'Ello! Yes...I'm sure it was unexpected...I tried to get him not to, but we all know Sirius...he's a little hard-headed...but Kalina loves him anyway...

This chapter should cause questions galore! YAY! Please?

I'll clarify more at the bottom...but thischapter is very fun...

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The Marauders, excluding Peter who was still in the hospital wing, had decided that they would go to the party. They had found out that James' parents had also been invited. Apparently the party was actually a Ministry ball, their annual Christmas ball, and that this year it had been sponsored by the Black family. Sirius had made the final call on the situation, saying "If anything, it'll be worth going for the look on her face when we come in."

The party was on Christmas Eve, and Sirius added that "All I want for Christmas is to see the look of utter repulsion she will have on that sallow, greasy face of hers when I show up."

So then, after the final decision had been made, James and Remus decided to get their dates; Sirius had already asked Kalina. Remus asked the pretty girl he had been dancing with at the Halloween feast, one of Kalina and Lilly's friends, her name was Mel.

James had, of course, asked Lilly. And to everyone's shock (and horror) she said yes. James' jaw had dropped to the ground, and then had gone over and started babbling mindlessly at Remus and Sirius while Lilly's face turned the same shade of red as her hair.

Two days before break began, James jumped up with a "whoop" of glee. It was breakfast, and the post had just arrived.

Sirius fell off of the bench when James jumped up. "What the bloody 'ell?" Sirius yelped.

James was whooping and jumping and dancing around with a letter in his hand. "SHE SAID YES! SHE SAID YES!"

Lilly managed to grab the letter out of the bouncing James' hand and she, Kalina, Mel, Remus and Sirius all gathered around. Kalina read it out loud to her friends.

"Dear James,

I am fine, as is your father. I am glad that the beautiful young lady that you have been describing to me has said yes to your invitation. I can't wait to meet Lilly

To get to your main point in the last letter you sent me, I have spoken to your father. We have owled your friends' parents, save Sirius, and they have given their permission for it. So, yes, you and the rest of your friends, and that includes the ladies, may come and stay with us over the holidays.

Love you lots! I can't wait to see you!

Love,

Mum

P.S. Sirius' love seems to be very nice. He best be careful, Peter seems to be a bit smitten with her."

The rest of the group jumped up dancing and whooping with James. Sirius was absolutely ecstatic about not having to spend a bunch of time with his mother; and his ecstasy was enhanced when Kalina hugged him and gave him a light kiss on the cheek.

They flooed to the Potter's house right after classes had ended. James' mother had hugged each one of them and made them all feel right at home. She made the boys carry all the trunks upstairs despite protests from the girls that they could handle them. The house was a-buzz with activity, and got even more active when James' father got home. The boys and Mr. Potter all left the room while the girls helped Mrs. Potter get dinner ready.

After dinner, they all relaxed in the living room with a roaring fire. Mrs. Potter brought out brownies and glasses of milk.

Mrs. Potter was chatting with the girls, "We should go to Diagon Alley tomorrow, and buy some lovely dress robes for the ball."

Sirius was going to wear black robes, James was wearing dark silver robes, and Remus was wearing very deep purple robes. Mrs. Potter had made sure that the boys had the robes that they needed, but had thought that the girls and she would have a good time shopping for the robes. As much as Kalina hated to go shopping and do things overly girly, she found herself really enjoying herself as they ate lunch, and wandered around Diagon Alley, and finally when they got into Madame Malkins' as they tried on different robes.

They each found robes that they liked, and then watched as they each one-by-one tried them on. Mel went first. Her first choice looked absolutely amazing on her. Lilly went next, trying on about five different sets of dress robes before finding the perfect ones. Mrs. Potter even tried on a few different sets of dress robes, and then found one that accented her perfectly. Kalina went last; she tried on a bunch of dress robes, not able to find anything. She went back in to try on the last one; she put it on, and laced it up. She walked out, and Lilly and Mel gasped. Mrs. Potter clapped.

"Oh my God! Sirius is going to pass-out when he sees you in that!" Mel exclaimed.

When they got back from Diagon Alley, they were bombarded with snowballs. Mr. Potter and the boys had built forts in the snow, and had decided to have a huge snowball fight. It just so happened that the people they had wanted to have the fight with had just returned. They began to throw the snowballs at the girls the second they walked in the gate.

Mr. and Mrs. Potter ran inside with the bags, and Kalina picked up some snow. She nailed James in the back of the head and the battle was on. Snowballs flew across the yard. Eventually it became a war against James. Lilly crawled over to James' fort and helped him while Sirius, Remus, Kalina and Mel bombarded them from the girls' fort. They came in after a couple hours, their faces bright red and their hair full of snow.

They all changed into their p.j.s, and came back down into the family room. Mel was braiding Kalina's hair. Lilly was sitting on the floor painting her toenails the same color as her robes. A pillow flew out of the shadows as Mel finished Kalina's hair and Lilly was painting her nails. It hit Kalina in the head, and the bark-like laugh that followed it told her exactly who threw it.

She jumped up and ran at Sirius, then changed her mind, grabbed a pillow and chucked it back at him. She ducked as the next pillow came flying at her, it hit Mel in the head. James got a pillow to the face from Lilly, and another all out war began. Mr. and Mrs. Potter came running and arrived just in time to see pillows burst and feathers fly.

"Okay you trouble-makers," she said, and the Marauders looked up, "bed! Now!"

They went up to their bedrooms, the boys shared a room and the girls shared a room, the doors on the girls' room could not be opened by the boys and vice versa. Anyone who tried, would have been given a nasty shock.

Sirius lay awake long after Remus and James went to sleep. He had too much on his mind and would never be able to sleep; he got up and decided to go out. He opened the door, and saw Kalina, leaning up against the door, almost waiting for him.

"Hey Clips," he said softly, "Whatcha doing up so late?"

"I couldn't sleep. So, I thought I might go for a run." she whispered.

He looked at what she was wearing, a flannel pair of p.j. bottoms, and a black v-neck t-shirt. "In that?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

She rolled her eyes, "Sirius. I meant in my…"

"Oh! Okay!" he said finally getting it, "I can't sleep either." he added, hoping he might get invited.

"You wanna come?" she asked.

Sirius nodded, his eyes were imprinting her face in his memory. He suddenly stepped forward, reached up and ran his thumb along the scar under her eye.

"When did you get that?" he asked, stepping a little closer.

She smiled at him, biting her lower lip, "On the night of the cognatus vinculum." she said, slipping from his gaze and touch, "Let's go."

She wrote a quick note out, letting anyone who missed them now where they were. They walked out away from the house and then transformed.

They ran into the forest, racing each other. She was winning the race; and then, Sirius pounced. They rolled over in the snow as her momentum decreased. Kalina got up and went to look at the stars. Both dogs were panting, it was a crisp, clear night and every star was out. Sirius started walking towards a clearing, his paw prints making the only marks in the new fallen snow. Kalina's paw print went right in the same spot, she looked down to her paw, and saw her paw print, a little smaller, right in his. They were bound together.

She ran up to him, bowled him over, and then they ran again; matching each other stride for stride. They ran back to the Potter's.

On the 24th, they relaxed all day. Awhile after lunch, the girls went to change; the boys went to change a bit after that.

When the boys came back down, they met Mr. Potter, who was also in his dress robes. Mrs. Potter came down a bit later, and said, "The girls will be down in a minute. I am insisting that they come down one-by-one, they are all so beautiful!"

Mel came down first, her hair was done beautifully. It was pulled up, and a few curls hung around her neck. Her robe was beautiful; she had chosen dress robes that were deep scarlet, and the inner lining, which showed a bit, was a copper colored silk. All Remus could manage to say was "Wow."

Lilly came down next, her dark green robes accenting every feature of her figure. Her red hair was completely curly. Her face was beautiful, sparkles all over her face and arms. James just gaped. When he finally spoke his voice cracked a little, and he managed to say, "You look beautiful."

Kalina came down last. Her hair was pulled up in a bun, with braids in her hair, and curls. A small braid came down by her face. Her eyes were a midnight blue and her robes an even deeper blue. It had a bodice with black leather cording. Just as Mel had predicted, as Kalina bit her lower lip, Sirius passed out.

Once they revived Sirius, they took the Knight Bus to the ball. They entered the hall to find it stunningly decorated. There was music coming from an un-known source. The chamber seemed un-ending. It was lit by small torches and chandeliers. There were many pillars in the hall and had the most luxurious silk banners in between them. There were large banquet tables around the sides of the main hall. When they entered, they were escorted to their seats at the table.

"Bloody 'ell!" Sirius yelped as they were seated.

His mother had done them all the displeasure of seating them all right next to herself, Sirius' father, and Sirius' brother. Then she had also strategically placed Lucius, Bellatrix, and Narcissa on the other end of Sirius' friends just to be a nuisance.

Everyone came and sat down. No one exchanged a word; and then the Minister stood up. "Welcome to our annual Christmas Ball. Our wonderful sponsors this year are the Black family. Their entire family has joined us this evening, please stand if you would." he paused for the Black family to stand up. Sirius stayed sitting, despite glares from his parents and cousins. "Thank you…"

The Minister continued on for a few more minutes and then the food for dinner appeared. Sirius scanned the room, as he always did when he was around his parents or any other member and spotted a blond figure next to his brother. Regulus was sitting right next to Peter Pettigrew. Sirius tensed, and Kalina cocked her head at him. "What's up?"

"Peter is here; snuggling up with my brother no less." Sirius spat.

The food was fabulous, but Sirius checked his for poison first. After dinner, the banquet tables were exchanged for small, cozier tables, and dance music was put on. Kalina made sure she kept close to Sirius. Remus and Mel, James and Lilly, all stuck close to the two of them as well.

Sirius and Kalina marauded around; Sirius glaring at a still slightly black and blue Peter, who was buddying up to his brother. Other things were off too. Lucius, Regulus and Peter were all chatting with Mr. Black.

Mrs. Black wasted no time in coming over to taunt her son. "Ah…Sirius. You blood-traitor. Shaming my flesh with every breath you take. And your little wench. Lucius has told me all about her. Kalina Daniels?" she put her hand out.

"Indeed." she grabbed Mrs. Black's hand, and squeezed it very title, causing her to wince, "A pleasure to meet you."

"Ahem…Yes, I suppose it is. I hear you are pure-blood?"

"Yes, and my family works with muggles and other wizards."

"Ah, of course. Why wouldn't a blood traitor go for another."

Sirius cut in at this point, "Do you have a point to make?"

"Yes, filth, I do," she looked around cautiously, she had made sure to corner Sirius and Kalina, she raised her wand, "Crucio!" she hissed.

Sirius sunk to his knees, trying not to scream out in pain. The loathing his mother had for him only intensified the cruelty of the spell. Kalina whipped out her wand, but Mrs. Black already had her wand to her neck. "Darling. Don't waste your breath. One false move and my suffering son can watch his wench die without a breath." she said, venom dripping from every word.

She looked at her son, knowing full well that only the wand that placed the curse on the person could remove it. She finally waved her wand and lifted the spell, walking away, chatting amiably with any person she came in contact with.

Kalina dropped to her knees and lifted his face, "Sirius. Look at me." he looked at her as she spoke to him. His eyes were filled with pain.

For 20 minutes they sat there. Eventually, although still wincing, Sirius just got angry. "I'm going to kill her that bloody witch. I am going to rip her throat out, with her dinner fork, and then force feed it to my brother. Then, I will…"

"Sirius! Calm down, she'll get hers." Kalina said.

James and Remus came over, looking concerned. They had lost sight of Sirius and Kalina, and had just found them again. The boys started teasing each other. Kalina cocked her head at Sirius. She seemed to be asking why he didn't tell them about his mother. He just shook his head in response. It wasn't something he wouldn't tell them.

"This party is really exciting." Remus said, rolling his eyes. No one was dancing, they were all standing along the walls, chatting, nervously glancing at the dance floor.

Sirius got a mischievous look in his eye, and he stood up, motioning with his head towards the dance floor. Kalina followed him. He took her hands in his, the song changed, "Illo nullus promitto." he said.

The song changed again, and the words he said filled the hall. They started to dance.

I can't believe this moment's come…

She looked into his eyes.

It's so incredible that we're alone…There's so much to be said and done..It's impossible not to be overcome…

He smiled back at her.

Will you forgive me if I feel this way..Cuz we've just met-tell me that's O.K….So take this feeling 'n make it grow…

Kalina's stomach was doing flip-flops.

Never let it-never let it go (Don't let go of the things you believe in)…You give me something I can believe in (Don't let go of this moment in time)..Go of this moment in time (Don't let go of things that you're feeling)…

Sirius couldn't believe how much her eyes were telling him

I can't explain the things that I'm feeling (Don't let go)…No I won't let go…

She slid her hand behind his neck.

Now would you mind if I bared my soul…If I came right out and said you're beautiful…Cuz there's something here I can't explain…

He slid his hands around her waist.

I feel I'm diving into driving rain…Get my senses running wild…I can't resist your sweet, sweet smile…

He pulled her closer.

So take this feeling 'n make it grow…Never let it- never let it go...(Don't let go of the things you believe in)…(Don't let go of this moment in time) Go of this moment in time…(Don't let go of things that you're feeling) I can't explain what I'm feeling…(Don't let go) No I won't let go…

She was biting her lower lip.

I've been waiting all my life…To make this moment feel so right…The feel of you just fills the night…So c'mon-just hold on tight…... (Don't let go of the things you believe in)…(Don't let go of this moment in time) Go of this moment in time…(Don't let go of things that you're feeling) I can't explain what I'm feeling…(Don't let go) No I won't let go…

And he kissed her.

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Song is sung by Bryan Adams and Sarah McLachlan...the Soundtrack for Spirt: Stallion of the Cimarron

I absolutely love the song...I listened to it as I put it in here...sigh...

"Hi...I'm Maraudress...

(group) Hi Maraudress!

and I'm...a hopless romantic

(group) Gasp!"

hehe...I am sure I'll get plenty of questions...hopefully I'll learn how to respond to the questions soon...:-D...so ask away please!

I just realized I said that I'll clarify at the bottom...but I'm not sure what I meant...I wrote it about 20 minutes ago...soooo...If I remember...I'll edit this...if not...oh well.