Loquacious\\ Harry Potter Marauders

Thirty Three\\ Splitting the Silence

"Hi everyone," Adelaide greeted the small cluster of Gryffindors. Remus and James looked up immediately. James smiled.

"Hiya, Tanner," he said cheerily. Peter was chewing his lip, looking uncomfortable. Remus smiled at Adelaide.
"How's it going Potter," Adelaide smiled, not expecting a response. James didn't give one, simply nodded once and went back to his dinner. It was the friendly sort of attitude James had that stopped Adelaide from running away- Sirius still hadn't spoken to her. In fact he hadn't looked at her. He was staring fixedly away from her, down at his plate. Lily and Marlene didn't seem to share his views, and smiled up at Adelaide.

"D'you want to sit?" Marlene asked, gesturing to a space near her. Adelaide declined graciously.
"No, thanks anyway, Marlene. I was just..." She trailed off very briefly, nerves getting the better of her, before regaining herself. She may as well just do it, she told herself. "Sirius, can I talk to you?" She asked all in a rush.

There seemed to be a moment of tension, anticipation in the group. Everyone held their breath without meaning to. James glanced at Lily. Peter looked between his friends. Marlene kept her eyes on the floor. Adelaide looked at Sirius.

And Sirius glared at the opposite wall. He wouldn't look at her.

"Si- Sirius," Adelaide tried again. Sirius looked down at his plate.
"Sirius," this was her last try. And Sirius looked at the ceiling. Adelaide sighed deeply. She couldn't let it drop this easily.
"Are you really going to make me stand here and do this?" She asked him. James nudged Sirius. Sirius glanced at him.
"Come on mate, go sort this out," James said quietly. Sirius glared at him briefly, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. James was siding with Adelaide? He glanced around at the group once. Then very quickly, he rose to his feet and walked swiftly from the hall, ignoring them all.

"What-"
"Adelaide you'd better go after him," Remus said quickly. James sighed and moved to posher himself from the table.
"I'll deal with it."
"No," Lily placed a soft hand on James' arm, "let Adelaide go, he'll have to talk to her then." James seemed to think for a moment, then nodded and sat back down.
"He'll be fine, just head after him," Remus assured her. There was a murmur of agreement. Adelaide nodded once and walked quickly from the hall, hoping to catch Sirius before he disappeared.

"Sirius," she called as she walked. "Sirius Black!"
They were approaching the edge of the forest now. Where Sirius was headed, Adelaide had no idea. She had called him once from the castle steps and twice as they descended the hill. The ground sharply up ahead of them, and Adelaide could see through the evening shadows three goalposts. The suddenly it clicked. The Quidditch Pitch, that's where they were headed. Why wasn't she surprised?

"Sirius!" She tried again, but he simply kept walking. She stopped, breathless.
"You know Snape once did this too! Walked off and left me calling after him like some lost puppy. Are you really going to lower yourself to his level?"

That made Sirius stop. He stopped dead, fist half clenched, wind whipping his silky hair. Suddenly he turned round.
"Decided to talk to me now, have you?" He asked bitterly. Adelaide stepped down the hill twice more.
"You think I've been calling your name since the castle for the fun of it?"
"Well I wouldn't know. I never know with you Adelaide," he said savagely. Adelaide was take aback. She didn't expect him to be so angry.
"Oh Sirius, grow up, can't you? I'm trying to talk to you."
"Well go on then," he spat. "Talk."

Adelaide felt suddenly sheepish. She didn't know exactly what to say.
"Sirius... Can we be mature about this? Please? I've been thinking a lot recently-"
"I've noticed."
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing."
"Fine."