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The first storm of winter shook the window panes. I had my head ducked in between my pillows and closed myself in with the bed comforter. The anticipation of tomorrow’s snowfall kept me awake for most of the night; I was never a good sleeper.
I’ve always wanted to run in the snow—my new trainer doesn’t want my feet to get wet, so she never lets me! Rudolf, play with me the next time it snows.
It’s a promise, Sirius.
The other factor that kept me awake—overhearing my father’s phone call, I had gotten the hint of a “diplomatic meeting” between families, a weekend visit that occurred unpredictably once or twice a month. It was at these meetings I had gotten to know two foals around the same age and height as me—one who shared the same interest and fervor of running; the other who I could entrust my secrets to.
It was also at this age where I learned to keep my knees put(though I was still learning to control my tail). I hopped out as soon as father pulled the car up to the curb of the mansion’s driveway, barely able to contain my excitement.
“Miss Rudolf, it’s always a pleasure to see you.” It was one of the maids last time I came by the house. She had always worn her blonde hair neatly combed back to show the brightness of her face, and was very kind to me and the others. But as she offered to take off my coat and shoes, her demeanor changed.
“Where’s Ramonu? And Sirius? In the living room?” I asked. I knew Ramonu was weak in the winters, so I would always find her resting by the fireplace on cold days like these.
The maid shook her head. “I’m afraid Miss Mejiro Ramonu is not present today. You see—“
“And Sirius?” I was getting impatient. The maid looked at me solemnly.
“The first daughter of Mejiro was instructed to stay at home today. The young master is ill, so it was advised she avoid physical contact with her,—wait, don’t go, Miss Rudolf!”
The maid’s pleas got quieter as I sprinted up the stairs towards Sirius’ room. Furthest down the hall, to the left. I had never seen Sirius sick before. I never thought she was capable of getting sick, either. And lastly, Sirius had also never broken our promise to play after a day of snowfall even once, so I wanted to know if she would remember it.
I slowly pushed the ornate door open with the full force of my body, the drag along the lush carpet softening the entrance. I knew this room well. It’s decorated, much more than my father allowed, with trinkets and books lining the polished wooden shelves along the walls. In the corner of the room, lace tapestry curtained all the way around the foot of a large bed.
I inched my way towards the bed, making sure not to disturb any of the covers as I part the bed tapestry.
Sirius was tucked gingerly in between the sheets and pillows, her ears flat against her head and eyes shut. The flush of her fever was too strong for her to notice my presence. Her breaths were short; she coughed faintly. I’d never seen her so weak before.
I tried calling out her name. Her eyes were lidded, but her ears responded, perking up.
“R,Rudolf,” she then followed with a cough, “Let’s go run.” Crimson eyes peeked out from her heavy eyelashes, but they were clouded with pain.
“Don’t move, Sirius.” I pushed her shoulders gently down to the bed, preventing her from sitting up. “We can play in the snow tomorrow.”
“No, I feel better. I can go.”
“You can’t.”
“I promised I would.”
Somehow, hearing it out loud made it difficult to accept. “I don’t want to, Sirius. You need rest.”
Sirius was staring ahead, perhaps nowhere in particular, but she was thinking.
“Then, can you stay with me?” She murmured. She slowly pulled out her hands on top of the comforter.
I nodded and pulled up her desk chair to the side of the bed and kneeled on top of it, gripping her hand.
“Your hands are cold,” she complained. The truth was, Sirius’ hands were extremely hot, but I did my best to rub my palms together to warm them up.
Sirius was already starting to fall asleep again. I peeled open her fingers to hold her hand again to test the waters, and only heard the soft sounds of breathing in response. The curtains to her window were not fully drawn; peeking through, signs of new snowfall began to pile on the windowsill, dyeing the room a cool white light. Entranced by the plushness of the comforter and the subtle drum of Sirius’ heartbeat from her wrist, my eyelids slowly began to drag down as well.
The morning after, she had made a quick recovery; I had gotten sick from staying with Sirius too long. My father was also angry with me, but I didn’t mind. I don’t think Sirius realized from how miserably guilty she looked, but—I was secretly glad that both of us could break that promise.
The snow would fall the rest of the week.