A/N: Second chapter in a day! I hope you are all as excited to read this as I was excited to write and upload it!

Brooms and Broom Cabinets

Once I was out of the common room, away from Sirius's dark gaze, I could breathe a little easier. I shook my head and sighed. I knew it was stupid, but everytime I was around him the feelings I had felt in fifth year came rushing to the surface, and no matter how hard I tried to bury them, they were there. When I had told Lily that I was still interested in Sirius I hadn't been lying, but I had definitely downplayed my emotions.

I wasn't just interested in the boy. As stupid and foolish and wrong as it was, I was in love with him. There were times that I thought I saw a spark of the same thing I was feeling in his eyes, or his actions would lead me to believe that maybe it wasn't just me that felt this unbelievable pull. But Sirius was really good at making sure I didn't feel that way for too long. It was like he had a sensor, telling him when I was letting my walls down around him, and he did whatever he could to make sure I put them back up.

"Ugh!" I groaned, frustrated beyond belief. The few students that were still in the halls gave me strange sideways looks and I scowled at them. I knew I was being rude, but I was just so fed up with everything. I was tired of hiding my true feelings and not being able to do or say what I wanted, but unable to actually let loose, I headed for the grounds. Maybe some cool night air would help me calm down.

From my first day at Hogwarts, I was known as the strong, independent girl. I personified cool, calm, and collected. I had always kept my emotions in check. I had never done anything that would get me in trouble. I wasn't as studious as Lily, but I did all my work and I acceled in classes. And all that time, everything I was feeling was boiling beneath the surface, just waiting to be let out in some form or another.

When I had met Sirius and the other Marauders, I was fascinated with them. They didn't hesitate to do whatever they wanted. They pranked everyone, even teachers, with no qualms. They told everyone who would listen what they thought and how they felt. I craved that. I wanted to be like them, but I knew I couldn't. That just wasn't how McKinnons acted. It wasn't proper or decent-or so I had been told my whole life.

I had kissed other boys before Sirius, but I hadn't connected with any of them. They were all a means to an end, but even in the end I hadn't been satisfied. They left me feeling empty and even more alone than before. I had thought that was how it was going to be with every boy I kissed, so I decided that I wouldn't kiss another boy until at least seventh year. Maybe then it would be meaningful. Of course, thanks to Sirius, I broke that vow to myself.

I was going to be late, I thought to myself as I half-ran, half-walked to Potions. I was never late! The halls were deserted, not even Peeves was in sight, and I knew I was going to be in trouble.

All of a sudden an arm shot out of the broom cupboard to my right, grabbed my arm, and dragged me in, shutting the door tightly after me. My eyes were wide and it was everything I could do to keep from screaming. What in the name of Merlin's pants was going on?

"What's going on?" I asked, the indignation in my voice tinged with a little bit of fear. I had heard some rumors of the cruelest Slytherin pulling students from other houses into dark places, taking all their things, and beating them up, just because they could.

"Lumos." whispered the boy who had pulled my into the closet. His wand lit instantly, illuminating the plains of his face, the strong jaw, the sharp cheekbones, his dark eyes shining with humor. Due to the cramped quarters we were standing extremely close together, almost every inch of our bodies touching, and I could feel his breath tickle my cheek.

"Sirius Black! What do you think you're doing? I'm going to be late for Potions!" I said through gritted teeth. My breathing was shallow and heavy, but I couldn't figure out why, and I couldn't quite meet his eyes directly.

"Oh come on Marly, you know I'm more fun than any potions lesson." Sirius grinned, leaning closer to me. What was he doing? He had never really paid attention to me before. It was always about Lily, seeing how James was so in love with her.

"What do you want, Black?"

"You." he said simply, tilting my head up so I was forced to meet his eyes. My heart jumped to my throat. What? Me? He wanted me? This had to be a prank. He was just messing with me. That was it. This was all some big, elaborate prank.

"Ha ha. You're funny, but the joke's over now and I really do need to get to class." I replied, scanning his face, trying to discern if he really was kidding. He seemed pretty serious though...

"Marlene, seriously. You've been driving me crazy since the year started."

I laughed. "Oh, really now? And how have I been driving you crazy?"

Sirius looked at me silently for a minute, his dark eyes staring into mine. It felt like he was looking into my soul. I shivered and glanced away, but I could feel him chuckle.

"So you really don't know you're doing it? You weren't trying to get my attention?" He sounded a little disappointed.

"Honestly, I wasn't. I'm not dating anyone for a while. I need a break from boys." I replied, biting my lip. He groaned, his eyes on my mouth.

"You've really got to stop that."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Hmm, maybe I can convince you to end this break." He said slyly. I laughed.

"You can try. I doubt you'll succed."

And then his mouth was on mine. I knew I was done for the second his lips touched mine. They were soft, and he tasted like butterbeer, which didn't make sense because you could only get that from Hogsmeade and it was still closed to the students for two months. My hands went around his neck and tangled in his black hair, which was probably the softest thing I had ever felt. His hands slid down my sides and settled on my waist, pulling me even closer to him. I sighed against his mouth and parted my lips, allowing him to deepen the kiss, which he did rather skillfully.

I slid my hands down his back, feeling the muscles ripple and move under my hands. He was really fit. He groaned and pulled back, kissing his way down my jaw, then my neck. I tilted my head back, exposing my neck to him. He nipped at the sensitive skin above my collar bone and I , he was good. And I was foolish. What happened to my promise to myself? What happened to no boys? I questioned myself, but I still didn't push him away.

There was a reason for that pact, I reasoned. There was no connection with those other boys. But this, this is different. And it was. I could feel the difference. Sirius knew just how to kiss me, and when he did there was something so infinitely right about it. There was a connection stronger than anything I had ever felt before. Was this what it felt like when you found your soul mate? I wondered.

After what felt like eternity, but was probably only a minute, Sirius pulled back from me completely. I ached to have his lips back against mine, but I knew I needed to show a little self control.

He grinned at me. "So, how'd I do?"

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, don't pretend you don't know the effect you had on me, you arse."

He chuckled, and I couldn't help but laugh with him. I moved my hands from around his back and rested them against his chest. I looked at my fingers as I played with the collar of his robes.

"So, what does this mean, Sirius?" I asked quietly. Was this a one time snog, or something more?

He moved one hand from my hip to tilt my chin up. His dark eyes studied me intently. "This means I like you Marly. I want to kiss you all the time, and now that I know how incredible it is, its going to be even harder for me to restrain myself."

I smiled. "Well, I like kissing you too."

"So, we'll just see how this goes then. And we'll be able to kiss whenever we want." He grinned.

"I like the sound of that." I whispered.

Then his lips were on mine again, and the world fell away.

When I reached the Quidditch pitch my cheeks were flaming with the memory of my first kiss with Sirius. I hated that he still had an effect on me, and I hated that I had been so foolish when it came to him. I had basically laid my heart out and invited him to stomp on it. And even though he had hurt me so much, I still found myself craving his company. I missed his friendship. He understood me so completely, and I wanted that back. I'd give anything to have that back.

Without thinking, I grabbed a broom from the cabinet under the annoucer's booth. I only flew when I knew that no one would come and find me. I couldn't explain it, but flying was my secret. It was something that I did that was all mine. I felt free, with only the wide open sky and the wind rushing around me. Flying was my escape, and I definitely needed an escape at the moment.

I kicked off the ground and laughed out loud at the pitch in my stomach, the wind hitting my face, and the smell of the sweet night air. I loved that freedom so much. I let the sky engulf me, and I lost myself in the dark of the night.

A/N: Alright readers, what did you think? I hope you enjoyed it! Either way, love or hate, please let me know what you thought! Remember, reviews=more chapters!

Any thoughts on what you'd like to see? What did you think about the flashback in this chapter? I felt like I needed to add a little of their history. Please review! I love you all :)