"This all looks lovely, Mrs. Potter," Remus says as James' mother finishes setting the table.
She beams at him. "Thank you, Remus. It's nothing, really." Once we've all sat down and started eating, she speaks once again. "Now, James' father and I will be on a trip for about two weeks, so we're going to miss Christmas. I have told Remus where the presents are hidden, and have instructed him specifically not to tell you."
"Why not me?" I ask innocently, grinning.
"Because he's trustworthy."
"So is Peter!" James says.
"But you'd bully it out of him," she says, chuckling. James just huffs. "So I understand that you two have invited Mister Claymore's niece over?"
"Yeah," Sirius says. "She was new at Hogwarts this year."
Mrs. Potter nods. "Alright, sounds fine." Once dinner is over, James, Remus, Peter, and I head into the yard for a game of Quidditch. And by a game, I mean six.
"Come on!" James yells. "Hit that bludger like you want to hit Snivellus in the face!"
I just roll my eyes, swinging my bat into the bludger harder than usual. It barrels towards James, who dodges out of the way just in time.
"Woah mate," Remus says. "Didn't know you hated him that much."
"He's a slimy git," I answer, laughing. "Ever since that run-in a few months ago when he called Lily a-" I stop short at the look on James' face. "-bad name, I've hated his guts more than normal."
"I have to go home," Peter says suddenly.
James raises an eyebrow. "Alright guys, let's walk ickle Peteykins home."
The four of us put the balls and brooms away in the shed, heading off down the street. James, for reasons unknown, has taken the Snitch with him, making amazing catches. "Show off," I mutter.
He just chuckles as we reach Peter's house. It's bright pink. "Welcome home, Petey."
"Shut up," Peter says, scurrying inside.
"Later, Wormtail!" I yell happily.
"Do you guys ever think you're too hard on him?" Remus asks, eyebrow raised.
"Hmm . . . no." James and I say simultaneously.
Over the rest of the break, I never hear from Adrienne. The four of us had taken care to take long strolls around Godric's Hollow – nothing. James and I had sent her a few owls, but if she got them, she didn't care to answer. Lily, however, has been sending some to Remus. Something about prefect duties. I don't know.
"WAKE UP SIRIUS IT'S CHRISTMAS!"
I groan, opening my eyes to see James bouncing atop my bed, still in his pajamas. We walk into the living room where Remus and Peter sit, obviously as tired as I am.
"Why must you always be so enthusiastic about this?" Remus asks, sleep laced in his words.
"How can you not be!?" he demands, hazel eyes huge. "Christmas is a wonderful and joyous occasion containing only excitement and glee!"
"You sound four," I point out bluntly.
He huffs, pointing toward the tree. "Presents." We all immediately cheer up, heading over to the tree and sitting down. "The ones wrapped in red are Sirius', blue is Remus', green is mine, and pink is Peter's."
"There's no pink," Peter points out.
"I know," James snickers. "I meant yellow."
I roll my eyes and grab the nearest red box, opening it carefully and peering inside. A grin spreads on my face; it's a Quidditch book I've been wanting for a few years but never bothered to buy. I read the tag, grinning over at Remus. "Thanks, mate, but you didn't have to-"
"I did," he says simply. "You three have gotten me things nonstop for the past five years, I had to finally get you guys something worthwhile."
"Your other gifts were definitely worthwhile," James says.
"Thanks, Sirius!" Peter exclaims, gazing at a newly caged owl in awe.
"Your old one is annoying and almost dead. You should all be thanking me."
Remus chuckles, reaching of a blue box and opening it, pulling the paper off of the concealed object. His eyes narrow in confusion. "What is this?"
"A Wizard's Guide to Girls!" Peter wheezes happily.
"Oh, God," I breathe out.
: x : x : x : x :
"Bye mum!" James yells as the four of us scramble onto the about-to-leave train. We pile into a compartment, chuckling. I pull out the book Remus had given me, beginning to read it for the second time. Peter stows his new owl up on the rack. About an hour later, the compartment door slides open. The three of us look up (Peter is asleep) to see Lily. She doesn't look very enthusiastic.
"Alright, Evans?" James asks, his hand twitching as if it's about to fly to his hair.
She just rolls her eyes. "Have any of you seen Adrienne? I've looked all around the train and I can't find her."
"Was she at the platform?" Remus inquires, confused.
Lily nods. "I swore I saw her with some business man. She didn't look very happy." We all remain silent for a moment, obviously thinking. "Oh, and she got an owl over break."
I raise an eyebrow, blinking. Why didn't she answer my letters? She did say she's staying with her uncle . . . maybe he's just a jerk.
"We'll keep an eye out for her," James says, flashing a smile.
"Thanks, Potter," she mutters, walking out of the compartment.
"You're quiet, Padfoot," Remus says. "Worried about Adrienne?"
I shrug, filled with unease as a hundred thoughts run through me. She doesn't like me, that's clear now. If she did she would have made an effort to contact me. Right? Right. What's that going to do to the- shit, the bet! I'd completely forgotten about it. It's past the time we'd set, but I can still win. If she doesn't like me, then I don't like her. "Eh."
James raises an eyebrow. "What happened to 'I know everything about her' and 'I want her to come over for Christmas'?"
I shrug again. "I don't like her. She's just . . . another girl to me."
"Mate, don't do anything rash. Take time to think about it."
"I have," I snap. "I had plenty of time since she never sent any letters back for me to read."
"Sirius-"
"If it's what you want," Remus says. "Fine."
I lean back, looking back to my book. "The bet's still on. It's to be by March now."
: x : x : x : x :
The rest of the way back home is rather uneventful, since I'm not in the mood to plan pranks. Lily visits once every hour, saying something to Remus then leaving. Sometimes he gets up and follows her. About half an hour from Hogwarts, Lily stops outside the compartment once again. This time, she doesn't enter. Through the glass, I can see her talking to someone out of my vision. She looks extremely upset.
"What's up with Lily?" I ask.
James looks up immediately, looking at the door. Lily is now hugging the person tightly, whose back is to us. "She's crying- . . . why is she crying?" He's on his feet immediately, gravitating toward the door.
Remus grabs his arm. "She might not be too pleased to see you, mate. I'll go." James frowns and sits down while Remus slips out of the compartment, blocking both of them from view. He'd left the door open, so their voices carry out into the compartment.
"What's- . . . What happened to-?"
"I fell." Adrienne.
"Where have you been?"
"She won't say," Lily groans.
"I told you. I've been on the train."
"Come into the compartment, we got a larger one with extra room."
"No."
"Come on," Lily pleads.
"Why should I?"
"Because there are none open."
After more arguing, Remus returns, followed by the two girls. Adrienne seems thinner. Her hair has been cut shorter and straightened, braided to the side. Bruises pepper her jaw and collar, probably traveling further down her body. She adjusts her scarf in an attempt to hide them, adjusting the sleeves of her tight sweater. She's wearing makeup, which is surprising. What's also shocking is that she's wearing ballet flats and a pair of white leggings, as well as earrings and an anklet. A few rings rest on her fingers – if she were to punch me, I'd feel them easily.
"Woah, Adrienne," James says, surprised. "You look different. Makeover over break?" She just flashes him a dark look, looking around at all of us before sitting next to Remus. Lily drops down next to her, still paler than normal. James blinks and looks to Lily. "What's wrong?"
She shakes her head, looking to Adrienne and frowning. The dark-haired girl pointedly looks at the ground, arms constantly adjusting the sleeves on her sweater or the ends of her scarf. I remain silent, pointedly ignoring her. I can sense Prongs and Moony looking between the two of us, confused.
Once the train stops, I help Remus get his trunk down. James helps out Lily and suddenly Adrienne and I are the only two left in the compartment. I grit my teeth and get her trunk down for her, grabbing mine and heading out of the compartment.
"Sirius, wait." I turn, glancing at her and raising an eyebrow. She stares for a moment, eyes unreadable, before fidgeting with her sleeves and looking down. "C-can you meet me in the kitchens tonight?"
"I'll see if I'm free," I answer shortly, walking off the train. The Marauders and I get a carriage a good distance away from the rest. Lily glances over at us in frustration, walking back to meet Adrienne. The two sit in a carriage with a few other sixth year girls.
"What did she want?" Remus asks.
"Probably help with last minute homework," I say, rolling my eyes.
"She's rather smart," James points out. "Just not in Transfiguration."
"Which is why she's had me help her all year. I'm done now."
"Well-"
"Enough girl talk. We need to plan a prank. A huge one."
"Oh yeah? What'd you have in mind?"
"Something on Valentine's day. Maybe we spike all the pumpkin juice at dinner and have people declare their undying love for teachers."
Remus stares at me, one eyebrow raised. "Uh, mate. That's a bit lame on your standards."
"I guess you're right . . . I know. We'll talk tomorrow."
"Why not tonight?"
"I've got stuff to do."
Dx Sorry about the wait, guys. I've been a bit stuck on this story, but I think I kind of know where it's going.. maybe. Review please! I love reviews.