Ch. 8- Frogs and Secrets

I'll tell you this is something that

You'll never hear

They knew it then and they've

Been holding back for years

And if you're not getting answers

Ask better questions

Q- Cartel

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

January had melted into February, which was quickly passing on to March. I still hadn't found out what Zoey and Remus had been fighting about, but they seemed to have talked it out and were on rocky, yet friendly, terms. James and Lily were in love, but denied it to anyone who told them so. I thought this highly amusing seeing as the whole bloody school had known James was in love with Lily for years now and anyone with two brain cells could tell she felt the same way too. I was waiting for them to announce their engagement any day now.

As for Sirius, he was as whipped as ever. Our relationship wasn't perfect by any means- oh no, I wouldn't allow it. I purposely picked fights with him just for the reaction, to rile him up, or just remind myself once again why I hated him. Of course he made that hard when he would come begging my forgiveness half an hour later. Nevertheless, I was enjoying myself immensely.

"Hey, Addi," I heard a quiet voice say. I was in the library, studying as per usual, and when I looked up I saw Roger standing there.

"Oh, hello," I replied looking back down to figure out the method for transfiguration.

"Do you mind if I…sit down?" He asked nervously.

"No, not at all," I said still not looking up at him. Truth be told, as much as I'd wanted this I honestly didn't care if he wanted me back or not; it didn't really matter anymore.

"How have you been?" He asked after a minute. I sighed marking my place and closing my book.

"Fine," I said looking him across the table. "What do you want?"

"Addi, I'm sorry about breaking up with you," He started and I resisted the powerful urge to roll my eyes. I thought we had gotten past this. "All I want is to prove to you that I deserve a second chance."

"It's a little late, isn't it?" I asked with a bit of an edge to my voice. "I'm dating someone else now, Roger."

"Yes I know- it's Black," He said somewhat bitterly. "But Addi, he's no good for you- he's just going to end up dumping you or cheating on you. I would never hurt you- he's just using you. He uses all the girls. I just wish you could see that we belong together."

"Are you out of your bloody mind?" I asked incredulously. "You'd never hurt me? News flash, Roger, you cheated on me before you dumped me. And as far as I know Sirius hasn't done either of those things. You know, I was miserable for quite a while, hoping that you would come back. But now I could care less that you have. Why don't you go find your little playmate, I'm sure you can put her to good use."

I picked up my books and stalked out of the library. Well, I thought wryly, at least it worked- he wants me back. I was still seething when I got back to the Common Room and I went straight up to the dorm. I yanked the curtains close around the four poster and took a couple of deep breaths. I didn't know why I was so riled up; I mean I had been over Roger for a long time. I suppose it was the fact that he had stated exactly what I was afraid of- what if Sirius did cheat on me? I shook my head- honestly, why did I care? And it had been Roger who had said it.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"So, I still need to do that ridiculous essay for Slughorn on the different kinds of love potions," Zoey said as we walked to Transfiguration. "That man hates me, I swear."

"Yes, well, it shouldn't be too difficult. I mean, the differences are fairly evident," I replied laughing. "At least you don't have it as bad as Sirius- he's got to write three rolls of parchment on why it isn't funny to blow up other people's potions."

"Serves him right, though," She said laughing too, "he was bound to get caught."

"Addi!" I turned and saw Roger weaving through the crowd towards me.

"Oh no, here he comes again," I said groaning. "Can't he just leave me be?"

In the last week he had hunted me down and tried to make me forgive him. It was always the same- that he would never hurt me again, that he was miserable without me, that Sirius was bound to leave me anyway, and all of that bloody rubbish.

"I dunno, but do you want me to hex him?" Zoey said reaching for her wand.

"No, no, I'll take care of it. Go on without me, I'll catch up in a minute." I replied shaking me head.

"Hey," Roger said as he approached me. "Look, can I talk to you?"

"No, because I already know what you're going to say," I said coldly. "Roger, just leave me alone! Don't you understand that I'm not going to forgive you or go out with you again?"

"Addi, you don't mean that, c'mon sweetie," He said softly taking a few steps closer to me. I backed up until I hit a wall. "You want to give me a second chance, I know you do."

"No, I really don't," I said defiantly. "Please move."

"Black's brainwashed you, hasn't he?" He said a cold edge to his voice, eyes narrowing. "That dolt has nothing to offer you. He'll just cheat on you in time; I can give you everything you need." He added stroking my cheek with his hand, while pinning my wrist down with the other.

"Roger, stop, please," I said using my free hand to try and push his hand away. He grabbed it, holding me in place. "Get off!"

"Addi, I know you want this- you want a reason to dump Black," He whispered softly, his face centimeters from mine. I squirmed under his grip. "Just admit it."

"Oi, what do you think you're doing?" I heard a voice ring out from the other end of the corridor. Roger turned and around him I saw Sirius striding angrily towards us.

"Go away, Black, Addi doesn't want you," Roger spat at him, turning back to me. The look on Sirius' face was venomous.

"Excuse me, I do believe that's for her to decide, not you," He said dropping his bag on the ground.

"Well, why don't you just take my word for it," Roger said not looking at him. My wrists were starting to hurt from his tight grip and I kept squirming, trying to break free. "She belongs with me."

"That's funny because, as I recall, it was you who cheated on her and you didn't seem so keen on her then," Sirius said mockingly pulling his wand out. "And, you know, it seems to me that she doesn't want to be with you- can't you tell she's struggling to get away from you?"

"Just stay out of this Black!" He exclaimed loudly, grinding his body up against mine.

The next moment, Sirius had jerked his wand up and Roger was hanging upside down in midair. The only problem with this was that he still had a hold of my wrists and so I had been jerked up with him, arms over my head. I reflected on how funny this scene must have looked, but couldn't fully appreciate it for fear of being dropped.

"Let her go, Caldswald," Sirius said from below me. I wasn't more than three and a half feet off the ground, but my arms felt like they were going pop out their sockets at any moment. "Before she falls and gets hurt."

"Black! What did you do?" Roger all but yelled and I swayed dangerously from side to side.

"Nothing that can't be reversed," He replied calmly. "Now, let her drop and then I'll let you down."

"Please, Roger, just do it," I said looking up at him. He gave me a calculating look for a minute and then his grip loosened and I fell to the ground, where Sirius steadied me before I fell all the way over.

"C'mon," He said weaving his fingers through mine and pulling after him. He stooped to pick his bag up and then continued leading me down the hall.

"Hey! What about me?" Roger shouted after us. "You said you'd let me down, Black!"

When we reached the end of the corridor Sirius pointed his wand at Roger and slashed it down. A second later Roger was lying in a heap on the floor. Sirius pulled me along again, going up a flight of stairs, and turned into an empty classroom a little ways along the next floor up.

"You okay, love?" He asked softly turning towards me. "He didn't hurt you did he?"

"I'll be fine," I said shaking my head, rubbing my sore wrists. "Nothing that I can't handle."

"What a bastard," He said in a harsher tone. "I swear he's going to get it a lot worse if he tries anything else."

"How did you know where I was?" I asked looking up at him.

"Oh, uh, Zoey told me," He said quickly. "But that doesn't matter- all that matters is that you're alright." He added.

"Well, thank you," I said smiling at him. "I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't shown up."

"Hey, that's what I'm here for; you're mine and no guy- especially that cheating blighter- is going to hurt you and get away with it," He replied pulling me into tight embrace. "What did he say to you?"

"Oh just that you're going to cheat on me and that he and I belonged together," I said flippantly. "Just a load of rubbish."

"He told you that I was going cheat?" He asked pulling away slightly. "Bloody hypocrite…he's one to talk!" He added and I laughed at him. "What?"

"You know, you're so cute when you get all worked up like this," I said still giggling.

"Yes, well, I'm glad you're enjoying it," He replied smirking at me. He leaned down and kissed me softly on the lips. "You sure you'll be okay?"

"Yes, I'm sure," I said smiling at him. "We should get going or we'll be late for Transfiguration." I added starting to pull out of embrace.

"Love, Transfiguration's half way over," He said with a little chuckle. "The bell rang ages ago."

"Really?" I asked and he nodded.

"Do you want to go for a walk? Clear your head a bit?" He asked still looking a little worried about me.

"That'd be great," I replied, smiling gratefully at him.

We walked through the castle and out the front doors. As we made our way down to the lake a comfortable silence fell between us. I didn't know what Sirius was thinking about, but I was thinking about things that had happened over the past few months. If someone had told me at the beginning of the year that I'd be dating the oh-so-great, god among men Sirius Black, I would have laughed myself silly. Pretending to date, I corrected myself, with a little frown. Every so often I found myself completely forgetting about the plan and just enjoying what I had with Sirius. Of course, about two minutes later I would mentally slap and chide myself for even letting the thought cross my mind.

Truth be told, however, I knew that I had come to like Sirius, if even just a little bit. Ever since we had called the truce way back in November he had constantly surprised me. He wasn't exactly the arrogant blighter he wanted people to think he was. It was like he put up a front for the school and then for his friends he was simply him. And, as much as I hated to admit it, I found myself liking him as he was more and more.

But I wouldn't let myself fall for him. That was mistake I couldn't afford to make. If I did that then I was not only ruining my ultimate plan for revenge, I was also no better than the girls who fawned all over him. I promised myself a long time ago I would never become one of those girls and I wasn't about to break it- not for anyone. Besides, I reminded myself, there's also the little problem that I don't believe in love.

"So, I got you something," Sirius said all of a sudden, breaking me out of my reverie.

"Like a present?" I asked frowning slightly.

"Well, yeah," He said nodding. "I saw it in some catalogue that James was flipping through and I thought it would suit you perfectly."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, really," He said with a slight nod. "Do you remember when we were younger how you were, like, obsessed with frogs?"

"Er, slightly," I replied confused as to why that was relevant.

"Well, I saw this in catalogue and I'm hoping you still like frogs or else I'm going to look like a complete arse," He said with a nervous little laugh.

"You didn't…buy me a frog, did you?" I asked half alarmed, half disbelieving.

"No, no, nothing like that!" He exclaimed as though that were crazy. "Alright, look, I've been saving it for a special occasion. Valentine's Day doesn't count...bloody excuse for girls to get flowers and chocolate and Merlin knows what else."

"I couldn't agree with you more." I interjected with a smirk.

"I'm glad. Anyway, I was waiting for just some random Thursday or something," He continued running a hand through his hair. "But I guess today's as good a day as any. So, here, open it." He added pulling a small, expensive looking box out of his pocket.

I took it from him, eyeing the box with curiosity. I opened it and my breath caught in my throat. Inside, on a delicate silver chain, was a minute, elaborately made silver frog on a lily pad. I stared at it, transfixed by how intricate it was, speechless for a moment.

"So, am I a complete arse?" He asked tentatively after a minute.

"Sirius, this is," I began but stopped when I couldn't find the right words. "Indescribable. Totally and utterly indescribable."

"I'll take that to mean you like it," He said smiling. I smiled back, but closed the box.

"I can't accept this from you," I said slowly, pressing the box into his hands.

"What?"

"It's just not right. I mean, this must have cost a fortune," I said and he looked at me as if to say 'so what'. "And while I appreciate it immensely and am very flattered, I can't take it while knowing that you need that money more than I need a new necklace."

"Addi, I got this for you," He said still looking confused. "It's a gift…you know, one of those things that people sometimes give to other people they care about? Who cares if I spent a little gold on it? You're worth it."

"Sirius," I sighed looking out at the lake, trying to ignore the annoying twinge of guilt I felt. "You said you wanted to move out of the Potters this summer, right? You're never going to be able to afford it if you're buying me things like this! Honestly, I'd much rather see you happy."

"But, I have enough money to get a flat of my own," He said with a slight frown. "I must've forgotten to tell you…my great Uncle Alphard died about a month ago and, well, he left me a pretty good chunk of money. So, I've got plenty to at least get started. I guess this necklace was sort of a celebratory thing as well as a nice surprise for you."

"You're sure?" I asked looking at him.

"Yes, love, I'm sure," He replied nodding. "So, please, take the necklace because I'm not returning it."

"Alright, alright, if you insist," I said smiling.

"Fabulous," He said returning the smile. He took the necklace from the case and fastened it around my neck. "There, it looks perfect."

We stayed outside for the rest of the afternoon, just strolling around the lake and talking. I'd never, in my seven years at Hogwarts, skived off a class- even if I had been sick. But I was finding that not having to worry about class a welcome relief.

That night Sirius and I were laying together on one of the couches by the fire. We were the only ones left in the Common Room and the fire was slowly starting to die. I thought about how nice it was to just to have someone to hold me- and then I immediately started thinking of ways to pick a fight with Sirius because I was so disgusted with myself.

"So, I was thinking that since this Sunday is our two month anniversary…maybe we could do something special?" I said looking up at him.

"This Sunday?" He asked and I nodded. "Can't, it's boys night. We do it every month."

"You can't skip it just this once?" I asked a whiny edge to my voice.

"Sorry, love, I can't," He said apologetically. "What about Saturday night or the Sunday after that?"

"That kind of defeats the whole purpose, doesn't it?" I asked crossing my arms across my chest and sitting up. "I mean, it just won't be the same."

"I'm sorry, Addi, but this is something I've been planning with the guys for weeks now." He said somewhat exasperated.

"Really? And just what are you doing?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"I…can't tell you the details- it's confidential." He said not looking at me.

"What are you hiding from me?" I asked suspiciously. "There's something you're not telling me."

"No there isn't," He said automatically, but I could see in the flicker of his eyes that he was lying.

"Yes, there is," I said standing angrily. "I can see it in your eyes!"

"Look, Addi, I just can't tell you, alright- it's a Marauder's code of confidentiality," He said as if that made everything alright. "I mean, we don't tell anyone what we do, that's just the way it is."

"I see," I said coolly.

"Don't be like this!" He exclaimed getting to his feet too. I could see his patience and his temper wearing thin and I suppressed a satisfied smile. "You're being ridiculous! Honestly, doing it on another night isn't that big of a deal and besides, it's only our two month."

"Sirius, I don't think in the time that we've dated I've asked you to do a whole lot of this special occasion thing," I said keeping my voice even. "I don't think I've been a too time consuming or clingy girlfriend, do you?"

"No, of course-"

"And you're not even willing to maybe change your boy's night in or whatever it is to a different day just this once?" I asked my eyes never leaving his.

"It's not exactly something we can change to another night," He muttered darkly.

"What? And why not?" I snapped and he looked up at me. I could see that he didn't mean for me to hear that and that he was doing some very fast thinking.

"Well, because, when we set the date it's set in stone." He replied simply and I rolled my eyes.

"Fine, you go do your boy's night," I said acidly. "And I hope you enjoy it because I'm not talking to you!"

And with that I turned on my heel and stormed from the Common Room. Only when I was at the door of my dorm did I drop the act. I let myself in and, after putting a silencing charm on my bed, broke into a hysterical fit of giggles. This had worked out better than I could've planned it. I knew I was being immature and difficult- that was precisely what I was going for. Now he was pissed at me and he thought I was pissed at him and on top of that I was becoming the bipolar girlfriend that Zoey and I had wanted. I laughed myself silly before sobering up and thinking about his reasoning for not complying with my wishes.

What the bloody hell could he and those guys be doing that they couldn't change to another night? And Sirius said they did this every month so why couldn't they be more flexible? It just didn't make any sense. He was hiding something from me- something big, I just knew it. And it either had be something to do with all the Marauders or something that was just him. If it was something to do with all four of them, well it could be anything. They got into so much trouble all the time that it might be impossible to tell what they were up to.

Then I entertained the thought that he might be cheating on me. It made sense as to why he was so shifty. But then wouldn't he have just canceled on the whore to save face in front of me? The more I thought about this, the more likely a possibility it seemed. I knew he had cheated once or twice before on his girlfriends, but that had been in fourth year. Of course, I could hear Roger's voice in my head telling me that this was exactly what was going to happen.

It drove me crazy not to know for sure what he was keeping from me, but I knew there was only one way to find out. On Sunday night I was going to tail him and see where he went.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

A/N: okay, so I have got to be the worst updater in the world! and I apologize a million times over for that, but anyways, here's chapter 8! and it's going to start to get better as Addi realizes she's coming to a crossroads...oh and I wonder what she'll find when she follows Sirius? hm... anyways, please review you guys always make my day:p

p.s.- ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT UNTIL DEATHLY HALLOWS- I AM SOOO STOKED:p