The Other Side: A Harry Potter FanFiction

Chapter XX

"I sent an owl to Narcissa," Andromeda said, "We're still waiting for her reply. I know Remus also sent a few letters out to some of his werewolf friends. You'd have to talk to him about responses, though. I wouldn't know."

            "I talked to the Weasleys through the fireplace in the drawing room," Sirius added, "They're all in."

            "All of them?"

            "Every last one," Sirius confirmed, "Specifically I was speaking to Ronald. They know people who they can get involved, too."

            They were in the kitchen alone, Andromeda cleaning dishes from breakfast, Sirius holding a new bottle of Firewhisky. She looked around to make sure there was no one eavesdropping, and then grabbed Sirius's sleeve and pulled him closer. "Are we actually going through with this?"

            Sirius nodded, saying slowly, "Lana's speech was very... inspirational."

            "This isn't something to get back at Voldemort for the murder of your brother?" she demanded.

            He glared. "Maybe, maybe not. I don't see what's so wrong with a little bit of revenge."

            "Your hatred will get us all killed, Sirius," she whispered.

            "What are you saying?" he asked, "That you don't want to help fight this war?"

            "I'm saying I'll do whatever I can to help," she replied, letting go of his sleeve and turning back to the dishes. "But I won't fight."

            Lana had just finished her book and given it back to Cedric when she caught Severus in the hallway, staring into the dining room at Regina, who was talking to the Remus.

            Hesitantly, she stepped beside him and asked, "Whatcha looking at?"

            He jumped a little and looked at her. "What?"

            She motioned toward the dining room. "You're staring. It's ridiculously obvious and a little weird."

            He straightened and looked back into the dining room. "Was I? I had no idea."

            She was about to reply when he said, "It's Lana, right?"

            Lana nodded. "Yup. That's my name."

            "Everyone's talking about you. You appear to be making quite an impression on the Order, what with your talk of war and such."

            "Um... thanks?"

            "Your little speech at dinner was impressive," he continued, "You had the entire Order talking all night long."

            "Are you complimenting me?" she asked unsurely.

            "If that's what it sounds like," he replied in his monotone, indifferent voice.

            "Okay, well, thanks then," she said.

            He said nothing, but continued to stare into the dining room.

            "You know who you remind me of?" she asked in an attempt to lose the awkward silence. "Mr. Darcy. I mean, what with the monotone voice and the indifferent attitude and gloomy appearance."

            He looked at her, confused. "What?"

            "Never mind," she muttered. She looked at Regina in the dining room and said, "You're staring again."

            "What do you care?" he demanded.

            "Do you like her or something?" she asked, completely ignoring his question.

            "That is none of your business," he replied in a grumble, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall, glaring at the floor.

            "You do like her!" Lana said, then, in a lowered voice, asked, "Are you planning on asking her out?"

            "You ask a lot of questions, don't you?"

            "Are you?"

            "No, because clearly she isn't interested," he replied through clenched teeth.

            "Isn't interested?" Lana repeated, "So you do like her, then."

            "I really don't think-"

            "Just say yes or no, Snapey," she said, "It's really not that difficult."

            "Yes," he muttered, "I 'like' her."

            Lana let out a squeal. "That's so cute!"

            He rolled his eyes. "I don't see what's so 'cute' about it."

            "She's totally into you!" Lana whispered, "You need to ask her out. Immediately."

            Severus perked up a little. "She is?"

            "She is," she said, "She told me herself."

            He scratched his head nervously. "But... well, she's so much younger than me..."

            "How much younger?" Lana asked, "How old is she? How old are you?"

            "Ten years younger," he replied, ignoring the last two questions completely.

            "Oh, that's not that bad!" Lana said dismissively, "The point is that you like her, she likes you, and you two are going to look totally adorable together. Now go ask her out!"

            "Well, I can't right now!" he said, "She's busy."

            Lana groaned. "Then ask her later, I don't care. Just do it."

            He made a face and looked back into the dining room.

            With an exasperated sigh, Lana turned and rushed back up the stairs to find somebody else to talk to.