Chapter 4

When Sirius snuck into Potions a half hour late, adjusting his tie casually as he slid into his seat, Olivia knew exactly where he had been.

Not that she cared, she assured herself. His reputation was obviously not something Lily exaggerated after all. She scribbled down a few notes and looked around lazily. James was staring at her, she noted. When she looked again she realized it wasn't her at all that he was eye shagging, Olivia grinned and looked to her right; it was Evans.

So he did have a crush on her. You couldn't mentally strip someone like that and only have a feral need for them, this was something entirely different. It almost looked like longing.

James realized Olivia had seen him looking and went quickly back to his notes, occasionally saying something to Sirius.

"He's looking at you." Olivia whispered to Lily.

She was scratching down notes as if her life depended on them. "Who?" She asked, not really paying attention.

"Potter."

"HA!" Lily barked. The entire class stopped to look at her.

"Is there something you'd like to share Miss Evans?" The Professor asked, clearly not pleased at the interruption.

Lily went scarlet and shook her head. She leaned into Olivia. "You have to be kidding me." She whispered frantically.

"You seem surprised; he's completely devouring you with those eyes." Olivia giggled softly.

Lily shook her head. "There is no way; he must be looking past me, or at you."

Olivia wrinkled her nose. "Not my type."

They were interrupted by a loud ringing, signaling the end of their class. Olivia gathered her books and headed for the door.

Lily watched her leave as she gathered her own things. She turned to head out when a crash behind her meant she knocked something over. She groaned and turned around to see James behind her, picking up a large book.

He smiled awkwardly. "I uh, think this is yours."

Lily took the book as he handed it to her slowly. "Thank you."

Blast his damn eyes, she thought mentally to herself. Keep breathing.

"Oy! James!" A call from the entrance made them both turn in surprise. "Quit flirting with Evans and let's get on with it." Sirius yelled at him.

James went red in the cheeks and scooted past her as quickly as he could manage. Lily slowly followed. This year was definitely not going as planned.

Olivia was poking at her lunch, thinking deeply. Her nature was to analyze every situation, identify the problem and solve it as quickly and effectively as possible. So why was her issue with Sirius so complex? She had always been a no-nonsense kind of girl. What she really needed right now was to dance. Olivia had a passion for it, ballet in particular. Dance had been the only solitude she could find when her world slowly began to fall apart around her. The peace she felt was incredible. Olivia frowned, she missed her classes.

"Why so glum Olivia?" A voice asked her curiously.

She looked up and saw one of the other boys in the Marauder group. He was awfully pale….

"Your name is Remus isn't it?" She asked.

He nodded. "I saw you were alone, I hope you don't mind."

She shrugged. Classes were already over for the day, so Olivia was lounging in the Great Hall more than anything. Her lunch had barely been touched.

"Are you feeling alright?" Remus asked. "Being homeschooled for so long and then coming here must have been a big change for you."

Olivia smiled. "A big relief, really. I've been waiting to come to Hogwarts since I was eleven. My mother is verging on insanity I'm afraid. A good teacher, but a little socially inept."

Remus smiled and nodded. "You mentioned that your mum got along with Sirius'. That I find interesting."

Olivia sighed. "Oh yes, they're the best of friends. Crazy attracts other crazies."

"I thought she only approved of a certain type." Remus said, carefully trying to be gentle about the subject. These days you could never tell who was offensive about talking blood lines.

Olivia's eyes darkened a little. "Yes, her prejudice could move mountains. Though I'm surprised they're still in touch after what my father did. Anyways, our blood line is as pure as gold." Olivia suddenly laughed. "I made a pun!"

Remus tilted his head slightly. "What happened to your father?"

Olivia pressed her lips together and tried to not snap her response. "He left." She said as coolly as possible.

"For a muggle?" Remus pressed.

Olivia's eyes began to gloss over; she held back her tears by staring up at the ceiling. "I wish he had." She whispered. Her head snapped back to level with Remus', collecting herself with her familiar defensive manner. "It's alright though, its better he's gone."

"I'm sorry if I've made you uncomfortable." He said sincerely. "Honestly I'm just curious, so if I ever push the line-"

Olivia put up her hand to stop him. "It's alright Remus, really." She smiled. "I like you, you're sweet. I don't understand how you met up with the likes of James and Sirius, but I see a certain softness in you that they could do well to learn from."

Remus blushed. "They're not all bad really; you just have to get to know them."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "I'm sure they really love 'getting to know' a lot of girls in the school." She shook her head. "The Sirius I knew is long gone. I'm just going to have to accept that."

"I heard my name, are we talking about me again?" Sirius said happily as he and James came up to the two. "I love talking about me."

They plopped down at the table next to Remus.

"If your ego is stroked any longer your head could be in danger of exploding." Olivia said to him with a bored sigh.

"Oh please, let's do keep talking about stroking and exploding." He said, leaning across the table. "I'd love to hear your views on the subject."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you would."

"Are you uncomfortable Olivia?" Sirius had a wicked gleam in his eye. He was teasing her, and she knew it. "Haven't you ever had a boyfriend? Maybe you like to call them victims instead?"

Olivia met his eyes coolly. "And what if I haven't?"

"I'd call you a liar." Sirius smiled. "The Olivia I know isn't a liar."

"I suppose it's a matter of opinion then." She countered evenly.

"Please, you're too gorgeous to have never been in a relationship." Sirius said automatically. He could not believe that had just come out of his mouth. Sirius wanted to swallow his fist the instant he saw that malicious twinkle in her eye.

Olivia slowly stood up, "I didn't say I've never been in a relationship before." She leaned into the table, knowing exactly what kind of view Sirius had from that angle. She pressed her lips closely to his ears so only he could hear. "I said I'd never had a boyfriend before." She whispered seductively. Olivia straightened herself and began to walk away.

Sirius frowned, "Wait a tick! What in bloody hell is that supposed to mean?"

Olivia turned and stared at him. "What do you think it means?"

"Are you telling me you play for the other team?" He asked, his eyes wide.

"Not strictly." She said with a devilish smile. Walking off, Sirius noted a definite bounce in her step.

Sirius slammed his forehead into the table. "This girl is going to bloody kill me." He moaned.

James stared at him. "You're going to have your work cut out for you." He said laughing.

"I need a cold shower mate. A really, really cold shower." Sirius groaned.