Chapter 7: Dinner Conversations

“So Meggie, are you hungry yet? You’ve been sitting here all day, reading that dreadful book of yours?” Sirius collapsed onto the sofa next to Meghan.

He grinned as she sighed, placing the marker in her book and closing it. “Why must you always bother me when I’m busy?” She asked the question in a rude tone, but anyone could see the smile playing on her lips.

“Why must you never answer my question the first time I ask it?” Sirius leaned forward and met her eyes with his.

“Why must… Oh bother I have no idea.” She giggled softly and turned her body to face him. “I’m a bit hungry. Are you?”

Sirius nodded. “Well, we’ve missed dinner, it’s nearly eight o’clock.” He paused, seeing the look of astonishment that crossed her face. “Didn’t you realize it was that late?”

She shook her head. “No, I had no idea. What am I going to do now?”

Sirius stood and took her hand in his. “Come on; come with me.”

Meghan looked down at her hand that was clasped in his. She glanced back up and into his eyes, one eyebrow raised.

“Come on Meghan. What could happen, you’re with me?” He flashed his famous ‘Sirius Black’ grin and Meghan couldn’t help but grin back.

“Alright. Where are we going?” She stood up and followed him out of the portrait hole and down the winding stairs.

“To the kitchens of course. Have you never been there?”

Meghan shook her head but Sirius couldn’t see as he was in front of her. “No, I’ve never been. Do you and James go there often?”

“Eh, now and then. Whenever we miss dinner usually. You’re in for a treat. The elves…”

“There are elves in the kitchens?” Meghan stopped in the middle of the corridor.

Sirius stopped suddenly and turned around to face her. “Of course,” he said, his face showing confusions. “Is that a problem?”

Meghan shook her head again. “No, I just didn’t realize. But I suppose that makes sense, how else would the food be made?” She shrugged her shoulders and began walking again, pulling Sirius along with her.

They reached the painting of the fruit and Sirius reached up his hand and touched the pear. It shook and giggled as a door opened and the two students were greeted by several houseelves.

“Oh Master Black! You is visiting us again this week,” one of the elves squeaked. “And who is your friend?”

“This is Meghan Ross. She’s never had the pleasure of coming down here.” Sirius turned to Meghan. “What do you feel like eating?”

Meghan’s mouth opened but no sound came out. “Um… uh… a piece of chicken is fine,” she managed to whisper. She was suddenly shy, unsure of how to act around the elves.

“No, Tee, could you get us two of my usual? But tea for Meghan instead of coffee.” Sirius took Meghan over to where a table was set up as the elf, scurried off to help get their order ready.

Tee brought the tea and coffee soon after leaving. Sirius and Meghan silently fixed their hot drinks to their preference. “So Meggie, what’s your favourite food?” Sirius took a sip of his coffee and smiled.

“What?” Meghan laughed, placing her cup back on the table. “What kind of question is that?”

“An honest one,” Sirius replied, leaning back in the chair.

She shook her head, trying to thin. “Oh goodness. I suppose pickles. What’s yours?”

“I’m quite partial to peanut butter.”

“Peanut butter? Really?”

“Yes, is that a problem?” Sirius raised his eyebrow and looked down at her.

“No, no problem. That’s just a random food.” She smiled and giggled slightly. “Peanut Butter? Really?”

“Yes,” Sirius’ face grew sullen as he stared at her moodily. “How about yours, pickles? Really?”

Meghan giggled again. “Yes, pickles. What a combination, pickles and peanut butter.”

Tee quickly brought the food out and set it on the table. Meghan looked down in astonishment. On the plate in front of her was a piece of chicken, potato salad, two rolls and a heaping pile of green beans. “Really Sirius? You’re kidding me!”

“Wha?” He asked with his mouth full of beans. He swallowed as Meghan laughed. “What’s the problem?”

“This is what you usually eat?”

“Yes, why?”

“It’s just so… healthy,” she said, picking up her fork. “I never thought you’d eat so healthy.”

“It’s not that healthy. See that chicken? It’s fried.” Sirius looked at her with a look of complete seriousness.

Meghan laughed again and the two ate their dinners in silence. Sirius pushed the last of the beans around his plate, his eyes following them around and around.

“What’s wrong?” Meghan asked, looking up from her plate.

Sirius sighed. “Nothing.” He paused, still manoeuvring the beans. “Will you go to Hogsmeade with me? The next time we go?”

This time, it was Meghan’s turn to sigh. “Really Sirius, why do you always ask me? Can’t you find some other girl to ask?”

“I don’t want to ask any other girls,” he whispered. “I just want to ask you.”

“Sirius,” Meghan said, standing up from her stool. “I can’t go to Hogsmeade with you. I’m sorry,” she whispered the last sentence and hastily walked out of the room.

She ran up the stairs and made it to the portrait hole. “Hippogriff,” she said breathlessly. The portrait flung open and Meghan crawled inside.

Running up to her room, she collapsed onto her bed, coving her head with her pillow. “Why me?” She asked softly. “Why can’t he find someone else? Why is it always me?”

AN: Hope you enjoyed this chapter! I'm sorry I'm so sporadic with my updates. This isn't one of my primary fics I'm working on, just a fun thing on the side. Please leave a review on your way out!