Ebb and Flow

Hogwarts, February 1977

***

"Althea," Sirius whispered softly. "Althea, wake up."

Althea slowly opened her eyes, blinking as the blurry image Sirius came into focus. She gasped from surprise--he was smiling, his face within inches of hers. Sirius covered her mouth with his hand, and brought his finger to his lips, insinuating for her to keep quiet.

Althea removed his hand from her mouth. "Sirius, what are you doing here?" she asked, still sleepy.

Sirius smiled and kissed her cheek. "Good morning," he whispered cheerfully.

Althea furrowed her eyebrows. "Sirius, what are you doing here?" she asked--somewhat leery of his answer--as she stared into his eyes. "How did you get into the dormitory?"

"Magic," he replied, his smile broadening.

"It's not funny," she scolded quietly.

Sirius started to chuckle.

"Stop," she insisted, her own lips twitching into a smile, "What if Lily wakes up? Or Jane? Stop."

Sirius shook his head as his chuckled deepened.

Althea rolled her eyes as Sirius leaned closer. "You'll get in massive--"

Sirius's lips interrupted Althea from finishing her reprimand. Without much reluctance, Althea allowed herself to enjoy his kisses for a moment, but with her hands finally pushed him away.

Althea frowned, and Sirius playfully frowned back. "Sirius, please, if you don't tell me what you're doing here, I'll scream," she threatened, folding her arms.

Sirius licked his lips as he stared at her, incredulous. "You wouldn't," he smirked.

Althea inhaled a deep breath, and started as if she was going to scream. Sirius's eyes widened and he immediately threw his hand over her mouth. Althea began to shake with laughter, and pried Sirius's hand from her mouth.

"What are you doing here?"

"Your Captain needs you," he answered, sitting beside her.

Althea brought her hands to her face and groaned. "Good Lord, what does Potter want now?" she grumbled and flung her arms to her sides.

"Early morning practice," he replied, frowning. "He's already at the pitch."

"What about everyone else?"

"Oh, they don't have to come. It's two hours of Snitch practice," he said and smiled.

Althea frowned. "He's really worried about Slytherin this year," she said, as she sat up and rubbed her forehead.

"You remember the game in October? They killed Hufflepuff and Hufflepuff was competing with us for the Cup last year," he replied, stroking the gold embroidery of her blanket.

"Right," she muttered and sighed with disappointment. She wished she could have slept longer before the match later in the afternoon. "I'll meet you downstairs," she added and kissed Sirius's cheek.

Sirius stood from her bed and changed into his Animagus shape. Snuffles happily trotted toward the door and down the stairs. I should have known, she thought as she stood from her bed. He does enjoy it very much...almost too much.

***

"Sirius?" Althea asked as she looked around the common room. "Sirius?" she repeated as she continued to look around the common room.

Curled up on the couch was Sirius, who was steadfastly asleep.

"Sirius, wake up," she said as she shook his shoulder.

Sirius mumbled incoherently and pulled his robe over his head.

"Fine, then," she sighed and began to tickle his sides.

Sirius wiggled and rolled around the couch as Althea continued to tickle him. "St-st-stop!" he shouted laughingly, his voice cracking.

Sirius grabbed Althea's hands and Althea continued to giggle as she stared down at him.

"I'll have James make it three hours of Snitch practice," he teased and Althea playfully pouted. "Come on," he said and let go of her hands, "time to catch the Snitch."

The frost-covered ground crunched underneath their feet as Sirius and Althea walked toward the Quidditch pitch. It is too early, she thought as she gazed at the orange and yellow sunrise. Potter is being unreasonable...as usual.

"Where's your broom, Morrigan?" James asked as he landed.

Althea sighed and watched as her warm breath materialized before her in the crisp morning air. "I just got here, Potter," she said, placing her hands on her hips.

"No excuse," he replied shortly and nodded toward the shed.

"Right," she murmured and turned on her heel in the direction of the shed. "See, I'm walking to the shed right now," she added, as she grudgingly walked toward the shed, and added in a low breath, "idiot."

I've never seen him this nervous before a game, she thought as she entered the broom shed. He's the best Chaser Gryffindor--if not Hogwarts--ever had and he's never lost the Quaffle--at least that I can remember. Althea returned to the Quidditch pitch, carrying her broom over her shoulder. James, attempting to maintain a stern face, sat on his broom with his arms folded, waiting for her. Althea was suspicious of the expression on James's face. That expression meant he was up to something, and that something usually landed him in detention.

"What did you do to my broom?" Althea asked as she removed it from her shoulder. She examined her broom and found no obvious signs of tampering.

"I didn't do anything to your broom," James replied, kicking the ground with his heels. "Why would I want to hurt something as fantastic as a Nimbus 1500?"

"You're right," she sighed and hopped onto her broom. "Let's get on with this."

Sirius and James began laughing, and Althea immediately jumped off her broom.

"You did do something to it!" she yelled as she charged toward James and Sirius. "James Potter--"

Sirius held his side from laughter. "Did you bother looking up at the roof?" he asked and erupted in laughter.

"Bloody hell," she breathed as she gazed, wide-eyed, at the Hogwarts roof.

Professor Erlenmeyer, in his taupe dressing gown and nightcap, absentmindedly paced up and down the Hogwarts roof. Periodically, he would stop as if in deep thought--either scratch his head or fold his arms--and continue to pace again. His pacing continued for twenty minutes; afterwards, he returned to the comfort of his bed, which found its way onto the Hogwarts roof along with all of his effects. The effects--furniture, clothes, trunks, and a full-length mirror--were laid neatly as if his quarters had always been the Hogwarts roof.

"Do you think he'll sleep there?" James asked, leaning back on his broom.

Althea abruptly stopped laughing. "You did this?" she asked and bit her lip to prevent her snickering.

Sirius rested his hand on Althea's shoulder. "Please, we're past the mere childish pranks," he scoffed, pointing to the Hogwarts roof.

"And that is why you put Erlenmeyer on the roof," she quipped and folded her arms.

"Exactly," Sirius replied, smiling, and kissed her lips.

James made an awful grunting noise at which Althea smiled as she continued to kiss Sirius. He still doesn't like that Sirius and I are dating, she thought, pulling away from Sirius. I suppose it does take some getting used to...Sirius and me.

"Wait, what is he trying to do?" she asked, with a raised eyebrow, as she looked toward the roof.

Professor Erlenmeyer, standing, grimaced and clenched his fists at his sides. He kicked his right foot forward and spun, his arms waving wildly as he attempted to balance himself.

"Is he having a fit?" she asked, raising and then furrowing her eyebrows. "Should we help him, or something?"

Sirius let out a bark-like laugh. "He's trying to Apparate, the wanker," he remarked, running his fingers through his hair.

"But he can't do that," she replied and giggled lowly. "Everyone knows you can't do that."

"But obviously he doesn't," James replied, smiling. "This is so worth it."

Althea sighed. "Well, I suppose we should start practicing," she said and hopped onto her broom.

James, wide-eyed, disbelievingly looked at Althea. "You're not going to help him?"

"No," she snorted and kicked off into the air. "I don't want him on my broom--touching me," she replied and shuddered.

"Excellent point," Sirius commented as he flew next to her.

"Anyway, have you seen him on a broom? I'm surprised he passed his Apparition exam," she remarked and flew in circles around Sirius. "I haven't seen flying like that since--"

"Snivellus," Sirius interrupted and dived toward James.

Althea threw her head back and sighed. Someone's going to end up in hospital wing before the match, she thought as she flew down to James and Sirius. Severus sat off to the side observing the three.

"What is that slimy git doing here?" Sirius asked.

"Probably reporting back to his friends," James replied as he eyed Severus warily. "Too afraid they don't have enough talent--the cowards."

"We don't need to practice anyway," Althea replied, as she looked at Severus with the same amount of caution. "We're loads better."

James shook his head. "No, we do. I hate to admit it, but Slytherin has a good team this year. The Seeker--"

"Only caught the Snitch because he got his hands on Felix Felicis," she interrupted, folding her arms.

"It's the only way he's able to stay on his broom," Sirius said and winked.

"Sirius, really," she laughed.

Sirius let out a bark-like laugh and smiled mischievously. "What? It's the truth! Althea, you've seen my brother fly...anyway, he'll be to busy dodging Bludgers."

"I hope so," she said, fighting a smile. "Release the Snitch!" she yelled to James.

James sighed and opened the compartment that held the Snitch.

"Now, release the Bludgers!" she shouted, watching the Snitch circle Sirius's head.

"Althea, no. I'm not hitting Bludgers at you," Sirius said in earnest as he swatted the Snitch away.

"Yes, you are," she replied, as she spotted a Bludger to her right. "The Slytherins will try to knock me off my broom."

Sirius sighed and shook his head. "Someone's nervous about Slytherin," he teased, and with great force sent a Bludger directly toward Snape. Snape dove out of the way just in time. "Damn," he mumbled, frowning. "Didn't see you there, Snivellus!" he shouted at Snape, who was panting on the ground.

"You need practice, too," she replied and ducked as a Bludger whizzed passed her head. "You have to practice aiming at the Slytherin Seeker," she continued and shot high into the air. "I want to see him knocked off his broom!"

From above, she watched Sirius as he fought off Bludgers, and sent them in Snape's direction. She laughed aloud as Snape ducked and--surprisingly--somersaulted to avoid the Bludgers. She was somewhat impressed with Snape's athleticism. James flew around the pitch with the Quaffle, and practiced taking shots into the goal hoops. The morning sun gleamed off the tiny Snitch as Althea spotted it in the distance. Instinctively, she leaned forward and raced after the Snitch. The speed of the Nimbus 1500 and the cold air caused her eyes to water--blurring her vision--but not before she caught the Snitch in her hand--pink from the cold.

The three continued to practice until lunchtime. Althea--energized, but hungry--walked with James and Sirius to the Great Hall. As they were about to enter, Althea was surprised to see Professor Erlenmeyer--his face white with anger--his eyes narrowed on James and Sirius.

"How'd he get down?" James whispered as the three continued to walk through the Great Hall doorway.

"Potter! Black!" Erlenmeyer said as he stopped behind them.

The three sighed and turned to face Erlenmeyer.

"Bloody hell," Sirius murmured as he rolled his eyes at Erlenmeyer.

Erlenmeyer pointed his finger in Sirius's face as he spoke, "I know it was you--yes, you--who put my quarters and myself on the roof."

Sirius eyed Erlenmeyer with a distinct air of boredom.

"Sir, we were practicing on the Quidditch pitch all morning," James explained, reaching into his pocket. "See, we have a note."

James produced the letter from his pocket and Erlenmeyer roughly snatched it from his fingers. "How convenient," he muttered as he glared at James and Sirius. "McGonagall will hear about this."

Althea cleared her throat. "Professor, I was with them this entire morning," she said, clasping her hands behind her back. She gave Erlenmeyer her most innocent look. "They never left the Quidditch pitch."

"Miss Morrigan, I believe you," he said and Sirius groaned quietly. "However, it happened before practice."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sirius's fist tighten. "Professor, please. Black and Potter are very clever, but I don't think that clever," she began and laughed to herself. "A stunt like that would involve weeks of planning, weeks of planning they didn't have," she explained, and paused for a moment. She tapped her chin. "Have you considered the possibilities of house-elves?" she asked, casting a mischievous glance at James and Sirius.

Both boys smiled in appreciation.

"House-elves?" Erlenmeyer repeated and rubbed his chin. "No. What would house-elves have to do with my belongings on the Hogwarts roof?"

Althea smiled sweetly. I can't believe this prat is falling for it, she thought to herself as she batted her eyes.

"The house-elves probably decided that your quarters needed a bit of a cleaning," she explained with mocked thoughtfulness.

"Cleaning?"

"Sir, house-elves are such eager creatures. They probably wanted to do such a good job that they Apparated your belongings to the roof. Unfortunately, they forgot to check your bed," she finished, proud that she did not burst into fits of laughter.

"Possibly," Erlenmeyer mumbled and rubbed his chin some more.

"I do believe that's what happened," Sirius agreed, with the same amount of feigned thoughtfulness. "I remember reading in the Daily Prophet, about a family that returned home and found that the house-elf had put all the belongings on the front lawn."

"Who could forget that story?" James chimed in and shook his head. "That poor family--lived in an area full of Muggles."

"It had to have been the house-elves," Althea encouraged. "I think if you leave a note for them, it won't happen again," she said and smiled sweetly.

"Thank you, Miss Morrigan," he said and smiled. "I'll do just that."

"Good," she breathed.

"Good day," he said and nodded. "Potter...Black."

"Sir," the boys said in unison.

Erylenmeyer turned on his heel and walked away.

"Bloody brilliant," James laughed and patted Althea on the back. "House-elves!"

"I can't believe he fell for it," she replied, shaking her head. "I'm a terrible liar--house-elves, Apparating--how idiotic!"

"He isn't the most intelligent of men," Sirius remarked and ran his fingers through his hair. "Brilliant, though," he added and kissed her cheek.

"I suppose I have learned something since we started dating," she replied, smiling. "Anyway, I'm starving."

Althea walked ahead of Sirius and James, and sat across from Lily and Jane. Lily smiled as Althea reached for a roll.

"Why, aren't you in such a good mood?" Althea remarked and took a bite of a roll.

"Didn't you hear? The illustrious Tristan Mallory will be honoring us with his presence next weekend," she said sarcastically and took a sip of tea.

Althea rolled her eyes. Tristan Mallory was Jane's new obsession, tossing the disinherited Sirius to the outer margins. She met him over Christmas holiday in the south of France, and supposedly, he came from a prominent French Wizarding family. His father was head of Magical Law Enforcement in France, and Tristan was an Auror-in-training. The news of Tristan's arrival soothed Althea--soon Lily and Jane would know her relationship with Sirius extended beyond a new friendship. The secrets will end, she thought, taking a sip of pumpkin juice. She doesn't care about Sirius anymore--ever since she discovered that he left his family and his mother subsequently disinherited him.... Many of the girls have done so, as well, she thought, looking toward the Slytherin table. She saw Regulus smile smugly and wink at a Ravenclaw fifth-year girl. No, they've all turned their attention to Regulus.

"Yes, next week is a Hogsmeade Weekend, isn't it?" Althea asked and smiled.

Maybe next weekend would be the perfect time to tell them, she thought as she looked down at her plate. Oh, but how to tell them...before the Hogsmeade trip? During? After? Althea smiled to herself. They could happen upon us snogging.

"But of course!" Jane replied, clapping her hands. "He wished to see a Quidditch match, but I advised him against it--it would've been frightfully boring and not his caliber--"

Althea laughed into her cup of pumpkin juice as Lily crossed her eyes.

"He'll be here for Hogsmeade," she continued and sighed happily. "I know it's a bit dull and childish, but he so wanted to see it...and to meet my friends."

"Oh, brilliant," Althea replied and took another sip of pumpkin juice. "I'd love to meet him."

Jane turned her eyes in the direction of Sirius, who was busy laughing and stuffing his mouth full of chicken. "I don't know what I ever saw in him," she murmured, frowning.

"His money," Althea replied and Lily kicked her shin.

"Tristan is going places," Jane said proudly, still looking at Sirius. "He's well-connected, and will--no doubt--advance quickly."

"Yes, you'll have your mansion, Jane," Lily remarked and sighed disapprovingly. "Anyway, Althea, how was..." she began and paused for a moment--an impish grin played across her lips, "Quidditch practice?"

Althea felt her face flush with warmth. Why did Sirius have to enter our dormitory, she thought, looking at Lily's forehead. She probably wasn't asleep and heard our entire conversation.

"We're ready for this afternoon, if that's what you mean," Althea answered and bit her lip.

Lily looked over at Sirius, who took a large gulp of pumpkin juice. "I hope," she said, shifting her gaze from Sirius to Althea, "that Black wasn't dogging you at practice."

Oh, bloody hell, she does know, she thought as she nervously coughed into her glass. Not only that, she knows that Sirius is an Animagus! Althea placed her glass on the table and smiled nervously at Lily, who winked back.

"No, he was too occupied hitting Bludgers at Snape to bother me," she answered, placing a chicken leg on her plate.

"You know," Jane said a little louder, looking out of the corner of her eye at Sirius, "Tristan is very handsome, probably more handsome than any boy here."

Sirius had not heard Jane's remark--or did not care--and continued to stuff his mouth full of chicken as he spoke with Remus. Althea fought the urge to sigh as Jane remarked upon Tristan's physical attributes. I reckon his money makes him all the more handsome, she thought, lifting a chicken leg to her lips.

As Althea was about to take a bite of her chicken leg, Jane asked, "Althea, what do you know about the French National Quidditch Team?"

Althea frowned and placed the chicken leg on her plate. "They're terrible. Why?" she asked, and quickly picked up the chicken leg and took a bite.

"Tristan had an opportunity to play for them," she said dreamily. "He's a Chaser--an amazing Chaser."

"Would you shut up!" Peter squeaked to Jane.

Althea coughed and quickly gulped pumpkin juice. She had never heard Peter raise his voice. Here, here Peter, she thought as she looked at Jane. Jane's mouth was open--her mouth quivered and contorted, forming words, but no sound came forth.

"Nobody wants to hear about Tristan! When he comes, I won't be surprised if he breaks up with you!" Peter shouted and slammed his fist on the table. "All of breakfast and, now, lunch! I'm sick of it!"

Sirius stopped talking and looked with admiration at Peter.

"Fine," Jane said quietly, standing from the table.

Turning on her heel, Jane walked from the table and out the Great Hall doors. Lily turned her eyes to Althea.

"What?" Althea asked and shifted uncomfortably. "I have to eat for the game."

Lily narrowed her eyes and stood. "I'm going to find Jane," she said and turned on her heel as well.

Althea rolled her eyes. "Thanks, Peter," she said and took a bite of chicken.

Peter frowned. "I'm sorry."

"No, thanks. It was getting on my nerves," Althea replied, smiling.

Peter's frown softened.

"I was about to tell her, anyway."

Remus slid over in front of Althea. "I wish house-elves would clean our dormitory room."

Althea laughed. "What part did you play?" she asked, leaning over the table.

Remus sighed. "I checked for plausibility and loopholes. James and Sirius did all the work," he replied, smiling. "Did you enjoy it?"

"I loved it!" she replied with a large grin. "The image of him attempting to Apparate will stay with me forever."

Remus laughed quietly. "Yeah, they mentioned that. It's their mission to rid Hogwarts of him forever," he replied with a small, appreciative smile, and nodded toward Peter. "Peter helped, too."

"Yeah," Peter said happily. "I got the books from the Restricted Section in the library. The idiot actually signed off the paper to let me get them!" he explained and laughed shrilly.

Suddenly, Dumbledore's voice interrupted every conversation. Grimly, he stood overlooking the mass of students. Althea wondered what announcement Dumbledore had to make.

"It is with great sadness that I must report news I have received. The Quidditch match and the trip to Hogsmeade are cancelled. The Death Eaters have struck the village of Hogsmeade, murdering or torturing our fellow witches and wizards. I ask all of you to calmly return to your Houses and remain until it is safe."

It felt as if the blood had seeped away from her face and had pooled in her toes. Hogsmeade. That was the closest attack yet. Could they get into Hogwarts? Was Hogwarts safe? Althea numbly stood with the rest of the students and walked toward the Great Hall door. As she walked up the stairs that led to Gryffindor Tower, Sirius grabbed her hand.

"Stay with me," he whispered, looking into her eyes.

Althea nodded. "Right," she whispered and squeezed his hand. It was the first time he held her hand in public. "Everyone will know," she continued and nodded to their clasped hands.

"I don't care," he replied and squeezed her hand. "There've been attacks in Hogsmeade before...something's not right."

Althea entered through the portrait, and followed Sirius up to the sixth-year boys' dormitory. She sat on the edge of Sirius's bed with her hands in her lap. Sirius lay on his bed, reading a Defense Against the Dark Arts book he nicked from the Restricted Section. Remus and Peter quickly entertained themselves in a heated game of wizard chess. James sat next to the window, reading the latest edition of Which Broomstick, and periodically looked out the window for signs of Death Eaters.

"I think I'll get a book," Althea said, restless from nervousness.

"We have some here," Sirius replied, looking over his book. "You can read this one," he continued, holding out his book for her.

"No, no," she replied, holding up her hand. "I'll be right back.... Honest," she added and laughed quietly.

Althea walked the stairs to her dormitory room to find Jane alone, lying on her side with her knees to her chest. Lily must be in the bath, she thought as she rummaged through the bookcase. After a few minutes, Lily did not return, and Althea became worried. Althea walked over to the moping Jane--who had not uttered a word since Althea had entered--and sat down next to her.

Althea sighed. "I'm sorry for what Peter said," she said and rubbed Jane's back. "Tristan sounds amazing, though," she added and smiled thoughtfully.

Jane loudly blew her nose in her handkerchief. "He is," she sniffed, looking at Althea. "Hogsmeade will be so wonderful."

"Jane, there won't be a Hogsmeade trip," Althea said softly. "Dumbledore told us there was an attack."

"What? No Hogsmeade!" Jane squeaked and started to cry again. She threw herself back onto her bed. "What am I supposed to do? No Tristan!"

"Muggle-borns just lost their lives," she admonished, quickly removing her hand. "I think Tristan will understand."

"Oh, Althea!" she squeaked and began to sob.

Althea stood and shook her head. "Have you seen Lily?"

Jane sat up. "NO!" she shouted and threw herself back onto her bed.

Panic coursed through Althea as her body started to shake. Althea ran to the bathroom and shouted Lily's name. No answer. She ran to the common room--deserted. Althea ran up the stairs to the sixth-year boys' dormitory. Her face white, she stood in the middle of the room, and painfully attempted to catch her breath.

"Althea! What? What's wrong?" Sirius asked, running to her side.

Althea took in a great breath and stared into Sirius's eyes. "Lily...she's not here."