the girl who forgot the stars ; sb

𝑆𝑒𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑉𝑠 𝑆𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑢𝑠 𝐵𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘

Ruby was sprawled on the grass under the late afternoon sun, fingers buried in the thick fur of their new dog, Sebastian. The black Labrador panted happily, tail thumping against the ground as Ruby gently ruffled his velvety ears.

"Give me a kiss," she cooed sweetly.

Without hesitation, Sebastian leaned forward and licked her cheek enthusiastically. Ruby squealed, giggling uncontrollably as she wiped her face.

"Ugh! Ew—but also adorable." She gave him another pat before whispering mischievously, "Okay, listen up. Remus is right there reading one of Eleanor's letters—see? If you tackle him to the ground, I'll give you another kiss. Deal?"

Sebastian barked once as if understanding the assignment.

With surprising speed, he bolted across the garden, beelining toward Remus, who sat under a tree with a dreamy smile on his face as he read Eleanor's neat handwriting.

"What the—Sebastian!" Remus barely got the words out before the dog leapt into his lap, knocking him flat onto the grass with a loud thud.

"Bloody hell—what was that for?!" he groaned, glaring at the dog now wagging his tail as if nothing had happened. Sebastian whined, ears flattening guiltily under the weight of Remus's scolding.

Ruby strolled over, smug as ever, trying—and failing—not to laugh. Remus narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously.

"You put him up to this, didn't you?"

Sebastian barked at Remus again, louder this time, and then trotted over to Ruby, rubbing against her leg in a dramatic show of loyalty.

"What did you do to him, Remus?" Ruby asked as she crouched down to cradle Sebastian's face. The dog let out another exaggerated bark in Remus's direction, clearly tattling.

"I didn't do anything! He assaulted me first!" Remus defended himself quickly, backing away as Ruby stood and slowly advanced with a glint in her eyes.

"We can talk, Ruby. No need to—Ruby, don't use your fists—"

"HOW DARE YOU INSULT SEBASTIAN?!" she roared, leaping toward him as Remus yelped and sprinted toward the house.

⸻

Later that day...

"MUM! PRONGS AND PADFOOT ARE COMING TODAY!" Remus bellowed as he bounded down the stairs two at a time, grinning from ear to ear.

Hope Lupin peeked out of the kitchen, removing her apron and placing it neatly on the counter. Her son's excitement was contagious.

"What about Peter, dear?" she asked, walking toward him with a warm smile.

"He's off in Italy with his mum. Let that git have his sunshine and gelato," Remus said with a dramatic scoff.

Hope slapped his arm playfully. "Language, young man."

"Mum, I only said 'git.' That's hardly criminal."

"In this house, it is," she said with a raised brow.

Remus sighed dramatically and flopped onto the couch, resting his head on his mother's lap. Hope lovingly ran her fingers through his hair, shaking her head at her dramatic child.

"Where's your sister?"

"Out with Sebastian," Remus muttered. "Honestly, ever since that mutt showed up, she's forgotten I even exist."

Hope chuckled. "Jealousy, much?"

"Absolutely not," Remus insisted, eyes closed. "I'm only upset he's not playing with me, too."

"My poor neglected son," she said, dabbing at invisible tears with the corner of her sleeve.

"Don't pity me, woman," Remus deadpanned, earning a stifled giggle from his mother.

"Noted."

⸻

Meanwhile outside...

Ruby stood barefoot on the dewy grass, clapping excitedly as Sebastian obeyed her command.

"Sebastian! Jump!" she cheered. The dog leapt playfully over a fallen log.

But suddenly, another bark echoed from nearby. Ruby turned to see a second black dog—a fluffier one with sharp, intelligent eyes—standing at the edge of the clearing.

"Well, hello there," she said, crouching down as the unfamiliar dog approached, sniffing her curiously. She held out her hand. "Who are you, little guy?"

The dog licked her hand affectionately, making her giggle.

"Hey, that tickles!"

Sebastian was not pleased. He barked in outrage, storming across the yard and launching himself into Ruby's lap as if to reclaim his territory. The strange dog responded by doing the same, and before Ruby knew it, she was pinned on the grass, being thoroughly licked by two overly affectionate canines.

"Alright, alright! I surrender!" she laughed, trying to escape the avalanche of slobbery kisses.

But then, in an instant, everything changed.

The second dog backed off and, with a blur of motion, transformed. Right before her wide eyes, black fur gave way to messy dark hair, sharp features, and a pair of smirking grey eyes.

"Sirius?" she whispered, stunned.

He gave her a lopsided grin and leaned down to press a swift kiss to her lips.

"Payback," he said smugly, standing upright and dusting the grass off his pants.

Still blinking in disbelief, Ruby accepted his offered hand and stood.

"Are you insane?! What if someone saw you?" she hissed, frantically glancing around.

"You played dirty on the train, sweetheart. You don't get away with that."

He tried to casually stride toward the house, but Ruby grabbed his wrist in panic.

"You can't just walk in! My parents will freak out! They'll interrogate you to death!"

"Relax," he said with a wink, brushing her off and stepping inside like he owned the place.

Ruby's jaw dropped.

⸻

Inside the Lupin house...

"Sirius!" Hope called warmly. "Come in, dear!"

Sirius grinned charmingly. "Hello, Mrs Lupin! Looking lovely as ever."

He slid onto the couch between James and Remus like it was the most natural thing in the world. Ruby stormed in behind him, still flustered.

"Wait—you knew they were coming today?" she asked incredulously.

James, Remus, and Sirius exchanged guilty glances.

"Uh... yeah?" Sirius replied, blinking innocently.

"And I'm the only one who didn't know?"

"Yeah?" Remus echoed, raising an eyebrow.

Ruby scoffed and dropped onto the couch beside her brother with a dramatic huff.

"Hey, James!"

"Ruby, darling!" James exclaimed, clutching his heart like a lovesick fool. "I've missed you!"

Ruby giggled and played along, mimicking his dramatic tone. "I missed you too, Jamie Boy!"

"Can we tone down the theatrics, you arseholes?" Remus muttered.

"LANGUAGE!" Hope barked from the kitchen, without missing a beat.

Ruby bit back a laugh as Sirius smirked beside her.

And just like that, the house was filled with warmth, laughter, and the chaos of reunited friends.

⸻

A/N

Thank you so much for 1k+ reads! You guys are the absolute best—sending all my love! More chaos, kisses, and Sirius-shaped drama coming soon! Stay tuned!