THE LOST DOG ' s. black

[16] confirmations

THE morning sun streamed through my window, casting a warm glow over the room and nudging me awake. I blinked a few times, still feeling the remnants of the late-night conversation with Sirius weighing on my mind. Despite the tumult of emotions, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe things could change between us.

I dragged myself out of bed, still groggy from a night of restless sleep. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts as I dressed for the day. The conversation had been a step forward, but the uncertainty lingered like a shadow. Would he really change? And could I trust him again?

After splashing water on my face and running a comb through my hair, I headed downstairs. The chatter of voices filled the air as I entered the kitchen. The familiar sights and sounds of Grimmauld Place greeted me, bringing a sense of comfort amidst the chaos of the previous days.

"Morning, sleepyhead!" Harry called out from the table, a smirk playing on his lips. "Thought we'd have to send a search party for you."

"Very funny, Potter," I replied, rolling my eyes as I grabbed a seat next to him. "What's on the agenda today?"

"Not much, just the usual. Training with the DA later," he said, glancing at Ron and Hermione, who were deep in discussion about something involving their classes. "You're coming, right?"

"Of course," I nodded, trying to shake off my lingering worries. I needed to focus on the present, to be here for my friends.

As breakfast was served, the room buzzed with conversation. Fred and George were already plotting their next prank, while Hermione was trying to steer the conversation toward studying. The familiar banter felt good, a grounding reminder that life continued despite the turmoil around us.

"Eloise, you should totally join us in Hogsmeade next weekend!" Ginny piped up, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "It'll be a great way to blow off steam before the OWLs."

I smiled at her enthusiasm. "I'll think about it. I could use a break, honestly."

Just then, the door creaked open, and Sirius walked in, his hair slightly tousled and a half-awake look on his face. My heart skipped a beat, and I forced myself to look away. I didn't want to think too much about our conversation; I needed to keep my cool.

"Morning, everyone!" Sirius greeted, his voice brightening the room. He seemed to have an energy about him, a buoyancy that made it hard to ignore him completely. He caught my eye for a moment, a flicker of something passing between us before I turned my attention back to my plate.

"Oi, Sirius!" Fred shouted, breaking the tension. "You still owe us for that prank we pulled last week! You can't just waltz in here like nothing happened!"

Sirius laughed, shaking his head. "What? You mean the confetti explosion? That was brilliant! You can't blame me for being the unwitting target."

"Still, you owe us!" George chimed in, feigning a serious tone. "We expect compensation for emotional damages."

Sirius rolled his eyes, but I could see the warmth in his expression. The playful banter continued, and despite my earlier reservations, I found myself laughing along. Maybe things wouldn't be so bad after all.

As breakfast wound down and plates were cleared, I noticed that Sirius had taken a seat across from me. He was engaged in conversation with Harry and Ron, but I could feel his gaze on me every so often. It was unnerving, but I refused to let it affect me. I wouldn't let him think I was easily swayed.

After breakfast, I decided to head outside the small garden for some fresh air. The chill of the morning was invigorating, and I took a moment to breathe in the crisp scent of winter. As I walked around the yard, I felt a mix of apprehension and anticipation about the DA meeting later. Would Sirius be there? Would we have to navigate our newfound understanding amidst the others?