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The Girl in my Arms	By : PotionMaster Category: Harry Potter > General > General Views: 3779 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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A Sirius Problem

Arabella woke as the first rays of sunlight came through her window the next morning. Finding herself alone in the bed she opened her eyes and blearily gazed around the room. Severus was stood at the window gazing across the grounds, so she slipped out of bed and moved to stand behind him, wincing at the cold stone floor against her bare feet. She rested her hand against his back and he turned to face her.

=Beautiful isn't it. I've always loved watching the sun as it comes up over the lake. =

"Actually I was watching our new arrivals," Severus said indicating an object in the sky.

=What is that? Oh my God, it's Sirius' old bike, or something like it, but what's that odd shape? =

"I believe that is a sidecar. Presumably dogs can't ride motorbikes."

=Oh good grief, why didn't they just apparate to Hogsmeade and walk from there! I'm going down to greet them, are you coming? =

Severus looked at her as if she were one of his more stupid pupils and raised one eyebrow. "What do you think?"

=Suit yourself but you'll have to see them at breakfast. I suppose you should go back to your quarters and shower anyway. I can do all that later, I have first period free." She finished signing and grabbed her skirt and a clean blouse. As she hurriedly dressed she watched Severus out of the corner of her eye. He was also puling on some clothing but not in any particular hurry. As she finished dressing she aimed her wand at her hair and it untangled itself and then wrapped around her head in an elegant knot. Glancing across at Sev again she saw a tenseness in his movements that hadn't been there the previous night. *Idiot! *

She walked over to him and turned him so that he was facing her. =What precisely do you think is going to happen when I see them again? They're my friends, but I love you, you idiot. I know Sirius at least won't be happy with this, = she signed indicating the two of them. =But if he's still my friend he'll get used to it, and if not screw him anyway. I'm not going to give you up for anyone. =

Severus reached out and stroked her face. "You haven't seen Black for 14 years, and it's been almost as long for Remus, you're going to want to spend time catching up ."

=I won't let them monopolize my time love, but they're the closest thing I've got to a family, and I do want to get to know them again. =

"I know, I'm sorry, I'm being an idiot. Go on, go see your friends, I'll see you at breakfast; and give your blouse to Filius, I think e has a repairing charm that would fix it."

Arabella smiled and kissed him, =An apology from Severus Snape, wow, I must go and buy a lottery ticket! =

"A what?" Snape asked, baffled.

=Never mind, muggle tradition. See you later, = With this Arabella disappeared through the door, blowing him a kiss as she did. Severus laughed and then schooled his face into its normal scowl and left through the passageway he had used the previous night.

Arabella ran down the stairs and out of Ravenclaw tower, heading towards the entrance hall. Just as she got there the doors swung open and a familiar figure entered, followed by a black dog. She put her fingers in her mouth and whistled loudly, the sound echoing around the hall. Both man and dog turned towards her.

"Bella!" Remus called out joyfully as she hurled herself across the space between them and wrapped her arms around his neck. When she pulled back she smiled and signed =Hello old friend. It's been too long. =

Remus flushed guiltily and looked away, "I know I should have visited but -"

She put a finger on his lips to silence him, =I never sought you out either. Too many ghosts, but I am pleased to see you now. =

She dropped to her knees and hugged the dog. =And it's good to see you too, Padfoot. = The dog nuzzled her in greeting and then pulled back slightly and growled. Arabella looked at him in shock. =Paddy? = she signed, hurt, and then flushed and pulled back.

=I'll see you at breakfast, Remy. I've got a free period afterwards; we can all catch up then. I've got to go and do - something. = she signed miserably looking at Remus and then back at the dog. As she turned and fled Remus looked at his companion in horror, "What the hell was all that about, Padfoot? You really upset her." The dog just tipped his head slightly and looked back. "Oh all right we'll go to my rooms and you can explain while I unpack."

By the time Arabella arrived in the Great Hall for breakfast most of the students had already finished and were heading back to their common rooms. The staff table was beginning to empty too but Arabella managed to attract Professor Flitwick's attention as he was leaving.

=Professor, I have a problem with the portrait at the entrance to Ravenclaw tower. She doesn't understand sign language. It makes getting up to my room very difficult. Could you possibly do something about her? =

"Oh my dear girl, it never occurred to me. Of course something must be done at once! I'll teach her the sign for this week's password and ask Albus about some classes for the portraits. It won't do to have one of the staff unable to get around." He smiled at her and left the room.

There were only two members of staff left at the table by this time; Severus Snape and Remus Lupin, sitting as far apart as possible. *Well this won't do. * She walked over to take the seat next to Severus and signalled to Remus that he should join them.

"What happened to you this morning, love? I expected you to be with Lupin, but he came in on his own." Severus asked quietly as she filled her plate.

=I'm not entirely sure. I hugged Padfoot and he growled at me. He doesn't seem to want me around. So I left, = she admitted miserably.

"That confused me too, Bella" Remus said sitting down. "So I asked him about it. Did you know that dogs have very sensitive noses?"

"What on earth does that have to do with anything, Lupin?" growled Snape.

Arabella blushed and looked embarrassed. "I didn't shower this morning. Oh Merlin!" she said, unable to meet Remus' eyes.

He grinned back at her, "Something you'd like to tell me?"

=I guess breaking it to you gently is out of the question then? = she asked.

"It may be a little late for that. Are you happy, Bella?" Remus asked as she finally met his gaze.

=Very. =

"Then he'll come around," Remus said. "Eventually." He looked across at Snape, "Don't you have a class to teach?"

Severus looked at his watch, cursed, and stalked out of the Hall, leaving Bella and Remus alone.

=Well? = she asked. =Don't tell me you don't have an opinion on the matter? =

"I rather suspected there was something going on between you the last time I saw you. As long as you're happy I'm not going to try and interfere. Although I can't see what you see in him myself." Remus answered. "What? You expected recriminations of some kind? You're not a kid any more; you can handle your own life. I have enough problems running my own without interfering in yours. I'm the reasonable one remember? Besides Sirius is pissed enough for bot both of us!"

=Thanks, Remy, = she said gratefully. =This morning, I thought maybe he blamed me for Peter. = She looked down at her plate, unable to meet Remus' gaze. He got up and walked around the table and knelt down next to her, raising her chin with his hand and turning her to look at him. "No one blames you for Peter's actions, Bella. Not me, not Sirius, and if James were here he'd say the same thing, you aren't to blame, understand?" he said fiercely.

She nodded, =Yes, but -=

"No buts Bella. We can't all continue to blame ourselves for what Peter did. Now come on, let's go and talk to Sirius before he starts climbing the walls."

=This isn't going to be fun is it? = she said.

"Probably not, let's get it over with though.

The two of them stood up and left the all, unaware of the serious pair of eyes that followed them.

"So, there's something going on between the new Professor and the werewolf. That's interesting," he thought as he left the room.

Remus and Arabella made their way to his rooms where Sirius was waiting for them. As soon as Remus had shut the door Sirius started yelling.

"You're having sex with Snape? What the hell were you thinking? How could you possibly want to be anywhere near that nasty-minded, greasy bastard? He was a Death Eater for Merlin's sake?"

=Hello, Sirius. I'm fine thanks, how are you? Did you even stop to consider that I'm 34 years old; that you've no idea what my life has been like for the last 14 years, and that it's none of your damn business? = Arabella fumed.

"Well excuse me for caring! He's a Death Eater, Arabella. Do you get that? Do you get that he's the enemy?" Sirius continued to yell, matching her glare for glare.

=Was, Siri. He was a Death Eater, and you were a convicted criminal, oh wait you still are! =

"That's different, I was innocent!"

Arabella just raised one eyebrow and looked at him.

Sirius looked at her for a moment. "Oh bollocks! You're saying he was a spy all along, aren't you? He can't have been. Even Albus only said that he'd changed sides before Voldemort fell. He'd have said at the trial if Snape had been one of ours all along."

"Unless he thought that Voldemort might rise again," interrupted Remus with a sigh. "I'm right, aren't I? He's been playing a role for, what, 16 years now?"

"No, I don't believe it. I mean, come on look what happened last year, he got Remus sacked for goodness sake." Sirius said.

=And Severus is the only one of us that ever lashes out when he's angry and acts without thinking, of course." Arabella signed

The two of them stood there, one each end of the room, hands on hips, staring at one another until Remus broke the awkward silence that had developed.

"So, now we've got that out of the way, why don't we sit down like civilized people and actually talk until Bella's first class?"

=You always were the peacemaker Remy; think you can get us through this year without killing each other? = Bella asked with a wry smile.

"Piece of cake. You at least seem to have mellowed, I expected you to be throwing things by now." Remus chuckled. "Do you remember that big fight you had at James' parents holiday cottage just after the Marauders graduated? Sirius was trying to zap you with every spell he knew, and some I think he made up on the spot, and you were throwing anything that wasn't nailed down at him."

"And you and James were diving around trying to counter the spells and catch anything breakable because James had promised to pay for any damage caused in order to get his parents to let us have the place in the first place," Sirius laughed in response. "God that was a good summer wasn't it?"

=Started with the party you guys threw for graduation and ended with James and Lily's wedding and I swear you guys didn't sober up in between times. = Bella added. =Look I'm not asking for you to become best friends or anything but could you at least try and get on with Sev while you're here. Try and see what I see in him. For my sake? =

"I'm not promising anything Bella, he rubs me up the wrong way. Just being in the same room as him makes me want to punch him. But I'll try. He can't be all bad if he's got you, unless he's drugging you of course." Sirius smiled, and then looked at her suspiciously. "He's not -"

=No he isn't. For goodness sake grow up, Sirius. And don't say things like that around him, he'll turn you into a flobberworm or something, and I might just let him! = Arabella glared at him again.

"So," said Remus brightly, trying to cover the silence that again threatened to engulf them. "How did you two get together anyway?"

=He rescued me when this happened. = Arabella signed, indicating her throat. =He found me and brought me here, where he and Albus helped keep me together when I found out what had happened. Believe it or not he can be really sweet and caring. I think the only time they both left my side during those months was for Severus' trial."

"How exactly did you get hurt, Bella?" Sirius asked. "Remus said you were attacked by Death Eaters, but he didn't know the details."

=That's because the last time we talked about it I didn't know much either. I was at home, on my own when a masked figure apparated in my kitchen. I managed to get off a couple of curses of my own but then I got knocked out somehow, I don't remember exactly how, and when I came round I was in the hospital wing here. It happened the day after James and Lily were killed, just after you confronted Peter we think. I didn't know who had attacked me or why they left me alive, but for a long time a lot of people blamed you for it. =

Sirius gasped, "What! No, I would never ."

=I know Siri. I never thought it was you, even when we all thought you had joined Voldemort I always believed that you would have killed me outright rather than do this to me. Peter was the one who liked to pull the wings of flies," she signed.

"You think Peter did this?" Remus asked horrified.

=We do now. It makes sense. There were only three people who could testify that he was an animagus. Sirius himself, but he was suspected of working for Voldemort so people would have seen it as an outlandish attempt to get away with it; you, but you're a werewolf and Siri's best friend so they'd think that he put you up to it; and me, the alleged victim's sister. They might actually have believed me so he had to stop me from testifying. I think he probably thought that when I woke up and found out what he'd done I'd flip out, and I very nearly did. Severus and Albus kept me from going over the edge, mainly Sev. He never left my side, except when he had to appat tat the Ministry. It was nearly 3 months before they thought I was strong enough to learn about James and Lily, and Peter, and by then everyone was so certain you were guilty that it never occurred to me to question them. I'm sorry, I should have. = Arabella said, looking at Sirius miserably.

"And I should have told someone what had happened before confronting Peter," said Sirius. "It's over, there's nothing we can do about it now. Anyway come on, let's talk about something a bit more cheerful before you have to go to class."

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The Girl in my Arms