The stadium was filled for the first match of the year. The Gryffindors and the Slytherins were divided, both houses chanting on the top of their lungs, even before the game.
The Ravenclaws and the Hufflepuffs were scattered among them, yet they were much more calm than the rest.
"I hope that the game won't turn into a fight." Remus and Peter were munching some cookies waiting for the players to enter the field. They were painted in their house colours.
"I hope that they start that fight. We would show them…" Sirius stopped speaking as the voice of a Hufflepuff played in his mind.
"Show them what, Padfoot?" His friends were waiting for him to finish the sentence.
"Nothing. Nothing. " Since their talk in Hogsmeade, Sirius started to see her everywhere, in the Great Hall, in class, on the hallways, even on the map. Edith started to appear more and more in his daily life and it seemed that he was the only one to notice. "Pay attention, they will come any second."
They ended up winning.
"Man, I am beat. This was a hectic week." James collapsed on his bed, his hands in his hair. Remus and Peter sneaked out of the tower to bring him some food.
"Fossen doesn't play games when it comes to Quidditch." Sirius laughed as he climbed in his bed.
"Talking about Fossen." Sirius heard James shifting in his bed. " I found it odd that we've never met Edith, after all she is his sister." Her smile, her damned smile, flashed before his eyes at the sound of her name.
"And? Did you find out something interesting?" James sighed, before standing up from his bed.
"Yes. You know that the stairs that lead to the girls dormitories are protected."
"Yeah, everyone knows that. Merlin forbids us to have some fun." James didn't laugh at his friend's joke. "What about it? Prongs, are you ok?"
"It's a Gryffindor thing. Our house is the only one that has hexed stairs. And he said something interesting. Courage and confidence are our traits, but we are not known for being loyal. We are known for doing things that others wouldn't dare, because we wait for the opportunity."
"Yeah, so? What is that supposed to mean?" Sirius was only partially listening to James, as his mind was occupied by the blonde witch that smelt like smoke and snow.
"He refused to let us know about his sister because he wants to protect her. Because he thinks that in our team there would be some that will try to play with her just to show off." The brothers were thinking in a similar way. They even made James question his own house. "Brother, I'll always be on your side, but whatever you do, take care. He is ready to hurt whoever upsets his sister. "
"I am always careful, Prongs." Sirius could understand Fossen, he was ready to do anything for his friends. They were his family. Remus, Peter and James were the ones that supported him no matter what, they helped him grow and escape the traumatizing place he used to call home.
"And I know that she doesn't have a date for the ball, if you are interested." James added just as Remus and Peter entered with their arms filled with food.
"I will be her date, if not my name is not Sirius Black!"
He found her in the library, flipping through a book.
"What are you looking for?" She looked up from her book, just as she closed it.
"Nothing in particular. How come the infamous Sirius Black stepped in here?" she placed the book back on a shelf, green orbs still watching him, expecting something.
"While I still have a reputation, I am still not quite sure why people are surprised to see me doing actual work." The corner of her mouth lifted in the form of a smirk, like he said some funny joke. He felt the need to clear his throat, ignoring the rapid way his heart was beating.
"I would think about some things that you would do in here, but none is studying. Rumors fly, especially the ones that would make people blush in shame. How can I help you?" She fully turned towards him, leaning back against the massive bookshelf. She was not wearing her uniform.
"I know that you don't need a date to the ball. Also I am a true feminist and I hate misoginy, so I won't say that you are not like other ladies. However, I am also a true gentleman and I desire to have the honour of being your partner." He felt stiff, it was unnatural to a point. When was the last time when he stuttered in front of a female?
"Black, if this is some kind of prank or joke…" Edith crossed her hands in front of her chest, the smirk not leaving her lips. He felt intimidated, by the way her eyes turned colder.
"I would never joke…"
"I will wear red." She picked some books that were stacked on the floor, before she passed by him, a smile gracing her features.