Written In the Stars | s.b |

SIXTY-FOUR

Ariah paced back and forth outside the locker room, waiting for Ivy Walker to exit. Finally, the red haired girl left, being the last girl out of the locker room.

"Ivy!"

Ivy flinched, startled by Ariah's sudden introduction.

"Ariah," she said. "Were you waiting for me? We were practicing all evening together."

"I know - but Kerrville doesn't like us to chinwag during practice," Ariah said, walking beside Ivy.

"He's a lot more strict than our last captain, that's for sure," Ivy responding, nodding.

"Especially on me — I'm the vice captain, not his side kick," Ariah complained.

"Well, at least you'll be captain next year," Ivy said. "And he'll be out of hogwarts for good."

"If I'm voted captain," Ariah corrected. "But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Right," Ivy said, moving a stray hair and vine out of her face. Ariah was always interested in her plant power and what made the plants in her hair grow. Ivy had told her that her family was cursed by a dryad but the whole concept left Ariah fascinated. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Well, Sirius' birthday is coming up," Ariah started, her voice lowered as she looked around to make sure Sirius wasn't anywhere near them. "I'm planning a surprise party and I'm inviting a whole bunch of people — I - er — well I know i-it's probably going to be hard but.... well I know you and Regulus are.. together so I — I was hoping—wondering —"

"You want me to get Regulus to Sirius' party?" Ivy asked.

Ariah hesitated, feeling the idea out now that it was said out loud. She nodded. "It would mean a lot to Sirius I'm sure... he-he missed Regulus so much and.... you can say no, if you think it's a bad idea I just thought —"

"It's a great idea," Ivy said. "Regulus isn't very commutative but I know he misses Sirius too. Things back at the Black Manor isn't any better, if anything it's worse and I think knowing his brother is on his side, even if he's not under the same roof - well I think it would do them both some good."

Ariah smiled brightly. "Next Monday, room of requirement before ten."

Ivy smiled. "Sounds like a plan."

The party was a-go when everyone Ariah had invited had shown up, ready to yell surprise as soon as Sirius and James walked through to the room of requirement. Well, nearly everyone. There was still one very prominent face missing from the crowd.

"I'm sure he'll show up," Remus assured Ariah as she looked around expectantly.

"Yeah, Ivy had mentioned being a little late," Meeka chirped, taking a drink from her cup. "I mean, aren't you parent-trapping them? Might be better if Regulus shows up late."

"Parent-trapping?" Ariah asked.

"Its from a muggle movie," Meeka said. "It was my aunts favorite about two twins trying to get their divorced parents together — not totally relevant I guess... not when I have to explain it..."

Remus put a hand on his girlfriends shoulder, rubbing it gently. "I got the reference love."

Ariah rolled her eyes, hiding a smile. "Well maybe if you didn't ditch me for him as movie night buddies, I would get the reference too."

"You can join whenever you like," Meeka said.

"Dylan and I prefer to stay far away from your movie night coverup for snogging," Ariah said.