Éthérée

CHAPTER 18

Hi, so I've been MIA for a while, I'm so sorry for that. But I'm back now. Anyways a recap, if you people forgot-
Sirius, Peter and James now know about Remus' lycanthropy. They knew about it 6 months ago. They are now attempting to turn into animagi. Also, Anaya Goldstein, a Slytherin, is now one of Audrey's closest friends.
Well, that's it. Go on, read :)

"I think this is it Sirius," Audrey whispered softly, looking at the boy behind her. It had been about six months since Remus' secret was out. The group had scoured every book they could get their hands on, but to no avail. None of them had instructions on how to become an animagus. It was around midnight, and the pair had been assigned the job to retrieve yet another book that they believed contained all the information that was needed for their transformation. They were standing in the Restricted Section of the Hogwarts library, a lantern in one hand, and the invisibility cloak over their shoulders.

"Alright. Let's go," the boy replied, covering them fully with the cloak, casting a quick scan around the room.

They tip- toed out of the library, and as soon as they reached the corridor, they threw the cloak off.

"Man, Madam Pince never sleeps, does she?" chuckled Sirius about the strict librarian that they had to pass, who was still awake, her eyes focused on a book.

"You gotta give her credit. I mean, she is dedicated," Audrey replied giggling.

They were casually strolling down the path of their Common Room, when they suddenly heard a shuffling of feet. Sirius and Audrey exchanged worried glances. The boy acted quicker than her, and pulled her into a dark space on their right and shut the door of the structure.

"Sirius-" she tried to speak, but the boy slapped his hand on her mouth. His eyes darted towards the corridor, signaling that there was someone outside. The sound of feet came closer, closer, closer, before disappearing all together. Both of them sighed in relief. And that's when they noticed their distance. Their bodies were almost touching, faces merely inches from one another. Sirius was breathing deeply. They were in a broom closet.

"Audrey, I really-" he started, but the door of  broom cupboard flew open, flooding it with light. James Potter.

"What are you two doing in here?" the boy asked with raised eyebrows.

"Someone almost caught us. We had to hide," Audrey mumbled.

"Do you have the book?" James asked.

"Yeah, um, there you go," said Audrey. The two got out of the cupboard following James.

"Why were you here mate?" Sirius asked.

"The both of you took too much time. They wanted me to check up on you," James replied, his tone still suspicious.

"Hey um, Sirius, I need to talk to Audrey. Give us a second?" James asked.

"Yeah sure. I'll get this to the Common Room," Sirius replied, and walked away with the book in his hands.

"Aud. What were you two doing in there?"

"James. We were hiding,"

"Don't lie to me,"

"Seriously James? Why would I lie to you? We heard someone coming, and he pulled me into the nearest hiding spot. That's all that happened."

"But I-" James tried to speak.

"Let's go, they are waiting for us," Audrey interrupted, and without waiting for an answer, started walking. James sighed in return, and followed her sister to the Gryffindor Common Room.

***

The group's gloominess and the heavy bags under their eyes was an indication of how their night had gone. Another wasted book. Another wasted night. The five had been in the boys' dormitory all night, studying the textbook they had nicked, and when that didn't pan out, talking about other potential options.

"What do you think Aud? Audrey!" Lily exclaimed at the girl who had dozed off during lunch.

"Huh? What Lils?" Audrey's eyes snapped open in surprise.

"Did you not get any sleep last night?" Lily asked worriedly.

"Didn't feel like sleeping, that's all," the potter girl replied.

"Well, we've got potions next, and we have a test, so you better be awake," Lily sighed.

Audrey's eyes shot up just to meet Sirius'.

"We forgot," both of them said in unison.

"WHAT! How could you just forget!?" Lily exclaimed looking at the pair.

"Alright, calm down Lils," said Marlene.

"NO MARLENE! It's worth 25% of our grade. How will you two pass?" Lily asked with concern etched on her face for the pair.

The day passed away in a blur. The potions test went horrifyingly, at least that's what the pair said, Sirius not caring the least, Audrey feeling pretty anxious. They all went to the Kitchens that night, the five finally letting Lily and Marlene into their little secret on how to get into the place, before heading back to the Common Room.

"I'm gonna go out for a ride, get some fresh air. Anyone coming?" Audrey asked the group after a few moments of lazy conversation.

"Not me," James replied.

"I'll come!" Sirius exclaimed.

"No! I mean, I need to talk to you, Sirius," James interjected.

"Alright then. See you guys later." The girl said, before getting out of the room.

As soon as the girl left the room, the four boys huddled on the ground in the dorm.

"We need to make a pact." James said sternly.

"What kind of pact?" Peter asked.

"We need to make sure that us 5's bond stays the same, always,"

"You sound like a cult leader, but go on," Remus said.

"No one in this group is allowed to date each other."

"What! That's crazy! You can't do that!" Sirius exclaimed.

"Actually, he has a point. Relationships get way too messy. And if you guys break up and then it's awkward, it'll ruin everything," Peter interjected.

"Exactly!" James said.

"You can't just make decisions for us," Sirius grumbled.

"This is the only way to make sure that our group stays intact," James said with a sigh.

Sirius pondered over the topic for a bit.

With a deep sigh, he breathed out the word, 'fine' agreeing to everything.

James beamed, and that night, everything changed.