Disclaimer: I'm pretty sure that this already been established in the first chapter, but in case you forgot, I do not own Harry Potter. That belongs to the lovely and talented J.K Rowling.
Anyways, enjoy!
Chapter 2
Katharine Doyle's eyes were cast downward as she entered the compartment. She could still feel the warmth of her cheeks. Had Sirius Black really acknowledged her?
She had never been too good around men to begin with, but Sirius Black was out of her world. She stayed clear of the Marauders, because she figured she didn't measure up to them. If there was one thing she hated, it was being a nuisance. She always just assumed that they didn't want anything to do with her.
But she was starting to have different thoughts.
Sirius Black was extremely attractive. Girls would do just about anything to be with him. He had a dark sort of beauty about him; it was common with the Black family, but Sirius held himself differently than the others. While the others were attractive, they were seemingly gaunt and arrogant. Sirius was definitely arrogant, but he didn't view people as inferior because of their blood status. Sirius had grey eyes and was fairly tall with an athletic build. He wore his black hair longer than average, and his skin was pale. His face easily smirked, and Katharine figured it was his default expression. All in all, he was very handsome.
And he had talked to her.
She couldn't shake the thought as she pulled her knees up. She was the only one in her compartment. She had never really been too social. When she first started at Hogwarts, she made a promise to herself that she would do well in all of her classes. This promise got the better of her, and she spent mostly everyday studying. Her face was almost always buried in a book, and if she wasn't reading, she was probably practicing her spells.
She let her knees down and propped open the potions book that Sirius had handed her, but for once she wasn't really reading it. She had already read it three times over the summer anyways, so she figured it wouldn't be a very big deal if she didn't read it at that moment.
How was she supposed to act around Sirius Black? Maybe she was looking into this too far. He might have simply been acting nice around her. Sure, Sirius could come off as a little arrogant, but she never really saw him acting mean towards anyone. The only person she had ever seen him pick on was the Snape boy, and half the time he deserved that. Sirius was probably just being polite to her. He had just been walking down the train's corridor, and he saw that she needed help. That was all.
She decided to take her mind off of Sirius by reading her potions book. She wanted to become the best witch she could. She wouldn't be able to do that if she got caught up in boys, especially boys that probably had no interest in her.
Sirius Black completely forgot about finding the trolley, even when he passed it. The witch that pushed it even called out to him, but he pretended not to notice.
Why was that girl bothering him so much?
He was Sirius Black after all. He was the best. People idolized him, girls fell at his feet, people envied him, and he was one of the best wizards in the school. He had had several girls, so it really didn't matter if this one was interested in him or not. Besides, she wasn't that attractive. He knew he could do much better than her.
But the more he thought about her, the more he got angry about his failed attempts at flirting. Sure she wasn't drop dead gorgeous, but she was cute, and she was still a girl. He started envisioning her face, and suddenly she became the most attractive girl at Hogwarts. He might have just been obsessed with his failure, but she had become this beautiful witch who had completely ignored him.
Sirius put his face in his hands. Were his good looks failing him? Was he really not as talented as he believed himself to be?
It seemed that this nameless girl had struck a nerve on the great Sirius Black. No one in his seven years at Hogwarts had ever made Sirius doubt himself, and now there was this girl. All she had done was thank him for the help and bustle away, and yet he felt like she had personally slapped him across the face. He knew that was ridiculous to think that way, but there was a nagging in his head. For the first time, Sirius honestly felt like a failure.
He looked up at the ceiling. He set his jaw stubbornly. He wasn't the type to give up on anything. Even if it was just one girl, Sirius vowed to himself at that moment that he would go on at least one date with the girl.
Pulling the compartment door open to the special Head Boy and Girl compartment, he walked inside, completely ignoring his friends.
Sirius did not realize that Lily had left. James gaped at something invisible. Lily had finally stormed out in a rage, and James couldn't think of what had driven her to do it. He didn't feel like he had been anymore obnoxious than he usually was, and he really tried to hold back. He even bit his tongue a few times when jokes arose from the conversation.
"Don't feel bad," Remus said comfortingly. "She'll be back."
"But she stormed out of here!" James gasped. He turned to Sirius. "Lily hates me! I know she does!"
Sirius snorted.
"I thought you knew that already," he replied. "That's never stopped you from making a move on her before. Evans will be yours in no time. You just can't give up."
I guess I know how James feels now when it comes to a girl completely ignoring you…
Somewhere in the corner, Wormtail let out a pathetic whimper, and Sirius rolled his eyes. James leaned back in his seat and pouted, folding his arms like some spoiled first year, and Remus began reading a book he had with him. Sirius felt a strong urge to change the topic of conversation.
"So, Moony, when's the first full moon this year?" Sirius asked.
Remus grinned, but when he did so, Sirius was able to make out some heavy bags under his eyes.
"The twenty-fifth," he answered.
James let out a moan and turned to the two.
"That's ages away! What'll we do 'til then?" He asked.
Sirius snickered. "How about we learn some new hexes? I think Snivelus has figured out the regular regime. We should surprise him, considering this is our final year and all."
"Um, P-P-Padfoot," Wormtail stammered, joining in. "What if we get in trouble? My grandma may be mad if I get in trouble…"
"Seriously, Wormtail?" James snapped, pushing Sirius slightly out of the way, and Wormtail flinched. "We've been breaking rules since we first stepped foot inside the castle, and now you're wimping out on us? I thought you'd gain a little bit of the bravery you were supposed to have for being in Gryffindor."
"I just thought we'd be careful…" Wormtail replied as sweat began to glisten on his forehead. "I hear Snivelus has gotten wrapped up with some pretty mean people."
Sirius snorted. "What, the Death Eaters? That small group of students who've created a little club? Yeah, I always knew ol' Snivelus was a freak. Doesn't surprise me one bit, him being in Slytherin and all."
The Marauders had a good time discussing spells and hexes they could use to make Severus Snape's life miserable.
"You know, we could help him," James said, and Sirius snorted. "We could help out the whole school. All we need is a bit of shampoo. Then the castle won't stink as much."
"Nah, he'd probably melt if it came anywhere near him," Sirius replied, and Wormtail starting laughing in an annoying pitch, much like the rat he was. "Shut up, Wormtail!"
He stopped laughing after that but watched his friends with shining eyes.
Remus hadn't participated much in the conversation. He didn't make fun of Snape like the others, but he never really did anything to stop them either. He set his book down and looked out the window.
"I think we're arriving," Remus said to them.
All of a sudden, the compartment door flew open. Wormtail jumped, and they all took turns punching him. James looked up and turned red when he saw Lily standing there.
"You came back!" James cried, moving for her.
She stepped out of the way, and James ran straight into the wall. The others busted up laughing.
"Knock it off, Potter," Lily snapped. "Incase you've forgotten, there's more to being Head Boy than certain privileges. We're supposed to be helping the younger students get up to Hogwarts."
"Ah, but I thought Hagrid had that covered," he moaned.
"Hagrid takes care of the first years!" She snarled.
James's features lit up.
"Wait, does this mean I get to spend some time with you?" He asked her.
She didn't answer, but her cheeks did acquire a magnificent flush to them. James cheered and jumped up. He pulled on his cloak and put his badge on, and then he followed Lily out the door, grinning the whole time.
Inside the Great Hall, Sirius smirked when he noticed a group of fifth year girls turn to look at him. All of them blushed when his eye caught theirs. In fact, he had thought for a moment that they might faint. He pushed past them and took a seat next to Remus and Wormtail. He scanned the place for James. Head Boy duties couldn't have taken that long, could they?
As Sirius looked around, something caught his eye. There was a glimpse of brown hair that reminded him of that girl. Then, as if she had somehow managed to apperate inside Hogwarts, that girl did appear.
"Moony!" Sirius whispered urgently. "See that girl in the glasses? What's her name?"
Remus strained his neck to see her.
"That's Katharine Doyle," he answered. "Why do you care?"
Sirius felt his pale skin burn.
"I don't," he quickly defended himself. "I was just curious."
Merlin's beard! How on earth had he forgotten that girl's name? As soon as Remus told him, he wanted to punch himself. He knew that! He saw that according to her robes, she was in Gryffindor too. Now he really felt like an idiot.
Chatter filled the Great Hall, and students happily talked about the feast. Sirius's ears registered the conversations around him as a simple buzz. He was too distracted by the girl, Katharine, to really listen. He studied her as she buried her face in her book. Some girls around her started talking to her, and she put the book down, but Sirius was sure he saw her eyes flicker with disappointment. The girls began talking, and he actually yearned to know what they were speaking about.
When Dumbledore walked up to the front, silence fell, and Sirius fell back in his seat.
Get a hold of yourself, Padfoot! He mentally cried. If you're so concerned about her, then take her out. She's not gonna say no!
But the more he thought about it, the more he wondered. She didn't seem like the type of girl that was really into relationships. All he'd seen of her had to do with books. Maybe she had no interest in doing anything with him. When he considered this possibility, he almost felt sick. He was Sirius Black –girls fell for him. Girls dreamed about him…and then there was this one girl!
"Padfoot," someone whispered, and he turned to see James smiling.
"Where'd you come from?" Sirius asked.
"Just got done with my Head Boy duties," James answered. "Gotta help out after the feast, though. I'm not complaining –more time with Lily."
Sirius experienced an unfamiliar pang. James knew he had less of a chance getting with Lily than Snape had of becoming a star Quiditch player, and yet he still pursued her. If he could chase after Lily, then why couldn't he chase after Doyle? If it was really bothering him so much, then why couldn't he just date her and get over with it?
Professor Dumbledore was in the middle of his speech. It was the first time Sirius hadn't really listened to his welcome. Their headmaster said something that caught Sirius's interest, though.
"…We are in danger," Dumbledore was saying. "Indescribably horrid things are happening because of Voldemort and his Death Eaters. I would extort all you to stick together and fight for what you know to be right." His half moon spectacles lit up because of a nearby candle; Dumbledore's eyes flashed. "Hogwarts is home to great witches and wizards, good witches and wizards. It would grieve me more than I can say to lose one of you to the Death Eaters, both physically and mentally. Look after each other. Do not question what you know is right."
There was a somber silence amongst the students. Sirius noticed bitterly that the only people who didn't seem impressed with Dumbledore's speech were the Slytherins. He was so glad he was the oddball of his family.
Dumbledore smiled, and the room seemed to brighten.
"And now, my fellow teachers and students, we eat!" He announced brightly.
The empty plates and platters of food were instantly filled with all sorts of delicious foods. Steak, potatoes, raspberry tarts, chicken legs, broccoli, cakes, and anything else that any human would consider tasty adorned the tables.
Sirius, James, Remus, and Wormtail all talked with each other as they ate. Sirius was glad that the food distracted him from the Doyle girl. During the meal, James tried to sneak peeks at Lily, but she purposely ignored him. The others laughed at him for it. All in all, Sirius was enjoying himself. As far as he was concerned, if things continued on like this, then that girl would be out of his mind.
"Mr. Black," said a soft voice.
He wondered who in the world would be referring to him as "Mr. Black". Was it a teacher?
When he turned to see who it was, he nearly spat out his mouthful of food.
Standing there, looking slightly nervous, was Katharine Doyle.
"Please, I was just wondering if I could take some of the pudding. We're all out on our side of the table, and some of the girls wanted some," she said. Her voice was soft like she had a hard time talking to people.
Sirius noted that she was doing this for the others. Did that mean she would do anything to please people? Even let them walk all over her?
Regaining himself, Sirius passed the bowl of pudding. "Go ahead. We're done with it here." He sourly realized that her facial expression didn't seem to change as his fingers brushed against hers. "You know, it really isn't necessary to call me Mr. Black. You sound like Professor Binns when you talk like that."
At those words, he saw that she turned bright red. Then she scurried away without another word.
His face fell.
Why did he, Sirius Black, feel like he had failed twice in one day?