Ebb and Flow

Althea's Birthday, August 1976

***

The soft hooting of Gabriel woke Althea from her sleep. Sleepily, she turned over onto her back and wiped the sleep from her eyes. She sighed as she saw a letter tied neatly to Gabriel's leg--Sirius had written her. However, Althea did not attempt to retrieve the letter from Gabriel; she was exhausted from the argument with her grandmother the night before. She was exhausted from arguing and exhausted from crying. Althea spent the night and the early morning wondering about the truth of Gran's confession. Was her life in grave danger if she dated Sirius? Gran never specified the exact horrific consequences, but Althea did deduce that death was a possibility. She thought, once more, to the confrontation with Mrs. Black. The sickness in her stomach returned.

Althea sat up and untied the letter from Gabriel's leg. As she scratched the top of Gabriel's head, she read Sirius's letter. The letter was like the others she received over the summer--he loved her, missed her, and could not wait to see her on the train to Hogwarts. Althea smiled at how challenging it would be for them to hide their enthusiasm on the train ride. However, this letter was slightly different from others. At the bottom, Sirius wrote that he would see her for her birthday. Althea covered her face with her hands and groaned. Her birthday--it was today. Gran had planned a special party, inviting all the boring Muggles to a garden party held in Althea's honor. Lily and Jane were not invited and her dear Sophie--who so enjoyed mocking the boring set--would not be there.

Althea's mind returned to Sirius's letter. What would happen if Sirius appeared in the middle of the party? Althea laughed--which frightened Gabriel--as she imagined Sirius, in wizard's robes, flying on his broom, and landing in the middle of the festivities. Memory Charms would take care of the Muggles, but Gran was another matter. She had not given Gran an answer last night, and Althea had not told Sirius yet.

Althea stood from her bed. "This might be the worst birthday I'll ever have."

After her bath, she walked to her closet to pick out clothes for her party. Gran had told her to dress especially nice because John Harrington would be there. Maybe, I have a nice potato sack lurking about, she thought as she searched through her clothes. In Gran's mind, John Harrington was the perfect match for Althea. He was a prefect at the local boys' school, a member of the rowing team, a keen cricketer, a top polo player, and his grandfather--the 8^th Earl of Willingsborough--was a dear friend of Gran. Due to the lack of a potato sack, Althea decided to wear her new lavender dress. She slipped on the lavender dress and frowned. I reckon it's a bit short, she thought, gazing into her full-length mirror. She walked into her closet for another dress and frowned again--all of her dresses and skirts (excluding the monstrosities Gran bought) were that short.

"Oh well," she sighed and exited her closet.

As she applied pale pink lip-gloss, she heard something tapping against her window. It must be Lily's owl, she thought as she placed the lip-gloss on her dressing table. Althea walked over to her window, expecting Lily's owl, and giggled from surprise.

"Sirius!" she exclaimed as she opened the window. "It's so early! I didn't think you'd be here so soon," she said happily and threw her arms around his neck.

Sirius held her tightly and nuzzled her neck. "It is one in the afternoon," he replied as he pulled away from her. "Here, hop on," he added and patted his broom.

Althea pouted slightly. "I can't. Gran has a party for me at three."

"So?" he snorted and kissed her lips. His broom dipped suddenly, causing Althea to hold onto him tightly to prevent her falling out her window. "I'll have you back by three. Come on," he said, smiling, and patted the broom.

Althea carefully climbed out of the window and onto Sirius's broom. She wrapped her arms around his waist as they flew away from the manor house. Ever so often, Sirius would accelerate or dive, causing Althea to hold him tighter, which made him bark with laughter.

"Sirius, where are we going?" she shouted over the howling wind.

"We're almost there!" he shouted back and started to descend.

The two landed in an abandoned churchyard at the edge of Althea's estate. The grasses and wildflowers grew untamed around the faded, forgotten tombstones of Althea's ancestors. Sirius took her hand and led her through the archway of the decaying church. The roof had long since crumbled away and only a few pillars of stone and one wall remained. Althea did not understand why he would bring her to such a place.

"Isn't this lovely?" he sighed, as he looked admiringly around the dilapidated church.

Althea frowned and bit her lip. "I suppose so, but why would you bring me here?" She sat on a stone that at one time was a supporting beam.

Sirius sat next to her. "I saw this as I flew to your house. They wouldn't think of looking for us here," he explained and gently massaged her hand in his.

Althea's eyes narrowed. "What? Are you in trouble?" she asked as her stomach tightened.

Sirius laughed and rubbed his chin. "Sort of," he said and took her other hand in his. "I left home."

Althea's eyes widened. Oh God, she thought, growing lightheaded.

"You--you left home?"

Sirius nodded his head.

"You can't leave--they won't let you," she continued excitedly, squeezing his hand. "They'll come after you."

Sirius laughed again. "I did," he replied proudly as he looked into her eyes, "and I've managed to dodge them so far."

Althea's mind hummed and buzzed with excitement and confusion. "How--but--when--but--why?" she forced herself to say.

Sirius shook his head and continued to laugh. "I couldn't stand it there anymore," he began and released her hands. "You know how they all are--pure-blood fanatics," he continued bitterly and ran his fingers through his hair. "While I was out, my idiot brother told that woman where I kept all my Muggle things--records, books, magazines, the whole lot."

"Oh no," Althea whispered and rested her hand on top of his.

"Regulus told her about you," he said and sadly looked into her eyes. "She searched my room looking for your letters with the help of that wretched house-elf. When I came home, she had already destroyed the Muggle things, and she waited until I came home to destroy your letters."

Althea tenderly squeezed his hand.

"She confronted me, and of course, I didn't deny it. Then, she threw the letters into the fire in front of me. So, I waited until that night and left."

Althea slid her forearms around his neck and rested her head against his shoulder. That is why his mother accosted me in the street, she thought as Sirius held her tighter. See Gran, he has given up his family--you were wrong. Althea thought to the Dark Magic Gran had described that bound him to his family--she held him tighter.

"Where are you staying now?" Althea asked, not letting go of Sirius.

Sirius stroked Althea's back. "With James, of course," he said his tone of voice slightly more positive. "I'm sorry about my mother. Mrs. Potter told me about it yesterday--she saw the whole thing."

Althea had hoped that no one else had paid attention. "She was awful," she replied and pulled away from Sirius. "Offered me a purse of Galleons to stop dating you and threatened to have me killed."

Sirius frowned. "You must have intimidated her; she wasn't as viper-tongued as I thought she'd be," he quipped and sighed. "How did your grandmother take this?"

Althea lowered her head and noticed that her hands were trembling. "She said that I can't see you anymore," she answered quietly.

Althea waited for Sirius's sad reply, but instead he laughed. Althea looked up at him. "I'm not surprised," he said, smiling. "No parent, or grandparent, would want me dating her daughter. Well, unless you're a Malfoy or some other upstart pure-blood family, but then again, that's questionable," he replied and winked. He noticed that Althea was not amused by his remark. "Althea, is everything all right?" he asked as he placed his hands on her shoulders.

Althea shook her head. "No, Gran and I had an argument last night. It was awful," she said, suppressing new tears. "She doesn't believe you're different from your family. You're a Black, and eventually you'll succumb to your family...therefore, it's best if I never see you again."

For a few moments, Sirius did not respond. He rested his forehead against hers and massaged her shoulders with the palms of his hands. "Oh," he whispered and frowned. "Althea, how could Gran know about my family?"

"She's a witch," she whispered and sniffed back tears.

"She's a what?"

"She's a witch," she repeated, "descended from the Rynne family...and they've been witches and wizards for almost eight hundred years."

Sirius pulled away from Althea. His mouth contorted from a look of shock to humorous surprise. He looked as if he would speak, but instead, he shook his head.

"Aren't you going to say something?" she asked and raised an eyebrow. "Sirius?"

"All that hell she put you through...and she's a bloody witch?" he remarked and looked to Althea--he shook his head in disbelief once more. "What the hell would make her do that to you?"

Althea took a slow, deep breath and stared at the ant crawling across the stone. "She doesn't want the same thing to happen to me."

"What happen?"

She paused for a moment before speaking and continued to watch the ant as it climbed over the side of the stone and out of sight. "She believes you'll betray me," she answered and despised the way the words tasted in her mouth. "Like that boy that betrayed her. She lost everything because of his betrayal. That I would be killed--"

"WHAT?" Sirius roared as he stood, almost knocking Althea over onto the grass and rubble. "I WOULD NEVER--I'M GOING BACK--"

Althea stood and grabbed his arms. "Sirius, calm down," she pleaded. "Sirius, please! I know you would never hurt me and that is what matters."

Sirius sighed and rested his forehead on her shoulder. "I could never hurt you," he said softly and slid his arms around her waist. "Why would she say that?"

Althea rested her hand on the back of his head and gently stroked his hair. "Gran went mad last night," she whispered as she coaxed him over to the large stone. "I'd never seen her so panicked."

"Panicked?"

Althea nodded as she sat. "Something very terrible happened to her, and I think to her family," she said, smoothing her skirt. "She believes she was the cause of it."

"They were killed?" Sirius asked as he sat next to her.

Althea shook her head. "I don't know--she didn't explicitly say it.... She had a chest in her bedroom and it contained many Rynne artifacts.... I reckon they were killed."

"Horrible."

"Yes, very," she said and bit her bottom lip. She thought about Mrs. Black's words with Gran. "Do you know of the Rynne family?"

Sirius shook his head.

"Oh," she murmured. "Your mum seemed to know of them."

"My mother memorized Nature's Nobility at eight years of age, so she should," he said and sighed.

"Did you have to read it?"

Sirius shook his head.

"Your family hasn't forced you to learn, then?"

"No," he answered, and picked up a small stone and rolled it between his index finger and thumb. "I reckon they've tried over the years, but I was such a disappointment...my brother is the good son. He won't befriend anyone unless that woman checks bloodlines." He threw the stone as far as he could. It fell into a thicket of weeds.

Althea leaned closer, hesitant and unsure of her words. "Gran believes...Gran believes that you're bound to your family--"

Sirius snorted with laughter. "Bound?" he said and smirked. "I was disowned."

Althea's eyes widened. "Disowned?"

"Yeah, burned off the family tree," he said, and despite his best effort, Althea could detect sadness. "Received a Howler, too."

"I'm so sorry," she said and placed her hand on his forearm.

Sirius shrugged. "She got what she wanted," he said bitterly. "She doesn't have to admit that I'm her son."

***

The afternoon summer sun had warmed the grass, rendering it a very comfortable place to sit. Althea lay next to Sirius, and watched the fluffy white clouds drift and form new shapes in the sky.

"My cousin's marrying next week." Sirius sighed and rested his hands underneath his head.

Althea continued to watch the clouds drift across the sky. "Narcissa?" she asked, somewhat surprised, turning her face toward him. "Isn't she too young?"

Sirius laughed and turned his head toward her. "What else is there to do?"

"Muggles marry later," she answered, frowning slightly.

"Well, Muggles also have things like university," he said and returned to gazing at the sky.

"So, it's common then--wizards and witches marrying early?"

"No, just witches," Sirius replied and sighed. "Wizards marry later--that's just how it's done, I suppose."

"That's silly," she replied, breaking off a blade of grass. "I don't want to marry at seventeen."

"Nor do I," he said and laughed. "I want to make my own way in this world."

Althea smiled. "Me too," she said and sighed.

Sirius smiled. "No more boring parties with suitable pure-blood prospects and their parents--"

"You never behaved, did you?"

"Never," he said, his smile growing. "I reckon most believed I was deranged...ruined all my mother's attempts at securing a wife."

Althea made a disgusted face. "Your family practices arranged marriages?"

"They're not arranged marriages--they're suggestions," he said and frowned. "Very strong suggestions--as long as she's rich and pure-blood--she'd do."

"Oh."

"I wouldn't doubt they'd do it if they could--have to keep the blood pure at all costs."

Althea sighed and closed her eyes. Did Sirius only think of her as a non-pure-blood, a means to leave his house and family? It would have been easier for him to leave. He loved collecting Muggle things--did he think her part of his collection? She noticed that in the past, he had only dated non-pure-bloods. Was he so against the pure-blood mania that he actively sought out Muggle-borns and other non-pure-bloods? Since Althea disclosed that her grandmother was a witch, would he think less of her? Would he love her less?

"Sirius?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you...do you think less of me because my Gran's a witch?"

Sirius did not respond immediately. In her heart, Althea wished he would have. She wanted him to deny immediately that he thought less of her. It is true then, he does think less of me, she thought sadly, as she turned her head toward the sky.

Sirius turned on his side and rested his arm over her stomach. "I didn't fall in love with your blood," he replied softly as his fingers stroked the side of her abdomen. "Do you think I'm dating you because my loathsome family are blood purists?"

"Well--"

"That is bollocks, that's what that is," he said and reached into his pocket. Sirius handed her a small, clumsily wrapped box. "Happy Birthday."

"What's this?" she asked as she sat up.

"Your gift, of course," he replied and mustered a smile. "Come on, open it."

Althea tore off the wrapping and opened the small box. She gasped.

"Do you like it?"

"Of course!" she breathed as she examined her gift. "It is so beautiful. Thank you."

"Thanks, here," he replied, grinning, and took her hand. "I saw this in a Muggle antique shop. It was saved from some shipwreck off Bermuda," he added and slid the ring on her finger. "I remembered how much you loved Bermuda."

Althea gazed at her ring and slowly moved her finger up and down so the sunlight would catch the small amethyst stone and gold surrounding it. "I do," she whispered happily. "Thank you," she added and kissed his lips.

"You're welcome," he replied, smoothing the hair away from her face.

Althea frowned. "Sirius, this must have been so expensive. You can't afford that."

"Don't worry," he replied quietly as he placed his hands on her shoulders. "I traded in part of my inheritance for it."

"You shouldn't have done that. You need that money."

Sirius laughed. "What would I do with a hideous necklace?" he said and stuck his tongue out in disgust. "It was ugly too. Two gold snakes with emerald eyes, holding a huge emerald between them."

"That does sound awful," she sneered.

Sirius laughed and kissed Althea's cheek. "Now some poor Muggle will wear that Black family heirloom," he said, and stroked away the hair that blew into her face. "It's perfect, really."

"Indeed," she said and slid her arms around his neck. "Is it cursed?"

"The necklace?"

Althea nodded.

"No," he said, gliding his hands down her sides and around her waist. "They only place a curse on the important items--the items relevant to the cause."

"Like what?"

"Like the family tree," he said and pressed his lips to hers.

Althea pulled away. "The family tree?"

Sirius sighed. "It doesn't like when someone is forcibly removed," he explained. "There have been a few Squibs blasted from the tree, but as they don't matter, the curse doesn't apply."

"What is the curse?"

Sirius shrugged. "I don't know. I reckon no one knows--a family myth, really."

"Gran!" she gasped.

"Oh, come of it," he said. "Gran just doesn't want you happy."

"But she--"

"All summer she's prevented you from visiting your friends," he said, tracing small circles against the back of her dress. "It wouldn't matter if I were Muggle-born or a Muggle, Althea. She wouldn't like me--it's just convenient that my last name is Black."

Althea frowned.

"Right," he sighed and forced a smile. "I reckon it's time for us to return."

Althea wrinkled her nose.

"Cheer up, it won't be that awful," he said and tweaked her nose.

Althea sighed disappointedly. "It will be that awful," she said and sat back. "All the Muggles Gran approves of--all the grandchildren of her dear friends--"

"That one girl should be there, then?"

Althea shook her head. "Sophie is on holiday with her father and his new wife," she said and reclined onto the grass. She sighed and plucked one of the many small white flowers. "And I have nothing in common with John."

"John? Who's John?" he asked as he reclined next to her.

"The boy Gran wants me to see."

"Oh," Sirius replied. His jaw tightened and he placed a protective arm over her waist. "What's this John like?"

Althea bit her lip to cover up her smile at his jealousy. "He's a prefect at the boys' school and an athlete," she replied as she observed Sirius pale. "Also the grandson of the 8^th Earl of Willingsborough--"

"Is he handsome?" Sirius bit the inside of his cheek.

Althea began to giggle. "Yes."

"What?" he said, frowning.

Althea cleared her throat. "You," she said, looking into his eyes. "You're jealous."

"I'm not jealous," Sirius scoffed and furrowed his eyebrows. "I'm concerned about this John."

"Are you?" she asked coyly--her mouth upturning into a smile.

"He might try to take advantage of you."

"Be reasonable, Sirius."

"I am," he answered and kissed her on the cheek. "I'm staying for the party. I have to make sure this John behaves himself."

Althea laughed. "Sirius, how are you staying for the party? Gran will go mental if she sees you."

"Arf," Sirius replied playfully and kissed her lips.

***

Happy birthday to me, but pay no attention to me--you boring lot.... Only here because I'm Lady Althea, nothing more, Althea thought as she disappointedly stared at her fellow guests. She had nothing in common with them. Maybe I'd find them interesting if they did something useful, she thought, folding her arms. The Muggles Lily knows are fascinating. I'd have more fun with Petunia's theater friends. Althea noticed a petite blonde striding in her direction, and cringed--Marianne Fairchild-Forsythe.

"Althea, how good it is to see you," Marianne said happily, as she hugged Althea.

"Likewise," Althea mumbled as she pulled away.

Marianne smiled coyly. "Look at the way John Harrington is smiling at you," she teased and playfully nudged Althea's arm.

Althea feigned a smile.

"You know, John Harrington, 'the perfect boy,' is just an act," she added and winked.

"Oh," Althea replied and took a sip of punch. "I didn't know."

Althea looked in the direction of John. He was standing next to the food table, chatting with two other girls from wealthy families. Ever so often, he would look past the two girls at Althea, and Althea would desperately develop methods to avoid eye contact. Once Marianne had arrived, Marianne immediately divulged the secret proposal John Harrington had planned. He knew what Gran and his grandfather were planning, and he welcomed it. By the end of the party, John and Althea would be a couple. How am I going to tell him no, she thought as she took another sip of punch. I have to remember to be polite.

"He's had almost every girl here," Marianne whispered into Althea's ear.

"How can you be so sure?" Althea asked as she started to walk into the rose garden.

Marianne quickly followed. "Last year he took three girls onto his father's private yacht in the Mediterranean."

Althea sat on a marble bench and inhaled deeply the sweet fragrance of the roses. "And that's proof?"

Marianne looked at Althea sympathetically. "Althea, it's true--Celia was one of the girls," she explained and rested her hand on top of Althea's hand. "He looks amazing in his polo uniform," she said and sighed. "That blond hair, those chocolate eyes, the fantastic muscles--"

Althea rolled her eyes as she took a long sip of punch. Chocolate?

"Why don't you go out with him, then?"

"I would," she sighed dreamily. Marianne quickly shot Althea a suspicious look. "You already have someone, don't you?" she said and smiled.

Althea smiled and nodded.

"He attends that school you go to, doesn't he?" she replied, her eyes flashing mischievously.

Althea laughed quietly and placed her cup at her side.

"How fantastic it must be to date an American! They're so wild!" Marianne gasped and giggled.

Althea raised an eyebrow. "Have you ever met an American?"

Marianne frowned. "Once on holiday last year," she answered sadly. Althea remembered the long and tedious story of Marianne's failed love affair with an oil tycoon's son. "So what is your American boy like?"

"He's not American," Althea replied and crossed her legs. "He's English, in fact, he lives in London."

"London," she repeated loudly. "What family? What school?" she asked excitedly and squeezed Althea's hand.

Althea politely wiggled her hand free. "No family," she replied and forced herself to hide her smile. "He's not in school either."

Marianne gasped and squealed. "Althea, how absolutely devilish! What does he do?"

"He's a musician."

"Does your grandmother know?"

"No, it's more fun that way," she quipped and winked.

Althea noticed Marianne straighten and blush.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but Althea, I would like to talk with you, privately," John said smoothly from behind her.

Althea sighed. Her fun with Marianne Fairchild-Forsythe was over. She knew what John wanted to talk about--his proposal for a relationship. With mild queasiness, Althea smiled with feigned politeness.

"Right, but do you mind if I take my dog along?" Althea said as she stood. "He hasn't been out all day."

"That's fine," John sighed. "Where is he?"

"He's in my bedroom," she explained and winced as John smiled. "I'll go collect him."

"Right," he replied with a forced smile. "Hurry back."

As if I'd let him up to my bedroom, she thought, walking toward the manor house. I'm not one of those girls he can easily bed.... Just fancies me for my title and my money--all that Muggle money. I really pray that he doesn't start with the polo stories. 'Why don't you attend? It'd be brilliant if you came.' 'I find you all incredibly boring and don't want my face in every dull magazine.' No wonder my father rejected this life. Althea entered the manor and walked up the staircase that led to the bedrooms. She opened the door to her bedroom, and found Sirius busily turning on and off the light switch. Althea, amused, stood at the door and watched him as he laughed every time the lamp would turn on.

"Lumos," he said and smiled as the lamp glowed. "Nox."

"Sirius, you don't have to say spells to turn on the lamp. Watch," she said as she walked over to him. Althea turned the light switch on and then off.

"Amazing," Sirius muttered and ran his fingers through his hair. "What Muggles come up with...are you having fun?"

"Of course, not," she said. "John would like to speak with me."

"Time to transform, then?"

Althea rested her hands on Sirius's chest. "I want to remind you. No hexing, no jinxing, no cursing, and no biting, no mauling," she warned--her eyes narrowing.

"You take the fun out of everything," he muttered and shoved his hands in his pockets.

"And if you're a good boy, Snuffles," she continued and Sirius grinned widely, "you get a dog biscuit."

"What, no scratch behind the ears?"

"If you're good, yes," she replied and kissed his lips.

Althea left the manor with Snuffles happily running behind. He seems to enjoy his Animagus form a little too much, she thought as she walked up to John. I think I would enjoy it, too, if my Animagus form were a dog.

"So, this is your dog?" John said as he bent down to pet Snuffles. Snuffles growled as John's hand reached his ears. "Doesn't seem to like me."

No he doesn't, Althea thought to herself as she politely smiled at John. You should be glad he only growled.

"Oh, it takes him some time before he warms up to people," she said and patted Snuffles on his head. "Very protective sort of dog...had him for ages."

"Is he a very smart dog?"

Althea smiled. "Of course, he is. Snuffles, sit," she commanded and Snuffles sat. "Roll over."

Snuffles rolled over.

"Jump."

Snuffles jumped.

"Very well trained," John said with admiration. "Let me try. Sit," he said and pointed to the ground.

Snuffles turned his head to the side and stared at John.

"Sit."

Snuffles did not move.

"Fine then, stay."

Snuffles sat, and Althea could not contain her laughter.

"Enough of that, "John said, eyeing the dog warily. "Shall we go?"

Althea nodded.

John and Althea walked toward the lake, with Snuffles in between the two of them--a very attentive chaperone. Whenever John walked too close to her, Snuffles growled or nudged him away. The late afternoon sun's reflection shimmered on the smooth lake surface, periodically disrupted by a few wading ducks. A small rowboat was docked on the shore in a grove of reeds. I can just imagine Sirius hexing him overboard, she thought as John motioned toward the grassy bank. Althea sat on the warm grass, and John sat next to her. Let's just get this over with, she thought as Snuffles snuggled close to her.

Althea smiled politely as John's demeanor regarded her with some casualness.

"Grand's pleased I'm a prefect, you know," he said, his hand stroking the grass between them.

"I dated a prefect once."

"Oh--oh you did?"

Althea nodded. And then, he tried to eat me, she thought, glancing toward Snuffles.

"You must like your school, then?" Althea asked and rested her hand on Snuffles head.

"I do, very much so," he replied and cleared his throat. "Althea, there's something I must tell you."

Althea's throat constricted and prevented her from taking normal breaths. Here we go.

"Althea, I know about Sirius."

The blood quickly drained from Althea's face and Snuffles raised his head. "How--how do you know about Sirius?"

John smiled sweetly. "Your grandmother told me," he explained and leaned closer to her. "What an odd name, too--Sirius."

Althea slid her hand to Snuffles's neck. "I think it's a wonderful name," she replied and Snuffles's tail wagged against her side. "Are you to convince me that he a poor choice?"

John nodded. "I can offer you so much more," he whispered as he stroked the side of her face. "The right parties, the right invitations, my father has a yacht--"

"I know," she said, removing his hand from her face.

"He's not like us, Althea, not part of our set. We have...certain standards, if you will. He'd embarrass himself."

"Likely," she sneered, narrowing her eyes.

Snuffles began to growl as John continued, "Althea, you and I, we'd be perfect together--if you know what I mean."

Suddenly, Snuffles leaped forward, knocking John to the ground. For a moment, Althea wanted to leave Snuffles on top of John--growling within inches of his face.

"SNUFFLES!" shouted Althea with mock horror as she wrapped her arms around Snuffles's middle and attempted to pry him off John. "GET DOWN!" she roared, finally removing Snuffles from John.

"That dog needs to be neutered!" John growled as he sat up. "Unruly and awful--deranged too!"

Snuffles, exposing his teeth, continued to growl ferociously.

"He doesn't!" Althea replied sharply and scratched the whimpering Snuffles behind the ears. "He's a wonderful, albeit overly protective sort of dog," she explained, resting her hand atop Snuffles's head. "He's far from deranged, I can assure you." She looked to Snuffles and through gritted teeth said, "Behave."

"Behave, indeed," he laughed, smoothing the blond hair away from his face. "I'd hate to see his reaction to that Sirius."

"They're best mates," she said, her lips quivering into a smile. "Snuffles loves Sirius."

Snuffles barked happily and Althea roughly rubbed his back.

"You're mysterious," he said, moving closer, "you really are."

Althea frowned. He doesn't waste time, she thought as she absentmindedly scratched Snuffles behind the ears.

"Me? How am I mysterious?" she asked and placed both of her hands in her lap.

"I hardly know anything about you," he explained, taking a strand of her hair in his hand. "No one does."

"I don't have many friends outside of school," she said, removing her hair from his hand.

John stroked the side of her face. "No, it's more than that...almost bewitching," he whispered and leaned in to kiss her.

Althea moved back and put her hands up to block him--punching him if needed.

"GET THE HELL AWAY FROM HER!" Sirius shouted and knocked a stunned John to the ground.

Althea covered her face and groaned. "Sirius, what are you doing?" she bemoaned as Sirius held his hand around John's throat.

"NEUTER ME, WILL YOU?" he shouted as he pointed his wand between John's eyes.

"WHAT? WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? WHERE'S--WHERE'S HER DOG?" John yelled frantically.

"ARF! ARF!" Sirius roared.

Althea gingerly rubbed her temple. "This is all too much," she muttered and shook her head. "Sirius, get off him. Do you want your wand broken?"

"WAND? WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE?" John shouted, his face contorting to express absolute horror.

"Stupefy," Sirius muttered and John went limp.

"Sirius, you're in huge trouble," Althea remarked as she shook her head.

"So?" he snorted as he sat next to her. "There's no law against what I did...yet."

Althea frowned. "I could have handled him, you know. I had my fist ready," she said, looking into his eyes. "You don't need to protect me."

Sirius frowned--obviously hurt by her words. "So, I reckon I'm useless then?" he muttered and ran his fingers through his hair.

Althea furrowed her eyebrows and sighed. "You're not useless," she reassured as she slid her arms around his neck. "I reckon your fist would've sufficed," she continued quietly and kissed the tip of his nose. "Thank you."

Sirius wrapped his arms around her waist. "I think we can leave him here, don't you?" he said, regaining his cheerfulness.

"As much as I would love to, no," she replied and sighed as she twirled strands of hair from the back of his head in her index and middle fingers. "The party guests would suspect."

Sirius sighed disappointedly. "I suppose I'll revive him, and you have the honors of the Memory Charm," he said sadly.

Althea smiled. "Oh, I think we can wait awhile on the Memory Charm," she replied and winked.

"Miss Morrigan, they'll break your wand for this," Sirius replied with feigned concern.

"So?" Althea snorted, trying her best to impersonate Sirius. "There's no law against it...yet."