The Fanfic Author and Sirius Black

Prologue: Hyperactive? Or just quirky?

Sirius was lounging on one of the many overstuffed couches of the Gryffindor common room, thoroughly engaged in the charade of doing his homework. The portrait hole swung open, and without looking up, he greeted his friend. "Ahoy, Prongs. And where have you been this fine-" he glanced out the window, "-spring day?"

James looked at Sirius with an amused smile on his face. "Just Quidditch practice, my friend, where you should have been." Now, pray tell, where have you been that you don't even know the season without glancing out the window?"

As innocently as he could, Sirius said, "Just my homework. Now what would make you think anything different?" And so he resumed his studious composure.

James sat down on the couch, right on top, as a matter of fact, of Sirius's legs."

Sirius let out a howl. "JAMES YOU GODDAMNABLE MISERABLE EXCUSE FOR A HUMAN! HOW--MUCH--DO--YOU--WEIGH?!"

Laughing, James fell back into one of the armchairs closer to the fire. "Forget Quidditch practice for now, Padfoot. There's a new exchange student--from America, nonetheless." For a moment, he stopped, frowning. "That sounded really- cliqueish." He shook his head. "Whatever. I think you'll like her. She'll certainly keep that Felina DeMarques away from you, if you go steady with her." He grinned again. "And, I think she just might be your type."

At that moment, [[Plot device, anyone?]] the portrait-hole swung open, and a voice called, "Um, James, I remembered the password, so I didn't wait for you on the field... Oh, Hello!" At that moment, the owner of the voice had completely emerged in the room, and, uncharacteristically, had realized that there was someone else in the room. "And would this be Sirius, who you mentioned?" Without waiting for a response, she strode over to him and shook his hand rather energetically. "I'm Annie- I came here from America, as James might have told you. I tried out for the Quidditch team, and James said that I just might make it! Isn't that great?" A huge smile lit up her face, and she continued. "Well, I have to go unpack. I really hope I don't get lost, that would be really easy for me to do. Oops! I really do have to finish unpacking. Bye then!" And then, in a flurry of motion, she was gone.

Sirius, for once in his life, was speechless, his mouth hanging wide open. James reached over and shut it. "She be pretty girl," said Sirius, regaining his power of speech, minus the grammar.

"With well exercised vocal cords," added James wisely. "But Lily met her earlier today; she said that she's not always this talkative. Lily also said she's a bit... what did she say? Oh, yes... quirky at times. I'm sure she and you will get along nicely. In any case, she's on the Quidditch team. You just met our new Chaser." He stood up and stretched. "Well, I have to do my homework."

"I already did mine!" said Sirius brightly.

"Right," James shot back.