~ Alone, alone with a sky of romance above

Alone, alone on a night that was meant for love. ~ 

***

The sky outside her window was clear; perfect for going on a Hogsmeade trip. Felicity wore a sweater just in case it would get chilly later on and after checking that all her stuff was secure and in place, she called Alicia, "okay I'm ready, let's get going."

"Wait a second, Fel, I think we've got some company too," came the reply and the statement surprised her a bit. She had never had anyone else joining them for the weekend before and now that Alicia had announced it, it felt a bit strange.

Grabbing her satchel, she came out of the dorm to the common room. A loud cheer of "Surprise" greeted her when she did so.

And true enough, a big surprise it was. Gathered in the common room were quite a number of people including Lily's friends; Dorcas, Hestia, Mary, Marlene and Remus as well.

"Woah, that's a lot of company," she remarked to Alicia who laughed it off.

"I bet this is going to be one fun filled trip," she replied.

Seeing Remus standing in a corner without the other two of his gang mates, Felicity asked, "where are the two idiots today? Did they find a date as well?"

A small smile spread on his face as he shook his head, "aren't you glad that they are not here?"

"Ah... That's correct; I'm absolutely overjoyed," she stated.

Marlene took it upon herself to be the spokesperson of the group, "well, you know Felicity, today our friend Lily and your friend James went on a date, and besides the whole school ships them so we really hope the date turns into a relationship. Anyways, since we were missing people in our group we decided to team up for this weekend."

"Team up?"

"Yeah," she resumed, "Remus here thinks that those two idiots who you mentioned a few seconds ago are going to spoil the much awaited date. So we all are pretty much going as a rescue squad."

Spoil the date? The mere idea of it was a bit unexpected for her. Why would James's very best friends spoil the only opportunity he got with Lily Evans after so many years of rather impatient waiting?

"Well, I didn't say they were intentionally going to spoil the date," Remus elaborated noticing the confusion on her face, "they said they were only going to look out for James."

"And who else knows it better than you that whenever Sirius comes up with a plan, trouble inevitably strikes," Marlene remarked, a playful smirk dancing on her face.

Felicity couldn't agree more with that statement. Sirius was quite known for coming up with astounding plans that could crumble in a series of hazards.

"Well, I think we should get going now," Hestia remarked, "since it's very clear that Jily needs a little rescuing."

Felicity rose an eyebrow quizzically, "now who's this Jily?"

"Ah come one, it's our approved name for James and Lily," Dorcas answered, her green eyes widening in disbelief that Fel didn't know of it yet, "I thought the whole school knew by now."

However, the rescue squad set off for the village despite the many confusions on Felicity's part. First and foremost, she was quite convinced that nothing would go wrong for James and Lily's date and secondly to her the whole point of looking out for Sirius and Peter, who seemed to be looking out for James, was quite nonsensical for her.

But then of course Alicia was right, it would become a fun filled weekend since so many people had got involved.

"So where did you say they would be?" Marlene who seemed to be heading the whole group, turned to ask Remus.

"Three Broomsticks."

"Why not Madam Puddifoot's?" Dorcas asked, "every couple likes to go there on their first dates."

Felicity shook her head, "because it's Lily Evans and James Potter we're talking about. Don't expect them to get all lovey dovey after five years of constant bickering."

"But seriously, what's wrong with Puddifoot's? It's a lovely place," it seemed like Dorcas was kinda rooting for them to become a traditional couple as fast as possible.

"I advised him to take her to the inn for the first date and keep everything casual. Madam Puddifoot's is the kind of place they could go to later on, that is if he doesn't blow up his chance with Lily today."

Marlene widened her eyes dramatically, a gesture which reminded Fel strongly of her idiotic cousin, and spoke, "and James Potter took your advice? Seriously, Latvia, you've got to let me in on your secrets of handling arrogant people like him later on."

"And who's the arrogant person you want to handle, Marls?" Hestia chanted in a sing song voice which earned her a slight shove from her. However, Felicity didn't fail to notice the small smile which had taken over Rem's face at that statement. As if he knew exactly what kind of inside joke was being exchanged.

They all stopped at the post office on Hogsmeade street which was quite near to the Three Broomsticks Inn.

"Now first things first, whatever we'll do should not attract any attention towards us," it seemed as if from there Remus had taken command of the situation, "Marlene, you'll go inside first and if you spot Sirius anywhere whatsoever, you'll ask him out for a drink."

"Aw hell no," she replied, "shouldn't he be the one to ask me out for a drink?"

"Don't worry he'll pay for it eventually if that's what you're anxious about," he replied, the meaningful spark was not yet gone from his light brown eyes.

"But why me?" Marlene made one more attempt to wriggle out of the situation.

Dorcas sighed as if disappointed, "because it's so bloody obvious that he has a crush on you, you absolute idiot. Now, go inside and don't mess up anything."

At that Felicity understood what all the fuss was about and the reddish tinge on Marlene's face was enough to clarify. "Don't be so disappointed, McKinnon, you could take him to Madam Puddifoot's on the next," her teasing comment was enough to make the group dissolve in laughter.

"Exactly," Remus continued, "you will go in there and ask him out just so to keep him busy with you so that he doesn't get a chance to execute his plan, whatever it is. And I'm sure Pete won't do anything without Sirius, so it's pretty simple."

They all took their positions around Three Broomsticks so as not to appear suspicious in any way. 

Marlene confidently walked through the doors and although she was a bit reluctant when the idea was mentioned to her, now she seemed resolute not to let any of her reluctance show.

After all she was Marlene McKinnon, the only girl at Hogwarts who could be a perfect match for the notorious Sirius Black.

Felicity wasn't sure whether their rescue plan was going to work anyway, but she was quite surprised with the proceedings, making her feel internally impressed by Remus's knowledge of his friend's personality.

"See, Fel, I was perfectly certain she could handle this," Remus addressed her to which she turned around and nodded a little.

She glanced back in through the glass windows and sure enough saw Sirius having a very animated conversation with Marlene and it looked like Marlene was enjoying her time as well.

Alicia however was eyeing Peter with sympathy since he was left quite alone at the table as Sirius had gone off with Marlene. "You know what, I feel sorry for him."

Dorcas, who was always quite ready for helping people socialize, piped in, "how about you go and keep him company?"

"Me?"

"Yes," Remus agreed, "I'm sure you won't be disappointed."

Soon after that, their Rescue Squad had begun to get dispersed since any sign of trouble had conveniently washed away. Dorcas and Hestia decided to go for a drink as well, saying they were going to celebrate the moment. Mary was asked out by George McLaggen and in the end only left Remus and Felicity were left.

"Remus, why don't you become a matchmaker?" she remarked, a slight smile spreading on her face, "you've set up more than three dates in one day."

He gently bowed, lifting his nonexistent hat from his head, "pleased to be of some help to these poor lonely souls."

"You do know that's something Sirius would love to say," she nodded referring to his gesture.

"Yup, but it seemed fitting this way."

She took one last look in the cozy interior of the Three Broomsticks. Laughter, chatter, smiles... The inn spoke of warmth and comfort, happiness and ease. Her eyes landed on Alicia, who was offering to help Peter with his homework whenever he wished.

A small sigh escaped her, unaware that Remus had noticed as well. How easy it seemed for everyone to be this glad and carefree. Yet how difficult it was for her.

"We could go in if you like, ask James how his date is going," he suggested.

She shook her head, "I'd love to but I think I would prefer being with myself for a while. It's such a comforting weather, right? Perfect for a walk."

He seemed a little dubious, as if he knew she was feeling a little left out, "are you sure?"

"Of course," she gave him one of those rare genuinely sweet smiles, "but do ask James and Lily about their experience and let me know later. I won't be surprised if she asked him out for the next."

"I hope so," he smiled back as well.

Bidding him farewell with a slight wave of her hand, she made her way back towards the school, closing her eyes as the wind streamed past her.

She was right in thinking that she needed some time to be with herself. Because by now it had almost become a habit, whenever her thoughts would get too cluttered up, the best way for her to settle down was being alone.

She knew sometimes she indirectly pushed people away by doing so, but she had long figured out that it was for the best that she remained this way.

The only thought that gave her some comfort was that maybe now, James would start being a little more cultured. She couldn't help but smile a little at that. "James being cultured... I wonder how that's going to be like."

***