And There Were Always Two... - oc x r. lupin & oc x s. black

- 8 -

Mavis got up that morning and found a dejected Ashley wandering around the dorm.

"What a wonderful day!" Lily exclaimed, walking out of the bathroom while brushing her hair.

"Shut up," both Ashley and Mavis said in unison.

"Don't be so mean, girls," Dorcas Meadowes piped up.

"What we said applies to you, too, Dork," Mavis growled.

Mavis took Ashley's hand and dragged her to the Great Hall. She didn't care that Ashley was still wearing the same clothes as yesterday. They were about to sit in their usual corner when Sirius Black waved them over.

"No, no, no, no, no..." Ashley muttered feverishly, resisting more than she usually would.

Mavis literally dragged her over.

"Good morning boys!" Mavis exclaimed, sitting down in between Sirius and Pete.

Ashley stood around nervously.

"Won't you scoot, Pete, so Ashley can have a seat," Potter said casually.

Both of them obeyed.

Remus Lupin and James Potter sat across from them. Remus was eating a chocolate bar out of a wrapper. Potter looked between him and Ashley.

"You know what would be a good food combination?" he exclaimed. "Chocolate dipped in honey!"
Remus almost choked on his food and Ashley turned bright red.

"Ashley had that phase. That was the only food she ate from age nine to eleven."

Ashley put the spoon of honey that had been travelling towards her mouth back into her honey jar and slid it away from herself. Remus tried to continue eating his chocolate peacefully but was obviously rattled by the close call.

"Now moving on to tormenting Potter," Mavis said. "Does he still sleep with his stuffed toy pygmy puff by the name of 'Jared'?"

"Fuck you, Mavs."

Mavis leaned over to him and victoriously hissed, "payback."

When Mavis turned to look at Pete, he looked just about ready to run for it.

"Pete, you're not that bad of a transfiguration partner. I had doubts, but... eh. You're good enough."

He relaxed, and then narrowed his eyes at the comment.

"Now that you've terrorised pretty much everyone at the table," Ashley grumbled. "Can we please leave?"

"Why? We've got potions with most of these humans, sorry Pete, and we could all walk together."

"Shit," Ashley blurted, realising who she'd have to spend the next class with.

"Language," Remus answered, and then looked surprised at himself.

Mavis looked between the two but decided not to ask.

"Can we switch back seats?" Ashley begged.

"Why? Plus Slughorn would notice and then we'd get detention."

"Please."

Remus suddenly was very busy rummaging through his bag.

"I don't know what kind of lover's spat happened between you and Remus, but Sirius is the first potions partner who hasn't gotten me a troll and I'm planning on sticking with him."

"Really?" Sirius interjected, looking overly happy.

"Oh piss off, your ego's big enough as it is." Mavis gave him a sideways glance.

Ashley stood up suddenly.

"I'm not feeling so well, can you give Slughorn my excuses?"

She was gone before Mavis could say anything.

If looks could kill, Remus would have been six feet under and eating dust.

"What've you done to my sister?" Mavis growled, leaning dangerously far over the table. "She was fine until this year. It's all your fault. What have you done?"

"Not my fault," Remus said, getting up and leaving as well.

Mavis sat back down and sighed.

"Well, that leaves the three of us." Potter sighed.

"Four!" Pete piped up but no one heard.

"Shove off, Potter."