I think the girl who is able to earn her own living and pay her own way should be as happy as anybody on earth. The sense of independence and security is very sweet.

~ Susan B. Anthony

Chapter 6: Security can sometimes be a honeymoon

Things were going well, as far as Devery was concerned but the anxious part of her brain felt like something bad was about to happen. Nothing ever went right without some pitfalls in Devery's experience.

She got the guy, yes. Things with Sirius were great. Things were feeling nice and comfortable. Devery knew she was already getting emotionally attached to Sirius. Lily noticed it too so she backed off a little bit more. She kept her insults towards Sirius to a light teasing now and she was starting to act friendly towards him, even towards James, surprisingly. Lily was making a little more effort to sooth things over with the boys and they gladly returned the favour.

Sirius apparently had a serious chat to James and the Head Boy finally decided to tone down his approach to winning Lily's affections. It only took six years. According to Sirius, his best mate had a 'eureka moment' and saw things as they actually were.

Lily was a fiercely independent and serious young lady. She needed a gentleman that respected and nurtured that. James initially thought Devery was that kind of girl instead when really she was the opposite.

Devery was the kind of reserved lady who needed to be seduced by a bold gentleman. A part of her wanted to be swept off her feet and Sirius was surprisingly good at it.

He held open doors, pulled out her chair, surprised her with small gifts and carried her things. He was also pretty good at sweeping the floor.

"Love, you really don't have to keep me company in detention. It's ghastly down here," Sirius grimaced. He was sweeping up the dusty floor in one of the trophy rooms. Next, he would have to mop.

Professor McGonagall made him Hogwart's temporary maid for his two weeks of detention. He had to clean without magic. Tonight, he had to clean the trophy rooms.

"I don't want you to catch anything nasty," Sirius looked down at her in concern. Devery just shrugged where she sat across the room with her Transfiguration essay.

She was quite comfortable where she worked. Sirius made her a nice and clean chill out area before he started sweeping. He got her a nice rug, blankets and a heap of pillows to lounge on. Devery wondered where he got the comfy things. The pillows didn't look like they belonged to the Gryffindor common room. They lacked the traditional red hue. Instead, the rug, blankets and pillows were a collection of blues and yellows. She wondered if her boyfriend stole them from the other house common rooms and then rejected the idea. There was no way; Sirius could've snuck into those common rooms.

Devery paused in writing her essay and glanced at her boyfriend, thrashing his broom about with his sleeves rolled up. There was no doubt in her mind that she knew Sirius had a rebellious bad boy streak. He so stole the pillows, blankets and rug. Where? She had no idea and surprisingly she didn't feel bothered by it. Instead, she felt warm and fuzzy at Sirius's limitless ability to be thoughtful. Every day, she learned something new about him.

"Merlin, I should've got you to wear this as soon as I started," Sirius suddenly exclaimed and Devery gave him a questioning look. Sirius stormed her way with his wand drawn. Devery quickly put her hands up in defense. She then heard Sirius grumble a charm and she strangely felt a mask appear out of nowhere, covering her nose and mouth. It was a healer's mask.

"That's better!" Sirius sounded pleased with himself and Devery rolled her eyes.

"That will stop you from breathing in dust, love," Sirius's brow furrowed and he quickly gave his girlfriend a look of confusion when she started to sign madly at him.

"Whoa, love! Slow down," he pleaded and Devery again, rolled her eyes. Sirius had no idea what he did wrong and he continued to look perplexed. Girls were strange.

He felt a little unsure when Devery suddenly took out her own wand. She flicked it at his face and Sirius breathed out in relief, when he felt a mask cover his own face. She was telling him to wear one too.

"Oh, thanks love," he gushed and Devery returned to writing her essay, with a shake of her head.

'Men,' Sirius strangely heard in his mind then and he wondered where it came from. The voice sounded errily like his own when he was thinking. Though, why he was reprimanding his own gender beated him. He should be reprimanding Devery for not taking proper care of herself by following him down into dust hell.

"Don't blame me if you get sick either," Sirius raised his eyebrows and Devery lowered her mask to blow a raspberry.

"Hey, put that mask back over that beautiful mouth of yours, missy," Sirius shook his finger and Devery blushed at his compliment. Sirius then put his hands on his hips and looked at her pointedly.

"Don't make me come over there," he warned and Devery blew him another raspberry before putting her mask back on.

"Cheeky witch," Sirius looked amused and he went back to sweeping.

"Also, love, just yell out if you need a hand with that essay about animagi. I finished mine in a history of magic today."

Devery gave Sirius wide eyes then. He never finished homework before she did. Like ever unless she missed something. She then reached for some paper and scribbled down a question.

Sirius sensed her approach before she made it to his side and he automatically wrapped an arm around her waist.

"What is it?" He prompted and Devery passed him the paper.

"What were your OWL results?"

Sirius couldn't help but laugh when he read that and he looked down at Devery with amused eyes.

"I am a triple threat, love. Beauty, brains, and brawn."

Devery narrowed her eyes on him. She only made that face when she wanted him to be serious.

"A marauder never reveals their secrets," Sirius tapped the side of his nose and Devery folded her arms with pursed lips. The look on her face said it all: quit mucking about.

"Okay, okay. Merlin, love. You look deadly when you look at me like that."

Devery then waved her hand for him to spit it out.

"But just to clarify, I am still the baddest and coolest wizard walking these halls. I got OWLs across the board, love," Sirius breathed and Devery looked up at him with genuine surprise.

"Yeah but I am no teacher's pet, so don't get any ideas love. You are dating the most rebellious marauder of them all… just don't tell James, I said that."

Devery grabbed her piece of paper back and quickly wrote down something else for Sirius to read.

"I find intelligence to be the sexiest trait of all."

Sirius had to read it twice to make sense of her writing and he suddenly felt bashful.

"Um… on second thought… maybe you can call me a nerd," he muttered low and Devery ruffled his hair with laughing green eyes.

"Oh, there you are Miss Leafwood!"

Devery and Sirius calmly looked towards the familiar voice entering the trophy rooms. Professor McGonagall pursed her mouth at Sirius's arm around Devery and he quickly dropped it. Their professors didn't look on public displays of affection favorably.

"The headmaster is ready to see you, Miss Leafwood," Professor McGonagall beaconed and Devery was about to approach her side when Sirius stood in front of her, protectively.

"Whatever it is, she didn't do it, professor," Sirius cleared his throat and said. Professor McGonagall gave her students an amused look.

"Miss Leafwood is not in trouble, Mr Black but if she is, please share," Professor McGonagall muttered and Sirius shook his head.

"No-no professor, Devery is a good girl. Dots her 'I's' and ties her shoelaces. Nothing bad has happened," Sirius gulped a little under Professor's McGonagall's interested gaze and Devery walked to Sirius's side. She mouthed that it was okay and Sirius understood with a nod.

"Good," Professor McGonagall replied and she looked at Devery.

"I highly advise that you tell Mr Black, Miss Leafwood that you do meetup with the Headmaster regularly concerning your condition. He looks like he is about to combust with nerves," Professor McGonagall smiled slightly and Devery returned the smile with a nod.

"Well, we better stop dawdling, come along Miss Leafwood," Professor McGonagall instructed and she turned to leave the chambers. Devery made to follow but Sirius held her back by the hand.

"Is everything, okay?" He looked concerned and Devery nodded. She gently let go of his hand and quickly collected her things.

"I'll come to Dumbledore's office when I'm done here so you're not alone when walking back to the common room," Sirius said and Devery removed her mask with a nod.

"I'll be as quick as I can," he promised and Devery pecked his cheek for his adorableness.

Sirius then watched her leave with a miserable sigh. He didn't like to be away from Devery for too long. Sleeping away from her side and detention was enough for him unless he had marauder things that needed doing. With that, Sirius returned to his cleaning with rigorous effort.


It didn't take long for Devery to reach Professor Dumbledore's office. Professor McGonagall bid her goodnight when she went up the secret staircase.

"Come in, dear," Professor Dumbledore called out behind the oak door when she knocked and Devery climbed inside. The office had a lot of stairs. She found the aging and powerful wizard, sitting behind his desk. He was reading some scrolls and Fawkes, his pet phoenix started to bob his head when she entered. Fawkes always loved it when she visited and he started to sing a happy tune. The great, red and orange bird then started to rock on his golden pedestal beside Professor Dumbledore's desk.

"Fawkes missed your voice over the break," Professor Dumbledore's aging blue eyes twinkled behind his half-moon glasses. Devery smiled at the phoenix and she removed her necklace. Fawkes started to fly over, still singing.

Devery pocketed her necklace for safe-keeping and she let Fawkes land on her arm. She carefully stroked his belly feathers and started to hum a low melody for the bird. Some creatures like the Phoenix proved to be unaffected by a Siren's voice but not Professor Dumbledore. The aging wizard encountered her great-grandfather many years ago and struck up a trusted friendship. Professor Dumbledore was a trusted ally of her family and one of the reasons why Devery was allowed to attend Hogwarts.

Fawkes then matched her melody with another bob of his head and Professor Dumbledore let them hum together for a while. It was a good exercise for her inner Siren and Devery sat in one of the lounge chairs by Professor Dumbledore's desk. Fawkes ruffled his feathers and moved to lie down in her lap.

"He is still a beautiful singer, professor. Maybe Fawkes has some Siren in him too," Devery smiled at the bird and Fawkes nipped her fingertips.

"A lot is still not known about Phoenixes," Professor Dumbledore sat back in his chair and clutched his hands together.

"True," Devery admired Fawkes and he blinked his golden eyes up at her.

"How are you settling into seventh year, Deveral?" Professor Dumbledore asked.

"Please call me, Devery, Professor. People tend to call me Deveral when I am in trouble," Devery quirked and Professor Dumbledore chuckled at her in good humour.

"Forgive me," he beaconed with his palms held out.

"You're forgiven," Devery reassured.

"Seventh year is going well, thank you for asking. Though I am not looking forward to the exams."

"I am glad to hear that. Is the program at the department of mysteries still on the table?" Professor Dumbledore asked and Devery confirmed with a strong nod.

"I need to know more about what I am, Professor and I will learn more there," Devery said.

"Discretely, of course," Professor Dumbledore prompted and Devery nodded again.

"Of course, Professor."

"Good. I do not need to give you a lecture regarding your safety," Professor Dumbledore muttered.

"My family takes care of that," Devery replied.

"Then, it wouldn't surprise you that I voice concerns about Mr Black learning telepathy to communicate with you," Professor Dumbledore leaned forward in his chair and Devery grew tongue-tied. They haven't approached the Professor about telepathy lessons yet. She wondered how he caught wind of that.

"My concerns about these lessons are not because I harbor a negative opinion about Mr Black. On the contrary, I think the lad has a promising and bright future ahead of him. He is a gifted wizard and has good morals. I am more concerned about the timing, Devery," Professor Dumbledore explained further.

"How did you know Sirius wanted to learn telepathy Professor?" Devery grasped her courage to talk and asked and Professor Dumbledore smiled in amusement.

"You forget who taught you leglimens, dear. I don't listen in to student's minds but due to your condition, your mind is always the hardest to ignore I'm afraid. Your mind is a star in the night sky," Professor Dumbledore said.

"Sorry about that, professor. I will try to practice occlumency more often," Devery promised.

"I highly advise you do my dear. We are facing dangerous times," Professor Dumbledore said in a nonsense tone and Devery straightened her back with much more attention to his words.

"We are on the brink of a great wizarding war, the likes the world has never seen before," Professor Dumbledore expressed.

"And how does that effect my family and I?" Devery looked worried.

"Your kind holds the power to change the world with a single song, Devery. The dark lord and his followers would slaughter thousands to possess it, which is why I urge you to be extra careful about keeping your true self a secret. Do not tell another soul… unless you know for sure you can trust them," Professor Dumbledore advised and Devery agreed with a vigorous nod.

"Your family are also taking extra precautions," he added.

"I'm not leaving Hogwarts, am I?" Devery felt her stomach churn with anxiety and Professor Dumbledore quickly reassured her with a shake of his head.

"You are safe here for now but if things change, I recommend a relocation of sorts."

"Understandable," Devery sighed and Fawkes offered her comfort with a nice low humming tune. Hogwarts was her second home; she didn't want to leave just yet.

"But what if I don't want to go into hiding when the time comes? You know how overzealous my elders can be, professor. If we go into hiding… we'll never come back," Devery stressed. Professor Dumbledore looked at her with deep understanding. Family and tradition heavily bound Sirens. What the elders say is done and final. To reject the ruling of the elders was to declare yourself rogue which was a fate worse than death. The ancient treaty, the Sirens held with the wizarding community did not include rogues. They were a being unto themselves and could be punished accordingly without breaking the treaty.

"It is our choices, Devery, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities," Professor Dumbledore replied and Devery stroked Fawke's long, blue and purple-feathered tail in deep thought. Would she really risk it all to stay apart of the world?

"If I could be a mute for real… I so would," she said with sad eyes.

"Devery," Professor Dumbledore called for her attention.

"A bright student of mine once told me that their philosophy was that worrying means you suffers twice. Nothing needs to change right now. Take it day by day, dear and see what happens," he advised and Devery released the breath she was holding in.

"You're right, professor but can you please not tell my family my reservations about running if the time came? I am not thinking clearing right now."

"Of course, my dear. Please remember that our discussions are a safe space and always will be. They are confidential. I am here to help you," Professor Dumbledore promised and Devery nodded.

"But despite this discussion and all of the repercussions, you would still want to teach Mr Black telepathy?" Professor Dumbledore prompted and Devery looked unsure.

"I don't know professor. It's not like I can give him a valid excuse as to why he can't learn without letting the cat out of the bag. Sirius is quite adamant about learning and he won't take no for an answer," Devery sighed loudly and Professor Dumbledore agreed with an amused look.

"Yes, I know how determinedly minded, Mr Black is and if he doesn't learn under our watchful eye, he will learn somewhere else and that could prove dangerous. The mind is delicate thing and can be shattered quite easily if opened up to the wrong wizard. We have quite a conundrum on our hands, Devery."

"Then what do you suggest, professor?" Devery asked and Professor Dumbledore looked like he was at his wit's end.

He thought of all the times Sirius rebelled over his schooling and the odds were stacked against his reasoning not to teach the lad. Sirius was a lot more intelligent than he appeared to be and he would be a great asset to have in the upcoming war against the dark lord. But there was also the issue of young love. Professor Dumbledore remembered how powerful that could influence the adolescent heart. The telepathy lessons could come in handy in a magnitude of ways and he knew the lad would pick it up because it concerned Devery. Matters of the heart were the strongest motivations of all.

"I sincerely hope I don't regret this," Professor Dumbledore muttered and Devery strangely felt lit up with excitement.

"Are we teaching him, professor?"

A loud knock then came at the headmaster's door. They both knew who it was without asking and Devery quickly reached for her necklace to put it back on. Once she had it on securely, Professor Dumbledore waved his fingers and the door opened.

"Please come on in and take a seat, Mr Black. I have been expecting you," Professor Dumbledore nodded to the lad and Sirius, feeling a little out of sorts, walked into the office. The large door closed behind him. He continued to pat his uniform free of dust while he neared the lounge chair beside Devery. His girlfriend smiled amusedly at the state of him and Sirius just shrugged as if to say, it wasn't his fault Professor McGonagall loved to see him get his hands dirty.

Fawkes, however, didn't look happy to see him. The phoenix stood up tall on Devery's lap and he shielded Devery with his large wings. Fawkes squawked and Sirius nervously took a seat. Devery tried to calm the phoenix down with a backrub but it didn't work. Fawkes continued to give Sirius the stink eye.

"As you can see, Mr Black, Fawkes is quite protective of his time with Devery," Professor Dumbledore chuckled and Devery gave a gallant shrug.

"Do you feed him treats or something, Devery?" Sirius blurted and Devery quickly shook her head.

"Fawkes took a strong liking to Devery in her first year and ever since, he does not like to vacate her lap when she visits," Professor Dumbledore answered on Devery's behalf and Fawkes backed up that observation with a cheerful tune and he turned to nibble on Devery's fingertips. It was safe now to be affectionate because Sirius stayed his distance.

"Beaten by a bird, I'll be damned," Sirius grumbled and Fawkes squawked at him for calling him a bird.

"Phoenix, whatever."

Fawkes perked up happily at the correction with a happy chirp. Devery ruffled the feathers on his neck with a grin.

"As I was saying," Professor Dumbledore got his student's attention once again.

"I would be delighted to teach Mr Black, telepathy," he said and Sirius looked at his headmaster in awe.

"Whoa blimey! Thanks Professor Dumbledore!" he particularly bounced in his chair with unconcealed enthusiasm and Devery shared a small happy look with Sirius. Professor Dumbledore then waved his hands again at a bookshelf and three old textbooks levitated towards Sirius. They landed on the desk in front of him.

"Return to me when you have read these," Professor Dumbledore instructed and Devery raised her eyebrows. Professor Dumbledore didn't give Lily and Severus textbooks when they learned; she wondered why he was stalling the actual lessons. Sirius, meanwhile, looked at the books from cover to cover.

"Oh, I've read these before professor. In the summer before sixth year. There's nothing to do but read when you're stuck with parents like mine," Sirius muttered and his face looked a bit fallen when he said it. Devery caught this in a instant and like an instant, it was gone again. Sirius perked up with an excited grin.

"So when do we start?"

A/N: Thank you for everyone who has favourited/alerted and reviewed this story! You guys are champions!

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