Hurricane Eyes {A Sirius Black Fanfiction}

Chapter 6: The Collection

Soft twinkling lights hung on chairs and all around the dance floor. They also dotted the sheer white material of the tent that hung above the banquet table. Music was playing delicately from a band at the center of the dance floor and the chatter of other students could be heard from inside the tent. Slughorn's invitation had said that dinner would be served first and there would be pleasant conversation before the dancing would begin. 

Slughorn loved to collect students he believed would help him in some way in the future. He picked those for their academic excellence, athletic ability, fame, money, or a combination of the four. I glanced around at the other members. From Slytherin, Regulus Black was in attendance as was Severus, of course. There were two other Slytherin students that I didn't know who were decked to the nines. I had to admit Regulus looked attractive in his dark suit and green tie. His date was also flawless with her porcelain skin and blonde hair. A large number of students were Gryffindors. Remus, Lily, Alice, Frank, Charlie, a few other younger Gryffindors, and I made up the large majority of the students in attendance. 

"Ah, Miss Edwards," Slughorn greeted merrily as Remus and I entered the tent, "Mr. Lupin. I'm so pleased you two were able to attend." 

"Good evening, Professor," I smiled politely, bowing my head slightly and tightening my grip on Remus' arm. Remus gave the plump man a friendly nod. 

"Please, please, take a seat," Slughorn gestured to the table behind him, "Almost everyone is here."

Sitting down next to each other, both Remus and I exchanged grins before taking in all the attendees. "When this is over, Sirius and James promised they would have a bottle of fire whiskey if you want to come," Remus whispered in my ear, as I grinned. 

"Really?" 

"Yep." 

"Of course," I agreed, before remembering the full moon was coming up next week, "Hey, you know I'm coming with you next week, right?" 

"It's dangerous," Remus hissed, "You could get hurt." 

"I won't. Besides, it'll be fun," I argued, giving Regulus a fake smile when I caught his gaze. 

"I wouldn't exactly call those monthly transformations fun," Remus shuddered as he remembered the way his bones cracked and the scratches that covered his skin. 

"I'm sorry," I apologized before shrugging, "But, hopefully they'll get easier for you, now that I can heal you." I met Remus' stern gaze evenly, a small smirk playing across my lips as he sighed. 

"Fine, but promise me you'll be careful," Remus begged, his chocolate eyes warm. 

"Deal," I cheered, grinning to the boy beside me before meeting Regulus' stare with my eyebrows raised. "Can I help you?" I called across the table, surprising everyone even myself. I smirked as Regulus' gaze fell to the table and turned to Lily who was sitting on my other side and chatting animatedly with Severus. "Lils?" Lily turned and I leaned in to whisper in her ear, "I was promised a bottle of fire-whiskey after this, do you want to come?" 

"With Potter?" Lily's disgust was clear on her face and I rolled my eyes at her expression before nudging her shoulder. 

"James isn't that bad," I reasoned, "I mean sure he can be a little immature--" 

"Hey!" a familiar voice cried before sounds of a scuffle could be heard. I searched around quickly looking for the two mischievous boys, but saw nothing. Remus was hiding his chuckles in his hand as he watched my confused expression. 

"Look, he can be a little immature, but he's a good guy," I remembered watching him tuck in Remus and stay up the whole night with his friend, "I'm not asking you to marry him. I'm just asking if you can be civil when we're done being 'collected'."