Chapter 11

Lily was stretched out on her bed, engrossed in one of her favorite books when there was a knock at the door.

Standing there, a warm smile on his face was Sirius. "Can I help you?" she said coolly... unable to keep a smile off her face. "I daresay you can" he said teasingly. She rolled her eyes and waited expectantly. He held up a beautiful gold bracelet with a small emerald dangling from it. "Kreacher stole this and I was wondering if it was yours" he said simply. "I wish I could say it was but no. It's not mine. Why don't you try Bella?" she said airily.

"Well thank you anyway" he said graciously. She looked at him skeptically, head cocked to one side. "That wasn't why you came here was it?" she said in your-not-fooling-me tone.

He smiled. How did she manage to see through him every time? "No" he admitted. "I wanted to see you. I missed you" he said truthfully. "Finally. A moment of honesty" she said warmly, a slightly teasing smile on her face. He ran a hand through his hair, smiling back at her.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" he asked casually, changing the subject. "I don't know..." she said thoughtfully, wondering why he was asking. "I do..." he said confidently. "You're coming for a ride with me" he finished. She laughed, a merry tinkling sound so unlike Bella's high mad cackle. "Am I now?" she said dryly. "Well I haven't been riding for a while..." she said, pretending to consider the matter while trying to remember the last time she was on a horse. "Pick you up at two" he said with that charming grin that had won over so many women.

"Two it is. See you tomorrow Padfoot" she said with an amused smile. She was still smiling as she closed the door and went back to her book.

As she followed Sirius through the grounds Lily wondered why they weren't heading towards the stable.

Her question was answered when she saw he was leading her to the huge black motorbike sitting in the driveway of the manor. "Oh no" she said stopping short. "There is no way you are getting me on that thing" she finished firmly. He chuckled at the panicked expression on her face.

"It's perfectly safe" he said gently. "And much more comfortable than riding a broom" he pointed out. She nibbled on her lower lip, taking a few steps forward and considering the bike. He couldn't help smiling. She looked so cute nibbling on her lip... her long copper hair pulled back in a ponytail...her slender form garbed in a light-green shirt and cream slacks.

He climbed up, sitting astride the bike. He waited, watching her expectantly as she inched closer.

"Are you sure it's safe?" she asked nervously, putting a hand out to touch the bike. "I'm sure" he said reassuringly. "You trust me don't you?" he asked her softly. "Yes..." she said surprisedly, smiling as she realized she did trust him. She knew he'd never let her get hurt.

He took her arm, helping her up so she was sitting behind him. He couldn't help enjoying being so close to her. He could feel the warmth of her skin through her clothes. She wrapped her arms round his waist, holding him tightly as he prepared to start the bike. The bike hummed under them as he started it and he felt her arms tighten around him a little.

"Hold on" he said warmly, looking back at her. She looked scared but excited.

He gunned the engine and the bike leapt into the air, making Lily gasp. It rose quickly, gaining height until the whole countryside was spread out underneath them. The houses, cars and roads looked like toys from where they were. She couldn't help staring. She'd practiced Quidditch around here but she had stuck to a small enclosed paddock not far from the house. She had never seen it from this high.

She barely had time to admire the scenery before he gunned the engine again, making the bike surge forward, the wind tugging her hair from it's ponytail and whipping it around her face. He looked over his shoulder and was pleased to she was smiling, her green eyes bright with enjoyment.

Her arms gripped him tightly as they gained speed. Soon the countryside was whipping by in a blur. She was amazed that she wasn't scared. All she felt was exhilaration as they sped along miles and miles above the ground. She felt completely safe with him.

Suddenly she realized they were approaching London. The city was come closer and closer as the hurtled towards it. For a moment she had a worrying thought about the Statute of Secrecy but the thought was gone almost as soon as it arrived. She was having far too much fun to care. Besides... it wasn't her bike now was it?

They could see London Bridge... the House's of Parliament... Buckingham Palace... Trafalgar Square... the whole city was spread about before them. It was simply breathtaking. "This is the way to travel isn't it?" said Sirius with a grin, looking over his shoulder at her. She nodded, grinned back at him.

Suddenly they were gaining height again... higher and higher until all she could see was thick grey cloud. Then they were above the clouds... skimming along with bright sunshine and blue sky above them. She laughed in delight at the cool fresh air... warm sunlight... and the liberating feeling of flying along so far above the ground.

Panic surged through her when he took his hands of the handlebars and flung them wide. "Padfoot!" she shrieked, hitting him gently on the back. He laughed as he put his hands back on the handlebars... a deep rich sound that soon had her laughing too. "Don't scare me like that!" she scolded, laughter still in her voice. "Sorry ma'am" he said teasingly, flashing her a wicked grin. She rolled her eyes at him and he winked back at her.

Soon the bike was losing height, descending through the thinning layer of cloud. With surprise she saw they were back in the country, not far from the house.

They steadily lost height as they got closer to the house, finally landing smoothly on the driveway and coasting to a stop. Though she had enjoyed the ride she let out a small sigh of relief at being back on solid ground.

He hopped of the bike and offered her his hand. She took it... hopping off the bike and landing lightly on her feet.

"So... did you enjoy it?" he asked with a self-satisfied smile. "Yes... except the bit where you almost gave me a heart attack." He gave a snort of laughter... stifling it when she gave him a slightly reproving look.

His smile widened and she couldn't help smiling back as he took a step towards her.

Her heart sped up and her lips parted almost of their own accord as he leant in towards her. His lips was inches from hers when she suddenly came back to her senses... pulling back. She deliberately looked away, not enjoying the look of disappointment on his handsome face.

Her eyes travelled slowly up to meet his gaze. For a moment they just stared at each other. She swallowed hard and looked away. "I'm going to need my hand hand back" she said quickly. He raised it to his lips, kissed it softly and let it go.

"Thanks for the ride" she said briskly, starting to walk up the driveway. "You're welcome" he said to her retreating back.

Alice pulled the covers tightly around her body as she sat up in Sirius's bed.

He was lying on his back, staring up at the ceiling in a rather moody way.

"What's wrong?" she asked sweetly. "Nothing" he answered in a flat voice. "I can tell something's wrong" she said in a rather petulant voice. "Maybe I can help you feel better?" she said coyly, wiggling closer to him and planting kisses on his neck. He pushed her gently but firmly away, continuing to stare into space. She pouted, arms folded across her body.

"It's that Lily girl isn't it?" she said peevishly."You're in love with her aren't you?" she finished. He didn't answer... but then he didn't have to.

"I don't care" she said flippantly, lying back down on her side. "I don't love you either. I love Frank" she declared.

He got up, pulling on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. "Where are you going" she asked in an annoyed voice. "Out" he said simply.

"Want another round?" she said flirtatiously, arranging herself in what she hoped was a provocative pose.

The door shut firmly behind him. "Guess not..." she said dryly to herself.