Kiss The Moon || Sirius Black

6. Protect Harry Potter

Seventh Year

The Great Hall might as well be Audrey Malfoy's second home. She's here in between classes and after the library closes. The candles are always blazing as she finds her particular seat in the middle of Gryffindor's long shiny wood table. And somehow when she's all on her own, a small silver plate filled with delicious sweets along with the occasional mug of hot chocolate.

It's a nice gesture brought to her by an unknown person or thing. Tonight she is certainly looking forward to it. Her mind is swamped with all things related to Muggle Studies. She has an exam in the morning that can either make or break her final grade in the class.

Yes, she has completed most of the coursework so that she can take another class next semester. Others must be doing the same in some other classes. It's not that unheard of.

Audrey leans in close to her worn textbook. The pages smell of old dust. It's a soothing scent that calms the racing blood in her veins.

However, her momentary peace is instantly broken as the large doors to the Great Hall slam open to let in a rowdy group of Gryffindors. She pays them no mind as they take seats on the bench next to and in front of her.

She planned to ignore them but once a waft of smokey cologne floods her nose she tenses. Her body goes stiff when a lean muscular arm drapes over her ridged shoulders. Audrey inhales sharply as a husky voice slithers in her ear.

"Place down the wand. No one needs to get hurt." Sirius Black said gently.

Audrey glances down at her right hand. Her wand is clenched between her fingers, aimed right at Remus Lupin who's quivering across from her. She curses to herself before putting her wand away with a feeling of dread and anger flooding her guts.

She doesn't apologize for almost hexing the Lupin boy. They shouldn't have disturbed her during such a dire study night.

The young witch pushes herself down the bench and out of Sirius's warm grasp. Her bright green eyes shoot daggers at all four of them.

Sirius grins at this. "I...We figured you'd like some company before your big exam."

"And how do you know about that?" Audrey crosses her arms, allowing her fingers to dig into the sleeves of her thick brown sweater. She made sure to change into more comfortable clothes such as a pair of soft green bell bottoms before getting to work on all her flash cards.

The boy with the best hair gets a clap on the back with the boy who has messy black hair and wide brown eyes framed with a pair of round glasses.

"We have every class with you, but it seems that Moony here pays attention to the students who plan to test out." James Potter grins at his best friend. Remus coughs in embarrassment, a faint flush coating his cheeks.

Audrey scoffs before getting on her feet, hurrying to gather her things.

"Wait!" Sirius calls out to her as she rushes towards the doors, her face inflamed with embarrassment.

Her main goal in life is to stick to herself. Avoiding people is what she is damn near perfect at. Never did she think others would pay attention to her, let alone keep track of her in class.

She groans when he takes her shoulder again, turning her to face him. She avoids his gaze until he takes his free hand to tilt her chin. The action causes more heat to consume her neck and face, but she bites the inside of her cheek to keep an unwanted smirk at bay.

Why does he continue to torture her in such ways? He's formed a habit of kicking her feet under the table during their sessions and much to her horror, Audrey pinches him on the arm in return.