Among the Stars

 “Are you trying out for the team again?” Fabian asks Wisteria, they are sitting in the Three Broomsticks with Gideon, the Marauders, and Wisteria’s friends.

“Yeah, I think I’m gonna go for Keeper again. What about you guys?”

“You know it!” Gideon says excitedly. “Fabs and I are gonna be the best Beaters this school has ever seen!”

“You seem rather confident for a guy who hasn’t made the cut the past two years.” Penelope remarks.

“One should never lose confidence over such trivial facts.” Fabian says in a grandiose voice.

“I agree.” Shannon adds, “And I’ll be trying out again too.”

“Same for James and I.” Sirius says.

“Who’re the Captains this year anyway?” Christine asks.

“Ravenclaw’s is still Olivia Green.” Shannon tells them.

“We’ve got Patricia Rakepick this year.” James says. “And if I Remember correctly, Slytherin’s is Emma Vanity again.”

Peter snorts. “Vanity is right. She’s wretched and so full of herself.”

“You seem a little opinionated there Pete.” Gideon jokes.

“Yeah, well I had a not too nice run in with her a while back. I admit that it’s impressive she made captain her third year, but that doesn’t make up for her horrible personality.”

“Oh!” Remus suddenly exclaims, “Before I forget, you’re all invited to Sirius and I’s joint birthday party. It’ll be next Friday after dinner in the Room of Requirements.”

“Shay and I can come, but we wont be there right away. Ravenclaw Quidditch tryouts are then.” Wisteria tells him.

“I might be a little late too.” Jane says. “I’m tutoring one of the first years in DADA.”

“Is it that Quirinus kid?” Christine asks, to which Jane nods. “That kid is pathetic. If he doesnt toughen up a bit before getting out there into the real world he’s gonna be eaten alive.”

“Oh and what would you know about the real world little miss 15 year old?”

“Shut up Pen.”

“Wisty!” They hear Lily yell her sisters name as she runs into the restaurant. “What are you doing? We’re going to be late!”

“Late for what?” Fabian asks.

“Wisty and I were going to study some of the History of Magic content with some older students today.”

“Oh! I completely forgot that was today. Sorry to leave early you guys, but I did promise I’d be there. I’ll see you all later!” Before she can talk herself out of it she bends down and give a quick kiss to Fabian’s cheek and rushes out the door, both of them blushing furiously. Once they’re clear of Hogsmeade Lily and Wisteria slow down a bit. “Sorry Lil. I totally forgot we had a lesson with Pomfrey today.”

“It’s fine. I’m just glad we both remembered that cover story. Are you going to Remus and Sirius’ party Friday?”

“Of course I am. They invited all my friends.”

“Have you gotten them presents yet?”

“I’ve gotten Remus’, but I can’t decide on one for Sirius. Why?”

“Because I have an idea of one for Sirius and I was thinking we could split the cost of it and give it to him as a joint present.”

“Works for me I suppose. Now lets hurry up or we’re gonna get a lecture from Pomfrey.”

A little under a week later all of their friends are gathered in the Room of Requirements. The space is big enough to accomodate all of them and has tables for food, drinks, and presents. As promised, Jane, Shannon, and Wisteria show up the the part a little late.

“Did you make the team?” Jane asks them as they enter the room.

Wisteria beams. “We both did!”

“Wow! Congratulations!”

“Girls! You’re here!” James yells from across the room. “Wonderful! Time for presents!”

Everyone moves to the presents table and Sirius starts with picking up the biggest one in his pile.

“That’s from Wisty and me.” Lily tells him.

“Sorry it’s just the one from the both of us, but it was a tad too expensive for just one of us so we teamed up to buy it for you.” Wisteria adds.

“You guys didnt have to get me anything expensive.” He says as he starts to unwrap it. Once the wrapping is off a large smile breaks out on his face. “You guys got me a record player?”

“You said once that you were jealous of mine.” Wisteria reminds him. “So I figured you’d want one.”

“I do! This is amazing! Thank you!”

“There are already some records in there. Most of them are The Beatles.” Lily tells him.

“Which one’s your present for me?” Remus asks.

“We got separate presents for you.” Wisteria tells him. “This one’s mine.”

He opens it to find a big book looking back at him. “I don’t recognize this author.”

“It’s a book of poems by Edgar Allan Poe.”

“I don’t think I’m familiar with his work.”

“Well he’s by far one of my favorite poets. Here, I’ll point out my favorite of his poems.” She flips through the book to a poem marked ‘Annabel Lee’ and points to it. “I love the language and story of this one. I mean, just listen to this last bit, ‘And neither the angels in Heaven above nor the demons down under the sea can ever dissever my soul from the soul of the beautiful Annabel Lee.’ it’s just beautifully written. And this one,”

She flips a few pages to one marked ‘Bells’, “This one has a very nice rhythm to it I think. ‘Keeping time, time, time, in a sort of Runic rhyme, to the tintinabulation that so musically wells from the bells, bells, bells, bells’. And The Raven,”

She flips to the back of the book to show him a poem with that name, “The Raven is a classic. ‘Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore, while I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, as of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.’ I am telling you, Edgar Allan Poe was a genius poet and his works are a must read. If you enjoy it I can also give you my copy of some of his short stories. My personal favorite is the Cask Of Amontillado, but Lily has always preferred The Sphinx.”

“Careful Wisty or you’ll bore him out of actually reading it at all.” Lily warns.

Remus laughs. “That’s not true at all. They sound lovely and I’ll definitely read them. Thank you for the present.”

“You’re welcome.”