Silver Lining

Chapter 7

When I wasn't burdened with studying, the library was one of my favourite places in Hogwarts. I loved the serenity and how, for a just a moment, I could get away from the rest of the world. I had spent the last hour or so sitting at a table in the corner, my head resting on my arms and a book open in front of me. I closed my eyes for a moment, hearing only the sounds of pages turning and quills scratching on parchment.

"Hey, Andrews!"

I nearly flew out of my chair. My head snapped up lightning-fast, and I threw my hands out to steady my chair from toppling over. I rubbed the back of my sore neck in annoyance, turning around to see who had surprised me.

"What do you want, Black?" I sighed, turning back to my book even though I had lost all ability to concentrate after my near-death experience. He pulled up a chair next to me and started talking before I could protest.

"The full moon is tonight."

"What?!" My attention was immediately back on him. "It's tonight?" I can't believe I hadn't checked the calendar before now.

"That's what I just said, idiot," he rolled his eyes. I ignored his insult and shut my book.

"A little more notice would have been nice," I mimicked his eye-roll and got to my feet. "What do you need me to do?"

"Just be in the common room by the time we get back," he shrugged, following me. "That's usually around four or five in the morning, depending on the month."

"This just keeps getting better," I groaned, slotting the book back onto its correct shelf and wandering out of the library, Sirius trailing behind me. "And that's it?"

"Pretty much," he nodded. "Until the next month."

"Great," I muttered under my breath. "Do I want to know what you all do while Lupin's transformed?" Sirius thought for a moment and shook his head.

"No, I don't think you do."

"Fair enough." Walking with just the two of us reminded me of our detention - not a nice flashback. "Where are the rest of your... friends?"

"With Remus, obviously." His tone made me feel very stupid, and though my questions may have been, I didn't like it particularly much.

"Watch it, Black, or I'll back out," I threatened, and he rolled his eyes again when he thought I wasn't looking.

---

When Lily said goodnight to me that evening, I couldn't help but be envious of the lovely, deep sleep she was going to have. I, however, was going to be occupying the couch in the common room, waiting to be woken up by my least favourite people in the early hours of the morning. All I was hoping for was that this situation was a once-off.

I had managed to gather all the cushions from around the room and had constructed a kind of fort around the couch. I grabbed a couple of blankets and hopped onto my temporary bed, crossing my legs and pulling the blanket up to my shoulders. I looked around the common room, chewing my lip with nothing but the sound of the wind gently rattling the window panes to keep me company. I hadn't thought to prepare anything for tonight. Sure, I'd done it before, but that was completely impromptu and in a moment of panic I didn't particularly want to relive. I made an executive decision to just wing it, and curled up in my pillow-fort to get as much sleep as I could. 

---

"Andrews! Come on, wake up already!" The voice sighed loudly. "Violet! Wake up!"

"Wha-?" I sat up quickly, my head coming into contact with someone's face. I yelped, my hand jumping to my forehead as the person I had hit let out a shout.