Chapter Seven – The Kiss

Harvey liked to think he understood people quite well. When the Sorting Hat had been placed on his head, it had uttered a single sentence in his ear. "You see everything" and then it had shouted Hufflepuff and been whipped from his head. He didn't have many close friends in his house because people struggled to get to know him; he preferred to listen than to talk. After years of watching his siblings, he could sum up each of them in one word. Leah was determined, Belle was realistic, and Warren was unsure. Especially when it came to his only brother, Harvey could tell that Warren had never been certain of where he belonged. He made more mistakes than all of them, was brash, sneaky and easily provoked. However, Harvey had never thought of Warren as evil. Knowing this, he couldn't bring himself to be as angry at Warren for being involved in Belle's injury as his sisters were.

Warren and Harvey had two lessons together straight after each other on a Thursday, Transfiguration and then Herbology. During Professor McGonagall's class Warren had made a point of ignoring him, talking with his Slytherin friends and laughing at whatever jokes they made. In Herbology, Warren had sat alone at the back, doodling in his textbook. Malfoy and Avery hadn't managed to obtain a high grade so had to drop the class.

After an hour of watching his brother mope around, Harvey's patience had ran out and he decided the silence had to end. "Read chapter seven and eight for homework! And bring your dragon hide gloves with you, you'll need them." Professor Sprout beamed, she was a young teacher but made up for it in sheer enthusiasm. Harvey turned but Warren had already left, his robes catching on the door on the way out.

Grabbing his book, Harvey ran after him, "Wait," he called.

"Leave me alone, Harvey," Warren warned, but he slowed down nonetheless. Harvey fell into step with him, as they walked across the grounds towards the castle. Neither spoke for a while, now Harvey had his chance he wasn't sure what it was he wanted to say to his brother.

"How's Belle?" Warren asked roughly, refusing to look up.

"She's fine, her wounds are healed." Warren nodded, his strides were long and Harvey had to pick up the pace to match him. "Has she spoken to you?"

"You know she hasn't, none of them will."

"Surely you understand why, that creature took four teachers to restrain. It could have killed her."

Warren halted sharply and glowered at him. "Look, if you've come to lecture me you can save your breath. I've told you I didn't know what they were setting loose on her, if I had I've have stopped them. Not that any of you believe me."

"I believe you," Warren scoffed and Harvey sucked his tongue to the roof of his mouth, trying not to snap.

"I get why you're trying to talk to me, but the bridges have been burned. I knew coming to his place would change us, and I was right."

"It doesn't have to-"

"It's too late Harvey. I know the Slytherins can be nobs but I fit in better there than I do anywhere else. They don't pester me, they let me be pissed off about stuff, and we have the same sense of humour. You may not like it, but that's your problem, not mine."

Harvey relented and glanced at the students who passed them. He could see Hagrid down by his hut with Professor Kettleburn, she was wagging her finger at him. After watching them for a while, he spoke, "Alright, if you want to be left alone, that's fine. We don't hate you though." Warren raised an eyebrow, "I don't hate you anyway." Warren chuckled and Harvey joined him, enjoying the rare moment where they understood one another.

"I'd better go," Warren said once his smile had fallen away.

"Me too, but remember you can always find me if you need anything. We're still brothers."

"Yeah I know, not much I can do about that." He smirked playfully before nodding once and walking away.


Lily, Belle and Remus exited the Study of Ancient Runes classroom together, all sharing wide grins. "Didn't you find that fascinating?" Belle asked, hugging her textbook to her chest.

"Yes, I knew it would be good. I have no idea why the others aren't taking it." Lily agreed, the statement caused Remus to chuckle.

"Really? You have no idea? Can you imagine Sirius and James discussing Egyptian Hieroglyphics?" Lily smiled and shook her head.

"I suppose not," she rolled her eyes suddenly, "Merlin, I was supposed to be meeting James at the Quidditch pitch. He's had practice this afternoon."

"What for?"

Lily didn't meet their curious looks. "He's struggling in Transfiguration, I said I'd help him study."

"I could have helped," Remus insisted, taken aback by the snub. Belle elbowed him in the ribs and widened her eyes, hoping to get the message across. "What? Oh right, yeah its fine. I hate tutoring him anyway."

Lily gave a hasty goodbye before darting off to the Entrance Hall, "Smooth Remus," Belle mocked and he offered her a lopsided grin.

They hadn't been alone since the attack and Belle couldn't help but reminisce about the moments before her hospital visit. She had felt that something was developing between them, they were so alike and from the moment they met it was easy. However, Remus had shown no signs of sharing her feelings and the prospect of anything more was beginning to feel ridiculous.

Remus watched her from the corner of his eye as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. For the past few days, all he could think about was her screaming from the Manticore attack and he'd struggled not to let slip how close to her he'd been. Coughing lightly, he captured her attention. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for the attack," she frowned in confusion.

"It isn't your fault."

"I know, but when they…told me about it I felt awful. You would have needed people who care about you around and I wasn't there. I like to consider myself a friend."

"Definitely, but to be honest I wouldn't have wanted you to see it." Remus slowed their pace until they were alone, watching students walk in front of them.

"Why not?"

"It was really bad," she admitted, scraping her teeth on her bottom lip until it puckered red. "I didn't handle it very well, and there was so much blood…" She gulped and closed her eyes momentarily. "Afterwards, I imagined how I would have felt if I'd had to watch it happen to you. I don't think I could have handled it. Seeing someone I care about in that much pain."

His hand caught her elbow and she stopped, the echo of their footsteps dying out. Even once she was looking at him, he didn't move his grip. Rather than continue discussing her injuries, Remus changed the subject. "There is a trip planned this weekend."

"For Hogsmeade?"

"Yes, I-I thought you might want to go with me."

Belle was very intelligent, and thought she knew what he meant but didn't dare assume and be embarrassed. "Aren't we all going?"

Remus flinched and his index finger slipped to her elbow. "I meant, just me. We could get some food or something?"

In Remus' time at Hogwarts, he had never asked a girl on a date, even on the rare occasion they had a Christmas ball. The task made his stomach swim and the back of his neck break out in sweat. Realising his hold on her was tightening he released her, but she stepped closer to him. A faint smile peeped on her lips, "I'd love to," she decided. A surge of courage and adrenaline took over and she pushed up on her toes to plant a delicate kiss on his cheek. They both glowed red and Belle bit her lip, as she always did in uncomfortable situations. Feeling giddy, she giggled and he rested a hand at the base of her spine before leading her back to her common room.


Sirius slumped on a chair in the Gryffindor common room, hands sprawled out on the arm rests. With Lily and Remus in The Study of Ancient Runes class, and Peter talking to Professor Slughorn about dropping Potions, Sirius and Leah had been alone for the past fifteen minutes and had barely spoken. Leah twirled her wand between her fingers and stared at the fireplace, on a whim she glanced at him and they made eye contact.

"I used to wonder why we never spent any time alone together, and now I know." Sirius said through a smirk. Leah grinned at him and dropped her wand back into her pocket.

"We must be able to talk about something. We're with each other all day."

"Yeah, but we don't talk. I make sarcastic comments, and you yell at me, it's a routine I've been happy with."

"I'm not sure everyone else would agree with you, I think we annoy them," Leah pointed out. Sirius hauled himself upright and tried to find something to say.

"Where are your parents?"

Leah raised her eyebrows and considered snapping at him, nobody spoke about their situation, not even the siblings. However, since arriving at Hogwarts, the question had crossed her mind on several occasions. "I don't know," she answered. "Aunt Maggie didn't tell us much about how she came to adopt us."

Sirius listened politely, and even when she paused expecting a jibe he waited for her to continue. "We know that we were found, but not where. Someone Aunt Maggie knew told her about us, and she insisted on taking us in because she didn't have children of her own." Leah's voice softened, she couldn't miss what she'd never had, but a part of her yearned to know who she was. "At that point, nobody knew we were witches and wizards. When we found out Warren asked if that meant our parents were but Aunt Maggie snapped at him and said she had no idea, I think it upset her to be reminded we weren't really hers. We never asked her anything about it again."

"At least if you don't know them, you can't be disappointed," Sirius responded, no hint of mockery in his voice.

"Do you hate all of your family?"

Sirius frowned, and rubbed his jaw. "I think what I hate, is that they hate me." Leah nodded, not wanting to break the truce between them. "Believe it or not, Regulus and I used to be close, but when I was sorted…He was furious. Our cousin Bellatrix sent him this long letter about how I was a traitor to the Black line. She's a complete nutter, she's ran off with You-Know-Who now to help butcher people. After he read it, he decided it was better for us to ignore one another, in case the family turned on him too."

"Regulus doesn't seem to be that bad; it's Malfoy and Avery I can't stand."

"Yeah, they're complete slime balls."

Lily burst into the common room and quick as a flash, the moment ended and Sirius fell back into the cushion. James followed Lily grinning widely. Lily was as red as her hair, and her lips were caught between a furious scowl and a smile. "Come on Lil, don't be mad."

"James Potter if you don't shut up this minute, I'll hex you."

Sirius and Leah exchanged confused glances. "What's going on?" Leah asked, Lily turned to her and puffed out her chest as though she was ready to burst. She didn't say anything, but glared as James took a step closer to her.

Remus waltzed in, as jolly as James and stopped when he saw how separated the four were from one another. "Who's arguing this time?" He asked, but his smile remained intact.

"They are," Sirius answered, gesturing towards the quiet couple.

"We aren't arguing, we're having a lovers tiff." James added, and chuckled when Lily slapped his arm, a hiss escaping through her teeth.

"Will someone please explain what is going on?" Leah asked, struggling to keep a straight face as Lily folded her arms and sucked her teeth.

The redhead looked at James warningly, and even Sirius could tell she was telling him to keep his mouth shut. James sagged, giving into her silent demand until she looked back at Leah.

"She's pissed off because I kissed her," he announced, rushed and loudly.

"Potter!" Lily squealed as Sirius broke into laughter and Remus grinned. Leah kicked Sirius but he was gripping his stomach as swells of laughter rolled over him. Lily huffed and ran up to her room, they heard her door slam. Sirius quietened down, and James winced.

"Maybe I shouldn't have done that," he admitted.

"You think?" Leah sighed, standing to follow her friend upstairs. "For smart boys, you can all be really stupid sometimes." She added before heading to their room.

James fell onto the sofa and rested his forehead on his fingertips, his happiness replaced with concern. "She's mad at me."

"I hadn't noticed," Sirius replied as Remus took a seat, his mood remaining positive. "I'm surprised you had the balls to do it, it's been what…five years of stalking her?"

"Six, he was obsessed with her in first year but we hadn't figured out why." Remus pointed out and Sirius grinned.

"You two suck." James smirked and rubbed his knees thoughtfully. "It was worth it though, we were at the Quidditch pitch and I just…did it. I was sick of stopping myself, and after what happened to Belle, I figured there's no point waiting because you don't know what's going to happen with the war."

"That's deep mate," Sirius cut in and was awarded a scowl from his friend.

"But," James continued, a smile spreading across his face, "she's really annoyed because she kissed me back."

"You have got to be kidding? Little miss tight ass let loose? I don't believe it!" Sirius chuckled and James shot him a warning look. "Sorry, it slipped out." James shook his head but couldn't keep the grin from his face.


"Oh Merlin I'm such an idiot." Lily raged, slamming her fist into her pillow as Leah perched on the bed.

"You aren't, it's okay to like him." Leah comforted but Lily cringed at her words. Thankfully, their two roommates were out so they had some privacy.

"You don't understand, I don't like James Potter! He's cocky and immature, and has followed me around for years." Lily sighed and rested her head on the back board of her bed. "But then, he's sweet and protective, and I know he really cares about me. When he did it, it felt so nice."

"Why are you upset then?"

Lily buried her face in her hands. "Because now I've lost control of the situation, and he thinks I fancy him now."

"Do you?" Leah asked, unsure what Lily was trying to say.

"I don't know. That's the point! I've stepped over the line. I may as well have ran into the forbidden forest and tried my luck with the centaurs." Leah stifled a giggle and Lily smiled pathetically at her. "Now, when I reject his advances I'll look cruel, and he'll be able to point out that I kissed him back so I must feel something. Why did I give in? I liked having control, and I've handed it all over to him."

Leah listened to her rant, knowing full well what the conclusion to their story was going to be. James and Lily were like salt and pepper; much better together than apart. She'd noticed something similar growing between Remus and Belle, but couldn't be sure what it was yet. Of course, Leah wouldn't tell Lily any of this, she needed to reach the decision on her own.

"You don't have to see him again today, sleep on it and talk to him tomorrow." Lily cringed again, the thought made her want to never leave her room. "If it helps, Sirius will always be there to annoy you, even if James stops." Lily laughed and dragged hair from out of her face.

"What did I do before I met you?"

"Stressed out alone?" Lily nodded and looked at the floor, knowing James was sitting beneath her. When she rubbed her lips together, they were soft and tasted sweet from his kiss. Just thinking about it made a warm glow spread in her chest, already part of her wanted to do it again, and it had only been a few minutes. She was doomed.