-1976-

I frowned in frustration as I looked through the worn-out spines of the books, trying to see the title that I was looking for. The library was silent as usual but oddly empty considering it was OWL period. That was not the only thing that was odd actually, I could not remember the name of the book. Why couldn't I remember the name of the stupid book ? Giants… it had something to do with Giant Wars!

"I still don't see the point of studying when we can't even find the bloody book." Came his voice. I looked at him with irritation. Sirius was sprawled on top of the table that sat in the very back corner of the library. As always he refused to do anything the normal way even sitting down hence his current situation. This should have driven Madam Pince crazy but like all women that encounters him, she gave him a pass.

"We are not looking for anything, I am. You on the other hand are crashing the only book we do have." I said sternly pointing at A History of Magic that was being used as his pillow.

"I love it when you are strict with me." Sirius smirked completely unabashed at my irritation. I bit my lip to try to not smile, he could be my best friend and I might have some deep, unresolved feelings for him but I was not going to let him down that easy. Sirius pouted when he saw that I did not crack a smile like I always did.

"Aw Olive, are you still mad at me ?"

"Well it is your fault that we skipped some classes and now have to study from other books." I said under my breath, switching to the next row of shelves. Sirius scoffed.

"I don't remember you complaining once! You planned our last two visits to Hogsmeade!"

I ignored his blatantly false accusation and continued browsing the shelves. "Aha!" I yelled in victory when I saw it, making him jump. "It is on there." The book had one copy left and was sitting two shelves above my height. I reached up on my tip toes, struggling for it. I would have summoned it but my wand was on the table next to Sirius. After a full minute of struggling, I looked at Sirius in exasperation to see why he was not helping me. My eyes widened when I saw the look in his eyes. He was frozen where he lay and his eyes were pointed to the middle of my back which lay exposed from my shirt riding up when I stretched. Our eyes met and he looked intensely back at me not shying away. This had been happening more and more lately. The looks became more intense and the touches lingered. I blushed but before I could look away, I felt an odd confidence.

"See something you like?" I asked with a raise of my brows.

He slowly got up from the table and walked towards me without ever breaking eye contact. I could feel my heart beats, pulsing in my ears as he came closer. He stood right behind me, so close that we touched and reached up. He expertly plucked the book out of the shelf being much taller than me. He did not hand in the book but instead grabbed my shoulder and turned me towards him. I released a shaky breath when I saw how close his face was to mine.

"You know I do." He almost whispered his voice getting low, his deep gray eyes turning to my lips.

I couldn't blink, I couldn't breath, I couldn't...

TAP!

I woke up with a start, dropping the book I was reading. It took me a moment to realize that I had fallen asleep in the sitting room. The ancient gold clock, one of the Potter heirlooms that was more valuable than it looked, showed that it was midnight. Of course it was a dream, now that I was awake I could see how weird everything was, how blurred. I sighed, trying to calm my breathing. That would never happen, of course it was a dream.

Well it almost did happen. My inner voice countered. What I had dreamt was the exact moment of me and Sirius studying in our previous year for the History of Magic OWL. Of course, I never did say something that daring and instead blushed and looked away while he went back to pretending nothing had happened. Like he always did.

TAP!

A second taping sound made me jump. I almost had forgotten that was what woke me up. I made my way towards the big window and saw that a hooded figure was trying to throw pebbles at it while trying to cover from the pouring summer rain. I instinctively grabbed my wand but gave out a startled laugh as soon as the figure raised his head and waved.

"Well are you just going to let me soak all night ?" Sirius whisper shouted when I crack opened the window.

"Go to the front door!" I whisper shouted back trying to not to wake my parents and James. I could not keep the obnoxious grin forming as I ran downstairs and opened the door with earnest.

Sirius was in deed soaked, with two big trunks by his side and his broom thrown over his shoulder. My eyes widened at his state and he smiled at me, not a womanizer smirk but a genuine smile that only came out around me and my brother.

"Hey Olive." He said looking a bit shy. Sirius never looked shy so it dawned on me the importance of this late-night visit. He finally did it. I smiled warmly and opened the door further.

"Welcome home."

It took a total of ten minutes for Sirius Black to pack up his whole life into two trunks. He couldn't be bothered to follow the law at this particular moment and just magically packed everything even though he was still sixteen. He was finally leaving this horrid house that he was forced to call home for years. It was impressive that he lasted this long really, having not one thing in common with your evil, blood-purist family made for a challenging living situation. He looked around his room to see if he was missing anything important. The Gryffindor banners and some of his photographs stayed due to the permanent sticking charm phase he had two years ago. He smiled wickedly at the poster of the bikini clad muggle model sitting on a motorcycle. He was proud of his 14 year old self, they would still drive his mother crazy after he was gone. The other photographs; those he took. He paused when he took the last photo and smiled at the laughing face of Olivia. Peter had done something stupid and looked red while Olivia, Remus and James laughed almost doubling over. He knew where he belonged, he shook his head as he took his broom and left the Grimmauld place and never once looked back. When he arrived before the Potter manor it was past midnight and he was soaking wet from the rain. He wondered for not the first time tonight if he was asking too much of them. He contemplated for going for James bedroom but he could not help himself, he wanted to see her first. He went around the manor and found the window of the sitting room, knowing that she was probably reading there. After a few failed attempts he sighed in frustration.

"Why are you terrible at throwing pebbles Black ? You are supposed to be a beater for Merlins sake." He whispered to himself. When he finally let his presence known, he could not help but run back towards the front door. After a few seconds the door opened revealing a slender figure. She was wearing her Gryffindor jersey as pajamas and her long black hair was gathered into a messy bun. She looked a bit flushed and out of breath making him smile automatically.

"Hey Olive." He said a bit sheepishly. Her hazel eyes widened when she saw his current state and he was once again struck by how beautiful she was. She looked at him and to his trunk and her eyes softened with realization. She always read him so well. She gave him her smile that made his heart ache and opened the door further.

"Welcome home." She said clearly. Sirius thought this was the best decision he made in a very long time.