Chapter Seven

Recap:

She was asleep before she knew it, before she'd meant to be. Lily had been up and the two had discussed in whispered what went on. Lily had calmed her down, and the two had gone to bed. Atria falling assleep seconds after her head hit her pillow… assured. Hoping Sirius did the right thing for once. Hoping, and praying. Though, she couldn't hold her breath. She knew how he could be--he was very prideful. It sort of came with the territory. She just hoped things were going to be okay for tomorrow. Really wanting the date to be... well, a date...

Sirius was actually up early for once, getting dressed into his robes.

Remus sat up out of bed, rubbing his eyes, having a good laugh once he looked over at Sirius. "Don't tell me you're wearing that?"

"Well, what would you suggest, Moony?" Sirius shot back as he fixed his tie. "It's the warmest set of clothes I've got, pretty much."

"At least your robes don't have a million holes in them." He said with a sigh, looking through his bureau.

Atria was up at 6:30, as she was every morning. She brushed her hair, quietly in front of the mirror. Moving to put it up, Lily moved to snatch the rubber band away.

"Hey!" Atria objected, "Give it back!"

"Why? You look better with your hair down!" the other girl laughed.

"No..." Atria moved to snatch the rubber band back, "I look like my mother with my hair down." She said, pulling it back into a bun.

Lily rolled her eyes, "Whatever." She said, going back to doing her makeup.

Atria raised her eyebrows slightly at the other girl, as she moved to finish getting dressed, pulling on a sweater. Shaking her head a bit.

Sirius frowned into the mirror at Remus's words.

"I've got some extra stuff I never wear, mate." He offered. "You can have a look if you'd like."

"Thanks Sirius," He said, abandoning his own chests of drawers to begin looking through Sirius's. "Seriously," He commented, pulling out a very soft grey long-sleeved sweater, and some jeans, pulling on these practically brand new, untouched clothes, the sweater fitting his frame rather nicely as he gave himself a once-over in the mirror, pulling out the collar of a white buttoned up shirt he had decided to wear underneath, pulling back the cuffs of his shirt over his sleeves before sitting on his bed, pulling on his black high-top sneakers.

"Wow, you look great." Sirius said approvingly.

"How could you have all of those clothes and never wear them?" He asked, honestly a bit confused.

"My mum sends us clothes by the pounds, Attie and I end up with so much that we can't even wear everything."

Remus nodded a bit, fastening his cloak around his shoulders, putting his wand within the pocket of his cloak for safekeeping before running a brush through his hair.

"Well, I'm all set."

"Me too," Sirius agreed stowing his wand away as well.

James was busy hurriedly dressing into his robes just as Sirius had done, in too much of a hurry for anything else.

"You could've woken me!" He shouted at his friends irritably.

Sirius and Remus both just laughed while they watched him stumble across the room, hopping into a pair of jeans.

Atria pulled on a second pair of stockings, as it was snowing, still, then her boots. Having to lace them up, carefully, and tightly, before she got her cloak and moved to walk with Lily down to the common room. The two were talking about nonsense, both immaculate in their looks.

Meanwhile, Annee had dressed, played up her curls, and even got out her favorite cloak--turquoise with brass buttons--to wear. She had done her makeup, and even put on a bit of perfume. She wanted to make sure she kept this one. She was running out of options when it came to boys--and Sirius was one of the most eligible young men in the school. But he needed... Well, he needed to do less pranks. Or at least, less getting caught.; every other time she'd asked him out he'd gotten detention; ff she got stood up because of that again... She clicked her heels sharply, and huffed slightly.

There was no doubt she was high-maintenance. Needed and craved constant attention. Trouble... well, some guys said she was. She disagreed. When it was 7:30, she left the Slytherin Common Room, and headed for the Great Hall for a small breakfast before she bothered to hold her breath waiting on Sirius. Hoping he'd suprise her and be on time. Without an excuse. This was his last chance with her.

Atria stood by the window with Lily, as they watched the snow.

"Let's go!" Sirius urged the other two Peter (thankfully) was sleeping soundly, hopefully going to miss this Hogsmeade visit.

The three of them scampered dressed and ready for their excursion down the spiral staircase.

James was dressed in his robes as well, as he fixed his glasses, flattening his hair a bit nervously, however, it didn't help his hair in the least bit as it sprang back up, still just as messy and seemingly un-kept as before.

Remus self-consciously flattened the front of his sweater making sure his cloak was straight on his shoulders, the two of them clearing their throats to gain the attention of their dates.

Meanwhile Sirius was waiting impatiently by the portrait hole, tapping his foot. "Hurry, I can't be late this time!"

Lily promptly went to James, when she saw him, chirping a good morning.

Atria smiled when she saw Remus. "Morning," She said, walking over in no hurry, and ignoring her brother for the moment.

Meanwhile, Annee checked her watch. 7:56... She sighed. He had until... 8:12, she decided, sighing a bit, as she sipped her hot tea.

"I'm bloody leaving without you!" Sirius announced, shoving through the portrait hole, running full tilt for the Great Hall.

Remus rolled his eyes at Sirius's outburst and dramatic exit. "Good morning, Atria, did you sleep well?"

James bid Lily a good morning as well before suggesting the four of them should go down for breakfast before they left for Hogsmeade.

Lily smirked a bit, and moved to whisper to James. She was determined to see Atria with her hair down.

James snickered, whispering back to her wondering just exactly how she was planning on putting Atria's hair down.

Atria smiled, "I slept well, thanks, how about you?" She asked, as they headed for the portrait hole, behind James and Lily.

"Oh...I slept well. Thought I was going to set up camp in the library but---" He paused abruptly, realizing that she mustn't have known about the argument he and Sirius had the night before regarding his and Atria's relationship.

Atria decided not to press the matter, but simply nodded slightly, politely, with how he'd cut off--she wasn't going to ask. "So, breakfast first then?"

"Yes, last night was a bit jarring, so I think some sustenance will do me some good."

"I was figuring you could help me with that." Lily whispered back, fingers running through James' hair, as they got on the other side of the portrait hole. "I mean... you're best at this sort of thing." She teased.

"Right, love," He said with a bit of a smile, while he slowed down their pace so that Atria and Remus could pass them before James reached out a quick seeking hand, pulling the elastic band from her hair, watching it fall.

Atria gasped, and turned to glare at James. Her hair was long, and wavy. She gave Lily the evil eye, as if she knew she was behind it. She had to stop, to push her hair over her shoulder. She couldn't seem to get a word out.

Lily just grinned and took the band from James and put it in her pocket with an innocent grin; clearly having no intention of giving it back.

James laughed ruefully at the expression on Atria's face.

Remus had half a mind to kick James in the shin, or something. But instead he reached out, and carded his fingers through her long raven tresses in a comforting gesture.

"You have beautiful hair." He said with a smile.

Atria blushed crimson, and gave Remus a soft smile, "Thank you." She said, very softly, before they began walking once more.

"You're welcome," He smiled, while they walked towards the Great Hall.

Lily grinned with triumph and smoothed James' hair, herself, holding him back, and letting the others head off. "They look so adorable together." She said when they were out of earshot.

"Yeah," James agreed. "They are," He then ran a hand through her fiery tresses, brushing his lips across hers.

Lily smiled, and moved to kiss him several times, then, playfully.

Atria caught a glimpse of her brother being drug out the front doors as she and Remus got to the Great Hall. Quiet--but then, she usually was unless she was arguing with her brother about something.

Remus took his time dishing himself some breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage and toast, along with pouring himself some pumpkin juice.

"So, how do you think your paper turned out?" He asked conversationally as he tucked into his meal.

Atria smiled, "I think it turned out okay." She said with a nod. "Thank you, for the bit of help you gave me, it was just the right push." She said, peeling a couple of small Clementine's, quietly.

Remus smiled, taking a sip of his juice. "I'm glad I was able to help. I know how sticky essays and the like can get, I'm not much of an essay writer myself, but I suppose that it all depends on the subject."

Atria smiled and nodded, "Yeah." She agreed. Eating a few wedges of the fruit, quietly. "I rather get into something than write about it, really. Learn-by-doing sort of thing."

"Yeah, I've always seen myself as a teacher of sorts." He admitted. "Defense, maybe."

"I think you'd make a wonderful teacher." Atria said with a smile.

Remus smiled brightly at the compliment, polishing off his breakfast, casting his date a bit of a worried glance. "Aren't you going to have anything more for breakfast?"

"Hrm, no, not really, I don't eat much." She smiled, softly. "When I do eat, often, I find my brother taking whatever is actually on my plate." She admitted.

"Well, make him stop." Remus suggested getting up from the bench, stepping over it using the edge of the table for support. "There's plenty of food to go around, honestly." He frowned a bit.

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Sirius had burst through the large oak doors of the Great Hall at 8:00 on the dot.

"I'm here," He panted breathlessly. "I'm here!"

Annee looked up when she saw Sirius, and smiled, happily, "You're on time!" She said, moving to kiss him on each cheek, out of enthusiasm and surprise.

"Yeah, I bet you didn't think I'd make it this time!" He said grabbing an apple and polishing it up on his chest before taking a bite.

Annee smiled, "I had my doubts." She said, picking up the last of her orange. "Come, let's eat and walk." She said, linking her arm with his, and leading him out of Great Hall, but not without stealing his tie and pocketing it with a grin.

Sirius grinned, continuing to eat his apple while they walked. "So, how's Slytherin?" He asked a bit conversationally.

Annee grinned, "Well, it's... very... green..." She laughed, popping an orange wedge into her mouth, matter-of-factly. She munched it then nodded, "How's Gryffindor?" She bounced back, curiously.

Sirius laughed that bark-like laugh before replying. "Well, it's very maroon." He grinned taking another hearty bite of his apple, red yielding to white.

Annee giggled a bit. "I love when you laugh." She teased, kissing him on the cheek, as they stepped into the snow, heading for the open main-gates.

Sirius smiled as they headed out into the snow, the different shops looking unmistakably looking like ginger bread houses, icicles hanging off the edges of the rooftops.

"Thanks, and I love your kisses." He replied his smile spreading into a grin.

Annee giggled a bit, and kissed him once more, just for that. "Isn't it lovely?" She asked, giving her hair a playful toss over her shoulder, looking around the lovely little town.

"Yeah, it is," He agreed while they began to weave through the winding streets of Hogsmeade already bustling with students. "Where would you like to go first?"

"Hrm. Oh, I don't know." She smiled, looking around. "I have a list of things to buy to send home."

"Bring on the list!" He said enthusiastically while they romped through the snow.

Annee giggled, and moved to take the list out. She sighed, softly, and looked at it, "Well, we could start with some good cardstock." She said with a nod, grinning to Sirius.

"There might be some cardstock…" Sirius suggested a few places, then, trying to think of a place where it would be in stock.

"Where ever's not crowded that's got good stock." Annee shrugged, moving to brush some snow out of Sirius's hair with a grin.

Sirius let his eyes slip closed a moment while she ran her hands through his hair, enjoying the sensation.

Annee kissed Sirius softly, before dragging him off into the stationary shop. Rather forceful, but in an oddly lady-like manner.

Sirius obliged, he was really beginning to take a liking to this girl, despite her dragging him around all over the damned place.

Annee had Sirius help her pick out cardstock, and a new quill.

Happy with him, and having him close was a bonus, as there were so many people, they had to be tight-pressed.

Sirius was enjoying this close encounter quite a bit. Annee smelled delicious, like freesia, or some other sweet scent he couldn't quite put his finger on.

Annee grinned, as she finally moved to pay for her items; staying close to Sirius, as they stepped out into the cold. "Goodness, the change in temperature." She gasped, manicured nails gripping Sirius's cloak as she slid a bit on a bit of ice.

"I've got you!" Sirius said, wrapping his arms around Annee's hips to steady her on the thick sheen of ice that coated the ground where she stepped.

"You've got to be more careful, love." He said with that handsome smile of his.

"Hrm, I don't know. A girl could get used to being held in your strong arms." She said, gaining her
balance, and placing a soft kiss upon Sirius's lips. Annee didn't know what was getting into her. But he was so damned charming. She couldn't help herself.

A blush became evident on Sirius's cheeks as he held her, feeling her warm lips against his for a mind boggling few seconds, his steely gaze becoming a bit hazed as he looked into her eyes.

Annee grinned, then, her acid green eyes glittering, as she stepped with him away from the ice, and off to the next set of things on her list.

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Remus's expression perked up a bit at his next thought, "What are you doing for the holidays, Attie? Going home?"

"Oh, goodness no, Mother's furious... She wants me to bring Sirius home, or to not bother coming home at all." Atria sighed, "So, whatever my darling brother is doing, I guess I'm just going to be his shadow." She admitted.

"She was kicking us both out next summer anyway, so it doesn't really matter." She said, standing as well, finishing the last of her Clementine.

"On the contrary, Attie," Remus began, taking one of her hands and lacing his fingers with hers. "I think it does matter, we only have one mother in out entire lifetime. And I know she can be positively dreadful, but I still believe you should treat her with respect; unless of course, respect hasn't been given on her end. I know in Sirius's case, it hasn't."

Atria smiled a bit, "She's an absolutely dreadful woman." She sighed, "She hit me once, and Sirius went off on her. Now if I do anything, she just... takes it out on him." She shuddered slightly.

"The only memories of her ever being kind I have are from when I was very young, before school. She didn't hate any of us then. Those are the memories I intend on keeping." She smiled.

"Oh my," Remus suppressed a wince as she went about telling her tale, nodding once he heard her say she would keep the better memories of her mother. "Well that's good," He said, not really sure what to say now. "I think I remember your mother." He said, thinking back to when He, Sirius and James had just become friends. Remus had gone to the Black residence to play some quidditch. It was the first and final time he would ever set foot in Grimmauld Place. Somehow it had gotten out that he was a werewolf, so naturally, their mother went on and on about how he was a vicious un-relentless animal.

"That was... three years ago." Atria sighed softly, shaking her head. "I would have hoped you'd have gotten amnesia as to the event." She admitted, as they finally left the Great Hall.

Remus nodded acknowledging her comment about amnesia with a nod. "There are some things that people say, that reflect the war that we constantly fight internally. Your mother did just that, three years ago. Being what I am is a battle I have to deal with every day of my life, so to forget that occurrence three years ago is quite hard." He admitted while they trekked out together within the winding seeming never-ending streets of Hogsmeade that were blinded by snow.

Atria nodded in understanding. "I wish she hadn't been so horrible to you." She said apologetically, watching the people that darted in and out of the shops, with packages and baubles, smiling softly. Christmas and Yule were heavy on the air. Cinnamon and pine, with orange and cloves, seemed to emanate from the streets themselves. Everything looked so cozy. Smoke rose in heavy columns from the chimneys.

"Don't be sorry, Attie." He said squeezing her hand gently as he held it. "So, what do you want to do first?" He changed the subject, the scents that met him making him feel lighthearted with the spirit of Christmas and Yule that seemed to wind through the streets with them.

"Hrm... I'm actually not quite sure. Despite the cold, it's beautiful out." Atria said with a grin.

"I couldn't agree with you more," He said with a smile as he took in the sights and sounds of Hogsmeade.