Sick Inside

Clemence sat in the library, going over her History of Magic essay for the 2nd time since she'd written it at lunch. She felt a bit groggy and faded, but she blamed that on the fall she had taken last night during Quidditch practice even though all she could think of was the way Sirius' hand had felt in hers when he had walked her down to the Quidditch pitch.

She wasn't stupid. Holding his hand last night, however, had been. Even he had known that it wasn't right. They had been far out of view of the castle before he had even tried to take her hand. And it wasn't like she could say she had put up much of a fight(or any at all.)

And speak of the devil, there came Sirius Black. If people said James Potter strutted then they had obviously never encountered Sirius Black on a good day. He waltzed into the library as if he owned it and Clemence almost prayed that one of his friends or Melanie would be with him.(Almost; simply because she could not deny the fact that she loved every chance she got to be alone with Sirius.)

She grabbed a book off the table(Frank Longbottom's herbology text, she had lost hers)and quickly opened it attempting to bury her head so he wouldn't see her. If she had been a true Gryffindor she would have bravely told him off and walked out the door as if nothing had happened. (but true Gryffindors come along so very rarely...most of the time they just had to throw a few people in to make the house look good.)

However, life was an unkind thing and never did like to do what you asked it to. She learned that quickly enough because when she looked up there was Sirius in the seat beside her smiling as if nothing had happened.

"Hey Sweeney. Tried to catch you in potions but you ducked out pretty fast. And look at you now with,"He craned his neck around to see the front of the book. "Herbology Through the Ages subbing as a face. Not avoiding Diggory again are we?" His laugh seemed almost mocking.

"No. For your information, Amos and I have worked passed our differences."

"Good to know. Not mad about last night, are you? It was only a kiss on the cheek."

She had forgotten about the kiss he had planted on her cheek before they had left the hospital wing. Well, maybe not forgotten, but at least she had tried to not think about it. Obviously it had been a successful attempt because she had forgotten until Sirius had felt the need to bring it up.

"I'm not mad. I do wish you'd refrain from more than friendly behavior when you're around me."

He threw his head back and laughed(she wondered if he knew he looked perfect. Of course knowing him he probably did.)

"Be serious!" She hissed smacking his arm.

"I'm always..."

"Oh sod off. Really we're seventeen, come up with a better joke then that."

He mocked hurt and then laughed a moment later. She turned her head away and, putting down the herbology book, went back to proof reading her History of Magic essay. Sirius picked up some of her notes and began to read them. They were all intricately designed as if she was drawing a picture not scribbling down notes for homework.

They sat for awhile in the library, she must have proof-read her essay two more times before finally deciding it was up to par. She had then proceeded to rip her notes from Sirius' hands and glare at him as if his touch would ruin them.

"Em?"

"Sush. I'm trying to work and this is a library."

He nodded and looked back down at his lap. She was not happy and he highly doubted her mood would take on another drastic change tonight. After another hour he knew exactly how many people were in the library and could divide them up first into clicks and then into houses. Boredom had set in though and the fact that Clemence was trying to avoid him, in a way, had completely gone from his mind.

Sirius reached out and pulled out the hair-band that was holding up her ponytail. She ignored it. Sighing at his unsuccessful attempt to get her attention he reached up again and started dragging his hand through her hair.

"You know you should think about brushing your hair. It's more like a bird's nest, all covered with knots and such, no wonder Diggory broke up with you."

She slammed her book shut and yanked her head away from him glaring forcefully at the table.

"Can't you just leave Sirius? I don't want to talk to you! I don't want to sit next to you! and I certainly do not want you raking out my knots!"

Sirius laughed at her last comment and she smacked him again on the arm.

"Your abusive woman. Maybe that's the reason Diggory dumped you."

"Amosdid not dump me for a singular reason. He dumped me so he could date Sarah Grosmer."

"Oi...well he's just a sodding prat then isn't he? Grosmer's a slut. I did her in 5th year."

"It doesn't matter. AND I don't care who you did or what year you did it in, so that you can keep to yourself, Mr. Black."

"Well, alright then Ms. Sweeney."

He went back to watching the library and almost puked when he saw Professor Slughorn come in and try to make a pass at Madam Pince. Potions would never be the same again.

"Em?"

"Wha..."

Sirius Black was a very spur of the moment type of person. So when he leaned over and kissed her, she shouldn't have been surprised. She should, however, have pulled away. Her and Sirius where always on a fine line where their relationship was considered. But even though Amos had broken up with her, Sirius was still very much attached to Melanie(who happened to be Clemence's cousin.)

Tongues slipped in before Clemence even realized what she was doing and who she was doing it with. She yanked back and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, making herself appear highly disgusted.

"Aww...it wasn't that bad was it?"

"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?"

"Ms. Sweeney do I have to remind you that this is a library! Keep your voice down and do not use that language here!" Madam Pince was standing, hands on her hips, glaring at the two teens before going back toward her desk.

"Sorry Madam Pince. I was just leaving."

With that she grabbed her things and shoved them into her bag, rushing out of the library, still rubbing furiously at her mouth as if it would wipe away the entire event from ever happening. Sirius however made no move to get up and go. He sat, leaning back comfortably in his chair, and pulled out a piece of folded parchment. Muttering under his breath and tapping it with his wand the parchment unveiled a map as intricate as Clemence's notes.

He looked first to see where Melanie was, sitting in the courtyard with Grosmer and a few other Ravenclaws he didn't really know.

He followed the winding ink halls and found Clemence, she had gone down to Hagrid's most likely in search of Remus(with another quick glance in that general direction of the map his guess was confirmed)which made Sirius feel a tad bit jealous. She was never moody with Remus, her voice never took on that condescending tone with him.

He sighed again and watched a few teachers. He wasn't really paying attention though, he was running over and over the past hours events in his mind. He finally came to the conclusion that he didn't regret any of it. What the map couldn't tell him, however, was that the girl running across the bridge had the exact same thought rushing through her mind.

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