Ebb and Flow

Hogwarts, October 1977

***

Alexander Star's voice wailed in unison to Rex Stardust's screeching guitar in a rhythm that reminded Althea of sex.

"God, Morrigan," Sirius murmured thickly, burying his face in her neck.

Althea gasped for breath. "Althea."

"Right," he breathed, his fingertips reaching for the clasp of her bra.

Althea grinned and bit her bottom lip in eager anticipation as she lifted herself slightly from the sofa. Sirius grunted and frowned as he fumbled with the clasp behind her. The position grew increasing uncomfortable as he tugged and twisted at the clasp.

"Wait," she whispered and swatted his hands away. Althea wrinkled her nose as she fought with the clasp--her trembling hands making it difficult to do so. "There," she said, unhooking the clasp and felt the easing of elastic. "There."

Althea reclined upon the sofa and Sirius eagerly followed, propping himself up by his hands. With his shirt undone and his trousers partially unzipped, he smiled as he looked down at Althea--thick locks of black hair resting against his eyelashes and moving when he blinked. Althea looked up at Sirius and swept the locks from his face. She laughed quietly as they returned.

Sirius tilted his head to the side and frowned thoughtfully. "Do you--"

Suddenly, Sirius lifted his head and furrowed his brow. Althea looked to her side and saw the empty abandoned teacher's study.

"It's nothing," he murmured, shaking his head.

Althea giggled happily at the ticklish feeling of Sirius's lips against her naked neck. She glided her fingers along his bare spine, enjoying the way his smooth, warm skin felt against her fingertips. She caught her breath as Sirius's hand slipped under her bra, but soon winced at his enthusiastic groping.

"'Thea," he murmured, his thumb brushing against her nipple. "I love you--"

Suddenly, the couple heard what sounded like someone moving furniture. Althea gasped, sitting up and crossing her arms to cover herself. Sirius surveyed the empty room and inhaled an angry breath.

"Right," he growled, tossing the hair from his face. "Right."

Althea craned her neck to look around the room as Sirius stood. He thrust his arm toward the phonograph and Figgy Sky's drum solo quieted. The room was sparsely decorated with a phonograph, an empty bookshelf, and the sofa Althea currently sat upon. Carefully, she clasped her bra as Sirius, wand drawn, walked forward.

In one swift movement, Sirius raised his wand and roared. "STUPEFY! LEVICORPUS!"

Suddenly, there was a BANG! and Althea screamed, pulling her blouse tightly closed. Snape, unconscious, hung upside down at least ten feet in the air.

"Disgusting," Sirius sneered and lifted Snape higher into the air--his feet touched the ceiling.

Althea curled her knees to her chest. "Why would he--"

"Does it matter?" he replied as he walked toward her. "Looking to get us expelled, probably," he added grimly as he stood before Althea.

"Don't wake him," she said and stood. "Leave him here for the night," she added and began to button her blouse.

***

"Sirius, your tie," Althea replied, giggling.

Sirius looked down at his tie, which was askew. "Oh, what? Oh," he replied, straightening his tie. "Could I borrow your comb?"

"Right," she mumbled, fumbling in her pocket for her comb. "Oh no," she said, handing him her comb.

"What?" he asked, combing his hair.

Althea frowned. "I lost a button," she answered disappointedly, looking at her blouse. "It's one people will notice, too."

Sirius smiled, handing back her comb. "Just close your robe--no one will notice," he replied and winked.

"Are you two ready now?" the Fat Lady asked, agitated.

"Of course, we are," Sirius replied cheerfully. "Paeonia macrophylla."

Althea and Sirius entered the common room, which was filled with first-year Gryffindors. Some of the first-years stopped their activities and followed Althea and Sirius's movements as they walked toward the dormitories. It was terrible to admit it, but she enjoyed the stares from the first-years. She was a seventh-year--someone the first-years admired. Sirius stopped her by the girls' dormitory staircase.

Leaning close to her he whispered, "I'll see you later, right?"

He glanced to his side and smiled. Althea looked over as well and noticed the first-years staring at them.

She nodded. "What time?" she asked quietly.

"Meet me here around eight," he whispered and kissed her cheek.

Althea walked up the staircases that led to the seventh-year dormitory. Upon entering, she frowned--how odd it was to have four beds instead of five. Jane had married Tristan that summer in an extravagant ceremony in France. Althea and Lily were bridesmaids, and forced to wear horrendous teal satin dresses and matching, large, floppy hats. She refused to have her picture taken--except for one picture--of which Sirius was a proud owner of a copy. Much to her embarrassment, Sirius showed her the picture earlier that afternoon. How he received the picture, he would not say, but Althea knew her name was Jane.

Althea threw herself onto her bed and sighed disappointedly. That bloody Snape!

"Anything?" Lily asked, sitting next to Althea.

Althea frowned as she stared at her burgundy canopy. "I did lose a button," she replied, tugging at her blouse.

"Yes, you did," Lily commented, looking at the open buttonhole. "Over the blouse or under?"

"Under," she sighed, looking at the open buttonhole...and that was all Lily would need to know.

Lily frowned sympathetically. "Althea, if anything, you should be happy."

"Why?" she asked, sitting up.

"He could have been a total bastard and tried to take advantage of you from the beginning," she explained, smoothing her hair away from her face.

"True," Althea replied, mustering a smile.

Lily rested her hand on Althea's shoulder. "You're something special to him," she said, smiling. "I notice--the way he looks at you during class, at mealtime, in the common room, in the library--"

"I understand," Althea interrupted, smiling. "I suppose I am lucky," she sighed and brought her knees to her chest.

Lily took her hand off Althea's shoulder, and placed her hands in her lap. "Any girl would be envious of you," she explained with a hint of longing.

Althea recognized the hint of longing in her voice. "Even you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "You always have a date for Hogsmeade."

"Especially me," Lily replied and sighed. "I hope I find someone like that."

"Maybe you have," she replied and winked.

Lily frowned. "Not Potter," she said sternly.

"You're the one who mentioned his name."

Lily, with her finger, traced the gold thread embroidered in the burgundy duvet. "He has gotten better this year--his ego, I mean," she said quietly, continuing to trace the elaborate pattern.

Althea smiled. Sirius's talk with James earlier this year had worked--Lily had noticed. "Yeah, he has. He takes the responsibility of Head Boy seriously."

Lily's lips curved into a small smile. "He does, doesn't he?" she said sincerely, not looking up from Althea's duvet. "I thought he'd be absolutely horrible--abusing his position, but he hasn't," she added, bringing her knees to her chest. "He hasn't asked me out in ages."

Althea craned her neck to be face to face with Lily. "Do you want him to ask you out?"

Lily bit her bottom lip and continued to stare at her toes.

"Lily Evans," she said playfully, a smile emerging across her face. "Do you fancy James Potter?"

Lily remained quiet.

"James Potter, Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team? The detention serving James Potter? The James Potter who has irked you these past seven years?"

"Shut it!" Lily said, throwing herself to the side--covering her face to hide her blushing.

Laughing, Althea rested her hand on Lily's back. "Lily, I'm sorry. I didn't know you'd get upset," she said between laughs.

Lily began shaking, and Althea became nervous--she did not mean to upset her best friend.

"Lily, I'm sorry."

Lily rolled onto her back and filled the room with laughter. Althea stood from her bed and rested her hands on her hips.

"You made me feel terrible!" she said, feigning irritation, and threw a pillow at Lily's head.

"Hey!" Lily shouted laughingly, grabbing the pillow and throwing it back at Althea.

Althea playfully frowned and turned on her heel.

"Althea, where are you going? Althea?" Lily shouted as Althea walked toward the door.

"I'm going to find Potter," she teased as she reached the door.

"Althea--Althea don't," Lily pleaded.

Althea shook her head and started to walk through the doorway.

"Althea!"

Althea laughed mischievously as she ran down the girls' dormitory staircases. She ran as quickly as she could, as Lily's pleading grew louder. Running up the boys' dormitory staircases, she knew she would not divulge to James that Lily fancied him. Reaching the unlocked seventh-year dormitory door, she did not know what, if anything, she would say--she had not planned to take her joke this far. Althea heard Lily's footsteps and burst through the dormitory door. Lily soon followed and knocked Althea to the ground. Laughing hysterically, Althea struggled to free herself from Lily's grasp.

"No, you don't!" Lily yelled, grabbing Althea's legs.

Althea wiggled her legs and continued to laugh. Lily leapt on top of her and covered Althea's mouth.

"What the bloody hell is going on here?" Sirius asked laughingly, his arms folded, standing next to Lily and Althea.

Lily took her hand off Althea's mouth. "Althea's gone mad, that's all," she replied shortly, standing.

Sirius knelt down next to Althea. "I see," he said, rubbing his chin. "Probably wanted to see me naked again," he muttered and mockingly frowned. "She has this dreadful habit of lurking."

"That's it," Lily said, roughly grabbing Althea's upper arm. "She wanted to see you naked. Now let's go."

Althea ignored Lily's vigorous tugging. "What do you mean, 'lurking?'" she asked, her eyes narrowing. "I'm not the one with the Invi--"

Sirius quickly covered her mouth and shook his head.

She removed his hand from her mouth and continued, "I've never seen you naked."

"Fifth-year," he replied, looking around the room. "Right here, down two floors, actually."

"You weren't naked," she replied dismissively. "You had a towel."

"That you stole," he remarked, raising an eyebrow.

"When I was out of the room," she replied, imitating Sirius. "I was more interested in catching Potter. Speaking of Potter, where is he?" she asked, looking around the room.

"He's in the bath."

"The bath," Althea replied, turning toward Lily.

Lily frowned. "Let's go," she said curtly, fiercely pulling Althea's arm.

Althea frowned and stood. "I'll still see you at eight, then?" she asked as Lily pulled her toward the door.

"Of course," he answered happily. "I'll tell James you were here," he added, grinning.

Lily let go of Althea's arm. "You will do no such thing," she said, walking toward Sirius.

Althea grabbed Lily's shoulders, and turned her around toward the door. "Don't worry, Lily. He won't tell," she said, her eyes narrowing on Sirius.

***

Althea sighed happily as readied herself for her date with Sirius. I wonder where he'll take me tonight, she thought, smoothing the skirt of her aqua colored minidress. She smiled to herself as she thought she might see his flat in London. Overlooking Diagon Alley, above Obscurus Books, Sirius lived in a small flat with the money his Uncle Alphard left him. The back of her neck prickled with warmth and the feeling traveled down her spine as she thought of spending the night in Sirius's flat. She looked around the room--Mary lay upon her stomach reading Witch Weekly.

"Strigo conceptus," she murmured, pointing her wand at her stomach. She winced at the small pinch.

She glanced at Mary, who turned the page of her glossy magazine. Just in case, she thought, applying a coat of lip-gloss to her bottom lip. She smiled weakly. She was ready and Sirius had been hinting for some time. She was sure they would have had sex that afternoon if Snape hadn't been lurking. Althea shivered--why would Snape watch them? Such an odd little piece of filth, she thought, smoothing her eyebrow.

At eight o'clock, Althea entered the common room to find Sirius, smiling, waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He's wearing those jeans again, she thought and gently bit her bottom lip as her eyes traveled up his jeans to his smiling face. Hopping off the last step, she leapt into his arms and laughed as he twirled her around the common room. Almost tumbling into the sofa by the fireplace, Sirius stopped and Althea, still laughing, purposefully fell backward onto the sofa.

"We're not going to spend our time here," he said, taking hold of her hand.

Althea stood, still holding his hand. "Where are we going?" she asked as the two walked toward the portrait entrance.

"Oh, somewhere," he said, a smile emerging across his face.

"Where?" she asked again as they walked through the portrait entrance.

Sirius stopped for a moment. "Can't anything be a surprise?" he sighed and kissed her hand. "It's somewhere special. Somewhere we've never been--well, you've never been before."

Althea's stomach twisted into a pleasant knot. His flat, she thought as the portrait door closed behind them. Althea quietly followed Sirius through the corridors and down the staircases that led out of Hogwarts. Once by the broom shed, Sirius produced two tickets from his coat pocket.

"Here," he said, smiling as he handed Althea a green ticket.

Althea gasped. "Orpheus!" she said and threw her arms around Sirius's neck. Sirius held her tightly to him. "This will be fantastic!" she said and kissed his cheek. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he murmured, nuzzling her neck. "It's in London."

The pleasant knot returned. "London?" she replied, pulling away from. "Will I see your flat?"

Sirius inhaled a sharp breath. "Yeah," he said, nodding. "Although, it's not much...it's not Northfield."

"I don't care," she murmured and Sirius grinned.

"Right," he breathed, his fingers stroking the side of her face. "We best get to the concert."

This is a perfect night, Althea thought, closing her eyes. She rested her cheek against Sirius's back and slide her hands underneath his t-shirt. She felt him chuckle against her.

"My hands are cold," she murmured and smiled.

"Right," he laughed and banked the broom to the left. "We're almost there."

Althea opened her eyes and looked below at the twinkling streetlamps. Ahead of them, long lines of cars slowly crept along bridges and it amazed Althea that no Muggle would spot two people flying upon a broom. They just don't care, she thought as Sirius had slowed the broom.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he said and sighed.

Althea shrugged. "I prefer the country," she said and kissed Sirius's cheek.

"Thousands--millions of lights," Sirius said and shook his head. "How--how did they do all this?"

Althea did not reply, but smiled at Sirius's awe at Muggle development.

Suddenly, a jet of red light soared over Althea's shoulder and slashed Sirius's cheek. Althea screamed as blood splattered over the couple.

"Right!" Sirius yelled and leaned forward--the broom accelerating.

Althea's fingers tightly grasped Sirius' shirt as the two rolled and weaved through the night sky. Jets of purple, red, and blue light soared above and below them as Sirius quickly dove underneath a bridge. He quickly pulled up and Althea turned to see three Death Eaters still in pursuit. With one hand tightly gripping the back of Sirius' shirt, Althea fiercely slashed her wand through the air. The Death Eaters quickly waved their wands and three jets of gold light raced toward the pair.

"DIVE!" she shouted, tugging at his shirt.

Althea watched as the jets of gold light soared above their heads--just missing them.

"PROTEGO!" she roared, which jerked her backward.

"NO TIME FOR PROTECTIVE SPELLS!" Sirius roared. "MAIM THEM!"

Althea gasped. They were hundreds of feet into the air and if she cast anything but protective spells.... Althea gulped as she slashed her wand downward. They want to kill me.

"CONFLARE!"

A burst of orange erupted from Althea's wand and soared toward the middle Death Eater. Althea's eyes widened as the Death Eater's broom exploded and burst into flame--the Death Eater and fiery remnants of the broom violently spun toward the earth below.

"I might've just killed one!"

"They're trying to kill us!"

Althea continued to hurl hexes and curses at the two remaining Death Eaters, but they were expert fliers.

"CONFRINGO!"

"INFLIGO!"

The Death Eater at the right rolled upside down and hurled a curse toward Althea.

"PROTEGO!"

God, it's like they play Quidditch, she thought and growled another hex. The Death Eater to the left leaned forward and entered the Wronski Roll.

"They're Quidditch players!"

"Fuck!" Sirius breathed.

Althea screamed and ducked as a jet of green light narrowly missed Sirius' shoulder.

"Fly faster!" she yelled, lifting her head.

The two figures in hoods were closing upon them. Althea growled and shouted a curse at them, but the Death Eaters deftly flew out of the way.

"Hold on!" Sirius yelled and tilted his broom downward.

Immediately, the broom went into a nosedive--Althea tightly held on to Sirius as he lurched the broom to the right--the broom spinning violently. The Death Eaters quickly followed--Althea's heart beating wildly in her chest as Sirius weaved and dived through the busy London traffic. The two leaned forward upon his broom--the sounds and lights of London a busy blur as they raced through the streets. Althea looked behind them--the Death Eaters raised their wands.

"ROLL THE BLOODY BROOM!"

Within feet of the street, Sirius flew the broom into a tight roll.

"UP!" Althea shouted.

"I'M NOT A SEEKER!"

"HE IS! DO IT!"

The couple soared above the bus within feet of its passengers, but the one Death Eater was not as lucky and slammed into the side of the bus. Althea cringed as she heard the loud crunching noise. Sirius laughed. Althea growled at the last Death Eater in pursuit.

"Let me!" Sirius yelled and Althea fell backwards upon his broom. "REDUCTO!" he roared, thrusting his wand above Althea's face.

Althea watched as the jet of light connected with the Death Eater's broom. The Death Eater's broom splintered, sending the hooded figure spiraling through the air into the side of a lorry.

"Hit Wizards and Aurors will be here any minute," he said as Althea took in the scene behind them. She hoped no Muggles were hurt in those car accidents. "I know a safe place."

Sirius slowly flew the couple onto a street of terraced houses. It was a rather middle-class neighborhood with the houses overlooking the park across the street.

"Here," Sirius said quietly, offering his hand to Althea.

Althea stepped off the broom and frowned at Sirius. His cheek and shirt were covered in blood.

"I'll let you heal me shortly," he said and forced a smile. "Come on."

Althea held Sirius's hand as the two approached a terraced house that didn't seem to belong. It was impressive and beautiful, but Althea frowned at the silver serpent upon the door. Where are we, she wondered as she felt Sirius squeeze her hand. Sirius furrowed his eyebrows as he looked up at the house. He grimly sighed.

"It is the safest place," he whispered and stepped forward, placing his hand upon the door.

Althea heard the clink and clack of at least five locks unlatch. Slowly, the door opened into darkness. Sirius nodded for her to follow him. Althea interlocked her arm with Sirius, following him closely, as the two quietly crept through the hallway. The house was very well kept and the silver (Althea gulped) serpents gleamed in the moonlight. The house was very still except for the faint music Althea heard from upstairs.

"We should go," she whispered, tugging at his hand.

Sirius shook his head. "We're safe here," he whispered, pulling her forward. "My mother is asleep. She always falls asleep to Celestina Warbeck."

Althea's eyes widened. "Your mum--"

"Is a heavy sleeper," he whispered and kissed her cheek.

Althea winced as Sirius coaxed her forward. She would've rather they flew to Northfield. It was so large, Gran would never have known of their presence. She had a home in London, too. Sirius led Althea upon the staircase--the sound of Celestina Warbeck's voice growing louder. Althea made a face--her Gran listened to Celestina Warbeck. She shivered at the thought of Gran and Mrs. Black having so much in common. Althea turned her head and was face to face with the grotesque face of a beheaded house-elf. Althea gasped and Sirius quickly covered her mouth.

"Stay quiet," he whispered through gritted teeth.

Althea nodded and Sirius lowered his hand. He pulled her forward and the two made the agonizing climb to the uppermost landing. Taking out his penknife, Sirius ran the blade along the crack of the door. With a soft click the door opened, and the smell of stale air wafted into the hall. He nodded for her to follow him. Althea felt a twinge of excitement as she entered Sirius's old bedroom. The furnishings reminded her of Northfield, and with Black family's prominence in the Wizarding world, she expected no less. Illuminated by the moonlight, her eyes drifted from the Gryffindor banners that plastered his walls (and she felt pride at such boldness in the face of his family) to posters of motorbikes and to--Althea's eyes widened--Muggle girls in bikinis. She felt herself blush. His room was as he left it--it looked as though he did not take much when he ran away. Althea tenderly pressed his hand in hers.

"This is the safest place for us...tonight," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "My father put all sorts of charms upon the house. Sorry about the house-elves."

Althea shrugged--trying not to look at the girl in the bikini bent over a motorbike.

"Are you all right?" he asked, cupping her face with his hands.

Althea nodded. "You're still bleeding," she whispered and brought her wand to his cheek.

Sirius winced as the gash gradually mended itself. He rubbed his cheek and smiled. "Thank you," he said and frowned as he looked at Althea's dress. "I was never good with Cleaning Charms."

"It's all right," she said and noticed the photo of the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

She walked forward and smiled. Sirius stood behind Althea, making rude faces at her while she attempted to maintain her smile. You could be so awful, she thought, as the Sirius in the photograph attempted to look down her shirt.

"Not too bad for a Beater," she said, turning to face him.

"Are you sure that Death Eater was a Seeker?"

Althea nodded. "It was a perfect Wronski Roll," she said, stepping forward. "Only a professional could do that."

Sirius shook his head. "I reckon we don't know whom to trust anymore," he said, placing his hands upon her upper arms. "It's--"

Sirius quieted at the sound of small footsteps shuffling across the landing. He furrowed his brow and placed a finger to his lips. Althea held her breath as the shuffling grew closer. The two listened as the shuffling passed Sirius's bedroom door and quietly faded away.

"Probably that accursed house-elf," he said and sat upon his bed. He sighed bitterly as he gazed around his room. "God, how I hate this place."

Althea sat next to him and rested her head upon his shoulder.

"I never wanted you--"

"I don't care," she whispered, placing her hand upon this thigh.

Sirius held her tightly to him. "Sorry about Orpheus," he murmured and kissed her forehead.

Althea shrugged and Sirius reclined upon the bed. "They'll tour again."

Sirius stared up at the ceiling and groaned quietly. "I really do hate this house," he said, his hands balled into fists. "The smell, the bloody house-elf corpses on the walls...my dear mother forcing me to spend most of my time inside--couldn't go out and ride a bloody broom."

"Awful," she said quietly, reclining next to him. "Not in the park?"

Sirius laughed bitterly. "I was never allowed in the park," he said, rolling onto his side. "It was infested with Muggles."

She had taken for granted her house in the countryside. She was free to do whatever she wanted, and often spent her summer evenings flying around the estate. She especially enjoyed the warm summer evenings when she could fly low, letting her bare feet gently touch the tops of grass or skim across the lake.

"That's why most respectable wizard families live in the countryside," he replied as he slid his arm around her waist. "Like my grandfather."

Althea rested her arm on top of his. "Why did your family live here, then?" she asked, turning her face toward his. "I thought they hated Muggles?"

"To keep the Ministry under control, of course," he smirked. "They had to make sure the Ministry was following their guidelines."

"Their guidelines?" she repeated as she raised an eyebrow.

Sirius nodded.

"I don't like your family, Sirius."

"You wouldn't like them even more if the Muggle-hunting law had passed," he replied, stroking her side.

Althea lifted upper body onto her elbows. "Muggle-hunting? You're lying," she replied incredulously--her eyes narrowing.

"I'm not lying," he replied, sitting up onto his elbow. "My mother's cousin supported a bill to allow wizards to hunt Muggles."

Althea recognized the sincerity in his eyes--he was telling the truth. "That is absolutely terrible," she said, frowning, "and you say it so casually. How can you be so casual about something so horrible?"

Sirius frowned. "I have to," he replied, rolling onto his back. "Otherwise I'd go mad thinking about what a horrible family they are."

"I'm sorry."

Sirius smiled. "Don't be," he replied softly. "I have James, and Remus, and Peter--they're all the family I need...and I have you," he said and stroked her cheek.

Althea smiled. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

Althea rested her head upon the crook of Sirius' shoulder and closed her eyes.

"Goodnight, lovely," he murmured and kissed her forehead.

"Goodnight."

Althea felt Sirius sigh underneath her.