Birthday Boy

I spotted my friends and saw that Marlene was practically doubled over, her face bright pink from raucous laughter. Sally's jaw had completely dropped and Dorcas had covered her eyes from sheer embarrassment.

He had chosen today of all days to go commando.

Seemingly taken aback by the reaction he was getting from people, he looked down at himself in confusion, but as I'd found out the night before part of the charm meant he would never know something was wrong until he looked at his own reflection.

I pressed my lips together. Surely this trick had gone too far, even for Black to have to endure?

But then, he hadn't cared all those times he'd set me up to be publically laughed at, left me to be friendless. Why should I care now...?

Except that I did, I realised.

He had apologised.

And perhaps there was a perfectly reasonable, alternative explanation for the way he had acted with Snape after Potions the other day.

Besides, I very much doubted he would let me stand in front of the whole school naked as the day I was born.

That was it. I'd made up my mind.

.o.

Walking determinedly toward him, I grasped him by the arm and pulled him away from the firing line.

There were a few boos from the ready audience.

"What's going on?" he demanded, clearly bemused by it all.

The temptation for my eyes to stray from his face was fast becoming far too great, so ignoring his question I frantically pulled him down the nearest corridor and tested all the locks to the classrooms along the way.

It looked as though Filch had been doing his job a little too well; not one of them was open.

I finally twisted one of the door handles and heard a faint click.

Without a second thought I pulled Black in, only to find us bathed in complete darkness.

"Lumos," Black muttered.

His wand shone a focused spotlight on our faces.

"Where were you keeping that?" I wondered aloud.

"My robes..." he stated as if it were obvious. "Now while I appreciate the urgency to get me alone, it would be great to know what's going on."

But all my present mind could seem to focus on was his nudity and the darkness, and the fact that the room we were in appeared to be no bigger than a wardrobe. All of him was frightening close to all of me.

"Listen, I'm really sorry," I spoke quickly, working hard to get the words out, "but those robes you're wearing... They're not what you think. Shine a light on your chest," I urged, thinking it best to show rather than tell.

Retrieving a pocket mirror from my jeans, I held it up to show him his apparently bare chest in the reflection. "Here, look."

For a long second he was silent, and then a wave of realisation washed over his face. "The robes are like this everywhere?" he demanded.

I nodded.

"The Potters' wouldn't do this," he shook his head.

"Well, they didn't," I admitted begrudgingly, my voice low. "It was just supposed to be a joke."

Sirius stared back at me. "You did this?"

"The girls mentioned it ages ago, just after your mirror prank," I explained. "I didn't realise they'd actually go through with it."

"Except you must've known before I walked into the hall," he countered.

"You were supposed to be wearing boxers," I said defensively. "How were we supposed to know you weren't wearing anything?"

He raised an eyebrow at me, and I couldn't tell what he was thinking.

"If I'd known you were... like this," I gestured to his body, "I never would've gone along with it."

Out of nowhere an urgent bubble forced its way up through my chest into my throat.

The laughter burst from my mouth before I could stop it, and I clamped a hand over it.

"I'm so sorry, I can't help it," I said, my nervous laughter impeded by my hand.

At first Sirius's stared at me in disbelief and I thought he was going to completely lose his cool, but after watching my reaction the anger on his face started to fade and he shook his head.

"Bet you think you're all really clever, don't you?" he asked, studying me now.

I lifted a shoulder and lowered my hand, "It was, a bit. You have to admit."

His mouth twitched in reply.

"I couldn't have done it better myself," he said. "But that doesn't mean I'm fine with the entire school seeing my tackle."

I bit my lip to stop another shot of laughter.

"This isn't funny, Morland."

"Back to surnames now, then?" I asked.

He nodded. "Oh definitely. In fact, I think you need to be punished."

Grabbing a stool from behind him, he sat down on it and looked up at me with a devilish glint in his eye, "I ought to take you right now. Over my knee."

He gestured me down to it, daring me to climb on.

I positioned my hand to obscure the view.

"I can't look at you while you're wearing that," I told him.

"Oh don't pretend you haven't already," he shot back.

I let out a nervous laugh in response and he stood up again, so close that I felt the front of his invisible robes brush against me.

I was suddenly very glad it was dark so he couldn't see the heat pool in my face.

"I suppose I should thank you for your sudden attack of guilt back there then, should I?" he asked.

"I suppose you should."

"You're just lucky I'm proud of it," he said, making it clear exactly what appendage it was he was proud of. "But I still think we need to even things up."

I let out a gasp when I felt the tips of his fingers grasp dangerously at the waistband of my skirt.

"What do you mean?" I replied, snapping my hand out to stop him.

"Well, now that you've seen mine, or at least had the chance to, surely it's only fair to return the favour?" he replied with a smirk.

"Not going to happen," I said, placing his hand firmly back at his side. "Ever."

Sirius chuckled.

"We'll see."

.oOo.

I stirred the next morning to a single ray of weak winter sunshine peeking through the dormitory window. Dorcas's shrill alarm had woken me early.

"Sorry," she mouthed a quick apology before heading in to the bathroom to get ready.

It was Thursday morning and I had a double free first thing, and I was by no means in a rush to leave the safe confines of the dorm.

Who knew what kind of rumours had spread since last night? Our prank, Sirius's missing robes, the fact that the usually quiet girl had dragged him naked out of the hall...

"See you later," Dorcas called as she left the bedroom for Herbology, leaving me -thankfully- all alone.

"Bye," I called after her.

Snuggling back into the duvet, I thought back to the feeling of Sirius's long fingers pulling jokingly at my waistband, and I couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if I hadn't stopped his wandering hands.

I felt suddenly faint. Would it have gone farther? Would I have finally got to feel what it was like to have my first kiss?

The idea sent my heart fluttering.

The fact that it had almost been with Sirius Black was terrifying.

I knew I couldn't let him get to me anymore. If it all turned out to be a trick once he had what he wanted, it would be devastating.

.o.

Finally wresting myself from my bed, I climbed into the shower, letting the soothing warm water pour over me.

Afterwards, sitting at my bedside table wrapped in the cosiest white towel I could find, I used a quick drying spell, straightening out my usually thick wavy hair. Today called for a change. I needed confidence if I was going to get through it. Shed loads of it.

I even took the time to rummage out my favourite pair of high-waisters.

Dressing quickly to stave the chill of the stone room, I finally left the comfort of the walls and headed to the library to kill the last hour before my Care Of lesson.

Working my way to the seating area without so much as a glance around me, I managed to avoid the risk of catching anyone's eye after what had happened yesterday.

It was only after passing the last aisle of books and turning the corner that I noticed a student no taller than my 5ft 6inch self heaving what looked like a tome down from a high shelf, and by then it was too late.

We collided heavily, leaving their ancient-looking book to fall to the ground like a lead weight.

"What do you think you're doing?" Snape demanded, glaring back at me. "Think you're above using your eyes like a normal person, or has Black convinced you you can go around shoving whoever you please?"

Surprised by his anger, I bent down to heave his book up, glancing at the cover:

'Lycanthropy: Unlocking the Mystery of the Full Moon'

Snape snatched it abruptly from my hands. "And I'd thank you to keep your nose out of other people's business," he snapped.

I held my hands up in defence. "Won't bother next time," I replied.

"See that you don't," he replied curtly, stalking away, book clenched firmly in hand.

I shook my head. Snape really did have issues. Whether he had it in him to be a cold-blooded Death Eater as Sirius had said though, I wasn't so sure.

.o.

A few hours later and I'd successfully managed to get the last of the day's lessons over, avoiding a full on meeting with any member of the Marauders four all day.

"Mori!" Marlene greeted as I walked into the common room, jogging over to me, "Up top!"

I looked at her raised hand, aware of the other people in the room that were openly staring at us, probably thanks to the fact we'd been stupid enough to prank the pranksters.

I slapped her hand without enthusiasm, feeling embarrassed by the whole situation.

"Hey, what's up with you?" she exclaimed. "Those robes we sent worked better than even I could've imagined!"

I breathed an ironic laugh, "Yeah..." I muttered. A little too well.

"What, you're trying to tell me you're not ecstatic that Sirius got completely humiliated in front of the whole school?" she asked.

When I didn't look convinced she frowned.

"Who are you and what have you done with my Sirius-hating friend?"

"It's a long story," I replied, taking in her choice of outfit with some curiosity.

"Why are you all dressed up like that?" I asked, eyeing the shiny Lamé gold dress that clung to her curves.

It was a bit much even for Marlene's standards.

"Are you joking?" she replied. "It's only his birthday."

I looked around us properly now. People had started to hang long red and yellow streamers from the ceiling of the common room.

Others were blowing up humongous golden balloons the size of a small adult with the tips of their wands, and the cylindrical monsters shhh'd as though filled with sand when they were rolled away.

"Whose birthday?" I replied stupidly.

Marlene knocked her knuckles against my head, "The boy we sent our little present to...tall, dark haired, better looking than 99.9% of the boys here? Ringing any bells yet?"

I scrunched my face up and batted her hand away. "All this just for him?"

"He's popular," she stated matter of factly.

Even after everything that had happened, Sirius was still somehow at the top of the food chain. I marvelled at how he managed it. Legilimency perhaps? Or just dangerously charismatic.

"You coming to get ready then?" Marlene pressed.

"I can't come," I said immediately, not feeling like my presence would really be appropriate.

"Why?" she demanded.

"I've got a headache," I lied.

If people saw me at Sirius's birthday they would definitely start asking questions. Why would the girl he used to bully join in with the celebrations?

"Dancing will fix that," she replied simply.

As she linked my arm and dragged me to the dormitory staircase, I started to realise that I wasn't going to be given much choice in the matter.

.o.

Up in the bedroom I glanced around at the other girls already getting changed into their party dresses.

They were all really going for it, it seemed, and even Lily had put on a short, dark floral number for the occasion.

When I caught sight of Mary, she glared over at me, widening her eyes at me briefly as she adjusted the tie on the back of her grey halterneck blouse.

I flickered my gaze away tiredly, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. Her attitude problem toward me had practically doubled since Ant and I made up that night on the bridge. She probably couldn't stand the idea that he wouldn't join in with her bitching about me anymore.

At least I hoped Ant wasn't still joining in.

Going over to my trunk, I reached right down into the bottom, tossing the clothes around inside. There, lurking amongst the odd pieces of lint, was the only thing I had brought along that even slightly resembled an outfit suitable for a disco.

"Ooh I like your dress," Dorcas commented to me as she breezed past spritzing her perfume.

"Thanks," I murmured doubtfully, eyeing up the heavily creased piece of fine black cloth.

Grabbing my wand, I headed for the privacy of the bathroom, unsure exactly why I was making any sort of effort with my outfit but at the same time not wanting to be the odd one out.

Unzipping the side fastening, I stepped into my short black safety net, uttering a smoothing spell until the material straightened itself against my body.

I examined the results, knowing it was really basic compared to the other girls choices, but I reasoned it was better than nothing.

When I went back out into the bedroom, I sat back on my bed as carefully as I could so as not to rip a seam and emptied out my make up bag out next to me.

The more I did, the more it seemed to turn into me proving to myself -and to anyone else for that matter- that I was worthy of a boy's attention, and that the 'Beaver' was long gone.

Oh and yes, I know, I get it; I was putting way too much weight on my appearance, rather than who I really was inside.

Except, when my confidence seemed to be constantly at rock bottom, having people think that I was attractive was sometimes the only thing giving me any self-esteem.

Or was that just me?

It was probably also the reason that Sirius's flirtations were able to get to me in the way that they did.

.o.

When the last of us were ready, we made our way down the stairs, and my nerves immediately started to worsen with each step.

What if people thought I had made all this effort just for Sirius? What if Sirius thought that?

It had been such a bad idea.

If it hadn't been for my tottering heels and the barracade of girls behind me I probably would've raced back up the staircase there and then.

As we crossed the threshold into the common room, the party was already well under way. A few people were wearing eye masks like they'd taken it upon themselves it was going to be a masquerade ball, while others were lounging about in nothing more than jeans and a tee.

I was extremely relieved to find most of the Gryffindor sixth years had made an effort similar to ourselves.

A disco ball apparently suspended by nothing but thin air rotated slowly near the ceiling, casting shards of moving light over the party goers.

The monster balls that we had seen being blown up earlier were now bobbing up and down over the heads of the crowds, pushed from one outstretched hand to the other like an over-large buoy tossed across a sea.

Marlene immediately beelined to the make-shift dancefloor to show off her moves.

She beckoned over to the rest of us, but we were having none of it. I needed to be plied with at l least some variety of liquid persuasion if I was to even think about heading to the terrifying area of polished floor.

.o.

Grabbing me by the hands, Sally led me over to where Remus was stood near the fireplace, leaving Dorcas talking to Alice Prewett. Remus couldn't have looked more out of place if he tried. Still wearing the same sweater from classes earlier, his expression was oddly pensive.

"Hey Remus!" Sally called over the sound of the throbbing music; the Muggle band, Kiss belting out Rock Roll All Nite from the many magical speakers littering the room.

Remus managed a forced smile in reply, glancing at his watch as he did.

What was up with him?

"Hi," he replied, raising his plastic cup.

"Having fun?" Sally questioned with a smile.

"It's not really my cup of tea," Remus admitted.

Sally nodded, looking a little put out by his answer.

Remus checked his watch again in what looked like a habit that had been going on all night, and his eyes darted momentarily out of the window towards the darkening sky.

Something seemed different about him that evening, almost like he was distracted.

Mostly he just looked sad.

"Any sign of the birthday boy?" Sally asked him, peering around us.

Remus glanced at me before answering.

"He's over there," he pointed, addressing me as though I'd asked the question.

Yeah, he definitely knew more than he'd let on.

As if he had sensed it, Sirius chose that precise moment to look over and spot all three of us openly eyeballing him, temporarily pausing in his chatter to a group of 'popular' girls I usually did my best to avoid from our Potions class.

The charming smile that had been on his face changed instantly when he saw us.

He raised his eyebrow appraisingly.

Upon seeing his expression, the gaggle of thickly make-upped girls around him started to peer questioningly in our direction.

After saying something inaudible to them, he left them looking extremely put out as he started to wade through the crowds towards us.

My stomach made a flying leap into my throat at the sight of it.

"Right then, I'm going to get another drink I think," Remus chose that moment to tell us. "You coming, Sal?"

Huh? They were leaving?

With Remus looking point blank at me, I had no way of begging Sally not to go.

"We'll be back in a sec," Sally reassured me as the two of them left to get drinks, leaving me just standing there stranded.

Looking around, I started to panic. Sirius was getting ever closer.

You absolute git, Remus! I cursed violently. Though I didn't know why, I knew he had done it deliberately.

When Sirius was just a few feet away from me now and still walking pointedly in my direction, I acted on instinct alone and made a split-second decision to escape.

Walking as fast as my heels and the crammed groups of crowd would allow, I headed for the safety of the girls staircase, not letting myself so much as glance back.

My high heeled shoe had just reached the third step when I felt the floor collapse from under me.

As my heels slid back down toward him, I noticed Sirius move his foot back with a slightly smug look.

He'd triggered the staircase on purpose.

Holding up a casual arm, he clothes-lined me around my waist and I righted myself quickly.

"Going somewhere?" he asked.

The scent of body wash, aftershave and something frustratingly delicious that was all his own surrounded the area.

"Didn't expect you to come," he admitted, his eyes searching mine. "Especially didn't expect you to make such an effort," he added, nodding towards my dress and curled hair. "You scrub up nicely, Morland."

I looked away, trying to ignore his smile and the rapid pounding of my heart in response.

He gave a low laugh.

"It's called a compliment. This is the part where you say thanks. And there's always the option of returning it of course," he said, gesturing down to his own outfit.

I had to admit that his dark shirt and belted trousers did show off his lean figure to its best advantage, but there was no way I was going to tell him that.

Resting a sudden hand underneath my chin, he coaxed it upward until I was forced to look him fully in the face.

"Your eyes really are strange," he muttered to himself, his unexpected touch taking me by surprise.

I batted him away and he let his hand fall to his side, but his gaze continued to scrutinise my face

"Have they always been different colours?" he wondered with a frown, "I can't remember from before."

"Too busy calling me the Beaver to notice my eyes, you mean?" I tried to say carelessly, but my voice came out slightly strained.

"Are you sure you're not a secret dog?" he asked, his face amused. Though it didn't seem to meet his eyes.

It was almost as if it was a serious question. One he was expecting an answer to.

"A dog, are you serious?" I was getting annoyed now. First a Beaver, now a dog. What next, would my neck remind him of a giraffe?

He gave a half laugh. "It wasn't an insult, dogs are brilliant," he shrugged. "Are you sure you're not a Shapeshifter?" Again he tried to laugh off his strange question as a joke.

His words triggered the memory of the huge black dog I had seen in the grounds, with its strangely human eyes.

Could that creature be one of these Shapeshifters Sirius had mentioned?

With my mind otherwise occupied, I zoned back in to find he had crept dangerously close without me realising, effectively shutting down my train of thought.

His eyes now focused on my mouth, I watched as his face leaned closer and closer to mine, until his parted lips were near enough for me to smell the sweet scent of Firewhiskey on his breath.

If I didn't know any better, it almost seemed as if he was going to kiss me. I immediately took a step back.

"Sorry, but I have to go now."

For a brief moment I thought that the words had belonged to me, until I realised it had been a male voice.

Upon hearing it, Sirius darted back from me in an instant.

Remus looked over Sirius apologetically, stood just feet away from us.

"Sorry," he repeated , the urgency still in his voice, "But I have to go now. It's time."

I heard Sirius inhale sharply as if remembering something. "I'm so sorry Moony," he said, his tone surprisingly earnest, "I completely forgot."

Remus shook his head, "No. It's understandable. It's your birthday. You're allowed a month off. I just thought I'd let you know. You know, just in case."

"Don't be ridiculous," Sirius replied brusquely. "Of course I'm coming. We've been through this before, you don't have to face it on your own anymore."

For all his talk, Remus still looked extremely relieved that Sirius would be there for him, though I had no idea what exactly it was they were on about.

"Is James there already?" Sirius demanded.

"Can't find him," Remus replied grimly, "and there isn't time now." He glanced quickly out of the window again.

Sirius nodded, turning to face me briefly. "I've got to go," he said, "but I'll find you later though, don't think I won't."

His words sounded like just as much of a threat as a promise.

As the two of them made a hasty retreat to the portrait hole, I just stood there dumbfounded about the whole thing.

"Happy birthday," I called after him weakly.

But to my surprise, Sirius turned around.

Without missing a step, he shot back a smile that would leave the average girl unable to function, before finally disappearing after Remus.

.o.

Making my way over to the punch bowl in a daze, I was focused more on the butterflies still mutilating my insides than registering the boys strange behaviour.

As I downed the first cup full, I was immensely grateful for the added kick of illegal alcohol.

It was then that I noticed three girls walking over to me with knowing smirks plastered all over their faces.

"Well, well, well, Miss Morland," Marlene exclaimed, her smirk growing ever wider. "What have we been up to?"

"Enjoy yourself?" Sally asked with a laugh of disbelief.

"Did what I think just happened, just happen?" I asked aloud, wondering if Sirius really had been about to kiss me.

My head had just begun to feel pleasantly numb from the spiked drink.

"Looked that way to me," Dorcas said simply.

"Take it you two are going to stop pretending you don't like each other, then?" Sally asked.

"I'm not going to stop pretending anything," I replied, not really understanding my slightly slurred words myself.

A furrow formed between the girls' brows as they tried to decipher exactly what I had meant.

"Gotta go," I told them quickly, downing and pouring another cup full before they could ask any other awkward questions.

Spotting Lily by the window I made a slow ascent over, making a conscious effort to walk in a straight line. Her face was stuck out of the window breathing in the cool air deeply.

"Hey Lily," I greeted to the back of her head.

She turned to face me, her usually pretty eyes bloodshot. "Some idiot spiked the punch," she slurred venomously.

I couldn't help but laugh. "I noticed," I replied in the same garbled way.

"You're drunk!" she stated, her own tipsy face scrunched in disgust.

"No!" I protested. My voice came out louder than expected over the music still going on in the background.

A few couples slow dancing nearby shot me a dirty look. I pulled a face back at them, cracking myself up.

Lily grabbed me by the shoulders and promptly forced my head out of the window.

"Take a deep breath in," she ordered.

I did as I was told and felt the thick clouds that had gathered in my head immediately clear a little.

Movement across the castle grounds caught me by surprise as I was trying to re-focus my eyes. For a split second I could've sworn I saw that huge black dog race across them top speed. By the time my eyes cleared he had gone.

I withdrew my head from the window quickly.

"What?" Lily questioned.

"Thought I saw an animal out there," I told her uncertainly, forcing my voice to come out clearly.

She poked her own head out, peering around.

"Severus?" she said incredulously.

Sure enough Severus Snape's moonlight pale skin and long cloak was making a hasty clamber along the same trail I could've sworn the dog had passed through not a moment before. The trail led straight to the Whomping Willow.

"Alright Lils?" James Potter's stealthy approach made us both nearly jump out of our skin.

"Actually, no," Lily stated, her features twisting uneasily.

James furrowed his brow.

"What is it?" he asked, a glimmer of real concern showing on his face at her expression.

"What do you know about the Whomping Willow, James?" I asked, suddenly remembering Sirius and Snape's baffling conversation after class.

"Nothing," James snapped, eyeing me warily.

His reaction made me certain that he was hiding something.

"Sirius said something to Snape the other day about it," I continued regardless, watching his expression, "and how he should come see something for himself."

As he took in what I had said, James's entire body language changed in an instant, and he studied my face furiously as if to see if I was lying.

"Remus," he muttered in horror, looking like he'd seen a ghost,

Without another word, he bolted at top speed from the room.

"What, was that about?" Lily demanded.