Ebb and Flow

Hogwarts, Evening after O.W.L. Exams, June 1976

***

It's too quiet, Althea thought apprehensively, as she looked over the top of the novel she was reading. The three first-year students that were sitting at one of the common room tables had left; the two second-years had finished playing wizard chess and were walking up the stairs to the dormitories. Uneasy, she closed her book and looked around her--she was alone. What are Potter and Black planning, she thought as she opened her book. I hope they aren't planning anything--just trying to frighten me at dinner, that's all. Come on, Lily, your Charms Club meeting should be over. Althea sighed nervously, taking one last look around the room, and continued to read:

Romola's eyes were stormy as the sea before her. The green and black water churned and swirled, the salty mist intermingling with her tears.

"Oh, Rodolfo!" she sobbed as the wind swept her auburn hair in its embrace.

"Oh please," Althea murmured and stuck out her tongue.

She giggled lowly as she flipped through Jane's worn copy of Romola of the Sea: A Muggle Seafaring Tale. She stopped toward the end of the book and shook with quiet laughter:

The sea captain's daughter raised her hands to the sea, her thin, black shawl slipped from her slender shoulders. She stepped forward into the murky water, her feet numb from the cold, but how she wished it were her heart!

"I will join you, my love," she wept as the waves rose higher. "I will join you--"

Althea snapped the book shut. "Bloody rubbish," she sighed, stretching her arms out before her.

She unceremoniously tossed the book upon the table and the doe-eyed woman on the cover braced herself upon impact. That one was too boring for a laugh, she thought, taking a folded piece of parchment in her hand. That evening at dinner, a school owl delivered another letter for Althea to curious looks and stares. In the past, her admirer's letters would arrive with the general post, but his gesture was bold, important. Althea reread the letter for what seemed to be the thirtieth time:

This will be my last letter....

Althea frowned thoughtfully as her fingers traced each sentence--who could have written her those letters? She wished with all her heart that this letter--the final letter--would have been signed. She had promised herself at the beginning that she would not develop feelings for the mystery writer, as it could have been a joke. Nevertheless, with every letter, he seduced her; every word, he intoxicated her. She was only fifteen and the feelings that swam inside her frightened and excited her. She had to find out who had written her, but this letter, like the others, was untraceable.

Althea sighed heavily and allowed her hand that held the letter to fall limp at her side. What was she to do? Would her admirer make himself known? By the letter, it seemed not. The end of term was approaching and she would soon board the train to spend the summer with her grandmother. Althea ran her slender fingers through her hair and recounted the boys she and her friends thought could be the mystery writer. When she thought of Sirius, her heart sank to the pit of her stomach--she had hoped that he was the writer of her letters, but Lily's argument against him was convincing. By all interactions, Sirius was direct and the admirer went to great lengths for her not to discover his identity. If what Lily says is true and he does fancy me, I don't think he wants to admit it and I don't think he ever will, she thought, studying the handwriting. It did not look like his handwriting or the handwriting of his friends.

Althea remembered that early afternoon upon the school grounds, and suddenly, a terrible thought bombarded Althea's mind--what if he had already told, or at least shown her his true feelings? Althea winced at the thought. When had Sirius Black ever been defeated in a duel with Snape? Althea leaned forward--her eyes seemingly looking through the sofa--she could not remember an instance for Sirius never gave Snape the chance. He kissed you, you silly girl, she thought and clasped her hand over her mouth. Instantaneously, memories flooded her mind--the Winter Fête, that night on the school grounds, stealing the Daily Prophets, and how he always seemed to mange to find her, alone. The only magic he performed upon her in the last four months was to change her hair slide into a hollyhock. He hadn't hoisted her into the air for ages.

She did not want to see those things. She did not want to see that he might reciprocate her feelings. It made it easier for her to deal with them, to conceal them from her and others. Now, she knew he had feelings for her as well--and how it complicated the situation! She had rationalized that it was all right to have those feelings because nothing would come from them. Jane was the one he was supposed to like--not Althea. Jane was giggly and compliant--the sort of girl Sirius would want. She was petite and blonde--a very pretty girl--with breasts Althea were convinced she managed to charm that way. Why would he want a girl that wouldn't hesitate to hex him? She pulled her knees to her chest. Why would she want a boy that would do the same? Althea rubbed her forehead with the heel of her hand--it was all very strange. If she could only change his mind....

Of course! She would lie to him. She would tell him that she did not fancy him, and whatever feelings she had led him to believe she had were a joke. It was a joke she concocted after he almost drowned her. No, I can't be that cruel, she thought, resting her chin upon her folded arms. He'll know my feelings aren't a joke--he must know. Damn it, I should've been more guarded! He would understand friendship, though. He would understand loyalty. She would explain to him that despite any feelings she had, she could not date him because of Jane. Her friendships with Lily and Jane were too important to jeopardize. She looked to the letter in her hand. I'll show him the letter and say that he's too late...that I have someone--even if I lie and say he's some Muggle. How she wished her secret admirer would make himself known to her!

"This isn't supposed to happen," she murmured, looking ahead of her. "We're not--I'm not," she continued, her eyes widening slightly. She lightly scratched the tip of her nose. "I'll hex him at breakfast."

Suddenly, the portrait swung open and jolted Althea from her thoughts. She quickly sat up and stuffed the letter into the wand pocket of her dress. Sirius, his head bent and hands in his trouser pockets, casually entered the common room. He looked up, tossed the shiny black hair from his grey eyes, and surveyed the common room with the air of boredom. He smiled crookedly at Althea, and Althea, smiled--her heart beating a little faster as he walked toward her.

"Evening, Morrigan," he said as he sat next to her.

"Hello," she said, tucking a curl behind her ear.

"Beautiful night," he said, resting his feet upon the table before them.

"I--I wouldn't know," she said and shrugged. "I've been here all evening."

"Pity," he sighed. "Where's Evans?"

Althea laughed nervously. "Why do you care?"

Sirius shrugged.

"Where's Potter?"

Sirius laughed quietly. "Maybe they're together."

"Likely."

"So," he said and frowned slightly, "McGonagall didn't give you a detention?"

"No," she said, shaking her head. "She went pink at what happened...said she'd speak to Slughorn about it."

Sirius nodded to himself. "So...you're free, then?"

Althea slowly blinked. Free? What did he mean by 'free'? Was he asking her on a date? She quickly clenched her hands into tight fists to stave off her nervous trembling.

"So...?"

Althea nodded.

There was a faint pink to Sirius's cheeks. "D'you like Quidditch--I mean--professional Quidditch?"

Althea raised an eyebrow. "Yeah--"

"Good," he said and took two rectangular pieces of paper from his pocket.

He handed Althea one of the pieces of paper. Althea looked upon the grey colored paper--it was a ticket for the Holyhead Harpies vs. the Montrose Magpies. The game was tonight. Althea looked up from the ticket to Sirius.

"I thought you'd--"

"It's tonight."

"Well, yeah," he said and swallowed. "Tonight."

Althea looked to the grey ticket once more. The Snitch zoomed and twirled along the border of the ticket. Sirius Black wanted to spend his evening with her. It wasn't Madam Puddifoot's--it was Quidditch. Maybe he considers me one of his mates, she thought, turning over the ticket. Boys didn't take girls to Quidditch games for dates.

"If you don't want to--"

"I want to," she said, her eyes transfixed upon the ticket.

"You'll go, then?"

"But, what about--"

"Morrigan--"

"School--"

"So?"

"Black, no," she replied, shaking her head as Sirius smiled eagerly. "I want to, but I really shouldn't. We could get into massive--"

Sirius folded his arms as he leaned close. "You're afraid you might enjoy yourself."

"Afraid? I'm not afraid--"

"Yes, you are," he replied--a wry smile playing across his lips, "you coward."

"How dare you call me a coward?" she laughed with astonishment. "I'm suspicious, that's all."

"Suspicious?" he murmured, raising an eyebrow in thought. "You have nothing to be suspicious about. I promise," he said, placing his hand over his heart, "on my honor--don't laugh, Morrigan--on my honor to be a proper gentleman to you this evening."

"Right, Black," she remarked, looking at him with utmost amusement.

"Please, in the spirit of Gryffindor unity, call me Sirius," he replied, taking hold of her hand.

Althea laughed, pulling her hand from him. "Spirit of Gryffindor unity," she murmured with a small wry smile. "I have every right to be suspicious. You've treated me horribly these past five years--"

"Me?" he interrupted with humorous surprise. "What about you?"

"You made my hair fall out."

"You gave me blisters on my hands," he said, leaning closer.

"You made me eat a Cockroach Cluster."

Sirius laughed as he obviously remembered the incident their third-year. "You added extra ingredients to explode my cauldron," he said, bending his head toward her.

Althea took in a sharp breath. "You hoisted me into the air," she whispered, closing her eyes.

"You threw books at my head," he murmured, his warm breath playing against her lips--it smelled of peppermint. "Will you go?"

The urge to kiss him too great, Althea absently nodded her head.

Suddenly, the portrait door creaked open and the two quickly parted--Sirius, his expression annoyed, and Althea wide-eyed. Lily wiped her eyes as she entered the common room and stopped before Althea. She raised an eyebrow at the couple.

"What happened?" Althea asked, sitting forward.

Lily, here eyes red, looked toward the floor.

"I have to go," Althea said, not removing her gaze from Lily.

Lily sniffed.

"I'll find you," he whispered, his fingertips gently gliding up and down her bare arm.

Althea nodded.

"Evans," he nodded.

Lily did not reply, but grabbed Althea's hand and pulled her off the sofa. She quickly led them toward the girls' dormitory staircase. Althea did not need to look back; she could feel his eyes upon her. The two girls entered their dormitory with Lily slowly sitting upon the edge of her bed--her eyes still downcast. Althea sat next to Lily and placed her arm around her. Lily rested the side of her face against Althea's shoulder and sighed mournfully.

"He cornered me after Charms Club," Lily said. "He was so awful, then."

Althea pulled Lily close and rested her head atop Lily's.

"He told me what I was...a witch," she said quietly. "I should've seen it then. He spoke so poorly to my sister--my sister--but I--I sided with him. We were the same."

Althea remained quiet, but the hatred for Snape bubbled inside her. He never deserved you, she thought, and kissed Lily's forehead.

"I relied on him," she said, new tears falling upon Althea's lilac dress. "He knew so much about magic, but it was Dark Magic. I should've seen...how am I different?"

Althea tenderly stroked Lily's back.

"You were right," she said, a sob caught in her throat. "You were so right!"

A small feeling of vindication licked at Althea's insides. Finally, she thought, suppressing a self-serving smile.

"I thought he was jealous of our friendship--he is a bit of a jealous sort," she said, lifting herself from Althea. She furrowed her brow. "He laughed off what Mulciber did to Mary. He laughed it off," she explained, her expression pained as her eyes bright with tears looked upon Althea. "He compared it to Potter and Black--"

"Black isn't Dark--"

"I know," she said and shook her head. Lily reached for Althea's hand. "I know what he said to you, Althea, and I hate him for it. What he called you, what he said about your father, I can never forgive him--"

"What about you?" Althea reminded. "You've given him nothing but friendship--more than he ever deserved--and look what he did! He betrayed you."

Lily nodded. "I shouldn't be an exception," she said and Althea squeezed Lily's hand. "I know you've kept it from me, but everything was confirmed when I confronted Black--"

"You did?"

"Yes, and he confirmed all the horrible things Snape has said to you and to the others," she explained, her lip trembling. "I'm so sorry."

Althea took Lily into her arms. "No," she whispered heatedly, "don't you dare apologize for him. You've done nothing."

Althea gently rocked Lily as Lily cried against her. Damn you, Snape, she thought, closing her eyes. She imagined herself hexing Snape an hundred times over, but that was not good enough. It was inconceivable to Althea that one would forsake his friendship with Lily Evans. Lily was generous and kind, exceptionally loyal, and listened without judgment. Althea vowed to herself that she would spend the rest of her Hogwarts career helping Lily forget about her weak former friend.

"I love you," Lily said and Althea warmly smiled, "even though Sirius Black tried to kiss you and you did nothing to stop him."

Althea became rigid.

Lily shook with laughter. "I don't understand him...or you," she said and released herself from Althea. "Well, he is nice to look at."

Althea's cheeks flushed. "I know what I said," she said and lightly chewed her bottom lip. "It's just...he's asked me out."

Lily's eyes widened and she slowly smiled. "What did you say?"

Althea smoothed the skirt of her dress. "I said, 'yes,'" she said, avoiding Lily's eyes. "It's just one date--nothing more--"

"Where is he taking you?" she asked. "Not Madam Puddifoot's during a Hogsmeade visit?"

Althea vigorously shook her head. "No, Quidditch."

Lily caught her breath and smiled. "That's not very romantic, is it?"

"No."

"But you don't even really like--"

"I know," she said and scratched her forehead. "I just like flying."

"I've never heard of him taking a girl to a Quidditch match," she teased and playfully nudged Althea.

Althea smiled weakly. "We never paid much attention," she replied and giggled lowly. "Broom cupboards."

Lily giggled louder. "Broom sheds," she said, the look of laughter lingering upon her face. "I reckon the both of you are touched in the head after that."

"I reckon so."

***

Althea stared at the burgundy canopy. With each tick of the clock, her apprehension grew--Sirius expected her at eight-thirty. She inhaled deeply through her nostrils. Could she actually go through with it? Still uneasy, the thought that Sirius wanted to spend the evening with her was enticing. It's just one date, she thought, sitting up. It's Quidditch and I can ignore him. There will be loads of people, too. She walked over to the mirror and sighed. She looked all right, didn't she? What should one wear to a professional Quidditch match? She looked over her shoulder and smiled--she did like how her bottom looked in those jeans.

Snap...snap. Althea turned her head in the direction of the windows. Snap...snap.

"An owl this late?" she whispered, walking in the direction of the window.

Snap...snap.

"An impatient bird, isn't he?" she muttered and unlatched the window lock.

There, upon his Nimbus 1500, sat Sirius Black, hovering at her window. Dressed in a black t-shirt with the emblem of the Magpies and jeans, his hair perfectly windswept, he smiled up at her. God, you look so good, she thought, leaning out of the window.

"What are you doing?" she asked, looking out around her window. "You'll get into massive trouble if McGonagall sees you--"

"I don't care," he said and shrugged. "Can't we have a bit of fun?"

"Fun? Come off it," she said, pushed herself off the windowsill. "I really shouldn't. Goodnight--"

"Wait," Sirius said, thrusting his arm through the opened window.

"Lily will be back soon," she said, turning her head toward the door. "You know what happened--"

"Mary, Jane, and Martha are there," he said and waved the tickets. "Harpies and Magpies. Quidditch."

"I know, but--"

Sirius placed the tickets in his shirt pocket. "Don't be a coward--"

"Coward? I'm not a coward."

"Come out with me," he said, with a pleading smile. "I promise I won't take you to Madam Puddifoot's after the match."

Althea's stomach flipped at the thought of closely holding Sirius as they flew to the Quidditch match and what the rest of the night held. Sirius--his expression hopeful and eager--held out his hand. Althea looked to it. Don't be a coward and go with him, she thought, looking at this hand.

"Right," she breathed as she nodded her head. "I'll go."

Sirius slowly grinned. "So, you'll come out with me, then?"

Althea's stomach flipped again at his sincerity. "Yes," she replied and gently bit her bottom lip. She took Sirius's hand.

"Brilliant," Sirius replied and squeezed her hand. "Come on, I promise you won't be disappointed."

***

Sirius peeled at the label of his bottle of Butterbeer as the two sat in a booth at the Three Broomsticks. For late evening, the pub was just as busy as a Hogsmeade visit with Rosmerta's father busy behind the bar, pouring glasses of amber mead, and Rosmerta maneuvering between tables, deftly carrying her tray. Althea stared at her full bottle of Butterbeer. It was ten o'clock. She should be in her dormitory, but she agreed to join Sirius for a bottle of Butterbeer. They know we're students, she thought, watching a bead of condensation lazily drip from the bottle onto the table. We'll be expelled.

"It wasn't much of a match, was it?" Sirius said to break the quiet.

Althea shook her head. "Catching the Snitch twenty minutes in...at least it didn't last for days," she said, pulling the cool bottle toward her. "We'd certainly be expelled."

"Nah," he said and sniffed. "Dumbledore wouldn't expel you for something like that."

"Oh," she murmured and took a sip of Butterbeer. "What did you think of O.W.L.s?"

She cringed--such a boring topic!

Sirius shrugged. "Easy," he said and smiled. He leaned back in the booth. "Nothing less than Outstanding."

Althea fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Right, Lily told me of your Divination O.W.L.," she said, folding her arms. "You had the eighty-year-old examiner blushing and giggling. You didn't predict one thing."

"I can't help it if I'm charming," he replied, fighting a smile. "Anyway, I'm not the one who wore constellation knickers for the Astronomy O.W.L.," he continued, motioning with his hand toward her legs. "Anyone could have looked at your bum and got the answers."

Althea's hands slammed against the table--jostling the bottles--and opened her mouth in protest. "Why are you looking at my knickers?"

"How can I not?" he laughed, running his fingers through his hair. "I'm affronted with them everyday."

"Then don't look."

"Wear your skirts longer, then," he replied, lifting his bottle to his lips. "You'd think by the twelfth violation, you'd lengthen your skirt."

Althea sighed. "As I told McGonagall, it's the style, and how could she object when I was wearing tartan knickers," she explained and looked at him quizzically. "When did you start to follow school rules?"

"I've followed plenty of school rules."

Althea laughed knowingly. "Likely."

"Morrigan--"

"In the spirit of Gryffindor unity, call me Althea."

"Althea," he said and smiled. Althea enjoyed the way he said her name. "You're currently out of bounds, too."

"I know," she said and made a face.

Althea surveyed the crowd. Wizards and witches laughed and chatted away, unconcerned or oblivious to two underage wizards in the Three Broomsticks. Maybe we won't get caught, she thought, glancing toward Sirius. Sirius was softly singing to himself, and Althea thought it was Orpheus. Orpheus was the most popular Wizarding rock band of the moment, and fronted by the handsome and charismatic (and some would say purveyor in debauchery) Alexander Star, their sound reminded one of the Muggle band Deep Purple. The band's most popular song at the moment was called, 'The Dementor's Kiss,' and although most Wizarding parents would find fault with that disturbing song title, some Wizarding parents found fault with the band's more subversive and taboo Muggle subjects.

"You like Orpheus?"

Althea's question broke Sirius from his musical reverie. "Oh yeah," he said, tossing the hair from his eyes. "I have all their albums."

"Me too," she said and lightly bit her bottom lip.

"You know," he said, leaning closer to her, "the Ministry is thinking about investigating them."

"What?"

Sirius nodded. "For 'Motorway Mabel,'" he explained and laughed to himself. "Corruption of Wizarding society through the disclosure of unsavory carnal Muggle acts or something ridiculous like that," he said, seeming to revel in Althea's shock. "My cousin's daft fiancé is leading the cause."

"The song is about a car," she said, folding her arms. "How stupid can one be?"

Sirius hesitated. "Yeah, a car," he said and smiled with slight condescension at Althea. "It's not any worse than what Muggles sing about."

"Like you know anything about Muggle music, wizard," she said and took a sip from her bottle.

"Oi," he said, and pointed his forefinger at her, "you're a witch."

"Yeah, but I know a lot about Muggle music," she replied, sitting closer to him. "I have to play Muggle when I'm round Gran."

"I know a lot, too," Sirius replied and took another drink. "John Lennon, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin--"

"You like Led Zeppelin?" she interrupted with a mixture of admiration and surprise.

"Yeah," he said, smiling. "You like them?"

"I love them," she said, peeling away the edge of the bottle label.

"Right," Sirius breathed and lifted the bottle to his lips. "D'you like AC/DC?"

Althea frowned and shook her head. "I haven't heard of them."

"What?" he laughed, raising his eyebrows. "You haven't heard of them? How haven't--"

"I don't know every Muggle band, you know," she said, tearing off part of the label. "Do you like Abba?"

Sirius, puzzled, shook his head.

Of course, you wouldn't know about them, she thought, rolling the torn label into a ball between her thumb and forefinger.

Rosmerta rested her palms against the table. "More Butterbeer?" she asked, leaning a little too low upon the table.

"Rosmerta," Sirius murmured and smiled.

Althea narrowed her eyes at Rosmerta. "I'm fine, thanks," she said as Rosmerta ignored her.

"I'll have more," Sirius said and held up his empty bottle.

Rosmerta winked at Sirius. "Right."

Jealously seethed inside Althea as Rosmerta chatted up Sirius. Who does she think she is, she thought, roughly crushing the small ball of paper between her thumb and forefinger. And him!

"A new friend, I see," she said, finally eying Althea.

Sirius nodded. "I reckon Althea would like more, as well," he said and smiled. "Two Butterbeers?"

Rosmerta frowned and nodded. "Straight away."

Once Rosmerta left, Althea leaned back in the booth and folded her arms--fuming. "I want to go back to Hogwarts."

"What? No--"

"You can stay if you like," she said as Rosmerta ruffled a wizard's hair. "She seemed keen for you to do so."

"I don't think I'd have as much fun," he said, spinning the bottle upon the table. "James and I...we come here often."

"To see her?"

Sirius ignored her question and Rosmerta giggled and pinched the cheek of an elderly wizard.

"So, the rumors are true?" she said quietly, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't know you're talking about," he said, flustered, and spun the bottle with more vigor. "Absolute rubbish."

Althea felt her cheeks and neck flush with warmth. It is true, she thought, as Sirius seemed transfixed on his spinning bottle. Sirius and Rosmerta. Althea narrowed her eyes at Rosmerta, who playfully tugged at a wizard's cravat. She understood that feeling for she would never tell Sirius that she slept with one of his good friends. She wondered how Remus would feel about her going on this date with Sirius. He would have to know, wouldn't he?

"Jane will definitely be disappointed. She lived on those rumors."

Sirius stopped the spinning bottle. "She did?" he asked--his lips curved into an amused smile.

"I think most girls do," she said. "Bertha Jorkins, especially."

"Really?" he murmured, scratching his chin. "Do you?"

Althea shook her head. "I form my opinions from my own interactions."

"So, you must hate me, then?" he asked with a small smile.

"No."

"No?"

Althea gently bit her bottom lip.

Sirius's expression was hopeful. "Do you fancy me, then?"

"Butterbeer?" Rosmerta said and placed a cold bottle in front of Sirius.

Sirius did not acknowledge Rosmerta's presence. Instead, he stared intently at Althea.

"She brought you another one," she said, pointing to the bottle.

"Oh--oh right," he said, his eyes locked with Althea's, "cheers, thanks."

Just say it, you silly girl, she thought as he studied her face. Tell him that you fancy him.

"Why did you ask Jane to the Winter Fête?"

He cleared his throat and frowned. "I took her because the girl I wanted to take was already taken," he said and took a gulp of Butterbeer.

Althea's stomach somersaulted, but she was not sure if it was from the excessive amount of that butterscotch liquid or his reply. "Who?"

Sirius furrowed his eyebrows as he took another gulp of Butterbeer.

"Who?" she asked again, her voice barely audible.

"The most beautiful girl in all of Hogwarts," he replied, looking into her eyes.

Althea inhaled deeply, the tingling sensation dispersing throughout her body. He thought her beautiful. How very odd, she thought, lightly licking her lips. He thought me ugly--teased me so--and...maybe he is touched in the head?

"I--I really should go," she said and attempted to stand. "It's late."

"Don't--don't leave," he replied, taking hold of her hand. "You haven't finished your Butterbeer--she brought you another."

Althea looked upon their hands--she rather liked how her hand fit in his. "I--I won't, then."

"Right," he said and gently squeezed her hand.

Althea's eyes widened and she quickly let go of his hand. "Ursula Rigg is very beautiful."

"Yeah, if you like that sort of girl."

"You don't like her?" she asked, the knot in her stomach had returned.

Sirius scratched his chin as he shook his head. "No," he replied and sniffed loudly.

"But you just said--"

"I know what I said, but she's not the most beautiful girl. Honestly, she has a nice face and that's about it."

"Really?" she breathed and Sirius nodded. "Who is the most beautiful girl, then?"

Sirius took a long sip of Butterbeer and roughly wiped his mouth--still holding the bottle in his hands. "She's in Gryffindor," he answered, smiling to himself.

"Eulalia Bennett?"

"She's a bit daft," he remarked and shook his head. "Are you going to name all the Gryffindor girls?"

"If I have to," she replied and laughed as Sirius muttered something under his breath. "Lily? Mary? Martha?"

"It's obvious, Althea," he said and winked. "Althea, it's very obvious."

"Obvious to you," she remarked and took a sip of cold Butterbeer.

Althea smiled to herself--her neck and spine tingling with excitement. I just want to hear you say it.

"A gillywater, Rosmerta."

Althea gasped and felt Sirius's hand forcefully push her head down. McGonagall, she thought as the two hid under the table. Althea bit her lip at her cramped position--a painful twinge had started in her calf. Sirius sighed with annoyance as he listened to McGonagall and her female companion. He didn't seem too scared.

"Gillywater, Minny?" the woman said. "You'll need more than gillywater to speak with Agnes."

Sirius quietly shook with laughter. "Minny?" he mouthed.

Althea tugged at the leg of his jeans and gave him a warning look.

"I don't need Firewhiskey to pluck up my courage, V," McGonagall replied. "Gillywater it will be, Rosmerta, thank you."

Sirius reached out and pulled at Rosmerta's dress. Rosmerta stepped in front of the table and bent as if she were to pick up something.

"Right," she whispered and winked at Sirius. "Bring James next time, will you?"

Althea stuck her tongue out as Rosmerta walked away.

Sirius leaned forward, resting his cheek against Althea's. "Right," he whispered, "Rosmerta will give us a distraction, and when she does, follow me."

Althea nodded.

"She is an awful woman," the woman named V said. "How we ever--"

V's words were overtaken by the sound of glass and metal falling to the floor. Sirius grabbed Althea's hand and pulled her from out underneath the table--the scene of falling chairs and overturned tables a blur to her. The two ran at full speed into the darkened street dimly illuminated by gas lamps. Sirius, still holding her hand, stopped and Althea spun from the momentum.

Breathing heavily, he laughed and swept the black hair from his eyes. "I reckon I owe her a few bottles of mead," he said, grinning. "Are you all right?"

Althea nodded.

"Come on," he said and squeezed her hand, "back to Hogwarts."

I should've asked him where at Hogwarts, she thought as she stepped on to the roof. Sirius flew over to one of the many chimneys and dismounted from his broom. Althea rose and fell on the falls of her feet--it was an impressive view: the Hogwarts grounds were quiet and serene and the black lake shimmered in the moonlight. She wondered how often Sirius would fly up, or if he had taken girls previously to this spot.

"Have you ever been up here?" he asked, walking toward Althea.

Althea shook her head. She looked up at the sky to the thousands of stars that twinkled. "It's lovely, though."

Sirius looked up at the sky. "Yeah," he said and smiled, "beautiful."

Althea felt her entire body flush with warmth. No Quidditch. No Three Broomsticks. No crowd to interrupt them. She nervously clasped her hands behind her.

"You know," he said, stepping forward, "we should do things more often."

"You think so?"

Sirius nodded. "Why not? It wasn't that bad," he said and frowned playfully, "or maybe it was."

Althea laughed quietly. "If you say so."

Sirius smiled crookedly and slipped his left arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him. Her heart pounded wildly against her chest, and she inhaled a shaky breath to calm herself down, but it was of no use. She hesitated in closing her eyes as Sirius, eyes closed, bent his head forward. She caught her breath. Sirius's lips missed her own--his lips touching the corner of her mouth and chin. Althea frowned slightly and lifted her head--she felt Sirius's lips, tasting of Butterbeer, smile against her. She soon smiled, too--it felt exhilarating to be so close to him--to smell the spicy scent of his soap and to feel his heart beating just as wildly as hers. His touch was so soft and little electrical sparks tingled and exploded underneath her skin.

Sirius slightly pulled away form Althea and rested his forehead against hers. Eyes closed, he whispered, "Would you be my girl?"

Althea felt a sick feeling in her stomach. She had enjoyed her night so much with Sirius; she had forgotten her promise to Lily and for Jane.

"I--I can't," she whispered.

"But--"

"Jane," she said, stepping back. "I can't do this," she added and wiped her mouth.

Sirius inhaled deeply and bit the inside of his cheek.

"I'm so sorry. I--"

"Right," he growled through gritted teeth.

"Jane is the one that fancies you," she said shakily--the words tasting odd upon her lips. "You don't--"

"I wrote you those letters," he said quickly.

Althea felt the blood drain from her face.

"All of them," he added, his hands balled into fists.

Althea stared at Sirius with her mouth slightly parted. Her feelings for Sirius and for the letter writer were one in the same.

"I just thought you should know that."

Althea didn't walk after him or did she make any plea to stop him.

Sirius roughly grabbed his broom. "Get yourself down," he said and mounted his broom. "I reckon you can manage."

Sirius flew off into the night sky at a dangerous acceleration. Althea maintained contact with his form until he vanished. Alone, she slumped down onto the roof and pulled her knees to her chest. She raised her fingertips to her lips and began to cry.

***

Her eyes raw from tears, Althea returned to Gryffindor Tower. As she spotted the Fat Lady's portrait, her eyes drifted upward to the suspended figure before it.

"Snape," she sighed, resting her hands on her hips.

Snape, with great effort, shifted in midair to face her. She was impressed that he had remembered a Temporary Sticking Charm to his robes--she really did not want to see his graying underpants and sickly pale legs again.

"Morrigan--"

"No."

Snape narrowed his eyes. "You'll wish--"

Althea stepped forward. "Lily is too kind to have done this to you. I reckon she'd help you down, still. I won't," she said as nostrils of Snape's large hooked nose flared. "You'll stay here until the morning so everyone will know how loathsome you are."

"Muckblood--"

"You're in no position to threaten me," she said and laughed, shaking her head. "I'll see that you're still suspended in the air until the afternoon."

Snape pointed his finger at Althea. "Just you wait--"

Althea stepped forward, looking eye to eye at him. "You hang round people that think it okay to kill her," she said and waited for a moment for it to register with Snape.

Sadly, it did not.

Althea sighed and walked around Snape toward the Fat Lady's portrait. "Goodnight, Snivellus."

"Your boyfriend is no better!"

Althea stopped. She turned to face the struggling Snape and raised her wand. "Circumversari."

Snape growled as he started to slowly spin like a top.

"Goodnight, Snivellus."