Chapter 32: A Visit and School Begins

Remus and I walked for a while, just talking about happier times and how we think this school year will turn out. "Phoebe, you never introduced me to your mother, I feel I may be rude in being here without thanking her for having me." "Oh, well see, she is off on a trip with a friend, she travels a lot. I'm here alone until she returns." I quickly explained, hoping he would believe me. "Ah, I see. Well please give her my thanks when she returns." I agreed and we headed back toward the house, seeing the sun beginning to set. "Remus, this has been a lovely day. Thank you for coming to visit."

I smiled at him and we hugged before he said, "Phoebe, remember I'm here if ever you need to vent about your father, I mean, I don't want you to think you are alone in this." I thanked him and waved him off as he traveled out of the wards to apparate. I remembered about him not having a lot of money and rushed inside to grab my money purse and back outside to him, catching him right before the edge of the wards. "Remus, wait. Here." I handed him it. "What's this?" "Just my allowance for this month. Like I said, mother likes for me to spend it. Please find you a home and hopefully it'll last you until you can get a job." "Phoebe I can't accept this." I took a step back, as if it may stop him from trying to give it back.

"I will not take it back. Throw it away if you want, but I refuse to take it back. It's your now." he looked inside and his eyes went wide. "Phoebe, this is too-" "Just take it. It's alright really. I want you to have it. I worry about you as well, my friend." he tucked it into his pocket and nodded, smiling brightly at me, which I returned. Then he grabbed me and hugged me so tight, I chuckled as he breathed his honest thanks into my ear. We released each other and I waved as he disappeared, when he was gone, I turned and saw a beautiful sunset.

I realized I spent the day with Remus and left Sirius all alone in the house, I felt bad as I rushed back to the house, hoping to make it up to him in the bedroom. I found him sitting in front of the fireplace, staring deep into the flames. "Sirius, are you alright? Sorry I lost track of time." I reached over to rub his shoulders, but he shrugged me off. I walked around the couch and sank to my knees in front of him, seeing hurt and anger in his eyes as he met mine. "Sirius, talk to me, please." "Talk about what Phoebe? What do we talk about?" I was confused and went to kiss him, but he leaned away from me.

"Just tell me what's wrong." "When I ask about your father, you flip out and say you don't want to talk about him. Yet Remus appears and that's the first thing you two talk about. You seemed pretty open about your father with Remus…but not me. Remus knows who he is…but not me. Got all cozy with Remus to talk about your father. You let Remus comfort you about him, let Remus promise to help you and protect you…but not me." he finished in a sad huff and walked away, not letting me say anything. I realized how it must look to him, but he couldn't be more wrong.

I sat there for hours, hoping Sirius would come back, but he didn't so I went to my room and saw it was empty as well. I looked out the window and saw Sirius sitting on a log, staring out at the sea and tossing shells back into as they washed up. I knew I should go talk to him, explain it, but I knew if I did, he would ask again for me to tell him who my father was. I couldn't do that…I couldn't risk him leaving me because of it. I wouldn't let my father ruin the only thing that mattered to me, I loved Sirius and wouldn't let my father come between us.

I woke up alone the next morning, not seeing Sirius beside me, making me feel extra cold. I went downstairs and saw him sleeping on the couch, I chewed my lip about waking him but decided against it. I checked the post and saw a letter from Harry for Sirius and placed it on the table in front of him before walking outside. I wasn't hungry and I went to the log Sirius was on last night and sat down, unsure of where to go from here, today was the day I had to pack and leave to head back to the school, we weren't going to be together anymore. I didn't want to leave on bad terms.

Sirius ran out of the house, nearly tripping in his rush to me. "I'm going back with you." I blinked, what changed all of sudden. He was gripping Harry's letter in his hand and he repeated, "I'm going back." "Why? What did Harry say?" "He says his scar has been hurting more and more each day. That means that Voldemort's power is growing. He needs me closer by." I flinched at the name and Sirius didn't notice, thankfully. "Alright, but you can't go to the school, they'll find you for sure. The shack isn't safe either since Snape knows about it. Where will you stay?"

"I'll figure that out. But we need to leave today." he turned and walked off without another word. I sighed, he was still angry with me, but Harry came first over his anger. We needed to get back to the school soon, to make sure my father wasn't trying to come back. I went inside and we packed our things in silenced and went to the edge of the wards when I paused and he turned back. "What is it? Forgot something?" I shook my head and looked at him, seeing the anger, worry and sadness all in his eyes. "Sirius, I'm going to say this once and only once. I hope you believe me. I do not feel for Remus in ANY way other than a friend. I love you and only you."

He didn't say anything and after a minute, he nodded and took my hand, leading me out of the wards to apparate. We were outside of Hogsmeade, hidden into a small shed and I looked outside, seeing nothing but woods. "It's just a spot I used before getting to the shack. You need to leave soon and make your way to the school, Phoebe." I agreed and stepped into his hug and breathed in his smell, not knowing when we were going to see each other again. "Watch over him, Phoebe. Make sure he stays safe." I said I would, then looked up into his eyes, "Sirius, I mean it. You are the only one for me. No matter how much I tried to deny it growing up, I couldn't deny how you made me feel." he kissed me softly and let me go, handing me my bag. "I just wish you would talk to me the way you talked to Remus…"

He didn't give me a second to reply and ushered me out the door, bidding me farewell. I gave up, he needed space I guess and started toward the town so I could head to the school. Finally I got there and saw students already heading into the Great Hall and I followed, taking my seat at the table beside Hagrid. We greeted each other and soon Dumbledore was up and giving his speech. "You missed the meeting, Phoebe." Hagrid whispered and I nodded, apologizing. "You don't know what's happening do ya?" I shook my head and he explained about the tournament.

I was floored by the announcement by Dumbledore and then the other school's students entered and were seated as Dumbledore explained the rules. I was happy that at least you had to be 17 to enter, Harry and the others were safe. The cup was revealed and it was amazing to behold before Dumbledore dismissed everyone to their rooms. I caught up with Dumbledore and walked with him to his office. "Is this really the best idea, to host this right now?" "Phoebe, the Minster is trying to lighten the mood of these dark times. The world cup was just a week or so ago, there was an attack."

He walked me through the attack and the death eaters and everything, I sighed, my father's followers were just as evil and stupid as he was. "What of Peter? Any knowledge of him?" "I'm afraid not, he has vanished. But no need to worry, enjoy the school year, I believe the challenges will be something to behold this year." he ushered me out and I got settled into my room and looked out the window, hoping Sirius was going to be alright out there. I climbed into bed and tried to get some sleep, but I felt cold without Sirius body wrapped around me.