Early April, 1976
Sirius's plan needed some fine tuning after the long time it took all of us to agree, but once Remus and I were confident it would work, we began to set the plan in motion.
I wasn't able to do much thanks to Veronique trailing me everywhere I went, but I always got updates from Marlene who worked with James because Lily said she would rathed die than do that. So Lily worked with Remus and I honestly couldn't say what Sirius did. This got me more annoyed than anything, especially when it made me think tha he didn't care about Peter, one of his best friends.
When April rolled by, we decided it was time. Sirius wasn't there in time so we started without him. Marlene and I sat in the common room, with Veronique taking a nap in her dorm room. James was with Peter in their dorm, presumably talking and things like that.
It wasted long before rhe door opened and in came Lily and Remus talking with Lydia. Lydia said hello to Marlene and I before turning her attention back to Remus.
"It's a really good book," Remus was saying. "I have a copy of it my room. Come on, I'll show you."
Lydia looked unsure but when Lily prodded her forward, Lydia nodded and followed Remus. When they were gone, us three girls shared a knowing smile. Not daring to ruin anything, we stayed where we were until we could hear vocal protests. It wasn't long before we heard banging, as though someone was knocking violently on a door.
When that happened, I went over there and passed by James, who grinned with triumph. When I arrived in front of the door, Remus was standing before it, shouting over the banging.
"It's for your own good," he told them. "I'll let you out when you are civil to one another. And only until then."
The door was banged again and Remus sighed.
"Go on, I'll stay here," I told him.
"You sure?" Remus asked with a smile. "It's loud."
I laughed. "I'll be fine. Go on."
Nodding, Remus gave the door one last look before rushing off. When he was gone, I sat down beside the door, grimacing at the loud banging which soon turned to crying and arguing. My heart broke when I heard Lydia crying and I so wanted to open the door, but if they didn't make up now, then they would stay miserable. That's what the past months have taught me.
I sat there alone for a long time before I heard rushed footsteps and then Sirius appeared, a triumphant smile on his face. But I didn't share it when I saw him. I was annoyed that he wasn't here earlier.
"So it worked?" He asked.
I nodded, inspecting my nails. "No thanks to you."
"You wound me, Kaiser," Sirius said jokingly, but I didn't bear the same expression and he noticed. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied, looking at him. "How's your girlfriend? What is she? Your thirteenth? No, it has to be more."
Any amused or happy expression left his fsce entirely as Sirius sighed and sat down beside me. "So you're bitter."
"No, I'm not."
Sirius risked a smile. "You're jealous?"
Anger boiling inside of me, I glared at Sirius before punching him in the arm. "Not everything is about you, Black. Get over yourself."
Sirius rubbed his arm. "All right. Sheesh. Then why the attitude?"
I crossed my arms and didn't answer, causing Sirius to shake his head as though I was a lost cause. I controlled my anger at his gesture because I knew that my anger was unrational. He didn't even do anything to me personally and I was getting mad at him. This caused me to remember Marlene's words. It was then that I realized I was a Black Plague victim.
Not wanting to think about me, I asked, "Why? Why do you feel the need to flirt and kiss every other girl?" When Sirius didn't answer, I continued. "It's gaining you nothing but a bad reputation at the girls' expense. You clearly aren't looking for a stable relationship and if you're looking for fun, I feel obligated to tell you there are other things that are fun that don't involve using girls who are completely in love with you."
"You've clearly thought about this," Sirius noticed and I didn't deny it. "Which means you probably have more questions and opinions."
"I do, Black," I replied, glancing at him. "Because I can't understand your reasoning. Nor can I understand why you do it. Because when you do, you waste time you could be spending with people you actually want to form friendships with."
"Like you?" Sirius asked with a teasing smile.
"You're impossible," I whispered, shaking my head.
Silence. "You're right."
Surprised, I looked back at him. "Say that again?"
"You're right," Sirius repeated. "About the fact that I could instead be spending time with people I actually care about it. According to you I go out with every other girl—heck I even flirted with McKinnon before she kicked me—but surely you noticed they are some girls I don't go near."
I nodded. "Slytherins, Lily, and Lydia. Slytherins because you have a grudge. Lily because James's in love with her and Lydia for the same reason except with Peter."
"And you?" Sirius asked.
"Me?" I frowned, not knowing why he wasn't flirting with me. I sometimes thought he did, but it was always teasing that I was in love with him. Which, naturally, isn't true.
When I didn't answer, Sirius grinned and said. "Because you're my girl."
I sighed and leaned my head against the wall. "That's makes no sense. If I was your girl, I would be the only one you flirt with."
When he didn't answer, I turned my attention to him. My face flushed when I saw that he was staring at me, his grey eyes filled with an emotion I couldn't place. I didn't know what to do but my heart fluttered and when he and I made eye contact, somehow I knew what he wanted.
"Sirius..." I whispered.
Sirius snapped back to reality at the sound of my voice and when I was going to speak again, he lifted a finger, signaling me to be quiet. I was confused at first but then I realized why. It was dead silent. In fact, I feel as though it was silent for a long while.
Sirius got to his feet and helped me to mine before placing a terse knock on the door. "Wormtail? Lane? You okay there?"
"Yeah," I heard Lydia said.
Sirius looked to me and when I nodded he unlocked the door. We entered to see Lydia and Peter sitting on fhe bed, holding hands. Lydia looked to me with a smile and then stood up to hug me.
"Thank you," she whispered.
She and I pulled away and then the four of us went to the common room. Everyone else was there—I wondered how Lily survived being in the same room as James—and when they saw Peter and Lydia holding hands, James and Marlene cheered. Then James went to the dorm and came back with bottles of butterbeer I didn't know he had.
From there the eight of us sat together in the common room, just talking. I occasionally found myself glancing at Sirius and my heart skipped a beat every time I saw him smile at me. I really thought I would die when he gave me a wink. At that point, I was tempted to ask Marlene's mom for the cure to the Black Plague.
000000000000
I hope you enjoyed this chapter because I certainly enjoyed writing it. Until the sixth year for the (eight) Marauders. Love u guys and remember to read and review!! :)
