*Third person's POV*
"Moony?" James called, snapping Remus out of his thoughts.
They just finished their Order meeting.
"Hmm?"
James put his around Remus' shoulder and slowly pulled him away from other people.
"I want to talk to you about the thing that happened earlier," James whispered.
"I was thinking about it too," Remus chuckled.
"You noticed it too!" He exclaimed. "I thought maybe I was wrong, for a moment, and that shattered me."
"And I thought maybe that was an another effect of being a werewolf and it damages your observing skills and stops your brain from thinking straight."
"Thank Merlin! We're both alright!" James sighed.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Remus asked with a smug grin.
"Hell yeah, mate! I've never seen an answer like that come out of his mouth," James chuckled.
"Now, all I want to see is Kitty go on a date with Dearborn," Remus smirked.
"You cold git!" James laughed. "But, you know what? I want them to go on for aleast 30 dates!"
"And here, you were calling me cold a few seconds ago," Remus laughed.
"But she wouldn't stop right?" James asked suddenly worried.
Remus nodded. "I strongly believe that she wouldn't stop even after her death."
James grinned.
"Hey! I've been searching for you both! What after you doing here?" Sirius wailed over to them.
"Nothing. Just talking," James said hastily.
Sirius raised his eyebrows.
"About... Ratings," Remus grinned.
"Ratings?" Sirius looked at them both as if they grew a pair of heads.
"Yes," James nodded.
"Rating someone on a scale of 1 to 10—"
"I know what rating is," Sirius cut him off. "But who and why are we rating now? Are you going in a date, Moony?"
"—Based on your opinion or feelings about them. Oh! Especially on how much you like them," Remus finished as if he'd never been interrupted.
"Oh," Sirius said still looking confused.
"What is your opinion on... Vance?" James asked.
"A crazy Ravenclaw," Sirius shrugged.
"On a scale of 1 to 10? How much do you like her?" Remus asked.
"6," Sirius replied.
"Alice?"
"Sweet but a control freak. 6"
"Frank?"
"Cool! 6"
"Fabian?"
"Thrill seeker. 6"
"Me?" James asked.
"A madcap. 100"
"Moony?"
"A cold bitch. 100. My love for you goes beyond the limits. "
"Kitty?"
"Pryde?" Sirius raised his eyebrows.
"Is there any other Kitty you know?" James chuckled.
"Ummm... 7? I'll give 7," Sirius shrugged.
"7?" Remus and James raised their eyebrows.
Sirius nodded. "I need to get to know her more. Oh, about Pryde. I have to take her somewhere. See you later!" he said and walked away from them looking for Kitty.
"7?" James grinned.
"Oh, I knew it!" Remus grinned from ear to ear.
"Ah! I'm going to love this," James chuckled.
*My POV*
I couldn't sleep well last night because of the whole dementor thing. I woke up in the middle of the night to take another dose of the dreamless sleep potion. I think they were all right. I should stop taking it. My body got used to it and now it isn't that effective as it was before.
I woke up, took a quick shower, had my breakfast, took the invitation and apparated to Mungo's along with Lily.
"Are you alright?" Lily asked as we walked into Mungo's. "You've been silent since last night."
"Yeah. Couldn't sleep well last night," I replied.
"Are you still thinking about what Sirius said last night?"
"He tried to make up last night. But I'm still mad at him. I literally asked him... No. I told him four times about my feelings... indirectly. And didn't even say anything. I'm really glad I didn't confess directly to him. I literally saved myself from embarrassment."
"Sirius is...thick and complicated," she said with sad eyes.
"I know," I sighed.
"You know, I think it's a good idea to go out with someone else, for a change. All you've been doing for the past four months is school, home, accidental missions, getting injured and sulking about one sided love."
"You sound exactly like Regulus," I rolled my eyes. "He was the one who advised me to go out with someone else."
"He did?" Lily asked surprised.
I nodded. "He said it might help me turn his brother's head towards me because I never fell for his charms like other women do."
"Ah! The hard game," Lily chuckled. "But," she paused and looked worried.
"But?"
"Jacob is a very nice bloke. He hadn't dated anyone since he lost his girlfriend during an attack."
"Oh! I didn't know that!" I whispered.
"Yeah. Many tried to impress him but he never cared. You're the first person he showed any interest in."
"Woah! You should stop scaring me, Lily. Besides, it's just a tea. I've got no hopes at all. And even if it works, things wouldn't last long. A year max," I shrugged.
"Don't be so negative," she chuckled. "Okay Healer Tonks would be here any minute, so you could wait in her cabin."
"Sure."
"I'm on a tight schedule today. Tell me when you're finished and I'll drop you at Hogwarts."
"Ooookay," I nodded and walked into the room. It was a shared room and had two closed cubicles. I walked into Andromeda's, sat comfortably in a chair and waited for her. There were many books on different magical and muggle diseases, normal to dangerous. There were also books on mental health issues. A picture on the table caught my attention. It was a picture of Ted, Andromeda and Dora. They all looked quite happy, grinning from eye to eye. Dora's hair was purple. I opened the book about the mental health issues and went through the contents. I always found such book pretty interesting because I love reading and understanding people. So, I started reading.
"Good morning, Miss Pryde. I'm sorry I kept you waiting," Andromeda walked in.
"Good morning, Healer Tonks. No problem. I know how to kill time," I smiled at her.
She sat in her chair and smiled at me. "You should stop avoiding me. You are supposed to meet me every two weeks," she chuckled.
"I'm sorry," I smiled back.
"So, how are you doing?"
"Okay till yesterday."
"Why? What happened?"
"Dementors happened."
Her eyes widened. "You were there?!"
"It was terrible!"
xxx
After about an hour long meeting with Andromeda, I walked out of the room. I have to find where Jacob is. I saw a harassed looking healer in her lime green robes and walked over to her. "Excuse me, miss?"
She turned to me. A brunette, with hazel eyes.
"Yes?"
"Ummm... Hi. I'm Katherine Potter. Could you please tell me where I could find Ke... I mean Healer Jacob Dearborn? I've been looking for him everywhere," I asked.
Her eyes lit up when I said his name. "Healer Dearborn? Oh, he must be in the Janus Thickey ward."
"Oh, okay. Thank you, miss..."
"Turner. Charlotte Turner," she smiled.
"Thank you, Miss Turner," I smiled back.
"Wait. Are you related to the Potters? Like Lily and James Potter?"
"Turner?!" Someone called her.
"Yeah. He's my brother. I'd be leaving then. Good day," I gave a curt nod and walked over to the stairs.
I reached Janus Thickey ward and walked in. There was no one to stop me. I was looking around when I saw him along with another two young healers.
He was at the far end, reading a patient's chart. I leaned on the door and waited for him to finish his job. He walked around and talked to the patients with a big smile on his face. He listened to the ones who could talk. The other two healers, who were quite young were giggling and talking in hushed voices behind his back.
"Girls!" I sighed, shaking my head.
I walked out and waited for him to come out. After a few minutes, I heard the door open. He walked out talking to the other two healers and the girls were obviously multitasking. They were listening to every word he's saying and enjoying his handsome features. He took a double take when he saw me.
"Hey! I wasn't expecting to see you here this early," he said surprised. "How long have you been waiting here? You should've just called me!" His pupils were totally dilated.
The grins on the girls' faces fell obviously and they stared at me. No. They screened me from top to bottom. I was in my regular jeans and oversized T-shirt, and a bag full of books.
"Hi! Nah! It's just been few minutes. I came to see Tonks and... thought I should see you too," I replied with a smile.
My eyes shifted over to the girls. He might have noticed it, he turned to them.
"Alright, we are done for today. Write a two feet long report. Do not forget to record the patients' details every 6 hours. You may leave," he told them.
With one last look from him to me, they nodded and walked away, talking in hushed voices.
"So," he looked at me nervously. "Come on, let's go to my cabin. We could—"
"Oh, I'm so sorry I come bearing bad news," I cut him off hastily. "We can't go out on Sunday."
He looked at me confused. Maybe a bit hurt.
I opened my bag and took out the invitation and gave it to him. "I really didn't know about this or I'd have told you."
He opened the invitation and read what's in it.
"This is an official meeting," he frowned.
"Yeah. And you are invited. Dad told me to give it to you personally. I'm sorry. We could... We could go out...for ice tea or tea... after Sunday? Any day. Your call."
He laughed. "Is that's what bothering you? It's okay. We will meet on Sunday as we agreed. It's just that there's a change of venue...and there would be...people joining us."
"So, are you coming? Are you okay with this?"
"It's quite not what I was thinking. But this could do," he smiled. "We will have our... ice tea some other day," he chuckled.
"Okay. Just so you know, it could be any kind of beverage and not just tea. It could be wine or butterbeer or firewhiskey... Not that I wanna get you drunk," I repeated his words. "It's just... I'm okay with anything,"
He let out a beautiful laugh. "Then you made it easier for me."
"Well, it's my specialty. I make things easier." Why the hell did I even say that?
Why am I nervous? Oh, yeah. I'm always nervous in such situations.
"That's...cool. So, I'm looking forward to seeing you on Sunday... at the Potter's Residence in Stinchcombe," he smiled.
I was always so enchanted by his bright blue eyes, that I missed his slight dimples.
"Oh my! You've got dimples! Why didn't I notice them before?!" I blurted out. Without thinking. At. All.
His face went pink. "Maybe...maybe you were busy looking into my eyes," he said slowly.
"True though," I replied with a nervous laugh. "Alright then. I should get going." I don't want to get anymore embarrassed in the morning.
"Sure. Take care," he said.
xxxx
I found Lily and told her what happened and she doubled up laughing, clutching her stomach.
"Is this the time where I should start hating you?" I grumbled.
"Sorry," she laughed. "I know how nervous you usually get when you first meet people. But I really really want to see a nervous Dearborn."
"If you want to see a man nervous, put a knife to this throat," I shrugged.
"Now I knkw why you're single."
I glared at her.
"Okay. Let me drop you at school. I'm going to die of over work today."
xxxx
"I'm sorry about the dementor attack. I don't know where he is getting all those. All I know is they are not from here and he wishes to use them to bring the dementors of Azkaban on his side," Regulus said. "Oh, and I'm proud of you. You actually listened to me about meeting other men," he smirked.
"Oh stop encouraging me! It makes me sound like I'm the bad guy here...using some other innocent guy for my own greed or need... whatever."
"Potter. There is nothing wrong in doing things to get what you want. Even if they are sometimes bad or wrong or whatever. Everyone does it. One way or the other, someone could get hurt. And it isn't wrong to think about yourself. You are just trying your luck! Stop worrying and go with the flow."
"You scare me sometimes, Regulus."
He laughed.
"He was so cute and also intense at the same time. I couldn't just say no looking into his eyes!" I sighed.
"She said the same thing," He smirked.
We both looked at each other and laughed.
"Regulus?"
"Hmm?"
"Five reasons to date me?"
"What?!"
"Give me five reasons why someone would want to date me."
"You're really asking me that?"
"Did I strut?"
He chuckled and frowned thinking. "Well, you are beautiful. Inside and out."
I scoffed. "The outside thing is a lie."
"No," he looked at me seriously. "You are beautiful. You have captivating eyes and smile. Also you have this quite... exotic dusky skin with few freckles here and there."
I just blinked staring into his eyes.
"What?" He smirked.
"Why do you have the same stupid eyes and that stupid smirk?" I groaned.
"What?" He asked confused.
"Just... looking into those similar grey eyes and hearing those words...it's just..."
He sighed. "You love him a lot, don't you?"
"With all my mind, body, heart and soul!"
"Did you tell him about this bloke? Dearborn?"
I sighed and nodded. "He went all judgmental!"
Regulus raised his eyebrows. "Judgemental? Sirius, my brother? About dating? Seriously?"
I told him everything what happened with Sirius at dinner and after that.
"Tell me again exay what he said when you asked him if he would go out with you?"
"Well, when I asked him first at the dinner table, he looked surprised and went 'Wha..What?' and 'I...I don't'. And the second time I asked him again when he came to get me. He just stood there and stared at me. It was a clear 'NO'," I said rubbing my eyes.
"Do you really think so?"
"What?"
"Do you really think it was a clear NO?"
"Of course! I don't want things to be shoved under my nose. I understand things."
He chuckled.
"What?" I asked in confusion.
"You really don't know my brother, do you?"
"Now that isn't good for my ears and heart," I said offended.
"I did not mean to offend you. But one thing everyone who is close to Sirius, knows that he never hesitates to answer."
"So?" I looked at him confused.
"If it's a yes, he will say it out loud and clear. If it's a no, he will shout out for the world to hear. Sirius Black... never hesitates," he paused and smirked. "Unless..."
"Unless?!" I asked more confused.
"Unless he is hiding something and doesn't want to answer..."
I sighed. "Maybe he was afraid that I might get angry or upset and bring out my weird scarlet eyes. Captivating eyes you say? You've seen the scarlet ones. Do you think they're captivating?" I chuckled.
He shuddered. "Don't talk about red eyes."
"Sorry. Anyway, I think it was the reason he hesitated. Because..."
"Because?"
"Umm... I might have ...kinda spied on him," I said ashamed.
He looked at me puzzled.
"Well, after the little drama at dinner, I tried to do the secret telepathy or whatever. So, I saw and heard everything from Peter's head. He is easy for me. So, they were talky about me and Peter asked him if he liked me. Sirius said no," I shrugged.
"He said no? Right away?"
"I think so," I frowned. "He did."
Regulus sighed. "Show it to me. This is confusing."
I shrugged and took his hand in mine. I closed my eyes and concentrated on the discussion James, Sirius, Remus, Lily and Peter had last night. Then continued to the little talk Sirius and I had after that.
Regulus was smirking.
"What?"
"You are oblivious as he is."
"What? I'm not! You saw it yourself. He said 'No' when Peter asked him and almost glared at me when I asked him again! You are oblivious not me!"
He laughed. "Even a dog would glare at you if you ask like that. Is that really the way to ask someone out?" He laughed.
I glared at him. "I was being careful," I mumbled.
"Anyway, like I said, Sirius Black answers with confidence and never hesitates. Your brilliant mind have missed it."
"Missed what? Stop your stupid dramatic suspense and spit it out!" I exclaimed.
"The uncertainty in his answer and eyes."
"Eh?" I looked at him confused.
"Every time he was asked that question, he hesitated. He only hesitates when he is lying. People who doesn't know him well, miss it. Well, he was being careful too," he smirked.
"Lying? So... You think he likes me?"
"He does. But he might not be totally sure about it. If I'm not wrong, Potter and Lupin might have already realized it last night. They know him better."
I blinked. My heart was pounding. "So...so you mean... Sirius actually might like me? Like, like-like me?"
Regulus laughed and nodded.
I frowned. "I... I don't know. I don't really feel it. I mean... I can usually sense if a person likes me. But... I never felt it with Sirius."
"Did anyone ever say that you are quite a bit negative?"
"Lily," I chuckled. "Anyway, let's get back to business," I said as I waved my wand and muttered spells under my breath as he helped me with my spel.
XXX
*Third person's POV*
"So, how do you think they're going to end up?" James asked casually.
"Who?" Sirius asked checking the map.
"Kitty and Dearborn of course!" Remus said airily.
James and Remus realized that Sirius secretly likes Kitty when he hesitated to answer the question. They made it their job to know more about his feelings and then give him hell.
So, they played the rating game. Sirius usually rates people from 0 to 6, no matter how good they are. The scale would never cross 6. He only rated the marauders, Lily, Minerva, 10.
Alphard Black, Andromeda, Marlene, Dumbledore, Moody, 9.
And when it comes to 7, it was his favorite number. Infact, it was also James' and Remus' favourite number. Sirius rated James and Remus 7, when they first met. After a few weeks, it became 100. And Sirius never rated anyone 7 other than James and Remus. But last night he did. After a moment of hesitation, he gave her 7. And that was all that the wolf and the stag wanted to know.
Sirius paused for a moment and looked at them. "Like she said, it wouldn't last a few months. I bet it wouldn't last for a week."
"That's rude," Remus said.
Sirius scoffed. "She can't keep lying to someone when she's dating him."
James raised his eyebrows. "How do you know?"
"Even though we are her friends, she never lied to us. And from what I've seen, she would rather be honest to the person she's spending more time with, than keep lying and regret it," Sirius shrugged.
"Why do you think she has to lie? She is super secretive. She could manage," Remus shrugged.
"Exactly. You are right. She never lied to us. But, she is keeping loads of secrets," James shrugged.
Sirius frowned. "Yeah," he nodded. "So, if she manages, they would be fine." He paused for a moment. "But I still don't understand," he looked at them. "Who was the one she was in love with?"
"Not was. Is," Remus corrected. "No one knows," he shrugged.
"So, she is in love with someone and is willing to go out with someone," Sirius scoffed. "Who is she deceiving? The bloke or herself?"
"Mate, why are you being a hypocrite?" James asked.
"I'm not!" Sirius exclaimed.
"You never said anything when I went out with Jessica Alton in our fifth year!" James arched an eyebrow.
"That was different! Sirius scoffed.
"How different?" Remus asked. "Prongs was in love with Lily then."
"Yes. But we were also kids and we were immature gits," Sirius replied as a matter of factly.
"I wasn't," Remus shook his head.
"Me neither," James shrugged.
"Fine. I was the immature git," Sirius snapped. "Why the fuck are we even talking about this shit?" He said and walked away from them.
James and Remus looked at each other and laughed.
*Sirius' POV*
"Why the heck are they being gits?" I muttered under my breath. "They are doing it on purpose and I know it.
Was I obvious? No... I managed it. Well, anyone would be taken aback. So, it's natural to pause for a moment before you answer.
Ugh...I have to stop this. Sirius Black! Pull yourself together. Why the fuck would you care if she goes out with someone else? I know your ego is a bit hurt because she did not fall for you. Whatever. I am Sirius Black and I don't give a crap. I'm quite sure what I should do!"
XXXX
AN: Heya! Sorry for the late update.
Hope you're enjoying the story.
This is a sequel to "The Marauders and the Time Travelling Potterhead." If you haven't read it yet, I suggest you to read it quickly and come back here.
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