The Waiting Game▬RL 1

Arresto Momentum

Sirius Black's hand slowly slid up her bare back. Both of their shirts were discarded on the floor. He attached his lips to Renee's neck, earning a soft sound. The boy hovered his body over hers, just barely touching. The room was mostly quiet, apart from their breathing or occasional hum. His other hand journeyed up her torso longing to reach its destination. He preferred days like these. Just the two of them enjoying each other's company. "I know it's his birthday but can't you snog somewhere else?" Meadowes' voice interrupted their activity. She tossed Ren her shirt and placed her hands on her hips in disappointment.

"We were studying." Renee sighed, throwing her shirt on. Sirius sat beside her, not making any move to find his own.

"Oh yeah, studying. He was studying Vampirism. Might want to learn some charms for that. Or wear some thick scarves." Her friend laughed, poking a raw area on Potter's neck. Renee swatted the girl's hand away in a joking manner.

"I got a few scarves you can use, Renny. If you don't mind Gryffindor colours."

"I have my own Siri. Maybe we can be gross and trade them. Then people will throw up at our love for each other." Dorcas watched the older boy pale at the L-word. She just snickered to herself. "Let's get you back to your common room." She grabbed his shirt and put it on him herself before ushering him out of the dorm.

✿

"I don't know why she walked you. Isn't it more gentlemanly to walk the girl?" Peter claimed as Renny lay in James' bed.

"She has rounds with Snivellus soon. So, it just made sense in her pretty little head to come up here for an hour and then go all the way to the Dungeons to meet him."

"We aren't patrolling together. He's patrolling around there and I'm up here." Ren patted the bed beside her, inviting her brother to sit with her, "he says it would be safer for me."

"And what's safe about that? Wandering about the castle by yourself. Ravenclaw is up here. You should just request a different partner." James rattled on about precautions for what seemed like forever. "If only we could join you. But Moony's transforming soon. Bunking it with Poppy until it's time." His sister just shrugged, not seeing a problem with her and Snape's new arrangement.

"Just remember that Minnie's door is always open if anything happens," Sirius muttered, catching her eye. With that, the younger Potter stood and kissed Sirius on the cheek. Then she felt awkward so she walked over to Wormtail, doing the same action. "You're supposed to be my girlfriend." He laughed at her poor attempt at recovering her dignity.

"What do you mean? Of course, I am. That doesn't mean I can't kiss his cheek."

"No, he's right Renny. Are you wanting to dump him for Wormy? Because I would." The girl winked at Peter and left the dorm.

"I think she's in love with me Paddy. I've stolen your girl. How does that make you feel?" It was hard for Sirius in situations like these to pull himself away from the narrative. They weren't together. She was not his girlfriend. He had to try and distance himself in some way before he got too into it. Maybe it was time for them to end this.

✿

The corridors were very quiet. Sirius' birthday was never this quiet. However, it was a full moon. The way the boys justified not having a party was that they just had the Halloween one. A lot of people bought that cover-up. Not Severus Snape. He walked the halls for a good half hour. Waiting for a sign that the boys have left or were leaving. But being near the dungeons, he couldn't see or hear anything. So, he ventured upward.

"The Whomping Willow," was the only clue Sirius Black had given him earlier that day. Severus stayed close, hiding near the school, out of the pathway to the tree. The crisp November wind sent shivers throughout his body.

"Alright dear, that's it. Take it easy now." The matron's voice whispered to Remus Lupin as she guided him securely. Snape had to be right.

✿

"Renny!" A voice called, making the girl whisk around. She then noticed where it was coming from. She clutched the mirror in her hand and answered Sirius. "Ren, I did something horrible. Come to the Whomping Willow." Renee Potter had never sprinted that far in her life. Her breath was caught in her throat the moment she laid eyes upon the four boys. James had blood covering his entire torso, Sirius had a gash tearing open his arm, thankfully Peter was just roughed up a bit. Severus was the most surprising. He was in James' grasp being hauled up by his armpits.

"Peter, conjure a stretcher and bring him to Madame Pomfrey. Jamie, can you walk?" Her brother nodded, pushing Sirius away when he went to help. She then tore off a piece of her robes and tied it tightly on Black's gash. "Keep it there until she can fix it." Turning to her brother she got a good look at the cuts. They weren't as deep but he was losing quite a bit of blood.

"I'm okay, Renny. Don't worry." He looked sincere enough for Renny to believe it.

"Okay, guys. Let's go."

✿

All Renee Potter did that night was worry. She grabbed her cloak when the sun started rising and took a stroll. Madam Pomfrey had her hands full with the three severely injured boys. So, she took it upon herself to go collect Remus. She made a quick stop in James' room to pick up the Invisibility Cloak he had taken from their dad's study. The Hufflepuff didn't know what she was about to find. "Arresto momentum." The tree whipped around slowly, almost coming to a halt. The scene in front of her was chilling. Blood everywhere and a curled up, naked Remus Lupin. He jumped at the sound of the door creaking open. Completely befuddled.

"Ren? What's going on?" The girl handed him her robe which he accepted gratefully.

"I'm not entirely sure. But I do know that none of this was your fault, Remus." The boy looked at her, mouth ajar.

"I hurt someone? All of them? Are they alright?"

"Let's get you to the Hospital Wing. They should be waking up by now." Once they arrived Pettigrew explained everything to his knowledge. Remus was disgusted. Renee was right it wasn't his fault. They all almost died because of Sirius Black.