Summer Holiday

Chapter 24

Remus laid in bed lazily with a journal, scribbling away his thoughts. Sirius was sitting at his desk studying some maps and documents Dumbledore had asked him to review.

"You don't have to figure it out right now. Take a rest." Remus commented.

"Dumbledore said it's important. I need to focus." Sirius used both hands to prop his head up.

"You've already done so much for Dumbledore. Ease up. It'll be there tomorrow."

"Remus, I can't just ease up."

"No?" Remus asked. He got out of bed and walked over to Sirius. He wrapped his arms around Sirius and held him. "Take a break." He whispered in his ear.

Sirius felt his face redden. He turned to face Remus.

A knock on the door shifted both of their attention. Remus straightened his body and stood back, leaning against the bedroom wall.

"Come in!" Sirius yelled.

The door opened and Sophie poked her head in. "Do you have a minute?"

"Of course." Sirius smiled and motioned to the chair across from him.

Sophie smiled at Remus as she made her way over and took a seat. "I have sort of an odd question."

"Go on." Sirius said.

"Well....." she paused. "How much do you know about hand to hand combat?"

Sirius leaned back in his chair. "Not a lot, but enough to get by I suppose." He looked at Remus.

"More than me." Remus added.

Sophie fidgeted in her seat nervously. "Do you think...maybe...you could teach it to me?"

"What for?" Sirius asked intrigued by her question.

Sophie let out a long breath. "I'd just like to be prepared. Quigley......well I don't know how prepared he was, but I'm terrified now. Every day I think about how that could've been me. Well I guess it almost was me. I could've been better prepared against my father." Sirius watched her. "I just want to be ready in case I'm in a situation where I don't have my wand."

Sirius placed both elbows on the desk and leaned forward. "Sure. I will teach you everything I know."

"Thank you Sirius! It means a lot."

"We can use the attic. I suppose Remus can run out and fetch us a few items. Will Draco be joining us too?"

"No!" Sophie paused. "Sorry I just....I don't want him to know I'm doing this." She sheepishly looked away.

She wasn't sure why she didn't want Draco to know. It felt a little silly to be sneaking around, but any reminder of war and the fact they'd be parting ways soon hurt. She wanted to keep this to herself.

"Whatever you'd like. We'll start tomorrow afternoon."

"Thank you."

The next day Sophie stared at her wardrobe contemplating what to wear. If Sirius was going to teach her, should she wear something sporty? She wasn't sure how intense the training would be. She decided on sweats and a t shirt.

It was mid afternoon and Sophie headed for the attic. She climbed up the stairs. A loud clap made her jump, it was Sirius smashing his hands together.

"Brilliant! You're here."

Sophie looked around the attic. The walls and floor were covered in padding and there was a dummy perched up in the corner.

"Remus went out and got some things for us. I charmed the room so Draco can't hear us. You ready to begin?" Sirius asked.