Ch. 2- Plotting and Getting to Know the Enemy

DISCLAIMER: okay, I forgot to put this in the first chapter, but honestly, do any of you really think I am JK Rowling? didn't think so...

Cause our days were numbered by nights on too many rooftops.
They said we're wasting our lives,
Oh at least we know, that if we die – we lived with passion.
They said we'd burn so bright.
We'd burn this city and go.

Burn This City- Cartel

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The next night Zoey and I sat down and made a list of things that I would need to do to become Sirius' dream girl. We had a few, vague ideas, but we were going to need more information. This was where James and Remus were going to come in. Zoey was going to pretend like she was setting the two of us up and I was going to somehow get James to tell what Sirius looked for in a girl.

It was almost mid-November by then and we figured that if we could get him to fall for me by Christmas holiday we would be well on our way.

I had a plan on how to get James to spill to me about Sirius. I was actually rather proud of myself for coming up with it. He would never suspect a thing if I could play the part well enough. Of course, to pull any of it off I was going to have to put my pride on the shelf, but the more I thought about it the more I agreed with Zoey. The boys of Hogwarts needed to be taught a lesson. What better way to teach them than use their hero and god, Sirius Black?

"Hey, Black, can I talk to you?" I asked finding him the Common Room one night. "Alone."

"Yeah, sure, I suppose," He said with a sigh, getting up from where he was sitting with the Marauders. James gave me a weird look, but I ignored him. I walked out of the portrait hole and went a little ways down the corridor.

"Look, I'm s-sorry about biting your head off the other day." I said looking down at my feet. "You just trying to call a truce of sorts- even if it was forced- and I should have listened."

I looked up at him and he was standing there, mouth opened slightly. He looked taken aback- as though this was the very last thing he expected to hear from me. And it probably was.

"So, I was thinking that maybe we could start over," I said after a second. "You know, give each other a real chance?"

He just stood there. I was afraid that he was just going to continue to stare at me and just as I was about to take my leave, he spoke.

"You mean be friends?" He asked uncertainly.

"Yeah, I suppose," I replied shrugging. "Only if you want to, though- I'll understand if you don't." I added hastily.

"No, actually, I'd like that too," He said quickly as I started turning around. I was surprised that he'd caved so easily.

"Really? You would?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"Well, I thought about what you said and you're right- I never gave you a fair chance because of who your family is." He said looking a bit sheepish. "I failed to recognize that we are a lot alike, as you pointed out. I just didn't want anything to do with that world and you still live with your family…" He trailed off, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Bla- I mean, Sirius, just because I still live with my family doesn't mean I agree with them. I wouldn't be in Gryffindor if I did, now would I?" I said and he gave me a small smile.

"Well, Pogue- I mean, Adira, I am willing to give this friendship thing a chance if you are," He said sticking out his hand. "Friends?"

"Friends," I replied, shaking his hand, a smile gracing my lips.

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"Hey James, what's up?" I asked sitting down next to the raven haired boy at lunch a couple of days later.

"The usual," He replied glancing up at me. "You got some Runes for me?"

"If you have some Transfiguration for me," I replied reaching into my bag.

"Well, of course, my dear." He said handing it to me. We sat quietly for a few minutes, frantically scratching the words down. "Hey, Addi, can I ask you something?"

"Yeah, sure," I said kind off-handedly, still copying down the correct way to transfigure a table into a chair.

"What made you change your mind about Sirius?" He asked and I looked up at him. "I mean, it just seems so weird that after all this time you would just suddenly one eighty."

"Well," I said slowly, wondering how to word it, "I thought about what you've been telling me and I suppose you're right. I need to give him a real chance to prove himself. And I guess he will have gown up some over the years."

"I'm really happy to hear you say that, Addi." He said smiling at me and I felt a twinge of guilt. I liked James and I didn't want to lie to him- but to pull off the plan it was necessary.

Over the next couple of weeks Sirius and I were becoming closer. It was weird because he ate up everything I said. Zoey said it was because I was a great actress. I guess that could have been it, but all I did was pretend that he wasn't the bane of my existence. I just pretended that I actually cared about what he was saying and it wasn't as painful as I thought it would be. In fact, I actually found myself enjoying his company sometimes. But that was something I would never, in a million years, admit aloud.

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One chilly night in late November I was in the only one left in the Common Room and it was late. I was half asleep, but I didn't want to go to bed just yet. I was staring into the dying fire and I had nothing but my pajama pants and t-shirt on. I was near freezing, but I couldn't be bothered to move. I have no idea how long I'd just been sitting there, but it felt like hours.

"Hey, can't sleep?" A voice broke in my reverie. I turned my head and saw Sirius.

"Something like that," I replied softly. He sat down next to me and looked in the glowing embers.

"So, how is the old crowd?" He asked suddenly and I looked at him confused. "You know, the people I was forced to call family for do long?"

"Oh," I said understanding. "They're bonkers as ever. I do believe your brother has had an early acceptance into the ring of Death Eaters. And your mother couldn't be prouder."

"Oh really?" He asked with a somewhat amused expression.

"Yes, actually, she came to visit over the summer holiday," I continued and he looked up at me. "Hm hmm, and she asked about you. Actually, I think her words were, 'how is that filthy, traitorous, bastard of a human being doing?' I could only assume she was talking about you."

"Yes, that would be me," He said cheekily. "Do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"How come you still live with your parents?" He asked. "I mean, haven't they disowned you yet for being a Gryffindor?"

"Well, they don't approve of it, but I think they've accepted the fact that I am never going to be like them. My sister was a Ravenclaw, so maybe that soften the blow for a little bit. Besides, I'm the youngest in my family so I don't inherit the family fortune or anything." I explained biting my lip. "My parents and I don't exactly get along, but they haven't kicked me out yet."

"But don't you get tired of all of it? Don't you just want to scream and tell them what idiots they are?" He asked frowning.

"Of course I do, but Sirius you're forgetting one very important thing- I was brought up to keep my rebellious thoughts to myself." I said shaking my head. "My parents know how I feel, but they choose to ignore it. We have an unspoken agreement- I don't tell them what idiots they are and in exchange they leave me alone. Sure, I'm tired of it, but what am I going to do? I come of age this year and then I can move out, denounce my family's ways and start fresh as my own person and not by who my family is."

"Well, I guess that works." He said with a shrug, looking back into the embers. "I couldn't stand my family. That's why I ran away during sixth year. James and his family took me in and it honestly was the best thing I could have done for myself."

"Yeah," I said shivering slightly. "Can I ask you something?"

"Yep."

"That summer we were eight, you told me that you weren't a fanatic anymore that you had denounced your parents' way," I said and he looked back up at me. "What made you change all of a sudden?"

"Where did that come from?" He asked slightly taken aback.

"I dunno, I guess I've always kinda wondered about it," I said looking away from him. I couldn't stand his piercing eyes. I gave another shiver.

"Are you cold?" He asked noticing this.

"No," I said automatically- as a pureblood you never admitted to discomfort, no matter what. "Stop changing the subject," I added looking up at him.

"I'm not changing the subject," He said and I gave him a look. "It's just, you're sitting here and your teeth are chattering loud enough to wake up the entire dorm." He added and I rolled my eyes.

"Shove off," I said playfully. "I said I wasn't cold."

"You know, Adira, it's just you and me," He said softly. "No need to adhere to the polite society rules. If you're cold you can say so." He added and I bit my lip. I had never really gotten away from all the rules of my past- I had never broken them.

"Well, I guess I'm a little cold," I said stubbornly.

"Why didn't say so?" He asked feigning surprise. He slipped off his robe and put it around my shoulders. It was nice and warm and smelled like his cologne. Which, of course, I didn't like- well maybe just a bit.

"Thanks," I said somewhat shyly. "What about you?"

"Don't worry, I can suffer through as long as your warm," He replied grinning at me and leaning back. I leaned back too. "So, you better be warm."

"I am," I said smiling back at him. "So, now back to my question- what happened?"

"You really want to know?" He asked as a last resort to get out of the question.

"Yes, I do."

"Okay, well, you know how when we come of age we have to prove ourselves somehow?" He asked and I nodded. "If you're a good pureblood, you will join Voldemort. And to prove your allegiance you have to kill someone- a muggle, a muggle-born, or a blood traitor. Those who are serious about being the best pureblood they can be will go out of their way to get a poor, unsuspecting muggle and then kill it in front of Voldemort."

"Yeah, I'm familiar with the tradition," I said sourly. "But what as that got to do with that summer?"

"Well, that was the year that my dear cousin, Jeffery, came of age. And well, that was a part of the family that was particularly close to us, so we went to watch the 'event'." He said, looking out the window. "Now, of course, I knew about the tradition- hell, I couldn't wait to do it myself- but I'd never actually been there to witness it. So, we went to watch him be initiated and I couldn't have been more excited. Then Jeffey brought in his prey. It was a little muggle boy, no older than myself. I will never forget the look on his face- confused, sheer terror. He was crying and crumpled on the floor. Jeffey tortured the poor boy relentlessly before killing him. A flash and that was it. He was just another face, another number in the Prophet.

"Something changed in me and after that I just couldn't get that image out of my head. And I couldn't stand the way my family went on about how it was such a great thing that someone was finally weeding out all the unworthy people. I knew that I would never be like them after that and I still wake up late at night from it."

"Sirius," I said softly, taking his hand in mine. Call me crazy, but I felt bad for the bugger.

"You know, I've never told anyone that before- not even the Marauders." He said looking back at me. "It's strangely liberating- as though the whole world isn't crashing down on me."

"You really shouldn't keep things like bottled up like that," I said. "It's not good at all for your complexion."

"What's wrong with my complexion?" He asked indignantly, running a hand over his flawless skin. "I have the skin of a god!"

"Yeah, so what do you call that bump right…there!" I said bringing my finger up to his forehead and pressing hard.

"Hey!" He said rubbing his forehead as I started laughing at him. "That hurt!" He added pouting.

"Have I ever told you that you look absolutely ridiculous when pull that look?" I asked still laughing at him.

"Don't lie, you're falling weak to my powers of charm and seduction," He replied giving me puppy dog eyes.

"Is that how you get all the girls?" I asked rolling my eyes. "You look like an over grown dog. Honestly, Sirius, just because you left our world doesn't mean you have to forget your manners. And that includes pouting and trying to seduce unsuspecting girls."

"Hey, I'll have you know that I haven't gone out with anyone this year," He said matter-of-factly.

"Yes, well, you've gone out with almost everyone, so that doesn't leave much of a choice now does it?" I asked raising an eyebrow. "Unless, of course, you wanted to start making the rounds again."

"I resent that!" He exclaimed. "Okay, now you have to give back the robe- you aren't worthy enough to wear it!"

"Only if you can catch me!" I said jumping up and running away from him. He was on his feet seconds later and chasing me.

"HA! Gotcha!" He said proudly, as he tackled and pinned me to the ground.

"Sirius, you oaf, let me up!" I said not able to move my legs due to the fact that he was straddling me. I struggled against him, but he was far stronger than I and it was useless. "Sirius, I'm serious!"

"Not you're not, I am."

"That joke was old before you started using it."

"You know, you're cute when you get mad," He said with a smirk.

"Oh no, that is not going to work on me!" I said shaking my head.

"Sure it is," Sirius said cockily.

"If you don't get off me, I'll…I'll…" I trailed off trying to think of something.

"You'll what?" He asked smirking.

"I'll spit in your eye!" I proclaimed defiantly- it was the first thing that had popped into my head.

"You wouldn't- you couldn't!" He gasped mockingly. "The pureblooded code of honor prohibits any such lady of showing grotesque and barbaric behavior in polite society."

"Yes, but you said it yourself- it's just you and me, no need to adhere to those stupid rules," I replied.

"Oh bugger," He muttered. "Well, look, you can't spit in my eye- that's just disgusting."

"I'm really not joking, Sirius," I said starting to hock up a lugie- or at least my attempt at a one. It did feel rather disgusting, but it seemed like the only way to get the git to move.

"Now, now, Adira, let's not do anything rash," He said cautiously.

I sucked in a breath and before he could do anything I had spit in his face. He jerked back and I just looked at him shocked with myself. I hadn't been planning on actually spitting at him. It just sort of happened- like a reflex, kind of. It had hit him on his cheek and he was wiping it off with his hand.

"Sirius," I whispered, "I am so sorry- it just slipped, I swear! I honestly didn't mean to actually spit it- I just wanted you to move. Oh Merlin," I stammered on but he cut me off.

"You have got some guts," He said in a sort of shocked and dazed voice. "I mean, you of all people! What has the world come to?"

"Are you- are you mad?" I asked tentatively. Not that I cared, but we couldn't have him getting all pissed at me, now could we?

"No- rather impressed actually." He admitted standing up and pulling me along with him. "I don't think I've ever had a girl spit in my face before."

"Well, I am sorry," I said looking at my feet.

"It's okay, I promise," He replied shaking his head. "We'd better get off to bed- classes and all tomorrow."

"Y-y-yeah," I agreed stifling a yawn. I was almost at the staircase to the girl's dorm when Sirius stopped me.

"Hey, Adira," He said walking towards me.

"Yeah?" I said, my breath catching in my chest- he was so close our faces were almost touching. What if he tried to kiss me?

"Can I have my robe back?" He asked softly and I almost rolled my eyes. Of course he wasn't going to kiss me, I was just being paranoid. And besides, I didn't care whether or not he kissed me.

"Sure thing, Sirius," I replied, pulling it off and handing it to him. "See you tomorrow." I added stepping back from him.

"Yeah," He said nodding. "And hey- thanks for listening, it means a lot."

"No problem."

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"Okay, so this definitely progress," Zoey said the next morning after I had told her what happened. "Now we can start getting information from Remus and James. It shouldn't be too difficult."

"Yeah, I have a backup plan for if James gets suspicious," I replied nodding. "And he won't be able to refuse the offer I have."

We made our way to Transfiguration chatting about nothing in particular. We sat down at our respective tables and I waited for James to show up.

"Hey, I need to talk to you after class," I said as he sat down.

"Okay," He replied raising an eyebrow.

We took notes for the entire class and I couldn't concentrate on them. I was on autopilot, writing down whatever McGonagall put on the board, while my mind was racing. I was trying to put together what I was going to say to James when I talked to him. I had no idea if he would go for the plan I had. I could only hope so. If he didn't I was pretty much screwed.

"Okay, so what do you want to talk about?" He asked as we walked out of class together.

"Not here," I said absent mindedly, looking for some sort of secluded area. I saw a tapestry and ducked behind it, pulling James along with me.

"What is this all about, Addi?" He asked somewhat amused, somewhat confused.

"I wanted to ask you about Sirius," I began looking at my hands.

"What about Sirius?"

"Like…well…Merlin, this is harder than I thought," I said trying to find the right words.

"Addi, do you like him?" He asked brow furrowed. "Like as more than a friend?"

"Maybe," I said avoiding his eyes. This was going better than I thought it would. And I couldn't have been putting on a better act. "I just wanted to know what he…what he looks for in a girl."

"Oh no, Addi, you are not sucking me into this," He said shaking his head. "He's my best friend and while telling you what he wants in a girl probably wouldn't do any harm, I don't want to be the one setting you guys up."

"But you wouldn't be, James, I promise!" I said quickly, grabbing his arm. "I just wanted to know if I was any where near his radar- you know if I had a chance."

"I just can't-"

"How about I make you a deal," I cut him off. He fell silent and looked at me. "I'll hook you up with a certain Ms. Evans if you can tell me about Sirius."

"How are you going to do that?" He asked skeptically.

"Well, you're going to have to go along with what I say, alright?" I asked and he nodded. "If you can show her that you've grown up and matured she'll definitely give you a second look. The whole Head Boy thing is a good start, but you're going to have put some real effort into it for it to work." I added.

"Okay, but what are you going to do?" He asked.

"I'm going to be putting in a good word for you and making sure she notices that you're not just an over egotistical arrogant prick." I replied and he gave me a look. "I don't think you're like that- those were her words not mine."

"Okay, so you can at least get me a date with her, right?" He said raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah," I said nodding. "And in return you'll tell me about Sirius?"

"Sure, why not?" He said defeated.

"Okay, so we have a deal?" I said sticking my hand out.

"Deal," He said taking my hand we shook on it.

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Now that I had James on my side, I was set. He knew everything about Sirius and I was going to use that to my advantage. Of course, I had to hold up my end of the bargain and I decided to get a head start on it. Miss Lily Evans and I were by no means best friends, but we got along rather well most of the time. It was probably because we both had the same attitude regarding the Marauders, which was not a good one. I just needed a way to bring up the subject of James to her without her going completely bonkers about it.

"Hey, Lily, can I ask you something?" I asked her one night. She and I were the only ones in the dorm.

"Yeah, sure."

"Why don't you ever give James a chance?" I asked and she looked up at me from her essay. "I mean, he isn't as pigheaded and cocky as he seems."

"Well, I guess it would have something to do with the fact that he's asked me out every ten seconds since third year and it's starting to get old." She replied rolling her eyes at the thought of him. "Besides, he's not my type."

"Well, he hasn't asked you recently, has he?" I asked and she shook her head. "And I think he's more your type than you realize."

"I dunno, giving him a chance after all these years?" She said skeptically. "What if he's just in it for the thrill of the chase?"

"He's not, trust me." I replied and she gave me a weird look. "Okay, well, we're partners in Transfiguration and at first I had my reservations about him. But he turned out to surprise me on so many levels and he is honestly one of the best friends I've ever had."

"Really?" She asked biting her lip.

"Yeah, and he is crazy about you," I said nodding. "All I'm saying is give the guy a fair chance- he might turn out to be different than you think. Besides, he's grown up a lot since third year."

"Okay, I'll give him one date to prove himself," She said and I breathed a sigh of relief inside. "But if he messes it up, then he's finished." She added more to herself than to me.

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A/N: okay, so here's chapter 2!! things are starting to pick up a bit, I promise it gets better. and what do you guys think of all the pureblood history- good, bad? well, here's bright idea, click that purple-ish buttong in the lower left hand corner and drop me a review- it would be most appreciated and would definitely motivate me to work on the next chapter faster. anywho, hope you guys are enjoying this:p

ps- just so you know, I am five chapters ahead of you guys, but I won't post until I can be five chapters ahead of chapter 3 and I'm not sure how soon that will be, so yeah. okay, I'm done now:p