What Is and What Should Never Be | Sirius Black

11. Exploding Snap

My appetite had left as soon as I heard of the date this morning so I didn't have breakfast before I just threw myself into the work. And when I go back to the dorm to put away the extra flyers, I make sure to toss the forgotten fizzing whizbees in my bag. There aren't many kids in the Great Hall and I see Jane wave me over to the Ravenclaw table where she's sitting with David, Iman, and one of David's friends who looks vaguely familiar. I head over and seat myself beside David.

"Iman's told me." Is what Jane greets me with.

They've cleared the table in front of them to make room for a game of exploding snap, but I put my hand up to decline when they offer to deal me in.

"Told what?" I ask, grabbing the nearest clean plate to start eating.

"Debbie and Sirius Black are going 'round." Iman answers.

"Did you not talk to her?" Jane asks, placing down two identical cards and we all watch them explode.

"She didn't feel like it." I respond. "What am I gonna say, anyway? You're not allowed to date because I don't want you to? I didn't know that they've gone this far."

"I reckon it won't be too long." David adds his input and I (guiltily) feel the tiniest bit better with the next thing he says, "doesn't look like they'll last."

I fight the urge to smile as I dig around my bag for the sweets.

"These are for you." I say and pitch them on the table in front of him.

His eyes light up and he immediately disregards his cards - making them explode as a forfeit - choosing instead to indulge in the fizzing whizzbees.

"Wicked." He says. "Have I told you that you're my favourite Hufflepuff?"

I laugh a bit and Jane flicks his arm gently. He places an arm around her and gives her a kiss on the cheek, I turn away.

"Aren't ye cold?" The boy across from me finally speaks.

I look down at my top and think of how Sirius always comments on my unusual winter wear. It makes me wonder offhandedly if he's smoking with Debbie right now, and the jealous feeling returns, but I focus back on the boy across from me and his thick jumper.

"I'm used to wearing lighter clothes." Is what I say, noting that I have a bit more coverage than usually with Remus' button down that I stole, but the tank top underneath and open shirt don't really convey 'winter', but rather a 'summer dad' look. The boy nods as Iman's cards explode and it's now his turn.

They continue their game as I eat my food, not really bothering to join in the conversation they're having. My stomach thanks me for finally feeding it, and I realize that I took more than I can chew. With my plate still occupied, I push it away as Iman is collecting the cards for another game.

"Fancy a round?" She asks and I nod, preferring to be distracted than with my inappropriate thoughts.

"We playing patience?" I pick up my cards and David's friend confirms.

We start with Jane and go clockwise to end with Iman, the dealer. I place down a pair of bowtruckles when David's friend asks,

"He yer ex, er somethin'?"

I look at him. He pronounces his 'o' as an 'ew'.

"Who?"

"Black."

My head shakes and I move my eyes to my cards as I re-arrange them.

"No, they're both my friends." I say and Jane's cards explode when she takes too long to make a decision. She squeaks slightly and David snickers at her.

"Des's protective over her friends." Jane tries wiping the soot off her hands.

"Took her two months to warm up to me." David adds and places down a pair in the nick of time. "Friends? Fine. But boyfriend? I felt like I was being interrogated."

I nod my head, but am not fast enough as the cards in my hand explode as well, clearly getting impatient. I yelp and the boy across from me places down his pair.

"You're totally bugged out, Des." Iman says and plays her turn.

"I'm nowhere right now." I admit and pinch the bridge of my nose. "Think I'm gonna book it back to the dorm."

"I'll go wit' ye." David's friend frowns right after his cards explode.

I give him a confused look as he stands up and nudges Iman.

"Ye comin'?" He asks and she holds up her cards.

"I'm about to win." She tells him and he laughs.

"Well fine." And he turns to David and Jane. "Nice te meet ye."

"Check you later." Jane says and David nods his head, just as focused on winning as Iman.

I bid my goodbyes as well and we walk down opposite sides of the table until we meet each other at the end and walk out the Great Hall.

"I thought you were David's friend." I confide and he shakes his head.

"Iman" He says and I finally recognize that he was her date to the Solstice ball.

"Slytherin?" I ask and he nods, which clarifies why he's walking down the stairs with me and not towards the Ravenclaw tower. Clearly, I'm not able to tell what house he's in without his uniform on.

"Am I good 'nough te be her friend?" He asks with a smile. "Er do I need te prove it?"

I chuckle a bit.

"We'll see." I say as we touch down on the basement floor.

I hear a familiar giggle resonating through the corridor and brace myself as we turn the corner and I see Sirius and Debbie lip locked against the wall.

"Des!" Sirius smiles, turning at the sound of my companion and me. I wave slightly, uncomfortable at what I just interrupted.

"You heading to the common room?" Debbie asks and I would rather not walk with them.

"Oh, no, I - er - need to ask a question." I jab my thumb towards the boy beside me and realize that I don't know his name.

"Charms homework." He confirms at Sirius' raised eyebrow, he looks at Remus' shirt that I'm wearing.

"Cool." Debbie shrugs and wraps her hand around Sirius' as they head on their way, probably realizing the corridor isn't the most private place in the school.

I watch their backs until they round the next corner before turning to the boy beside me, who's leaning against the wall, waiting for me.

"So..." I trail awkwardly. "Name?"

"Finlay Macmillan." He says and I introduce myself as well. Neither of us know what else to say, not with my sudden change in mood.

"I'll wait wit' ye 'til it's clear te go." He offers and moves his chin in the direction Sirius and Deb went. I use my hand to dismiss the idea, appreciating that he's willing to keep me company though. He seems nice.

"It's cool." I say. "But thank you. I shouldn't hide away from my friends."

"Reckon David's right, they won't last."

I don't know what to say, because I understand that he's telling me what I want to hear, but I don't like how that's what I want to hear. I shouldn't be thinking like that.

"Well, nice meetin' ye." He says with a lopsided smile and I say 'you too' as we part ways to different common rooms.

I don't catch Sirius or Debbie in the corridor, and the common room is clear, so I camp there under the quilt blankets until my roommates come back; too much of a coward to face Debbie alone.