Obsession • Sirius Black

Chapter 17

It was Halloween week and as I stepped into the Great Hall I took a moment to admire the decorations. There were floating pumpkins that the students had carved last week, enchanted skeletons that were dancing in front of the teachers table and fake spider webs coating the walls, (at least I hope they were fake). Halloween at Hogwarts was legendary, especially the feast which had all the spooky-themed treats you could ever imagine. The house elves down in the kitchen even made pumpkin spice cookies for the occasion. The thought made me hungry so I took my place at the Gryffindor table and devoured my breakfast.

***

Marlene and I were in Transfiguration, trying to turn feather dusters into ferrets and chatting, mainly the latter.

"James an I have saved up 10 bottles of firewhiskey for the party and I bet that other people will bring more." Marls declared proudly. And Sirius would likely bring enough for a whole town, she didn't have to add. She had put her heart and soul into planning this years Halloween party with James.

"God, what about the teachers? Won't they realise the wobbling students trying to get back to their dorms?" I asked with a raised brow.

"I thought you'd ask that," A mischievous smile was playing on her lips, "I bribed Peeves into keeping them occupied for the night, you know how he loves his Halloween pranks."

I laughed and shook my head at her, "Of course you bloody did."

"McKinnon, to much chatter and not enough ferrets," Professor McGonagall scowled at us.

We laughed quietly and got back to work. I realised that some one had successfully done the spell and their ferret was now running rampage around the classroom, some people screeching as it sprinted past. My smile dropped as I realised that is was Jacks' ferret, the boy that I had breakfast with and then completely forgot about my existence after. Maybe I had put him off somehow? I thought it had gone well but I guess I was wrong. His ferret ran under my desk and brushed up against my legs. I picked it up and laughed as it tried to wriggle it of my grasp.

"Here," I handed it over to Jack with a small smile. He just took it from me and walked off, not even long at me. The cheek of this boy.

"You're welcome," I called out sarcastically, to which I got no reply.

"What a prick," Marls whispered, wrestling with her feather duster that was now half-ferret.

"I don't understand boys," I sighed, and turned my feather duster into a ferret. The ferret stared up at me and I scratched its head, wondering if McGonagall would notice if I kept it.

"I can think of a certain boy that would treat you right," Marlene said, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

"Oh, really? And who would that be?" I asked sarcastically.

"Think dark hair, tattooed, looks like a Greek statue." She teased, idly playing with a strand of her blond hair.

"Black and I are friends, Marls, and besides Black would treat me right for about a day until he gets bored and shags another girl." I countered, folding my arms but I could feel my cheeks heat up slightly.

"He's more than everyone thinks, you know. If you got to know him you'd think the same."

Guilt overtook me, I had been a little harsh. I found myself wondering what would have happened if I gave Sirius a chance when he'd offered it. It would have ended up in heartbreak and embarrassment. The thought of falling in love was something I craved but also feared, there were so many ways to get hurt.

***

After class I approached Jack in the hallway, it took all my courage to go up and speak to him, especially while his friends were there.

My hands were clammy as I said, "Jack, a word, please?" His group of Ravenclaws smirked at me slightly. One particular boy was trying to hold in what I suspected was a laugh.

"Yeah, alright," He said, nodding at his friends to leave. The group only shuffled away a few steps, obviously trying to listen in, but I didn't care. We just stood there awkwardly for a moment while I tried to figure out what to say, fidgeting with the hem of my skirt. I was nervous under the stare of the six Ravenclaw boys who were not even trying to be discreet. Jack only leaned against the wall with a bored look on his face.

"So-" I started, only to be cut off.

"I'm going to stop you right there, Sophia. I'm sorry but I wasn't really all that interested in you, my mate back there bet me that I couldn't get you to go out with me and I never back down from a bet. I'll give you half the money and we can call it even, yeah?" He said, holding his hand out for me to shake.

It had been a joke. One of the only boys to ask me out and it was all just for a few galleons. I had gotten ready, fretting over every part of myself, for that date. I tried to keep my face plain of emotion. His friends all burst out laughing.

I'm not sure what overcame me but one second I was just standing there and the next my fist went flying at his face.

I cringed at the pain that now seared through my knuckles. Jack stumbled back, clutching his now bloody nose. His shocked expression almost made me laugh. That expression soon turned into one of rage.

"You bitch!" He shouted, drawing the attention of passing students. The hall was now silent apart from people whispering.

"Now we're even." I retorted with a sarcastic smile and headed back to the Common Room before and teachers came by.