Slowly, Sirius had fallen into a routine. He'd train in the mornings and afternoons. Then, he'd spend the evening with friends, or at a party, or simply wandering the high street looking for a new haunt. It was becoming easier, too, not to think about what would happen if he chose to return home. He was fortunate to have his closest friends here, he knew, and even more fortunate that he not yet had to live those memories that haunted him most.
As he walked, he kept his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket, eyes open for anything of interest. After all, had it not been that long ago that others had woken up as their pets? And before that, as moles? He smirked, pausing at the large window of Spin In and Out. He did need to pay Moony back for his brilliant birthday gift.
It was nice to be able to get outside, even if the weather was turning to winter quicker and quicker each day. Bella was taking some time to clear her head as she headed from her Uni group project meeting and headed towards work. Lately, she’d felt as though she should change up what she was doing, start a different job. She didn’t know what it could be, but she wanted something different.
The other thing that was driving her nuts is she was starting to feel as though she had to ask someone to the upcoming dance. Had to, and soon. She didn’t really have anyone she wanted to ask. She more just felt like she should ask someone. As she passed a sign for apple dunking, she looked up and nearly ran straight into someone she didn’t know while he was looking in a window.
“Do you want to go to Sadie Hawkin’s with me?” Came out of her mouth before she could get out a sorry for nearly walking into him. “I’m so sorry.”
"A what?" He had only half-heard the question, and as he turned his head, he saw a girl he didn't know. She seemed close to his age, maybe a little younger. "Are you, er, alright?"
“The dance that is coming up, it’s a bit of a weird thing that Atlantis does and well I’ve been feeling like I have to ask someone and I….” She paused as she started to blush. “You don’t have to answer, or say yes. I’m Bella by the way.” Great, she sounded crazy.
Merlin, this place got stranger every day. "Sirius," he offered. "That's the one where the women ask the men, isn't it?" He hadn't given the dance much thought, especially as, well, who he wanted to go with wasn't exactly a girl. "And you want to go...together?"
“Yeah, and I just sort of felt like I needed to ask someone, and,” she stopped herself from talking. “Well, it would be a good way for you to get to know more people here, and it would be nice not to go to another event here alone, but really, you can say no, the words just sort of…” she gestured to indicate they’d just come out.
"Sure, why not?" Even Sirius seemed surprised at his response. He offered the strange girl a slight smile. "My best mate's married, and my other best mate's…" No, best not to think about that. She was right. The dance would be a good opportunity to meet new people. "It's complicated. But alright, then. New place, new people, new traditions, right?"
“Really?” She asked a little bit surprised. Bella had been pretty sure that he’d say no given the situation. “That’s great, I mean thank you, it’ll be fun.” She really did feel a bit awkward about the whole thing. “Yeah, new traditions!” She offered with a soft smile.
"Really," he said, definitely smiling now, "I'll look forward to it. So's long as you don't mind meeting the rest of my friends? They can be a bit of a handful." That was an understatement, but one that would have to be corrected later. It was probably strange enough that he'd accepted a date from a total stranger.
Smiling she nodded. “I don’t mind meeting your friends, even being here nearly two years it’s always good to meet more people.” Bella meant it too. “Well, I don’t want to keep you,” not that she knew what he was up to. “And I should probably get to work, but thank you, I look forward to it.”
"Alright, well, it should be a good time," he agreed, not that he was particularly busy at the moment, "I'll see you Tuesday."