The Immeasurable Marauder

Whomping Willow

Severus and I parted ways where our paths to our respective dormitories diverged. I was a little disappointed that he didn't try to kiss me but we had had such a perfect day, I didn't want to let that spoil it.

I rushed into the Common Room eagerly looking around for the girls. They were sitting in a corner far away from The Marauders. Walking over I noticed that

Lily's eyes were a bit redder than usual and the skin around her eyes was a little blotchy.

"Lily?" I said sliding into an empty sofa, "what's the matter?"

"It's James." Mary answered for her, disappointment plain on her features. 

"He's such a pillock. Really, I don't even know why I bother." Lily said trying to sound nonchalant but failing miserably.

"What did he do?" It was obviously something bad for Mary to be upset with James. She was always on his side trying to get them together.

"He kept going on and on about Severus and I told him to stop, that I didn't want to listen to him bad mouth my friend but he just wouldn't shut up." I could see the tears brimming in her eyes and Alice put a reassuring hand on her back. 

"He kept on saying that the only reason you were going out with Severus was to spite Sirius. So we had a screaming match in the middle of The Three Broomsticks."

"I'm so sorry Lily." I said sympathetically. While she and James were not technically dating, they were closer than they had ever been.

"So," I heard the gravel voice from behind me before I could respond to Lily any further, "you are dating him."

Adrenaline pumped through my veins the moment I recognized his voice.

I stood to face him, braver than I had felt in a long while.

"I have said this before Sirius, it has nothing to do with you."

James, Peter and a very sick, very pale looking Remus stood behind him. James came forward, his face uncharacteristically severe, and grabbed the back of Sirius's arm.

"We do not have time for this." He said to Sirius, his voice full of menace. Sirius's body tightened, coiling itself for an attack. Instead he spoke slowly and calmly.

"Go without me. I have to finish this. I will be there as soon as I am done." His eyes didn't move from mine for a second. "This is not the place for this conversation Yves. Please will you come with me?" This was Sirius's version of asking nicely. I eyed him, readying myself for another decimation but Severus had given me something of myself back. I felt stronger, like I could handle him.

Without a word, I walked past him and James and straight out the portrait hole. I walked straight down the stairs aware of many pairs of feet behind mine. I stood aside when I thought we had ventured far enough from the Common Room and Peter, Remus and a stern looking James continued in the other direction. Sirius brought his attention back to me when he was sure, like me, that they were out of earshot. He shoved his hands in his pockets, his disheveled hair looking,  delicious as always but that's about where it ended. The rest of him looked haggard,blue rings circled his eyes, his skin pallid.