A/N: Sorry for the extremely late update. I've had a bit of writer's block. I had planned on introducing Atomos this chapter but like I said, writer's block, so you're going to have to wait for the next chapter. Please REVIEW and save me from the dreaded writer's block. I NEED INSPIRATION.

Chapter 16: Lady Luck

Sirius was still freaking out over what happened with Brenna. He had never had to apologize to a girl before, mostly because he'd never really cared about a girl before. Now it was the night before the Hogsmeade trip and Sirius was sitting in the Common Room a couple hours before curfew trying to figure out what the hell he was going to say. He hadn't spoken to Brenna since what will be known forever as: The Incident (cue dramatic music). To say that Sirius had been avoiding Brenna wouldn't be entirely accurate, for he still saw her in classes and at meals but neither one made an effort to speak to the other.

The oddest thing about all this was that Brenna didn't seem upset in the slightest. She still spoke pleasantly to the other Marauders though she always kept distance between herself and Sirius, though it seemed she did that more out of a courtesy for him than because she was uncomfortable in anyway. James hadn't probed Sirius anymore about Brenna. In fact, the Marauders had dropped The Incident all together, no one spoke of it, no one hinted at it, and no one even talked about Brenna in front of Sirius.

Sirius was baffled. He had expected her to yell or hex, since she didn't really seem like the cry and run type, but instead she just walked calmly away smirking…almost laughing. Now that was odd. How was he supposed to apologize when she didn't even seem affected by it? Maybe she wasn't affected by it. Maybe she didn't care at all. Maybe…maybe she didn't want to hang out with him. Maybe she didn't show any form of offence because she had secretly wanted to stop being friends with him. Maybe-

"Padfoot!" James' voice snapped Sirius out of his rambling thoughts. "Jeez, mate, I've been trying to get your attention for like three minutes. What the hell's going on up there?"

"Just thinking," Sirius said shaking his head to clear away the nagging 'maybes'.

James gasped melodramatically throwing himself on the couch next to Sirius, "But, you'll hurt yourself!"

"Oh shut up." Sirius rolled his eyes still preoccupied by the Hogsmeade trip tomorrow…and Brenna.

"So what're you thinking about that's got you so concerned?" James asked sitting up like a normal person…normal in a very broad understanding of the term, James just doesn't fit completely in the definition.

Sirius contemplated whether or not he should lie. But really, what was the big deal? Why didn't he want to admit that he was thinking about how to apologize to Brenna? Sighing and running a hand through his hair, a habit consequential of being mates with James, Sirius decided that there was really no use in attempting to lie, James could apparently see right through him when it concerned Brenna. Wait, is that it? Am I too obvious and freaked her out? Or…or does she have a boyfriend wherever she came from and doesn't want to be around me because maybe…maybe she's in love with him? For some reason Sirius felt a strange sort of...panic at that thought.

"Oi Pads, you gonna answer or just stare into space?" James said observing him with a mildly amused expression and a raised eyebrow.

"Huh? Oh yeah sorry…Can I ask you something?"

James was slightly caught off guard by the seriousness in his best mate's voice. In all his years he'd known Sirius, James had never seen him so…serious.

"Yeah, of course, what's up?" Sirius paused for a moment, suddenly very interested in the couch cushion.

"How do I apologize to Brenna?" He asked looking up at James somewhat nervously. "I mean, she wasn't even mad. Why?"

"Well, I think she might be, Pads. She hasn't spoken to you since the, er…Incident."

"Yeah but she still talks to you lot, and sits near us, she just doesn't come to close to me."

"Still, just say you're sorry for offending her and that you didn't mean it…you didn't mean it, right?"

"No…I don't think so…I don't know. I don't exactly mind her or anything. But I don't know-" Sirius broke off as Brenna came down the stairs from her dorm and into the Common Room.

"Hey James have you seen Remus?" Brenna seemed oblivious to Sirius sitting on the couch next to James as she smiled at the latter.

"Er…not for a while, why?" Brenna frowned slightly at his answer, apparently she wasn't pleased. Maybe she's got a thing for Remus. She's just so upset to be away from him. Sirius thought bitterly as he tried to force his eyes away, fearing that he was staring at her too conspicuously.

"No reason really, just wanted to ask him something but its nothing vitally important…I'll see you later, then." Brenna said before walking out of the portrait hole, Sirius' eyes following her.

She had been wearing a grey knit cardigan with a black tank top underneath and dark blue skinny jeans. The entire outfit hugged her body, not outrageously tight where it left nothing to the imagination, but tastefully highlighting her faint curves and thin frame. The jeans made her legs seem to go on forever. Her shiny black hair was left down, draping her back like a sheet of expensive dark satin. Sirius found himself thinking how he'd love to run his hands through it, to just touch her, but that was virtually impossible now, they weren't even talking.

"Mate, I think you should just tell her the truth. Tell her that you don't think she's a freak and that you want to be her friend…or more. You've got to tell her. If you want to start talking to her and be her friend again you've got to tell her." James said as Sirius turned to face him. "And you know there's no rule against you telling her today."

Sirius just sat there for a moment staring blankly at James as the words sank in. "Thanks, Prongs." He said getting up from the couch with a determined expression and heading for the portrait hole.

"No problem, now go get her." Sirius paused in his walking to look back at James.

"Mate, I'm only apologizing, so it doesn't apply and that was really cliché."

"Right, sorry." James said barely suppressing a grin.

Sirius walked into the corridor and realised that he really had no idea where to look for Brenna. She wasn't predictable like Remus who's almost always in the library when unaccounted for, or James who'd be in the Common Room, on the Pitch or in the Kitchens, or Peter who-well he's a little harder because he gets lost a lot-can be found sleeping in the dorms, or trailing after one of the others. Sirius had no clue where to even start looking for Brenna so he just kept walking around, ending up near the Library.

Apparently Lady Luck was feeling merciful tonight because Brenna walked out of the Library just as Sirius was turning in that direction. Time seemed to slow down as she stepped over the threshold of the library, their eyes meeting in a way that was distinctly reminiscent of those Muggle romance movies. All that was missing was a field of wild flowers, some good background music that no one really knows where it came from and, of course, slow motion running towards each other with open arms…cue music.

As one might expect, music didn't spontaneously start playing in the corridor, flowers didn't spring from the stone floor and neither one ran toward each other. Actually, after a second or two Brenna looked away letting the library door swing closed behind her and continued walking. Time, in fact, sped back up as she began walking toward a secret passage on the side of the corridor completely ignoring Sirius' presence like she had been doing for the past few days.

"Brenna" Sirius called as he rediscovered his ability to move and speak freely. She looked up at him with an expectant raised eyebrow. "Can…can I talk to you? Please?" She stopped walking, allowing Sirius to close the distance between them.

"Sure," Brenna gave him the slightest smile, an encouraging sign for Sirius. Just as he was about to begin gathering his thoughts-yeah, he really wasn't all that prepared for this-a couple of what looked like third year Ravenclaws exited the library both looking at the Gryffindors as they walked, whispering and giggling.

"Um, do you mind if we go somewhere, er…more private?" Sirius asked feeling uncharacteristically nervous.

He tried to calm himself down but as he looked at her his mouth went dry and he felt butterflies in his stomach. What the hell is wrong with me? I don't get nervous around girls! I just don't. And butterflies? Bloody hell, you'd think I was a girl by the way I'm acting. Next thing you know I'll be blushing and stammering at the sight of her! Sirius mentally berated himself as Brenna agreed with a slight inclination of her head which was elegant and graceful as though she were a princess of sorts. Swallowing hard, Sirius nodded and led the way down the corridor until they found an empty classroom.

"Ladies first," Sirius said trying not to look at her hoping that it would calm him down. Unfortunately, Lady Luck seemed to be toying with him this evening for as she walked by smiling, Brenna's hand brushed lightly against his thigh, causing-oh yes, fate is this cruel-him to blush as his mind became void of all thoughts beyond the realisation that he needed to touch her. Sirius shut the door behind him and finally looked at Brenna's face, relieved to see that she was still smiling warmly.

"So, what would you like to talk about?" She prompted as Sirius was still staring at her with some unidentifiable mixture of emotion in his eyes.

"Um, I-uh wanted to…" Great I'm a girl. Sirius thought sarcastically. Blushing, stuttering, nervous…Pull it together, man! "Look about the other day-" He began again before Brenna interrupted.

"Just to clarify, the other day being that last time we spoke in the Transfiguration corridor?" She asked and for a passing moment Sirius was terrified that she actually was mad and simply a passive-aggressive type of person but then he saw her eyes contained a faint touch of amusement and there was a barely noticeable hint of a smile on her face. And she's playing with me. Wonderful. She's going to drag this out.

"Er yes, that day."

"Okay, please continue." Brenna replied this time all traces of joviality was replaced by an impervious mask of indifference. And the nervousness is back. Even better.

"I just wanted…I wanted to apologize, for…for saying what I did. I shouldn't have and I…I didn't mean it. I don't want you to avoid me anymore."

"In all fairness, I didn't even make a conscious effort. You were the one avoiding me." Brenna pointed out sounding very much like someone blaming their sibling for breaking their mother's favourite antique vase-Merlin knows why it was her favourite, it's not like it was a pretty vase.

"Right, I don't want us to avoid each other any more." At Brenna's raised eyebrows and disputing expression Sirius hastily recovered. "I don't want to avoid you anymore."

"I think you kind of ended that already. It didn't really require you telling me. It's a decision one makes individually, really."

"Okay, you know what; can you stop interrupting and just let me talk?"

"Is that any way to speak to someone you're begging forgiveness from? I don't think so."

"I'm not begging forgiveness."

"Fine, maybe I'll start avoiding you then." Brenna said giving him an amused-challenging look.

"You're really enjoying yourself, aren't you?" Sirius asked frowning at her as he wondered how his apology had become such a comical conversation and why on earth he was so nervous before.

"Very much so." Brenna finally had a proper sized smile on her face and that was satisfying for Sirius, even if it was at his expense.

Rolling his eyes, Sirius continued, "Point is, I'd like to apologize and would very much like for you to accept it. I really want to be your friend," Or maybe more, he added silently. "And I don't think you're a freak, because you're not one."

"You were going great until you started lying." Brenna said with one corner of her mouth turned up in a smile, her eyes dancing with amusement.

"Lying? I didn't lie though, at all." Crap, does omitting the part about 'more' count as lying? No, there's no way she knows. Does she? Sirius' panicked thoughts raced through his head as he regarded her with wide eyes.

"Yes you did. I'm a complete freak, and damn proud of my freakiness." Seeing the blank look of incomprehension on Sirius' face, Brenna sighed. "Okay, all joking aside, I'm not angry. I don't even really care that much. I mean 'freak'? It's not exactly the epitome of insults; actually, it's almost a compliment. So no, I'm not offended nor was I ever. Next time, if you don't want to be around me or be my friend, for however long, just tell me. There's no need for you to shout it from the castle turrets or proclaim the message to all your little friends. Tell me. Ooh novel concept. And in terms of this 'apology' it was unnecessary. You could've just come up to me and started talking about anything random and it would've been fine."

"I could've?" Sirius asked. He really wished he knew that earlier, it would've saved him from freaking out. "I wouldn't have felt right if I didn't though. I really am sorry; I don't know why I said what I did." Brenna simply nodded in understanding and once again Sirius found himself taken by her beauty. It wasn't like the other girls' who required make-up so that they stood out, Brenna just had a natural simplicity that seemed to radiate from her, a comfortable and relaxed sense of elegant grace. Her eyes captivated him. They looked like marbles, a complicated combination mostly comprised of mossy green and reddish brown ribbons with flecks of grey, blue and gold.

"Uh, Sirius?" Sirius realized he had been staring at Brenna for way too long a time for it to be normal, he had been enthralled and now she was looking at him with a concerned expression on her face. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, sorry, just kind of zoned out or something, lost in thoughts." It's not really a lie, it's not like I could say 'Sorry, Brenna I'm fine, I was just infatuated with staring at you because I just realized you're bloody gorgeous.' Yeah, that would've gone over well.

"Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?" Yeah, do you want to go to Hogsmeade with me? Or maybe just let me touch your hair...And now I sound like a creepy stalker; from bad to worse…I'm just going to keep that thought to myself… Sirius thought.

"No, not at the moment," He gave her a grin pushing his thoughts to the back of his mind, it would do no use to think about asking her to Hogsmeade when the trip's tomorrow, she probably already has plans…or a date. It was then that Sirius realized he really didn't know much about Brenna's personal life beyond the fact that she had a twin brother and an uncle. Sirius felt a sudden urge to find out more about her particularly whether or not she had a boyfriend.

"So we should probably get back to the Common Room, it's almost curfew."

"Yeah, probably," The two began walking to Gryffindor Tower side-by-side for the first time in three days. "So what are you doing in Hogsmeade tomorrow?"

"Cyrus and I are meeting up with our friends from back home." Sirius could see the excitement and happiness in her eyes as she thought about the people she would be meeting with. 'Friends'? Does that include a boyfriend?

"That sounds like fun."

"Dangerous is more like it." Cyrus' voice responded from a little further up the hall where he was walking toward them.

"Meh, as long as we keep them away from Zonko's we should be fine." Grinning broadly, Brenna waved off her twin's comment.

"I think we both know they don't need to buy anything, they choose to out of convenience."

"We also know they're quite lazy at times."

"You're friends like to pull pranks?" Sirius asked looking between the two.

"Yeah, but not like you do, they tend to go a bit over the top and never get caught." Brenna explained.

"Don't pretend that you don't help." Cyrus said receiving a shove from Brenna.

"Shut up, we still need to make sure they stay away from Zonko's, you know they'll want to go in and then we'll never get them out."

"And how do you propose we do that?"

"Lock them in Madam Puddifoots?" Cyrus rolled his eyes at Brenna's suggestion fighting the smile creeping onto his lips.

"Good luck with that. Darren just owled by the way, we're going to meet at 10:30, Three Broomsticks."

"Alright sounds good."

"He also mentioned that they had some stories to tell. Something about Higgins." Cyrus said amusement plaguing his eyes as his twin smirked her eyes dancing in much the same way.

"Well, that should be interesting. Too bad we missed it, though; naturally it would've been news worthy."

"Naturally," Cyrus agreed nodding. "Anyway, I've got to be on my way, curfew and all, but I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see you tomorrow, Cy." With a slight nod to Sirius, Cyrus moved past them down the corridor and the two Gryffindors proceeded on their way to the Tower.

"So this Higgins person, I'm assuming not a friend?" Sirius asked after a couple moments.

"No, he's not a friend. Higgins and his little group are rivals of ours, sort of like the Marauders and the Slytherins but if need be we'd all have each others' backs."

"So you guys don't like each other but you'd still help each other out?"

"Yeah, it's kind of a complex relationship. I've heard it described as 'frenemies' but that doesn't really explain it. Point is, Higgins has a history of making comments that gets him into trouble and the retaliation is always phenomenal. So Cyrus and I are immensely looking forward to hearing the story of Higgins' well-deserved consequence for making such comments."

"How do you know he made a comment what if your friends did something to him first?"

"I know my friends. I trust them with my life." Brenna's tone was casual and yet there was an indisputable truth and conviction to the loaded words that left Sirius with a feeling of inferiority to these 'friends' that Brenna obviously held in such high esteem, especially since her statement wasn't hypothetical. She didn't say that she would trust them with her life; she said that she does no ifs, ands, or buts. "So, what're your plans for your 'Marauders Only' trip? That sounds almost as dangerous as having my friends in a hundred-yard radius of a joke shop."

"Oh I don't really know actually, I just said that to get rid of April." Sirius gave her a sheepish smile as she glanced at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Well good luck with that; she seems a little…persistent."

"They usually are." He muttered disdained. "You're only meeting your friends at 10:30, right? So I could always show you around Hogsmeade if you'd like." Sirius offered, so maybe she has a boyfriend and maybe she doesn't, does it really matter? No, it changes nothing…for now.

"Won't that blow your cover of a 'Marauder-only' trip for April?" She asked with a sceptical eyebrow. Why can't anything ever be easy with this girl?

"Nah, it'll be fine."

"Well, then sure. Might I suggest that we conveniently invite James and Lily?" No! No, just us! I just want to talk to you!

"Er, I don't know that will probably be end in disaster; James tends to mess things up when Lily's around."

"Don't you think your friends will be mad if you ditch them though?" I don't care if they're mad, I'll be mad if they come! Damn it Brenna, can't you take a hint? It's supposed to be just us!

"No." Sirius answered shortly.

"Oh, uh, okay then." Brenna answered frowning slightly at the sharpness of his voice. She wasn't aware that she had done anything to warrant his irritation.

"So um, do you want to meet in the Common Room tomorrow or the Great Hall…?" Sirius asked already deeply regretting snapping at her.

"Either one, I'll be up early so it depends on what you want to do."

"Well, as much as I'd like to say I'd meet you in the Common Room, I can't guarantee that I'll be up as early as you are so how about if I'm not up when you go down for Breakfast, I'll meet you in the Great Hall, if I'm up I'll meet you in the Common Room and if I don't show up assume that I stole Remus' chocolate oHo

and he murdered me." Brenna laughed softly grinning at his dramatics and Sirius found his chest fluttering, feeling lighter on his feet and thrilled that he had her laughing.

"So if I don't see you by the time Breakfast is done send the Aurors, got it." The two Gryffindors reached Portrait Hole, both excited for what should be a pleasant trip to Hogsmeade the next day. Brenna however had security measures and the map of Hogsmeade she had studied running through her head, checking and double checking possibilities and parameters, making sure she hadn't over looked anything, big or small. In her experience the smallest of oversights could lead to complete disaster just as a single thread could unravel an entire sheet of cloth.

"Oh, shit!" Sirius exclaimed suddenly stopping just short of the Portrait hole.

"What? What's wrong?" Brenna asked her eyes scanning the surrounding corridor for a threat of some sort.

"What time is it? I've got a detention tonight." Sirius said urgently as Brenna pulled a watch out of her pocket.

"Precisely 9:01," Brenna answered relieved that it was only a matter of detention, something she should have expected since she had been the one to arrange daily, long detentions for the Marauders. The slip in memory and risk-calculation was definitely not comforting so close to the rendezvous in Hogsmeade, she'd need to check all the preparations again with a fine toothed comb. No stone unturned, no conclusion unchecked.

Sirius visibly relaxed, exhaling calmly and giving a sheepish smile at his overreaction. "Thank Merlin; I don't have to be at detention till 9:15."

"You're really hell-bent on not being late, huh?" Brenna commented the two still lingering outside the Portrait Hole.

"Normally I'm not, but this week the Profs are cracking down. They've been extending and giving extra detentions for every little thing."

"Maybe they're tired of you guys." Brenna said with a shrug.

"They've never done this before. We've been in detention every night this week, and extra long ones too. We've barely had time to sleep let alone do homework and think of anything." That was the point, Brenna thought smirking a little evilly on the inside. "It's ridiculous and you know it's weird too, because the things we're going down for we haven't done. We haven't done anything this week actually. It's almost like the teachers have set us up." Good instincts, Brenna thought appraisingly, only it wasn't the Profs, it was me.

"Rule 25," Brenna whispered softly, not fully aware that she had said it out loud.

"What was that? Rule 25?" Sirius asked curiosity lining his face.

"Uh, yeah..." Brenna stalled, not really answering as her mind warred over whether or not she would tell him the rule.

"Are you going to tell me what that means?"

"No." Brenna turned to walk into the Common Room but Sirius grabbed her arm and pulled her back toward him. The touch sent an electric current running through his arm and the scent of her hair as she turned was almost enough to make him forget about questioning her about the rule.

"Come on Brenna, you've got to tell me. You can't just say 'Rule 25' and not explain." Sirius said still holding her arm.

"Fine, but I won't explain it, that's up to you. Rule 25: If it seems like someone's out to get you, they are." Brenna recited perfectly, it was one of the rules Atomos lived by, with 31 in all, and Rules 25-27 were slated for emergencies. Though not in Sirius' case of course.

"So you're saying that the teachers are out to get me?"

"I said I'd only tell you the rule, it's up to you to decide what it means."

"Okay but where did the rule come from?"

"I do believe I've told you before, only my very best friends know my secrets, you're still not at that level, Sirius." Sirius scowled, wishing she'd just tell him her bloody secrets, it really was driving him crazy, and being told that he wasn't at par with other people wasn't exactly helping.

"When will I be at that level?" Sirius asked as she began slowly making her way toward the portrait hole.

"Who knows, maybe next year, maybe never?" Brenna shrugged carelessly. "You really should get to detention; you wouldn't want to be late. And remember, Rule 25." Brenna gave the password to the Fat Lady and the portrait swung open allowing her to step inside.

Sirius remained rooted to the spot thinking over what she had just said. The prospect of never reaching the point where she'd trust him and tell him things hurt. And in the best case scenario he'd have to wait a year which meant that she really had no trust or faith in him at all. Perhaps it was time to start praying to Lady Luck about speeding up this whole process. What he needed to do was prove himself to her. He needed to prove that he was trustworthy and deserving of her friendship, but how? For now, he'd just have to stick to hoping for Lady Luck's favour.

A/N: REVIEW if you want to meet ATOMOS. Please note, the rules mentioned in this chapter and in following chapters are adaptations of Gibbs' rules from the television series NCIS (the original). If you have no idea what I'm talking about I suggest that you find an episode of the show online somewhere, it truly is fantastic. 3 Gibbs 3 Thanks.