed, "Damn. I'd hoped I'd imagined it all."
The whispering and staring followed the group all the way to the Transfiguration corridor, where it seemed to double. Rachel looked around cautiously at the staring eyes. She'd never felt more like a goldfish before in her life. With every step she took, she became very aware that everyone was not staring at them as a whole group, but had singled one person out—her.
Beginning to feel extremely self-conscious, Rachel grabbed Lily's hand and whispered, "Is there something on me? Like a big sign that says stare at me to drive me mad?"
Lily shook her head giving her friend the once over, "I don't see anything."
"You'd tell me if there was, right?" Rachel asked.
"Of course," Lily replied. "There's nothing on you and you look great."
"Then why is everyone staring at me?" Rachel asked in a low voice.
"Well, well, well…" said a sickly smooth voice to their left. "I had no idea you were so—receptive, Rabb."
"I beg your pardon," said Rachel sounding like she didn't know whether to be angry or affronted.
"I just—I had no idea…" he began, "Well, I mean I had some idea," he said. Rachel could almost feel his gaze burning through her robes and her eyes blazed angrily. "But this—I see you in a whole new light." He looked down at something on top of his books that Rachel couldn't see.
"Hey, Rachel!" Rachel turned. "How about a private viewing?" a fourth year Hufflepuff snickered as he and his friends passed.
Rachel noticed that they too were looking at something, but couldn't tell what it was. She was positive, however, that it was the same thing that had made Lucius see her in a 'whole new light'. She turned and made a grab for Lucius' books, but Lucius was quicker. He snatched what Rachel now realized was a photo away and held it out of her reach.
"No need to be grabby. You could just say please," he taunted.
Rachel glowered at him. A group of fourth year boys from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff passed. Several of them hooted and catcalled and one or two of them whistled appreciatively.
"Twenty points from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff!" Lily snapped.
The boys immediately began to protest, "Move it!" James barked, "Or it'll be fifty!"
Thoroughly annoyed Rachel looked around and spied two third year boys looking at what she assumed were copies of the photo Lucius had. She stalked over to them and snatched the photos from their hands. Angrily she turned them over and stared.
She could feel every eye in the corridor on her. She felt the color leave her face. She saw girls whispering in groups and boys ogling the photos with appreciative grins and lustful eyes. She felt her eyes burn as tears filled them and her hand shook. She had never felt more exposed, more vulnerable in her entire life. Before anyone could say a word, she turned, and fled down the hall. The photos fluttered to the ground face down.
Bellatrix let out a shriek of victorious laughter as she and the others joined Lucius. The bell sounded, but no one moved to go.
James knelt and picked up one of the fallen photographs. His mouth fell open when he turned the photo over.
"What?" Lily asked coming up beside him. "What is it?" Wordlessly James tilted the picture so she could see and Lily gasped. "Oh my…"
"Bloody hell!" Alyssa exclaimed as she and the others crowded around James and Lily to see.
"What is going on out here?" said a voice shrilly. McGonagall emerged from her classroom looking very cross. "Have you all gone deaf? Or did you forget that when the bell sounds you should be in your seats?"
No one responded to her questions. No one even moved.
McGonagall's eyes narrowed and she marched over to where James and the others were standing still staring at the photo. "Mr. Potter!" When he didn't reply she snatched the photo out of his hand.
"Professor, I—"
McGonagall ignored him and looked down at the photo. It was a moving photograph of Rachel Rabb standing completely starkers on a beach. The Rachel in the photo was grinning impishly as she arched her back and slipped a hand between her legs to cover her most sacred place.
James had never seen McGonagall look as angry as she did then. He could practically see the steam coming out of her ears. "What is the meaning of this?" she shrieked angrily.
"Professor," said Andy stepping forward, "That's not—I mean it is, but Rachel would never—" he stuttered looking horrified and pale. "You can't think that—"
"Of course I don't," said McGonagall heavily. "Mr. Potter? Miss Evans?"
"Yes, Professor?"
"Please go and alert the other teachers of the situation. I want every single one of these photos confiscated and brought to my office by the end of the day. You should have enough time between now and your next lesson to get to everyone." McGonagall spoke sharply. "Confiscate as many photos as you can between classes and make a list of names of anyone who gives you trouble."
James and Lily nodded and set off to do what McGonagall asked.
"Mr. Lupin, I want you to find each prefect and alert them of the situation. Tell them to confiscate photos as they see them and make a list of names of anyone being uncooperative. Tell them to keep their eyes and ears open for any word on who might have done this. Go and be on time to your next lesson." Lupin nodded and strode away.
"Miss Anderson, Miss Matthews, and Mr. Black, I want you to find Miss Rabb. Tell her she does not need to attend any classes today. I will make her excuses. Take her back to her dorm and get her settled in and then report to your next class on time," she ordered. They nodded and walked away.
Andy turned to McGonagall, "Professor, I'd really rather I go look for Rachel…"
"Mr. Rabb, you need to warn your younger brother and sister. It could come as quite the shock, if it hasn't already. I don't want either of them thinking or acting rashly." Andy nodded numbly. "I know you're angry, Mr. Rabb, and I promise that whoever did this will be found out and punished accordingly."
"Wait, this bathroom's locked!" Izzy called to Alyssa and Sirius who were checking empty classrooms ahead of her.
Alyssa and Sirius looked at each other briefly and then backtracked. "She's in there," said Alyssa pulling out her wand, "Alohomora," she said pointing her wand at the lock. Izzy pushed on the door, but it wouldn't budge. "Damn it," Alyssa sighed, "She's using her power."
"She can do that?" Sirius asked looking impressed.
Alyssa nodded, "Unfortunately."
"Rach," Izzy called through the door, "It's just us. Honey, please let us in." No response reached their ears. "We love you, Rach. We want to help. Let us in, please," Izzy tried again.
"Go away!" Rachel cried from inside.
"No. We're not leaving until you let us in," Alyssa paused a moment before continuing, "We'll wait as long as we have to. You may be stubborn, but I'm even more so."
"Please, just leave me alone," Rachel cried pleadingly.
Alyssa sighed. "Here, let me try," Sirius said. Alyssa nodded and moved away from the door. "Rachel, it's me. I know you're upset and I know you're angry—and so are we, but we're your friends. We care about you and we want to help you through this." He paused, "Please, Rach, let us in." He waited another minute before giving the door a gentle push and this time it opened.
Izzy and Alyssa exchanged looks as they followed Sirius into the bathroom. "Rach?" he called gently as the three of them rounded the corner.
Sitting in front of one of the sinks with her knees drawn up to her chest, her face tear stained was Rachel. "Guess I should have stayed in bed, huh?" she said lightly as two tears slipped down her cheeks.
A tiny sob escaped her lips and both Sirius and Izzy moved toward her. Alyssa grabbed Izzy's arm to hold her back as Sirius knelt at Rachel's side. Izzy looked back at Alyssa in confusion. Alyssa put her finger to her lips and pointed to Sirius and Rachel.
"Why me? Why today?" Rachel asked her voice breaking.
Hearing her defeated, sad tone and seeing her tears made Sirius' heart break into a million pieces. "I don't know, angel," he whispered. He reached out and caught a tear with his thumb.
"How could someone be so cruel?" she whimpered.
"Because they're miserable with the way things are going for them and long to make others miserable. It's heartless and it's wrong, but people still do it," Sirius said quietly. Another small sob escaped her and Sirius pulled her into his arms and held her close.
He whispered soothing words in her ear and ran his hand over her shoulders and back. "I would take this all away from you if I could," he whispered rocking gently and smoothing her hair away from her face. They stayed that way for several minutes as Alyssa and Izzy stood nearby and watched.
"McGonagall excused you from the rest of your lessons today," he told her quietly. "So, you can go back to bed." She tried to laugh, but it came out as a cross between a laugh and a sob.
"Ooooh," a voice cackled. "It's just terrible isn't it?" said Moaning Myrtle floating out of one of the bathroom stalls. Alyssa, Izzy, Sirius, and Rachel looked around at her. Myrtle giggled almost gleefully, "Not really your best side is it dearie?" she said holding up one of the photos.
Rachel felt nauseous and buried her face in Sirius' shoulder again. Sirius held her close and resumed his gentle rocking all the while glaring at the ghost.
"Don't give me that look," Myrtle said, "You aren't even supposed to be in here." She cackled gleefully again.
"Oh!" Izzy exclaimed irately marching up to Myrtle, "Give me that," she snapped, snatching the photo out of Myrtle's transparent hand. Going into one of the bathroom stalls she ripped the photo in half, then again into fourths, and flushed them down the toilet.
Myrtle angrily put her hands on her hips and glared at the blonde. "Oh, go flush yourself," Izzy snapped before Myrtle could say anything. Myrtle huffed angrily and somersaulted into the nearest toilet so hard that water sloshed over the edge. "Old cow," Izzy muttered angrily.
Sirius raised his eyebrows in shock and Alyssa snickered. Sirius had never seen Izzy so worked up before. She'd always been the quietest of the bunch. She was always the calm, cool, and levelheaded one. Alyssa, however, knew that Izzy would go to any length to protect someone she cared about.
"What do you say we get you up to bed, huh?" Sirius suggested to the brunette cradled in his arms. She nodded slowly and made to get up when Sirius stopped her. He slipped one arm around her back and the other under her knees and lifted her effortlessly into his arms.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, "I'm so tired," she murmured against his shoulder.
"I know, angel." Alyssa held the door for him and then followed Izzy out into the hall.
-
"How are we going to get you up the stairs?" Alyssa asked quietly as Izzy gave the password to the Fat Lady.
"There's a small switch beneath the third step on the left hand side," said Sirius following her into the common room.
"I don't even want to know why you know that," Alyssa said shaking her head.
They reached the stairs and Alyssa flicked the switch beneath the third step for Sirius to ascend. It worked because Sirius made it all the way to the top without the stairs transforming into a slide.
Izzy led the way to their room at the end of the hall and held the door open for Sirius. "Last one by the window," she directed Sirius to Rachel's bed.
Sirius reached her bed and gently set a sleeping Rachel on it. "Should we get her changed or something?" Alyssa asked.
Izzy shook her head, "No, she'll change when she wakes up. Just take her robes off for now and let her sleep." Sirius carefully lifted Rachel into a sitting position and pulled her robes off without waking her. He laid her back down and covered her with a blanket.
"How long till class?" he asked quietly.
Alyssa watched Sirius as he tenderly brushed a lock of hair off Rachel's forehead. She jumped when Izzy smacked her arm. "What?" she hissed.
"He asked what time it was. You're the one with the watch," Izzy told her pointedly.
"Oh," said Alyssa looking down, "We have ten minutes until class."
"We better go then," Izzy said softly, "We'll bring her lunch later."
Sirius nodded as Alyssa and Izzy moved toward the door shouldering their bags. Sirius leaned down and pressed his lips to her forehead, "Sweet dreams."
Rachel woke sometime later and gazed blearily around the circular room. The dorm was quiet and she was very much alone in her own bed. Sunlight streamed through the windows and danced on the wooden floorboards as the morning's events came rushing back to her.
She figured that by now nearly every boy in the school thought of her as an easy lay, and every girl was labeling her as a slag. Her blue eyes filled with tears and she hastily blinked them away. "No," she said to herself, "No more. You can't let them win."
She got out of bed and retrieved a pair of sweatpants, a tank top, and a rather large sweatshirt from a dresser. She changed quickly and went into the bathroom down the hall to wash her face. She returned and sat cross-legged on her bed holding a pillow to her chest.
A soft knock disturbed her nearly a half hour later, but she ignored it. The door opened slowly and Sirius stuck his head into the room. "Did you hear me knock?" he asked.
"You made it up here fast," she commented, knowing that the lunch bell had gone off when she'd been in the bathroom.
"The others are right behind me," Sirius told her. "Did you sleep long?"
She shrugged, "About an hour and a half maybe more."
James appeared in the doorway, "Hey. Can we come in?"
"Plenty of room for all," Rachel replied.
Lily and the rest of the group followed James into the room. "We brought lunch. Are you hungry?" Rachel's stomach growled. "I'll take that as a yes," said Lily, laughing softly.
"We brought your favorite," said Andy, "One of them anyway."
Rachel's eyes lit up as he showed her the fried chicken he'd wrapped in a napkin, "You are my new favorite twin," she said.
"I'm your only twin," he told her and placed a kiss on top of her head.
Rachel smiled a true smile. Nothing else mattered except the people in that room, in that moment. Everything else just seemed to melt away and Rachel thought that reality could wait, at least for another moment or two.
-
When they'd finished lunch Remus vanished the remains with a wave of his wand. "We've managed to collect a lot of the photos," James told her, "At least we think it's a lot. We won't know how big of a dent we've made with them until we know how many were made."
Reality bites. Rachel thought to herself. "That's good then—right?"
Lily nodded, "McGonagall's keeping them all in her office for the moment until we've rounded them all up."
Before anything else could be said on the matter, the door burst open and in walked Matt and Julianna. "We didn't see you at lunch," said Matt, "We figured you might be up here."
"Here I am," said Rachel, "Those pictures probably scarred you for life didn't they? Especially you," she added looking at Matt.
"Well, I know it's not really you so the scarring is minimal at best," Matt winked. Everyone laughed including Rachel and she gave her younger brother a hug.
"And what about you?" Rachel said looking at Julianna, "You didn't think that picture was real did you?"
"Of course not," said Julianna, "Besides it's from the picture of us in Spain. On the beach, remember? It was taken right after we'd buried Matt and Andy in the sand and then got them out. They charmed the rest of us out and…"
"Charmed the clothes right off of me," Rachel said indignantly.
"And remember they looked like Rudolph the next day because they'd gotten horrible sunburns," Julia continued figuring everyone could use the laugh. Andy and Matt made faces at their youngest sister as everyone else chuckled.
"Now we know where the pictures originated from," said Izzy, "But we still need to know how many were made."
"And the only way we're going to find that out is if whoever did it fesses up," Remus added, "And the odds aren't exactly in our favor, unfortunately."
"Gotta go with what we've got," said Lily and then added, "And we've got class in a few minutes."
The others nodded and began gathering their school bags readying to leave again. "Do you want us to bring dinner up here too?" Andy asked.
Rachel shook her head, "No. I can't hide in here forever."
"No one would think any less of you, Rach," said James.
"I want to," she repeated.
Lily gave her friend a reassuring smile, "How about I come and get you after last lesson and we'll walk down together?"
Rachel smiled, "Sounds good. Thanks guys," she looked around at her friends, "For everything."
Everyone began moving toward the door except for Sirius. "Hey, are you coming?" Remus called back.
"I have a free this lesson so I thought I'd stick around here—if Rachel doesn't mind?" Sirius looked back at the brunette for her permission to stay. She nodded and Remus smiled, closing the door behind him.
Sirius went and sat on the edge of her bed, "I'm proud of you." Rachel gazed at him curiously. "For not wanting to hide from this. Most people would lock themselves in a closet or jump off the nearest bloody cliff."
Rachel laughed softly, "I thought about it believe me." Sirius stared at her and she grinned, "I decided against it. Too messy." Sirius laughed knowing she was joking.
"I wish I could make it disappear. Make it so that it wasn't on the other side of that door waiting for you," Sirius said honestly.
Rachel smiled sadly, "If only life were that easy." She leaned back against the headboard, "It just takes time for these things to go away. Everyone will have forgotten about it after they start gossiping over the next thing that happens."
Sirius smiled knowing she was right. "Maybe I could speed up the process. Maybe prank someone. Or—or I could run naked through the Great Hall. That'd get people talking." Rachel giggled and then shook her head. "No? What you have a better idea? Tell me—I'll do it."
"Hold me," she whispered.
Sirius looked taken aback for a moment, "I—I can do that."
Rachel moved until she was lying down on her side facing away from him. Sirius stared at her back for a moment before moving to lie beside her. He left about three inches between their bodies and he held his hand in the air unsure of what to do with it. He wasn't sure if he should keep it to himself or put it around her waist. He sure as hell didn't want to screw up now that they had come so far.
As if she'd sensed his hesitancy Rachel grabbed his hand and pulled his arm around her waist. "Just hold me," she whispered.
Sirius finally relaxed and did just as she'd asked. He heard the tiniest of sobs escape her lips and he leaned up on his elbow. "I don't even know why I'm crying," she squeaked.
Sirius brushed his lips across her temple and whispered, "It's okay to cry." He wrapped his arm more securely about her waist and pulled her close.
For a long time Sirius lay there holding the girl that had stolen his heart unknowingly. Her sobs quieted and as her breathing evened out Sirius figured out a way to help. He savored the feeling of holding her in his arms a little while longer until he knew she was asleep and then eased off the bed. He watched her sleep for a moment before shouldering his bag and leaving the room.
Sirius waited at the top of the stairwell to the dungeons and Potions classroom. He knew the bell would ring any minute to signal the end of the lesson. He also knew that he would have exactly five minutes to do what he needed to do.
The bell sounded moments later and Sirius heard the door to the Potions classroom slam into the stone wall as students began leaving. Sixth years from various houses that had been accepted into N.E.W.T. level Potions began hurrying up the stairs to their next class.
Sirius' eyes blazed angrily when the person he was looking for stepped into his line of sight. Sirius moved swiftly and grabbed the person's throat and wand arm and forced him back down the stairs. No one tried to put a stop to it. No one even seemed to notice.
They reached the bottom of the stairs and Sirius walked them to where they were out of earshot. He slammed his captive into the wall and let go of their throat. Using his free arm he pinned his captive to the wall.
"What the fuck are you doing, Sirius?" Regulus rasped.
Sirius sneered, "Getting information." The characteristics between him and his brother—one year younger than himself—were similar, but different. They had the same longish dark hair, the same nose, the same chin, and the same knee-weakening smile. But that was where it ended. Regulus had cold blue eyes and high cheekbones like their mother. And even in his current position, his natural air of arrogance and feeling of utmost superiority never wavered.
"Fuck you," Regulus spat.
Sirius growled and slammed Regulus into the wall again. "You were there. I know you were."
"Where was I?" Regulus asked playing dumb.
Sirius slammed Regulus against the wall for a third time, "Don't play stupid with me. How many are there?" Regulus turned his head and didn't utter a word. Sirius' hand was at Regulus' throat again, "How many are there?" he growled menacingly.
Regulus remained silent. Sirius tightened his fist around Regulus' neck and forced his head back into the wall. Regulus gasped in pain. "Tell me." Sirius repeated what he'd just done and put his face directly in front of his brothers. "I swear if you don't tell me the correct number in the next twenty seconds I will not hesitate in breaking every bone in your body.
Regulus opened his mouth but all that came out was a strangled rasp. Sirius released his throat, "2,524," he croaked. Sirius stared at Regulus trying to figure out if he was telling the truth or giving him a bullshit number. "I swear. A whole number was too easy," he rasped.
Sirius finally released him and Regulus bent over gulping down much-needed air. Sirius turned and walked away without another word. He reached the stairwell before Regulus spoke, "You never would've done it."
Sirius turned, "Don't be so sure. It would have saved a lot of people the trouble."
Lily knocked quietly on the door before pushing it open. Rachel was standing in front of the mirror pulling her hair into a high ponytail. She'd applied a little make-up, but her eyes were still a little red, and Lily knew that she'd been crying.
"You ready?" she asked.
Rachel nodded walking over to join Lily by the door. The two girls linked arms, "How was History of Magic?" Lily pretended to sleep and snored loudly. Rachel laughed, "That bad, huh?"
"What else is knew?" said Lily. "I'll give you my notes later."
"Thanks," Rachel said smiling.
Lily winked, "Anytime."
"Oh, could we stop and see McGonagall quick before we had down to dinner?" Rachel asked.
Lily nodded, "Sure."
-
"I'll wait here," Lily told Rachel when they reached McGonagall's office.
Rachel knocked and waited a moment before going inside. "Miss Rabb." McGonagall said sounding slightly surprised.
"Hi. I just—I wanted to thank you for everything that you did today," she said genuinely, "And for believing me, not that stupid photo."
McGonagall looked at Rachel with kind eyes, "Your welcome."
Rachel looked around at the countless stacks cluttering McGonagall's office. "Are these them?" McGonagall nodded. "How many are there?"
"2,524," McGonagall replied. "Mr. Black informed me of how many a few hours ago."
Rachel's eyebrows crinkled curiously, "Sirius did?"
McGonagall nodded, "He said he'd been tipped off." Rachel stared into the flames crackling merrily in the fireplace. "I asked your friends to stop by after dinner to pick them up. It's up to you to decide what to do with them."
Rachel nodded, "I'll come and give them a hand."
"I'm proud of the way you handled this, Miss Rabb," McGonagall said sincerely.
"Thank you, Professor." She moved toward the door, "Have a good evening."
Rachel's hand was on the doorknob when McGonagall said, "Don't hide yourself because of this." Rachel looked back at her and saw that the corners of McGonagall's mouth were raised in a small, but genuine smile. Rachel nodded and left the room closing the door behind her.
-
Rachel sucked in a breath and held it as the usual noise from the Great Hall met her ears as she and Lily descended the marble staircase. "Breathe," Lily coached. Rachel exhaled slowly. "Ready?"
Rachel nodded and together they stepped just inside the Great Hall. Rachel saw many heads turn in their direction and she recoiled slightly. Before she had a chance to dwell on the fact that people had begun gossiping again, James and Sirius were at their sides.
"May we escort you fine ladies to dinner?" James asked offering Lily his arm.
Rachel looked up at Sirius and he winked reassuringly offering her his arm. "Yes, you may," said Rachel.
James and Sirius flanked the girls as they escorted them to the four empty seats the others had saved. Rachel still felt slightly self-conscious as people continued to stare and whisper. "Mashed potato?" Sirius asked her diverting her attention.
Rachel looked at him for a moment and then nodded, "Yes, please."
He spooned some onto her plate and then did the same for himself before setting the bowl back down. Rachel continued to look at him and for a while he didn't notice, "Eat," he told her. "It's getting cold."
"You're right," said Rachel picking up her fork.
"Now that's something you don't hear every day," Remus teased and Sirius threw a piece of bread at him.
"Well, McGonagall said we're thirteen short," Lily said, seeing her levitating stacks into the Heads Common Room.
"That's probably accurate," said James levitating his stacks to the ground. "I've got three in my pocket that I confiscated on the way to dinner." He pulled three folded photos from his pocket and laid them on top of one of the piles.
"That still leaves us ten short," Remus reminded him.
Matt rubbed the back of his neck meekly, "I may have ripped two to shreds and then set them on fire after I broke some Ravenclaw's nose."
"Matt! You could get in serious trouble for that!" Rachel reprimanded.
"I don't think so." Rachel gave him a look. "If he tattled he'd have to tell why I punched him in the first place. And I did it because he had photos of you that he was trying to hide, and that would surely land him in detention with McGonagall."
Everyone laughed. "He does have a point though," James pointed out.
"It still wasn't right," Rachel said trying to sound stern. It didn't work mainly because she couldn't stop smiling.
"What's up?" Andy asked. His eyes narrowed suspiciously at his youngest sister who was looking very guilty.
Julianna grimaced, "I may have dumped five into my cauldron during Potions." Rachel and Andy looked at each other as Julianna blinked up at them innocently.
"And then there's the one Izzy flushed," Sirius brought up making Izzy blush.
"And I banished two to the Forbidden Forest," said Alyssa. Everyone laughed except Rachel who made a face. "What?"
"Centaurs have nude pictures of me," Rachel said dryly, "Terrific." Everyone laughed.
"So, what are we going to do with these?" Lily said still chuckling.
Rachel grabbed a small pile off the nearest stack and gazed at them. She walked over to the fireplace and chucked them into the flames, "Burn 'em," she said facing her friends.
Rachel woke very early the next morning; so early that it was still dark. She fumbled for her alarm clock on the nightstand and squinted her eyes at the numbers. It was quarter of five. "Ugh," she muttered flopping back down. She closed her eyes and tried to fall back asleep. After fifteen minutes of trying, she opened her eyes and stared at the deep red canopy above her bed.
Realizing that falling asleep again was wishful thinking; Rachel got up and dressed for a run quietly. She reached the common room and sat down on one of the couches to put her trainers on. Her eyes wandered to the staircase leading to the boy's dorms and she suddenly found herself on her feet.
She climbed the stairs and walked down the hall to the seventh year boy's dormitory room. She pushed the door open quietly and stepped inside. She could hear very loud snores coming from the bed furthest from the door. Must be Peter. She thought to herself. The bed closest to her was Andy's because there was a framed photograph of him and Alyssa on the nightstand. Two beds remained. Left or right? She thought, debating with herself.
She chose the left and surprised herself when she pushed the hangings back a little to see. Sprawled on his stomach was Sirius sleeping soundly. She pushed through the hangings and let them fall closed behind her.
"Sirius," she whispered, tucking her hair behind her ears. "Sirius," she repeated after eliciting no response from him the first time.
Sirius moaned sleepily. His eyes opened and he blinked blearily up at Rachel. He continued to stare at her for a moment as though not believing she was there. He sat up quickly when he realized she really was. "Rachel. What's happened? Are you okay?"
The blankets had pooled around his waist when he sat up revealing his bare chest. Rachel's eyes were drawn to the finely toned contours of his chest and abdomen. Shaking her head slightly to clear it she replied, "Yeah—yeah. I'm fine. Sorry for waking you."
"S'okay. What's up?" he asked.
"I was wondering if maybe you'd wanna go for a run with me?" she asked timidly.
Sirius looked at her for a moment before replying, "Yeah. Let me just change."
Rachel blushed and she was thankful that it was too dark for him to notice. "I'll wait outside," she said smiling.
-
"Do you do this often?" he asked as they set off in a light jog.
She shrugged, "When I need to clear my head. There's just something about running that helps you forget about everything else but your heart pounding in your chest and the wind on your face. It's like nothing bad can ever happen to you when you're running. It's just you and if you push just a bit more—"
"Nothing can touch you," Sirius finished for her.
Rachel looked over at him, "Exactly."
"It's like flying," Sirius said, "Two of three best highs in the world."
"What's the third?" she asked.
Sirius grinned, "Sex."
Rachel burst out laughing. "I don't know, I think there are a couple more than three."
"Oh yeah? Like what?"
"Like having that one kiss that makes your heart race, and your skin burn. The kiss that makes you realize that it's the only kind of kiss you want for the rest of your life. Then there's watching life begin and develop. It starts with a pregnant woman. Every month she gets a little bit bigger and the life inside her becomes a bit stronger, gets a bit closer to the reality. I think that entire process is probably the greatest high of all," Rachel said.
Sirius looked over at her, "Then there are five best highs."
She looked back at him and smiled. "Come on," she said lightening the mood. "I'll race ya." She gave him a brief grin and took off. He shook his head and then took off after her.
-
"That's—a lot—harder to do—on two legs—than it is on four," Sirius gasped when they finally stopped. Rachel laughed and flopped onto the grass, not caring that it was still a bit frosty. "Why did you ask me to come with you?" He voiced the question that had been nagging him since they'd stepped outside.
"I figured you could handle it," she teased, and then added seriously, "It just felt right asking you."
Sirius nodded silently and went to sit beside her. They sat in silence for a few minutes just enjoying the others company. "You know yesterday when you said you thought about jumping off the nearest cliff?" Sirius asked after a while.
Rachel opened her eyes to look at him, "Sirius, I was joking."
"I know," he said, "But if you had jumped off a cliff, I would have jumped off after you." His storm gray eyes looked into her sapphire blue ones.
After a moment, Rachel looked away. The intensity of their matched gaze had made her a bit lightheaded. They fell into silence again as the first snowflakes of the season began to fall.
Rachel blinked her eyes open and looked up into the falling snow. "It's snowing!" she exclaimed getting to her feet.
She ran several yards away from him and began to spin slowly with her arms spread. Sirius watched awestruck by her innocence and by her beauty in that moment.
"Don't you just love snow?" she shouted back to him.
He got to his feet and walked toward her. "Yeah. But it's a pain in the arse to shovel," he added grinning.
She stopped spinning and smacked his arm, "Way to ruin the moment," she teased. "It's one of those moments that you want to remember forever. Speaking of, thank you again for the frame. It's really beautiful."
"It wasn't your original birthday gift, but after yesterday I thought it was a better fit. Now you can frame a favorite memory to look at when things go wrong."
She didn't know how it happened or why she did it. Maybe it was because of the intense connection she felt between them. Maybe it was because they were standing outside as the first snow began to fall. Maybe it was because they'd spent an exceptional amount of time out in the cold and it was finally getting to her head. Whatever it was, had made her lean over and kiss his cheek impulsively.
"Thank you."
He looked at her with soft eyes, "Your welcome."
"So," Rachel said after a moment. "What was the original present?" She grinned impishly at him.
"You'll have to wait until Christmas to find out," he told her laughing.
"Aw, no fair," she said pouting. "Not even a teensy, weensy hint?"
Sirius bit back a laugh and shook his head, "No," he said simply, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Oh, come on," Rachel implored, "Please."
Sirius pretended to think. He leaned over so they were eye to eye and said, "No." Rachel made a face and he grinned. "I'll race ya back to the common room," he said and then took off for the castle.
"Sirius! Get back here!" Rachel shouted after him.
She wound up chasing him all the way back to Gryffindor tower where she found him waiting casually in front of the Fat Lady portrait. "Took you long enough," he teased.
Rachel lunged for him and grappled him playfully about the neck from behind. "Easier on four legs than on two my ass."
Sirius laughed, "Fairy dust. Fairy dust." He shouted at the portrait as Rachel began tickling him.
The Fat Lady swung open on her hinges to admit them. "Ah, young love," she sighed, "And they don't even know it yet."
A/n: Okay, there you have it! The chapter was mainly written to show that the bond between Rachel and Sirius is growing. She trusts him and he just loves being around her, and other are picking up on that. The picture idea is a bit out of the ordinary, yes, but it acts as revenge for Rachel humiliating Bellatrix. You will also notice that the Slytherin's showed up a bit more, as well as Peter had a few more lines than normal. I also showed that the relationship between Sirius and Regulus is not pretty at all. So, I hope you enjoyed. Up next is Chapter 15: Candy Canes and Mistletoe. I hope it won't take me long to update, but I'm heading back to school, so that might hinder me a bit. But I will do my very best to get it up within a reasonable time frame. Remember to review! The response last time was great, thanks again to everyone who reviewed! See you next time!