Disclaimer: I don't own the Marauders, but I sure wouldn't mind if I did. ;P They belong to J.K. Rowling. I do, however, own Leah Matthews and the other OCs. Don't steal, please!
Girl of His Dreams
Chapter Six: Letter Home
Leah woke on Halloween morning with another deep sense of foreboding. It wasn't because of the sun, cheerfully shining directly against her eyelids, nor was it because of Lily's loud voice, calling her into the realm of consciousness. She rolled over, dragging her silky pillow over her head, and Lily giggled.
"Good morning, Leah! Up, up, up!" Her voice was bubbly... too bubbly. It made Leah want to stab something. She dragged herself out of bed just to stop the murderous thoughts, and glared at the too-happy witch.
"Don't you have something better to do than wake peacefully-sleeping friends? Like... study, or read a book or something?"
"Sorry, but Sirius and Remus are going to Hogsmeade later, and they wouldn't leave me alone until I agreed to come up and ask if you'd go with them." Leah grumbled, and Lily put her hands on her hips. "Is that a yes, or a no? I'm not fluent in 'obviously-not-a-morning-person' yet."
Leah couldn't help a small smile. She really was a morning person, usually. The dream she'd had last night had been something else. It made her anxious, and that put her in a bad mood. She nodded.
"Yeah, I'll go. I'm just going to shower first." Hanging out with Sirius and Remus will probably cheer me up, anyway, she thought to herself, as Lily pranced from the room. She dug through her trunk for her bathing supplies, and her eyes fell upon a single framed photo. Unlike most of the photographs in the wizarding world, this one didn't move. It was a picture of two girls, laughing, with their arms around each others shoulders. One had wavy blonde hair, with bright blue eyes that showed obvious exhaustion, and the other was shorter, which curly brown hair and green eyes that shone brightly despite the frailty hidden within them.
"Let's take a picture together!" Heather, just 14 years of age, raised the small muggle camera toward her best friend, Leah, who sat at a desk and was immersed in a rather thick book. Leah had never been one to study, but this wasn't exactly school-related. Heather sighed. "Are you reading more books on werewolves?"
"Mhmm," she replied distractedly. "I've aced every Potions class I've ever had, Heather. It's my strong point. Maybe there's some elixir somewhere that can make your transformations easier."
"Leah..." Heather smiled sadly, but didn't finish her thoughts. "Let's take a picture! Come on, get out of that chair, you've been studying for days without sleep!"
"A picture?" Leah eyed the camera skeptically. "What for? It's not like we're going anywhere."
"Something to remember me by, in case... you know." She brushed a strand of her curly brown hair behind her ear and fiddled with the camera as Leah laughed.
"In case what? Don't be ridiculous, Heather, I'm not going to let anything happen to you. Besides, your parents have already finished the basement so that you can stay home when you transform. It's going to be a lot safer that way." Leah shut the book. "Once I'm out of school, we'll get out of this country. We'll travel the world, where werewolves aren't treated the way they are here."
"Well then, let's just take one picture," Heather said, smiling at her best friend's bravado. Her green eyes flashed with hope, and Leah was glad to see the spark back in her eye. "Come on!"
"Alright, alright." The blonde girl stood, wrapping her arms around her adopted sister. "I probably look like hell, after three days of no sleep."
"You look like me," Heather retorted, as if it were an insult. "We'll actually look like sisters in this picture!"
"We do," Leah agreed, running her fingertips along the dusty frame. She blew it clean and set it up on her nightstand, where it should have been months ago. Her dream had been frightening, but she wasn't about to give up. "I remember why I'm here now, Heather."
When she had first found out Remus was a werewolf, he'd told her all about Sirius, James, and Peter, and how they'd all become Animagi in order to help him through his transformations. It was a brilliant idea, and she wondered why she hadn't thought of it herself.
Sirius- the dog. The animal suited him well, with a playful disposition that could quickly become ferocious if threatened.
James- the stag, which was just as proud and majestic as James tended to be.
Finally, Peter- the rat. There really wasn't much more to that description. He was shy, twitchy, and had buck-teeth, but Leah hadn't seen him around often enough to really know him. Sirius said Peter had become more distant this year, but was still one of the Marauders.
Their nicknames made much more sense, now that she thought about it. Moony? How obvious was that? Leah shook herself out of her thoughts, and with an inaudible sigh, headed into the shower; hopefully the hot water would take the edge off.
When she walked down the stairs a half -hour later, Sirius was the first to greet her. He took his eyes off of his game of Exploding Snap with Remus and grinned over at her.
"Ah, my beautiful, beautiful flower has awoken! Did you sleep well?"
"Of course," Leah said, failing at an attempt to smile. "How about you two?"
"We slept fine..." Sirius glanced at Remus, who shrugged, and Leah tried again to smile. It was obviously not working, because Sirius' face fell into a look of concern.
"Oi. Are you…?"
"Fine," she interrupted with false cheeriness. "When were you planning on heading to Hogsmeade?"
"Oh, right!" Sirius scratched his head. "Probably around eight or nine tonight," he said. "The party here starts at midnight, so that gives us a couple hours to show you around and all."
"Sounds great!" She ran a shaking hand over her vest, smoothing imaginary wrinkles in her clothes as she shifted her bag more comfortably on her shoulder. "I'm going to go to the library, I have an essay to write."
"The library?" Sirius made a face. "Have fun."
"You know," Leah said, mock hurt on her face. "I could be getting murdered in the library and you wouldn't know because you never go near it."
"That's not fair…" Sirius gave her his most charming puppy dog pout, which she was sure he had perfected while in his dog form. Remus stood, collecting his books.
"Don't worry, Sirius, I'll protect her." He smiled at Leah. "If you're okay with it, that is."
"Of course," she said. "The more the merrier!" As they opened the portrait, she smiled back Sirius. "Last chance!"
"I think I'll pass," he laughed, winking at her. "I'd just distract you, anyway."
"As if," Leah retorted loudly, rolling her eyes. As soon as they were in the corridor, Remus' smile faded, and Leah hurried to redirect his thoughts from his obvious desire to ask what had upset her. "I'm going to write a letter to Heather," she said, a soft smile on her lips. "Will the owls make it all the way to America?"
"Of course," he answered. "Why has it taken you so long to write to her?"
"…I was afraid to," Leah said after a minute. "I haven't done anything since I got here…I feel like I ran away."
"I'm sure she doesn't feel that way, at all. I think she's glad that you're not in danger anymore."
"That sounds like her," Leah said, sighing. "I'm so worried, Remus."
"I know." Nothing more was said until they reached the library, and while Leah scratched out a long letter to her best friend, Remus was content with merely giving her his company, his nose buried in a book on the Salem witch trials.
Dear Heather, she wrote,
How are you? Sorry it's been so long since I've talked to you. Life is a little hectic here. My first day was a blast, and I made some new friends who are just like me! Can you believe it? I told you I wasn't the only one.
First, there's Remus... At this, Leah looked up at Remus.
First, there's Remus. He's like you, with the same "condition" and everything, you know? I must attract you people. Would you call that animal magnetism? Anyway, Remus is a great guy, Heather, you'd love him. Literally. I bet you'd make the perfect couple.
Sirius is the first person I met here at Hogwarts. He saved my life at the train station. I was lost, and he showed me where to go. He's really handsome and funny- the type that causes a bunch of trouble, I suppose, but he's brilliant. Sometimes, anyway. I guess it's the tattoos that get me. I'm not sure what it is, but he's just…so likeable!
James and Lily are the classic example of a love-hate relationship. James is a bully and a showoff, and Lily's the smart, pretty girl who thinks he's a complete moron, and somehow they fell in love. Even if they won't admit it yet. She'd hit me if I said that, though. Did you know the 'red-headed temper' wasn't a stereotype at all? It's very, very real.
This school is amazing, Heather, I wish you were here with me. It's a castle, an actual, full-scale castle! Secret passage ways, dungeons, and ghosts included. It really is awesome. If you were here, you know what would happen, right? I'd drag you around in the dark and you'd scold me for getting us in trouble and I'd tell you that you were worrying too much.
Speaking of worrying… I've been so worried about you, Heather. Are you well? Besides the obvious of course… Write me back and tell me what's been happening! I don't hear anything about Alaska in the British news.
Your best friend,
Leah Matthews
Leah sighed and reread her letter to make sure it was perfect. She hoped Heather would read it and see that she hadn't forgotten about her. It took a minute for the ink to dry, and then she rolled it carefully.
"I'll take this up to the Owl Room real quick…Be right back!"
"Alright." And she was off, jogging out of the library and up the eastern tower to where the owls were kept. She picked the strongest-looking owl she could find, though she had no idea how to tell, and slipped her scroll into it's canister.
"Alright, owl. Fly safe to Alaska, and take this to Heather Jenkins." She led him to the window and he shot out like a rocket, spreading his wings against the autumn wind as he took off towards the mountains. With anxiety in her heart, Leah made her way slowly back to Remus so they could walk each other to the common room. It was barely even noon, but he was already excited about the trip to Hogsmeade.
"Aren't I supposed to be the one who's dancing in anticipation?" She teased, watching him twitch. "You've been there a hundred times."
"Hogsmeade during Halloween is beautiful," Remus told Leah excitedly, grinning as they clambered into the portrait hole. "There are jack-o-lanterns everywhere, and they sing!"
"The pumpkins?"
"Yeah. They chant really spooky songs at night, to scare people." He handed her a large, foil-wrapped chocolate bar out of nowhere and smiled at her. "Here, have some chocolate, Leah. You, too, Sirius!" He tossed a bar to the boy who had been lounging in the loveseat, transfiguring anything he could point his wand at. Remus smiled as he caught it. "Happy Halloween."
"Thank you," Leah and Sirius said together. She slipped the candy into her mouth and smiled at the young werewolf. Seeing the usually calm, weary boy nearly skipping with excitement was infectious, and she could see Sirius grinning as well. Remus patted his pockets.
"Oops, I'm out of chocolate. I'll be right back, I have more upstairs!" He dashed up the steps to the boy's dormitories, and Leah chuckled as she sat next to Sirius. Sirius rolled his eyes.
"He has an entire drawer full of chocolate up there," Sirius muttered. "That's practically all he eats..."
"Don't tell him, but I'm not a huge fan of chocolate," Leah admitted. "I just don't have the heart to refuse him."
"My lips are sealed," he swore. "So, what's bothering you?"
"Hm?" She bit off another piece of her chocolate bar. "What do you mean? I'm fine."
"Don't give me that," he said, frowning. "Lily said you were acting strange this morning."
"I'm just a little homesick," she protested half-heartedly. Sirius said nothing more, not wanting to upset her, but he did wrap an arm around her shoulders, and Leah deeply appreciated the small act of comfort. Remus came back to them then, his arms full of chocolate bars, both half-eaten and untouched. He stopped at the sight of them, and Sirius cleared his throat, removing his arm from Leah's body.
"Did I interrupt something, you lovebirds, you?"
"No, nothing," Leah exclaimed, blushing as Sirius shook his head.
"Uh-huh... Why do I not believe you?" Remus laughed. "Leah and Sirius, sitting in a tree! K-I-S-S-"
"Oh, that's mature," Leah grumbled, her cheeks darkening in color.
"Yeah, and he's always scolding me for being childish," Sirius agreed.
"FIRST COMES LOVE," a new voice bellowed from the portrait hole. Leah and Sirius turned to see James striding in, Lily right behind him. They were both laughing. Lily winked at Leah.
"Then comes marriage," she chirped. Leah groaned.
"Not you, too, Lily!"
"Sorry, Leah, but you two are so cute together!"
"Oh, like you and James?" Lily's jaw dropped, her cheeks as red as her hair. Leah laughed. "Oh, how the tables have turned! What were you two off doing, anyway? Kissing in a broom closet somewhere?"
"Yeah, right!" Lily exclaimed, her arms folded over her chest. "Who'd want to kiss this buffoon!"
"Harsh," Leah whispered to Sirius, as yet another argument broke out between James and Lily.
"Who're you calling a buffoon?"
"I agree," Sirius muttered back. "He's not that bad-looking."
Leah gave him a sidelong glance. "Well, why don't you go kiss him then?"
"Oi, maybe I will," he teased, grinning. He moved as if to jump over the back of the couch, but Leah pulled him back down, laughing loudly.
"No, no," she cried, as laughter split her sides. "I was just kidding!"
"Were you jealous? Here, I'll kiss you instead," he offered, taking one of her hands in both of his. Leah's heart stopped momentarily as he puckered his lips and leaned forward, and like slow-motion movies, she watched his face get closer, and closer... It's just a game. She stopped smiling abruptly and shoved his face away.
"I don't think so."
"Rejected," James snickered. "I think that's the first time I've seen you flat-out refused, Padfoot."
"It won't be the last," Lily snorted knowingly.
Leah saw the disappointment in his eyes, even as he smiled and laughed with everyone. He gave her an understanding look, and Leah forced herself to look away from the meaning behind it.
It's not a game.
The hours passed slowly for the three Marauders, and for Leah and Lily. Noon became one, one became two, on and on until finally, the common room was full of bored Gryffindors, and the clock chimed nine times.
"Finally," Sirius sighed, slumping forward. "I'm about to fall asleep! Let's go already!"
"Yes, yes," Remus agreed, rising to his feet. "Let's!"
"Actually," James piped up, not looking up from his parchment, "I think I'm going to stay and help Lily decorate as soon as I'm done with this essay." Lily smiled at him- they had been happily working on their essays together, and it seemed like a sort of bonding.
"You're joking, right?" Sirius stared at him in disbelief. "You're going to do homework instead of getting ready to party?"
"Of course I'm joking," he replied, much to Lily's chagrin. "I'll do the essay later. Here-" He tossed Sirius a bundle of silvery cloth. "Have fun! Don't forget to go to Zonko's."
"Is that a-?" Leah gasped, reaching out hesitantly. "Is it really an Invisibility Cloak?"
"Yep." Sirius tossed it over himself. "Normally the three of us wouldn't fit underneath it at the same time, but since it's already dark out, it shouldn't be a problem."
"Awesome. Let's go!" Leah was now certain Remus' enthusiasm was contagious. She felt jittery- like a mix between being nervous and being really happy. Maybe it was because Sirius had just tried to kiss her.
Oh wait, she realized. That was hours ago. The scene had been playing over and over in her mind since it happened, but the way he was acting- as if nothing happened- made her wonder if she'd imagined the whole thing. She tried not to think about that particular event, for surely her face would look- as Sirius had once put it- like a tomato, and she'd get teased even more. With a cheerful wave to James and Lily, she followed Remus and Sirius into the dimly lit corridor.
"So..." Leah followed quietly as the boys led the way, obviously knowing which ways to go even in the dark. "I take it you've done this before."
"Only... every weekend for pretty much the past 4 years," Sirius joked. "Who wants to laze about the castle all day? Hogsmeade is so much more fun. Ah, here we are." Finally paying attention to where they were going, Leah realized they now stood before an ugly statue of a one-eyed witch. She looked around in confusion.
"Um..."
"Dissendium." Sirius tapped the witch with the tip of his wand and opened the hump on her back. "Check it out, Leah. It's a hidden path out of the castle!"
She peered down into it, but could see only darkness. "How exactly...?"
"WOOOOooooooo..!" Sirius' voice became quieter and quieter as he launched himself down what appeared to be a chute made of stone. Remus sighed.
"He'll be lucky if the people in Honeydukes don't hear his shouting... Well, off you go then," he said, as she reached in and felt around the smooth stone. Her first step forward sent her heart flying up into her throat as she dropped into the chute. She didn't want to scream, but it was building up in her lungs. Before she could let it out, the tunnel ended suddenly, and strong arms swept her up. The air left her lungs in a whoosh.
"Good job," Sirius said, setting her back on her feet. "You didn't make a sound!"
"Incoming," Remus' voice echoed down the chute. They stepped to the side, and Leah chuckled breathlessly.
"That was fun! Can we do it again?"
"Maybe next time," Sirius laughed, slipping the Invisibility Cloak on. "We've got shopping to do!"
Remus and Leah waited impatiently for Sirius to give them the signal that the coast was clear, and when he did, they bolted up out of the cellar and into the store. Leah looked around at all the chocolates and other assorted candies, and then back to Remus who looked, literally, like a kid in a candy store. He circled every shelf twice before dropping his armful of candy onto the counter, and Leah laughed, picking out a few lollipops and other candies that Sirius said was a must-have.
"Chocolate frogs," he listed, throwing a few in her arms. "Bertie Bott's Every-Flavored Beans!"
When they left the store, she stuck one of her lollipops into her mouth. "Mmm, st'awbe'y," she said, unable to speak clearly around the candy. Sirius' eyes flashed.
"Hey, how did you know I loved strawberries?" Before Leah could protest, he snatched it from her hand and popped it into his mouth, lathering it in saliva before handing it back to her. "Er, I changed my mind, you can have it."
Leah shook it off lightly before sticking it back in her mouth. "Ew... Git."
"Look, they've lit the lanterns!" Remus exclaimed excitedly. The sky was dark and clear, with thousands and thousands of pricks of light, like glitter, scattered across the darkening velvet. There was a dull glow emanating from the small town of Hogsmeade.
"Amazing," she breathed, staring wide-eyed at the jack-o-lanterns that lined every road, all singing softly about the headless horseman and other spooky stories. The town was very active, although it was nearly ten at night, with people bustling about and talking merrily.
"It is," Remus agreed. "Let's go to Zonko's."
"Sure," Leah said, smiling softly. Both boys noticed that for some reason, the smile did not quite reach her eyes.
"Alright, the lady confirmed it." Sirius stepped forward, holding his arm out for Leah to take. She did, and smiled when Remus linked his arm to her left one so that they were all walking arm-in-arm. "To Zonko's!" Together, the three of them stopped in every shop and pub along the way, easily distracted from their target by window shopping. By the time they were finally finished, Leah ended up with an armful of assorted treats and new, fancy quills, while Sirius held an assortment of prank products.
"In any case, we should probably head back," Remus said, looking up at the rising moon.
Sirius glanced at his watch. "Blimey, it's already eleven!"
"James is going to get mad at us for being late if we don't hurry," Remus said.
"The prank products should help him cool down," Leah reminded him. "And I bought him a broom-shaped stick of taffy! Who could ever stay mad at a girl who buys you something as cool as that?" She turned to see that Remus had fallen behind slightly and paused to wait. "Oi, hurry, Remus! We're going to be late!" She laughed at the look on Sirius' face when she used his famous word. "Sorry, it just slipped out."
"Don't pick up on Sirius' habits," Remus begged, quickening his pace. "Please don't…anyone but Sirius…"
"What's that supposed to mean?" He smirked sexily at Leah. "I think it's cute."
Leah blushed and strode ahead of them in embarrassment. Sirius and Remus jogged to catch up, and soon they were chasing each other across Hogsmeade and into the Shrieking Shack, where they continued their game of tag up the dozen sets of stairs and into various empty rooms. Up and out from under the Whomping Willow they went, running across the grounds towards the castle. The game ended once they entered the Gryffindor common room, where James was waiting with his foot tapping impatiently.
"Where were you?" James asked hotly, taking the jokes from Sirius without question. Leah had barely managed to hand James her apology gift of taffy before Lily had snatched her aside and questioned her about her trip.
"So are you and Sirius...?" She asked silently, her emerald eyes darting back and forth between her and the boy who was now pulling bottles of Firewhiskey out of his bag. Leah calmly stated that nothing had, or was going to happen, and that if Lily knew what was good for her, she should drop it.
Lily could take a hint. She immediately grabbed a bottle of Firewhiskey from a first year.
"I don't think so, mister!" As soon as she had her back turned, James handed him another bottle and winked.
"Drink up, mate."
"Hello, Sirius, Remus." Peter waved to them, and he turned his shy eyes to Leah. "Hello, Leah."
"Hi, Peter." Leah handed him a small white package. "I haven't seen you in awhile. Pumpkin pasty?"
"Thanks!" He snatched it away and took to nibbling it while he watched a game of Exploding Snap. Leah thought he looked rather like the rat she knew he could transform into. Once James got out the fireworks and magic tricks, the party really started. It wasn't until several hours, laughs, treats, and bottles of Firewhiskey later, that everyone finally staggered to their assorted beds.
"But Lils, I'm not even ssssleeeepy," James protested. He laughed at something only he found funny, and Lily rolled her eyes as she heaved him up the stairs.
"I liked you better when you were just an arrogant prat," she said, panting slightly. "I don't think I can handle a drunk and cocky James Potter."
"Aw," Sirius whined from his seat against Leah. "Don't pick on poor Jamesy! Don't worry, mate, I love you just the way you are! Glasses and all!"
"Heeey, what's wrong with my glasses?"
Lily sighed at him, exasperated. "Nothing, Potter. Black is just joking."
"Am not," the boy blurted from behind them. James began whining again and Lily shoved him unceremoniously onto the floor of the boys' dorm room, effectively shutting him up.
"There," she said, dusting her hands off. "Finally."
"I'll get Sirius," Remus assured Leah, who was looking down at her flirtatious and very, very drunk friend with a tired look in her eye. Remus put his wand away and rolled up his sleeves as she stood, helping Sirius to his feet. He stumbled and leaned on Leah for support.
"I thought you said you weren't drunk," Leah accused. Sirius chuckled.
"I lied," he drawled honestly, "but you can blame gravity if you want. It's pulling me dooown..." He sagged against her for emphasis, and she toppled over onto the couch with Sirius on top of her.
"Stop that," she said, trying not to laugh. "Remus! Take him away before he crushes me!"
"But I like it here," he murmured, and Leah could smell the Firewhiskey on his breath. Remus curled his arms under Sirius' armpits and heaved, barely managing to half-drag, half-carry the drunken boy up off of Leah and up the stairs. Leah shook her head fondly and began climbing the stairs to her own bed.
"Good night, Leah! Dream about me," Sirius called from his room. "Good dreams," he added. "Very good dreams... Sexy dreams!"
"Yeah, yeah... Good night, Sirius!" Leah couldn't help but laugh with Lily, who was giggling quietly at the top of the stairs. They heard a loud curse from Remus and a heavy thud, followed by James' boisterous laughter, and both the girls decided to go to bed before they were further witness to what could be murder.
A/N: Ta-dah! My longest chapter yet! 4500 words! (o.o) Things are about to get a little more serious. Or should I say… Sirius? (Love that pun...) Stay tuned, readers! Thanks for reading, and as always, please review!