Ch. 7- Let the Games Begin

A/N: okay, so I know it's been a while- like a month- and I'm a terrible updater, but now that it's summer and I don't have to worry about school I should be able to get the chapters out faster...anyways, with that said here is chapter 7, hope you all enjoy:p

Taking care of business every day
Taking care of business every way
I've been taking care of business, it's all mine
Taking care of business and working overtime
Work out!

Bachman-Turner Overdrive

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The rest of break flew by and I hadn't talked to Sirius since the day after the ball. And even that wasn't for very long. I wasn't going to make the slightest move towards girlfriend behavior until he officially asked me out. We had spent the rest of the ball dancing, but that was it. Which, I had to admit, was surprising seeing as Sirius was the kind to go to bed on a first date- actually he didn't even need the date. It made think that maybe James was right and he was really trying to commit to this. Which was good news for me- but I still wasn't going to do anything until he made it official. The day after the ball he hadn't done anything but said goodbye and I kissed him on the cheek- but I also kissed James and Remus on the cheeks, just to emphasize that it wasn't to be taken as anything special.

"Girls, are you ready?" Mrs. Carson yelled up the stairs the morning we were to go back to school. "There's a young man at the door waiting for you two!"

James had insisted on picking us up on the way to King's Cross. Since we were on the way it only made sense, he'd said. And sure enough when we came down the stairs he was standing there, talking with Mrs. Carson.

"So, you just push the buttons on the little clicky thingy and the pictures in the box change?" He was asking her in amazement, watching the telley in the living room with great interest. "I've heard about this thing, but I thought it was just some myth."

"No, dear, it really works that way," Mrs. Carson replied amusedly. "Here, watch." She added, switching channels. James' eyes got all big and round like a little kid's did at Christmas.

"Let me try!" He exclaimed enthusiastically. She handed him the remote, laughing, and looked on as he clicked the remote again and again.

"Honestly, James, you're almost as bad as Zoey is when it comes to wizarding things." I said shaking my head.

"Oh you have no room to talk, Addi," Zoey scoffed pushing me playfully. "The first time you saw the channels change on the telley you freaked."

"I did not! I was merely surprised, is all," I replied indignantly. "Besides, that thing is pretty scary the first time you see it and someone changes it without warning." I added defensively.

"mmhmm, whatever you say," She said humoring me. "Anyway, we should probably get going. Where's your twin, James?"

"Waiting outside, he and Moony were arguing about a prank or something." He replied not taking his eyes off the telley.

"Well, then, we should probably save them from killing each other- let's go," I said taking the remote out of his hands and pulling him towards the door. "Thanks for everything, Mrs. Carson, we'll see you soon!" I added as I pushed James out the door and grabbed my trunk.

"Bye mum, bye dad!" Zoey said following us out and closing the door.

We made our way down the walk to where another Ministry car was idling and loaded our trunks into the back. Mr. and Mrs. Potter were in the front seat and James, Zoey, and I climbed into the back, with Sirius and Remus. They were indeed in a heated argument that was very amusing to watch because Remus seemed to have the upper hand.

"Padfoot, honestly, that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard!" Remus was saying rolling his eyes.

"What! How can you say that? It's bloody brilliant, if I say so myself," Sirius shot back, clearly offended. "Prongs, wouldn't bewitching a thousand balloons, filled with various ice cream toppings- like marshmallow, caramel, and butterscotch- to drop on everyone in the Great Hall at dinner be a great prank?"

"Er…no?" James replied as though he weren't sure if Sirius was serious.

"Why not?" He asked frustrated that no one agreed with him.

"Maybe, and this is just a shot in the dark, because you would not only have the entire school after your hides," I piped up and he turned towards me, "but I, for one, would kill you in your sleep for sure."

"Okay, but if you didn't count that," He said apparently desperate for some sort of approval.

"Let it go, mate, let it go," James said patting Sirius on the shoulder and shaking his head.

"So, girls, how was the rest of your break?" Remus asked turning towards us.

"Not long enough," Zoey muttered sourly. "You do realize that we're not going to have time for anything but food, sleep, and studying, don't you? And I'm not sure that sleep will even get factored into the equation."

"Aw, why did you have to go and remind me?" Sirius whined, pretending to pout. "I was still on the delusion that the teachers weren't going to give us any homework and we were going to party the entire second term."

"Yeah, well, someone had to bring you back to reality," Remus said laughing. "Don't worry, it won't be as bad you think- just think, after this term we're done with school."

"That's a scary thought," James said shaking his head. "Oh! Hang on, let me go get Lily." He added as the car pulled up in front of a white house.

We got to King's Cross with ten minutes to spare. We found an empty compartment and loaded our trunks up on the luggage rack. We spent the first half of the trip playing exploding snap and reminiscing on our time at Hogwarts.

"And then Filch walked in on Peeves throwing books off the shelves and we got off Scott free," James finished as we laughed. "And that is why we, the Marauders, are the greatest pranksters and mischief makers ever known to Hogwarts."

"I still can't believe you guys have gotten away with as much as you have," Zoey said between giggles. "Honestly, if it had been me I would have been expelled."

"It's a gift and a curse," Sirius said dramatically and I rolled my eyes.

"Please, it's sheer dumb luck that you guys get away- and it's probably by the skin of your teeth, too," I said and Lily laughed.

"I'm going to have to agree with Addi," She said grinning. "While you may be the brightest wizards of our year, it seems that luck plays a great role in your endeavors."

"Yes, well, we are still the greatest group of pranksters Hogwarts has ever seen," James said unperturbed by this information.

"Well, hey, I have to go patrol around for a while," Remus said after a minute, checking his watch, "Zoey, d'you want to join me?"

"Yeah, er, sure," She said nodding and standing up. "See you guys later."

"Yeah, James we should go talk to the Ravenclaw prefects- they've been bugging me for ages about the duty changes for this term." Lily added, standing as well.

"Oh yeah, that's right, they've been bugging me too," James said quickly and they also left the compartment.

I knew what was going on- they were giving Sirius and me our privacy so that if something were to happen it could. But as I was playing it cool and hard to get, I simply smiled at Sirius, pulled out a book, and began to read it. If he wanted my attention, he was going to have to work for it.

"So, I've been thinking a lot since the ball," Sirius said after a few minutes of silence. "About us, I mean," He added watching me closely for a reaction.

"Oh yeah?" I said not glancing up from my book. Inside I was smirking at how much torture this must be for him- he had never had a girl who didn't give him what he wanted right away before, after all.

"Yeah," He said a little more assertively, pulling the book from my hands and setting it on the seat beside me, giving me no choice but to look up at him. "And well, I was wondering if you wanted to go out?"

"Go out?" I said raising an eyebrow. "Like on a date?"

"Well, yeah- I mean no! I mean," He paused to collect himself, "yes on a date, but more as a boyfriend-girlfriend thing. You know," He grimaced slightly, "like going steady- for lack of better word," He added and I had to bite back a laugh.

"Hm…" I said thoughtfully, dragging this out for as long as possible, "I have to think about this. I mean, you don't exactly have the best reputation when it comes to girls and quite frankly I'm not sure if I trust you. What if you get bored, say, two weeks in? You aren't exactly the committing type, Sirius."

"Addi," He said desperately and I picked up that he used my nickname, "I'll do whatever it takes to show you that you aren't just some girl. You're a challenge and I like that- I've certainly never had to try this hard ever before to get a date. I told you at the ball that you're all I need and I meant it. Please, just give me one chance to prove myself," He pleaded crouching before me. I could see the sincerity in his eyes and I knew I had hooked him for sure.

"Sirius," I sighed and he dropped his head, looking defeated. "Of course I'll give you a chance!" He looked up, disbelieving for a second, and then his face spilt into a huge smile. I smiled back, thinking about how he had no idea what he had gotten himself into.

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"And then he makes this, like, speech about how he'll do anything to prove to me that I'm different than all of those other girls he's dated," I finished regaling the whole thing to Zoey later that night. "It's pathetic, I swear, how whipped he is already and I haven't even started to twist him all the way around my finger."

"Well, that gives you less work to do, then, doesn't it?" She said laughing. "He's going to regret the day he was born."

"Okay, so I'll continue being the perfect girlfriend for a couple of more weeks and then I'll pull a switch. He'll be so hooked by then he'll do whatever I tell him to." I said grinning to myself at how well this plan was going.

Classes started again and the work load was getting heavier. There was little time for anything but studying and sleeping. Sirius continued to be completely smitten with me and I was actually enjoying myself. Although it wasn't from deceiving him as much as from the perks that came with being his girlfriend. He was a phenomenal kisser and I had to exercise a lot of self control. But I guess I was also entertained every time I pulled back and denied him more. He would always give me that ridiculous puppy dog face, pouting until I tried to walk away, in which case he would wrap his arms around my waist and refuse to let go. As much as I hated to admit it, I felt a sense of security from being in his arms and I liked it. But that was a fact that I would be taking to my grave with me.

"Addi, will you please go and grace Sirius with your presence, he is driving me insane," Zoey said frustrated as she walked into the dorm one day. "I promised him you would come down if he stopped pestering me."

"Yeah, alright," I said laughing. As I made my way down the stairs I thought today as good a day as any to pull my switch.

"There you are! I think Zoey was getting a bit annoyed with me," I heard Sirius' voice say just I descended the last step.

"A bit?" I said raising an eyebrow. "I think she was about two seconds away from hexing you."

"Well, can I help it if I'm going crazy down here while you stay up there studying all day?" He asked innocently. "C'mon, let's go to my room, we'll have more privacy there." He added entwining his fingers with mine and pulling me closer to him.

As soon as he shut the door he turned and started to advance on me. Not being one to just give in, I kept back up until my back hit the bedpost. He stopped just a few inches short of me and looked into my eyes. Something about the emotion in his eyes was pulling me towards him until I was kissing him softly. He returned the kiss, deepening it as his hands locked onto my waist and his body grinded against mine. Just as I felt his fingers brush the skin beneath my shirt I pulled back.

"Tsk, tsk Sirius, I'm not going to go that easily." I taunted breathlessly, smiling up at him.

"I didn't think you would," He replied just as breathlessly, leaning his forehead against mine. "Come here," He added walking backwards a couple of paces and sitting on his bed against the backboard, long legs stretched out in front of him. I sat down next to him and he put an arm around my shoulders.

"You know I was thinking," I said looking up at him and twirling some of his ridiculously long hair between my fingers, "isn't it about time you cleaned up a bit?"

"What do you mean?" He asked frowning.

"I dunno, maybe actually tucked your shirt in, roll your sleeves up if you're not going to button them…that sort of thing." I replied shrugging. "I've said it before and I'll say it again- just because you turned your back on your family doesn't mean you have to turn your back on the etiquette you acquired from them."

"I suppose your right, but it's so much easier to just go sloppy," He said smirking down at me.

"Please," I said rolling my eyes and standing up. "Sloppy is never acceptable, I don't care who you are, and it's just…gross. Anyway, I'm not saying you have to be the poster boy for perfect, just some little things. C'mon, get up."

"Alright, alright," He sighed rolling off the bed and standing up. "Do with me what you will."

I walked around him, first tucking his shirt in- feeling what had to be a six pack underneath- and then rolling his sleeves to his elbows. I tightened his tie so that it hung loosely around his neck and then turned him around to face the mirror.

"There, see, you look ten times better already," I said smiling and he smiled back.

"I like it."

"Good. Now, the only thing left is you hair." I said biting my lip as I said it. I knew how particular he was about it.

"What's wrong with my hair?" He asked defensively.

"Well, nothing, except," I paused wondering how to word it, "it is a tad long."

"What's wrong with long?" He asked crossing his arms. "Your hair is long."

"Yes, but I'm a girl, my hair is suppose to be long," I said shaking my head, amused at how offended he was. "Your hair is almost longer than some of the girls' here- Sirius it's almost past your shoulders."

"You don't like it?" He said tilting his head to the left.

"It's not that I don't like it, it's just that I've never been a big fan of guys with long hair." I replied shrugging. "Look, why don't you let me give you a trim and I promise you'll love it even more that this mop."

"Hey! My hair may be long, but it isn't a mop," He said indignantly as I pulled my wand out. "That would be James' hair."

"Well, true, but yours is getting dangerously close to mop status," I replied trying not to laugh at the expression on his face. "So what do you say? Will you let me cut it?"

"You can cut hair?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"Oh c'mon, do you honestly think our dear cousins did their hair themselves? Please, I've been most of their stylists for years now," I scoffed rolling my eyes. "Trust me, Sirius, I can do your hair, no problem."

"Well, okay, just be careful with it," He said and I led him over to a chair. "Just a trim, right?"

"Right." I said grinning to myself.

I set to work snipping his hair to my satisfaction. I had been itching to do this for months, he looked like a bum with his hair so shaggy and I hated it. By the time I was done not only did he look loads better, this new shorter hair gave him an older and more clean-cut look. Don't get me wrong, I didn't cut it all off; his hair was just long enough to fall gracefully into his grey eyes.

"There, take a look," I said proudly handing him a mirror.

"It's gone." He said finally looking at it from all directions and running his hand through his now short hair. "It's so…short."

"Well, yeah, that's the idea," I said wondering what he thought. "It looks kind of like how you use to wear it, y'know, in fifth year."

"Yeah, it does," He agreed nodding. "You sure this was a good idea?"

"You hate it, don't you?" I said letting my face fall. Inside I was kind of disappointed, but at the same time satisfied that he didn't like it.

"No! I don't hate it, it's just…different," He said quickly and I looked up. "Look, it's just hair, right? It'll grow back and I'm sure I'll grow used this style and like it."

"Are you sure?" I asked in a quiet voice.

"Positive, love," He replied kissing me on the forehead and hugging me. "And like you said, I look ten times better than I did half an hour ago."

"That's true," I said smiling into his chest. "C'mon, it's about time for dinner." I added stepping out of his embrace and wrapping my hand in his, pulling him with me.

"What? And let people see me like this?" He asked in mock horror. I fixed him with a look.

"Fine, stay here and starve," I said shrugging and taking my hand out of his. "I'm going to get something to eat." I added making my way to the door.

"Wait, wait," He said catching up with me on the stairs as I walked down to the Common Room. "You can't just walk into the Great Hall now- everyone will be there."

"And?" I said wondering what his point was.

"And you will look completely foolish," He said as if it should have been obvious. "So, to save you from this terrible embarrassment I will escort you to the Great Hall and be your knight in shining armor."

"Sirius I don't know how to break this to you," I said cautiously, "but I don't need you. I'm sorry to bruise you already fragile ego, but that's the truth."

"You're just in denial," He sighed dramatically.

We walked down the corridors, not in any hurry, just chatting idly. I couldn't help but admire how well I had done with him. If girls had been jealous before, well, they'd be trying to sabotage our relationship now. It was amazing what a little hair cut and tucking in could do.

"Wow, Padfoot, take a look at you," James said doing a double take to make sure that it was really Sirius.

"When's the job interview?" Remus added laughing. Sirius just scowled at the both of them.

"You're just jealous because I look so bloody hot," He said dropping into the seat next to James while I sat down next Remus.

"Yeah, I mean now I'll actually have to worry about him cheating." I said and he stuck his tongue out at me.

I noticed that Remus was looking particularly tired and worn, but I didn't ask about it. He always looked…older than he was. But I figured that was from trying to keep up with James and Sirius all the time. He and Zoey had had some kind falling out and now she was avoiding him. She wouldn't tell me what the fight was about, just that it wasn't his fault.

"So, how's Zoey doing?" Remus asked me as James and Sirius began talking about pranks. "She's been avoiding me and I don't want her to hex me if I get too close."

"She's fine, honestly Remus," I said sincerely, smiling at him. Sure he had hurt my best friend, but I still felt bad for the guy. "She doesn't blame you for whatever it is you two had a row about," I added and he looked up me sharply.

"She didn't tell you?" He asked uncertainly.

"No, she wouldn't tell me a thing." I sighed shaking my head. "She said it was too personal and that she didn't want to make things worse than they already were."

"But she hasn't been crying or anything has she?" He asked anxiously.

"Well, maybe a bit at night, but other than that she's completely normal." I said shrugging. "I think she's trying to keep her mind off of it. In any case, I don't think she'd ever hex you, Remus, she likes you too much."

"Yeah, well, I don't think she's too keen on me at the moment." He said bitterly. "If only…well, I can't live on wishful thinking, now can I? Will you tell her that I am truly sorry, from the bottom of my heart?"

"Tell her yourself," I said shortly. I wasn't going to play messenger to the two of them. "She'd much rather hear it from you and I hate being the messenger. They're always the ones who get jinxed."

"Yes, that's true, although I highly doubt Zoey would jinx you and you needn't be afraid of me," He replied laughing. "Well, I've got to get going- my mum's sick again and I've got to visit her."

"Is it serious?" I asked concerned. I hadn't known his mum was sick.

"Er, well, we don't really know," He said uncomfortably. "It's more of an on and off thing, y'know. Nothing to worry about though, I'll see you in a couple of days."

I thought about Remus and his mum being sick. No one had ever said anything about it. But then, if someone close to me were sick like that I wouldn't want it widely known. Still, there was something about his story that bugged me. Why was he only going for a couple of days? And why hadn't they tried to get the sickness cured? But I pushed these thoughts from my mind as I thought about Sirius and what was in store for him. I was enjoying myself immensely in torturing and toying with him. I knew it was wrong, but it was just so easy.

And while I felt a twinge of guilt it was never enough to keep me from continuing on with my revenge. Everything was going as planned. Soon enough it would be time to dump Sirius and ruin him. And yet there was something inside my head telling me I couldn't do it; perhaps it was my conscience. I found myself pushing these kinds of thoughts away more and more as time went on, but I was determined to see this plan out.

And nothing was going to get in the way of that.

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and there it is, chapter 7- what will she do? listen to her heart or her head? hmm, well, you'll just have to wait and find out! please, please, please review:p