Disclaimer: I don't own anything aside from the OC. Well, you know the rest!
A/N: I apologize for the inconsistency of chapter lengths. I hope that those who are continuing to read are enjoying the story so far. Reviews welcomed and appreciated!
Lou couldn't fall asleep that night. She had replayed the kiss over and over in her mind, working out different scenarios with each turn.
Maybe he's just into holiday traditions...
Or he likes me.
No, because that would be crazy.
Do I like him?
No, because that would be equally crazy!
Did it even happen?
Lou squealed face down into her pillow, only to receive a "shhh" from her roommate, Amelia.
As soon as it was socially acceptable to wake up, Lou hopped from her bed to see a small pile of presents on the floor beside her.
"Good morning," Amelia muttered sleepily.
"Morning," Lou grinned back.
"You sure are chipper today."
"It is Christmas after all," Lou said grabbing a gift, and tossing it to her.
The two laughed, enjoying the quiet of the dorm without the haggle of the other Ravenclaw girls. A neat pile of wrapping paper had collected in the middle of the floor as the girls enjoyed the chocolate liqueurs that Amelia's mother had made.
There was a gentle tapping on the window, and the two looked up to see a beautiful tawny owl hovering, with a small package wrapped with twine.
Amelia rushed to open the window, lying down a few buttered crackers on her nightstand. Taking the package from the owl's talons, she gently tossed the parcel to Lou.
"It's for you. Damon, I think."
Lou hurriedly opened the note first to see if it was indeed Damon.
Merry Christmas, Squirt.
All is well here. Ms. Hart says "hello" back, and that she misses you dearly. I feel awful for not spending the holiday with you, but I was able to take care of a lot of things for Ms. Hart and Marty. The house is completely paid off and we were finally able to sell that old cabinet. There are a few repairs that I will need to help Marty complete, but I will try to get back in time for New Year. Stay out of trouble, kiddo.
Lou smiled, and turned to open the small parcel. In it was a ghastly pink and gold book of potions.
"Amorous Concoctions by Daisy Donoghue? Seriously? It's like he doesn't even know me at all!"
Amelia giggled next to her, "He's egging you on. I think it sounds fascinating!"
"I think the liqueurs have gone straight to your head," Lou laughed tossing the book into her trunk.
It was just before noon when Lou convinced herself to make her way to the One Eyed Witch. She may have gone into a little more care than necessary to make sure her hair was brushed to a particular sheen, and more thought was given when going through her wardrobe.
"I am being silly," she thought to herself, but then saw Sirius walking over to her. He was grinning with a mischievous glint in his eye.
Her heart did a flip in her chest.
"Are you ready for our adventure, Draper?"
Breathe.
"Yes," she blushed.
"Good."
Sirius grabbed Lou's arm gently and placed her back against the wall. He followed suit, but placed himself between Lou and the statue.
"It's very important that you don't freak out. I need you to do as I say - if not we will probably be spending our time together in McGonagall's office, got it?" he said with a wink.
Lou nodded weakly.
"Now pretend to be talking to me," he said staring at a folded piece of parchment in his hand.
"Pretend? I am not exactly sure what to say," Lou stumbled across her words.
"Yeah, that's perfect," he muttered, keeping his eyes to the parchment, then occasionally glancing at the hall. "OK, it's time!"
Everything happened rather quickly and all at once. Sirius withdrew his wand from his pocket and tapped the witch's hump, "Dissendium."
Lou watched in alarm as the statue's hump began to reveal a slide leading down to a dark passageway.
"OK, Draper - slide down," he grinned at Lou.
"Wha- what?"
"Now!" he exclaimed, gently pushing her towards the slide.
Closing her eyes, Lou held her breath as she slid down to the unknown. Sirius followed shortly after, landing on the cold floor with a humph.
"Wicked," she heard him say. "You alright?"
"Other than being utterly confused and not able to see, I would say peachy," Lou responded sarcastically.
"Hold on a moment. Lumos."
It took a moment for her eyes to adjust, but she was able to make out Sirius standing in front of her.
"Adventure starts now. Come on, Draper," he said excitedly, walking down the dark tunnel.
Speeding up her walk, she turned to Sirius, "How did you know to do that?"
Grinning, he said, "That my friend is a secret. The important part is where we are going."
"And where is that?"
"No clue. That's why it's an adventure."
Giving into the sanity of it all, Lou walked onward, curious as to what they would find.
"Are you having a nice Christmas?"
"It's been fine. No huge complaints," she grinned up at him. "Yourself?"
"It's just gotten a little better," he smiled in return. "So tell me, why didn't you go home with Jenkins?"
A flash of worry crossed her face. Sensing her discomfort, "If it's something you don't want to talk about, that's fine."
"No, it's not that. I guess it was just easier for him to go on his own. He had some things he needed to help take care of. Ms. Hart...she isn't doing so well."
"How did you and Jenkins meet?"
"I have known him my whole life. We grew up in the same orphanage."
"You're adopted?" he asked, surprised.
"No, not exactly. Ms. Hart is essentially my foster mom. She took Jenkins in when he received his Hogwarts letter. I followed shortly after. Our orphanage wasn't exactly thrilled to hear our news, but Ms. Hart accepted us with open arms.
"Wow…"
"Did you ever meet your parents?"
"No, I was just a baby. For all I know they could be alive somewhere, but I don't think too much about it."
"I am sorry," he said, not really knowing what to say.
"Don't be. I'm not. Damon is my family and that's all that really matters to me in that regard."
"So, where did the surname Draper come from?"
"Oh. Well, all babies that were left in the care of my orphanage was given the last name Draper, after the facility, if the parents were unknown."
"And Jen- Damon?"
"His mother and father were involved in an accident. His mum didn't survive, and his father couldn't take care of him. So, he ended up at Draper's, but he was already Jenksin. They actually reconnected recently - Damon and his father. I hope things improve."
"What kind of accident?"
Lou looked ahead sadly, "A story for another time."
The two had been walking for almost an hour. Sirius would tell stories of some of the adventures he and the Marauders had been on, but would always hold back.
"You're leaving out important pieces of information here!" Lou sighed with each new story.
"Not my information to tell," he would always say.
"So why are you here? I saw Regulus board the carriages with Damon - why didn't you go home?"
A dark expression pained his face, "There's not a whole lot for me there right now."
"There's, Regulus."
His mouth was set in a hard line.
"I am sure you're mother misses you," she said, reaching out to touch his arm.
He shrugged out of her reach at the mention of his mother.
Lou felt her heart tighten, and felt her eyes threaten to water.
He attempted to alleviate his action by wrapping his arm around her shoulder, "I don't really get along with my family - a bit of the black sheep. Like you said, a story for another time."
The two had reached the end of the tunnel. There was a small door and nothing more.
Sirius placed his wand in his back pocket, and reached to open the handle. He had to pull and shake the handle, but was eventually able to loosen the hold.
Lou stood back, as Sirius peeked into the doorway.
"James will not believe this!" he grinned turning to face Lou. Grabbing her hand he pulled her towards him, "Breathe in."
Lou looked at him curiously, but listened. A delicious aroma immediately hit her - one that was impossible to miss.
"Honeydukes?" she asked in surprise.
Nodding, he turned to her, "Trust me, now?"
"This is incredible," she couldn't help but grin back.
Taking her hand once more, "Come on, Lou - the adventure continues.
A/N: Thank you for reading!