I slept like a rock. Or perhaps a log? I cannot keep the English idioms straight. Either way last night was the first real night of sleep I had in a very long time. As I sat up, I realized slowly that there very well may have been some sort of enchantment on the bed, to help me sleep. A little puzzled as to why it was still so dark, I decided to push the heavy brocade of the four-poster aside. Blinking a little in the dazzling sunlight, I yawned and proceeded to stretch my rather well-rested person. As horrible and hackneyed as it may sound, it was quite literally a breathtaking day. Fumbling around for my wand, I flicked open the curtains, and sunlight poured through, setting the silken sheets alight with the colors of the day. Unable to keep the huge grin from my face, I stretched again and curled back up on the bed, much like a tabby or somesuch feline napping on a windowsill in a domestic scene. Before I could doze off again though, I heard my father's disembodied voice enter the room through the magical intercom.
"Ma cher, come down before the elves clear this excellent spread away. The sideboard will make it worth the trip downstairs!"
I let out a snort of laughter, but complied. I was starving at any rate, and breakfast would be welcome. Not bothering to get dressed, I bounded down the stairs and slid through the marbled foyer in my stocking feet. I walked through the double doors to join Papa in the breakfast area, only to find he had already left. A little disappointed, I attacked the sideboard with gusto. A plate appeared when I took my seat, and I loaded it with croissants, jam, butter, and bacon. I had only just started eating my veritable mountain of food, when a tiny wrinkled elf, followed by three boys entered the room. The elf called Frollo served coffee and bowed himself out of the room. I looked up expectantly at the boys grinning down at me, only to find I did not recognize one of them. He was quite tall, with a head of sandy hair, and thoughtful green eyes. I waited patiently, but to no avail. Finally, forced to ask the blunt question, I asked point-blank who he was and why he was in my house.
Almost as if they had been waiting for this, James and Sirius broke into grins and announced themselves.
"Adrienne, may we present to you our friend Remus. An ally and a comrade, a brother to us." They chorused.
"...Ah...ahem, excuse my manners, Remus. I crave your pardon, but it is excellent to make your acquaintance." I replied, inclining my head regally.
"There! That was grand enough, non?" I mocked.
"HEY! We were sticking to code! Marauders are valiant, Adrienne. Though you might be unfamiliar with that." James spluttered, none too gracefully.
Before I could ask what a Marauder was, I heard my name, and turned expectantly.
"Adrienne? Adrienne. What a beautiful name." It was almost as though he were testing my name.
At this soft voice, I started. Flushing a little at Remus's compliment. I smiled at him.
"Ah...thank you! It's French, of course. I adore yours as well. Have you eaten? Please be seated!" I implored.
"But, I have eaten."
I frowned at him.
"That doesn't mean I'm not hungry. I'm always up for food." He winked over at me, and helped himself to a danish.
"What about my name darling?" Sirius whined.
"Oh, it's lovely!" James and I replied at once.
I grinned up at Sirius.
"So what are you really doing in my house?" I asked him.
"We were bored." He shrugged. "We were thinking about maybe going down to the village, for today. James's parents have gone for the day."
"My father's gone too." I sighed. "I thought it must be for this Ministry."
"Well, excellent!" James cried, rubbing his hands together excitedly. "The village it is! I can owl Lily and she can get Nada."
Unfortunately, I was getting more and more nervous as this plan progressed.
"Wait! Stop. No more of this village, nonsense! What are you even saying James? Which village is this? We won't be allowed surely. There'll be...muggles! And what if we're found out?" I looked around wildly for support.
I received none. Just two blank faces, and a smirking Sirius.
"Well, well, well. Have you never broken the rules, ma cher? Loosen up! Nothing bad will happen to you. You're with me." He grinned.
"I can assure you, I'm far from feeling safer." I said wryly.
"Ah, come on! You are acting just like those girls." He pushed.
"Never! I am NOT!"
"Well, I never took you for the safe type. I guess looks are decieving?" He winked over at me.
Of course. I flushed.
"Sacre bleu! Damn! And merde! I'll go to your village, and see where it gets me, you bully!"
Sirius let out a shocked gasp at my language, but James just jumped right back into his plans with this Lily, a ridiculous grin on his face.
"Great! I'm gonna go owl Lily!" He breezed from the room.
"You know, I have no idea where this village is. Or the geography of this town. Or even where I am." I admitted slowly.
"We'll show you around, it's no big deal. You'll have fun, don't worry." Remus said kindly.
Somehow, his reassurance calmed me. He seemed more the type to reign his friends in.
"Well, I still need to change." I announced. It was now probably well after noon.
"Brilliant, you'll need me to help with that?"
"Sirius! I can do it myself, I think." I joked.
"Come on, I haven't seen your room yet!"
"Eh. Let's go. As I'm breaking the rules, I may as well get used to it right? Boys upstairs in my room! Ha! Come on, Remus, want to help me choose my dress?" I teased.
"Absolutely." He smirked over at me, a wolfish look in his eye.
I led the way upstairs and entered my room, Remus and Sirius in tow. Visibly impressed, they stared around at the blue splendor. I reached over and opened all the curtains, flooding the room with light. I flung open the door to my wardrobe, my vast retinue now all put away, folded and organized by occassion.
"Okay, I'm going to change clothes now. I'll be in my closet, you wait out here. The door will be magically closed so don't even bother." I grinned and stepped into the closet.
I opted for a short and flirty yellow sundress. Once I had put it on, I dug through the closet and pulled out some summery sandals. I stepped out of the closet and rummaged through my jewelry box adding pieces at random. I slipped into the bathroom to brush my teeth again, and examined my reflection. Bah! My hair was looking rather worse for wear. I did a quick a sink-wash number, and dried with my wand. I ran a brush through the curling ends, and pushed my bangs out of my face again. Mascara and chapstick completed my routine, and I glanced over my reflection again. Satisfied with my low-maintainance, high-speed routine, I stepped out of the bathroom to see Remus looking out from my favorite bay-window seat and Sirius rolling around on my bed.
"Oy! Off of that! I sleep there, imbecile!" I cried.
He grinned up at me from the bed.
"You're more than welcome to join me, Adrienne..." He trailed off, the innuendo resounding.
"Oh, in your dreams Black." I shot back.
Remus stepped over to mediate the conflict. He pulled Sirius out of the bed, and glanced up at me apologetically.
"You look nice, for...er spending so little time getting made up." Sirius commented.
"Ah, bah! Was that a compliment or a veiled insult? Nevermind. Let's go find James." I said to them both.
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