Chapter 15

"Marlene, if you touch my hair again I'm going to slice your hand off!" I said and touched my now- straightened hair, wincing. Marlene had decided that it would be 'fun' if I dressed up a little bit. I agreed, because why not? But after getting your hair pulled in every direction and teased and whatever else she was doing. The fun part didn't look so fun anymore.

She bit her lip to stop herself from laughing, "I'm sorry but you look so pretty now! Do you want me to put some makeup on you?" Marlene said, looking proud.

I shrugged, "No, it's okay. I do have to congratulate you for taming my curls, though. Not many can accomplish such a thing - including my mother." I said and looked in the mirror, my hair was perfectly straight and despite how neat it looked I really missed my signature curly hair. But I wasn't going to wash my hair now - not after the torture I had just experienced.

Marlene gave a little curtsy, "Thank you, thank you. It was a challenge. But, enough of that. Let's go down! I could really use a butterbeer or two." Marlene said and pulled me out of the room.

When we got down the stairs the first thing we noticed was how incredibly full the common room was. There were even students from the other houses - even a couple of Slytherins. I could vaguely see the boys laughing with a group of people.

"Wow, who are these people?" Marlene asked, raising her brow at a group of third years who were drinking firewhiskey.

I shrugged, "Who knows? I'm going to go and sit with the boys - do you wanna come?" I asked.

She shook her head, smiling "No, but thanks. I'm going to go find Lily and Mary but I'll catch up with you later." She grinned and then disappeared into the crowd.

I made my way to the group of boys who sat at the couch surrounded by many people, apparently James was telling an interesting story because everyone was hanging on to his every word it reminded me of when you I was a child and my mum would tell a story.

"Then, Peter and I found a chocolate frog on the floor and then Peter decided to take a bite- except it wasn't a chocolate frog! It was someone's frog covered in mud!" James said, making the whole crowd burst into laughter- including me.

Frank Longbottom winced, "Poor sod, is he here tonight?" He asked, looking around the room to see if he was there.

James pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, "Nah, he's in the infirmary now - sent him a couple of chocolate frogs to make him feel better, but I don't think he'll be eating those." He laughed and then his hazel eyes caught mine, "Hey, it's the birthday girl! Winnie come here!" he said, sounding a bit tipsy.

Everyone turned around and cheered and I laughed awkwardly and moved towards him, "Hey everybody," I said once I reached him. James grabbed two glasses from somewhere and then proceeded to pour a drink and then offer me one. I smiled and took the two glasses from him, "Oh no, I think you've had enough to drink. Excuse me," I said taking the drinks and walking away, shoving past a bunch of people.

Drunk James was my least favourite James. Why? Because his intoxication had stages. At first, he was loud, annoying and way too boisterous. Then, he became emotional and would spill his guts to anyone who listened. Which was hilarious but extremely humiliating when he woke up the next day wondering how everyone knew about his favourite duck boxers. Then, when he got way too drunk. He got reckless. It was like he wanted to build a spaceship and discover a new planet while simultaneously wanting to jump off a cliff. It wouldn't bother me if I was drunk but unlike my friends I hated alcohol, meaning that I was the person in charge of making sure no one would embarrass themselves.

"What?! Is that a drink in Winnie Powers's hand?! Could it be?! Somebody alert the media!" A sarcastic voice said from behind me, Sirius.

A smile made its way onto my lips and I turned around, "Oh yes please do! I'm sure it'll make the front page." I remarked.

His grin matched mine, "No - but honestly. Are you drinking? I thought you were against anything that 'stopped your brain from functioning properly' or something." He said, running a hand through his hair.

I shook my head and poured the drinks into a nearby plant, "Of course not! A man is only as good as his word and I'm a woman so my word is ten times better than a mans! This is James's, I took it before he could go all drunk James on me. What about you? you're supposed to be wasted." I said, nudging him slightly.

He shrugged like he didn't care, "I'm not feeling it. Besides, I don't want to be drunk on your birthday."

I smiled softly and turned my gaze to Remus who was drinking his third glass of firewhiskley "Remus is." You might not believe this but Remus drank. Especially when he had finished 'wolfing out'. I didn't approve but I understood, I would want to forget too.

He stuck his fingers into his pocket and shifted his weight from one foot to another, "Yeah, well if you haven't noticed I'm not Remus..Or James. Or Peter."

My eyes widened and I gaped, making him look at me strangely. "What?! No! Are you kidding? I thought you and James were the same person. What a shock. I think I need to sit down." I said, tilting my head to the side to emphasis my sarcasm.

He rolled his eyes playfully, "Yeah, okay-" Before he could continue a girl's voice called out Sirius's name making him turn and forget what he was going to say to me. "Sorry, Winnie. That's Darla, I have to go." he said, sighing.

Darla? Who was Darla? I scrunched up my eyebrows, "I thought you were dating Genevive?" I questioned.

He looked almost as confused as me, "Who- Oh Darla! No, no. She was nice but way too dramatic. I met Genevive a week ago. Great snogger, terrible personality." he said, shuddering.

I raised my eyebrows looking impressed, "Since when do you care about personality, Sirius Black?" I asked, grinning widely.

He laughed, "Since I realised that there's more to girls than looking pretty and dressing nice."

"Finally a man who gets it!" I high fived him, "Stay awesome you beautiful sea urchin." I said, winking at him.

His face contorted with a variety of emotions, "Did you just call me a beautiful sea urchin?" He said, looking amused yet bemused at the exact same time. "You know what, Darla can wait. I need to understand this."

I chortled, "Yes, I did call you a beautiful sea urchin. Would you prefer to be called a beautiful sea hedgehog? They go by a variety of names, you know. Like Uni."

He shook his head making his shaggy hair look messy, "For the first time in my life I have nothing to say to you. You have literally rendered me speechless, Winnie Powers."

I was going to retort but when I ran a hand through my hair and didn't accidentally tug on my curls, my attention turned to my hair. Oh right, it was straight now. Straight, smooth and silky. I hated it. I grabbed a piece of my hair and glared at it intently. Sirius noticed because he gave me a look that said that he was questioning my nonexistent sanity.

"Eh, you okay there Dot?" He asked, scanning my face.

"Have you seen my hair?" I asked, still staring at my hair.

Recognition filled his senses and he nodded understandingly, "It was the first thing I noticed. I must say it's different. Not bad, but I prefer your curly hair."

I smiled, "Me too! Marlene thought it was a good idea and so did I at first but now I kind of miss the curls. It made me different in a way- now I'm like every other girl here."

He chuckled, "Winnie, as the guy who has snogged almost every girl here I can assure you that your hair isn't the only thing that makes you unique. You're not the only girl with curly hair here. It's you who's different. Not your hair. You could look like every girl here but you'll never be like them. You're not like anyone I've ever met before. You stick out like a sore thumb, Winnie. In the best way possible." He said, smiling.

I gulped, trying to stop my heart from beating so fast. In that moment I felt like running away and hiding under the covers. I didn't know what to say, it was like my mouth couldn't form sentences - I was so confused. There was something about the way he was saying things that made me want to cry. I didn't know how to act or how to do anything. It was like I was frozen. Was he being nice or was he being flirty? I couldn't tell so I decided to do what I usually did- I decided to play it cool.

I put on a grin, "Thanks a lot, Sirius. I guess I am pretty damn unique and amazing."

His face lost all sign of amusement, "Listen Winnie-" Before he was able to continue Darla Briggs made her way over to us, looking angry and drunk. Never a good sign.

"What the hell, Sirius? You said you were coming to meet me." Darla said, swaying slightly as she approached us. I eyed the drink in her hand.

He scrunched his eyebrows in confusion, "I never said that, Darla and I was coming, I was just talking to my friend here. " He said, pointing at me.

It was like I could breathe again. So he was being nice! I was just his friend, Thank Godric for that. I was overreacting once more and now I was reassured of our relationship. I couldn't help but feel a little bit sad though. Only a bit.

Darla turned to me and narrowed her eyes, "Are you trying to steal my man?" She swayed, making the drink spill slightly. "If you are, you better tell me right now."

I gave her the most deadpan expression I could possibly muster, "Oh yes. You got me. I was trying to steal Sirius from you so we could run away together and start a family. It's not like we have been friends for - oh I don't know. Six years." I said sarcastically.

Darla's eyes widened, "You bitch!" She screeched, dropping the drink and coming right at me. Luckily, I was taller than her as well as stronger due to Quidditch so I grabbed her arms before she could hit me.

In one swift motion, Sirius swept her off her feet (literally) and sat her down in a nearby chair. He turned and gave me an apologetic look which I shrugged off immediately.

I turned my attention onto Darla, "Now that wasn't very nice Darla," I hissed at her, "Just because you're insecure doesn't mean you have to take it out on me."

Darla stuck her bottom lip out and pouted, "How did you know I was insecure?" She mumbled to herself.

I rolled my eyes, "Lucky guess." I turned to Sirius, "Break up with her, would you?" I said, annoyedly.

Sirius raised a brow at me, "When she's drunk? I have more dignity than that." he said, huffing slightly. I gave him a pointed look and he sighed, giving in. He sat down on the chair next to Darla and turned on his 'Sirius mode' as I liked to call it. It was when Sirius would talk to girls and he would be able to get them to do anything, it was like hypnotism.

He sat down on the chair next to her, "Darla, listen darling. I have to be honest with you." I tried to stifle my laughter as I waited him to start his speech.

Darla looked at him, almost dazedly, "Do you want to be with me forever and ever?" she said in a dreamy voice.

He gave her a tight-lipped smile and shook his head almost sadly, "No, love. Quite the opposite. You are a beautiful, smart and exceptional woman but you're not the one for me. We had fun together but it has come to an end. You were lovely and I'm sure you're going to find the one for you - but it's not me. I'm sorry."

Darla furrowed her brows, "But - but we're perfect together. You said so yourself!" She said looking outraged.

I gave Sirius a stern look, "He did, didn't he? Oh, isn't that just swell." I said, sarcasm rolling off my tongue.

Darla glared at me, "What do you have to do with anything? Wait- don't tell me. Are you his one?" she said, looking like a sad puppy.

My face contorted in confusion, "Am I his one? His one what?" My eyes met with Sirius who was mouthing 'go with it' so I nodded, "Uh yes! yes, I'm sorry but I am his - eh..one."

Darla nodded and stood up, "I knew it. You're the one for him. " What?! I turned to Sirius who shrugged, "I should've guessed! I'm nothing compared to you." Darla said breaking my heart.

I shook my head, "No - Darla, you're beautiful and amazing. It's not you - it's him! Really. You are going to find someone. Like Anthony Hergold. I heard he's single!" I said, throwing the name of the first single guy I knew to her. Like throwing a bone to a hungry dog.

Darla grinned, "Yeah? you think so? He is kind of cute." I nodded, encouragingly. "Okay, I'll go talk to him!" Darla said and disappeared into the crowd.

I then turned to Sirius, "What the hell was that? Now she's going to tell everyone that I'm your one!" I said laughing.

He grinned, "Yeah, 'cause that makes perfect sense."

"You should've seen you - you were smooth like butter." I said, nudging him. "Oh Darla you're a smart and exceptional woman! I can't believe she bought your crap."

He looked almost proud, "I know, I'm so good I can flirt with girls without them even realising it."

He sniggered, "You should've seen your face when she told you that you were my one- your face looked like a mix between confused and panicked. It was absolutely hilarious." He then exploded into laughter, which made me laugh. It was so weird, tonight had been so weird and it was hilarious.

"I was so confused! I thought she was talking about math for a second there." I said laughing.

Sirius leaned towards me, "You know she means that we should be dating right?" He said flirtatiously. Now, I knew he wasn't being nice. He was being Sirius. I decided to give him a taste of his own medicine. It was my birthday!

I nodded, leaning towards him. "Yep, you know. I think she's right. We should be dating." I said flirtatiously.

His eyebrows shot up, "You - what?" he asked, confused.

I raised my eyebrows 'seductively' I think, "Mhm, just picture it. Winnie and Sirius, us against the world. We could be the dream team, the money-makers. The hotshots. What do you say, handsome?" I smirked, staring into his grey eyes.

His eyes left mine and he seemed to be almost thinking about it but then he clenched his jaw, "You're kidding, right birthday girl?" he said, meeting my gaze with a small smile.

I laughed and nodded, "Yeah but you believed me, I guess I'm smooth as butter too." I said brushing off the nonexistent lint from my shoulder.

"You're not and I didn't believe anything." he laughed, draping an arm around my shoulder, "But you know what? I accept. Let's be the dream team, the hotshots and whatever the other thing was."

"The money makers." I grinned, "You sure you're up for this, Sirius Black? I don't mess around here. I go hard or I go home." I didn't exactly know what the dream team was but it sounded like a lot of fun.

Sirius rolled his eyes, "Yeah, I think I'm up for it. I don't know what it is, exactly but hey - why not? Life is short."

I beamed, "Great! First thing's first you have to make out with Peter to join the dream team."

He snorted "Yeah, I don't think so, Powers." he laughed. "Happy birthday you idiot." he said, with a small smile playing on his lips.

In that exact moment a crash was heard.

To all those who reviewed!

EG: Thank you for your continued support for this story, your reviews honestly make my day.

Gyugeegee: Thank you for liking my story! I'm considering it greatly.

hellogoodbye2: Thank you so much and I'll definitely keep writing, it's one of my favourite hobbies.

Guest: Aw, thank you! I work really hard and it's nice to know someone appreciates it and I know what you mean. Winnie is so darn shippable.

Guest 2: Thanks for the support!