Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

Topple the Hydra

"... I feel as though I haven't seen you in forever."

Turning to face Sirius, I shake my head adamantly, "Now that's not fair! I saw you just the other day in the common room."

He sighs, eyes flitting to meet mine as he reaches into his inner jacket pocket, "That doesn't really count though, does it? That was only in passing. We haven't caught up, or properly hung out in what feels like ages."

Trying to ignore the rising wave of guilt I feel at that, I watch as he taps his pack of Players No6's, one of them falling out and into his waiting palm, "... Well, it's just - it's sort of a busy time of year, right? Not just for me, but for all of us."

Remus, Sirius, and I, gathered together on top of the Astronomy Tower. Having enjoyed a whirlwind of a Saturday night spent partying and drinking, the three of us are now stood bundled up alongside one another indulging a whim to stargaze.

From his place at Sirius's, Remus shrugs and smiles, "She's right, Pads. After all, some of us do study for exams. Though -"

"- Though I wouldn't know a thing about that, right?"

Crossing his arms, Remus huffs indignantly, "It's really no fun if you steal my jabs before I can properly land them, you do know that, yes?"

Sirius winks at him, and the three of us share a laugh.

A beat of silence as he lights up his smoke, and then his eyes find their way back to mine, "It's true though, seems like you're not around nearly as much as you used to be, exams or not."

I don't have a good answer for that.

I have an answer, but not a good one.

... At least not as far as you're concerned.

Clearing my throat, I aim to deflect this potentially dangerous line of inquiry, "... Well, we're here together now, yes?"

Sirius holds my gaze for another few seconds before he smiles, "Yes. Which reminds me -"

Reaching behind him onto the ledge, he grabs the wine bottle we've been nursing and shakes it with a mischievous smile, "- Time for the next round!"

He holds the bottle out to Remus who pushes it back towards him and frowns, "Are you trying to get me completely drunk, Sirius Black?"

Smirking at him, Sirius pushes it right back, "... Obviously."

I watch with amusement as the two of them stare one another down. Sirius tries again, his voice softer now, "There's only a tiny bit left. And split between the three of us? Not nearly enough to get you drunk, Moons."

"I'm already drunk."

"So what's the difference, then? Just another sip."

"Hmm ..."

As Remus raises an eyebrow, Sirius fixes his face into a handsome pout, his eyes widening, "Pleeeeasse, Moony? For me?"

Sighing, Remus chuckles and accepts the bottle, "When you pull a face like that, it's hardly fair."

"... All's fair."

As I begin laughing at this, Sirius smiles and turns his attention back to me, "Looking forward to the holiday, then? Must be, given that you've been so busy studying."

Right ... studying ...

Ignore!

Come on, you can feel guilty later.

But certainly not here, not now!

"Oh, yes. Will you be joining? Or ..."

"Prongs's, this time. At least that's the plan. Moony and I are both going. Pete can't, his parents want him home for the holiday. You should come visit though!"