IN RUINS- James Potter

chapter eleven

AUTHORS NOTE: this chapter is over 5k words so please be aware about that.

16 is such an odd age for her, older than her brother and best friend by 6 months and a year, ruffling his hair and all sitting at breakfast, looking at one another. "Soo, how does it feel to be 16 sis?" Regulus asked, not having his crappy moods lately. Nora shrugged her shoulders, she didn't know what to feel to be honest. "The same I guess?" She answered, seeing Atticus shake his head. "What about feeling wiser, stronger, happier?" He asked, sitting beside her and watching her shrug her shoulders.

The two boys just smiled at the birthday girl, seeing her eat her eggs so gracefully. Normally Nora wouldn't have her hair out of the bun she likes to wear, looking like she's alive for the first time. "Why do you two keep looking at me? Do I look wiser and happier?" Nora mocked, slurping her pumpkin juice. "Maybe," Atticus said in a flirtatious tone, clearing his throat after Regulus gave him a stink eye. "Well aren't you in a better mood." Evan said, sitting down beside Regulus and totally disregarding Nora.

"Oh yeah!" Evan exclaimed, rolling his eyes after getting a shoulder punch by Regulus. "Happy birthday darling, let me guess... 40?" He joked, winking at her. "And this is why you'll never get a girlfriend." Regulus mumbled just loud enough for the three to hear. "Like you'll get one." Evan gritted back. Letting the two argue, Nora saw Sirius come through the doors, telling everyone it's his birthday. "Oi lad! Wish me a good birthday!" He exclaimed to a random Hufflepuff, putting his hands in the air and smiling.

"I'll back back." Nora said, making sure the present she had in her pocket was still there. "Do you even know how to get a girlfriend?" Evan asked Regulus, one of the last things she heard from the table. Taking a deep breath and wishing she had some back up with her, Nora scoped out Sirius sitting beside Lupin. "Uh Sirius." Nora croaked out, getting the boys attention— unfortunately all of them looked up. "Ah Nora! Happy birthday love." Lupin said, getting Nora to quickly blush. "Back off Moony." Sirius threatened, getting up.

The two stood in front of each other until Sirius lunged in for a hug, patting her back. Nora froze and looked at Regulus to see if he was looking, only Atticus was. His face was not happy about the current situation and Nora knew.

"This is where you hug him back." Pettigrew whispered, telling her what to do. "Uh, happy birthday Sirius." Nora said, wrapping her arms around the poor as she felt herself her tightened. "Happy birthday my sister." Breaking the hug and feeling light again, Nora reached into her pocket and and showed Sirius the small box for him.

"You... got me a gift?" Sirius croaked out, sniffling a little. It's been three years since Nora has gotten a gift for her brother, knowing they were both sixteen felt like a huge deal for Sirius alone, realizing she should get him something to make this birthday really count. "I miss that tradition we had." He said, making room for Nora to sit down as Sirius took the gift to open it. Nora didn't realize she was sitting down beside Potter, both ignoring each other's presence as Sirius opened his gift.

Inside was a ring with his initials engraved inside, SIRIUS O. BLACK. "How did you get this done?" Lupin asked, fascinated. "I'm at the store so much the owner does things for me, or maybe  because his scared of mother?" Nora questioned, shrugging it off. Nora couldn't believe the look Sirius had, happy but sad, all around so much emotions. "This is beautiful, silver just like our eyes." He said, getting a nod of confirmation from Nora.

"It's okay if you didn't get me anything, I got myself one." Taking her ring off and showing her brother, Sirius smiled at his sister as Nora had to smile back. "That's really thoughtful." Potter whispered, leaning into Nora's ear and having a raspy voice. She felt goosebumps all over and had to remain calm, nodding at him. "I am still his sister." She reminded, side eyeing him before Lupin spoke up. "It really is nice." He said to the girl, smiling at her.