Coiled (Book 1 of 2)

Of Adulting

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

May, 1978.

I run into Sirius on the large spiral staircase, his eyes lighting up at the sight of me, "Y/N!"

"Sirius Black!"

The two of us laugh as I leap into his arms, him twirling me completely recklessly on the staircase. Pushing past us irritably, a pair of fifth-year Ravenclaws growl something under their breath about irresponsible senior students.

But we don't care - if anything, their disapproval feeds us. And so he twirls me again, our laughter echoing off the stone walls.

When he finally sets me back down on the step above him, Sirius wiggles his eyebrows playfully, "My long lost friend."

"Oh, come now. That's hardly true!"

Except it is, right?

That's why I feel the undeniable pang of guilt at your words.

Shrugging so as to let me know he's really not bothered, he brings his palm to my shoulder and pushes at me playfully, "So, then. Got a moment?"

"For you? I suppose I do."

"For me you always do."

Our arms clapping against one another's backs, we climb the rest of the steps and begin to leisurely wander down the nearest hallway. As we stroll Sirius leans in, the beginnings of the beard he's recently begun growing tickling at my cheek, "Moony tell you our most brilliant plan?"

Oh -

Mere mention of Remus's name makes the pang of guilt from before seem like complete nothing in comparison.

Struggling to play it off, to hide the truth from Sirius, I smile tightly and avoid turning my head to meet his gaze, "He did not."

"Hmm ..."

"And what plan might that be?"

Slowing, we come to a stop. Guiding me by the small of the back to face him, when I look up I can see exactly how excited he is.

Guilt and complication temporarily taking the backseat, I smile at the sight of my friend looking so happy, "What?! Out with it!"

A mischievous giggle, "Bit tempted to leave you in suspense - it's just so fun!"

"SIRIUS ORION BLACK!"

Nodding good naturedly, he brings both hands to my shoulders and shakes me gently, "Remember the inheritance Alphard left me?"

"Yes?"

Of course I remember!

"Let's just say ... over the holiday, Moony and I figured out exactly how to spend it."

My face switches quickly from excitement to disapproval, "Pads - if you've done anything unforgivably reckless with your nest egg -"

Though if Remus is involved, surely he'd have prevented some idiotic scheme or investment.

... Right?!

"No! Quite the opposite! In fact, I've shocked everyone and gone ahead and done something completely responsible - something applaudably adult!"

Wait -

What?

"... And what's that, then?"

"I bought a flat. My very own home."

Any concerns I had instantly melt away. Practically howling with excitement for him, I throw myself forward and into his arms, the two of us hugging tightly.