Wolfsbane

Check, Meet Mate

            

Sirius and I spent the next month discussing the pros and cons of switching, and yet, as the month dwindled away, Sirius became more and more of a ghost. We had been one in the same, both wanting to be in the other's house, and a keen mind for pranks. We had pulled a few small ones, though the both of us were concerned with being caught with the other. Neither of us wanted our house to know we were friends, and yet, in the library, we didn't seem to care. Elias had gone to bed nearly an hour before, but I was still researching the sleeping draught for my half of the potions project Sirius and I were doing. I had scraps of parchment cluttering my desk, and I had nearly knocked over my inkpot while turning a page in my potions book. I sighed and started packing up my things, knowing it was getting closer to curfew, and the dungeons were three floors down. I'll have to run, but I can make it.

"Hey Silver, whatcha up to?" I looked up to see Sirius, his nickname for me a familiar comfort. His hair had grown a little in the last month and was starting to suit him better. The short cut had left little for him to do with his hair, but now that it had length you could see the subtle waves in it, and it was looking shaggy. As wild as your attitude Sirius Black.

"Hey Pads. I'm packing up my potions stuff. Curfew is closing in fast and I'm three floors and six hallways away from my common room. I'd love to chat, but I don't have the time." He grinned at my usage of his nickname, picked up my quills and inkpot, then motioned me away from the desk.

"I'll walk with you up to Gryffindor tower. We need to make a final decision on this arrangement with Dumbledore." I nodded, realizing that the last day of this month was two days from now. We chatted quietly as we made our way towards Sirius' common room. Discussing more pros to switching, though Sirius seemed different. He was more hesitant than before, and as we stopped near the common room, he shuffled his feet.

"Okay, spit it out Pads! You're hiding something, just tell me what it is." He rubbed at the back of his neck with his unoccupied hand, and let out a sigh.

"I don't want to. Switch, I mean." I blinked several times, unable to comprehend the words coming out of his mouth.

            "Don't want to? But, we've been talking about switching for the entire month! Why change your mind now?"

"I have friends now. If I leave, even for a week, and then come back? I'll lose their trust forever Silver! I can't, it just isn't worth it." I felt tears build in my eyes. I don't understand. We talked about it for so long. You know what this means for me! For both of us! Our families will disown us, we'll be left with nothing! I willed away the thoughts and grabbed for my things still in Sirius' hand.

"Hey, wait a second, Silver!" I had turned away, hoping the length of my hair would hide my face from his prying eyes, knowing that no matter how hard I tried, I wouldn't be able to stop the tears from falling.

"Isn't it the same way for you Sil? I'd think it'd be worse, being in Slytherin? Your friends would hate you for even thinking about taking the offer." I had to restrain a dry laugh, and took a few steps away. I haven't even made any friends besides you. Lucius doesn't count, since he doesn't really care what I do. We're just family acquaintances.

"You're right Sirius. I have to make curfew now. I'll see you in potions." I had to resist the urge to run away as I took slow and careful steps towards the staircase that would take me to the dungeons.

"Hey, wait a second!" I paused, without turning around.

"What about breakfast in our hideout?" I felt my heart crack a little at the mention of our secret spot near the forbidden forest and Hagrid's hut. You don't get it, do you Sirius?

"I don't think so, I have the rest of my half of our potions project to get done. I'm meeting with Elias in the morning for him to check my work before handing it in. So, I'll see you in potions." Idiot.

The next day Sirius and I headed to see Dumbledore before dinner. We had made our decisions, and were ready to give them. Sirius seemed quiet as we waited for the staircase to finish ascending up the stone shaft. I wanted to poke him, but he seemed deep in thought. As we entered Professor Dumbledore's office for a second time, he seemed to perk up a bit more.

"Ah, Miss Booth, Mister Black. I trust you have done your thinking and made your decision?" I nodded as I stepped deeper into his office. His phoenix caught my eye for a second time, and I wondered where he had gotten such an exotic and rare pet, even for wizards. The blazing feathers that seemed to glow of their own accord dazzled me, and I had the urge to stoke a wing.

"I've decided to-"

"We'd like to switch. Slytherin is the house of my family, Gryffindor is Phoenix's, and it would mean a lot to have a chance to be placed there, even if it's only for a week. Then we'll be able to decide who we really are." I turned to give a look to Sirius as he interrupted me. What the hell are you doing? I felt as if the two of us were playing a game of chess, and Sirius had just backed me up into a corner of the board. I tried to figure out why he would change his mind so drastically, and so quickly. A shimmer in his eye, gave me a good idea. You're throwing your friendships away for me. All I've done in the last month is talk about Gryffindor, and my family. You're going to throw everything away, for me? Well, two can play that game Sirius. Checkmate.

"Miss Booth?" I turned to regard Dumbledore at his prompt. He was waiting for me to confirm the decision, knowing that no matter what Sirius said, we both had to have verbal agreement for the arrangement to be official.

"Actually Sirius, I've thought a lot about it, and I don't want to. The sorting hat doesn't lie, and even if we did switch houses for the week, it wouldn't change things. Besides, I've made friends in Slytherin, and things wouldn't go over so well if I left and then came back. There wouldn't be any trust anymore. Please forgive me." Sirius offered a surprised look. Dumbledore smiled, and took a seat in the chair behind his desk.

"Well then, I suggest the both of you head to dinner. I will be along shortly." With the dismissal, the both of us turned and left the room. I practically ran down the stairs, wanting to get as far away from Sirius as I could. I didn't need him asking questions, and I really didn't want to ask him any of the questions I vaguely wanted to. Thankfully, at the bottom of the steps were three boys in Gryffindor robes, and upon seeing me they sneered.

"Slytherin." I offered a nod of acknowledgment, before rushing down the hall. I heard whoops of glee from those boys, and I assumed that Sirius had made it to the landing. I ended up skipping dinner, the desire to run way stronger than my desire for a full stomach. I spent my evening sitting at the Black Lake. Wondering what was going to happen to me now. I was sure I'd be receiving a letter sooner or later from my mother. Telling me not to bother coming home for the holidays or for the summer. She would probably hole me up at the Leaky Cauldron, and be done with me. I couldn't keep the tears from falling at the thought. No home, no family, no name, no status. I may as well be a muggle.