DNA Doesn't make a family

“You sound a little too sure of that.” She countered, lips pursed in thought as she examined the pond with a calculating eye. How hard would she have to push to get him in pond? How quick she would have to be to keep him from grabbing her? “Though I don’t think the koi would much appreciate either of us taking a dip in the pond.”

“Of course, is there any other way to be? Besides, you’re tiny. I could take you.” He teased as he reached to ruffle her hair playfully. Sirius’ eyes narrowed as he watched her, knowing exactly how mischievous she could be at times. “Forget the koi, I would not appreciate taking a dip. I am more important in this situation.”

“Mm - well, I just noticed how close you are to the koi pond and I’m debating whether or not to push you in.” she chuckled, scrunching her nose at him. “It seems less fun now that you’ve caught me plotting.”

“Oh you could have tried but we both know for a fact that if I went in, there was no way that I wouldn’t have dragged you with me.” 

“Sometimes it worries me cousin, though it isn’t a bad thing, you’re right. But that’s what happens when you become a mother, everything worries you,” She put a cigarette to her mouth and took the light from her cousin. “Apparently not our mothers, but others I’d say. Do you want one?”

“Why would it worry you?” He questioned curiously, he still found the fact that anyone actually felt that emotion around him. Disappoint, yes. Anger and shame, yes. Worry, well he couldn’t remember any of his family ever feeling or expressing that emotion. “I still find it weird that you’re a mother. How is the little tyke anyway?” He shook his head at her offer, he still had his own in his pocket and wasn’t quite feeling the need for his next nicotine fix.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Black. It’s like a bloody traffic accident. You don’t want to see it but you just can’t look away.” Marlene suppressed a little grin but her tone made it obvious that she was only teasing him. Leaning forward, she picked up a ladybug that had previously landed in his hair, holding it on her index finger. “Still attracting all the ladies, huh?”

“Oh Marlene, how you make my heart race with your sweet, sweet words. The only thing that would make this better would be if they were whispered into my ear while we stared lovingly at each other.” Sirius placed his hands over his heart as he fluttered his eyelashes playfully with a teasing grin. “Don’t ever change, Marls. I’d be lost without our little flirting sessions.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her into a side hug laughing as her ruffled her hair annoyingly. “Of course I am. Gotta keep ‘em keen.”

For a a couple of moments, Peter enjoyed tickling the other wizard before he let him drop back to the floor. “I hope you’ll rethink your pranking decisions in the future.” 

“If you think that, then you really don’t know me well at all.”

“I’ll pass, if I’m given the choice.” James moved to learn his elbows on his knees. “Although, what hex are we talking about?” He asked, meeting his friend’s gaze. Waiting a moment, he also tacked on: “So, are you going to let me in on what bit you on the ass today?” 

“I thought you might, though your fascination with what hex I would use is rather concerning Prongs.” Though that didn’t stop Sirius himself from pondering over what hex he would choose. “The bat bogey hex would always be a good start. Make you real attractive to Evans, as well.” He smirked looking pleased with his thought process. “Nope, you’re not privvy to that information at this time.”

“Not yet, but we will be,” Peter promised. As soon as he’d gotten his own back. Whipping his arm out, Wormtail muttered a quick Levicorpus to send Sirius up into the air, which he was read to immediately follow up with a cheeky Ricumsempra. 

“Touche, Pete, Touche!” Sirius replied proudly through his laughter as he hunched up on himself and held his sides. He wasn’t even able to think of the counter curse as he continued to laugh stupidly. 

“You always know how to make a girl feel special,” Lily smiled wryly. “I’m fine- no worse than anyone else, I’m sure. Just need a good nap.” She knew everyone in the Order was feeling the pressure just as much as she was, if not more.  

“That’s the thing though, Red. I’m not asking anyone else, I’m asking you.” It wasn’t often that he acted serious around others outside his small circle, at least not unless he was really concerned. “You’re taking on too much again Evans. It’s not like when we were at school anymore.”

“Who said I want a perfect guy?” 

“Well that’s rather boring. Don’t you want a little excitement?”

“I’ll judge whoever I like, thank you very much. I think you’ll find that you’re the one that can’t judge anyone. Honestly Black, I don’t see what those little friends of yours see in you.” 

“Aw, don’t be like that Adler. Didn’t you know that judging people is all part of the Black family name? It’s in my blood.” He smirked as he rolled his eyes. “What about my little friends? Why wouldn’t they be, I am amazing.”

“I’m not staring any which way, I’m just thinking you haven’t changed in twenty years, and that I need to borrow a lighter.”

“You make that sound like a bad thing!” Sirius stared at his cousin in mock offense. “Of course I haven’t changed, that’s what makes me so awesome. And yes, I have a lighter.” His usual easy grin tugged at his lips as he pulled the lighter from his pocket and held it out to her.

“Looks like someone has been skipping their anger management class.”

“Now, now, we shouldn’t judge the poor soul. They could be having a bad day.”

Task 001: Here are my answers on this, what do muggles call them, surveys?.