Let Me Live That Fantasy

Chapter Two

It would have been a lie to say that things weren't tense inside the Order's headquarters for the first month that Quinn became a regular guest. seemed to make it her goal to get Quinn and Sirius alone together whenever possible. Hermione having informed the victims that the only reason they had ever been given was that "there needs to be more love in the world in such dark times." It was apparent to anyone who looked in on one of the instances where these plans had worked that half of the unfortunate duo was much more tolerant of the situations than the other. In fact Sirius seemed almost eager to accept tasks where he was paired with Quinn even if the other always managed to be late to an appointment at that same time.

After one particular well thought out plan, one that had sent Quinn running to help take down some murderous curtains only to find Sirius already on the task, Harry approached his grandfather with a plate full of sandwiches that had been intended for the two of them. "You know I'm beginning to think that she may not be that into you Sirius," Harry said slouching down on the floor next to his godfather who was running a hand down his face.

"Heh keen observation but the silent treatment is just our form of foreplay. A couple more months of this and just you wait she won't be able to keep her hands off of me," Sirius said with a dismissive wave of his hand and a hoarse laugh. He of course thought he was nothing short of hilarious but the silence that hang in the air as Harry looked expectantly at him, the ever lingering question that was so persistent in the younger presences in the house hanging heavy in the room. He choose to ignore it and stuff his face instead.

"So there is something or rather was something between you two then? I mean you do make a cute couple but I think you could get someone who, you know, actually likes you," Harry said passing over a flask of pumpkin juice just as Hermione and Ron entered the room. Sirius had seen them lingering around in the hall but now that it was lunch time he assumed that they thought that the time for eavesdropping was officially done.

"Oh I'm sure she still likes him, if she didn't still have some feeling for him then she wouldn't be acting this way. She would have forgiven him in a minute and gotten along with him just peachy. You only get this angry at people you really care for, if angry is the right word, she isn't an easy cookie to crack" Hermione said in a matter of fat tone as if they had all missed an answer on an open book test. The two boys just gave a passing look to one another, both accustomed to her frank explanations, but Sirius couldn't help but feel a little cheered up. She was right after all, if Quinn was that pissed at him than surely it must mean she retained something for him. The though made him relax against the wall a bit more comfortably.

Of course he couldn't let them think that their little mystery team had won just yet though so he simply rolled his eyes and gave a shrug of his shoulders. "Or she could just have an issue with working with a criminal that she had been right on the verge of catching. Plus she never really has been an agreeable person. I don't think she ever really liked my whole bad boy attitude," he smirked with the haunt of a smile on his lips. The irony of his words not being truly appreciated by anyone but himself since he was sure the only reason she paid him any mind in their seventh year was because he was that bad boy her parents hated.

"Yeah sure mate but either way I think you can do better as it is. No point in bothering with someone that stubborn in my book," Ron said with an avalanche of crumbs down the front of his robes. His lack of tactfulness earned him a sharp jab to his ribs as well as a swift kick to the shins making him sputter the whole sandwich he had managed to cram into his gob. On another instance Sirius might have felt bad for the double attack but not today. Instead he just glared over at him and his hand instinctively going to where his wand was against his leg.

"Well your friends still bother with you, mate" Sirius said with his lips in a tight line "and you hardly even know Quinn. You've seen her angry at me but that's not the real her. Not by a long shot," he said gazing off into the distance, keeping his cool by letting his thoughts linger on those better days. The days when Quinn would crack a joke that was more than just a cold stab at Sirius and she never went anywhere without a smile. He really did think that these three would have gotten on perfect with her. She seemed to be able to get along with just about anyone, he missed that Quinn.

Ron, at last, seemed to get the hint that he had hit a cord within Sirius and remained quiet. Even his chewing seemed to be silent at this point, which made Sirius smile to himself. He, however, did not miss the look of accomplishment passed between the three. Perhaps he was too quick to jump to her defense. Well he guessed they already made up their own minds about his relationship with Quinn so it didn't really matter at this point. He wasn't about to openly admit that their suspicions were correct. Even if she didn't mind him blabbing his mouth to them he was much too proud to give them the satisfaction.

The next couple of minutes passed by in relative quiet, the sounds of the others moving around with their own tasks echoing throughout the house. The peace of their lunch was suddenly broken by a string of curses and a loud thud followed by a frustrated growl. Sirius was the first to his feet, wand at the ready as he hurried past his guests "Stay put while I go see what that's about," he warned before dashing off to his own room where the sound had come from.

When he arrived he saw his door open and peeked in to see Quinn pulling with all her strength against a photo on his wall, both of her feet against it as she gripped to the frayed edged. Sirius lips quivered as he lowered his wand and leaned against the door frame, watching as she soon bounced across the floorboards. "So you think your mighty strength is a match for a permanent sticky charm now? You always did have a big head on your shoulders," he chuckled as he went to examine what picture had her panties all in a knot. He guessed he shouldn't have been all too surprised to see that it was a picture of them, a much younger version. In fact it looked as if they were still in Hogwarts.

"I remember this; it was right before we graduated. The day we finished our last N.E.W.T exam. Yeah … yeah it has to be because your hair is all black and you're wearing that bright purple lipstick your mom hated," he grinned as he saw the picture Sirius wipe off a smudge of the same purple color from his own lips. It wasn't at all hard to believe that Lily had caught them in the middle of a snogging session. That was all they really did in their school days, they certainly hadn't been in love in this picture but he could tell that they were happy. Happy and oblivious to what was happening in the outside world; to what was waiting for them while they charged head first into the war thinking that they would change everything.

When he looked up he half expected Quinn to be gone but instead he saw her looking at the picture with slightly glazed over eyes. A small ember of hope sparked inside him, maybe she was remembering those memories too. "Yeah I remember …"