Sister (slow updates)

Chapter Twelve

That night, I went up to my dorm and set my heavy bag on the chest at the end. I sunk down onto my four-poster and flopped onto my back, looking up at the ceiling. It was only a few minutes until Lily was flopping onto the bed with me.

"What's on your mind, Potter?" she asked, turning her head to look at me. I looked back, sighing.

"I think you were right."

"Of course I'm right, but you'll have to be a little more specific about what it is I'm right about."

"Sirius. I think... I don't know. I think I might be falling for him."

"Oh, honey, you've already fallen," Lily laughed lightly. "You've only just now realized it."

"What am I supposed to do?" I groaned, looking back to the ceiling for moment before my eyes were back on Lily's. "I can't possibly tell my brother. He'd freak!"

"Have you talked to Sirius yet?"

"No. I never get the chance. Not with him constantly being near his friends. And what would I even say?"

Lily shrugged her shoulders. "The truth, I guess. Find a way to get him alone and tell him the truth. Maybe in Hogsmeade this weekend?"

"I don't know," I sighed. "I can't imagine he'd want to leave his friends. And I doubt he even truly feels the same. I'd just embarrass myself."

"You never know until you try. Maybe he'll surprise you. Or maybe he won't. He's Sirius Black. He's full of surprises." Lily gave me a small smile before she sat up and headed for her own bed, pulling the curtains and leaving me to wonder on my own.

I pulled my curtains shut and climbed under the covers, my wand under my pillow as always. I was exhausted. My eyes closed, and it wasn't long before the dream began again.

I stood in the living room of the same quaint house. An older-looking Sirius stood in front of the door, pulling on a leather jacket and grabbing a pair of keys off the table next to the door. I saw the older version of myself walk into the room, towards Sirius.

"Sirius, I have something to te- where are you going? It's late," I heard myself saying.

"I'll be back before you know it. Just need to check up on the others. Make sure they're still safe."

"You'd best come back to me, Sirius Black."

"Of course I will, Joss. Don't worry. I'll be back before you know it. I promise."

The world spun around me, growing slightly darker once again, as if the sun had fully set and it was nighttime. There was a knock on the front door. I saw myself standing up from the couch and walking to the door, reaching out and opening it. Remus stood in front of the door, a pained look on his face and tears streaming from his eyes. I knew where this was headed.

"I came as soon as I heard," he said shakily, stepping inside.

"Heard what?" I asked slowly.

"You don't know yet?"

"Know what, Remus? What's going on? Have you heard from Sirius?"

"Jocelyn, I- I'm so sorry. I can't believe no one's told you yet."

"Remus, what!" I yelled. He sighed heavily. I braced myself, watching the two dream versions of myself and Remus again.

"James and Lily, they... I'm sorry, Jocelyn. They're gone. He- he found them. Sirius was a spy. He- he told him where they were. And now Sirius has killed Peter. He's off to Azkaban as we speak."

"No! You're lying! It can't- no!" I watched myself collapse to the floor in tears, Remus crouching next to me and rubbing circles on my back. "He can't," I sobbed. "He can't be gone! And Sirius? No. No, I won't believe it!"

"I know," he whispered. "I couldn't believe it either, but Dumbledore said... he said there were witnesses, Jocelyn. They saw Sirius blow up the street, killing Peter and twelve other people. All- all they found of Peter was his finger."

"I can't- I can't do it alone, Remus."

"It'll be okay. We'll be okay. Voldemort is gone. The war is over."

"But at what cost? James and Lily, Peter, Sirius, Frank and Alice! And that's only the tip of the iceberg, Remus! I- I can't. I can't do this alone."

"You're not alone, Jocelyn. We still have each other."

I sat up suddenly, gasping. They were coming more frequently. Always the same. Except this time was a little different. As I sat there in the dark, gasping for air, a voice was in my head. A voice I had never heard before, hissing in my ears. The words were unintelligible, but the voice was still there. I could only make out a few words here and there, mostly about a prophecy.

I shook my head, trying to get rid of the voice. It slowly faded out, and I got up to get a drink. Looking out the window as I took a sip from the goblet in my hand, it was still incredibly dark. The moon and stars shone over the grounds, reflecting off the lake and illuminating the grass. The Forbidden Forest was still as dark and ominous as always. I debated going to James. I didn't want to worry him, but I also knew he'd be upset if he found out I didn't tell him.

I stared back out at the moon, bright and nearly full. It would only be a few more days before the moon was full. The day of the Hogsmeade trip, if my charts had been correct. I thought back to early that evening. Sirius really had acted like he would've been disappointed if I didn't go with them. He tried to play it off on James, but I could tell. He wouldn't look at me when he was saying it.

Sirius Orion Black falling for a girl like me? Impossible.

Unless...
**********
Terribly sorry 1. for the short chapter and 2. for posting it so late. I totally forgot today was Friday. Anyway, hope you enjoyed.

What do you think will happen next? Do you think she'll tell Sirius? James? What about the dreams? Any predictions?