Caught in between(Sirius)

[quof]

It was April, which meant that the end of year exams were fast approaching. True, she had already taken her OWLs and her NEWTs were not until next yer but there was still a fair amount of pressure to do well. And the teachers had no qualms about laying on extra homework so she really be inside studying.

But instead she was lounged under one of the trees by the lake, he legs stretched out in front of her. It was just one of those days, one of those beautiful, clear days where your body just longed to be outdoors. And Andromeda could certainly use to just relax.

She hadn't, however, managed to detangle herself from her books. She wasn't reading one of her course books, thank goodness, but rather a fiction novel; a muggle, fiction novel. It was certainly risky, reading it out in broad daylight where anyone could see her, and especially after the talk she had had with Bellatrix few days ago. But Andromeda didn't care about that at the moment, something she was going to regret later. But it had been entirely too long since she'd delved into the Bronte sisters' and especially Jane Eyre.

She sighed as she turned the page. She couldn't particularly relate with the protagonist's challenges at the moment, specifically her romantic ones, and she was not sure whether that was something she was grateful for or not.

[Sirius Black]

Sirius couldn't stop smiling. His plan had gone the way he wanted and now he was free to do as he pleased until he determined both James and Lily had had enough time to stew together. Part of him knew there'd be some serious payback but he almost welcomed it, he loved causing trouble and he was sure James would be thankful, it was Lily he'd have to watch out for. Suppressing a shiver Sirius stepped out of the castle and found himself unconsciously heading towards the lake.

With James locked up, Remus off with Ferret and Peter god knows where he was at a loss of what to do. He could always study...but that thought made him back out a laugh. Shaking his head he shoved his hands into his pants pockets and let his eyes scan his surroundings for something, anything to do and there it was, sat underneath a near by tree in front of the lake.

The only one of his cousins he cared to have the time for. Unlike Bella and Cissa, Sirius found he liked Andromeda, something hinted at her not being like her sadistic sisters, and they'd always gotten along. From the looks of it she was deeply engrossed in some book and any normal person may leave someone alone to enjoy it. Sirius however was too bored and not known for being tactful, "Meda..." he called her name as he approached and shot a toothy smile at her when he finally reached her. Without invitation he dropped down beside her, crouching, "Whats up?" he asked, by way of starting a conversation.

[quof]

Andromeda had always been one that was easily absorbed in a book, so much so that she had learned to block out everything around her. It was habit that had developed back when she had been a child who could not separate herself from literature. Of course the manor on which she grew up was certainly large enough for her to have tons of quiet places to read, and she did. But she could never dissapear for too long or her family would become irritated, especially her sisters who didn't like Andromeda's reclusive habits. She'd had to adapt to noise and confusion while she read, and she thought she was quite good at it. Which why it was no surprise that she jumped when someone said her name.

Meda. Only her family called her that, well, mostly only her family. But there was currently only one person speaking to her with that low of a voice. She looked up and was still surprised to see Sirius there, but it was quickly replaced with a warm smile. Sirius was one of the few people she could trust, really trust, with all of her secrets. And at the moment there were quite a few on her mind.

She chuckled a little at his question, and his usual—assertive—manner. Sirius had been a rebel against their family in almost every sense of the word, and his etiquette was certainly one of them. Andromeda loved that though, as it was part of what made him easy to talk too. There were no rules she had to follow, no restriction on the topic and manner in which she could speak, no carefully and intricately worded phrases that said essentially nothing. Just the truth.

"That would depend on who you ask." she said with a weak smile, setting down her book. "And how about you, how are you?" There were ,many things she wished to speak about, but it seemed rude to force those on him at the beginning of the conversation.

[Sirius Black]

Sirius returned Meda's warm smile as he crouched down beside her. She knew him well enough to know he'd long since turned his back on the teachings of his family, and if he was being honest he someone sensed she wasn't as fanatic as the rest of their family about Voldermort and their stance against Muggle-borns. Though he knew better than to ask her outright, the last thing he wanted was to drive a wedge between himself and the only member of his family he truly liked and trusted. Without her he truly was without family.

"That would depend on who you ask. And how about you, how are you?"

He looked at her carefully, sensing there was something she had on her mind. The smile she'd offered him was weak and didn't touch her eyes. He decided to answer her question first though before pressing the issue and shrugged his shoulders as he sat down fully with his elbows resting against his bent knees. He glanced towards the castle, "For now I'm good..." he chuckled looking back at her, "Can't guarantee I'll be good later though.." he said, especially if Lily had anything to do with it. James he could probably talk around, it was the red head he was worried about, but he'd deal with that when it came to it.

"So tell me, whats going on with you?" he asked again, plucking the book off her lap. Observing the front cover for a moment he looked at her in slight surprise, "A Muggle book dear cousin...better be careful trixy doesn't see that..." he said, pulling a face as he mentioned his other cousin. He truly did despise her.

[quof]

Meda did not miss the glance he gave her, the slight look of concern. It was nice to know that even though they scarcely saw each other anymore, there was still someone who could sense when something was on her mind. At least, someone with whom she could trust with the truth. If Bellatrix—or even Narcissa—knew how depressed she had been since she had made her little promise; it all would have been for nothing—though she hated to use such a cliché.

She listened to his response with a slightly quizzical expression, eyes brows raised and mouth parted slightly. She wasn’t quite sure what to say, and before she could formulate her thoughts he had stolen the silence from her.

She closed her mouth, sighing as she purposely removed the book from his grasp, attempting to give him a reproachful look but failing epically. She also attempted to laugh off his words, but once again she fell short. She sighed, “Don’t I know it…” And all at once that same binding worry was creeping into her features. She kept talking, trying to push it away. “But I’ve always been known for my weakness when it comes to books, and Jane Eyre is such a thrilling tail, I mean—I just couldn’t…” she was rambling. She let her gaze drift down between her knees, gathering her thoughts.

Then she turned back to him, a wry smile pressing her lips together and giving her eyes a rare gleam. “Sirius, I have a proposition for you.” She started, her normally formal tone ruined slightly. It seemed Sirius was always able to bring out that side in her, his mere presence causing her to forget her upbringing just a little bit. “You tell me why your well-being may be threatened later, and I promise to answer your question with something of sustenance. As in, more than just a, ‘I’m fine.’” She still wasn’t sure exactly what she was going to say, but she would cross that bridge when she came too it.