Merlin I look like a monkey. Who the hell invented a bow tie? I'm going to hunt down the person that invented a bow tie and strangle them with their own invention. Let's see if they like their invention after they're dead.
“It doesn't matter how long you stare into a mirror mate, you'll still look like a monkey in a suit.” My supposed best friend Sirius said to me as he laughed and pushed me away from the mirror so he could straighten his tie.
What is this!
I've never seen Sirius with a fully done tie. He usually leaves his tie loose during school so that he never has to redo it in the morning, instead he can just slip it over his head and be done getting ready for school two minutes before the rest of us. He uses this time management skill so that he can get to breakfast before us and eat more. Remus calculated that with the amount of food and sugary snacks that Sirius and I eat, we will die by the age of twenty. Sirius will die two minutes before me because, as I mentioned earlier, he eats first, therefore getting more desert.
Sirius finishes his tie and looks at me triumphantly. Damn that man can pull off a suit. Now, I'm a completely straight, in love with Lily mans-man but Sirius can pull off a suit. While the rest of us look like we're drowning in the heavy material Sirius looks older. And as if to add insult to injury Sirius has his hair slicked back neatly while mine just looks greasy after putting half a tub of gel in my hair in order to tame the beast that sits on top of my head.
Maybe if I stuffed my arms with socks I would look more manly...
“So Pads who are you bringing as your date to Slug's party tonight?” I asked as I buttoned up my jacket.
“Heather Spence,” Sirius responded as he put his wand and some frog spawn into his pocket.
Frog spawn, brilliant why didn't I think of bringing some? This is why Sirius is my best friend, aside from being devilishly handsome (said in mans-man voice) he also remembered that frog spawn is needed on your person twenty four seven.
“That's brilliant!” I declared causing a startled and concerned look to form on Sirius's face. “That's Lily's best mate, you can keep talking me up to her tonight so that she tells Lily how mature I've become.”
“I think that's the sort of thing Lily has to find out for herself.”
“Shove it,” I said throwing a shoe at Sirius. “I didn't know you were interested in Heather.”
Sirius shrugged as he adjusted the sleeves of his shirt. “She's alright I guess.”
“Padfoot is just too embarrassed to admit he's still hung up on Avery,” Remus chided from his side of the room.
“Shut it Moony,” Sirius said stiffly.
“You like Avery?” Peter asked in an unsure voice.
“Jesus Peter, what block of cheese have you been living under?”
“Not everyone keeps up with school girl gossip like you do Prongs.” Remus added.
“It's not gossip, it's my best mate!” I said slinging an arm around Sirius to prove our camaraderie. “Anyway, who are you taking Moony?”
“A girl from Ravenclaw, Ferrah Spinnet. Speaking of which,” Remus said as he checked the clock. “I better head over to Ravenclaw common rooms and pick her up. See you ladies at the party.”
“Ladies,” I scoffed. “We're men I tell you!” I shook my fist at Remus, as I did this the socks I had stuffed in my arms fell out.
“I better be going too,” Peter said quietly as he stepped over the pile of the socks.
“Who are you taking Wormtail?”
“That girl Jane from Hufflepuff, she's a sixth year.”
“Good luck with her, I heard she eats her hair.”
“It's just rumors,” Peter mumbled under his breath as he left the dormitory.
I looked one last time at the mirror and gave up on trying to flatten my hair. Besides, I'm only going with Avery and she usually winds up tripping over her own feet and messing up her outfit and hair. So if anything, I will look clean and put together next to Avery. Besides, I don't think Lily will be there, no man in their right mind would ask out Lily Evans on a date, so it doesn't really matter what I look like.
“Well we better head off and get our dates,” Sirius said as he opened the door and I followed him down the stairs.
I stuffed my hands in my pockets and walked down the stairs. I wasn't exactly looking forward to tonight. None of Slughorn's parties were particularly fun but if you showed up he would grade you well in class so I couldn't complain, and it's the night before Christmas Break, it's not like I have anything better to do. Not that I would be doing homework, but quidditch is over until we get back from break. I just hope this time Avery wont douse me with water again.
When we reached the common room Avery and Heather weren't there yet so Sirius and I sat on the couch. Sirius and I were discussing the ways we could use the frog spawn tonight when Sirius stopped talking and looked over my shoulder. I turned around and saw Heather and Avery walking down the stairs. I had to admit, Avery cleaned up nicely. She had on a purple dress and her hair wasn't in the usual messy ponytail, making it look like a beaver had attacked her head. I saw she was wearing heals and immediately started fearing for her safety. Luckily, Heather seemed as equally concerned about Avery's safety while in heals going down the stairs and kept a sturdy arm around Avery's waist.
When they reached the landing Avery let out a sigh of relief. She looked at me and Sirius and gave us a small smile. I could tell she was nervous. Her shoulders were hunched up almost to her ears and her fingers were twitching.
Please Merlin, say she left her wand in her room.
AVERY
Oh god why did I agree to wearing heals? Not only are my feet already killing me but I feel as if I could topple over at any moment. Thank Merlin James doesn't want to dance at this party and instead has taken to standing by the refreshments and talking to Remus.
Remus's date Ferrah seems nice enough but she hasn't really said much. She's got this dazed look on her face as if she were in a dream state rather than truly present. I tried striking up a conversation with her but the only thing I really know about is quidditch and she seems to have no interest in it so we've now settled for sipping slowly at our butterbeer and trying to avoid awkward glances.
James suddenly grabs my hand and I jumped slightly at the gesture. He'd hardly acknowledge me the whole night aside from saying I look lovely but I better keep his pants dry.
I see him gazing intently at something on the other side of the room and follow his gaze. Over on the other side I see Lily chatting with Amos Diggory. He's got his hand on the small of her back and she's laughing at something he said.
James's hand tightens around mine and I yank my hand from his. “Ouch you wanker that hurt. Try not to break any bones next time, yeah?”
“Sorry,” James said halfheartedly as he turned around and grabbed a red currant rum. Oh boy, I better monitor his alcohol intake. Seriously, why did Slughorn distribute alcohol at this party? I guess he's always trying to be the 'cool' teacher and alcohol is the way to any teenagers heart.
James quickly downs the drink and grabs my hand again, “come on, let's dance.”
“No James,” I groan in protest as he literally drags me onto the dance floor. He grabs me firmly and pulls my body against his, placing his hand on my waist while I place my hand on his shoulder.
James moves quickly and I'm desperately trying to not trip over my feet or step on his. I keep telling him to slow down but he's ignoring me as his eyes are fixed on Lily and Amos. Once I started to learn James' jerky dancing pattern I forced my eyes up from the ground and looked around. There were three other couples aside from us on the dance floor and the rest were standing around and drinking.
I looked over at the refreshment table and saw Sirius with Heather standing and talking to Peter. I felt a hint of annoyance as Heather flipped her hair and kept touching Sirius after everything he said. Honestly, with all this hair flipping she's going to give herself whiplash. And he's not that funny, there's no need to be laughing like a banshee.
“I'll be right back,” James said pulling away from me and leaving me alone on the dance floor. I watched as he made a beeline for Lily who was alone by the wall waiting while Amos got drinks.
I stood alone on the dance floor for a few seconds debating on whether I should yell at James for improper treatment of fake girlfriend or use this opportunity to sneak away and take off my shoes and hide in a corner for a bit as I nurse my feet back to health.
It seemed as if the decision were made for me once I heard a voice from behind me. “Do you want to dance?”
I turned around and was shocked to see Peter standing in front of me with his hand extended towards me. I smiled and put my hand in his, “of course Peter.”
Peter turned a bright shade of red as he put his hand on my waist and awkwardly led me in a slow dance. “You look nice tonight,” Peter muttered quietly.
“Oh, um thanks Pete, you too.” I said not quite sure what response was the correct etiquette in this situation. Peter's face turned an even brighter shade of red.
Boy this is awkward.
I looked around the room again in hopes of a distraction. At the refreshment table I saw Sirius and Heather again. I could feel my face turning a shade of red when I realized Sirius was looking at me, completely ignoring Heather who was talking to him. He smirked when he locked eyes with me. He flicked his head to a corner of the room, signaling for me to follow after him.
“Oh Peter, I've got to go check on the er-pumpkin juice. I'll see you around later.” I said stepping away from Peter and untangling my hand from his.
“Oh well I was hoping we could talk, I have something to say.”
“We can talk later,” I said calling over my shoulder as I walked towards Sirius who was leaning against a wall with his arms crossed over his chest.
Corr he looks sexy. He usually looks good in regular clothes and robes but in his suit with his hair slicked back takes him to a whole new level of Sex God. With his hair out of his eyes it takes away from the boyishness and makes him look older. I can feel my cheeks reddening from his unnerving stare as I approach him.
“How'd you manage to break free of Heather?”
Sirius shrugs and pushes himself away from the wall, moving his body so that he's standing directly in front of me, blocking my vision of the party. “Told her I had some Marauder business to take care of.” I formed my mouth into an O but no sound came out. Sirius was standing uncomfortably close to me. I could smell his aftershave and almost feel the heat radiating from his body. “Besides, I couldn’t let Peter hog you, now could I?” Sirius's lips tugged into a small smile as he took a step towards me.
“Sirius,” I whispered. I could hardly meet his eyes. They were filled with an intensity I'd never seen before. I could feel my legs buckling from underneath me and prayed they didn't give out.
“You look beautiful tonight Avery,” he said slowly as he ran the back of his hand up and down my arm. I shivered under his touch, his hand leaving a hot trail on my arm. I felt like I was going to explode. I could hardly stand his soft touch, the way he was looking at me, standing so close to me that his knees were knocking against mine.
He slowly moved his body so that it pressed against mine. It felt like slow motion as his torso came in contact with mine, I could feel every part of his body and smell every scent that came off of him. I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but nothing would come out. Sirius moved his hand and pushed back my hair, I sighed comfortably into the palm of his hand and closed my eyes. I could feel Sirius leaning towards me and braced myself for what was going to happen.
“Avery,” Sirius and I jumped apart so fast it was like we had been struck by lighting. I looked up and saw Lily staring at us with her arms crossed over her chest, tapping her foot impatiently. She was looking between me and Sirius with an annoyed look on her face. “I need to talk to you.”
I gave Sirius an apologetic look before Lily took my arm and dragged me away to a secluded corner.
“I need you to be honest with me,” she said sternly.
“About what?” I asked unnerved by the tone in her voice and the look in her eyes.
“Are you and James actually dating?”
“W-why wouldn't we be?” I stuttered. I had hoped that Lily hadn't caught onto my hesitant answer but no such luck. Her eyebrows furrowed and she stepped closer to me. I could now smell the alcohol on her breath and see her pupils were dilated. Oh no, last time Lily was drunk and talked to me this didn't end well.
“You two don't act like you're a couple. Half of the time he's talking to me, telling off Amos and then you're off doing Merlin knows what with Sirius. It's beginning to make me wonder if you are together at all.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and raised my head, trying to gain some control over the situation. “I don't think it's any of your business what goes on in our relationship. Besides, why do you care?”
Lily continued to narrow her eyes and surveyed me for a minute. I was expecting another interrogation but was surprised when she dropped her arms and sighed, her face now looking agitated rather than angry and inquisitive. “I don't want to care, believe me, I don't.”
Hold on. Did Lily just admit what I think she just admitted? “What?” Was all I managed to get out. Is Lily about to declare her undying love for James to me? I don't know if I'm mentally or physically prepared for this. I don't know what the implications upon this discovery will be. Should I tell James? Do I wait for her to tell him? Oh sod, I should first listen and see if she's actually declaring her love for him.
“James is one of the most frustrating people ever. To be completely honest I've liked him since fourth year and I keep beating myself up for it. How annoying would it be that the boy you fancy wont grow up and keeps hexing people? I can't very well admit I like him when he acts like a first year half the time. And then I had to go and make out with him sixth year.”
“What! You and James made out? How didn't anyone hear of this? I'm pretty sure James would stand up in the middle of the Great Hall and announce it for the world to hear.”
“You see, that's half of my problem. Dating James wouldn't give me any privacy. So I made him swear not to tell anyone and in return I would do some homework assignments for him.”
“You're Moonstone,” I declared wildly as I tried to process all the new information Lily was telling me.
Lily nodded and looked embarrassed as she stared at her hands. “Then this year things sort of changed. He was more mature, I think being named Captain of the Quidditch team instilled some responsibility. Sure, he still pranks here and there but nothing compared to before. Then again, James wouldn't be James Potter if he didn't pull pranks,” Lily smiled fondly as if the one thing that had annoyed her about James all this time was suddenly the thing that was most endearing about him. “I can't believe I'm telling you all of this,” Lily said her eyes wide in horror as if she were suddenly realizing that she was telling me that she likes James, me whose his fake girlfriend.
“Don't worry about it,” I said shaking my head. “I've known all along that he's liked you.”
“So have you two been dating or not?”
I debated on whether or not I should tell her. I figure if I tell her the truth she may get mad at James for lying to her and everyone about the situation and consider him even more immature so instead I said, “yes we have been. But to be completely honest I think I've just been a filler until you came around.” I placed a reassuring hand on Lily's shoulder. “James would give up anything to be with you, you know that, right?”
Lily bit her bottom lip and looked down as she shook her head. “Well then,” I said dropping my hand from Lily's shoulder. “I've got something I need to do.”
“What are you doing?”
I looked at Lily and gave her a reassuring smile, “I'm sure you'll be the first one to hear about it.”
I turned around and started looking for James. I spotted him next to Sirius and immediately made a beeline for him. James was sitting slumped in a chair with an agitated look on his face as he looked around the room haughtily. Sirius was sitting next to him with his legs stretched out in front of him. His right arm was resting on the table and he laid his head in his hand. Why is everything he does look sexy?
No, Avery, nows not the time to fantasize about him. I have a task at hand.
“James can I talk to you?” I said stopping in front of him. He looked up at me and shrugged before standing up and following me to a quieter part of the party.
“What's up?” He asked as I lead us behind a tapestry.
“I'm breaking up with you.”
“What! Why?” James asked, running a hand through his messy hair.
“Lily likes you.”
James stared at me as if he didn't register what I had just said. After a few moments I cleared my throat and nudged his shoulder. “Care to repeat what you just said?”
“James, Lily Evans likes you.”
James lit up like a Christmas tree. The biggest smile formed on his face, I thought that his cheeks were going to rip. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, she just told me.”
“She told you?” James asked now his smile faltering and doubt creeping in.
“Yes, she's had a bit to drink so her tongues a little loose. Believe me when I tell you that she likes you.”
James surprised me by stepping towards me and hugging me. “Thank you, you were the best fake girlfriend any boy could ask for.”
I laughed and gave James a reassuring smile as he practically ran towards Lily. I sighed and leaned against the wall as I took a minute to relax. After the excitement died down I was reminded of my aching feet and sighed in relief as I removed my feet from my shoes. I closed my eyes and listened to the noise surrounding me, the buzz of voices, the slight hum of music. The world was passing by me and I couldn't see any of it, and for once I didn't feel caught up in it. I was completely relaxed and free of obligations.
I felt a hand lace through mine and opened my eyes to see Sirius. I smiled as he rubbed his thumb on the top of my hand. “Follow me,” he said pulling me off the wall and out of Slughorn's room.
I followed wordlessly behind him as he marched me down the hallway. We came around a corner and he pulled me into a nook that held a Knight. He pulled me behind the Knight and held me against him.
“I broke up with James,” the words fell from my mouth before I even realized that I was going to say them.
Sirius smiled and pulled me closer to him. “And why is that?”
“Lily declared her love for James.”
“What?” Sirius said laughing as if he didn't quite believe me. “She's a crazy bird.”
“Believe me, I know. I've dealt with the ups and downs of drunk Lily enough for one lifetime.”
Sirius laughed against me and pushed my hair behind me ear. “So what you're saying is that you're now available?”
I shrugged and tried to be casual. “I guess but I just got out of a serious relationship. The next guy I see is only going to be a rebound.”
Sirius smiled and looked up as if he were debating on what I'd said. “Rebound guy, huh? Well, I'll take what I can get.”
Sirius then leaned down and kissed me. I felt like the runner who was reaching the finish line and tripped and was caught off guard. Instead of over thinking the situation this time I cleared my mind and let myself enjoy the kiss. I wrapped my arms around Sirius's neck to pull him closer to me. As his lips moved against mine I never wanted to stop, I never wanted to come up for air.
Reluctantly I pulled away from Sirius and took a few moments for my breath to return to normal. “As comfortable as this is being wedged behind a Knight maybe we should go somewhere else?”
Sirius smiled and grabbed my hand, pulling me out from behind the Knight. “My dorm room should be clear.”
I blushed and could feel my heart racing. Making out with Sirius in an abandoned hallway was one thing. Being completely alone with him in a bedroom was an entirely different thing. What did Sirius expect us to do? How far has he gone with a girl? How far was he planning on going with me? I'm not ready to have sex! I still laugh when Trelawney says Uranus during Divination.
Sirius sensed my hesitation and nervousness and squeezed my hand reassuringly. “You alright? You look a little panicked.”
“Just a lot has happened tonight,” I said trying to put on a brave smile to mask my hesitations.
Sirius looked at me and smiled to reassure me before he turned around. I was staring at the dimples that formed on his cheeks when he smiled and so when he stopped in his place I was caught off guard. I looked ahead of us and saw Lucius, Snape and Regulus standing in front of us. Sirius quickly dropped my hand and retrieved his wand. He then took me roughly by the arm and opened a door before shoving me in and closing it.
I banged against the door, yelling at him to let me out. I tried jiggling the handle and pushing against the door but he had cursed it shut and I didn't have my wand on me. I rested my forehead against the wooden door with my hands curled into fists resting on my sides. I tried to calm my breathing so I could listen to what was going on. Their voices were muffled and I could tell they were talking but I couldn't make out what they were saying.
I heard someone yell petreficus totalus but I couldn't figure out who sent the spell. I listened closely for the sound of Sirius's voice, my heart about to beat out of my chest. I feel so useless standing here in the broom closet unable to do anything. Spells were being cast back and forth, it sounded like more people had joined and I hoped to Merlin that someone was helping Sirius. The colors from the curses showed through the slit of the door, casting purple, yellow and green shadows.
I helped my breath waiting for a sign that Sirius was all right but there was so much noise that I couldn't decipher who anyone was. Suddenly the shouting and curses stopped, through the door I could hear one singular voice speaking. I strained to listen but once again couldn't make out who it was. I lowered to my knees and tried to listen through the crack under the door. The voices were becoming clearer and I swore I heard Sirius's voice. I then saw a shadow appear in front of the door and the handle jiggled before the door opened. I looked up and saw Sirius standing above me.
“Don't tell me you fell.” He said laughing as he helped me up. I looked at him and was relieved to see he wasn't harmed. His cheeks were red and sweat was sliding down his face but other than that he was fine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him. I quickly withdrew my arms however when I saw McGonagall peering over at us.
“Miss Muze, if you would be so kind as to remove yourself from Mr. Black I would appreciate it if you would come with me to Dumbledore's office.”
The scenery surrounding the train became more noticeable as buildings came into my view. I knew that within a matter of minutes we would soon come to Kings Cross train station and go our separate ways for Winter Vacation. I would be spending the next three weeks in Italy with my parents while Sirius stayed at James' house.
I stared at Sirius who was talking animatedly with James about Quidditch, both of the boys gesturing wildly with their arms as they reenacted a Quidditch play. Sirius must have sensed my staring and looked over at me, offering me a small smile that I awkwardly returned. The interaction lasted only a brief second but my cheeks were burning red as I stared down at my hands.
After last nights battle against Slytherin things had been awkward between Sirius and I. After I had kissed him the fight broke up and reality seemed to crash down on us once McGonagall gave us a knowing smile. The fact that our feelings for each other were now known to the public was a little daunting and we didn't know how to handle each other anymore.
While McGonagall escorted us and the Slytherins to Dumbledore's office to talk about the repercussions for fight Sirius and I walked next to each other uncomfortably, apologizing if our shoulders brushed against the persons. Imagine if you've liked someone for ages and the feelings finally come out, wouldn't you feel a little awkward as well? Our conversation fell flat and was something along the lines of, “lovely weather we've been having, isn't it?” I nodded my head and replied with, “splendid.”
The meeting in Dumbledore's office had only taken a few minutes. The fight the Slytherin's had picked with Sirius and I was just another fight for them, no real reasoning to back up their actions other than wanting Sirius to suffer for being a blood traitor. Sirius and James had received one night of detention for fighting back, while the Slytherin's involved got a month's worth of detention and a three foot essay for each to write on the standard rules and regulations of proper dueling.
I couldn't help but wonder if this is what life is going to be like now that I'm with Sirius, if I'm going to feel like we're constantly going to be attacked. Voldemort is rising to more power, and he's gaining more supporters, those who believe in blood purification. Maybe this small fight against Slytherin was just a small clue as to what life is going to be like once we leave the safety of Hogwarts. Once we graduate improper wand use wont be treated with a simple slap on the wrist and a detention, once we've graduated things like this can end up in death.
I involuntarily shuddered and my attention was soon taken away from the oncoming war as the whistle blew, signaling we were pulling into Kings Cross. Everyone in the compartment stood up and stretched their limbs while reaching for their trunks. Sirius immediately reached for mine and set it down in front of me, I gave him a smile. The train then lurched to a stop and I lost my footing and fell into Sirius. He caught me with his arm and pulled me to his side. I smiled fondly at Sirius and the awkwardness that had been between us seemed to vanish in our unexpected embrace.
Once we stood in front of the train, people searching for their parents I was suddenly aware that for the next three weeks I wouldn't be seeing Sirius. I dropped my trunk and wrapped my arms around his body, hungrily pulling him towards me. I could feel his body shake as he chuckled and kissed me on top of my head.
“You'll write, won't you?” I asked, desperately trying to not sound needy but wanting the reassurance that I would hear from him over the next three weeks.
“Of course,” Sirius said pulling away from me and kissing me on the lips. “But only if you promise to send pictures of you in your little bikini on the beaches in Italy.”
“Perv,” I mumbled.
Sirius threw back his head and let out a loud barking laugh. I would miss that laugh. He leaned down and kissed me again. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him towards me, deepening the kiss. After a few moments we received a few wolf whistles and embarrassed, I pulled away from Sirius. Sirius, used to all sorts of attention, merely shook his hair out of his eyes and smiled at the crowd watching us.
I sighed and pulled myself away from Sirius, “I better go, my parents will throw a fit if I keep them waiting.” I said as I picked up my trunk.
Sirius's smiled dropped and he leaned in and kissed me again, “do you have to go to Italy?” He asked.
I smiled into his lips, “afraid so. My parents would murder me if I skived on this trip, they've been planning it for ages.” Sirius sighed and gave me one last kiss before swatting me on my butt. I turned around and glared at him playfully.
Sirius shrugged and gave me a blank stare, “what? As your boyfriend I'm allowed to smack your bum as much as I please.”
“You are incorrigible,” I said smiling as I planted one last kiss on his lips, turning away quickly to avoid anymore distractions, a large smile on my face. Once I'd turned around my smile quickly faded as I saw my mum standing only a few yards by me with a sour expression on her face.
A//N: Alright so what did you think? Avery and Sirius are together but you don't think it will be THAT easy do you? :P Also I realize that in the writing world this seems pretty soon to put two people together but at the same time I was thinking of when I got into relationships and it really didn't take a year to get into them. If you're interested in someone you go for it, you don't have to get to the point of loving them before you ask them out so that's why I put them together for now :) Leave a review :) You know you want to!! This chapter was edited November 15th.
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