Shown Like the Sun

Chapter 18

I'm a man with a mission in two or three editions

And I'm giving you a longing look...

--Elvis Costello & The Attractions

***

I just have to send this, she thought as she reread the letter to the Parkers for what seemed to be the twentieth time. She frowned pensively as she reread the carefully worded third paragraph and scrutinized her use of the phrase, "fellow human beings lacking in magical ability." God, they'll raise an eyebrow at that, won't they, she questioned as she leaned back in her chair. She unceremoniously tossed the letter onto her father's desk. The letter that politely demanded to know the reasons for Prudence's withdrawal from Hogwarts would have to be sent by that evening if it was to reach the Parkers in time.

Althea removed her reading glasses and lightly massaged the bridge of her nose. She imagined Prudence waiting for her letter--it was that time of summer when letters were to be sent--and the disappointment Prudence would suffer upon not receiving her letter. How would the Parkers tell her that she would not return to Hogwarts? Would they approve of continued contact with her Hogwarts friends? Would they approve of a suitable tutor for Prudence? Althea closed her eyes. She will be very bored, she thought and sighed deeply. They truly have no idea. She isn't a Muggle child--it isn't a phase that she'll grow out of--all that magical ability...the chance to harness it, denied her...wasted. Althea knew that Prudence would lash out--whether intentionally or unintentionally--and the consequences at best would be mortifying and at worst devastating. Becoming frightened when those bursts of magic do happen only makes it worse, she thought and opened her eyes.

"God, I am so bored."

Sirius sat limp upon the sofa--his legs upon the coffee table and his arms outstretched at his sides. Althea smiled sympathetically as Sirius continued to stare vacantly at the ceiling. Sirius faked a mournful sigh. His gaze briefly flickered to her direction and his parted lips upturned into a crooked smile.

"No," she said, leaning forward. "All I need is for Gran to enter the room--you'd be dead before you'd pull your trousers up."

"Your bedroom, then?" he suggested, lifting his head. "We could lock the door, or use a Silencing Charm...or play Led Zeppelin to dampen your much appreciated and beloved outbursts of ecstasy."

Althea let out a low giggle as she attempted her best disapproving look. "They'll be back soon--"

"No, they won't," he said, sitting up. "The old woman said five and it's two-thirty now."

Althea gently bit her bottom lip as she read the time. We have loads of time, she thought and stood from behind the desk. But I haven't forgotten Gran's aversion of shopping. She'll be back before five, I just know it, but like you'll care--you'll just growl in my ear about how awful she is as curses fly above our heads until you finish.

Althea leaned against her father's desk, wincing slightly as it creaked under her weight. "And what excuse will I use this time?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "You might've been clever with that Repelling Spell to keep her from that Hippogriff--"

"Buckbeak."

"Yes, Buckbeak," she said, fighting the urge to roll her eyes at the ridiculous name, "but it's very difficult to explain away a pair of pants and trousers at the foot of my bed."

Sirius playfully narrowed his eyes. "You're forgetting that your knickers precariously dangled from the chandelier--"

"She didn't see that," she said quickly, suppressing her smile. "And why do you insist--"

"Why not?" he snorted, resting his foot upon the edge of the coffee table. He scratched the side of his face as he spoke, "Right, I know what you should say."

"What?"

He folded his arms and smirked. "I was having it off with Sirius Black."

"Oh, right," she remarked and lifted herself from the desk. "I imagine she'll be as understanding as Afina."

Although, Afina hasn't spoken to me about you since that afternoon. Althea, with a pleased smile, walked beyond Sirius toward the piano as his gaze remained upon her. She rested the palms of her hands against the top of the smooth black piano, her fingertips growing accustomed to the cool feeling of the smooth wood. It had been over a week since the confrontation and the subsequent discussion between Sirius and Afina. Althea was unsure of what transpired between the two, but Althea was very sure that Afina had not divulged Althea's secret: Sirius had returned to her and they had resumed their relationship. I wouldn't blame her if she's still upset about your Animagus form, she thought as Sirius slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. She's affronted with that deceptive reminder everyday.

"You still play beautifully," he murmured, burying his face in her hair. He inhaled deeply.

"I think you're mistaken," she said softly. "I haven't played for a very long time."

"Nonsense...I remember the first time I heard you play," he said, placing his chin on her bare shoulder. "I almost kissed you, too, but James interrupted."

"I remember."

"He seemed to do that a lot," he said, his rough chin gently scratching Althea's shoulder as he talked. "No, I mean, really a lot."

"Maybe he was afraid that he'd lose you to Morrigan," she said and slightly smiled. "Probably thought you went mad."

"I was mad ages before we ever started dating."

"Probably thought I brewed a Love Potion, then?" she teased and bit her bottom lip as he kissed the nape of her neck.

"We both know you loathed Potions," he remarked and gently guided her toward the piano bench. "It'd be brilliant if you played again."

"What about Gran?"

"That old woman hasn't put a curse on this piano," he said as he sat. He patted the bench and smiled. "Come on, love, play for me. It's just us."

Althea sat next to him and playfully wrinkled her nose. "As long as you don't insist I play Celestina Warbeck."

Sirius made a retching noise. "I would never insist or allow you to play that awful music. It would be cruel torture," he said, shuffling through the sheet music. He frowned. "These just won't do."

Althea read the title, You Cleansweeped My Heart Away, and grimaced with embarrassment. "What would you have me play?"

Sirius smirked and tapped his wand against a piece of sheet music. Slowly the notes and words began to fade and rearrange into a favorite of their seventh year.

She sighed, "Typical."

"What?" he asked, leaning exceptionally close to her.

Althea inhaled the warm, pleasurable scent of his soap and blinked slowly. She imagined her face buried into his neck, the scent heightened by sweat and bare skin. She curved her fingers instinctively, her nails dragged against the keys.

"Nothing, Black, just enjoy the song," she said and started to play.

Sirius' enthusiasm for the piece induced a nervous twinge in Althea's stomach. If you're a merciful God, keep Gran away, she thought as Sirius moaned the first verse in her ear. His warm breath caused her to arch her back slightly and she gently bit her bottom lip. She looked up from the music to Sirius. He winked.

"When I read the letter you wrote, it made me mad, mad, mad," Sirius sang and Althea shook her head with mild amusement. "When I read the news that it brought me, it made me sad, sad, sad."

"You're such a wanker," she breathed, smiling, as Sirius' singing grew louder.

"But I still love you so, I can't let you go," he sang, his hand rhythmically slapping against the piano bench. "I love you--oh, baby, I love you!"

"That's quite all right," she laughed as Sirius continued to moan.

She inhaled a pleasant deep breath as her fingers flitted over the keys to meet Sirius' increasing climax. His eyes were fixed on Althea. She smiled impishly.

"Would you like me to finish the song?" she asked in mock innocence.

"Oh--oh darlin'--what?" His expression was a mixture of anticipation and triumph.

Althea's fingers grasped his soft linen shirt and Sirius lightly licked his lips as she drew him closer to her. She kissed him, and let her teeth linger, gently tugging at his lower lip as she pulled away. Sirius smiled as he slowly opened his eyes.

"I reckon it would be safer if we went upstairs," she said as she smoothed his collar.

Sirius laughed lowly.

Althea stood and held out her hand for Sirius, who grasped it with a wink. The giggling couple raced up the stairs, and with giddy momentum burst through the bedroom door. Althea bit her bottom lip as she looked upon Sirius' ready expression. Without hesitation, she placed her hands upon his chest and firmly pushed him backwards onto the bed. Sirius laughed eagerly as Althea slipped off her dress, and he roughly pulled his buttoned shirt over his head as Althea joined him upon the bed. Althea placed his warm hands upon her thighs as she lowered herself to kiss lips, his jaw. She enjoyed the roughness of his afternoon stubble against her lips.

"Oh, Morrigan," he whispered as she gently sucked his earlobe. "Althea," she reminded, as she felt his fingertips gliding up the small of her back.

"Althea...Morrigan...Althea Morrigan...whatever," he murmured thickly and Althea grinned at the easing of the elastic.

***

The healing rates are truly remarkable, and I believe, statistically significant. Granted, our sample size is small, but it is something.

I'd like to thank you for your continued encouragement in this endeavor. It is my hope, one day, to study this topic in an academic setting.

Regards,

CB

"And you almost did," she muttered as she placed the letter to her side.

Althea rested the back of her head against the cool headboard and wrinkled her nose. You could've had the limitless resources of my job, she thought as she caught a glimpse of Sirius' wet naked form casually strolling across the bath. And I could be here, enjoying him, all bloody daylong. Althea picked up the rather thick manuscript and rejoiced that she left her reading glasses in her study. Sirius vigorously toweled his wet hair as he walked toward the bed, and she couldn't help but appreciate his naked frame. She noticed the beginnings of a small stomach and his face was fuller, happier. He did not resemble that awful skeleton with filthy, matted hair she remembered from Hogwarts, and Althea was glad for it. He grabbed the pair of pants crumpled at the end of the bed and playfully narrowed his eyes as he mockingly studied her.

"So worried your Gran would be home early," he teased as he pulled up his pants. "Now look at you."

Althea looked from her half-dressed form to the manuscript. "You've never thought my body shameful before. I like how my tits look in this bra."

"As do I, my love." She felt the bed sink next to her. "Is this how you'll spend your birthday?"

Althea shrugged and pretended to read the manuscript as Sirius leaned close; his head slightly obscured the paper.

"Peezoklektic effect?" he read and pulled away, bemused.

Althea fought a giggle. "Piezoelectric."

Sirius quickly shook his head. "What's that?"

Althea pulled her knees to her chest. "It has to do with bone healing," she explained and tossed the manuscript upon the bed. "Originally, a Muggle concept, but it has applications with Magic as well."

Sirius peered at the manuscript and muttered, "Morgantown Mothmen."

"They're a Quodpot team," she explained, her great toe flicking the corner of the pages. "I'm not sure what a Steeler is though."

"I reckon the one wearing the armor," he replied, pointing to the still black and white photograph of a large, brutish man.

Althea cocked her head to the side. How does that man move, she wondered, raising an eyebrow.

"Right," she breathed and smiled appreciatively. "Solved one mystery."

Sirius blankly stared at the manuscript. She suppressed the impulse to remind him that Muggle photographs did not move.

"Boring stuff, really," she said, smoothing a curl behind her ear. "Well--I mean--boring to you, at least.... It's the origins of magic."

Sirius wrinkled his nose.

"How it's locked away in every human being," she said, glancing at the long-winded title in bold letters. "How it's expressed in some and others not."

Sirius frowned. "That's what your parents were studying," he said, picking up the manuscript.

"Yes, and--"

He turned the page. "What got them killed?"

Althea felt a knot in her stomach. "You're not going to tell me what I can and can't do, Sirius."

He sighed.

She straightened herself--ready for an argument. "Voldemort's gone and I--and others--have been working so hard on this," she said, pointing to the manuscript. "The advancements made in Muggle genetics only help us. You wouldn't believe some of the things they've learned."

Sirius furrowed his eyebrows as he turned the page. He looked up as if he were mulling something over.

"Do you know, we share a remarkable amount of our genome with the world around us," she said, leaning close to him.

Sirius mouthed, "Genome...genome...genome."

"It is how Animagus transformations are possible," she said, gently nudging him. "How Remus can transform into a werewolf. We could develop new therapies, a new--"

"Maybe I could help you," he said, not looking up from the page.

Althea blinked. "What?"

"I have nothing to do," he shrugged.

"It's taken years--"

"So?" he snorted, his head jerking back slightly. "I have years."

"True."

"D'you think I won't be able to understand it?" He nodded toward the manuscript.

Althea vigorously shook her head. "No--"

"I'm not thick," he said quickly--his eyes widened slightly for emphasis.

"I know you're not. It's just," she said and smiled at him, "not the answer I was expecting."

Sirius placed the manuscript between them. "Is it important to you?"

Althea did not hesitate, "Yes, very."

"Then it's important to me," he whispered and kissed the tip of her nose.

***

"Are all these necessary?" Althea quipped as Afina placed the cake with--what Althea hoped to be the proper amount of--lit purple birthday candles in front of her. "We are in a wooden structure."

"Ha ha, Auntie," she said plainly.

Althea winced as she felt Afina place the garish foil tiara upon her head. Afina stepped back and smiled mischievously as she looked upon the sneering Althea. Sirius barked happily--his tail wagging vigorously against the dining room table. Just you wait, she thought, faintly narrowing her eyes at him.

"Perfect," she breathed happily, but quickly gasped. "I almost forgot!"

Althea laughed lowly as Afina gingerly placed a party hat upon Sirius' reluctant head. Sirius let out a small whimper.

"Cruel torture," she murmured, her eyes meeting Afina's.

Afina winked.

Althea looked to Gran, who was sitting to her left--her arms folded. Afina could never coax her to wear such a ridiculous hat. It would be the memory I'd use if I could conjure a Patronus, she thought as Gran looked from the dog to Althea's birthday cake.

"Aren't you going to say something about this ridiculous hat?" she asked and flicked at the foil tiara. "How I'm disgracing our family? Our good name? Heavens, if Lady A saw this vulgar display of bacchanalia--"

"Blow out your candles, Althea Rosemary, before the cake catches fire."

Althea made a face. "No singing?"

Afina gasped and in her best voice--terribly off key to upset Gran--began to sing a birthday song with a melody and lyrics of her own cleverness. Althea shook with laughter as Sirius barked in harmony. Gran massaged the bridge of her nose, but Althea thought she recognized a discreet smile. Upon finishing, Althea raised her wand to the cake and muttered a charm to extinguish the growing flames. Afina frowned.

"I know better," she quipped, watching the smoke rise above their heads.

Drowsy, her stomach full of sugary frosting and chocolate cake, Althea looked upon the many boxes that surrounded her. Afina's creations for the autumn were in their half opened boxes as well as Gran's sensible gifts for the school year. That is a rather nice quill, isn't it, she thought, staring at the wooden box upon the table. Lucky, I'll be able to use it at Hogwarts. Sirius--covered in purple and silver ribbons and bows--reclined at her feet, his tail gently stroking her leg. He stretched and yawned, and Althea did so as well.

"It's been ages since he's been out," Althea said, standing--purple tissue paper falling to her feet. "I reckon I should let him out."

Gran stifled a yawn. "Very well."

Afina sat forward. "I'll go too."

"No, no," she said quickly, shaking her head. "I think I can manage."

Sirius bolted from the room, leaving a flurry of satin and metallic ribbon in his wake. Althea slowly followed him out of her house and down the dirt path to the far side of the island. She looked to her right and saw a sailboat in the distance. And that is as close as you'll get to my shore, she thought and frowned as a piece of gravel became lodged in her sandal.

"I should pave this entire island," she muttered in jest as she kicked the jagged stone from her sandal.

She noticed in the distance that the shaggy black dog had stopped and gradually transformed into his more pleasing shape. As Althea approached, his grin widened, and in a grand flourish he conjured a large blue blanket.

"This will do nicely," he said as he sat upon the blanket.

Sirius sighed contentedly and stretched as he reclined against the squishy blanket. Althea rested her head in the crook of his shoulder and smiled warmly as Sirius held her close to him. She closed her eyes--her body gently soothed to sleep by the waves, which mimicked the rise and fall of his thin chest, and the muffled sound of his heartbeat. That I could have many more birthdays such as this, she thought as Sirius kissed her face. It was an unremarkable birthday--one could even argue incredibly boring--but Althea would not have traded it for the lavish party in a London nightclub that Afina would have preferred or the garden party Gran had suggested. He truly wants to help me with my work, she thought, her fingers slipping underneath his unbuttoned collar. She lazily traced circles against his collarbone as she determined the best books for him to read. It's not something I thought he'd enjoy...it's not motorbike maintenance, or curse breaking, or defense against the Dark Arts. It would take ages for him to understand this at the level that I do.... Satisfied, she inhaled deeply, taking pleasure in the warm scent of his soap, but frowned slightly at the lingering smell of Hippogriff. But we do have years.

"Happy birthday," Sirius whispered, stroking her back.

"Mhmm."

"Unfortunately, I don't have a gift for you."

Althea shifted, holding him tighter. "I wasn't expecting you to."

"You always expected a birthday gift," he explained softly. "Actually, I'm not sure what to give you."

"I don't need anything."

Sirius laughed quietly. "Lies, my love...lies."