Chapter 3: Cokeworth

The weather was cool and dry even though the last few days had finally had some sun. Lily Evans repressed a shudder as she looked up at the blue sky, the wind rushing through her long dark red hairs.

She greeted some familiar persons on the main road, as she returned peacefully to her home. Cokeworth was a tiny working-class village a little dull, but she had always liked to come back for the holidays, after all she had spend her entire childhood here. Everyone knew each other and it was always pleasant to walk in its peaceful streets.

Her parents had explained to the neighbors that she was attempting a private school in Switzerland for gifted child. She had always found this explanation funny, as it remind her of the comics her father used to collected, and was about human being with extraordinary powers, grouping in such a school.

She breathed deeply into the breeze that smell like summer as she crossed the bridge that separated the village in half. She walked slowly along the river, lost in thought, as she reached a park at the very end of Spinner's End street. She used to come here as a child, Petunia and herself lay down in the grass, letting their feet drag in the river's water.

It was a beautiful summer day and she wanted to enjoy it, to empty her mind. The last year had been rather hectic and she was happy to be able to let go for a while. In a few weeks, Marlene McKinnon would join her and they would be spending the last of the holidays together. She would say goodbye to her tranquility, Marlene was an enthusiastic girl who never know when to stop, still Lily like her very much.

Once at her destination, she frowned when she noticed a black-haired figure lying on one of the benches, hands behind his head. She sighed heavily, visibly annoyed and she approached quickly, her emerald eyes throwing lightening in the direction of the person.

-Severus! She snarled. The silhouette jumped into sitting position, back on her. -I thought I had been clear! I do not want to see you anymore and... She gasp suddenly, astonished, eyes wide open and stepped back when the boy finally turned around to face her. -Black! She screamed, her hands clasped in front of her mouth.

-Who are you calling Severus!? Replied Sirius in an outraged tone, looking at her in a funny way. -Evans? What are you doing here?

-What are you doing here!? Where have you been! She shouted, then looking at him from head to foot. His hair was messy, he was dirty, pale and thin. He seemed nervous, on the look-out, like an animal ready to flee at the slightest sign of danger.

-Excuse me? He said, frowning. -What do you mean, where have you been? He asked, looking at her as if she had just said the stupidest thing in the world.

- Where have you been! She repeated, a little more firmly, shaking her head with that annoyed face she used to made every time James try to talk to her. -Everyone talks about this, everybody's looking for you! How on earth, did you land here?

-Wait... what? What the hell? Everybody is looking for me? But what are you talking about Evans!? And I don't even know where I am! Hard to tell you how I landed here in the first place.

Lily sighed, looking worried has she pulled out of her pockets the Daily Prophets to hand it to him. Sirius was still frowning at her while he take the paper. his heart missed a beat.

The heir of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black still missing
Mr. and Mrs. Black reported to the wizards authorities the disappearance of their eldest son, Sirius Orion Black, three days ago. We would like to remind the magical community to report any clues they might known of the where about of Sirius Black or anything that could helps us located the heir of the Black Family. We still have no idea where Sirius Black may be held and his parents fear the worst. Walburga Black, the matron of the house, would like to mention that …

Sirius burst into hysterical laughter without finishing the newspaper article, returning it to Lily. -Wow, that's the best, I can not believe it! He screamed more for himself than for her. -Great, really, she dared! If she thinks... it's over… No way I'm coming back, that is not gonna happen! Never again! He calmed down as suddenly as he had burst out laughing, and pulled the hood of his jacket over his head. -I must leave, now. He said seriously.

-But wait! Hold on! Lily shouted at him, grabbing him by the arm as he was about to leave. -What is happening!? Black, I can help you... if you're in trouble, I can help you. What happened? She insisted, piercing him with her green eyes.

-I have not been missing, I've not been kidnapped that's stupid rubbish! He yelled, Lily beckoned him to lower his voice. -I ran away Evans! And now, this mental woman have alerted the whole magical world to be sure that I'd go back there! I will never go back, did you understand?

Lily looked at him from head to foot a second time. He was frightened and she could almost feel his heart struggling in his chest. She nodded slowly in his direction and gently reach to take his hand. -Come, you look hungry, you're dirty and you're freezing. She told him. -I live here. She told him to encourage him. -My house is on the other side of the little bridge, look, we see it from here.

Sirius looked at her, hesitating, but finally agreed. She was sweet, she smiled at him gently and seemed really worried about him. It was very different of what she was showing of herself at Hogwarts when she had to talk to him. He followed her home, a small house, the entrance of which was lined with petunias and lilies flowers .

-It's pretty. He said, looking around him, once in the sitting room, hands in his pockets. -Your parents are not here?

-No, they're on a weekend, fishing! I hate that, so I told them I would stay to do my homework. She smiled at him and invited him to sit down, bringing him a cup of tea and a bowl of still smoking hot soup. -Black what had...

-Do you think I could borrow your owl? He cut her off, knowing very well she was going to ask him what had happened and he did not think he had the strength to tell her. She nodded at his request and brought him a quill and a roll of parchment, intensely staring at him. -Thank you. He said, still feeling his eyes burning his back like fire. He tried to ignore her as best as he could while writing his letter.

Moon,
I'm fine, don't believe anything, Prongs's out of reach for now, I'm with his flower. We'd be together by the next full moon. I Promise. Tell Wormtail. So Sorry.
Pad'

He wrapped the message and gave it to the little black owl who immediately took off to carry his message. -Prongs, that's Potter, is it? Could not help but ask Lily. Sirius nodded. -Your flower, I suppose you're talking about me?

-Listens Evans. He sighs, not knowing where to began. -I know you don't like this, but I have no choice. Remus will understand the message, no one else can, it's safer for me this way. You can be sure that the owls are checked if the magical world is looking for me. James is on vacation. He said, answering her wordless question. -I can't reach him.

They stood there for a moment without talking, Sirius eating what she had given him. He finally resign himself and he began to told her, roughly, what had happened to him and what had pushed him to leave his parents's house. She listened to him without interrupting him, feeling so sorry for him. Like everyone else, she had heard things, rumors but nothing that could be that terrible.

- But... why didn't you... I don't know, took Floo powder to go to Potter's house? She risked asking, feeling silly, her cheeks catching fire when he burst out laugh, clearly making fun of her.

-First, do you really think you can come to Grimmauld Place as you wishes? He shrugged and shook his head as if he was trying to explain something very complex to a child.
-The Floo Powder network had been blocked, to be sure no one could get in and my mother carefully condemned the way out, to prevent me from doing exactly what I did. My parents can use it, but not Regulus nor me. Then, do you also believe, that you can enter the Potter's cottage this unexpectedly, when they're not even in the country? James's father is head of the Auror Office, you cannot just come in and out his house as it pleases you Evans, we must have been invited to Godric's Hollow. What? He asked, looking at the funny face she was displaying.

-Nothing, I just didn't think his father had a position so... so... Well anyway! She said. -You're in great need of a shower and a little sleep. My parents will be back in four days, you can stay if it helps you, I don't think your family would think you're hiding at a Mudblood's home.

-You're not a Mudblood! He said indignantly.

- But for them I am, that makes you safe... well, somehow, until you can join Potter at least. Meanwhile, you go shower, because, seriously Black... you smell like a wet dog and you are impregnating this smell throughout all of the living room.

He burst out laughing again, which was closer to his usual laugh, the playful one, which resembled a dog barking. He took the road she pointed out to the bathroom. In the evening, when he went to bed in the little guest room opposite her own bedroom, he felt relieve for the first time since he had left Hogwarts.

He understood why James had a crush on her. She was ferocious, but could be so gentle and attentive, understanding without any judgment or hatred. That was why Remus had given in and had revealed his secret to her. Without her, he would still be outside under the stars, trying to spot his own.

It was a coincidence, but a good one, he thought, that he had found himself there at that very moment. Since he had left his parents' home, his only goal has been to put as much distance as possible between him and Grimmauld Place, without really paying attention to where he was actually going.

He had wandered, mostly in his animagus form. No one knew that he was one, since he has not registered himself. He would never have thought that it'd be so useful. The days seemed less long-lasting in his dog's form, his thoughts, which had been boiling his head, were simpler, less human, easier to bear.

James would come back in three days, three days. and it would be possible to contact him by the mirror and he could finally go back to Godric's Hollow. The face Euphemia Potter would make when she'll saw him. He had only one desire, felt her mother's embrace around him, has she would flattered his hair, repeating that it was all over, and that everything would be fine now.

He thought about what James would do when he'll learn he had spent a few days with his beautiful Lily. The poor guy would probably have a heart attack. Sirius laughed, but his laughter died in his throat when he'd think of Remus. He must have been dead worried after he saw the headlines of the Prophets and Peter had probably harass him to find out if he had any news at all. They too, could not join James.