Sirius Blacks Sister

Chapter 14

"So how are we all feeling about sixth year?" James asked as the group sat down in their usual train compartment.

"Ready for a year of relaxing anyways," Sirius said. "After all that hard work last year I think I deserve a break."

Remus laughed. "You mean that one time you opened a book? Besides we still have to work hard this year, the work is only going to get more difficult."

"Relax Remus, we all know you'll do great and the N.E.W.T's aren't until next year, you have plenty of time to study."

Remus went to protest but Elektra, sensing a Remus Rant, interjected and quickly changed the subject. "So, what subjects are we all taking this year?"

"Potions, Charms, Herbology, Transfiguration and Defence Against the Dark Arts." James said. "I would have dropped Herbology but you need it to become an Auror."

Sirius nodded. "Same here."

"Nice, I'm guessing it's the same for you too then Wormtail?" Elektra said.

Peter fidgeted nervously and cleared his throat. "Actually I don't want to be an Auror anymore." He quickly continued before anyone else could react. "McGonagall gave me some leaflets last year for Honeydukes last year looking for Culinary Sorcerers so I'm going to do that instead."

"Good for you Wormy!" James said immediately. He then received similar words of approval immediately from the others in the compartment. Now smiling and looking much more confident in himself he continued. "I only actually need Charms, Herbology and Potions for it but I'm taking Defence Against the Dark Arts as well just because I think it's useful."

"Good idea. What about you Moony?" Elektra asked.

"Defence Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Transfiguration, Potions and Arithmancy."

Sirius smirked. "Sticking with the Professor idea I see."

"I just think they're useful subjects." He replied quickly but there was a faint blush coming across his face. "What about you El?"

"Herbology, Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Potions and Transfiguration."

"Looks like we're in for a fun year then."

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They were now almost three months into the school year and the teachers weren't kidding when they said the work was going to get harder. The free periods they had originally thought would be used for relaxing and planning pranks were instead used to try to catch up to their seemingly never-ending workload.

Elektra was in the common room trying to find a way to write another foot of parchment for her potions essay on the uses of wolfsbane when Lily approached her looking excited.

"Have you seen the noticeboard yet?" She asked excitedly.

"Nope but quick question, do you think Slughorn would notice if I just reworded my first paragraph."

"Of course he would, but that's besides the point, there's going to be a Christmas Ball!"

Elektra looked up from her essay. "Really?"

"Yes! It's on Christmas Eve, fifth years and up can go."

"That is exciting, are you going?"

"Of course I'm going! The bigger question is who are you going with?" Lily asked. "Because I have a certain someone in mind that would definitely want to go with you."

"I could say the same to you." Elektra said and laughed as Lily groaned. "Don't remind me, the notice went up twenty minutes ago and he's already managed to ask me twice."

"Maybe you should just say yes, who knows you might even have fun."

Lily scoffed. "As if, Potter's an arrogant toerag, it would be a nightmare."

Elektra began to gather up her books to go to her next class. "I think he might surprise you, plus, the look on his face when you agree to go with him will be priceless."

Lily rolled her eyes but she was trying and failing to hide the growing smile on her face. "If I agree to it, and that's a very big if."

"Sure it is Lils." Elektra said making her way to the portrait hole but turning around again just before she went through it. "So was that a yes to rewording the first paragraph?"

"No!"

"Okay okay, second paragraph it is."

"El!"

"Leaving now!"

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A ball. Elektra thought to herself. An actual Christmas ball. Of course she had been to plenty of fancy of events before, the Black family were notorious showoffs, but she had never been to an actual ball. The only thing putting a downer on her mood was the fact that she was expected to get a date. That and the fact that she still had to finish her potions essay but that was besides the point. Dates were so awkward, how do you even go about getting a date? Do you ask someone or do you wait for them to ask you? Do you ask someone you already know or a random person you see in the hallway? Dates are complicated.

"Earth to El."

El snapped back to reality and looked up at the rest of the marauders who were looking at her amusedly clearly waiting for an answer.

"Um, what was the question?"

Remus laughed. "I asked if you had heard about the ball yet?"

"Oh yeah, Lily told me about it earlier. You guys excited?"

Sirius nodded. "Yeah it'll be fun. And I already have a date."

Remus raised his eyebrows in surprise. "The notice only went up a couple of hours ago how do you already have a date?"

"I'm just that good," Sirius said smiriking. "I'm going with Mckinnon."

Peter gave him a confused look. "Didn't you two used to date?"

"Yeah but we're friends now."

Remus fake gasped. "Sirius Black going to a ball with a girl as friends? What has the world come to!"

Before anyone could answer, James suddenly stood up excitedly. "Evans!" He yelled across the hall. "Want to go to the ball with me?"

"Bugger off Potter!"

Elektra chuckled. Some things never change.