Challenge:

Characters: Sirius Black & Mrs. Rosmerta
Place of scene: Three Broomsticks Inn
Imposed dialogue: Dramatic and intense "I cannot let you say that…"

SECRETS

"What would it be for you, young man?"

When the dark haired young man moved his head up, the young woman recognized the most famous amongst ladies malestudent of Gryffindor house of Hogwarts, the nearby school. If not famous, the one boy who all ladies had settled their heart on.

"Since when do you call me young man?" answered the student, faintly smiling to Rosmerta, waitress of the Three Broomsticks Inn.

He had put his snow covered coat on the back of his chair and seemed lost in thought before she addressed him. Romerta always had a sixth sense, feeling when clients needed a drink, a coffee or if they needed just talking. Even if she was just starting in the business of barmaid and Inn tenant, taking over after Mr Jenkis work at the Three Broomsticks. She had left Hogwarts a few years before and was now working here since 8 to 9 years, she lost count. Being so close the school ensured business of course, but she could also keep in touch with Hogwarts professors, events and gossiping in Hogsmeade.

She had easily noticed how every Hogwarts school witch had immediately developed a crush on the rebel of the school, Sirius Black to only name him, when he arrived at the school seven years back. He seemed to not take notice of any of them, much to Rosmerta amusement.

She had developed a keen interest in him and his friends, they were funny and always ready to joke around. Every time they had time to come to Hogsemead on weekends, they stopped at the Three Broomsticks and took a café, sharing all the gossip they had heard around. And they always had A LOT of things to share.

This time she could not miss noticing that he was alone this time. And he did not seem alright. She had decided it was time for a break and that she needed to talk with him.
The young wizard was still immobile and quiet. She sat across him on the chair and put her washing cloth on the table, waiting for him to be ready.
She summoned a coffee and it appeared in front of Sirius Black. She saw his nostrils react to the fumes of the coffee and that made him move his head and face her. He put his hands around the steaming bowl.

Rosmerta was really surprised and worried because he seemed so sad, tired and a bit empty. Usually he was full of life, laughter, always joking and smiling around. He also always was seductive and trying to test his charms on all women. Even her sometimes. It would have probably worked if she was a bit younger.

Alarmed by his behavior, she asked:
"You do not look good today…"
"It must be true, if you say so…"
"What's happening, sweetie?"
"Am I not allowed to be down, once in a while?" He replied, sounded like a wounded animal.
"Of course you can, dear… But don"t be surprised if people around are remarking and worrying about you…"
"Why shouldn't I be surprised?" Sirius asked, with a small joyful spark in the eye.
"You come into my bar, with your puppy eyes… You look like a puppy which has lost his momma…"

Sirius had an enigmatic smile when she started to talk about puppies and dogs and, after taking a sip of the offered coffee, he seemed to regain composure.
"Is it really your bar, then?"

She pretended to be outraged.

"Of course it is, I own in every sense of the word. And since you do not seem interesting in sharing what is putting you down, I have other clients and tables waiting for me..."

She stood up and, before she could feigned going away, he lost his half smile and murmured:
"No, wait. I did not mean it in a bad way."

Even if it was very quiet, she heard him and sat right back in front of him.

"It is probably the first time that I hear you pronounce these words. Apologizing. You must really have a lot on your plate. What is it Sirus? You can tell me."

The young wizard sighed and took another sip. He looked into her eyes and started explaining.

"You did not notice anything suspicious when I arrived here in the Three Broomsticks?"
"Except for the fact that you're alone, no… What was it?"
"You saw it then… That is my problem…"
"That you are alone today in Hogsmeade? You must be joking! You are the person who has the most friends at Hogwarts. Everyone looooves you. And I really mean loooooove..."
"Maybe but I have very few friends… And they are starting to leave me, one by one."

Rosmerta guffawed, for from being convinced by Sirius' words.

"What are you saying? The day James will forget about you is the day Dumbledore will…"
"The day James gets himself a girlfriend…"
"What do you mean? It has been ages that he changes girlfriends every month or so… It does not mean that he forgot about you in the meantime, right?"
"Maybe before… But not this time… It"s the one, I can feel it… He can feel it…"
"Lily Evans?"
"Exactly, Lily…"
"Sirius, do not tell me you are jealous of Lily Evans?" asked Rosmerta, beginning to laugh but stopping right when she saw real sadness in the young wizard eyes.
"No, I'm not jealous. I"m happy for them. Really. They are made for each other, they will age perfectly together, nothing more sure than that. But in the meantime, they are more and more requesting alone time… Together… And it"s the last year of school… And…"
"And you feel like you don"t see your friend anymore?"
"No, I still see him. They suggested that I come with them sometimes. But I will not go and sit there while they snogged each other every two seconds…" answered Sirius, sounding a bit like an upset child.

Rosmerta had a sweet laugh and Sirius smiled, happy he managed to be funny.

"But James is not your only friend, is he? You can go out and play with Remus alos, cannot you?" Suggested Rosmerta, trying to cheer the boy up.
"Remus is not really available this time of the month… Since today and for the next 2 to 3 days… Do not ask me why…"
"It's the "bad time of the month" for him also?" replied Rosmerta, bursting into laughter. "I thought only girls had that issue…" She added.

Sirius joined her in her hilarity without regaining his seriousness.

"It's not what you think…"
"And then there is Pettigrew, right? Well to be honest, I never understood how he got untangled with your crew… He's not really in the same league as you three, isn't he?" Rosmerta said, trying to change the subject of Remus Lupin monthly indispositions.

Sirius had finished his coffee and reacted immediately to her words. He threw his fist violently on the table, making Rosmerta and the closest clients jumped. He answered her, hidden anger in his words:

"I cannot let you say that… Peter is…"
"I'm sorry Sirius, I didn't mean…"

Rosmerta tried to apologize. And dismissing with a glance the curious stares Sirius" reaction had provoked from the nearby tables.
He seemed to calm down and excused his tone.

"It's just that I"m tired of everyone despising Peter. He is a very good friend, he is kind, he…"
"I know, I know… It's just that he seems so different than you… You or James."
"Maybe we are more alike than what people think. And Remus is not really similar to us either. And nobody seems to question him…"
"Believe me I know that but at the beginning it was only James, Remus and you, was it not? Peter was added later, if I can put it that way…"
"Like a fly in the ointment you mean?" Replying angrily Sirius.
"No, no. That's not what I meant at all. It"s just that he joined your group during your second year. And that you are all different."
"Yes we are. But it is a good thing… I think!" Answered the Gryffindor student. "We fulfill each other's flaws. I know I can trust Peter. We all can…"

Rosmerta left a few seconds of silence passed by after his admission. Sirius seemed lost in thoughts again.

"And I know I can tell him all of my secrets…"
"You do have secrets?" Rosmerta dared to ask him.

Sirius looked at her with a seductive and enigmatic smile.
"Of course I do have secrets…"
"And James is not the recipient of all your secrets? Being your best friend and all?"
"Not all of them… On certain subjects, I know James is not the right person to go to to get advice…"

Rosmerta did not answer, a bit surprised by Sirius' words. She stopped asking questions in order to avoid being too curious.

"Peter, he knows how to keep secrets."

Silence followed for a few minutes.
A client came to Rosmerta asking for a beer and she realized she needed to go back to waitressing.
She stood up, Sirius was doing the same.
They exchanged a friendly look while she was putting back her washing cloth on her long skirts pocket. Sirius put back his winter coat on.
Before opening the bar door and go back to the snow storm starting in Hogsmeade, Sirius turned around and told Mrs Rosmerta:
"Thank you for your time and your listening."

He then went out without waiting for her response.

"With pleasure, dear."