written in the stars | sirius black | remus lupin

22

A month back at Hogwarts and Charlotte was already beginning to forget what free time felt like. Taking a page, or perhaps a few pages, from Lily's book, she had spent practically every afternoon holed away in the library with the red-head, and though she fell into bed most nights, sleep finding her barely a second after her head hit the pillow, each assignment handed back to her in the high 90's was reward enough for all of the hard work.

Mary and Marlene did not agree, and had often taken to begging for Lily and Charlotte to do anything with them outside of the library. Though of course, and through much fault of her own, she reasoned, the one night that she was caught up on work was the night none of her roommates were anywhere to be found.

The sun was nearly hidden behind the trees outside of the stained glass framing common room, which meant it couldn't be all that long before at least one of them showed back up to the tower. She would wait them out.

She glanced around the crowded room, watching the familiar groups laughter echo through the space, a few seventh years attempting to study in the corner with obvious silencing charms placed around themselves. She glanced towards the doorway once more as if Marlene might come bursting through any moment, though she was sure she would be able to hear her from the hallway if she were anywhere close. Her eyes skated involuntarily towards the staircase to the boys dormitories and then around at the crowd once more.

It wasn't that late... It wouldn't look bad. The sun was still... Her thoughts trailed off as the last sliver of yellow fell behind the forest in the distance, the sky now painted a faint pinkish orange around the clouds as she started up the stairs, glancing back a few times as if expecting the entire room to riot.

Her legs felt ready to give out by the time she reached the boys dorm, but she wasted no time raising her hand towards the door to knock. She only waited a second before it was pulled open, Sirius towering over her, a confused look fading away as a slight smile pulled to his lips.

"Well, well." He cocked his head to one side and leaned against the doorway, staring down at her, her insides threatening to melt just from his gaze. "What can I do for you, Blondie?"

"The girls aren't up here?" She half pretended to scan the room behind him, despite knowing she wouldn't find her roommates. "I haven't seen them in hours and I'm bloody bored."

"Too much studying, Charlotte. They've probably grown tired of you." He shrugged, his grin giving him away, though he didn't step aside to let her in.

"Are you busy?" She asked finally, her stomach seizing up ridiculously. It was Sirius. Sirius, who she'd spent practically all of Christmas break with, and countless hours since they'd returned to school. They were friends. Friends hang out.

"Uh..." He stammered, glancing back in the room and then at the watch on his wrist, not meeting her eyes. Her heart fell in her chest, though she pushed the feeling from her mind. She had assumed he would be free, which was stupid. Of course Sirius would have plans.

She looked him over again. His hair was messy, though she knew he liked it best that way. He was wearing a familiar sweatshirt and dark jeans, and though it certainly wouldn't have been her idea of dressing up, she reminded herself that Sirius might not consider his late night plans as dates...

"I'm sorry, you have plans." She forced a smile to her face as his fell, taking a step back from the door towards the stairs again. "I'll see you-"

"Charlotte! I don't have plans... Well, I mean... not plans..." He stuttered out, eyes not leaving hers as his fingers surrounded her wrist. "I've got something I have to do... I'm sorry, Blondie. You know I'd love to keep you company."