The Other One | Sirius Black

Chapter 68 - Rubbish Elitism

"Kate's parents are leaving."

Sirius looked at Jo over his shoulder from where he was in the kitchen. He was in the middle of preparing dinner.

"They're uh... they're going to New York. You know... they were only staying here because Kate decided to stay but... I dunno, now that nothing is tying them here..."

"You okay with that?" He asked, now staring back at the knife in his hand. Tomatoes were dreadful to cut.

Jo made her way to the front of the flat. "Yeah, I guess. I mean, there's not much I can do. Not that I could do much in the first place. I was never really against them leaving."

"Do you want to talk to them before they go?"

Jo concentrated on her socks. Burgundy with beige stripes. Those were the ones she'd wear to quidditch practice. James always called them her lucky socks.

After a pause, she whispered, "Not really, no. Too soon."

The sound of the knife hitting the wooden board stopped as Joanna nuzzled her face on Sirius' back. He turned around.

"Send them a letter, yeah?" His voice cracked.

Jo nodded her head before pointing at the poorly diced tomatoes.

Sirius groaned, "I'm not getting away from this, am I?"

"Not one bit," she smiled.

The scraping of the metal on porcelain echoed. Like an instrument, needing some more tuning, Joanna and Sirius were finding their perfect note.

Is this what it's supposed to feel like? Simply worrying about the sound the forks make on the plate and not about the next death eater attack.

"Don't chew with your mouth open," Sirius reminded her.

Even though the Potters were pureblood, they were not part of the Sacred Twenty Eight. "Rubbish elitism," her dad used to say of the list. James and Jo didn't go to the galas or banquets held at Grimmauld Place. Jo was sure Euphemia and Fleamont weren't even invited. So Sirius was the one who taught her how to use more than one fork and spoon at dinner because as much as he rebelled against his family and their ways, his elbows never got past the edge of the table. But Jo would never tell him that. She didn't want to mess up the balance of his harmonious display with her lack thereof.

"I wonder what costume they'll pick for Harry," Jo blurted out.

Sirius smiled, "As if Lily hasn't already got one lined up since last year."

"Yeah, but y'know James'll have another idea and then he'll sway her to change it last minute."

"Hopefully we can spend Halloween together. Better start asking Dumbledore for permission."

Jo quirked her brow, "How would that even work? Peter sends us to their house with blindfolds on?"

"Good Godric, I dunno, but I'm sure Dumbledore has already thought that one out."

Jo scrunched her nose at the Headmaster's name. She went back to the previous topic, "Halloween isn't even that good, anyway."

Sirius banged his fists on the table. "What? How do you not like Halloween?"

"I didn't say I don't like it. It's just not my favourite holiday."

"Why is this the first time I'm hearing about your distaste for Halloween?"

Jo rolled her eyes, "If you had gotten your lip busted because your brother scared all of the ghosts out of you with his horrendous costume, you'd develop a distaste for Halloween, too."

"No, he didn't."

"Of course he did! I was waiting with mum outside by the pavement when a bony hand grabbed my shoulder. Lo and behold, a rubber corpse is looming over me. How was I supposed to know it was James?"

Sirius got into a laughing fit. He was hunched over the side of the table.

"I tripped on my dress and hit the pavement lip first. Thank Merlin for magic, I didn't get any scars."

Sirius cleared his throat, "I never knew rubber corpses could be so scary. What's next, a latex vampire?"

"I was seven, rubber corpses looked about as legitimate as the real ones."

"I'll bet, love."

"Oi, I didn't share my traumatic story for you to pick at the logic of a child."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just can't see someone as brilliant as you falling for one of James's tricks."

"I was... seven," Jo giggled.

Sirius put his hand atop hers. "Ok, so Halloween is stupid. But who knows? Harry might need some straightening out with a rubber corpse or two."

"You're terrible, Black. You really are."

*   *   *   *   *  

Jo wiped the tear rolling down her cheek with her free hand. The other was gripping tightly on two envelopes. The letters could barely fit inside the sealed one. Enclosed, Jo decided to write her goodbye to the Wolcott's. She also placed her unsent letter to Kate and Marlene. For closure, Jo thought. If her mum read it, then, in a way, Kate would have read it too.

The other letter remained unsealed, Sirius said he also wanted to write to James and Lily. They had received Lily's letter yesterday. Peter had lost it at the Order for weeks. But the delay was worth it if it meant she could read about Harry enjoying his present. Jo and Sirius had picked it out during Christmas after seeing it at Quality Quidditch Supplies. Sirius wanted to wait for a newer version to come out, but Jo persuaded him otherwise. What if there was a toy broomstick shortage in July?

Jo chuckled at the sight of Harry almost killing the cat. Some good that broomstick would do...

*   *   *   *   

Dearest Lily,

Thanks for the picture, my nephew looks absolutely adorable and I delight in knowing he keeps the cat on its toes. I agree with James, I sense a successful quidditch career is in the bean's future.

I can't imagine how frustrated James is, considering he's always frustrated and jumpy over something, but how are you? How are you managing the cabin fever? Please don't get discouraged. Sirius and I are planning on asking Dumbledore to come over for Halloween weekend. Perhaps the day after so we can celebrate Sirius's birthday early with you three. I'm sure James would be over the moon for that. And I'm dying to see you and Harry.

I am glad Bathilda is keeping you company. You must thank her for me. And ask her for more stories! Dumbledore and Grindelwald? Even if she's a nutter, any form of entertainment, for you especially, should be welcome!

Let me know how it goes, I'm just an owl (and a Wormy) away.

Much love,

Jo

A/N: So I got a bit unmotivated and busy but I am determined to finish TOO till the very end. Only two to three chapters left! Xx