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

- 29 -

Ashley woke up as the sun shot its way through the open window. Her neck and back ached from sleeping in an awkward position. She sat up and looked around the room. James was still sleeping in his weird starfish position and Remus was stirred beside her.

"Remus," she whispered quietly.

He hummed his reply, rubbing his eyes open.

"Where's Mavis?"

Remus looked around.

"Maybe in the kitchen? Let's go find her."

He stood up and pulled Ashley up after him.

They were ready to go down the stairs, but Ashley noticed that a room down the hall had a door slightly ajar.

"That wasn't open last night, was it?" Ashley asked.

"No, that's Sirius' room."

They walked down the wall and peeked in. The sunlight was coming in at a slanted angle, illuminating Mavis' face as she slept in the bed. Ashley glanced towards the couch and saw Sirius sleeping on it

"What the heck?" she whispered. "Since when is Sirius here?"

"I don't know," Remus answered. "Let's go and eat breakfast, I'm starving."

Ashley nodded and let him pull her away.

Remus took Ashley's hand and guided her down the stairs and into the Potters' bright kitchen. Letting go of her hand, he walked behind the counter.

"What would you like?" he asked, pretending to be a waiter. "We've got..." he looked into the fridge and the cabinets, "pretty much everything."

"French toast?"

"Coming right up."

Ashley slid into a chair at the counter and watched him work.

"Never knew you could cook."

Remus smirked at her.

Soon the French toast was ready and the heavenly scent swarmed the kitchen. Remus had made enough for all five of them plus James' parents and set out the plate on the dining table.

"I smell breakfast!" James shouted as he raised down the stairs.

He ran into the room and gasped at the French toast.

"Remus, have I ever told you you're my best mate?" James asked, mussing Remus' hair.

"You haven't," Remus answered. "Because Padfoot's your best mate."

"Nonsense. Padfoot can't cook like this."

"Speaking of Sirius," Ashley interjected. "When were you going to tell us he's coming over?"

"Huh?" James asked, his mouth already full of French toast.

As if on cue, Mavis and Sirius made their way down the staircase.

"Look what I found on the doorstep last night," Mavis announced. "This little wretch decided to crash our party!"

"Sirius?" James looked confused. "Why are you here?"

"Long story, I'll tell you later," he mumbled.

James saw the look in his eyes and nodded.

"Soooooooo..." James said. "What are we going to do today? Swimming? Going into town? Hanging around the house? Quidditch match?"

He looked expectantly around the table.

"Ladies?" he asked.

"Can we go into town?" Ashley asked. "I still need to get Christmas presents for some people."