-going the distance. open.

[Sirius Black]

Many knew of Sirius Black, the man who had been held accountable for years for Voldemort’s discovery and murder of James and Lily Potter. Only slightly fewer knew that it was not he, but Peter Pettigrew, who was the secret keeper who betrayed the Potters. The only reason the second number was slightly less was because of the deaths that occurred before his name was cleared by The Daily Prophet under Kingley Shacklebolt’s direction. However, fewer than that knew of Sirius Black’s laugh. Those who did were people whom he had lived with, people he had gone to school with, and those who had observed – er, heard – him in the presence of his friends. His laugh was a unique one, and his closest friends who knew his one main secret – that he was an unregistered animagus – blamed his animagus form and the long periods of time he spent in it for his unusual laugh. While the origin or the beginnings of his laugh were nearly entirely irrelevant, his laugh was entirely relevant because it was an identifying factor of his: most who knew him could recognize him by his laugh. It was a distinct one; most say it reminded them of a dog barking. Sirius paid little attention to such claims, as he noted no difference between his laughter as a child and as a man; still, he could not help admitting when confronted with the idea that his laugh did actually resemble a dog’s bark. When the issue arose, he would always smile, think fondly of his animagus form and how it had allowed him to escape Azkaban, and then remark, A dog? You think my laugh sounds like a dog barking? Well, my friend, I believe you are barking mad. My laugh is no more unusual than yours. Then he would flash his killer smile and change the conversation seamlessly.

It was this signature laugh that shook Sirius during his conversation with Gwen. Rosmerta, who had been subject to his explanation of his laugh after having questioned him once, merely raised her eyebrows at him and gave him a knowing look – though she did not know the origin of his laugh, she contented herself to believe that she was entirely correct in her linking its sound to that of a dog. Sirius waved her over for another round of drinks and avoided taking much note of her look.

“Really? Drive a saint to murder? And how many saints do you know, Gwen?”[/color] He let out another bark of laughter and continued. “It seems making the mistake of taking divination runs in my and the Potter’s blood. James and I took the class our third year, and Harry apparently took it and kept it too. Honestly, I’m surprised the woman has any students. Then again, when you can fake the homework in that class by coming up with a good number of tragedies, I guess I can remember why I took it: I never had to work; I simply had to imagine. . . ”[/color] He trailed off and let the thought die as Gwen continued to speak. “It’s called insane brilliance, or brilliant insanity. Apparently the two go hand-in-hand better than most. I think it’s his brilliance that makes him come across as so crazy – few truly understand him or some of the things he understands on the same level.” His shrug mirrored hers as the conversation about Dumbledore died out. Sirius had known and respected the man for sometime, as Dumbledore truly believed in Sirius’ innocence, and, of course, had helped him and James out of many tight situations.

He perked up, drawing himself from his thoughts as Gwen started talking about herself again and about her American ways. He had never had an American as a close friend, and he found some of their ideas fascinating, though he would never expose such thoughts. “My dear, hopefully it won’t be years for you to come up with something else. By then, you’ll be long forgotten, even if you teach there! You must find some way to stand out, or you’ll be simply a fading memory. Perhaps you could show the student some of your wit? That would at least keep them entertained for a little while. It’s worked on me,” he drawled with a wink.

It wasn’t long before the wink became a smirk to mirror one of Gwen’s. “My ego? Ma’am, it is a simple fact that Brits can drink more than Americans even on a bad day. It’s because we start early, you see. Get our tolerance at a young age. And I am no exception. Surely you don’t believe you could down more firewhiskey than a hardened criminal such as myself? You seem to be becoming a bit delusional, my dear. Must be the drink. It’s effecting you so greatly. Perhaps you should stop.”[/color] He winked again, not really paying attention to the fact that he had done so.

“Famous indeed. I suppose I could get a job anywhere, really. Though if I really were to ever get a job, if I could do things over, I’d probably be an auror. I have such a taste for trouble, you see. But you seem to have the disposition of a teacher; it fits you well, at least from what I can tell. If you were to return to American, what would you do? Work at the school over there? Salem, is it?” To be honest, he had only heard of the school a few times and new little of it. Hogwarts was the only school he took much interest in; even Beauxbaton and Durmstrang didn’t occupy much time in his thoughts.

Before he had time to respond any further, Rosmerta brought over another round of drinks. Taking one and thanking her, he took a swig of the drink and smiled as the hot liquid rushed down his thought. It was a familiar, welcome sensation. He watched as Gwen’s cheeks flushed pinker than his own – he had always managed to hold his drink well – before she was distracted by someone. Though Sirius wanted to figure out who or what it was, he wasn’t one to be all too deep or intrusive, so he let the idea of asking her about it drop quickly. No harm no foul, right?

“You prove me right so soon? I believe it’s both. You, my dear, are American and have lost your touch. As for me? I’m British, and we like our drink strong. As for babysitting duty?” he let out a sigh as his thoughts became burdened once more. Being a godfather to a responsible fourteen year old was one thing. Being the “uncle” to a pair of two year olds was something entirely different. “Well, I don’t think so. Harry and Hermione went to visit her parents, and I’m sure they’ll both want to spend time with the kids when they get back. Harry has two years to make up, so I doubt I’ll be put on babysitting duty anytime soon. He’ll want to spend as much time with them as he can.” He sighed and paused, allowing her to continue.

Her words brought a smile to his lips. “Who’s to say I don’t work, my dear? I have a large house and a bigger yard. I must keep things in order, keep Kreacher, my house-elf, in line. And did you know that I have a Hippogriff? Buckbeak, and he’s a handful when he wants to be. I work plenty, even if I’m not paid for it in galleons, my darling. You must remember, Miss Granger only returned last night. Things will change now, and if both of them are planning on working, I’ll have two more charges in my care. I suppose playdates will be my new task to conquer.”[/color]

[Gwen Lawrence]

“Of course I know saints." She said sarcastically before grinning. Listening to his when he began to talk about Dumbledore, the man was a genius - maybe a crazy one, but a genius nevertheless. Gwen admired the man, he was a grandfather figure to so many people and he was starting to become that figure to her. She had met some characters during her time in England and most certainly at Hogwarts. Now Sirius was near the top of that list. When she first joined the Order and bumped into him only a hand full of times, she did not know what to make of him. To her she assumed her was arrogant and childish - but now that she was getting to know him. Sirius had incredible wit about him and he certainly enjoyed a good banter. It would seem to Gwen that she completely had him down incorrectly - though now she was glad that she was getting to know him on a friendship level. It was refreshing to say the least. Then again she had never been a good judge of character of people - which was why she often did not get out as much as she would like to. But when she did get out, she really did enjoy herself and would let her hair down.

Listening to what he was saying carefully, it could not help but get her thinking about if she wanted to be remembered. Gwen just loved to teach - she did not really care if she was remembered. She just wanted to make a difference, even if it was only in the life of one student then she knew her job would be done. But truthfully there was still a part of her that would like to be remembered for something - just like everyone else she imagined, but she never saw herself as special. In fact she thought she was pretty normal compared to the people she had grown to know over the last couple of years. Gwen kept herself occupied with her job, that was all she could do for the time being. "I guess I am not bothered that much about being remembered. I just want to make a difference, even if its to one of my students." Speaking what she had thought just moments ago. Then she listened to him tease about her drinking. "I believe you just challenge me again Mr Black." Gwen grinned. "I can drink just as much as you can, you British don't know a solid drink even if it hit you on the backside." Smirking as she played along - this was really going to be fun, but the question was would he accept the challenge. Gwen looked at him, almost daring him to accept it, with one raised eyebrow.

Shaking her head as she heard his excuse for jobs, but whatever amused him. "I could not teach at Salem, not after teaching at Hogwarts. I love teaching but I imagine that if I didn't do it anymore, I would just go into private research or go and work in the Wizard Hospital." She spoke in reply. Gwen had never thought much about what she would do if teaching did not last. That was something to think about another time. She was just going to live for the present, that was the way it should be. And at this present time, she was enjoying a rather strong drink in the company of her newest friend.

"You just wait when you find something you love in their hands completely destroyed." Gwen grinned. It had happened when Amelia had gotten hold of her favourite top and decided she liked to draw on it. Gwen had never been so shocked at what the little madam had done. But she could not get angry at her, even her eldest niece was a little madam but she would not have them either way. Letting the subject slide, it was obvious that it was something Sirius did not want to talk about, that much she was sure of. Taking yet another sip of her drink, the colour on her cheeks seemed to stay there now. She felt flushed and fanned herself a little as a result of the firewhiskey they were currently sipping on. No harm in having a little fun.

It was those words of play dates that just made her burst out laughing, the mental picture she had just had was worth a thousand words. A wide grin just appeared on her face as her eyes twinkled. Sirius was going to have a blast with those children she was sure, he was childish himself. "I pity you already, all those adventures you will have to have." Her eyes still twinkled. The image just would not leave her head. "I can see you don't need a job, your life is so packed up." She spoke as she continued to look at him with a new grin on her face. It was too good to pass up such a laugh. In all her time in England she had never laughed so much, it was just amazing how in such little time she could banter with someone that would make people think they had known each other for such a long time. It was a welcome change. His laughter was highly infectious, it just made her always laugh in response. The added drinking session just fueled the strange friendship they seemed to be forming between them both.

Sitting at the bar was something she very rarely got to do, even when she had been a student or when she turned the age where she could drink legally. Her work had always come first, but this was a welcome change from everything she did during her daily routine. But this was something she was sure she was going to do on a regular basis now. "So Sirius, what are your plans, for I don't know say next week at this time?" Gwen grinned as she waited to see what he would say in response. "How about we play a little game of twenty questions. It will help me get to know my newest friend, heck I will even asked the first question." The drink was giving her more confidence than usual, but it also made her more interesting - thankfully her students could not see her, otherwise she would never be able to live it down. "We can start easy. What did you like about school?" She did not give him a chance to say no, not that he had much of a choice really since she just asked him a question. Though if he didn't want to play along, she was almost sure he would move away from the subject. It seemed like something he could do with ease. But if that happened that she would find another subject to talk about or maybe she would just talk about Potions to torture him a bit. Now that would interesting to see that reaction on his face. Gwen now had a silly grin on her face, her eyes twinkling once more as she took in the sight that was Sirius Black. Yes this was indeed fun and every moment was worth the banter.

[Sirius Black]

Sirius was getting used to her sarcasm and her grins. They were becoming nearly as common as his winks, and he found it both pleasant and amusing. “Heh. You just think you know saints,”

[/color] he muttered casually, completing his words with a quick roll of his eyes. He used to get in a lot of trouble for that when he was younger. His mother, charming woman that she was, never really loved her older son. Maybe it was because he was different; because he was a Gryffindor; or, perhaps, it was simply because he rejected her pureblood mania. He always chalked it up all of the above. Nevertheless, he never resorted to relying on his own family much. It as James’ parents, not his own, he helped to care for him – and they never cared if he rolled his eyes. They found it amusing, so long as it wasn’t directed at them.

“Oh, come now. Don’t say that. Deep down, everyone wants to be remembered. Who grows up wanting to be forgotten?”[/color] he teased, flashing another grin. The point, however, was one that he truly understood. No one really did dream of being forgotten, except during the wartime. Some sought fame and glory so that they would never be forgotten no matter whether their side won or lost. Others, however, did want to be forgotten so that they would be safe from recruitment or attack. Sirius knew very few of the latter, as the lot of them were generally cowards; and Sirius did not like cowards all too much. “Though I suppose I understand your point. Making a different is more important than being remembered, if only a tad. Granted, if you make a difference, you will be remembered, so perhaps we’ve merely described two sides of the same coin,”[/color] he mused, half to Gwen and half to himself.

His attention didn’t wander for long though. Before he could find himself lost in thought, drinking became the subject of the conversation, and such conversation was not one he lightly dismissed. “Ahhh, you have kept your brains about you well enough to spot a challenge. Very good, my dear. I have indeed posed a challenge. And, you see, since I have posed it, it is you who must answer. Shall you accept it? Not that you’ll win, of course; but sometimes the competition is equally fun, you see. I’m sure you’ll enjoy yourself despite the loss,” he remarked quickly, raising an eyebrow in return. There was no way she could out-drink him. It just wasn’t possible, and he refused to even acknowledge such ridiculousness.

“Is Hogwarts that much better, or simply that much different?” he asked with a twinkle in his eyes. He knew that some wizarding schools were better than others – he of course would always consider Hogwarts the best; but he also knew that all schools had their own methods of teaching and Hogwarts was typically considered one of the most abnormal, unusual, and atypical of the wizarding schools. He could imagine it being hard for someone to leave a teaching job there and then hope to adjust as a professor at another, more traditional institution with a headmaster other than Dumbledore. In fact, Sirius was so used to Professor Dumbledore being headmaster that he found even the idea of someone else having been headmaster simply preposterous. It just didn’t seem natural for anyone else to have been headmaster of the school. He tried to quell such thoughts by speaking again. “Research, eh? Going to find a cure for spattergoit or a vaccine for dragonpox? Wouldn’t you miss all the human interaction? You’d get bored researching all day, I’d bet,”[/color] he joked casually. He couldn’t picture someone like Gwen sitting behind a microscope all day talking to no one, for she seemed so talkative. Then again, that might have only been the firewhiskey talking.


The conversation had transitioned to the children, and Sirius found himself smiling broadly. “I’m no stranger to finding my things ruined – my parents were not my biggest fans, you see. But you must recall, I am a wizard. I can fix nearly anything with my trust wand here,”[/color], he laughed, pulling it from his pocket and refilling both of their glasses before downing his in one quick gulp. “My dear, there is no need to pity me. You see, those adventures are what I live for. I didn’t get to spend much time with Harry as a baby, so I’ll just have to stick like glue to these children. I’d hate for them to grow up thinking that mischief is only for the bad children.” He winked back with another bark of laughter. He knew that Hermione would want her children to be well-behaved and follow all the rules, but Sirius was determined to make at least one of them into a prankster, even if he had to enlist the aid of the Weasley twins. They had a knack for turning even the best of kids into jokesters when necessary. Oh no, Hermione was not turning his god-grandchildren into perfect little angels, little goody two-shoes – not if he could help it.

“The middle of the day next week? I think I could arrange my ever busy schedule to ‘free’ during this time, if I’m desperately needed,”[/color] he winked and then laughed. He actually liked the idea of having someone to spend his time with other than the twins and Tonks. Though he loved her to death, it was still hard for him to see her sometimes. She reminded him so much of the loss of Lupin, and her son was no different, sweet though he was. Besides, he needed a few friends his own age.

“Twenty questions? Alright, but you’re down to nineteen. Asking me to play was your first,”[/color] he joked with another wink. “Oh, thank goodness you’ll go first. I’m not a man of many words, you see. I might not be able to think of a decent question,”[/color] he laughed again. “What did I like about school? My friends. James, Remus, Peter, and I were quite the clique. Ruled that school, we did. Now, do I go next, or would you like to spend your twenty – er, eighteen, now – first?”[/color][/blockquote]

[Gwen Lawrence]

"You are not one of those saints." She dropped the comment as she grinned into her glass, sipping the strong whiskey. Smiling was something she did like to do, it made her day just seem that little bit better. Listening to comment about being remembered, it was a true enough statement, but she could not think of the reason why she wanted to be remembered. It was something she had not trhought about in depth. Gwen could be remembered for being one of the few Potion Mistresses in the world since it seemed to be a male dominated profession. It was a tough profession she worked in - always having to keep one step ahead sometimes. She had often been asked why she did the job she did, her answer was always the same. 'Its the challenge that makes it all worth while.'

Coming back to the subjects of school - of course she her own fond memories of growing up at Salem, but Hogwarts was in a different league of its own. It was hard to try and explain what it was. Maybe it was the fact that it did look like something that was right out of a fairytale book. it was something she could not answer, both schools had there own reasons for being so great, but Hogwarts to her was the better school. Maybe it was the fact she was now teaching there and it was loyalty to the school that offered her a job that she had wanted for such a long time. "Hogwarts is simply Hogwarts. I can't describe it any other way. Salem is a great place, but Hogwarts had become my home away from home now. It has been such a long time since I have left school." Gwen replied after much thought, though she was not sure how much time had passed until she gave her reply.

"Research is apart of being a Potions Mistress. We constantly have to publish papers if we want to be respected within the small Potions community." Gwen grinned. "So I am used to it. However I don't tend to have as much time as I used to before I came to this job. I do still wonder why Dumbledore offered it to me." That was a thought she just spoke aloud. Not that she minded, but it was something that kept bugging her. But Dumbledore must have had his reasons and she was not going to argue. Gwen was just happy to have a job - and to be at Hogwarts was an added bonus. Yes it had been hard to leave the family had left in the states, but they were the ones to tell her that she had to take the chance to see the world, to live a life away from the drama. It had only turned out she entered even bigger drama and became involved with the war.

Grinning at the thought of her nieces and how they loved to go out with her on thier little shopping in days. If she missed anything about the States it would be those two girls. They were trouble makers but she loved them both and at least they had character. Gwen was just happy playing the aunt and spoiling thm rotten. They were already trying to talk her into letting them come and spend a few weeks with her, because they wanted to see where she worked. The girls were only seven and thirteen. It was hard sometimes to see just how much they had grown up. Coming out of her thoughts again, she found herself grinning just by the winking and the laughter. "Well, I would not say desperatey needed, just to keep this aging lady company. You know and to keep that sorry mug of yours from becoming even more senile." She smirked. If she had not heard about Sirius and this was the first time she had met him, then she would have assumed something was wrong in that head of his. But she did not have that luxuary and she knew that there was nothing wrong with his head, he just happened to be childish and carefree. Now that was something she missed dearly. Growing up had been hard.

"I am rather surprised you are not a man of many words. But it might be just a man think, not having such a big brain." Gwen teased. Another gale of happy laughter came from her, and when Gwen looked at her watch, she was shocked to see at how much time had passed. Gwen stretched her weary limbs as best she could as she was sat down. Rolling her eyes at herself, it was rare that she did enjoy herself this much, so she might as well enjoy it because she did not know when she would be able to let her hair down once again. She was no were near ready to go home, but if Sirius wanted to head off, then she would sit and have a few more drinks herself. That was something she did not mind doing.

"Forget the twenty questions since you don't seem to be able to think of your feet." She grinned winking at him herself. "You know, you can go if you like, there is nothing keeping you here if you get bored." She muttered as she looked into her glass. Being slightly tipsy was not good really. "Hmmm it would seem that my drinking level has reduced." She said her thoughts out loud. "I blame having no free time." Gwen muttered once more. It was just something she was speaking to herself and not anyone in particular. Pulling her back into a braid with a flick of her wand, she placed it back up her sleeve. Picking up her glass which she absentmindedly drank, she just had small random thoughts floating around her head. To her annoyance, his charm seemed to have once again won her over. It was notorious for a reason, but it was amusing - the banter between them both.

[Sirius Black]

Sirius responded to her grin with one of his own. “Trust me, my dear, I have no aspirations for sainthood,”

[/color] he smiled, flashing his bright white teeth once before following her lead and becoming increasingly focused on his drink, which he found a bit silly. His drink was going nowhere but down his throat and into his stomach, and examining it closely was not going to change such a simple fact. Still, he found himself mirroring her actions with a fair level of amusement before having his attention drawn to her smile, which was a nice change from his quickly emptying glass. It wasn’t like he found his drink to be lacking amusement; it’s just that he preferred to drink it rather than stare at it. He assumed that she was getting tipsy, which would explain her slightly odd behavior.

Sirius did not know many Americans personally, but those he knew even in passing typically bragged of their own wizarding schools as being better than Hogwarts, though he doubted it. Thus, he found it odd that she considered Hogwarts to be better than her own school, Salem, even if her reasons made sense. She had lived here for a few years now, and Hogwarts was known as becoming a home to many people no matter the time they spent there. He knew that he had always considered it home because of his rocky family life. He loved the place. “It’s been a while since I left Hogwarts too, but I’ll always call it my home, in a way.” he said wistfully, now putting more attention on his own empty glass than on her. What he said was true – though he had left Hogwarts probably around the same time she left Salem, he would always remain loyal to his school. Hogwarts had done to much for him; its teachers, though often punishing him, had taken the place of his parents; his friends had replaced his siblings, and he loved them all dearly.

“Really? So is that why you don’t leave the castle often – you’re researching?” he asked with a mischievous grin. He had known at a young age that teaching or researching would never be for him, even if things had been different and he had been given a chance at a normal life. But his life had not been normal, and he had left school with one job, one mission: remain alive, protect his friends, and fight for the Order. In fact, he had been considered a “full-time Order member.” Even after he was arrested and placed in Azkaban, he escaped in the middle of a war and again became a “full-time Order member.” After the war, and after realizing that he no longer needed to work, he was glad for it. He wouldn’t know what he would have wanted to be anyway, because fighting for the Order, being a good person, trying to defeat Voldemort; that was what had been his life. He tried to draw his thoughts back to Gwen, but he knew he had zoned out for some time because he only caught on to the end of her statement. ”. . .why Dumbledore offered it to me.” He assumed she meant her job, and he smiled, hoping he was right and hadn’t been caught drifting off.

“He gave it to you because he knew you could handle it. Because you’re intelligent. And because he sees a potential for you to leave a mark on people. That’s why he hired people, it’s a common thread. He’s never hired an incompetent teacher, never an idiot, and never someone lacking potential . . . even if they seem a bit odd,” he answered, somewhat quietly.

He was thankful for her words because they came quickly enough after his that he had no time to think on what he had said – or anything else for that matter. “Oh, not desperately? Well then, as long as it’s needed, I suppose I could make it. I shouldn’t be too terribly busy, and you are fun company, if I may say so myself,” he said, flashing another wide grin.

“A man thing, not having a big brain? No, ma’am, I just wasn’t particularly fond of school. Smart as a whip on the streets though, you see. It’s all the formal training I lack,” he responded, teasing as well. Her words did not sting, for he had caused them, and he knew that it was all in good fun. He let out one of his signature barks of laughter, finding their antics more and more amusing as he drank. He wasn’t sure if they were getting funnier or if the drink was setting in, but he didn’t particularly care either way. He was enjoying himself, and he wasn’t about to let it end.

“Oh no, please continue. I love a fun game of twenty questions as much as the next guy. You see, the fun part is, once you get your twenty, I get mine,” he said with a devious smile and a twinkle in his eyes. “Bored? My friend, you are a poor judge of character if you assume that I am bored. No, I’m having a glorious time, you see. Not many dare drink with a hardened criminal like myself. They think either I’ll certainly outdrink them, or kill them if they outdrink me. But you seem to have no fear of either, which is enlightening. I enjoy your company. Do stay, unless it is you who grows weary as the time passes,” he waxed poetic before laughing.

He waved over Rosmerta to fill both of their glasses again, his final indication that he had no intention of leaving just yet, though she was free too if she wanted to, after another drink. Yet her actions were showing clearly that she was growing more tipsy, and he looked a bit concerned as her placed a hand on the table. “Perhaps you should take it a little slower. It would be better if you could walk back to the castle on your own, not stumble.”[/blockquote]

[Gwen Lawrence]

"Research my dear man, is apart of the work I do - I sometimes find that it is rather enjoyable." Sometimes she did enjoy the research aspect of her job, she was able to make some breakthrough on something that had been bothering her for a while. It was just the part of it that sometimes involved a dead end and hitting a brick wall. Her line of work could sometimes call for long and unsocial hours - maybe that was why people in her profession were far and few. But it was also a profession that was full of people who were very good at their jobs and they were the best. It required people to be patient and to keep calm under stressful situations. The ingredients in potions range from the mundane to the bizarre and fantastic, and the procedures for creating some Potions can be complicated and time-consuming, but that was what made it a subject she loved and had become a career of choice.

Gwen could see that he had gone off into his own little world and she looked slightly amused at it. She could say anything and she was almost sure he would not hear a single word. But she just sat there very tempted to do something, but she pushed that to the back of her mind. Then Sirius soon came back to reality, and what he was saying did have merit and it was something she hoped was true, but only time would tell since very little of it had passed. "Well we shall see." That was all she said on the matter, there was nothing more really to be said on it. Then the subject changed and tehe grin and twinkle had returned. Now the fun was back. "Fun company..." She muttered to herself as a smirk appeared on her face. "I tell you what, if you can't make time in your busy schedule , I might have to take drastic measure. I would not want you to over do that brain of yours, it would be terrible." The teasing continued. Now this was entertaining and it would seem that a friendship was forming based on banter and teasing. It would been amusing to see just what would come of it.

The grin stayed as he continued to argue his case for her previous comment. Then his laughter was infectious and she found herself joining him, though when she did laugh she sounded like a machine gun. Her laugh was certainly something she was not fond of, but she made do. She often did a fake laugh the hid her awful one, but since she had been drinking, it had come out with full force. "Feeling poetic I see." She smirked as he spoke about how he ws not bored but simply enjoying himself. Now she would have to think of a few good questions to ask. The drink was causing her brain not to want to work as it normally would - but like she really cared. "What questions to ask you? I think I will have to think of a few good ones that will make you squirm." Gwen muttered to herself with a slight evil grin on her face.

"Oh hush." She muttered as he spoke of her drinking, but then again he was right, maybe she did need to ease up a bit. Gwen summoned herself a glass of water into one of the spare glasses they had used and took a small sip of it. "You are right, I think I might have to drink water in between drinks. Why must you have the ability to out-drink me." She chuckled a little. "But I will one day and your jaw shall hit the ground." Gwen was issuing another challenge. It had indeed been a while since she had been out drinking and it had gone straight to her head, and the fact she had not had anything proper to eat before she came drinking.

Then Gwen thought back to the questions she would ask. "Now, lets see..." She trailed off for just a short moment before speaking once more. "If you could have anything in the world, what would it be?" It was a simple question and she was thinking of some that could be used to get to know him better, since they were on the fast track to indeed becoming friends. Now she started to think of her next question to ask. It was a lot harder than she thought it would be. "What do you think is your best trait and what is the best thing to ever happen to you?" They were simple questions again, but they were good, or so she thought with her, but that could be the alcohol clouding her normally sound mind. But it was all in good fun.

Resting her arm on the bar and her head on her hand, she looked at him waiting for his answers as she took a sip of her water. It had been a good evening, if completely unplanned. But as the saying goes - the best evenings are the ones that are unplanned. "You are a good guy Sirius, no matter what people seem to think." It was just a random statement, she knew people out there still did not trust him, but they did not get to know him. Gwen didn't care that she was being honest, it was who she was and she was not going to change that for anyone. "Sorry, that was just a random comment, I thought I would throw out there." Taking a long drink of water to prevent herself from saying else silly. Gwen found herself thinking that she didn't really have that many friends that she saw often - not in England anyone - that was something she was going to have to change. Drinking did make her think and it was bad for her - but it made her think about her life and what she needed to do to make it different, not that it happened though.

"So... What is going through that skull of yours?" She grinned a little.

[Sirius Black]

Sirius gave her a rather soft smirk, by his standards. He couldn’t see anything being interesting or enjoyable about researching all day, but he did know how to appreciate some of the research that had led to improvements in every day magic. Of course, he had never seen a time when brooms lacked a cushioning charm, but he knew that such a time existed, and he was thankful that someone – a woman, he believed, whose name he could not recall – had thought up a cushioning charm. Maybe research isn’t so bad, he mused to himself; though he had to admit, it would never be the job for him. He was too used to being active, fighting, and taking care of things that the idea of sitting behind a desk researching something was just too odd, too unusual for him to wrap his mind around. He let her comment drop quickly, finding that he had no words to say on the matter. If she enjoyed research, so be it. Perhaps she would come up with the next great spell or potion; as for him, he would avoid such work like the plague he and James had always thought such endeavors were. Still, he wound respect her opinion of the matter and let such a glaring fault of logic, in his opinion, slide by, since he was enjoying her company so greatly.

He didn’t know why he found himself so consumed in thought despite being in another’s company. It really wasn’t something he did often; in fact, since he often chose to act and not think, and he rarely enjoyed such good company, he couldn’t understand why he found himself drifting off so often. Must be something about being around a teacher. You automatically thing you need to be quite and start thinking, he chuckled inwardly, letting only a small smile crease his lips. Forcing himself back into the conversation, he tilted his head to the side as she spoke. “Fun company, yes, that’s what I called you. It’s quite true, you know. I mean, honestly, what were you expecting? ‘You’re entirely boring and the only thing that would draw me out of my house to meet you again would be some sort of a bribe?’ Women these days, absolutely mad,”[/color] he smiled, mimicking her before muttering his final comment with a smirk and then a wink. “But in all seriousness, yes, I should think I could meet you here again next week. Shall I send you an owl to confirm once I ensure that the kids are at home with their children?” he asked, his tone a bit more level and serious than before, though he still smiled brightly.

When she laughed, Sirius could not held letting his grow louder and deeper. If people said that his laugh resembled a wolf barking, he couldn’t help feeling that hers sounded vaguely like a machine gun, a weapon that Muggles liked to use during fights. Personally, Sirius had found the things amusing, if useless. Still, her laugh was something to be heard, and he couldn’t help thinking that the pair of them must have sounded quite odd laughing – a wolf and a machine gun.

He tried to stop laughing as she spoke once more, but he waved her comment off as he tried to compose himself, gasping for air. Their comments had been enough to laugh at, but her laugh on top of that was simply priceless. Her evil grin finally drew him to all seriousness and he took her words in stride. “My dear Gwen, you will soon find that it takes much to make be squirm. I fear it might take too long for you to think of such questions.”

Oh hush, Gwen had said, and Sirius grinned even wider. At least she knew how to admit clear defeat. Most were far too stubborn to admit such things. He watched as she summoned a glass of water and did likewise, more out of chivalry than need. “That’d probably be best, especially if you intend on going back to Hogwarts tonight. But here, I’ll have some too, just so you don’t feel all too inferior. I promise, it’s a Brit thing. We’re just good at it,” he smiled, taking a small sip of water before gulping his firewhiskey. Truth be told, he didn’t need the water at all just yet, but he was still a gentleman, deep down. . . deep, deep down.

Her next words came as a shock, as he was entirely unprepared for her question. “If I could have anything . . .”[/color] he said quietly, more to himself than to her. He thought back to his childhood, to his home, to his years at Hogwarts, to his years in Azkaban, and finally to the present. “Would it be a bit depressing to say that I would want James and Remus back?”[/color] he said, now suddenly extremely amused by filling and emptying his water glass with waves of his hand. He was thankful for her next question, which gave him something else to think about besides his two deceased friends.

“My best quality? My dear, aren’t they all the best?” he asked with a smile, then continued. “Probably my ability to weasel my way out of things – my parents house, Azkaban, any sorts of trouble. I have a way with words, you see,”[/color] he smiled with a bark of laughter. “As for the best thing to ever happen to me? That’s a hard one. I’d say meeting James and Remus, going to Hogwarts, running away from home, and all that. But then again, getting out of Azkaban and seeing Harry and Remus again, that was a fond memory too. So I’d have to say I’m not entirely sure.”[/color]

"You are a good guy Sirius, no matter what people seem to think." Those words were even more unexpected than her questions, and Sirius suddenly felt himself flush with heat. “W-Well, thanks, Gwen. That means a lot,”[/color] he finally stammered out, still confused and a bit honored that she had said that – not sarcastically, not as a banter, but truly, honestly, and seriously. She really had meant it, and that warmed his heart fondly. He was glad when she spoke again, though; it gave him a chance to recover from his previous reaction. “To be honest, I’m wondering why you just said that. And what you’re next question is going to be,” he said softly with a wink.

[Gwen Lawrence]

"Are you laughing at me Mr. Black?" She said trying to look serious but the glint in her eyes gave her away and it was not long until a grin appeared on her face, giving her away. For what it was worth, it was a really good evening - she had not enjoyed herself in such a long time, since she was alway working. Shaking her head about the woman comment, but Gwen could not help but chuckle. "I will give you mad. I can imagine that you have been on the wrong side of women, I am surprised you are alive to tell the story." Gwen smirked a little before taking a sip of water. Her head still resting in her hand on the table, Gwen continued to listen to what Sirius was saying, formulating her replies. "Then you know where to send the owl - its not very hard actually." She smiled. It was good to have a friend that was not a member of staff. She could see them both having a good friendship - one full of banter and laughter, maybe even drinking every now and again. It would do her the world of good to able to get out of the castle every now and again - not having to worry and overwork herself. That was a big habit of hers, she would take on more than she could handle which would cause her to become very stressed more so than usual.

"A friendship with you shall be interesting to say the least. I look forward to it." Gwen spoke yet another random thought, it would seem that she was full of them. She lsitened to answers to her questions and she could not help but laugh at some of the answers he gave. He was really full of it, but he would not be who he was if he was not like that. Some of the answers he gave showed just what person he was - he was the complete opposite of some her other friends. But it was a refreshing change to be in different company. "I shall find a question that will make you squirm." She said issuing another challenge, though at the moment, she could not think of any questons at the top of her head to give. . But she went back to what he had spoken about making it back up to the castle - somewhat sober. "Inferior?" She spoke in a whisper with one raised eyebrow. "I am far from inferior Sirius, I am sure there are many things I can do that you could not even dream of doing."

Gwen did not say anything about his answer to her first question, she just shrugged her shoulders in response. What could she say to it? Gwen had never had to go through such a loss and she hoped that she would never have to. She did not know how Sirius got through it, but it was not something she was going to asked - well because it was none of her business. She did not have a burining desire to know, so it would remain unasked. "Amused there dear." She grinned playfully as she watched him emptying the glass of water with a simple wave of his hand and then making it reappear. Then Gwen could not help but laugh at his comment about his best quality. "I fear your ego has grown even more, though I thought that would never be possible."

"It was just a random thought I shared without reason." Gwen spoke as she took a sip of her drink. She was refering to the statment she said about him being a good guy. But she would have not said it, if she did not think that it was true. "As for my next question, I am fresh out, I can't seem to think of any from the top of my head." She trailed off for just a moment. "I think you should use a few of your questions, it makes it much more interesting that way. Or at least I think it will."

Truth be told, she didn't want to ask anything that would be a step out of line. Gwen knew that Sirius had been through a lot in his life - most of which she was sure he would want to keep to himself. She didn't want to back him into a corner, that was the simple form of it. Taking a gulp of her drink before setting it back down, she waited for the response he would give her, though she was not sure what to expect him since he was so full of surprises. She never knew what to expect from him - it was keeping her on her toes, that was all she could say.

"Just a moment, I believe I have just thought of a few more questions for you to think over." Gwen smirked lightly. They were silly questions but they were questions that she wanted to asked anyway. "Have you ever used being drunk as an excuse for doing or saying something?" She spoke the first question before moving on to the next one. "If your were to get an opportunity to live anywhere in the world, which part of the world would you choose?" It was a simple question, but it was one that she thought was actually a good one to ask him. "You should still think of your questions to ask, because I am most certainly fresh out for now."

[Sirius Black]

“At you? Dear Gwen, you are laughing too, which means that I am merely laughing with you. You did go to school, did you not?” he countered with an equally amusing glint in his own eye. Still, he had to admit, her laugh was both infectious and, well, something to laugh at. The sound was odd, but from it, he was able to draw his own strange-sounding laughter. In a sense, she was quite right – he was laughing at her. But he was not stupid enough to tell her that. He quite liked breathing, and he didn’t want to risk an angry Gwen – even if she had had so much to drink that she wouldn’t be strong enough to hurt him.

He let out another chuckle and smiled. “You do realize that when I say mad, I mean insane, not angry, yes? And I would think that you should know by now that I can get my way out of plenty a sticky situation with my quick wit and soothing intellect. No woman would dare attempt ending my life. They would be far too bored and sad without me,” he smirked, lifting his firewhiskey to his lips as she took a sip of water. With a slight smile, he placed his head on his hand, mocking her movement and pretending to act bored as she droned on about knowing where to send the owl and how it wasn’t actually very hard to send a letter. To add to the drama and acting of the moment, he tried to stifle and then let out a yawn, faking boredom before waving off her comment. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, it’s not hard. Sure. First I have to find some paper, then a quill, then I have to think of something to say, then write it down, then roll it up, find an owl, get the owl to stand still long enough to tie the letter on its leg, actually tie the letter to its leg, and then pray desperately that the poor little thing knows where it’s going. It’s far more difficult than you attempt to make it sound, my dear,” he smirked, stopping with another half-hearted wave of his hand.

He was surprised at how much he was truly enjoying himself, and he certainly wasn’t about to let the fun end just yet. “Interesting to say the least? You must be a fan of saying the least, then. I am far more than interesting,” he countered with yet another smirk before falling silent for a while. She had taken his responses in stride, which he appreciated. There was honesty in them, and he wasn’t about to take them back or change them. She seemed unable to think of another fitting question just yet, but the silence that stretched on was a comfortable one until she broke it. Her words broke his previously expression-less face into a broad smile. “Yes, my dear, inferior on the drinking field. I have no doubt that you could whip up potions I’d never dream of – granted, I’d never dream of potions anyway, so the point is slightly moot, but. . Oh, where was I going with that?” he asked with another smile, figuring it best to go with the old saying When you find yourself digging a hole, the first step to getting out is to put down the shovel. It was an odd, if stupid, muggle expression, since wizards could merely ascend from the hole, but it worked all the same.
“Amused? Why yes, I am. These glasses are amusing, as is magic. Watch this!” he said, a bit too loudly and sounding slightly like a young child. With a wave of his hand, his water glass emptied, and with another wave, it filled with firewhiskey, which he took a small sip of. “My ego is amused with my ability to do magic, you see. I’m quite amazing, truly.”

As she shared the reason behind her previously confusing and albeit oddly-timed comment, Sirius merely nodded, finding nothing to add on the subject, though his mind was unwilling to draw away from his thoughts until she spoke again. Apparently she was out of questions, which wasn’t surprising, but now wished for him to provide some of his own. He sighed, digging into his mind for thoughts, before speaking, softer than before. “Who is the most important person in your life?” he asked, head tilted to the side. “And why did you come over to England when you could have stayed in America?” He asked again, but no smile graced his lips this time. The questions were more serious ones, ones that would be harder for her to brush off as fun and playful. For once, Sirius was using his name and being serious.

He smiled as she announced that she found herself full of a few more questions, glad that, while the limelight was now on him more than before, it was in a different, more playful way. “Have I ever used being drunk as an excuse for doing or saying something? I don’t believe so. But I have used it as an excuse for not having done something,” he said with a wink and a twinkle in his eyes. “If I could live anywhere in the world, I think I’d stay here. I’d love to travel, but there are too many people here I couldn’t live without to leave permanently.” He answers, though simple, were entirely true; and that’s all anyone could really ask of the man called Sirius Black.

[Gwen Lawrence]

Completely out of character, Gwen actually stuck her toungue out at Sirius, the glint in her eye was playful and harmless. She was at a loss of what to say, she did the only thing that had come to her mind - it was the childish gesture. This was certainly a side of her that she very rarely got to show. This was part of her true colours. It would be nice to have a friend that just happened to be male that she did not want a from of relationship with apart from the one that would be purely platonic. And the fact they seemed to be somewhat alike in some aspects of their personalities, it would be good fun if the banter were to continue and the friendship was to grow stronger.

Gwen then playfully slapped him on his arm and just shook her head. "Alright smart-arse, you seem to know it all." She grinned and one more took a glance around the room. She was also very nosy when she wanted to be. "I can imagine that it would be very difficult for you. I can write that all down just to make sure you don't forget it." She smirked once more teasing him - she was mocking him and Gwen raised one eyebrow to see if he would challenge her once again. They had settled into a comfortable silence - or at least she thought it was so she could be speaking for herself. "Yes, I happen to say that a lot, I get it off my mother and I tend to use it while I am teaching." She spoke shrugging her shoulders. She did use 'to say the least' quite often but everyone had their little words that they said over and over again. It was just the part of being human and Sirius would get over it. Gwen just chuckled to herself a little.

"Its a good job I am just not listening to you." She grinned as she listened to him babble on about being inferior and she was enjoying to see him struggle a little with his word. She was sure that it was something Sirius Black did not do often. Gwen just let it slide because she was just trying to stop herself from letting out a burst of laughter. "I am so glad you are so modest about your magical abilities." She spoke sarcastically but her expression was not changing, she was very close to just bursting out into fits of laughter. Gwen then listened to the questions he asked her and they did not surprise her. It was something she had been expecting, so they did not throw her off balance - something she was rather grateful for. Now she just had to think of how to answer each one of them. But she would make sure she did truthfully, just like Sirus had done - or at least she thought he had.

"To your first question, I can't choose just one person that is important in my life. Since both of my parents have passed on - bless their souls, I would have to say my sister and nieces. Since I can't have children myself they sort of allow me to be there for them." She spoke. It was the truth, without them in her life, she had no idea where she would be. Gwen looked the double of her younger sister - or was that the other way around. However Emma had light blonde hair, rather than long brown hair like herself.

Then Gwen thought about the next question, she did noticed that he was not smiling, but they were serious questions and for good reason. "I never really thought about why I left America. But if I had to say now why it was, it would be for a new adventure and to become my own person. My mother was a very well respected Potions Master in our Ministry over in the states. I guess I felt like I was living in her shadow." It was a valid reason and she had never truly thought of it in such a way. Gwen had always been very close to her mother and when she passed away it had it her hard - but in her profession she had always been the daughter of Adrianna Lawrence, there was only so much of that someone could take. Gwen listened to his answers to her own questions and they seemed to be simple answers but they showed her who he really was. It was refreshing to learn about someone in this way. "I am fresh out of questions and for some reason I think you may have as well..." She trailed off, it was more of a question than a statement.


ooc: sorry for the short reply, my muse had vanished and has not left any note to her whereabouts!

[Sirius Black]

Sirius would have taken a step back if he had been standing; but since he was firmly planted in his seat, his only reaction to Gwen’s shocking action was a devilish smile. She had taken him by surprise, not just in sticking out her tongue, but in everything she had done that day – drinking, bantering, inviting him to make this a regular thing. He wouldn’t have placed the Hogwarts Potions Mistress, who always appeared so composed and strict, to be able to have such fun or to be so fun to be around. The thought brought a twinkle in his eyes which could rival Dumbledore’s. Yes, He would truly enjoy getting to the know the wonder that sat near him.

Her slap shook him back to reality as he feigned true pain, cradling his arm softly as though it were broken. “Abusing a poor, innocent man. Dear Gwen, there is indeed a side to you I have not seen. And clearly, that side is rather violent,” he remarked, stifling his laughter and chuckles to appear more convincing. “But even if I don’t know everything about you, I would say I know a fair bit about, well, everything else” he uttered with a raised eyebrow, playful.

He took her challenge as he took most – with a grain of salt, for he felt that he could easily compete. “Oh yes, please do. It would be most difficult if I had no written instructions to guide me. Perhaps you could demonstrate also? You know, the proper technique to finding paper and a quill and actually composing a letter? I’d be much obliged."
" He assumed that she would be expecting a quick response, which he gave; but he didn’t think she’d expect him to actually assent to her question.

He half expected her to sit there in silence for a while longer – which he wouldn’t necessarily take as a bad thing, since the silence that had settled between them was confortable, not unlike that between good friends who merely needed a pause in talking to think – but she finally started talking again, and he realized that he was quite glad for it, because he was more of a talker than a thinker.

“Oh is it now? That’s rather rude, you know. To tune out on such a brilliant and exciting conversation. I’m quite ashamed to be your drinking partner at the moment, if you’re planning to continue such actions. Rude indeed,” he muttered, partially to himself, but partially to her, wondering at how she would respond to his accusations, even if they were in jest. He smiled at her sarcasm, though on the inside, he was slightly confused at her unchanging expression. He shook it off with another sip of his drink though, and the conversation continued.

Sirius nodded as she spoke of her loved ones, understanding entirely. Both of his parents were deceased also, though he wasn’t particularly mourning his nasty mother who haunted his old house, Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place. At the thought of a sibling, he half-smiled, as his only brother was deceased. But the nieces he could fully appreciate, since he had Harry and his children to keep him company, to love and cherish.

He also understood her second answer. He had run away for many reasons, and though he didn’t feel as though he were living under a shadow just like him, he had been living under a shadow. Only his shadow had been green and silver, Slytherins, purebloods, who wanted him to live under the idea that magic was might and Voldemort was right, which he couldn’t accept or handle. That’s why he left, to escape a shadow of a different kind. “I’m sorry for your loss,” he said quietly, nearly whispering the words as though they were fragile and would break if spoken any louder. His eyes betrayed only a little of the pain he truly felt – not at losing his parents, who he had mourned only slightly; but of the loss of his brother, someone he had disliked and fought with only to find out that his brother would change from his moment of weakness to the good side and risk and then lose his life for it. Pain clouded his vision for a moment before he refocused, shutting out the grief with another drink.

As she trailed off, he barely noted her words and the fact that it was more of a question than a statement. His eyes had become more focused on his drink, and with a slight wave, he filled his cup before downing it. The silence settled around them before he finally pried his eyes from his drink and brought them back to her. “Do you want me to have another question?” he asked, his voice now smaller than it had been before.

[Gwen Lawrence]

Gwen had always been this way outside of work and in private to her friends and family. It was just rare now that people did not get to see this side of her all the often when she was not working. It just happened that work becomes her life. Gwen wanted to do the best she could in whatever her job role is at the time - it just happened that this time she was teaching and it took up a lot of her free time. Teaching was something that challenged her; the majority of the time she enjoyed it. Turning her attention back to Sirius, she almost envied how carefree he seemed to be, having no troubles in the world. Or maybe he did but decided not to let them show or get him down. However, Gwen would not change the path her life had took even if sometimes she wished she could. "You now, pretty soon I am going to have to head back to the castle soon before I become any more tipsy than I already am." She chuckled before adding. "Dear Minerva may have a fit if she is on duty this evening and she sees me this way." Gwen was still fond of Minerva McGonagall, she was a mentor to her and a confidant it everything became too much. Gwen had spoken in a slight British accent since she was under the influence of alcohol though her native American accent could still be heard.

It was just at that point she had seen Sirius reaction to her actions not so long ago. That smile just caused her to shake her head - maybe she had actually shocked him but not that he would let on that she had. "Oh boy, what did I deserve to be in the company of such a man tonight. I think the gods must be punishing me in some form." She spoke in mock sadness but her eyes were still twinkling. "Poor little man, you must need a sweet to make you feel all better." She grinned a little after coming away from her mock sadness to tease Sirius slightly more. This was a very fun evening and she would be sad to see it end. But as the saying it went - all good things must come to an end. Whoever said it should really be cursed because it was not something people wanted to happened if they were enjoying themselves as she was this evening.

"Pfft, and yet I see that it would have not affected you if I had not told you such a fact, you would have not known." Gwen said in reply folding her arms across her chest as she looked at him once more, a smile now appearing on her face changing the lack of expression that had been on her face previously. Turning to look around the rooom once more, she was a nosy person and liked to see who was in the pub they were currently sat in. Taking a deep breath, she just took another sip of her drink. It was rare that she had moments like this it allowed her to just let her hair down every once in a while and she enjoyed every moment of it.

"It happened a long time ago, I have grown to accept it." She spoke after Sirius had very quietly muttered. Gwen just watched him closely for a moment and saw something cross his face, but she could not place what it was and she did not want to ask. Gwen could not imagine what he had been through, her life had been pretty good as she was growing up, she was almost thankfully for it because she had the chance to grow up in a peaceful time - at no-ones mercy or worry that someone she loved died at someone so evil. Time from time she felt like she could be one step away from having everything she loved taken away from her because she had not suffered like so many others she knew. Her darkest time was the death of her parents and the divorce from her husband. It was the people she was close to that picked her up and made her just that little bit stronger. It had refocused her life and it allowed her to try and not let anything get her down.

Coming out of her thoughts, she could feel a slight change in the evening, it seemed that the banter between them had been dampened. Taking a deep breath she watched him knock back a drink. "Maybe we should call it a night, I mean you might have other plans this evening..." She was mumbling and muttering. Gwen felt a little uncomfortable at the situation now because this was a different side of Sirius she had not been expecting to see. Gwen began to stand up and to put her jacket on, swaying just a little but she was sobering quickly. "I really did enjoy this evening..." She trailed off as she waited to see if he would say anything, she didn't to just get up and leave - it would be rude.

[Sirius Black]

Sirius couldn’t help chuckling as he heard her slight chuckle. He wished that they had become friends sooner, perhaps grown closer before the war, before life had been so confusing and such a mess. The thought of knowing her in her youth brought a smile to his lips. “Become more tipsy? My dear, you seem to be confusing your words. Yes,” he said with a sigh, “perhaps it would be best for you to retire earlier rather than later tonight. Good ol’ Minerva might not be too happy to see her protégé in such a condition as this. And if she knew I played a role – oh, Merlin help us, she’d have my head!” Another bark of laughter escaped his lips as they curved into a smile.

His smile never left his face as Gwen continued to speak. “You must have done something rather remarkably excellent, my dear, to deserve company so good as mine,” he said, waving off her comment about having done something bad. Then, in an instant, he changed his attitude and became rather sad, pouting and puffing out his cheeks, his eyes glazing over as though he were lost in a world of pain. But in another instant, the face was gone, and Sirius was back to his normal nonchalant self that mainly showed as few emotions as possible besides amusement. He found that, despite all of the things that had occurred to make things seem poor, some things were turning out well, enough to make him have faith in world. Perhaps this was what Dumbledore had spoken of so many time in persevering and finding the good in life. If anyone looked closely enough, he or she could find the positives. They weren’t that hard to find if one truly looked.

He winked as she folded her arms and formed a smile. “Just can’t stay mad at me, Gwen, my dear, can you? It’s a gift, I admit. People just love me,” he cooed with a smirk and a look of knowing that he was wanted. Of course, all of this was done in jest, but Sirius enjoyed the act nonetheless. It was amusing, it kept him busy, and it kept his mind well off the things he desperately wished to forget.

His disposition grew somber as she responded to his condolences of her parent’s loss. He was never incredibly close to his, so it hurt when they passed and he regretted not knowing them better, but it wasn’t the same as mourning the death of his brother, whom he judged for so long only to find out that his brother had actually helped the Order’s cause and lost his life in the process. It saddened him more that he was willing to let anyone know. He downed another drink before realizing that she was talking. He tried to push back his emotions, but his face had grown more withered in the moments that had passed and his age and stress began to show more in the dim light now that his façade was slightly cracked.

Before he could wave her off, she was standing, and he felt himself stand also to help her with her coat and steady her. “I enjoyed it too. We should do this more often. Now, may I accompany you back to Hogwarts? I shouldn’t like to see you leave alone.”