Stranger From the Past

When Old Friends Meet

Sirius could not believe his eyes.

His dark orbs locked on to her blue ones.

He blinked. Once. Twice.

She was still there.

Rebecca Pettigrew.

============ FLASHBACK ==============

The Marauders were all staying at the Potters' Manor in the week leading to the big day - the wedding of James Potter and Lily Evans.

Actually, it was not as though there were so many things to see to before the wedding. That was merely the official excuse. In truth, Remus, Peter and especially Sirius, wanted to spend time together with James. They knew that after the marriage, the Marauders would never be the same again. James, though still very much one of them, would have different priorities - to be a good husband, lover and perhaps in the near future, a good father.

Sirius was secretly jealous of Lily. Just a little. Ever since James met her and later dated her, Sirius had to share his longtime best friend. Now that James was marrying her, Sirius would see even lesser and lesser of him.

That week was, in some ways, meant to be the Marauders' last gathering - the final one before they (well, some of them anyway) had to grow up from a boy to a man, recognising and taking on more solemn responsibilities.

But the four friends were not given the luxury of privacy. The intrusion did not come from Mr and Mrs Potter. They were understanding parents who knew the boys' need to be left alone. The disturbance came in the form of Peter's half sister, whom they all referred to as Becky. Her real name was Rebecca, but she hated the name that she shared with her mother. Peter's father had two wives, and Becky, two years younger than Peter, was an offspring from the second.

One could not say that Peter and Becky were ever close siblings. But Becky did put their family ties to good use by making sure that it allowed her the privilege of hanging around Sirius practically daily - something that she had been doing since the day she was transferred from Durmstrang to Hogwarts in the boys' final year.

Hanging around Sirius had its advantages. She was a convenient choice for a date whenever he was in-between relationships with other girls. And being a player, that happened very often though never for more than two weeks. There was hardly a shortage of girls throwing themselves at the most good-looking guy in the school.

Fortunately for Becky, none of the girls had her patience and opportunities. She managed to ensure that she continued to be in Sirius' constant line-of-sight after his graduation. Her efforts paid off and she was now seeing more of him than ever.

*

"Hi guys!" Becky sashayed into the bedroom shared by Peter and Remus for the week. She chose to sit next to Sirius, sliding as close as she could without their bodies touching.

James frowned at her. "We're having a private meeting. If you don't mind -"

"I don't," Becky cut in with an air of nonchalance, deliberately ignoring his obvious hint. She was used to such remarks, just as the Marauders were used to the fact that there was nothing much they could do to make her stay away - not even the many pranks they played on her.

"I told her not to tag along." Peter squirmed uncomfortably.

"Now, Wormtail, that's not the way to treat your little sis!" Sirius said casually, throwing an arm lazily around the girl.

Becky shot her half-brother a smug look of triumph. "Now, what were you guys talking about before I came in?"

"General and boring stuff, of course," James replied with a straight face. "You know...about war and books."

Becky snorted. "That can only be Remus. As for the rest of you, it's probably about girls and Quidditch."

"Hey! Are you hinting that Moony is a bore?" Sirius asked playfully, earning a dirty look from Remus.

Becky pouted as she leaned closer to Sirius. "Let's go take a walk outside. The weather's great."

"Later."

"I'll wait for you in the hall. Don't be long," she told him in her husky voice and blew a breath of hot air into his ear.

Sirius rewarded her with a charming smile. "I'll be right there."

============ END OF FLASHBACK ==============

"Becky?"

She stared at him, equally shocked. "Sirius."

Oh Merlin! It's really her!

***