After the end of class, Sirius confronted me about our exchange in the classroom.

"Your hair's really soft."
"Thanks." I replied. "It's Pantene. Do you have that in the Wizard world?"
"Are you kidding?" Sirius replied. "George Pantene was a wizard who invented that company. How else do you think their products would work so well?"
I stared at him. "What? Really? Huh. I never knew. You truly do learn something new everyday."

He smiled. "So…how about that dance? You into that stuff?"
"What stuff?"

He halted. "Well…you know, the dresses, the doing the hair, the dancing…the guy."

I bit my lip. "Um…I've never really been to a dance before."

Sirius stopped. "What? Come on, everyone's been to a dance before."

"Unless you count the wedding of my great-grandmother who somehow got married at the age of eighty seven, then I have never been to an event where there is dancing."

"You're kidding."

This was starting to get old. "I told you. When we met on the platform before the train. I was homeschooled until now. I've never experienced any of this. Heck, in our small town back home there's barely even that many people my age." I took a deep breath. "So…no, I have never been to a school dance."

Sirius looked at me, and then smiled. "You're cute when you rant."

I shot him a glare. "I do not rant."

"Mmkay."

We continued walking for a while.

"So whats your story, Black?"

"Story? No story. I live for the moment. And in this moment, I'm happy I'm with you. I don't know why you haven't given me an insult and stalked off like you've done for the few days I've known you…but I appreciate it."

I was quiet for a moment. "I'll find an insult in time, don't worry."

Sirius laughed. "People always do."

Another silence followed. I realized that maybe Sarah was right. Maybe Sirius wasn't such a bad guy after all…Maybe all those stories about him were only rumours…Maybe Lily was blinded by her hatred for James and thought Sirius was the same…Maybe-

"Siri Berry!"
I snorted at the name, while turning to see Bianca Raylond strutting her way through the hall and stopping beside Sirius.

"Bianca." Sirius got out.

"Siri, I was just wondering if 10 o'clock PM still worked for you." She started stoking his arm. "You know…you…me…the broom cupboard." She giggled.

Sirius looked at me, and I stood there feeling quite uncomfortable and out of place.

"Um…yeah, Bianca, could we…cancel that? I just have to go. Discuss things with Claireabelle over here. Sorry." And he left Bianca all alone, probably hurt and confused, while I started to regain the dislike I first had for Sirius.

"Sorry about that." Sirius said.
"No. Its okay. Anyways, I know your story. I've heard of your reputation at Hogwarts. And I guess I was stupid to have thought your story was any different from the rumours."

"No. Claire, listen-"

"See you around, Black."

And I left, without given Sirius Black the chance to explain himself.