Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing that you would recognize as the fantastic work of J.K. Rowling. I only take credit for those OC characters that appear here.
They managed to get up and into the shop without much difficulty and Sirius hadn't realised he was holding his breath until they were outside standing in an abandoned side alley. He pulled the cloak off them and stepped back from Eileen as if she was something incredibly unpleasant. Although she certainly isn't, he thought, but taking deep breaths he shoved that thought back where it belonged. It seemed she too had been affected by the closeness of the cloak. She was looking slightly flustered and wide-eyed. There was a current running between them as they breathed and looked at each other. Sirius was the first to pull himself together and he looked away from her, feeling his body relax.
'You're in Hogsmeade like you wanted, what's next?' he said.
She still seemed to be considering him but broke off to look at the cloak. 'That thing is extremely constricting.' She said flatly.
Sirius couldn't agree with her more, especially after feeling whatever that was that had left him feeling suffocated. 'Well you can go under by yourself then. I can get by without being seen.'
She arched a brow at him.
Sirius vaguely thought that what he was about to do next was both incredibly stupid and entirely reckless. He flicked away the voice in his head, which he had for a while now associated with Remus, and shot Grey a smile that was usually reserved for charming. She simply continued to look at him but, Sirius noticed, blushed slightly.
'I'm an animagus.' He said, smirking in his signature way. He was satisfied to see her mouth fall open slightly.
'You know Black,' she said after a moment and having closed her mouth. 'I'm not really surprised.'
'Oh?'
She ignored his question, 'What I am curious about is why? It's highly dangerous for obvious reasons, especially done illegally.' She added, a knowing smile spreading across her pretty face.
'The why isn't important really,' said Sirius waving her off but she gave him an 'I'm not convinced' sort of look. 'Are you going to give me up to the Ministry then?' he asked, not believing for a moment that she intended too.
'Of course not. But don't think I'm not that much more curious now Black.'
Sirius rolled his eyes at her but was amused by her audacity. 'Get under the cloak, no one will bother with me. Where are we heading?'
She pulled the cloak over herself and disappeared from view. A tiny part of him was sad he couldn't see her anymore but she cut across his thought.
'Up the main road until we pass the Hogs Head Bar. After that it's about five minutes up the road and he will meet us there.'
Sirius stared. 'He? Who is he?' and he narrowed his eyes at the spot she had vanished. Feeling for the first time uneasy.
'Don't get your wand in a knot Black it's just my brother. If I was going to offer you up to a Death Eater I promise I'd do it in a much more clever way.' She said coolly and he felt slightly foolish again.
Huffing slightly in annoyance at having been seen through so easily, he figured he really couldn't be in any deeper. Resolving himself to the increasingly awful ordeal he looked around for her. 'Where are you then?'
'Here.' She responded a foot or so to his right.
'Fine, well close your eyes then.'
'I'm not really a close your eyes kind of girl Black.' She replied.
'Humour me.' He said, that reckless fire burning in his veins.
Whether she closed them or not he didn't know but he shifted into Padfoot and was instantly pleased to hear her inhale in surprise.
'Well this is something.' She said, slightly breathlessly but a tone playing into amusement.
'Do you have flees?' she said, the amusement ringing clear in the evening air.
The dog narrowed his eyes at her a fraction.
'You know I could get used to you like this.' She said and Sirius felt an invisible hand scratch behind his ear. He jerked away from her and started up the road, refusing to walk beside her out of irritation.
He could smell her so much more clearly like this and it was all freshness. It was the kind of scent that could wake up your senses early in the morning and leave you feeling revived and ready. Slightly citrusy like lemons but with a softer fruit that made it feminine. They continued up the street, passing the Hogs Head bar and after about five minutes Sirius's nose twitched with a new and unfamiliar scent. He couldn't help but feel the hair raise up his back and he slowed his pace, letting Eileen catch up with him. Sirius stopped abruptly as a ragged, hunched figure moved slightly about twenty yards in front of them. He growled a low rumbling sound that rippled through his whole body.
Eileen's voice was soft and low and if he wasn't transformed he might not have heard her. 'Sirius.'
He let his tail bump against her to signal he was listening to her. The figure was gazing at him now and seeming to decide on something it moved up the street, looking over its shoulder to see if they were following.
'It's him. Go.' She whispered.
Sirius felt less like moving and a lot more like turning around from this whole thing like the bad idea he knew it was. But that reckless fire had taken over and he was driven on by Eileen, whose hand skimmed the top of his head.
They followed the figure silently for ten minutes as he lead them down a path and set off into the forest. Finally, halting about ten feet in front of them the figure stood up to its full height and dropped the hood from his head. Sirius recognized the short blond-haired man instantly as Hector Grey, Head Boy and Slytherin Quidditch captain from his first year. He looked older than when Sirius had last seen him nearly six years ago and he had acquired a nasty scar that cut through one of his eyebrows straight down the middle.
Before Sirius could react, Eileen had shed the invisibility cloak and was hugging her brother tightly, a slightly confused but pleased look touched his face and he returned her hug.
'Hector! It's so good to see you.' She said, releasing him finally.
'You as well Sister. What's with the mutt?' He asked, giving Sirius a confused look.
Sirius, disgruntled at being called a mutt, transformed back into himself before Eileen could answer. Sirius was pleased to see Hector Grey's brows shoot up.
'Sirius Black presumably?' he asked, regaining his composer and surprising Sirius in turn. 'Hard to forget you and that Potter kid. Though clearly you've changed some.' He said, waving his hand to indicate Padfoot. He turned to Eileen, ignoring Sirius. 'Interesting friends you're making these days little sister.'
Eileen simply shrugged. 'You could say that.'
Hector studied her for a moment and shot Sirius a strange look. 'The Blacks are an increasingly interesting family.'
'What makes you say that?' said Sirius, crossing his arms.
Hector considered him for a moment, 'Many of them are already Death Eaters in Voldemort's most inner circle. When you left your family it was quite the little scandal."
Sirius looked up at him, surprise outweighing his irritation. 'What do you mean? How do you know I left?'
'Same way everyone knows about it, I heard things. Many a Death Eater was talking about you dishonouring your family. It's not exactly a secret Black. I should think my own parents would recognize your name to hear it.' He looked at Eileen, 'Take this as a warning.'
She waved him off and he frowned at her. 'How is Anna? How are the girls?'
'Anna is fine, better than fine. She is going to have another baby.'
Sirius couldn't help smiling slightly as Eileen's face filled with a joy he had never seen there before. She was hugging Hector again but Hector was watching Sirius, a slow frown growing on his face.
'Why exactly is he here again?' asked Hector, holing his sister at arm's length.
'I can leave.' Sirius said darkly.
'Of course you shouldn't leave.' Snapped Eileen.
Hector glared down at her. 'I hope I shouldn't have to remind you that if the wrong person found out about you two being friends it wouldn't end well.' He stressed the word friends and gave Sirius a lingering look.
Sirius was growing increasingly less than fond of Hector Grey.
'I know what I'm doing Hector. I trust him that should be enough for you.'
Sirius was surprised to hear her say it but something inside him was pleased nevertheless.
'Suit yourself. Your recklessness is going to get you in trouble someday.' He said, but looked on her fondly. 'Now what do you plan to do after you leave here? Surely you must know what you'll be expected to do once you're out of school.'
'And what exactly is that?' asked Sirius, earning a scathing look from Hector.
'She'll be offered a place within Voldemort's ranks.' He said dryly, as if this was a common occurrence.
'Like you were?' Said Sirius, feeling daring.
'Yes.' He said shortly, not bothering to look at Sirius.
'Eileen I don't think you'll be able to escape the way I did. They will not risk you slipping through their fingers. I think you should go to Dumbledore.'
'Dumbledore?' she said, looking weary.
'Yes, he helped me after all. I'm sure he would have an idea. Obviously you can't join, Voldemort would see right through you.' He looked apologetic at her offended face. 'You're very transparent Eileen, everything you think shows on your face.'
This was news to Sirius and he studied her as she frowned at her brother. He couldn't see what Hector did, he found her incredibly unreadable.
'I'm meeting Dumbledore tomorrow anyway. I'll bring it up with him and see what he suggests.' Said Hector, more to himself than to them. 'You two should get back to the castle, before your absence is noticed.' He said finally, pulling his hood back up.
'Where are you staying?'
'At the Hogs Head. I'm friendly with the barman there.' Said Hector absently.
Hector bent and picked up James's cloak. 'Where did you get this?'
Sirius stalked over and plucked it out of Hector's hands. 'It belongs to a friend of mine.' He said and they stared at each other until Eileen placed a hand on Sirius's arm and he felt his stomach jump unpleasantly.
He peeled his eyes off Hector's blue ones and locked Eileen's moss-green ones. There was a curiosity there that seemed to be asking him something but he couldn't figure out the question. She tightened her grip on his arm.
'Come on Sirius. Hector when will I see you again?' She ran her hand down Sirius's arm and connected with his fingers, entwining hers in his.
Sirius was temporarily unable to speak but heard Hector say something about December and then Eileen was in his field of vision. 'Sirius lets go.'
When she let go of his hand, they were at the edge of the woods again. His mind cleared and he shook his head, feeling dismayed. Without saying anything he transformed into Padfoot and watched as Eileen swung the cloak over herself once again.
They walked side by side down the street until they reached the alley where they had started. Sirius shifted back as Eileen pulled the cloak off and handed it to him. He felt some current of unspoken words moving between them and shifted uneasily.
'Thank you Black, Sirius. For today.' She said coming to stand beside him.
'You're welcome.' He said and pulled her towards him a little too eagerly and wrapped the cloak over them.
They headed back towards Honey dukes silently, neither of them speaking. Sirius could feel every brush of her arm against his and it sent a thrill through him that he had given up trying to fight. They slipped silently past the store owners and down into the cellar.
Sirius bent quickly and lifted the door to the passage. He took Eileen by the hands and helped her lower herself into the tunnel. Sirius passed the cloak down to her and slid in after her, pulling the cover back over them silently.
Eileen laughed a small, husky laugh and he could feel her breath against his neck in the crowded tunnel. 'I'm impressed Black. Which isn't something that happens often and it's most unexpected from you.'
Sirius started up the tunnel. 'I should be offended by that.'
'Are you?'
'Surprisingly no. From you it sounds something like a compliment.' He said, earning a laugh from her.
The continued in silence until they reached the end of the tunnel. 'Well here we are. I'll just check -,' he broke off as she placed a hand on his arm again.
She looked slightly embarrassed but also happy. 'Black, I really meant it when I said thank you. I hope we can be friends.' It was a question.
'I don't think you're going to give me a choice.' Said Sirius, wanting to laugh.
She grinned up at him, and Sirius was pleased to see that small crinkle in her nose. He could still feel her fingers burning against his skin, and he wondered suddenly what her skin would feel like under his fingers. The thought was distracting.
'Sirius...' she said his name and it sounded that much smoother coming from her lips. He forced his attention back with regret.
'I'll see you in potions tomorrow.'
'Right. Yes.' He said and collecting his traitorous thoughts he tapped open the tunnel cover and glanced out briefly. 'It's clear.'
She climbed up and out, straightening up as Sirius closed the statue. He swung the cloak back over him.
'You shouldn't have much trouble getting back, being a Prefect.' He said, grinning on the last word and the fact that she had acted very un-prefect like tonight.
She caught his jibe and giving the spot to his right her signature smile, turned and left.
Sirius had been thoroughly interrogated by James, Remus, Lily and Peter on his return to the common room that night and after telling them the story twice over he felt tired but comfortable. James and Peter had both looked slightly jealous of his adventure and Remus and Lily had both given him a look that he was growing tired of seeing. They had gone to bed that night late and Sirius found himself staring up from his four-poster bed, contemplating Eileen Grey and less favourable, Hector Grey.
He was still slightly astounded with himself for not noticing this intoxicating girl sooner, and because he had finally beaten his brain into recognizing that she was indeed forcing herself continuously into his mind, he could admit this to himself.
He couldn't help but scrutinize everything she had ever said to him because it was frankly so out of character. The Slytherin's loathed Gryffindor, especially himself and James, and that was putting it lightly. He was also struck and dismayed by her choice of friends in Snivellus and Mulciber, not to mention Regulus. He frowned to himself as he thought this. He just couldn't place her current actions in with a group of people who were so eager and obviously determined to become Death Eaters the moment they stepped out of Hogwarts. He considered Hector Grey and his confusion was just growing. He had instantly disliked the man but had to grudgingly admit that he had balls for running off and marring a muggle with parents like his. Maybe this was the key to why Eileen was the way she was. That's what she had said after all, that her brother meant more to her than the parents who aimed only to please a man who detested muggles and muggle-borns alike. Perhaps there was more to Hector Grey than he thought.
It was with these thoughts that sleep finally took him and he dreamt of a burning house, a group of people dressed from head to toe in black, laughing as the building sparked and crumbled under the heat.
'Sirius I swear, just because you finished your last exam today does not mean the rest of us have!' said Lily, stomping over to him and smacking him with a rather large textbook.
'Ouch!' he cried, rubbing his head in indignation. He had transfigured her quills behind her back for the last five minutes until she had figured out it was him.
Remus looked at him from behind a book without a trace of sympathy. 'Why don't you go find Prongs Padfoot?' he suggested, looking back down at his book.
He and Lily had one more exam to take this afternoon and James was down discussing next year's Quidditch captain with McGonagall. Peter had been sent to fetch them some cakes and sandwiches from the great hall and Sirius was left, bored but happy with Remus and Lily.
'Great idea Moony,' said Lily who had changed her quill back into a quill. 'Padfoot go find James, shouldn't you two be up to something reckless and dangerous?'
Sirius grinned at her. 'I understand why James loves you red.'
She rolled her eyes at him but looked pleased nonetheless.
'Too bad none of us understands why he loves you.' Said Remus jokingly, making Sirius pout.
At that moment the portrait hole swung open and Peter clamoured in, laden with cakes and sandwiches. Remus and Lily greeted him gratefully and jumped up to attack the scavenged food.
'Um, Sirius?' Peter was looking anxious and shifted his weight back and forth.
'What's up Pete?' he said shoving a mouth full of sandwich into his mouth.
'EileenGreyislookingforyousaidshe'dhexmeifIdidn'ttellyou.' He said, all in one breath and so quickly that even Lily and Remus turned to look at him.
Sirius had picked up on 'Eileen Grey' and 'hex me' and quickly swallowed his sandwich. 'Where exactly is she?'
Peter seemed to let out some held in air, 'Down the corridor behind that tapestry of the goat.'
Lily rushed to put an arm around Peter and Remus had started to say something but Sirius had pulled open the portrait hole and was out into the hall leaving them open-mouthed back in the common room.
Sirius stalked up the corridor and pulled back the tapestry and stepped behind it to find Eileen twirling her wand between her fingers and looking bored. She smiled up at him as he came through but the smile slid off her face as she took him in.
'You threatened to hex Peter? He accused, enjoying the guilty look on her face.
She set her shoulders firmly, scowling back at him. 'I was joking.'
Sirius narrowed his eyes at her. 'What did you call me out here for?'
'Have you always been this moody?' she asked, and she seemed to be enjoying some personal joke.
He chose not to respond to her question, 'Have you always been so damn arrogant? You expect me to keep jumping every time you ask?' Sirius let out a bitter bark of laughter.
She looked slightly hurt now but snapped back at him. 'Look who's talking Sirius Black! Your friend Potter might have deflated his head but yours is still abnormally large.'
The stood, eyes locked and sparks flying between them. He vaguely thought that it was curious that she had noticed James's new-found maturity and was momentarily and unexpectedly jealous. The thought deflated his anger some and he sighed.
'You want to be friends but you obviously have a terrible concept of what that means.' She raised her brows at him but he continued. 'I suppose I shouldn't blame you seeing the people you currently consider friends.'
'Back to this again is it?' she asked, throwing her hands in the air.
Sirius was stopped from responding as James walked around the corner next to Professor Dumbledore. Eileen blanched and Sirius felt suddenly and awkwardly exposed.
James and Dumbledore stopped and looked at them and Sirius and Eileen stared back. James was looking both surprised and amused and Dumbledore was simply considering them.
'Miss Grey, Mr. Black. Myself and Mr. Potter were having a discussion regarding his plans after graduation. We were heading towards my office, perhaps you should wish to join us?' said Dumbledore pleasantly but with an air that made it obvious it wasn't a request they should refuse.
James gave Dumbledore a sharp look but shrugged slightly at Sirius who returned the confused shrug to James. Eileen was looking increasingly flustered as they agreed and followed Dumbledore back to his office.
Sirius was pleased to see her looking both confused and out-of-place as they took seats in front of Dumbledore's desk.
Dumbledore sat himself behind his desk after pushing a silver basin back into a cupboard. He surveyed them all quietly over his half-moon glasses and smiled at them.
Eileen had sat down on Sirius's left and James on his right and Dumbledore suddenly focused his gaze on Sirius.
'Mr. Potter has given me the impression that you would both be more than interested in lending your abilities to the cause against Lord Voldemort.' Said Dumbledore simply.
'Yes. That's true.' Said Sirius, aware of Eileen watching him.
'You are both talented young men. You are both of age now and I have no doubts that you have passed all your NEWTS with Outstanding results.'
Sirius and James couldn't help themselves and grinned at the headmaster.
'Mr. Potter has expressed his desire to me to become an Auror after school, should I think that this is also your desire Mr. Black?' he asked, and for a moment Sirius wondered what lead James into this conversation with their headmaster.
'Yes Professor.'
'Well if I may say so I think you would both do exceptionally well in that field of work. But I must express that it is not an easy line of work and it is both dangerous and consuming. Especially in these increasingly dark times.' A small frown crossed Dumbledore's face.
'What about Miss Evans, Mr. Lupin and Mr. Pettigrew? Do they seek to become Auror?'
James and Sirius looked at each other before James spoke to answer. 'I'm not sure Professor, Remus has talked about teaching,' Dumbledore smiled genuinely at this but let James continue. 'Lily hasn't made up her mind, I think she's keeping her options open and Peter is doing the same.'
'Miss Evans is a very clever young woman no doubt.' Said Dumbledore.
James smiled in that way that was reserved for when Lily was brought up, and Sirius smirked.
Dumbledore turned his gaze on Eileen and she seemed to sit a little straighter in her chair.
'I would like to present you three, as well as Miss Evans, Mr. Pettigrew, and Mr. Lupin, with something that I would like you to consider.' He gazed at them and Sirius looked to his left at Eileen.
'I am under the impression that you are aware of the resistance known as the Order of the Phoenix.' Said Dumbledore, looking knowing at them.
Sirius, James and Eileen nodded.
'You may have some indication of the current happenings of the war but I must press upon you that the world is much bigger, darker and more dangerous out there than what you are currently picturing. I do not ask this lightly but I ask it with the certainty that you can handle the knowledge and that you will each take the utmost care and caution in the proceeding weeks, months and years as I am intrusting you into something that is essential to defeating Lord Voldemort and his followers.' Dumbledore turned his gaze on each of them in turn and Sirius felt his eyes linger slightly longer on Eileen.
Sirius felt somehow that he had aged a few years while under Dumbledore's gaze and exchanging a look with James he knew James felt the same.
'You want me to join the Order of the Phoenix?' asked Eileen suddenly, bringing Sirius out of his own thoughts.
'That is what I am asking, yes Miss Grey.'
'Why?' she asked, and Sirius felt that somehow he knew what Dumbledore was going to say.
'Why Miss Grey?' he smiled at her and his blue eyes twinkled over to James and Sirius. 'Because of who is sitting next to you.'
Author's note: Please leave a review and thank you for reading! Hope you're enjoying this as much as I enjoy writing it.