Sirius's Furry Little Problem

Chapter 5

Sirius awoke on the Feast of Saint Valentine feeling tired and nervous. For someone usually brimming with confidence (or overconfidence, as some would argue), it was an unsettling feeling for the plucky Gryffindor. He and James had worked late into the night trying to perfect the transfiguration charm on Remus' gift, and when he had finally retired to bed in the early hours of Tuesday morning, he had been too restless to sleep. But however nervous Sirius felt, it was nothing compared to Peter.

The Marauders sat at the breakfast table in the Great Hall that morning discussing their classes for the day while Peter kept casting nervous glances in the direction of Emmeline Vance and her friends. Sirius leant close to Peter and whispered in his friend's ear, causing Peter to jump slightly in surprise.

"So, are you going to recite the poem to Emmeline yourself or..."

Peter shook his head. "I've arranged for a Valentine-gram to arrive during breakfast. Bloody typical that the owl post is late this morning."

As though his words had summoned them, the familiar fluttering of wings signalled the arrival of the morning post and a stream of owls flew through the open windows. Several of them were carrying brightly coloured envelopes, large bouquets of flowers and parcels that Sirius supposed contained boxes of chocolate.

He cast a furtive glance over at the Slytherin table and noticed that his brother, Regulus, had received a sizable parcel as well. As much as he wanted to go over there and find out what the gift was and who it was from, Sirius remained rooted to his seat, his insides squirming like snakes. Several months had passed since he had left his parents' home, and in that time, Regulus had barely spoken a word to him. Their mother had probably instructed him not to, he thought miserably. He looked down at his breakfast and moved the food about the plate, but he had suddenly lost his appetite. Suddenly, Peter gasped and grabbed Sirius' robes, giving him a rough shake.

"Oh Merlin, there it is!" he squeaked as a barn owl glided across the heads of students sitting at the Ravenclaw table and landed gracefully in front of Emmeline Vance. A small frown creased her forehead as she untied the large red letter from the owl's outstretched leg. She turned it over in her hand, whispering excitedly to her friends sitting next to her.

"This was a bad idea," Peter whimpered. "She's going to hate it. Oh Merlin, what was I thinking?"

"She hasn't even opened it yet!" Sirius chuckled. "Don't put yourself down, Wormy. You never know, she might actually like it."

Sirius and Peter watched as Emmeline excitedly tore open the envelope, then immediately recoiled as a roar of sound filled the huge hall, causing the plates and cutlery to rattle on the tables...

"I KNOW A BEAUTIFUL QUEEN
AND I MET HER IN A DREAM
WITH HAIR LIKE SPUN SILK AND EYES MOSS GREEN
HER NAME IS EMMELINE!"

Peter's voice, a hundred times louder than usual, bellowed and echoed deafeningly off of the stone walls. Every head in the Great Hall turned to see who had received what they thought was a Howler.

"OH, EMMELINE! MAIDEN SO FAIR
MY LOVE FOR YOU IS TRUE, I SWEAR!"

Emmeline covered her ears in a vain attempt to block out Peter's deafening poetry recital. Sirius glanced at his friend beside him to see his mouth hanging open in horror and his face deathly pale. Sirius hoped for his friend's sake that was the end of the poem, but the romantic Howler continued to holler...

"OH, EMMELINE! I AM SO SMITTEN
YOU'RE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN ALL OF BRITAIN!"

Emmeline leapt to her feet and ran out of the Great Hall, her face as scarlet as the letter which continued to shout her praises long after she had departed.