Chapter Fifteen

It was Sirius who ripped open the bubble of tension and breached the topic of their impromptu camping trip.

Sirius was never to be considered shy and he wasn't changing that trait any time soon. He very bluntly asked Isabella and Everard if the four of them- Himself James, Ava and Lily-could spend a few days out camping. His approach didn't help their cause either. They would have to go about subtly, the three other Gryffindor's believed, but after haggling, sincere looks, practically pleading and a lie from Lily that stated the two boys didn't believe that she and Ava could last a few days out in the 'wild' or without being in a five mile radius of library, the two senior Potter's finally gave in and allowed them to go.

The kitchen and table were clear again and the final checks on their rucksacks were completed. They were confidant they had all they could possibly need. Ava, Lily, Sirius and James all stood on the Potters porch saying goodbye to Isabella and Everard. Love was shared, promises were made, they would remember to put in place all the protection wards and that they weren't to go looking for trouble either. There was something about the expression on Everard's face that gave Ava the impression that he almost knew what they were about to embark on, still they continued with their search and rescue mission. And she pushed this thought out of her head. Ava walked across the porch and grabbed onto Sirius' hand indicating that she was ready to go. She had to admit she felt a little childlike holding his hand like this, she had griped it so tight she worried she might cut the blood circulation off. The two would be apparating together again. Waiting till after James and Lily had apparated away with a loud crack, Sirius dropped his head to whisper in Ava's ear that she should hold on tight and chuckled at her shiver in response. She really didn't like apparating.

Ava felt Sirius twist away from her. She shut her eyes tightly and was pressed very hard from all directions. She started to struggle to breath properly as she felt an immense pressure squeeze her skull and chest. But just as soon as it all had began, it was over. She felt the solid, hard, dry ground beneath her hands and knees? She must of fallen over whilst landing. Typical, she thought, another thing to make Sirius laugh at her again. She pulled herself up and brushed the grass off her hands and knees whilst controlling her breathing.

"If I hear one joke about me falling over, I'll kick your arse Black. Understand?" Ava said angrily with her eyes glaring at the dark haired boy who stood beside her

"I'm must make fun of you dearie, It's my downfall. You get ever so cute when you're angry"

Ava was too shocked at his comment to reply back with anything witty. Sirius had never commented on her looks, he had always been to preoccupied with other girls, girls that never challenged his flirty behaviour, to notice a thing about her before. She stood stock still just staring at him until James had diverted her attention away from his best friend who was distracting himself with his straps on his bag. She was probably over thinking this, wasn't she? It was just a comment he used to get the better of her, right? Instead she sighed at his very poor pun and turned away from him.

"Okay we've got about an hours walk in that direction" James said pointing to what Ava hoped was South "Until we can come across a good enough place to set up camp for the night." With his wand laying flat in the palm of his hand, he began walking in the opposite direction of the tip.

The four of them walked what seemed like a eternity for Ava. They walked across flat fields of grass, climbed over large rocks embedded in the ground, picked their way through closely packed together, tall, pale trees. It seemed much longer than an hour before James was satisfied with the clearing he had found. This clearing was just big enough for the four of them to use as a camp site.

This clearing was set in a large, round-like, patch of dried grass, surrounded by the ghostly trees. It was also close to a shallow river, Ava could hear the rush of the water. They each dumped their rucksacks beside one an others in the centre of the clearing. James was by far the most comfortable in these surroundings and quickly took charge. He gave Ava and Sirius the job of finding wood for a camp fire, whilst he and Lily put up the tents and started on the wards. Ava and Sirius set out to find the firewood, with their wands held in their hands in the fading light-the sun was quickly setting on them.-