stars | sirius black

02: Home

THE FIVE MARAUDERS ENTERED the Great Hall with such authority and confidence that everybody looked in their direction. Remus Lupin, with his prefect badge placed proudly on his chest. James Potter with an air of mischievousness surrounding him and a playful glint in his eyes. Sirius Black with a smirk on his face, sending winks to every girl in place, and his bad boy charms making everyone stare. Peter Pettigrew, well, being his usual self, but walked proudly with his friends. And lastly, Arabella Arroway, with looks that could kill, a fiery personality to match and a casual elegance around her that not even the Blacks could match, she stood in the middle of their small group, leading them to their table.

As they sat down in the far end of the Gryffindor table, everyone couldn't help but envy them. They were the most influential people in the school, but not only that, they also aced their classes yet had a lot of fun and pranked almost every day. How they managed to get eight hours of sleep a day? No one knew.

Arabella could hear wolf whistles and see guys giving her flirty winks and looks as she entered the great hall with her friends. She smirked at her influence and popularity at the school as she sat down in between Remus and Peter with Sirius in front of her and James beside him.

"It feels great to be back." Sirius said, piling food onto his plate. Remus, James, and Peter nodded in agreement.

"I agree. I don't think I can handle anymore of Aunt Walburga's screaming. She's like all the way next door and I can hear her from my room." Arabella said, rolling her eyes at the memory.

"Really? How could you stand living with her, Padfoot?" James asked.

"I can't. Why do you think I love being at Hogwarts so much? Sure, I get to learn great things and like practice magic but, the best part of it is I get to be away from my own mother. Hogwarts is more like a home to me than my own house."

"Awwwwww, that is soooooo cute Padfoot. We are so touched." James sang, putting a hand over his heart.

"Hey, I didn't say anything about you lot making it better," Sirius said, rolling his eyes at James. "But I guess having Belle next door makes mother so much more bearable." Sirius said, sending a wink to Arabella in which she just rolled her eyes at him.

"Ouch, did the great Sirius Black just get rejected?" James teased, as Remus and Peter hold back their laughter.

"The Great Sirius Black rejected? What a travesty." Arabella said sarcastically, rolling her eyes. And apparently, that was enough to make James, Remus, and Peter double over with laughter.

"First of all, I didn't court her. So I can't get rejected." Sirius said, rolling his eyes at the three. "Also, one of these days, Belle, we'll be together." Sirius sang teasingly.

"Dream on, Black." Arabella shook her head, but smiled anyways. She knew fully well that it was a joke. Another one of Sirius Black's harmless flirting attempts. She was already used to his flirty personality having lived next to him for almost four years. Flirting was practically in his blood. Asking Sirius Black to stop flirting is like asking James Potter to stop loving Lily Evans. It was just not happening. Besides, it was not like she was the only girl he flirted with.

"Alright. We're together in my dreams so I guess I should just continue dreaming then." Sirius said.

James, Peter, and Remus looked at the two with amused looks on their faces. They were already used to how the two acted with each other and they teased them from time to time. It was really just how they were. They teased each other a lot. Sirius would jokingly flirt with Arabella, and Arabella would jokingly shut him down. It was how they worked. Sure, the three think that they looked good together, but they knew fully well that it wasn't happening. Things were amazing for the Marauders at the moment and they don't want any drama to shut them down.

As supper time drew to a close, the marauders had to go back to the tower to their dorms to get some sleep. Remus left the hall early to do his prefect duties and lead the first years to their dorms.

Arabella immediately went up to her dormitory which she shared with Marlene, Alice, and James' great love, Lily Evans. She wasn't really complaining since she was good friends with all of them, especially Lily even though Lily loathes James. She was thankful even that she was roomed with them. She could have been roomed with Gryffindor's head bitch Vanessa Peverell. Who turns out to be Sirius' current girlfriend.

As she entered the dorm, Alice and Marlene were already there and gave her a hug to which she returned. They asked her about her summer and she, in turn, asked about theirs.

As Lily entered the dorm, returning from her prefect duties, she immediately noticed Arabella and perked up and ran to her.

"ARA!!!!" Lily yeled, hugging Arabella.

"Hey Lils. I've missed you, dear." Arabella said, hugging Lily back for a few seconds before they both pulled away.

"I missed you too. How was your summer?" Lily asked.

"Same old, same old. Nothing special, really. What about you?" Arabella asked as they sat down on Lily's bed with Alice and Marlene.

After greeting Alice and Marlene, she replied, "Oh, it was absolutely lovely. My parents and I traveled around Europe for a while. They've spent a lot of years saving for that trip and working hard now we finally get to go. You should have seen it, Ara. The music and the history, you would have loved it." Lily said, sighing dreamily.

Arabella couldn't help but feel a tad bit jealous of her friend. Her parents would have never allowed her to go to another country. They wouldn't even let her interact with Lily.

It started to get late, the girls got ready for bed and bid each other good night. Before drifting off into unconsciousness, Arabella thought about summer with her parents and how boring it was, only being bearable with Sirius' company. But then she imagined that it would be another great year, especially with all of her friends here with her.

Man, it's great to be back home. Arabella thought before finally closing her eyes.