(Disclaimer: J K Rowling owns all HP )
Chapter 11. Library.
"Ah shit!" Sirius cursed resting his head against Jessica's.
"That's quite enough of your potty mouth Mr Black" McGonagall was none to impressed to find these two once again in trouble, "Now I'll ask you again what are you doing out of your dorms?".
"We were just talking" Jessica innocently tried to explain.
"Talking?...Stand up and face me" McGonagall ordered.
Doing as they were told, Sirius took Jessica's hand as she slipped off the desk, both of them facing the angry professor. Her gaze taking in the sight before her, Sirius with his shirt undone and, Jessica with only two buttons done up, unevenly at that and her hair a dishevelled mess.
"Talking! … we shall see about that, now both of you down to Professor Dumbledore's office!" McGonagall snapped, her finger pointing them out the door.
"But its.. after midnight" Sirius glanced at his watch.
"Yes it is" McGonagall growled "I can assure Professor Dumbledore wont be too happy about the late hour either".
As they neared the office, they heard other voices in the corridor, it seemed they weren't the only ones caught out of their dorms tonight.
"Have a good night Jess?" Dean Sutcliffe asked, clearly intoxicated as he even had trouble leaning against the wall.
"No Talking you vermin" Filch grumbled as he paced the passageway in his dressing gown.
Five, seventh year students, were quickly called into Dumbledore's office, leaving Jessica and Sirius alone in the dimly lit corridor, Sirius pulling a piece of parchment from his pocket and unfolding it.
"What is that?" Jessica questioned, Sirius took out his wand whispering an incantation, handing her the parchment.
"Its our Marauders map of the school" he rather proudly informed her.
Jessica gazed in amazement at the parchment before her, little dots highlighted the five students in Dumbledore's office.
"Old Dumbledore isn't in a good mood" Sirius pointed out, as speech bubbles kept popping up, like shots being fired as he laid down the law.
"So this is how Remus knew I was outside the Gryffindor tower?" Jessica guessed.
"You got it" Sirius smugly smiled.
"And how you knew what was said in my dorm" Jessica now gasped, realising what this could mean. "What else have you overheard?".
"Wouldn't you like to know" Sirius teased.
"How... where... where did you get this?" Jessica stuttered as she looked again at the intricate map, that covered the whole school and then some.
"We created it" he casually informed her, "Only took us a year.. or two.
Again she glanced down at the map as Sirius wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Lily was heading into the girls dorm with Molly, James and Remus were still in the common room, and McGonagall was quickly heading down the spiralling stairs from Dumbledore's office, towards them. Hastily folding the map, Jessica shoved it back in Sirius' pocket.
"Right, you pair" she wearily called, the late hour now catching up with her.
The five seventh years student noisily made there way back down the passageway, not too concerned about their reprimand or the detention, they only had a day to go before Hogwarts was behind them forever.
Professor Dumbledore was glancing out his window at the dark night sky as Jessica, Sirius and McGonagall entered his office, an amused giggle came from Jessica at the sight of the old professor.
In his nightshirt and dressing gown, he was a sight, his feet adorned in fluffy slippers with several bright yellow baubles and tiny bells that jingled as he moved, his night cap red with white trim, which made him look more like Santa Claus.
"I'm so pleased I can amuse you at this late hour Miss Ciappara" he tiredly growled, moving over behind his desk, "I unfortunately am not at all amused!".
"They were caught in the Runes classroom, in a rather compromising situation, as you can see" McGonagall explained, she pointed out Jessica's dishevelled appearance, thankfully for them both, Sirius had buttoned up his shirt.
"It wasn't compromising" Jessica indignantly interjected, much to Sirius amusement, there wasn't many girls he knew who would stand up to Professor McGonagall, especially in front of Dumbledore.
"That's quite enough Miss Ciappara...Thank you Minerva" Dumbledore dismissing her before any argument developed.
Once again Dumbledore looked over at this, ever increasing troubled pair before him. Jessica couldn't help but notice once again that familiar twinkle in his eyes, even at this late hour.
"We were just in there talking sir" Sirius said trying to defend their position before Dumbledore thought the wrong thing.
"And how exactly did you end up in the Runes class room... in this compromising situation?" Dumbledore asked looking towards Jessica for the answer.
Glancing at Sirius, Jessica fiddled with her disarranged buttons, "Well,... we were all in the Gryffindor common room playing a game of cards".
"Err ….. its late sir" Sirius quickly interrupted "Detention will be fine.. right Jess?".
"Right... whatever you see fit... anything" she rambled, looking down at her shirt still trying to fix her buttons.
Clearing his throat Dumbledore rubbed his hands over his tired eyes, "What ever the reason, the classrooms are, as you already know out of bounds, so with that being said, as you have no further exams, a day spent helping out in the library would serve you well," an unexpected yawn interrupting him, "Now off to bed,... but I will leave you with a piece of advice, be careful, there are some who delight in causing a hullabaloo. Now off with you both, back to your own dorms, I have my warm bed awaiting me" with that he showed them the door.
"That was too easy" Sirius said, smirking to himself as they walked alone along the breezy corridor.
"Its not like he could give us any more detention, there is only one day left before.." Jessica hesitated, which didn't go unnoticed by Sirius. "Before the holidays".
Pausing on the fifth floor landing, "This is my floor" Jessica sounded slightly dispirited.
"There is something I have wanted to do all night".
"What's that?".
Sirius' hands cupped her face, his lips arousing any drowsiness she was feeling, now wide-awake.
The cool air brushed across her heated lips as Sirius pulled back, looking at her for a moment, he bestowed her one last quick kiss.
"Shh our secret" his finger pressed to her lips.
Jessica couldn't wipe the grin from her flushed face as she watched him bound up the stairs and then disappear.
"Well that's just great" She muttered to herself walking into the Ravenclaw common room, "I'm not going to be able to get a wink of sleep now". Not that she was disappointed in any way.
The next morning the great hall was its usual busy self, students hurriedly ate breakfast and headed towards there first morning class, all except the 5th and 7th year students who relished in their last day of school, with no exams or classes.
Wandering in later than normal, Jessica grabbed her juice and toast from the Ravenclaw table and went over to sit with Lily and Molly.
"Morning" Lily greeted her somewhat reserved, not knowing how she was this morning after last nights kerfuffle.
"Morning" Jessica chirped cheerfully.
"Are you alright?". Molly questioned.
"Couldn't be better".
A loud raucous at the doorway, attracted their attention, James finding it more than amusing to curse a Slytherin student with a Bat-bogey hex.
"That will be enough" Professor McGonagall call rushing to the back of the hall, unsurprisingly looking very tired. Breaking up the conflict that had ensued, she grabbed both Sirius and James by the scruff of the collar dragging them away.
"Now sit down and try to quietly have your breakfast" she ordered, "And don't be too long Mr Black, remember both yourself and Miss Ciappara have detention in the library today".
"I thought you said you never caught up with her?" James questioned loudly.
"Did I?" Sirius smugly questioned back, reaching across the table to grab an apple.
"He didn't catch me" Jessica hastily answered, both Lily and Molly giving her a sceptical look.
"You didn't tell me you have detention?" Lily questioned.
"Well I didn't really have a chance to tell you anything much" Jessica explained, "I got busted by... err professor Flitwick just near the tower, and got sent to Dumbledore's office, unfortunately I got sent into his office with … um Tweedledum". Jessica said trying to hide a smirk.
Sirius leaned back against the table watching her, taking a huge bit out of the red juicy apple, "What?" he spluttered trying not to choke on his apple.
"I believe she called you tweedledum" Lily told him, trying not to giggle as she did so. Getting to her feet Lily took Jessica's arm, "Come on lets go up to the library before Professor McGonagall comes back and finds you still in here".
"Oh you don't have to waste your day in the library".
"I can't think of anywhere better to be" Lily said.
"Oh but.. but its such a lovely day out" Jessica said trying to offer up any other place to be than the library, "It would be a shame to be confined to the library, when you can be out in the sunshine".
"Its sounds like you don't want us up there" Molly said sceptically.
"It does" Lily added agreeing with her friend.
"Don't be silly" Jessica hastily reassured her friends, "I just thought".
Her words drifted away with the breeze, as Sirius wandered passed her giving a rather amused grin.
"You just thought?" Lily questioned.
"Oh its nothing" Jessica muttered, bounding up the stairs towards the library.
A sizeable stack of books followed Jessica around the quiet Library, Lily sat at the extensive table in the centre of the room, reading up on seventh year charms and defences. Molly was over near the doors, flicking through a couple of Willy the White Wizard comics.
Sirius was at the furthest end of the room, James sat nearby pulling out several books and flipping quickly through them, before discarding them on the floor, as he watched Lily.
"Hey! quit pulling out the bloody books, you're just giving me more shit to put away" Sirius complained, his pile of books growing ever larger.
James leaned against the shelf, watching Severus as he walked over to the librarian Madame Coram, at her desk, returning a few potions books.
"Hey check out Snivellus" James said, nudging Sirius.
Lily glanced up from her book as Severus walked over to her.
"Lil I".
"Severus" Lily coolly greeted him, "Don't bother with any apology or excuse" she straight-out told him, she wanted him to know how hurt she was.
"I wasn't going to apologise" He snarled, taken-aback with her attitude, but still he pulled a chair out opposite her.
Lily promptly got up, gathering her books, she walked over near Jessica, who had been keeping an anxious eye on her friend.
"I'll see you at lunch" Lily softly informed her.
"Ok" she gently smile, Jessica could see the whole Severus situation was upsetting for Lily, who tried to see the best in everyone, well maybe not Potter at the moment.
Jessica watched both Lily and Molly leave the library then looked back over at Snape, her hand resting on her wand.
"You'll keep" Severus mouthed to her, as he left the library.
His words sent a sudden chill through Jessica, fully aware that Severus didn't like her friendship with Lily.
"What did he say to you?" Sirius questioned her, as he watch James hastily leave the room, knowing all to well that he was going after Severus.
"Its nothing".
"Jess I know he said something to you" Sirius pushed her.
"Really its not worth worrying about, he just doesn't like me being friends with Lil".
Sirius looked around at the suddenly peaceful room, "I think we are finally alone" a grin spreading across his face.
With that realisation, a nervousness crept through her. Last night she had the wine to give her some courage. Shaking her head, she tried to cast off the trembling that threatened to engulf her.
His hand came up stroking the side of her face, he could feel her shivering, he had her all to himself, or so he thought as he leaned in to kiss her.
"Come on you pair" Madame Coram called as she shuffled cross the floor, "What are you doing back there?, I do have to lock up for lunch".
Jessica couldn't help but laugh as Sirius' jaw clenched, closing his eyes in frustration.
"Nothing now" Sirius growled back to her.
Madame Coram ushered them out the door, no surprise to Jessica, James and Remus were there waiting.
Remus once again stood back, Jessica getting the distinct impression he was avoiding her. Walking over to him she slipped her arm in his, apprehensively he looked at her, waiting for her to talk first.
"Are you avoiding me?" she questioned.
"I thought you were angry with me" Remus answered somewhat quietly.
"Why would I be mad at you?" She frowned.
"Last night... telling everyone about.. you know?".
"Oh the virgin thing" Jessica laughed, to Remus' surprise, "That doesn't matter now".
Remus raised an inquisitive brow, knowing how upset she was last night, the perceptive wolf knew something was going on, he just wasn't sure of what it was.
Lunch was was the usual affair, the four girls sat talking, Lily had brightened up from her encounter with Severus, Jessica and Sirius exchanged glances, Molly sat looking around the room at all the boys she had been out with during the year and giving them a rating out of ten on their kissing technique and Pip just quietly listened.
The afternoon seemed to breeze by, Molly Pip and Lily went back to their rooms to pack for the early train ride home in the morning. Jessica and Sirius were busy in the Library.
As the sun began to set behind the mountains, they had finally finished their detention. Both of them sat on the floor in a concealed corner of the large library, at long last they could relax together.
Reaching into his pocket, Sirius pulled out a small mirror on a chain, "I know we won't get a chance to see each other tomorrow" he place the mirror in her hand, Jessica looking rather perplexed, not sure what she was to do with it.
"Look in the mirror" Sirius told her.
Glancing into the mirror, all she could see was the books behind her, so she thought, looking again she seen Sirius, his customary smug grin looking back at her.
"I'll be able to talk to you over the holidays" he explained.
"This is terrific, but how did you do this?" Jessica amazed by his talents.
"Well what can I say.. I'm just brilliant" a proud grin across his face.
This time it was Jessica making the moves as she leaned in kissing him, to his astonishment it was her tongue doing the exploring of his mouth, Jessica could feel his satisfied grin against her lips, Sirius let his hands wander, trying to slip under her shirt, but Jessica put a halt to his roaming hands.
"Damn, I need to give you a wine" he teased.
The next morning everything was a rush as students hurried through breakfast, all wanting to get on the train and home for the holidays, but not all were in a hurry to get home.
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