Harry Meets His Match

Chapter 7- Hogsmeade

“Surika, please calm down. I’m right here, and I won’t let anything happen to you.” he whispered. “There’s so many people…” she said, nervously. “Well… Hogsmeade IS a very popular place.” Harry said. “Hey, let’s go to the Three Broomsticks. You’ve got to try butterbeer!” Harry said out loud. A bunch of people turned to look at him. He blushed a little.

“My friend… um… must’ve walked off on me…” He blushed even more. This was the best excuse for talking to nothing he could think of. People just shook their heads and continued about their business. Harry heard feminine chuckles beside him, and he jabbed out with his elbow. “Shut up, Surika!” he hissed under his breath. “Ow! Hey!” she hissed back and pinched his arm. Harry barely managed to stifle a yelp of pain.

“Surika, quit it!” he whined, but he couldn’t help but grin. “You’re such a flirt.” he teased, nudging her, playfully. “I’M the flirt? Well, it looks like I’m not he only one guilty of that.” she chuckled and blew a razz berry in his ear. He giggled and turned his head away. “That’s gross! I don’t want your spit on my head!” He looked up and laughed. People were staring at him again. He grinned at them, reached up, and tugged on the cloak. With a quick motion, Surika scrambled to pull it back over her head, but it was too late. The cloak was already laying on the ground at her feet.

“See? I’m not crazy. I was talking to her the whole time.” he explained to the gawking people. “HARRY!” Surika shrieked. “Why did you do that?!” He shrugged. “It’s not a big deal, Surika. Nobody…” “It is to me!” she raged, and turned away from him. He knew what she was going to do. He scrambled to catch her arm before she ran, but he wasn’t quick enough. The crowd parted as she bolted through. Without hesitation, he chased after her.

“Surika, wait! Surika!” he called, but she didn’t stop or look back. “Surika! I’m sorry! Please come back!” he called again. She only ignored him and kept running. She ran to the outskirts of Hogsmeade, and with little effort, jumped the fence and bolted toward a big mesa. Harry had to stop and rest. His side was killing him, and he was tired. “How could her bare feet carry that fast and that far?” he wondered, looking toward the mesa. Surika was now climbing it. “And how can she climb so easily up those sharp rocks?”

Surika looked behind her to see if Harry was still following. It appeared he had given up. She returned her attention to her climbing. She didn’t know why she was running away from him. She wasn’t really that angry with him. Climbing higher, Surika found a small cave on the side of the mesa. She crawled inside. If he wanted to really apologize, he’d have to climb to get to her. She looked down at him. He was still propped up against the fence. She giggled, and through her giggles she heard what sounded a lot like growling.

Startled, she turned to see what was making the sound. It was a dog. A very big, black dog. Its fur was bristled, and its teeth were bared in a snarl. Surika backed away, looking behind her to make sure she wasn’t going to back off the cliff. “Nice doggie.” she crooned, trying not to sound afraid. The dog advanced on her, still growling. “I…I like dogs. I have no intention of hurting you. Don’t attack me!” She covered her face with her hands as the dog looked ready to pounce., but there was no attack. The growling had stopped. She uncovered her face to find a man in place of where the dog had been. The man was glaring at her. He had shoulder-length, matted, black hair, and he looked aged, even though he was probably only in his thirties.

“Who are you?! What are you doing in my cave?!” The man demanded, brandishing a wand and pointing it at her. “I… I’m sorry… I didn’t know anyone was living here… I’ll leave now…” she stammered. “No!” he growled, waving his wand threateningly. “You didn’t answer my first question!” “Oh… I’m Surika. Surika Parker.” she responded, shaking a little. The man regarded her for a moment. The glare has vanished, but he still had the wand pointed at her. “So…” he began, and pocketed his wand. “YOU’RE the young lady Harry has ranted endlessly about in the… What was it? Last three letters?” Surika raised her eyebrows. “You know Harry?” she asked. The man smiled. “Indeed I do. He’s my godson, and I must say, he was right. You are a very fine young lady. You’re fifteen, correct?” Surika felt herself as she nodded. The man smiled wider.

“Well, now that I’ve met you, I better introduce myself. I’m Sirius Black.” He held out his hand and Surika shook it. “Harry told me about you.” she said. “Harry told me a lot about you. He seems to be really taken. He said quite a few nice things in his letters.” “He did?” she asked, stunned. “Oh, yes. He said you were very pretty and he would love to get to know you. Said you were rather shy, though.” “Well…” Surika grinned sheepishly and blushed. “I can be.” Sirius smiled at her. “Sweet girl, you are. Just the type I’d approve of for my godson.”

“SIRIUS!” Harry exclaimed.

Surika jumped and turned to look at him. She hadn’t heard him arrive. “Sirius, why are you telling her that?” Harry asked, blushing with embarrassment. “I was trying to be a parent. Or something like it, Harry.” Sirius explained, flashing a grin in Harry’s direction. “Well…” “You know, It’s okay to tell me about your problems, but as any teen would know, that if you don’t want your love life revealed to a particular person, don’t tell me stuff like that. It gives me a certain obligation to drill that person to make sure she’s suitable for my only godson.” Sirius said, making Harry go even more scarlet. “Gee, Sirius. You used to be cool.” Harry mumbled. Surika covered her mouth to hide a snicker.

“Surika, shut up.” Harry demanded. Surika crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows. “You better watch it, Boy. That’s the second time today you’ve told me to shut up. If you want me to date you, you better be nice to me.” “That’s right, Harry. Some girls can be very sensitive to things like that.” Sirius pointed out. Surika grinned slyly at Harry. “Great. Now you two are ganging up on me.” “That about sums it up.” Surika stated, smirking. Harry rolled his eyes. “Alright, you win.” Surika and Sirius looked at each other and grinned.

“Hey, Surika. Why don’t we get back. Everyone will be leaving soon.” Harry said. “Alright. It was nice meeting you, Sirius.” Surika said, smiling. Sirius smiled back. “Likewise. I do hope we meet again. And Harry, I do hope you’ll find the grace to stay out of trouble. My nerves can’t take much more of your getting kidnapped or something every year.” Harry blushed and Surika laughed. “Oh, don’t worry. I’ll protect him.” she said, nudging Harry. “Alright, then. I’ll be sure to write, Harry.” “Okay. See you.” And with that, the two turned and left.