"See honey, it doesn't look to hard." Mother said as we watched the boys haul the large and old looking coffin into the back of the truck. Yes indeed, we took the ugly looking truck which could be heard from three blocks away.

I rolled my eyes, "That's because four boys are carrying it, and not one girl." I said taking much joy in watching my brother struggle. Sure, it may look a bit like we hate each other, but it's the opposite really. He loves me, he'd always been my greatest protector. Which I appreciate more than he probably knows.

"Sweetheart, I was meaning to ask you something." Mother said taking me to the side. I looked at her hazel eyes that had once been bright and vibrant; they were now starting to become drearier. Her old-style glasses made her look older. "Are you… um… I don't know how to say this." She thought for a little while

I put my hands on my hips, "Mother, just come out with it, don't beat around the bush." I said, bored of watching her think

"Well, darling, what I wanted to know is if you were going steady with Sirius."

Well she sure as hell didn't beat around the bush

"Sirius… you mean Sirius Black?" I stuttered, mother nodded, "The Sirius Black the is currently living in our house?"

"Are there any other Sirius Black's, dear?" She asked, a bit more sarcastically than I would have liked, "It's alright if you are, he is an attractive looking young man." You crazy woman, I wanted so desperately to say, is it me or are you trying to encourage me to go steady with the boy that lives two rooms over?

"No." I said instead, "No I'm not Mother." I shook my head in disbelief; even my mother thinks we're dating. Out of all the people in the world, my own mother.

"Ok Sweet pea." She pinched my cheeks and walked over to the truck, "Well boys, thank you so very much. I'll give you the money back at the house. Come on, now, we better get home before Mr. Potter goes crazy." My mother may talk with our accent, but her wording is that of a woman in the American country, "Sugar, you coming?" she called as everyone got in the truck and still stood in the spot where my own mother told me she believed I was dating Sirius

I shook my head a bit,"Yeah I'm coming." I muttered walking over. And, with my so-called 'luck' the only spot left was next to Sirius. Great, I thought, now mother would be giving us looks the whole drive

"Sorry love, you're going to have to suffer sitting next to me." He winked at me.

My heart did a tiny flip. His eyes really were mesmerizing. But the image of him lying on the living room floor with a blank stare will never go away. In fact, the whole night that he came to live with us will never cease to haunt my dreams. About once a week I see him lying there, struggling to breath. Mother and I doing my best. James continuously sneaking in the front door to try and help, forcing me to leave Sirius's side and push my brother back outside.

"Ha ha." I jokingly sneered getting in the car. The second I closed the door, his arm was around me. Usually I shake it of, but I let him while my evil mind wandered and I re-lived the moment again in the car. I needed to know that he was alright, even if it meant going against my nature.

As if on que, Mother looked at us, peering over her glasses. "Alright kids, we gotta get home real fast." Almost every time she opens her mouth I expect her to talk with a Southern American accent

"You gunna be ok?" Sirius asks me with deep concern in his eyes

"I'm fine, don't worry about me." He put his hand on my head and pulled it on his shoulder. The butterflies in my stomach tugged at my insides, but I ignored them and concentrated on how he smelled like butterscotch

Sirius rested his head on mine, "Don't worry love, rest and you'll be fine."

He stroked my head until my eyes were shut, but he kept it there. I could hear little bits of what Sirius and James were saying to each other. Without knowing the whole story it makes no sense, but I'm sure if I did it would reveal a lot. I promise I wont. Are you sure... you? …she…the only one. I know, confusing right? I let myself drift into what was hopefully going to be a peaceful sleep.

...

I pushed down on his chest, trying to stop the blood. It's not like it was gushing, but I didn't just want to see the scarlet liquid drip down his skin any longer. His grey eyes looked up at me, completely trusting me, but scared. More scared than I've ever seen anyone be. To be perfectly honest, it was terrifying.

"Dylan, go get help." Mother said with a trembling voice

Tears streaked down my face, "Where?" I shouted. I tried to ignore the fact that his hand, clutching my arm, was quite cold

"I don't know, anywhere!" she shouted back, now crying as well, "Go get your brother, he can help me."

I was about to leave but Sirius weakly pulled me back, "Dylan, do me a dying favor." He said quietly

Violently, I shook my head, "No, don't talk like that. I'm gunna go get help and you'll be fine." I said starting to sob

"Still, do me a favor." I nodded, choking, "Give me a kiss." He winked.

Mother casually went into the kitchen. He put his hand on the back of my neck, giving myself goose bumps. I leaned down closer to him. Even though the circumstances weren't great, it felt good to see the light return to his eyes. Slowly and delicately I put my lips on his.

It was the most amazing snog I had ever had. To be honest, I had only ever snogged one boy before him, but it was a dare. But honestly, it was amazing. I had expected him to make it a sexual kiss, but it wasn't at all. It was simple, light, and honest.

"I've been waiting to do that for a long time." He said starring into my eyes, "Go, I'll see you later." I stood up walked out.

James ran into the house the second I opened the door. I looked at the dead street, tears streaming down my face. I ran up and down the street waiting, and hoping, and waiting, and hoping for someone to come out of their house. No one did. I was screaming, all alone. Desperate for help.

"Help, someone help!" I stopped in the middle of the street, hopeless and out of breath

"Help! Ow!"

I banged my head on the back of Remus seat. Oh yeah, I thought, you didn't kiss him. That's just your stupid teenage hormones going wild for him. I gasped for breath as everyone in the car stared at me. I looked around. Mother, Remus, James, Peter, and Sirius. Sirius… he was ok. He was staring at me, yes, but he was ok.

"Dylan?" James asked, he knew what happened, he was asking if I was ok instead of what happened

"Um…" was all I could say

Sirius put his hands on my shoulders and gently pulled me back into his arms, "Dylan, what happened?"

"I…uh…" a couple of tears snuck out

"Oh, come here, love." I let myself lean against him, and completely immerse myself in his warmth. It felt so good to be close to him. To be safe in his arms. "What is it?"

"Just…" I sniffled, "A bad dream."

"Aw, love. It's just a dream." I curled up against him, bringing my knees to my chest. His nose rested against the top of my head. And, in the process, his lips as well. Sirius was ok. Not only that, but he was there to protect me.