The Canis Major

C h a p t e r 1 5

I pulled on my Hufflepuff scarf and wrapped it around my neck tightly. I realized my legs would probably freeze with my uniform, but I tried not to worry about it. I pulled on my boots I had saved a lot of money to buy a while back, and laced up the strings.

I grabbed a pouch of money and put it in my coat pocket. I looked outside the window again and let out a sigh. It hurt my eyes from the amount of white outside. It had snowed the day before our trip to Hogsmeade. It was about mid-November, so it wasn't odd. I just wasn't looking forward to it.

I walked out of my dormitory to see Melanie, Sirius, James, Peter, and Remus all waiting for me. I was leaving with them this time instead of Toby like I usually did. Melanie was even tagging along. She stood alongside Sirius and blended in well with the group because of her height. I was surrounded by tall people.

"Finally," Sirius said when he saw me come out. The rest of them turned to look at me. Remus looked at my outfit and frowned.

"Your uniform? Aren't you going to get cold," he asked, concerned. I gave him a half smile.

"Maybe. I don't know. It's all I really have," I said quietly. Melanie looked concerned as well.

"You're going to get cold," she determined. "I can go find some extra-"

"No," I interrupted her. I looked down at the ground instead of the group in fear for their judging eyes. "Your clothes wouldn't fit me anyways. I'm too big and you're too tall. I'll figure it out when I get to Hogsmeade." No one said anything else, so we left the Hufflepuff common room.

The boys often came into the Hufflepuff common room now. Whether they were waiting for me or hanging out. They said they just enjoyed being in here.

We walked near the entrance of Hogwarts where a bunch of other students were waiting as well. As soon as McGonagall arrived, students started moving in attempt to get them to check their papers first. I was about to go when someone pulled me back. I looked and saw James nodding his head at the group. They were already a bit away from us, walking in the opposite direction. I frowned and walked beside James.

"I don't understand. What are we doing?" I asked him.

"You see, Sirius doesn't have his papers signed," James said.

"But he was at Hogsmeade the last few times..."

"And you're about to find out how," James said with a smile.

"Why doesn't he have his papers signed?" James looked a bit saddened. It was an odd expression to see on his usually cheerful face.

"He and his family don't usually get along well. He doesn't even bother to ask them to sign, because he knows they'll refuse." I frowned and looked at the ground. That was sad.

"So where are we going?"

"Didn't you notice on the Marauder's map?" James said while looking at me. I looked at him and shook my head. "We have secret passages to get to Hogsmeade." My jaw dropped.

"There's a secret passage?"

"Multiple, actually. We go with Sirius through them. More fun that way." I smiled.

"Or you just don't want to leave your friend alone." James gave a genuine smile.

"Maybe, but don't tell him that." He put a finger over his lips and winked. I smiled back.

"You guys are the closest of friends, but you're ridiculous." I rolled my eyes. He laughed and nodded.

"We know we love each other, but it's awkward expressing it. We can't just say it. We can barely even show it. We have to tell each other through different means," James told me softly. I listened with interest. "Like me always inviting him over on break. Or the things we do for Remus. Or the inside jokes I have with Peter. I think we're most affectionate through our hate, actually."