Wolfsbane

It Comes in Threes

            

I spent the majority of my time hiding in my room the past few weeks. The moon was creeping closer, and I had no idea how to speak with Remus anymore. Phoenix, I think I'm in love with you. His words continued to echo in the space between my ears, and I struggled to process. There was no way Remus could be in love with me, it was irrational. I sighed for the millionth time, and decided that I needed to stretch my legs. The sun was still far from setting, and I figured as long as I was discreet, I could go for a run. Lucius nodded at me as I passed him and Narcissa in the common room, and I stopped to chat for a few minutes before continuing on my way towards the castle grounds.

            Hagrid's hut offered the most protection for my transformation, and I took a few minutes to breathe before changing, and darting off into the woods. The scents of the forest were still new to me, and each was sharper than the last. Flowers freshly blooming, leaves molding on the forest floor, fresh blood. I shook my head as the copper scent overloaded my nose for the briefest of moments, and then it was gone all together. I tried to catch the scent again, but couldn't find it, and decided to ignore it all together. As I moved deeper into the forest, I caught the now familiar scent of Padfoot. I spotted him a few meters away, and as I struggled with the mind of my animagus, I stood frozen. Padfoot! Play! Play! Before I could turn to leave, a breeze ruffled my pelt, and I realized too late that it was carrying my scent straight to him. Padfoot raised his head, and turned in my direction until his eyes met mine.

            "Alpha!" Immediately after the shouted greeting, Sirius was standing before me, a broad smile on his face, that reminded me of the smile he first flashed me on the Hogwarts express two years prior. I snorted, before changing as well. Sirius closed the gap between us, and stood awkwardly before me with his hands shoved into his pockets.

            "Hey. Remus said you two got into a fight. Are you still coming tonight?" I looked away, preferring to not look at him. A fight? Remus, we hardly even spoke.

            "Remus and I didn't get in a fight. He told me something, and I didn't know what to say, so I just walked away." Sirius' eyebrows hiked up his forehead, before he sunk his teeth into his bottom lip in thought. After a few moments of strained silence, Sirius' eyes blew wide.

            "He didn't. No, Phoenix tell me he didn't tell you he was in love with you." It was my turn to feel surprise, and I raised my head to look at him completely.

            "How did-never mind that's a stupid question, you're best mates, of course he'd tell you if he liked someone." Sirius closed the gap between us, planted his hands on my shoulders, and gave me a hell of a shake.

            "Phoenix you can't love him too!" I blinked at him, confused by his outburst. I shook my head and told him that I didn't know how I felt about Remus, just that I considered him a good friend. Sirius seemed to relax, but a fierce light of determination flooded his eyes. His hands tightened on my shoulders, and he looked away for a moment, before reconnecting our eyes.

            "Phoenix, I'm in love with you. You can't go picking Remus over me! We were friends first! I liked you first!" My eyes widened, and I felt my head spin at the confession. You've got to be kidding me. First Remus, now Sirius. Next thing I know, Lucius is going to be confessing he's in love with me, and I don't know if I can handle that.

            "Phoenix, tell me you love me too." Sirius voice was carried to my ears on the wind, his voice little more than a whisper. I couldn't speak, my throat was convulsing as I swallowed and tried to think of something to say. Sirius and I just repaired our friendship. I don't-I can't jeopardize that! I stepped away and Sirius hands fell from my shoulders. He seemed to hunch in on himself, and he turned his face away until it was hidden by his unruly hair.