Disclaimer-As depressing as it is, I don't own Harry Potter. Sigh. If only I could have Sirius...

Thank you so much for the reviews! I love you guys!

Things finally get moving a bit between them in this chapter! Without further rambling on my part, I present Chapter 10!

Chapter 10-

"For the last time, Prongs, I'm fine," Sirius snapped, stabbing a piece of chicken.

It was quite a fierce stab actually...I don't know what is stuck up his arse today, but I'd be happy to remove it if he would stop glaring at everyone in sight, mainly me.

"It doesn't have anything to do with what we discussed last night, does it?" Remus asked cautiously.

Sirius stared at his plate before slowly lifting his head. He looked strangely calm and anxious at the same time, resulting in him slightly resembling a crazed lunatic who was about to go on a killing spree.

"No, not at all," he replied, giving his chicken another vicious stab.

"Are you sure?" Remus prodded, obviously not satisfied with his previous answer.

"Yes, Moony, I'm sure. Now, if you'll excuse me, I am quite sure that there's a girl and a broom closet that need me somewhere," Sirius said, standing up.

Oh, yes, I'm sure that girls just go and sit in broom closets by themselves all the time just waiting for Sirius to stumble across them for a good snog. Their thumbs probably have sores from all the twiddling they do while they're waiting. Sirius Black: the cause of thumb sores on girls everywhere!

He's turned around to glare at me again.

Bugger...I said that aloud, didn't I?

Judging by the intensity of his glare and the sniggers from everyone else, I think it's safe to say that I did.

"Very funny, Courtney," he said in an icy tone.

"I thought so," I replied stiffly.

He didn't say anything back to me. Instead he whipped around, grabbed a Ravenclaw girl, and stomped out of the Great Hall. Mind you, while he was scowling, she giggled and smiled on the way out. Then again, he is Sirius Black. He can do pretty much whatever he wants with a majority of the female population around here.

There was a brief silence that held over the group, all of us staring after Sirius. Well, somebody had to knock his ego down a few notches before it got out of hand...And that someone was me. I suppose he'll get over it soon enough.

"What were you talking about earlier, Moony?" James asked casually, only to be given a blank look, "You know, what you and Sirius discussed."

"Oh, er, nothing important really," he answered, shifting in his seat.

"Was it about your furry little problem?" James questioned darkly.

Remus blushed and gave a hesitant nod.

What.The.Hell.

Furry little problem? Merlin only knows what that could mean! I don't think I even want to use my imagination for this one. Even the term alarms me. Why is he blushing? Is it that personal? He should not be blushing. What is the reason for this redness?

Lily gave me a swift kick from under the table, causing a shooting pain to travel up my shin.

"OW! What was that fo-" I paused, "Oh damn, I said that aloud again, didn't I?"

Lily nodded.

Curse these awkward silences.

"I think I'm going to, er, go for a walk," I said, stumbling to get out of seat.

Pat on the back for that one, Courtney! You sure are doing a wonderful job on making yourself look like a complete and utter blundering idiot today. Although I'm sure I could improve my moron-ing technique. It might be difficult after saying my thoughts aloud though, especially those where I make a friend's problem sound dirty...it might just be dirty though.

I stopped when I exited the Great Hall. Where was I planning on going? The Slytherin common room? Note the sarcasm on that one. Class doesn't start for a while. I suppose I'll just wander the corridors, hoping that maybe someone will accidently kill me.

You have got to be kidding me.

Someone up there definitely hates me.

"Hey, Courtney," Phillip greeted happily.

Why is the urgent message 'Run! Save yourself!' flashing inside my head?

"Hi, Phillip," I said, equally as cheery.

"I haven't got to talk to you since our date," he said, grin plastered stupidly across his face.

"Er, yeah, sorry about that," I muttered.

"Don't worry about it. I had a wonderful time with you and I've been meaning to talk to you," he paused, shuffling his feet.

"Yes?" I prodded, waiting for the rest of the thought to tumble out of his mouth.

Down the corridor a bit, a closet door swung open and a blonde girl clambered out, sneaking back into the Great Hall while buttoning her blouse back up. Then Sirius swaggered out, looking quite smug with his mussed hair and lip gloss smeared across his face. I couldn't seem to take my eyes away from him.

"Well, I really like you," Phillip said, looking down at his shoes.

My attention was quickly yanked back to the boy in front of me. I felt a little irritated by him, but then again he did come to talk to me and all I did was gawk at Sirius. Seeing as I didn't have a clue about what it was he had said, I just smiled encouragingly.

"I knew you felt the same way," he said, finally meeting my gaze, "Would you be my girlfriend?"

Is it just me, or did someone drop a sack of bricks on my chest? I definitely wasn't expecting that. What am I supposed to say to that? I hardly know him, and the little bit of him I do know, I don't exactly like...at all. I swear that he is a walking uncomfortable situation.

Why is it that every time I'm in his presence, I am begging for lightning to strike me down?

At that moment when I was frantically trying to think of something to say, Sirius and I locked eyes. He had a funny look on his face. Maybe it was because he was trying to glare at me, but he was too happy after that snog. A sharp pang went through my stomach as I abruptly ripped my eyes away from his and turned back to Phillip, someone else seeming to take control of me.

"Yes," I responded, grinning at him.

Phillip beamed and gave me an awkward hug. I flinched when I heard the closet door being slammed shut. I glimpsed at Sirius as he stormed back into the Great Hall, back to his grumpy self.

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"What was I thinking?" I moaned, collapsing on Lily's bed.

"I don't think you were thinking at all," Lily answered, frowning at me because I was on top of her book.

"All he ever does is talk about quidditch," I said, mentally smacking myself.

"You'll just have to break up with him, Courtney," she sighed, shoving me off her bed.

"I can't!" I cried, "That would be horrible. I have to wait a while at least."

Yes, that's it. I'll wait a week or two and then break up with him. I will just have to play along with it for a while. Everyone would think I was horrible if I went out with him for a day and broke up with him. He is a well-liked bloke, so maybe he isn't that bad. I think I can stand a couple weeks being his girlfriend, even if I have no feelings for him at all.

"Don't lead him on!" Lily argued.

"I've made up my mind," I replied, "Well, I have a detention to attend to."

She opened her mouth to say something, but I sprinted out of the room before any sound came out. I couldn't help but feel a little proud of myself for being able to avoid her tirade.

"It's about bloody time. We've been waiting for you for five minutes," Sirius grumbled when I got to the common room.

"You're the one that got us into this detention," I retorted, sticking my tongue out.

"Actually, if I remember it right, it was you that got us into this," Remus commented, herding us out the portrait hole.

"Oh, I guess it was, wasn't it?" I said, laughing a bit.

They didn't find it remotely amusing.

The Marauders and I walked down to Binns's room, waiting for the ghost to arrive. I hopped up on one the desks and sat there happily, swinging my legs back and forth. I then noticed that all four of them were glaring at me. They're a cheery group today.

"Is there any particular reason you're all glaring at me or is it just for the hell of it?" I asked, getting angry at them and returning the glare.

They all grunted in response, kind of like cavemen, and then averted their gaze.

We waited in silence for a while until we discovered that Binns wasn't going to show up. At that moment a distinct tapping noise was heard from the window. A dark owl could be seen hovering outside with a letter. Peter scuttled over to let it in.

The owl swooped in and landed in front of me on a desk, promptly sticking its leg out. I didn't recognize the handwriting on the letter, causing a jolt of excitement to shoot through me. I discreetly glanced at Sirius who nodded at me. This was it. It had to be.

I fumbled with the letter, trying to get it off the owl's leg and get it opened. My hands shook when I finally ripped the letter open. I took a deep breath before reading it. I stood there completely dumbfounded and stared at the elegant handwriting afterwards, subconciously playing the words over in my mind.

Courtney,

Lucius has informed me that you wish us to meet. I have been waiting for years to hear from you. I expect that the winter holidays would be a good time for you to come to my home. If you are able to make it, please inform Lucius as he will be your escort. I do hope to see you soon.

Sincerely,

your father

"He wasn't lying," I muttered.

I read the letter over again and let a smile come across my face. My chest bubbled in content and my head buzzed with excitement. I was finally going to meet him. I was really going to meet my father. I felt my breathing coming in short, quick gasps. I was really having trouble containing my excitement.

"He wasn't lying!" I cried, launching myself at Sirius and forgetting any previous anger.

I literally leapt into him, throwing my arms around him and hugging him close. I pulled back a bit so I could jump around happily. Sirius and I grinned at each other, before I broke out into uncontrollable laughter. It seems that it was infectious because he started laughing too. He swooped me up and twirled me around. As soon as he put me down, I hugged him again.

It all seemed like it was out of a fairy tale...at least for me. It was a dream come true.

"I guess he wasn't," Sirius murmured.

I don't think I've ever been this excited in my life. I would finally get to meet him.

"I have to find Lucius!" I chirped, untangling myself from Sirius.

I ran towards the door, throwing it open, and clutching my letter. I was about to bolt out, but instead found myself plowing into someone. We crashed on to the floor in a heap. I groaned and lifted myself up as I heard the footsteps of the Marauders coming to investigate the noise.

"Phillip, what are you doing here?" I asked.

"I knew you had detention tonight and I was waiting for you," he answered, pulling me to my feet with his ever-present smile.

Even the painful throb in my side and the appearance of Phillip wasn't enough to damper my mood. In fact, I was almost happy to see him. I don't know what posessed me to do it, but I kissed Phillip right there on the spot. Although it startled him, it didn't take him very long to respond. His hands snaked down to my waist, pulling me closer to him. I deepened the kiss and backed him to the wall.

"Don't you have the decency to find a broom closet?" Sirius bellowed.

I pulled my lips away from Phillip's and stared at Sirius. He was glaring at me...again. Remus shook his head at me before walking away with James and Peter. They seemed upset with me and it made my stomach squirm.

OK, so maybe this was enough to knock my happy mood down a few notches.

"I have to find Lucius," I choked out, setting off to the dungeons.

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Sirius's POV

I watched Courtney's retreating back, before turning back to her boyfriend. The stupid git was standing there with a goofy grin on his face, still staring down the corridor she disappeared down. I vaguely remembered him as the bloke she went to Hogsmeade with a while back.

"She's great, isn't she?" he asked happily.

My lip curled in contempt.

"If you like dragons," I replied coldly.

"Sorry, didn't hear you," Phillip said, staring down the corridor once again.

I snorted before turning on my heel and leaving. I could feel my strides growing longer and my teeth grinding. I felt like I had no control over myself. By the time I got to the common room, I was running.

I don't know how much longer I can blame the stomach bug...

---------------

Just go to bed.

No, she needs someone to talk to about this.

Who cares about her? Since when were we such good friends anyway?

Things change and so have you.

Then why am I so mad at her?

You're jealous.

Jealous? Ha! That's a laugh. Why would I be jealous?

Because you fancy the pants off her.

Do not.

Liar.

I am not a liar! Just because we told each other a few secrets and have been civil with each other doesn't mean I fancy her now.

Who said you just started liking her?

And what's that supposed to mean?

You know what it means.

No, I don't. I really don't know what you're hinting to. Besides, this isn't about whether or not I have bloody feelings for Courtney (which I don't), it's about waiting here for her.

I didn't start this. You did.

Bugger off. I don't need a conscience anyway. I hear they're highly over-rated.

You're just pissed off because you know I'm right.

Go to hell.

---------------

"Sirius," she whispered, prodding me with a finger, "Sirius, wake up."

"Go away," I grumbled, rolling over on the floor.

"Everyone left the common room and I want to talk to you," Courtney whined, gripping my forearm.

I ran a hand over my face and looked at her. Her cheeks were flushed and her hair was a mess. Even now, she made my breath catch. She never even tries, but she still looks perfect. I snorted at my own corny thoughts, knowing that they were true all the same.

"What are you snorting at?" she asked, poking my rib.

"Nothing," I mumbled, sitting myself up.

"Here," she said, thrusting the letter into my hands, "Read it."

My eyes zipped over the words, pausing at the end.

"Didn't he give you his name?" I questioned, looking up at her.

"No," she replied thoughtfully, beginning to frown, "He didn't. I wonder why...Oh Merlin, do you think there's a reason? What if he doesn't really want to meet me?"

"I'm sure he just wanted to sound normal by signing it like that," I soothed.

"I suppose so," she sighed, staring at the dying fire.

She bit her lip and turned to face me. I found my eyes locked on her lips. They looked soft and almost ruby in color. My gaze darted up to her eyes. She looked amused, almost like she could read my thoughts and knew that I wanted nothing more than to kiss her. The temptation was strong and I really had no desire to resist it.

I started to lean in, inwardly grinning when I noticed her eyes linger on my own lips. Our lips were close, one of us just waiting for the other to make the final move. I wasn't about to let it get awkward, so I closed the gap, bringing my lips down on hers. My lips tingled and I wrapped my arm around her waist, slowly bringing her closer to me. I was startled when she deepened the kiss and threw her arms around my neck, letting out the softest and quietest of moans.

A pleasant tingle traveled up and down my spine and through every part of me that she touched. Just as I tried to slip my tongue into her mouth, she pulled away like someone had shocked her. We were both breathing somewhat heavily and I couldn't supress my grin. I leaned my forehead against her's and playfully nipped at her lip.

"Sirius," she murmured, "Don't. No. we can't do this."

"And why not?" I asked, trying to get her to look me in the eye.

"Why not?" she hissed, meeting my gaze, "I have a boyfriend! That's why!"

"A boyfriend you don't even like," I muttered bitterly.

She let her arms drop from my neck and snapped, "Who are you to decide whether I like him or not?"

"If you really like him that much, then why did you kiss me?" I questioned quietly.

"Sirius," she started impatiently.

"What?" I cut her off, "What, Courtney? I suppose you plan on walking away and pretending like this never happened then."

I let out a bark of hollow laughter that stopped short when I saw her face. Her eyes were glazed over with tears that refused to fall and her jaw was clenched. My stomach dropped when she roughly pushed my arms from around her waist and stood up.

"That's exactly what I plan to do," she whispered.

She marched off towards her dormitory, leaving me to stare after her once again. I groaned and fell backwards, looking at the ceiling when my conscience appeared again.

You should have kept your tongue in your own mouth.

I can't say I'm going to argue with that one.

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A/N-It was shorter than I planned, but I thought that little comment was a good place to leave off. I know that all summer I've been horrible with updating, but come on! It's summer! I also know that a lot of people have asked me to update my other stories. I'm sorry to tell you but they won't get updated for a loooong time. They probably won't get updated until I finish this, which is quite a while. Haha, I didn't plan for anything to happen between them for a few more chapters but nothing ever really goes according to plan, now does it? And you may be wondering what Courtney was feeling through all of this, well, you shall find out in the next chapter! I'm planning on getting another chapter up this week, but we all know how that goes. Please review! I'm handing out cookies this time around!