An American Professor

Erin awoke to a vibrating bed. Feeling very confused and disoriented she mumbled, “I didn’t put any quarters in the bed.” Refocusing her eyes, she saw Dobby jumping up and down on her bed. “Dobby!” she shrieked.

The elf shrieked back and fell off the bed. As he thudded to the floor, Erin jumped off the bed and stood over him. With a concerned face she asked, “Dobby, I’m sorry, are you ok?”

He nodded with wide eyes, “Yes, miss. No need to worry about me, miss, my old master would throw me a lot further than that.”

“Be that as it may, Dobby, you could tell me if you weren't ok. So, what were you trying to do?”

“Trying to wake you, miss.”

Erin shook her head, still trying to make sense of the situation, “Dobby, did you have any particular reason for trying to wake you up?”

“The dog in the hall seems to be looking for you.” He answered in a matter of fact tone.

“What? A dog in the hall? I don’t have a- OH! A dog!” she gasped realizing he meant Sirius. “Ok, Dobby, I’ll take care of it, thanks for waking me up.” She was somewhat aware of a ‘Pop’ behind her announcing Dobby’s departure as she ran to the other room to hurriedly let the dog in.

Sirius strode into the room and jumped onto Erin's couch before turning back to his human form. “Took you long enough. Were you trying to figure out the meaning of life before coming to the door?” he complained with a smile.

“I do have a life, Sirius, I'm not just sitting around here waiting for you. But, actually, I was asleep.”

He looked at her carefully, “What’s wrong, why were you crying?”

“I wasn’t,” she lied. He raised an eyebrow and being aware that he knew she was lying, she dropped her head, “It’s not a big deal,” she mumbled. Thankfully, he seemed to let the subject go for the time being. To insure that he would refrain from asking subsequent questions, Erin decided to distract him before he had a chance to focus on her, “So, are you ok? Do need anything?”

“I’m exhausted and I’m hungry. Other than that, I’m fine.”

Erin looked carefully at his weary face, and saw his eyes closing. “You look like you could also do with a shower. Why don’t you go take a shower and I’ll see what I can do about some fresh clothes and food.” He nodded and stood up. As he disappeared into the bathroom, Erin called out, “Dobby? Dobby, are you able to hear me?” A ‘Pop’ behind her told her he came and she turned and smiled at him. “Are you ok? I'm still worried about that long fall you took.”

The elf looked as if he were going to cry as he answered, “Miss, no need to worry about Dobby, miss. I’m fine, miss.”

He’s probably not used to humans worrying about him, it looks like I’ve embarrassed him. Erin decided to let the subject drop. She figured that the best way for Dobby to feel better would be to ask for his help. “If you’re up to it, I need your help. Can you find me a set of long robes? Preferably from a man and maybe some men’s clothes? You can’t tell anyone about this though, it has to be our secret.” She added with a wink.

His eyes widened and he nodded importantly. “Ok, Dobby, I’m trusting you with this. Just leave anything you can find here on this chair. Oh, yeah, there are some dirty clothes in the bathroom, can you take those to the laundry with mine, and not tell anyone that they are men’s clothes?” His eyes seemed to get even bigger, if that was possible. “Dobby? Can you do that for me?”

He nodded again, and without saying a word, disappeared into the bathroom. Erin then heard a ‘Pop’ and knew he was gone. Checking her watch, she saw that it was seven thirty in the evening, and she’d completely missed dinner. Erin hurried to the kitchens and looked for an elf to help her. “Excuse me,” she said to one wearing two dishtowels sewn together, “could you help me? I missed dinner and I’m absolutely famished.”

All at once Erin was inundated with elves bringing her food. She took half a ham, two loaves of bread, and a bowl of mashed potatoes. The elves packed the food in a bag and added some fruit and cookies. Erin thanked them repeatedly and declined more food as they kept offering, and left the kitchen in a hurry.

She was almost back to her rooms when she heard a voice call out behind her, “Erin!”

Dammit! She turned slowly and saw Harry standing behind her. “Uh, hi there, Harry.”

He looked at her concernedly, “You weren’t at lunch or dinner today. What's going on? Are you ok?”

“I’m fine, don't worry, I'm just hungry. I took a trip to the kitchens and I’ve got some food now, and I’ll be ok. So, I’ll see you tomorrow, Harry.” She began edging down the hall towards her rooms.

“Wait, I need to talk to you.”

Erin desperately wanted to get back to her rooms, but when Harry said he needed to talk to you, it was generally important. She knew he didn’t often seek out people to speak with them unless it was something that was really important to him. Sighing she asked, “Harry, is it life threatening or can it wait till tomorrow, be honest, I won't be upset if it's something we have to talk about right now? Even though, I'm absolutely famished,” she added with a light smile.

“It can wait till tomorrow,” he admitted.

“Ok, if you’re sure,” she waited for him to nod,"really sure?" she reiterated, and he nodded again. “Then we’ll talk tomorrow. Good night.” Erin moved away quickly before he could change his mind all the while feeling terrible for lying to Harry. Unfortunately, she didn't know whether or not Sirius wanted him to know he was there.

She arrived back at her room and Sirius was not in the sitting room. Dobby had left a pile of clothes on one of the chairs, she noticed. Leaving the food on one of the tables, she looked cautiously in the bathroom. He wasn’t in there either, so she moved to the bedroom. He was sitting on the bed wrapped in a towel around his waist with a dark look on his face.

“What did you do with my clothes?” he demanded.

She couldn't help but notice his bare chest, but she shook her head to clear her thoughts and found her voice. “I uh, sent them to be um, cleaned. There are fresh clothes for you in the other room. I also have gotten you some food.” She answered him calmly and pulling her gaze from his chest added in a biting tone, “Lose your attitude.”

He glared at her for a moment, but then his gaze softened, “I thought you’d gone to tell Dumbledore that I was here.”

“No, I hadn’t done that, do you need me to?”

“No.”

“Well, why don’t you change and then have something to eat.” Erin turned and walked out in a huff. How could he be some damn ungrateful? She picked up the robe and the clothes Dobby had left and handed them to him as he entered the bathroom. He took them silently and tried to catch her eye, but she refused to meet his gaze.

Turning away, she went back to the sitting room, laid out the food, and made a fresh pot of tea. Pouring herself a cup, she sat down in a chair to watch the fire. Sirius came out of the bathroom and took the other chair. She couldn’t help but notice that the robes fit him perfectly. Erin tried not to stare, but he looked so handsome, especially with his black hair damp and curly. It was a little long, but it made him look younger. His face looked refreshed, but his eyes seemed troubled.

“Erin, you didn’t have to do all this.”

“Just eat what you want. The elves loved giving it to me. They’d have given me more, but I wouldn’t let them,” she told him flatly.

He looked as if he didn’t know what to say, “I’m sorry for being irritable.”

She turned to him and stared him straight in the eye, “You’ve traveled a long way. You’re tired. I understand.”

“I still shouldn’t have been rude to you.”

“You’re forgiven, now please eat.” Erin turned back to the fire and Sirius needed no further prompting. After a few minutes she checked his progress. He had finished the ham and potatoes and was just starting on the bread. “How long has it been since you’ve eaten?”

“Mmm, don’t know, been awhile, lost track I guess.” He answered between mouthfuls.

“That’s not good.”

He swallowed and agreed, “I know.” Sirius poured himself another cup of tea and asked, “Aren’t you going to eat anything?”

“No, I got that for you.”

“Did you eat dinner?”

“No.”

“Lunch?”

“No.”

“Erin…”he began to scold.

“Save me the lecture,” she snapped.

He looked like he was about to snap back at her, but thought better of it. “How come you’re in such a foul mood?”

Dammit, the question you didn’t want him to ask. Why didn’t you just act pleasant to avoid this question? “Sirius, I am not in a foul mood. When I am in a foul mood, you will definitely know it.” She was trying to make her face indifferent, but her face was working against her and after a few seconds she broke into a weary smile. “I’m sorry I’m being a bitch. I have had a lousy day.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

No, but you’ll bug me until I tell you anyway. Sighing deeply she answered, “Ok, here’s the Reader’s Digest version,” she began.

“The what?” he asked looking confused.

“Oh, right. Uh, the abbreviated version.” He nodded in understanding and she continued. “”Ok, let’s see where to begin. Well, Charlie Weasley was here this weekend.”

He raised an eyebrow, “Oh?”

Erin just laughed and threw a throw pillow at him, “Don’t get jealous, yet. Trust me, it gets better. He wanted to spend some time together and we did. We went to the Gryffindor victory party together, slow danced, and we kissed briefly afterwards.”

“This is wonderful news, thanks so much for sharing,” Sirius said sarcastically.

“Sirius, please,” Erin began, “I said it gets worse.”

“I don’t think I want to hear what worse is.”

“It wasn’t like that. I couldn’t tell him about the kidnapping, the reasons behind it I mean. So, needless to say that put a pretty big wedge between us. So, what you have here is someone who was asked out on a half-assed date and then dumped the next day! I didn’t even have a freaking chance to decide if I wanted to date him. Ugh men!” Flopping back on the couch she crossed her arms and stared sourly at the fire.

“Well, as a member of the offending sex, I apologize.” Moving to her chair, he squatted in front of her with a puppy dog face, “Erin, honey, I’d love to hear you rant and rave about how terrible men, and in particular Charlie, are, but I’ve been traveling far too long, could we continue it tomorrow?”

Erin regarded Sirius thoughtfully while pushing a lock of hair behind her ear. Taking his hand in hers she apologized, “I can’t believe I was being so selfish. Come on, you can take the bed.” Leading him to the bedroom she continued, “I think I have some men’s shirts in here, if you want one to sleep in.”

“You have men’s shirts?” He asked with surprise.

“Uh, yeah, and if you ask how I got them, I’ll kick you,” she laughed.

Catching the University of Miami t-shirt she threw at him, he glanced at it and asked, “Which boyfriend did this come from?”

“Will I sound like a slut if I say I don’t remember?”

Laughing quietly, he answered, “Nah, forgetful, yes, a slut, never.”

“Oh, quit sucking up. Good night.”

She turned to leave, but he grabbed her arm, “Erin, where are you going to sleep?”

“On the couch.”

“Why don’t you just stay in here? We’ve slept in the same bed before.”

“When I thought you were a dog!” she protested.

His face, serious, he regarded her carefully, “Erin, there’s room enough in this bed for both of us. I won’t try anything, I’m too tired, and too afraid you’d kick my ass.”

Laughing she answered, “I would kick your ass, but no, Sirius, it’s not that. I just don’t feel right about it.”

“Well, then, sit with me until I fall asleep.”

Erin nodded and sat on the bed. Sirius removed his robes. He’d only been wearing a pair of blue boxer shorts underneath. Erin gasped and dropped her eyes blushing. He was too thin, but his back and arms had plenty of rugged muscles, no doubt from traveling such distances. He turned and smiled and she blushed deeper turning her head, but not before noticing how defined his chest was.

He pulled the t-shirt on and lay down on the bed. Reaching for Erin’s hand he pulled on it. “Just lay next to me until I fall asleep?”

She did, hoping he’d fall asleep more quickly. Erin watched Sirius’ chest to see if his breathing would even out, when it did she was satisfied that he must be asleep, so she looked to his face. Erin jumped when she saw him staring back at her. “I don’t want you to leave. Please put your pajamas on and sleep next to me tonight? Please?”

“Sirius,” Erin began to protest.

“Please?” he asked again.

Erin felt torn, but didn’t want to argue with him, besides what harm could it do. She nodded and went to the bathroom to change. She came back to bed in a pair flannel pajama pants and a big t-shirt, trying to be as un-enticing as possible. Sliding into the bed, she shivered, but not from the cold. Erin wasn’t touching him, but she could feel the heat from his body. Feeling all tingly all over, she was afraid to look at him.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Nothing.”

“You’re as nervous as if you were a virgin.”

Turning quickly to him, “We’re not going to-” she began, but he interrupted.

“I know. It was a joke. Come on, let’s just get some sleep.”

Sirius seemed to fall right to sleep, and Erin debated on moving to the couch. However, she’d thought he was asleep before and he’d been faking it, so she decided it’d be best to stay. The questions that had been bothering her for several days weighed heavy on her mind. Why had it bothered her that Charlie didn’t want to be more than friends? How did she feel about Severus? Or for that matter Sirius? And the question that she had been mulling over since Thursday; how had she been able to see through the Polyjuice that time, but not the time when Wormtail used it against her? Erin resolved herself to speaking to Dumbledore the following day, no matter what. Eventually, she fell into a troubled sleep.