The Last Sabi

Chapter two

A Sirius Talk

 

Dear Tahnee,

For the last time, I do not like Sirius! And even if I did, it wouldn't matter because he is currently ignoring me. So there. Geez am I in foul mood or what? I guess I've just got a lot to think about. I would tell you, but I don't think I could get it all down on paper. I'll write back when I have my thoughts more organized ok?

Luv Lia

 

Well, maybe Sirius wasn't ignoring me. But he was most certainty avoiding me. I figured it had something to do with his fragile male pride. It's unwritten law, a guy can't almost cry in front of a girl and pretend everything is normal. See, I understood. I understood perfectly. Didn't mean I had to like it.

"Blue?" Lily sat on the end of my bed looking all concerned.

"Hey Lil's." I smiled, just to show how one hundred percent fine I was feeling.

"Are you all right?" Didn't she notice the one hundred percent fine smile?

"Yeah, of course. Why wouldn't I be?" Gee I don't know Lia, maybe because there's a good chance you're the last Sabi?

"I don't know. You've been awful quite lately. And you and Sirius aren't getting on that well are you?"

"Yeah we are." He's just avoiding me.

Lily gave me the 'I-don't-believe-you' look. "Yeah right. C'mon Bluey, you can talk to me."

I sighed, "I know I can Lily and I want to. Really I do. It's just my thoughts are that jumbled I don't know were to begin."

"The beginning's always a good place," said Jessie who had just entered the room and heard the last part of what I said.

"Gee, great help Jess."

She smiled, "Sirius is downstairs. He wants to see you."

I stood up and smiled at Lily. "I promise I'll talk to you later ok?"

She nodded and I left the room.

 

Sirius was fidgeting on the couch. Remus, Peter and James were watching him with bemused expressions. Actually, James and Peter were watching him with bemused expressions. Remus just looked tired.

"Jess said you wanted to see me." I half asked half told Sirius.

Sirius nodded, "yeah I did. Do. I do. Want to come for a walk?"

James snorted. He and Peter seemed to find Sirius' discomfort amusing.

I nodded, "yeah, ok. Let's go."

 

Sirius didn't say anything until we reached the lake. He sat down and I did the same.

"Sorry about blowing up at you last week." He said finally.

I nodded, "I'm sorry for whatever I did. What did I do by the way?"

Sirius looked annoyed. "You didn't do anything."

"Then you blew up at me because..."

He sighed, this conversation was most defiantly not going the way he wanted. "Because, oh I don't know. I like you ok Lia? As a friend, or as something else, I don't really care. Either way, I'm not crash hot on the idea of you dieing and if you tell people what you are, if you learn to use your powers you will die."

I looked at him, "you think I'm a Sabi?"

He gave a half sort of smile grimace thingy. "I know you are Blue. The amount of times I saw my dad heal things like that..."

I felt as though I'd swallowed Bobuter pus. "Your dad was a Sabi?"

Sirius nodded. "Yeah. One of the last. When you-know-who started searching for them he went into hiding. He promised me he'd never die. A few months later he killed himself."

I bit my lip. Unsure of what to say. So I said nothing.

Sirius kept talking, "my mum went to pieces after he died. She's barely together now as it is. But that's beside the point. The point is, if you-know-who gets hold of you, he'll kill you. But first he'll force you to make him immortal. Then he'll kill everyone. If you-know-who doesn't get hold of you it'll be because you've killed yourself." He said all this with a tone one would use when talking about the weather.

I racked my mind for something to say, "do," I took a breath, "do James and that know about your dad?"

He shook his head. "And that's how it'll stay."

I nodded, "of course."

He sighed, "c'mon, we'd better go back. James and Peter'll have a field day. Just think about what I said ok?"

I nodded and followed him inside.

 

"Well?"

"She knows my lord, but she is being delayed even further."

"By who?"

"Black."

"Of course. I should have known. Don't kill him just yet, he could prove useful."

"Yes my lord."

"But I still expect her training to have started by the end of the month."

"Yes my lord."

 

Saving Snape

 

Dear Lia,

Sirius is ignoring you? And why would that be? What did you do? Anyway, about here I would usually give you some of my world renown good advice, but as you conveniently forgot to tell me your problem I can not. Is it really so bad you can't tell me?

Luv and extra sunshine (I have a feeling you need it)

Tahnee

 

I thought about what Sirius said all week. I thought about through meals so I didn't eat. I thought about it through classes so I didn't learn. And I thought about it at night so I didn't sleep either. And what was the result of all this sacrifice? A very hungry, tired grumpy teenager, who still had no idea what she was going to do.

"My, aren't we in a good mood?"

I snarled at James and sat down next to Lily on the couch. James just laughed.

"He's right Blue." Lily said, "you've been grumpy all week. What's wrong?"

I shrugged, "nothing."

Lily looked ready to say more so I changed the subject. "Where's Remus?"

Lily rolled her eyes, "haven't you given up asking that yet?"

I shook my head, "no. Where's Remus?"

James waved a hand absently, swishing the question away. "He's around."

I sighed, "ok then where's Sirius and Peter? And if you say around, I'll knock out your teeth."

James laughed, "they've gone to the kitchens to get some food."

My stomach rumbled at the mention of food. I hoped Peter and Sirius would get back soon.

As if on cue the portrait swung open and Peter, (foodless I noted with disappointment) tumbled in and collapsed on the floor. He was red in the face and literally gasping for air.

"Peter, what's wrong, what happened?" Lily cried as James helped him up.

"S-Sirius." Peter choked out.

"What about him? What did he do?"

"Told Snape- the whomping willow- how to get in."

This made absolutely no sense to me, and from the look on Lily's face, it made no sense to her either. But James cursed, told Peter to wait and took off through the still open portrait.

I looked at Lily and then Peter. "What was that about Peter?" I asked.

He just shook his head, he finally had his breath back. "Nothing, don't worry James'll take care of it."

Needless to say, Lily and I were not convinced.

 

Lia, Peter and I sat around the common room worrying for about half an hour. Well, it was really only Peter that looked worried, Lily and I were just confused and curious.

Finnaly Sirius climbed through the portrait hole and ran over to us.

"What's going on?" Lily asked him.

He ignored her, grabbed my arm and pulled me up. "Lia, you have to come with me."

"Why?" I pulled back my arm.

He was in a rush, "c'mon, I'll explain on the way. Hurry."

It seemed I no choice. I followed Sirius through the halls and outside.

 

"Sirius, what is going on? And slow down." I demanded, struggling to keep up with him.

Sirius didn't slow down, he didn't even look at me when he answered. "It's Snape, he's hurt. If you don't help him he'll die."

"What? How can I help him?"

"You blood Lia. Your blood."

 

Snape was lying a few feet away from the whomping willow. James was kneeling over him, looking frightened.

"He's nearly dead." He told us, "you'd better hope that Lia can help him Sirius. Though I don't see how she can."

Sirius gave me a pleading look, "you have to help him Lia. I'll go to Azkaban, so will Moony. C'mon Lia, please."

I had no idea what Remus had to do with all this but I knelt down next to Snape and gasped. He was covered with so much blood I couldn't see what was causing the bleeding.

"What did this?" I whispered.

"A werewolf." James said shortly. "Can you do anything?"

My mind reeled, a werewolf? At Hogwarts? "I don't know. The Unicorn was different Sirius. This is a human being."

Sirius bit his lip, "just try."

"Do you have anything I can cut myself with?"

James looked at me like I was insane. "We should be getting Snape to a hospital, not sitting around cutting ourselves."

Sirius grabbed his wand and transfigured a rock into a small knife and handed it to me.

I scrunched my eyes closed and slashed my arm. I forced the tears of pain away and tried to find Snape's wound.

"This is stupid. He's going to die." Said James. I think he was going into shock.

I found a large gash along Snape's stomach. Trying not to gag I let my blood drip onto it.

Then, just like with the Unicorn, the wound began to close.

James gasped and even though I'd done it before and this time I knew why it was happening, I shrank back, shocked.

Snape opened his eyes. "What am I doing here?" He asked, then he saw James and Sirius. "What are you doing here?"

Sirius turned and whispered to me, "get out of here Lia. Go, hurry."

I hesitated, but did what he said.

 

The Feud

 

"He will not delay her for much longer my lord."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Within the next weeks the spies will begin to train her."

"How many spies are there?"

"Two as of now my lord. But we may be able to place more."

"Do so."

"Yes my lord."

 

Dear Madam Tahnee,

Madam Lia is unable or unwilling to write at the present moment so I will be answering her mail. As I am in no position to divulge Madam Lia's problems, I fear you will have to wait in vain until she is ready to once again hold a quill.

With regards,

the charming, sweet, funny butler. (aka Sirius Black.)

 

I didn't say anything once I reached the dorms again. It was lucky Lily had got sick of waiting for us and was in bed. I think the sight of me covered in blood would have worried her slightly. I changed into fresh robes and sat on the end of my bed trying not to think. I knew I'd feel better if I slept, but I knew if I tried to sleep my thoughts would wonder back to the nights events. In the end I went and sat in front of the fire in the common room. Ellie's cat Venus curled up on my lap and fell asleep. And after a while, thankfully, so did I.

 

"Hey, Blue, wake up." I didn't know who was whispering in my ear, but I wanted them to go away.

"Blue, c'mon, you have to get up. I need to talk to you."

I opened one eye with much difficulty. "Sirius, god what time is it? Go away."

"It's six thirty. And I'm not going away, I need to talk to you."

I yawned, "can't it wait?"

"No."

"Fine, fine." I yawned again, stretched and moved over so Sirius could sit next to me.

He sighed, "Snape's all right in case you're wondering."

"He is? Are you sure?"

"Doesn't remember a thing. He remembers being chased, but doesn't remember being bitten. It's lucky you healed him, otherwise if he lived he would have been a werewolf."

"He's not, immortal now is he?"

"No, you would have had to die for him to make him immortal.

I sighed and shook my head. "What's happening with you and James? Are you in trouble?"

"James isn't. He managed to get Snape away from the wolf luckily. So he scored fifty points for Gryffindor. I am in big trouble. Dumbledor said I wouldn't be expelled, but I have detention every night for two weeks and James isn't talking to me."

I was still confused about something. "One more thing, what does the whomping willow have to do with all this? Peter was ranting on about you telling Snape how to get in. Into what? And were does Remus fit in?"

Sirius seemed rather unwilling to answer. I thought for a moment. "Remus isn't... He's not is he?"

Sirius nodded. "Yeah, he is. But he's not like the other werewolves! You know Remus, he wouldn't hurt a fly! If you get past the whomping willow there's a tunnel that leads to the shrieking shack, that's were he goes when he transforms."

It was almost to much to take in. "Well, at least the nickname makes sense now."

Sirius wore a very pained look, "don't tell him you know ok? If James found out I told you, he'll be even madder then he already is. Though I deserve it, I could've got Moony sent to Azkaban."

We sat silently for a moment. Finally I looked up and said, "I know what Moony means now. But what does Padfoot, wormtail and Prongs mean?"

Sirius sighed, "when we found out Remus was a werewolf at the end of our first year we wanted to help him. So we spent four years becoming Animagi."

I gasped, "what! And it worked?"

"Yeah, I'm a dog, James is a Stag and Peter is a rat. Because we're animals we can sometimes go with Remus when he transforms because werewolves don't hurt animals."

I bit my lip. "Ok, Remus is a werewolf, you three are animagi, I'm a Sabi, what's Lily, a vampire?"

Sirius managed a half sort of laugh, "probably. But Lia, you can't let James or Remus know you know what he is ok? James'll never speak to me again as it is, if he found out I told you about Remus he'll just about kill me."

I smiled, trying to make Sirius feel better. Though I was pretty sure it should be the other way around. I was the one who'd just found out her friends were werewolves and Animagi.

"Look, Sirius."

He looked at me, "yeah?"

"I've been thinking about what you said the other day. About your dad and all. And," I paused and took a deep breath, "I want to learn how to use my powers. I mean, I know it'll be dangerous and all, but, I saved Snape's life! I could really help people you know?"

Sirius nodded, "yeah I do. Well, if your sure, I may as well help you. No use trying to learn to use your powers if you don't know what they are."

I gave him a grateful smile. "Thanks Sirius, I really appreciate this. I really do." I thought for a moment, "you know Rachel? That Ravenclaw you think is cute?"

He nodded, "yeah."

"We could get her to help. She knows a lot of them, I mean me as well."

"If your sure, then ok."

I shook his hand and hope I wasn't making the biggest mistake of my life.

 

Sirius was right. James wasn't talking to him. He wasn't really talking to anyone. I guess he was kinda freaked out to see one of his friends heal his enemy. Lily still had no idea what was going on, and was in a bad mood because nobody would tell her. And I was just plain worried about learning how to use what ever powers I had. So all in all we were not a bunch of happy little campers.

"Lia, tell Sirius to pass the pumpkin juice."

I rolled my eyes, "Sirius, pass James the pumpkin juice."

"Lia, ask James if his legs are painted on."

"James, Sirius wants to know if your legs are painted on."

Glaring at Sirius James got up and got the pumpkin juice himself.

Lily smiled, "this is freaky. I don't think I've ever seen you two fight before. Why are you fighting?"

James shrugged, "because Sirius is an idiot who would send his friends to Azkaban for a laugh."

Sirius narrowed his eyes but said nothing.

Lily sighed, "I give up. I'll be in the library if anyone wants me."

I got up, "I'm going to the common room. Try not to kill each other."

I started to walk away but James followed me. He grabbed my arm and pulled me into an empty class room.

"What?" I asked knowing all to well what he was going to say.

"How did you do that last night? Snape was half dead, then he was ranting on at us like his usual self."

I picked at invisible fluff on my robes. "Yeah, bit of a surprise that." I said lamely.

James gave me the 'look', "c'mon Blue. How did you do it?"

"It's a spell I learnt in Australia." I finally lied, "it's illegal though, so if anyone found out I'd done it, I could go to Azkaban."

I don't really think James believed this, but he didn't press the subject further.

 

Detention times two

 

Dear Tahnee,

sorry for not replying sooner. But I think Sirius did didn't he? The twit. Anyway, how are things back home? Tell Clar Sirius said hi, (actually he said something rather disgusting that I don't really want to repeat.) Anyway, what's my problem? You wouldn't believe me if I told you. But it's not really a problem anymore. Remember what Prof. O'bern used to say all the time? Don't come to me with problems, come to me with resolutions. I have made my problem a resolution. Kinda. On a different note, what do you reckon I'd look like with green hair? Maybe pink would be better? I'm getting sick of plain old black. After all, it's been that color for fifteen years...

Luv Lia.

 

I watched Remus with amusement. He was trying to listen to Professor Binns, but every five minutes his head would start to drop slowly, then Sirius would poke him, he'd snap back to reality and the cycle would start over. Remus wasn't the only one fighting sleep. James was gone, his glasses hanging crookedly off one ear. Lily was blinking every two seconds and Peter was using his Charms book as a pillow. Professor Binns didn't seem to notice though. He just kept on talking. I caught Sirius' eye and smiled. Casting a furtive look around the room he passed me a note.

Have you spoken to Rachel yet?

I grabbed my quill and scribbled a reply;

No, she's meeting me tonight in the astronomy tower. Will you come?

Yeah ok. What time?

Seven thirty

"Miss Stummings, are you listening?"

I looked around, hoping to see another Miss Strummings near by. Sadly, I was the only one. "Yes sir, of course I'm listening."

Professor Binns glared, "would you mind repeating what I just said?"

I was stuck. Luckily Sirius came to my rescue. "I think James Potter would like to sir."

James woke up with a start at the mention of his name. "Wha-?"

The old ghost turned away from me and floated over to James. I breathed a sigh of relief, "what did I just say Mr. Potter?"

One look at the smirk on Sirius' face told James that he'd been dobbed in. "Ummm, you said that before they cleaned homes house elves danced on table tops?"

Those awake in the room snorted with laughter, Professor Binns was not impressed. "No Mr. Potter I did not. Ten points from Gryffindor for your rudeness and a detention."

Sirius ginned with glee. I just though it was a good thing looks couldn't kill, or Sirius would be joining professor Binns on the other side.

 

"You won't believe what he's making me do!" James cried that night after he'd gone to see Professor Binns.

"What?" Remus asked.

"I have to sort through all of Professor Batista's old useless prophecies! A whole night locked up in the stuffy divination tower!"

Sirius make a noise which could only be described as a cackle. He was really quite pleased with himself.

James glared at him, "this is all your fault!" He yelled.

Sirius immediately put on his innocent face. "My fault? I didn't tell ol' Binnsy to pick on you."

Remus smiled, "uhh Sirius? Yes you did."

Sirius grinned, "oh, well then I guess it is my fault."

James looked ready to give him a black eye, so I decided to play peace maker. "Uh, Sirius?" I said loudly.

He looked at me, "yah?"

"It's seven thirty."

"Oh. Let's go then."

We left the common room, some of the Gryffindors, (ok, more like all of them) whistled, called out vulgar comments and were just all round immature.

 

Rachel was already waiting for us by the time we arrived at the tower. She was staring dreamily up at the stars.

"Hello." I said sitting down.

She turned, "hi." She saw Sirius, "oh hi, Sirius isn't it?"

Sirius nodded, "yep."

She smiled, "I was just looking at you."

I must have looked confused because Rachel laughed and said, "his namesake. The Sirius star."

"Oh. There's a star named Sirius?"

Sirius nodded proudly, "yep. It's the dog star. The brightest one in the sky."

I found it ironic that Sirius should be named after a dog star. "Where is it?"

Sirius and Rachel pointed it out to me and it was a good half hour before I got around to telling her why I asked to meet her.

"Ok Rachel, this is going to sound unbelievable. But just stick with me ok?"

Rachel nodded.

"all right. Well, you know that Sabi book you gave me?"

Rachel nodded again. She looked all mystical sitting there with the moonlight reflecting of her blonde hair.

"Well, I know it sounds insane, but I think I'm the last Sabi."

I half expecting her to pull a Sirius and start yelling. But she didn't. All she said was, "why do you think that?"

I told her everything. About my mum sending me to Hogwarts, about the Unicorn and about Snape (I left out how he was hurt). Sirius added things when I forgot to mention something.

Rachel sat thoughtfully for a moment once I'd finished. "It sounds like you're her." She said at last. "Your mum probably was as well you know."

I hadn't thought of that. I'd always imagined her as a depressed, insane suicidal maniac. I tried to picture her nobly ending her life to prevent others from getting hurt. It was weird. Like tying to imagine you-know-who helping little old ladies cross the road.

"So, will you help me train her?" Sirius asked. He seemed to know I didn't feel like talking.

Rachel nodded, "I don't know how much of a help I'll be but sure." I wondered how she could be so calm.

Sirius looked at his watch then at me. "It's eight thirty, we should be getting back."

I nodded, "ok. Thanks Rachel, we'll talk to you tomorrow ok?"

"Sure thing."

 

We walked slowly. Peeking around each corner for teachers. I whispered that we should had borrowed James' invisibility cloak and Sirius glared and stated he wouldn't touch anything of James' with a twenty foot pole.

So we were left creeping along like little mice trying to avoid Filch and Miss Norris. We were going quite well too. Until Professor Binns had to float through a wall in front of us and ruin it all.

"Oh, uh, hi professor." Sirius smiled winningly. "Lovely night for a walk."

Professor Binns glared at us. "What are you two doing out of bed this late?"

"Well, I wasn't feeling well, so Sirius was just taking me to see madam Pomfrey." I tried to copy Sirius' innocent smile.

The professor scowled, "Mr Potter told me there'd be students out tonight. You can join him tomorrow night. Now get back to your common room."

He floated away again. Sirius looked at me in horror. "A whole night in the divination tower with Potter? Quick Bluey, kill me."

 

Lia = Sirius = ??

 

"The training has began my lord."

"Excellent. When will she be of full power?"

"It will depend on how quickly she learns. Two months at the least."

"Does she suspect?"

"Not yet."

"Keep it that way."

"Yes my lord."

 

Dear Lia,

yeah, I did get a letter from Sirius. Tell him Clar says something equally twisted and disgusting. So, your problem is a resolution now? That makes sense. Maybe Sirius has worped your brain... Celia is in an exceptionally bad mood. Professor Antonovitch only gave her nine and a half out of ten. Clar is in an exceptionally good mood. Professor Antonovitch gave her ten and a half out of ten because she drew butterflies on her parchment. I'm just waiting for them to start clawing each others eyes out... Wait, oops, they've started. Gotta go.

luv and sunshine

Tahnee

 

"This is all your fault James." Sirius would have glared at him, but all our energy went into climbing the many stair cases towards the divination tower.

"Quiet!" Filch snapped.

"Yeah well, you got me a detention first!" James hissed at Sirius and me.

"I didn't!" I said a bit to loudly. Filch glared at us. We were silent for a few floors.

"I didn't get you a detention." I said it softly this time.

James shrugged, "sorry 'bout that Blue. But you and jerk face are peas in a pod. You can't find one with out the other."

I was about to argue when we reached a dead end. I gave Filch a puzzled look. Rather unexpectedly a silvery stair case appeared in front of us. We climbed up it into a small rather stuffy room. Filch indicated to a large chest full of parchment.

"Sort those into alphabetical order. Use the name at the bottom to sort them And don't read 'em!" He instructed. And with that, he was gone.

Sirius looked like he's swallowed sour milk. "James, did I forget to thank you for this?"

 

Some of the prophecies were semi interesting. Most were old, boring and unreadable. Sorting them into alphabetical order was a very tedious job. Especially when almost all the names at the bottom started with A. Who knew there were so Many Angus and Alto's in the nineteenth century?

Bored out of our brains we took turns reading them aloud. (Even though Sirius and James still refused to speak to each other.)

Sirius snatched up a smelly old falling to pieces prophecy and began to read. "When Venus is in the twelfth house and the moon rides high, the evil will fall to a babies cry."

I rolled my eyes, "not that it's vague or anything."

James grinned, "that's what divination is about. Being vague. You read one."

I dug deep and grabbed one from the bottom of the chest. I scanned it quickly and laughed, "this isn't a prophecy, it's a child's poem. It sounds like Doctor Sues."

James was puzzled, "who?"

"Never mind."

"Read it any way," Sirius urged.

"It is indeed a pity, that they are no more.

Now who will save the young, rich and poor?

Ah, but you have it all wrong, indeed you do,

she's still here, but she has not a clue.

Then how will she help him if she does not know?

How will she save us from our undoubted foe!

The maurorders of four, forget them not,

they'll awaken her brain, before it can clot!

ah but of course, it will not last,

she'll save the child then leave our world fast.

I am afraid your right, but do not despair,

she'll do her bit, it's only fair!"

Sirius smiled, "the four maurorders. I like that."

I smiled, "moony, wormtail, padfoot and prongs. The four Maurorders." I paused, "of course you can't be Maurorders if your not talking."

Sirius glared at me, "then I'll be the lone maurorder."

I rolled my eyes and went back to sorting.

 

"So, were do we start?" I asked Sirius and Rachel. We were in the astronomy tower again, as during the day nobody went in there.

Rachel shrugged. "I'm not sure, maybe with the telekinesis?"

Sirius looked as confused as I felt. "The what?"

"Moving things with your mind."

I shrugged, "sounds good to me."

Sirius pulled a quill out of his robes and placed it on the floor in front of us. "Try lift it." He told me.

I stared at it for what seemed like five minutes but nothing happened. "That worked." I said dryly.

Rachel smiled, "you probably won't be able to do it for at least a few more days. It's a case of practice makes perfect."

Sirius grinned, "you sound like a professor."

Rachel gave him a tolerant smile then turned to me. "Ok, try looking at the place you want the quill to be, in this case the air, and picture the quill already there."

So, feeling like a complete loser, I stared at thin air trying to imagine the quill floating there.

Again, nothing happened.

This didn't seem to faze Sirius and Rachel. Though I was ready to through the dumb quill out of the window.

Sirius smiled at the look on my face, "you're trying too hard." He told me. "You just have to relax into it."

So I tried relaxing into it. I tried with my eyes closed and with my eyes open, with my tongue out and with my tongue in and on Sirius' request, I tried it cross eyed. The quill didn't move.

Rachel smiled reassuringly, "don't worry. I didn't expect anything to happen on your first go. It takes time."

I sighed, "it better not take to much bloody longer. I'm not known for my patience."

Sirius laughed. "don't worry, you'll get it." He checked his watch, "I'd better get to my detention."

Rachel smiled, "you have detention. Why doesn't that surprise me? What'd you do?"

"I attempted to kill Severus Snape." Sirius replied with a straight face.

I poked him and walked Rachel back to her common room.

 

"You've been spending an awful lot of time with Sirius lately." In her sheep and cow pajamas Lily looked more like a ten year old than a girl of fifteen.

I smiled, "oh have I? You've haven't been spending much time with James."

She rolled her eyes, "that would be because I don't like James."

"Sure, sure."

"I don't!"

"Well, I don't like Sirius. He's just helping me out with something."

Lily looked at me slyly, "tongue exercises?"

"Lily!" I threw my pillow at her.

Laughed she asked, "well is it true?"

"No!"

She giggled, "I could name about fifty girls in Gryffindor alone who'd kill to go out with Sirius Black."

I tried to look angry, "well I'm not one of them."

"Oh, of course not."

What a stupid idea, I thought sleepily later that night. I don't like him, he's so annoying. No, I defiantly do not like Sirius Black. That's for certain. Isn't it?

 

The Pantless Prank

 

Dear Tahnee,

I miss Ombigono. Everything here is just far too complicated. Don't think you could persuade Celia to convince Aunt Kath to bring me home? Life at Hogwarts is starting to resemble a bad American soapie. James and Sirius still aren't speaking, James and Lily like each other but refuse to admit it, everybody is convinced Sirius and I are having a secret love affair (which we are not!) and Gwen Thompson (a semi-nice Slytherian) is convinced Severus Snape likes me! Ahhhhhhhhh! You'll have to excuse me now, I'm going to jump into the he river.

luv Lia.

 

"It's been a week." Lily announced at breakfast.

"What's been a week?" Hannah asked her.

"Since James and Sirius started fighting. A whole week."

Hannah looked amazed, "really?"

"Really what?" Questioned Jessie and Ellie who had slept in as usual and only just arrived.

"Sirius and James have been fighting for a week." I reported.

Ellie looked worried. "Wow. I can't remember them ever fighting for more than an hour. What are they fighting about?"

Lily shrugged, "Bluey knows."

I felt four sets of eyes turn to me and wondered if my friends were capable of torture. "No I don't. I'm as clueless as the next person." I lied.

Jessie rolled her eyes. 'Yeah right. You're Sirius' girlfriend. He must've told you."

"I am not Sirius Black's girlfriend!"

Jessie was determined, "well he still must have told you."

I stared at my toast. Have you ever noticed how much Jam looks like that gunky stuff that oozes from your eye occasionally? "He didn't tell me anything."

"C'mon Blue," worked Ellie, "he must have told you something. Don't you trust us?"

No, come to think of it jam doesn't look like eye ball gunk, it looks more like colored snot. "I'd tell you guys if I knew. Really I would."

"Tell them what?"

Salvation! I swear I could've kissed Remus.

"They want to know why James and Sirius are arguing."

"Oh," Remus smiled, "it's stupid. I don't think even they know what they're fighting about."

Why was he such a good lier? Well, I suppose he did have to lie about where he went every month. Practice makes perfect.

"What're we talking about?" Sirius asked as he and Peter joined the table.

"What you and James are fighting about," said Lily promptly.

Sirius waved his hand in front of his face as if shooing away invisible cobwebs. "James is just a jerk, that's all."

I sighed and left for Transfiguration.

 

I only had to take one look at Sirius at lunch to know he was up to something. He had a smirl on his face. A smirl is a cross between a smile and a smirk. Sirius only ever smirled when he was up to something.

"What'd you do?" I asked as I sat down.

Sirius looked like he was going to claim innocence but changed his mind. "You'll see. Any second now. Just keep watching James."

I stared at James trying not to appear to obvious. He appeared completely normal to me. No, that wasn't completely true. But he'd been sick at breakfast and had been at the nurses all morning. I shot Sirius a puzzled glance, "I see no change."

Sirius gave me a look, "you really don't have patience do you Blue? Just wait."

So I waited. Lily joined us at the table and turned to James. "Professor McGonagal gave us a stack of homework for transfiguration, did you get it off her?"

James nodded, "yeah, I saw her after class." A pause. "Without my pants."

Sirius howled with laughter. James looked very shocked. "I didn't mean to say that!" He said. Then, "without my pants.

Everyone within hearing range was either laughing loudly like Sirius or like Lily, turning interesting shades of red trying to hold it in.

"Sirius without my pants!" James said madly, "what did you do, without my pants?"

Sirius had tears running down his cheeks from laughing so hard. "Me? I did nothing."

"Don't lie without my pants!"

"Ok, I'll lie with your pants."

This was too much even for Lily. The other houses were giving us Gryffindors funny looks. No doubt wondering if we were all insane.

"James Potter!" Yelled Professor D'Arcy, "what is going on over there."

James obviously didn't want to answer him and let's face it dear reader, would you have?

"Potter answer me!"

James mumbled something.

"Louder!"

James sighed and called, "nothing's going on sir!" He clamped his mouth shut trying to keep the words out and for a moment it looked as though he had succeeded. But then, "without my pants!"

 

James spent the rest of the day in the hospital wing, to escape the rest of the school more than anything else.

"That was mean Sirius." Remus told him later that night in the common room.

Sirius sniggered, "I know, but it was still funny."

"What did you do anyway?" I asked.

Sirius shrugged, "just a potion I picked up."

"You've probably scared James for life you know." Jessie told him.

"You really think so?"

I was wondering how hard I should hit Sirius when the portrait hole opened and James climbed through.

"Found your pants yet James?" Called an idiot seventh year.

James ignored him and the responding laughter. He glared at Sirius, "I'll get you for this." He seethed sounding remarkably like the wicked witch of the west. I wouldn't have been surprised if he added, 'you and your little dog too.'

Sirius smirled, "yeah, well make sure that when you do, you do it with your pants."

 

Wednesdays lesson of Study of Ancient Runes was a more boring one. I occupied myself by trying to make my quill rise. Remus noticed my look of utter concentration and asked, "what're you doing?"

I shrugged, "nothing. That's just the problem, nothing."

He gave me the, 'ok-then-I'll-just-back-away-slowly' look and asked, "has Sirius asked you out yet?"

I hope he didn't take my look of shock mixed with glee as an affirmative answer to his question. No, the glee and shock was because the quill was no longer on the desk but floating merrily in front of me.

 

Potter's Revenge!

 

"The training is going excellently my lord."

"How long until she is of full power?"

"Sooner than we could have hoped. She is learning exceedingly fast."

"And she still doesn't suspect?"

"No my lord."

"Good."

 

Sirius,

have you asked Lia out yet? If not, hurry up! I've betted Clar and Sara-Jane three galleons that you be together by the end of next week. And you don't want to see me loose do you? Besides Lia really does like you. All her letters are Sirius this and Sirius that. So do us all a favor and ASK HER OUT!

Tahnee

 

"Ok, now try move it a little to the left."

"I'm having enough trouble just keeping it in the air!"

"Just try."

Sirius smiled, "see? Your getting better."

I laughed, "and I'm becoming very well aquatinted with the astronomy tower."

Sirius shook his head, "c'mon, we'd better get back or we'll miss lunch."

He helped me to my feet and we made our way towards the great hall.

 

"Where've you two been all morning?" Lily asked as we sat down.

Sirius glared at James for a second before he answered, "we've been to London to visit the queen!"

He got the groans he deserved.

"Got your pants today Potter?!" Some loud mouthed Slytherian yelled across the hall. James went red and glared at Sirius who was smirling again.

"If I were you Sirius," said Peter, "I'd start sleeping with one eye open."

 

I woke up early on Sunday morning. Not too early mind you, but early enough to be the only person in the common room. I snuggled in front of the fire and began to read another Sabi book Rachel had lent me.

I almost didn't notice James climbing through the portrait hole about half an hour later.

"Where've you been?" I asked him. He was looking very pleased with himself.

He shrugged, "oh around. No were in particular."

I smiled, "you wouldn't have been doing something that would humiliate a certain Sirius Black would you?"

He grinned, "of course."

Three sixth year girls strutted past us and climbed out of the portrait hole. About three seconds later they burst through again giggling madly.

"What'd you do?" I asked James slightly alarmed.

He laughed and waved his arms towards the portrait hole, "go see"

Somewhat nervously I opened the portrait hole and peered out.

James had somehow gotten hold of Sirius' family photo albums. On the wall directly in front of the portrait hole, (stuck with Zonko's unstickable glue if I wasn't mistaken), was a photo of Sirius. (James had labeled it in big black writing.) He only looked about three years old and he was grinning and waving cheekily. All this was fine What wasn't fine was the fact that little Sirius had no clothes on....

 

Soon, everybody had seen the photo. James had plastered them near all of the common rooms, in the great hall, by the library, in most of the class rooms and (according to James) all around Hogsmead. Sirius wasn't impressed.

"Oh come on, you know you deserved it."

Sirius was sulking up in his room. (It was the only place in the castle were he wouldn't bump into any giggly girls.) Remus and I were trying to cheer him up.

"I did not. He started this fight."

I rolled my eyes, "I seem to remember you saying that James had every right to be mad at you?"

He shrugged, "I was tired, I wasn't thinking straight."

Remus gave him the 'you're-being-childish' look. "Did you really think that James wouldn't retaliate?"

I tried a different tack, "the photo's cute."

"I'm naked."

"You're cute naked."

Remus snorted, "and you would know?"

I poked him. "You're not helping Lupin."

He smiled, "well, I'm not telling him he looks cute naked."

I had a scary thought, "uh Sirius? You're not going to retaliate are you?"

"Of course I am."

I had a feeling things were about to get very messy.

 

"Hey this is interesting." I said.

"What is?" Rachel asked.

I read aloud from my book, "not only can a Sabi's blood make person immortal it can offer protected to those they love."

Sirius scratched his ear, "what do they mean protection?"

"If a Sabi gives their blood to someone they love," Rachel explained, "that person will be protected from everyone else with a Sabi's blood. What I mean is, say a Sabi gave her husband some her blood. And a different Sabi gave some of his blood to his daughter. Those to people wouldn't be able to harm each other because they both have the Sabi's blood in them. It's the same thing if a Sabi makes a person immortal, that person can't kill anyone with a Sabi's blood in them. But it only works if the Sabi loves the person. So I don't think Snape is protected because you gave him your blood."

I smiled, "cool."

Sirius thought for a moment, "say a Sabi gave her daughter her blood. So this girls protected. If she grows up and gets married and she gives protected blood too her husband, will the husband be protected?"

Rachel nodded, "yeah, but the girl won't be anymore."

I yawned, "it's late and this is getting confusing. I'm going to bed."

 

Snape = Peacemaker?

 

 

Dearest Tahnne,

as much as I would love to make you happy and ask Bluey out I am afraid I can't. This is because I am secretly in love with you. Yes, it's true. Will you marry me?

Love Sirius

 

On Tuesday Sirius dyed James's hair green while he was sleeping.

On Wednesday James convinced Peeves to follow Sirius around and throw stuff at him.

On Thursday Sirius strung all of James's underwear from the Quiditch goal posts.

On Friday James turned Sirius's skin purple with pink polka dots.

By Saturday everybody had had enough.

But nothing we did seemed to have any effect. Remus was all for locking them in a closet and just leaving them there until they were talking again. Hannah pointed out they'd probably kill each other, so we decided not to do that.

"It's hopeless." Jessie moaned. "They'll never speak and so we should just get used to it."

Lily sighed, "they have to speak again. They're James and Sirius."

"No, I'm Sirius. No James. Just Sirius."

I turned and looked up at Sirius, "do you have to sneak up on us like that?"

He nodded, "of course, you could have been discussing something interesting."

"We were. Like when are you and James going to stop this childish fight?" Ellie asked with her eyes narrowed.

Sirius shrugged, "I didn't start this fight."

I rolled my eyes, "then do us all a favor and finish it."

Sirius shrugged again and walked off.

Frank Longbottom, a third year came in and said to me, "there's a girl named Rachel waiting outside for you."

"Oh, thanks." I got up and left the common room.

 

"Ok now move it too the left."

I moved the quill to the left.

"Now to the right."

I moved the quill to the right.

"Move it up."

I moved the quill up.

"And down."

I moved the quill down.

Rachel smiled at me, "I think you've got it. We should try you with something heavier."

"Like what?"

"Oh, I don't know. A chair?"

"A chair? I can only just lift a quill."

"A chair would be exactly the same, except you'd just need a bit more concentration."

"A bit?"

She smiled, "ok, a lot more concentration. How about we try it tomorrow when you all fresh and awake."

I shrugged, "yeah ok."

 

"What are you doing?"

Sirius grinned, "I'm replacing James's shampoo with honey."

I shook my head, "that's a muggle prank Sirius, can't you think of anything better?"

"Why would I want to? It's a classic. Anyway, why are you in our dorm?"

I sighed and flopped down on Sirius's bed, "Rachel wants me to try lift a chair."

He smiled, "and you don't think you'll be able too?"

"I don't know."

"Hi Padfoot, hi Bluey."

I waved to Remus. "Hi Remus."

He smiled, "what are you doing up here?"

I shrugged, "complaining."

He raised an eyebrow at Sirius, "and what are you doing?"

"Filling James's shampoo bottle with honey."

"Oh."

I sighed, "you haven't played a prank on Snape for ages. I think he's getting cocky."

Remus sat down next to me, "that's because he's been to busy playing pranks on James."

I hit Sirius lightly, "see? Because of your fighting, Snape is happy. Is that the kind of world you want to live in?"

Sirius laughed, "well, we can't have Snape happy can we?"

I stopped counting the dots on Sirius's pillow, "so you'll talk to him?"

Sirius shrugged, "maybe. After this prank."

Remus sighed, "sometimes I wonder about you Sirius."

 

"We meet again Stummings."

I winced and turned to face Snape. "Oh. What do you want."

He flashed an oily grin, "is that how you greet a friend?"

I shook my head, "no of course not. I greet my friends in a much nicer manner. But I hardly think you count as a friend."

He scowled, "watch what you say Strummings. You haven't got Black here to protect you this time."

"Oh go boil your head." I snapped. I was supposed to be meeting Rachel, not making chit chat with Snape.

"What's the matter Strummings. One would think you didn't like me."

I sighed, "can we carry on this charming conversation some other time Snape? I have other places to be."

He grinned, "oh, I don't think so. I have plenty of time."

I was pondering if I should kick him again when James rounded the corner and nearly walked into me.

"Oh, hi Lia," he said smiling. Then he saw Snape and narrowed his eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"None of your business Potter." Snape's voice was equally venomous.

They glared at each other for about three minutes when Sirius arrived on the scene.

"This seems familiar," he said in a cheery voice, "quick Blue, kick Snape." He paused, "and kick James too."

Snape winced slightly at the memory then grinned greasily, "my, my. Don't tell me Potter and Black are fighting?"

Nobody said anything and Snape crowed with laughter. "who would've have thought? Everybody's favorite couple, not speaking."

I shrugged and glared at Snape. "It doesn't matter if they're not speaking. That doesn't make them weak."

If Snape's grin got any greasier you could bottle it. "What will everybody say when they find out that they're favorite pranksters are out of business."

"So what if they've gotten boring and they're not pulling pranks?" I asked angrily.

Sirius finally found his voice. "Who said we were even fighting? Did you say we were fighting Prongs?"

James shook his head, "never said anything of the sort Padfoot. I think you'd better see the nurse Snape, you're imagining things."

Snape glared and stalked away. As soon as he was out of hearing range Sirius turned to me. "You think your smart now don't you?" He asked me.

I grinned, "I don't know what you're talking about."

James suddenly remembered something, he glared at Sirius, "did you put honey in my shampoo?"

Sirius smirled, "yeah that was me. With my pants of course."

James went red at the memory of the without my pants incident. "That wasn't funny." He snapped.

Sirius was still laughing, "yeah it was. Would have been funnier if it was Snape though."

James smiled, "well, why don't we do it to Snape? Can you make the person say whatever you want?"

"Yeah, I think so."

I smiled and slipped away. Thanks to Snape, everybody's favorite couple was talking again.

 

Lost Dreams

 

All is going well, but-"

"but what?"

"She is getting distracted."

"Then undistract her!"

"Yes my lord."

 

She was beautiful. Even as she sobbed, with tears streaming down her cheeks, she could be described as nothing less.

She heard footsteps behind her and hastily wiped the tears away. "Who's there?"

"It's only me." A young man sat down beside her.

She managed a small smile, "oh hello. Congratulations are in order I believe? A boy, you must be rapt."

"Oh I am. He's perfect in every way."

"Like his father eh? What did you name him?"

"Sirius."

She chuckled, "a fitting name really. Is he..."

"One of us?" He paused, "no, thank the lord."

She sighed, "I remember the days when the birth of another would have been a good thing. Not a curse."

"Yes, well these are dark days we are entering. Have you heard what most are planning?"

She nodded, "yes. I don't want to kill myself. What will become of my child?" She patted her stomach affectionately as she spoke.

He sighed, "I am like you. I don't want to die. It's selfish I know, but I want Sirius to grow up knowing his father. I think I'm going to go into hiding. Even if it's only for a few years."

She bit her lip, "I fear for my child. I fear for myself. Oh what will become of us?"

She shrugged again, "I do not know. All I know is that these are dark days, and things will get worse before they get better.

 

"Lia! Wake up!"

I opened my eyes slowly. "What?"

Lily was leaning over me looking worried, "are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why?"

Hannah appeared next to her, "you were crying, in your sleep."

I sat up, "was I?" I felt my cheeks, sure enough they were wet.

"What were you dreaming about?" Lily asked.

I shrugged, "I don't know. I remember there were two people talking, but that's all."

Hannah bit her lip, "are you sure your ok?"

"I'm fine. Really."

 

"Ok, now concentrate."

"I am, I am."

"Well concentrate harder, the chair isn't moving."

"Sirius, I don't think your helping. Ignore him Lia."

I flopped back, "I give up," I moaned.

Sirius smiled at me sympathetically, then said, "I've been thinking."

"Shock, horror."

"Shut up Blue. Anyway, I think we need a new place to practice."

Rachel cocked her head, "why? There's nothing wrong with the astronomy tower."

"Yeah, but the seventh year astronomy classes start soon, and they'll be here all night. And it's only a matter of time before someone comes up here during the day."

I sat up again, "fair enough. But were else is there?"

Sirius shrugged, "I dunno. We'll think of something."

"Ok, enough of a break," said Rachel, "c'mon Lia. Concentrate."

 

By nightfall the chair still hadn't moved, so we gave up and went back to our common rooms.

"Where do you and Sirius go all day?" Lily asked me that night when we were all in bed.

I yawned, "I don't go anywhere with Sirius during the day."

"Yeah right," I heard Jessie say, "after breakfast you two disappear together and we don't see you until night."

"And it's the opposite during the week," added Ellie, "after class you go, and we don't see you until morning."

I shrugged even though they couldn't see me, "really, I never noticed that. I just wander around on my own. I never see Sirius."

"Yeah right."

"Gee Hannah, I get the feeling you don't believe me."

"That's because I don't."

"Oh well, I don't care. Night all!"

 

Dear Lia,

I am beginning to question Sirius' sanity. Perhaps you should find a new boyfriend. Oh, good news, Celia is currently in the hospital wing. Sarah-Jane (our sweet kind Sarah-Jane) got fed up with her complaining and turned her into a possum. I would send photos, but the matron won't let me in. So you'll just have to imagine it.

Luv and sunshine

Tahnee

 

Secrets Red Roses

There is a problem my lord."

"What is it?"

"She is remembering."

 

Dear Tahnee,

Sirius is not my boyfriend. I don't know who my boyfriend is. He's currently nameless. But that doesn't matter, after all, what's in a name?

Luv Lia

 

"Hold it!"

"I'm trying! It's not easy you know!"

"Ok, let is go."

I let the chair go and it hit the ground with a crunch and broke.

Sirius grinned, "two minutes! You're getting better."

I yawned, "and tireder."

Rachel smiled, "well come on then. Let's go to bed."

Sirius rolled his eyes, "yeah. We can get a whole three hours sleep."

 

On my bed when I got back was a single red rose. It was enchanted so it wouldn't die and the thorns had been removed.

"Lily!" I shook her. "Lily!"

She opened her eyes, "mmwhadoyawant?"

"Do you know who left me this?" I showed her the rose.

She shook her head. "Maybe you've got a secret admirer," she mumbled before she went back to sleep.

 

Sirius was sleeping.

This was fine. After all, he'd spent the night forcing me to lift a chair. Of course he was tired. The problem was he was sleeping in transfiguration...

"Mr. Black!"

Sirius' head snapped up, "what? Oh was I sleeping?"

Professor McGonagal nodded.

"Oh, that's funny. I was dreaming that I was wide awake. Does that count for something?"

"Why were you asleep in my class Mr. Black?"

"I was tired?"

"Why were you tired?"

"It's Peter's fault Professor. He snores so loudly all night that I just couldn't sleep."

"The real reason Mr. Black."

"The real reason? Ok..."

 

"Twenty points!" We were in herbology, three periods later and Sirius was still ranting on. "I can't believe she took twenty points!"

James rolled his eyes, "well padfoot, you did tell her you spent the night helping the house elves catch purple flying elephants."

"Do you think she didn't believe me? Maybe I should've gone with, I spent the night teaching the last Sabi how to lift a chair."

"Where were you last night anyway?" James asked.

Sirius shrugged, "around."

"You weren't playing pranks on the Slytherians without us were you?" Remus asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh no, of course not. I was just around."

Remus, James and Peter looked confused. Lily smiled at them, "now you know how we feel whenever we ask you something."

James shook his head, "nah uh, that's different."

"Is not."

"Is too."

"Is not."

"Is too."

I blocked them out and went back to work.

 

"We need a new practice place. And new times as well. We can't keep falling asleep in class." Rachel said that night.

I smiled, "you mean Sirius can't keep falling asleep in class."

"Yeah, something like that."

I shrugged, "we've been working to hard anyway. How about we only practice every second night?"

"Sounds good," Rachel turned to Sirius, "what do you think?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Now we just need a new place to practice," I said, absently making a small telescope rise.

Sirius looked thoughtful "I know," he said, "how about that cave I took you to Blue. The one in Hogsmead."

Rachel looked confused, "how are we going to get to Hogsmead?"

Sirius grinned, "I have my ways."

I shrugged, "the cave sounds like a good place. But we won't be able to go as often. I mean, it's a pretty long walk."

"We can still use the tower sometimes," said Rachel, "just not all the time. I think the cave sounds like a good spot."

We were all set.

 

There was another gift waiting for me back at my dorm. A love heart pendent to put on a necklace.

"Oh, you're so lucky," said Ellie happily.

"I wonder who he is," I said, gazing at the pendent.

"He must be in Gryffindor," Jessie commented, "how else would they get the gifts up here?"

"I wish I had a secret admirer," sighed Lily, flopping back onto her bed.

"You don't need one, you've got James," teased Hannah.

Lily through a pillow at her and we all went to bed.

 

"He's a cute one." She smiled at the baby, who grinned up at her cheekily.

"Isn't he?" He grinned happily at his son.

"He seems far to happy to be named Sirius."

"His name will come in handy one day," he paused. "I want to see him grow up. I don't want to die. I'm going into hiding."

She nodded, "I had a feeling you might. I have no idea what I'm going to do, I'm not brave enough to go into hiding. But I've been thinking, what if my child is one of us? What will I do then?"

"I don't know. But I don't know many things these days."