The Brightest Star {Sirius Black}

Chapter Six

Christmas came and went, snow fell and piled atop itself. The river froze, forcing Nimaine to move downstream, Christmas carols were sung, trees and decorations put away. Happy Christmas's were given and tossed around, exchanges of gifts thankfully accepted and some sent back on Boxing Day.

Sirius himself received a few gifts. Two from his family, one from James and his family, and one from Nimaine. The presents from his family were thrown out the window, the green making him sick, the one from James kept, and Nimaine's gift listened to.

Another singing shell box, a new song coming from the mist in the middle, a new lullaby to hear and learn. Sirius often let it play in his room while he was in there, looking over books or comics. He was glad it was so quiet. He was sure his mother would be able to tell it was a Mermaid's voice. 

Nimaine was surprised when, on Christmas Day, Sirius came down to the river, holding a box with her name on the tag. 

"Happy Christmas, Nimi," Sirius had said, sitting down on the ground, watching the mermaid pull herself out of the water, intrigued by the gift. She looked up at him, her dark blue eyes seemingly mimicking the night sky.

She pointed to herself, a question.

"Well, duh it's for you," Sirius answered, pushing the gift towards her. She made a light sound of delight, something like a bell, before opening the present. Pulling it out, she found a headband resembling a crown, seashells circling it. She looked over it for what seemed like the longest time.

Sirius chuckled, taking it out of her hands. Brushing her hair away from her face, he placed it on her head, in a way that would keep her hair from falling. She squealed in delight, clearly thankful for the gift.

"Wait, that's not all," Sirius said, pulling something out of his pocket. A small necklace, matching the one he currently wore exactly, except for the engraving. Upon the shell was a line, and a dot. Nimaine clicked her tongue and hummed to that pattern. It took her a moment to recognize it was the letter N.

She touched it gingerly, as though it would break if she held it too tightly. Sirius wasn't sure if she disliked the gift or not, but the small smile that appeared on her face told him she did. He smiled as she handed the necklace to him, lifting her hair up so he could put it on her. He might've blushed a bit. After all, mermaids didn't wear seashell bras as many Muggles believed.

"Matching friendship necklaces," said Sirius, an air of wonder in his voice. "Never thought I'd be wearing something like that, but here I am." He pulled the necklace out from beneath his shirt and coat, holding it up next to hers. 

Nimaine's eyes sparkled, reflecting the image of a night sky, stars shining brightly inside her eyes. It was a sight that Sirius had never seen in someone's eyes before meeting Nimaine, and he hoped he'd be able to see it again.

"I'll be leaving back to Hogwarts tomorrow," Sirius said sadly, watching the light leave Nimaine's eyes, as though all the stars had folded in on themselves. Black holes of despair, sucking in the light and never letting it shine. "But don't worry, I got a camera from James, so I'm going to take lots of pictures of Hogwarts so you can see." 

Nimaine nodded frantically, very excited about the idea of pictures of Hogwarts. She clicked her tongue quickly. Pictures of friends, too? Sirius laughed, nodding at her. There was no way he wasn't going to take pictures of his friends.

"Of course," Sirius said. "Oh! I forgot to tell you about Lily!" Nimaine tilted her head questioningly. "Lily is a girl we met. I think James fancies her." Sirius scrunched up his nose at the thought.

Nimaine laughed quietly, already able to see how that will work out, all of them being so young. The wind picked up as snow began to fall. Nimaine shivered for a moment. She may not have been able to feel cold water, but cold air was something she could definitely feel.

Sirius watched her drop her shoulders below the line of the water, and it hit him that while he may be warm beneath his coat and gloves, Nimaine never had a top. Mermaids never had the need to wear tops, always being below the water, but Nimaine wasn't like the others.

Sirius quickly thought about something, and in a swift movement he had wrapped his Gryffindor scarf around Nimaine's neck. She looked down at it, confused for a moment, before looking back up at him.

"You need it more than me, right now," he said, smiling at her. "I have more at Hogwarts anyway."