Sierra didn't say a word as he accompanied her back to the Tower. After his initial question of whether she was alright and whether Regulus had threatened her into tutoring him (both of which she had answered using her very colorful vocabulary), he seemed at a loss for words and only her indication to the time had alerted him to the fact that it was past curfew.

She didn't know why she felt like a naughty child caught doing something wrong. Black had no right to treat her like a little girl, and yet that was exactly what he was doing. Her annoyance grew with every step, and when they finally entered the Common Room, her eyes danced with black fire, easily overpowering his stormy ones.

"Just who do you think you are?" she snapped as soon as they stepped inside the portrait hole. Black didn't answer, taking his time in waltzing towards the fire and sitting in Sierra's favorite armchair. Her eyes narrowed as she sat down opposite him. He met her gaze evenly, the storm raging in his eyes obvious.

"Who do I think I am?" his voice was surprisingly calm. "I think I'm the older brother of that bastard you call a friend."

His voice was angry and repulsed. Sierra winced, but didn't let it get to her. "Whoever I befriend is really none of your business."

"When you befriend my brother, it becomes my business," Black narrowed his eyes. "Honestly, Grayson. Are you blind?"

"To what?"

"He's a Slytherin, a malicious snake who excels in everything related to the Dark Arts. He'll join Voldemort soon and enjoy torturing defenseless people just because they won't be strong enough to stop him. He'll kill Muggles and half-bloods because his master thinks they're not fit to walk on this planet. And you want to be his friend?"

Sierra felt her temper rising. Her gaze turned cold. "He hasn't done anything to me," she shrugged indifferently, just to anger him more. "When he does… well, I can take care of myself."

"So you know he'll do something to you, but you're willing to wait until he does?"

Sierra huffed. She would never admit how much his words about his brother had affected her. "You're impossible, Black. Regulus is a good kid. He just has bastards for friends and obviously not a very nice family," she gave him a pointed look. "What's wrong with being nice to him?"

She saw his mask of calmness crack. "I grew up with him. I practically raised him from the time I was old enough to walk. He was a good kid. He's changed now. He'll hurt you."

Her eyes softened. "Are you saying you're just doing all this because you're worried he'll hurt me?"

Black rolled his eyes. "No, Grayson. I'm doing it because I don't want you to make friends," his tone dripped sarcasm. "Why else would I do this? I don't give a damn who you're friends with, unless he's a potential Death Eater."

Sierra sighed. "The chivalry is flattering, Sirius. But trust me, Regulus won't hurt me."

He looked taken-aback. "What did you just say?"

Sierra frowned. "I said Regulus won't hurt me. Honestly! You've seen me duel. I-"

"No," he interrupted. His eyes were only confused now. "You called me Sirius."

Sierra grimaced. Well, she hadn't planned it this way, but now was as good a time as any. "That is your name, isn't it?"

"You've never called me that to my face."

Sierra gave him a confused look. She was sure he hadn't been there the last time she had said his name, outside the Hospital Wing. She ignored it though, and gave him a small smile. "Maybe I will now," hoping he was sufficiently distracted, she got up and made to go towards the girls' dormitories. "If the interrogation is done, I'd really like to get some sleep."

Black made a sound of acknowledgement, but didn't move. He was still in a daze, his eyes focused on nothing in particular, and Sierra felt a little flattered that she could do such a thing just by using his first name. Seeing his expression seemed to spark something inside her. She sighed and sat down on the armrest of his chair. Black seemed to come to his senses and raised an eyebrow at her.

Sierra groaned. "I know I'm going to regret this in the morning."

He blinked, and his eyes went blank again. "I know I'm good-looking, Grayson. You can say it," his voice lacked its usual conceit.

Sierra made a face, but nevertheless drew closer to him. She saw his eyes widen. In a trice, she had pecked his cheek and shot up from the chair as if she was sitting on needles. "Well then," she felt flustered. A strange warmth was spreading over her face and neck. It made her uncomfortable. "I-I'll just be going. Good night."

She had been silly to think that he would let her go. He grabbed her wrist and twirled her around to face him, his gaze scorching. Sierra bit her lip and avoided his eyes. Those stupid, irresistible eyes that made her voice breathy and her skin flush and whose owner now did strange things to her pulse…

"-do?" Damn it. He was talking and she hadn't heard.

Thinking on the spot was good for her. She smirked at him and rested her hands on his shoulders, using them as a support to stand on her toes and kiss his cheek again, this time for a bit longer. She smiled and whispered, "Thanks for looking out for me," in his ear before letting him go and hurrying up the stairs, where she knew she would be safe. Halfway up, she glanced behind and saw him still standing there, stock-still but with a grin on his face.

She almost giggled at his giddy expression. "Good night, Sirius," she called down. Her tone betrayed the laughter she was holding back.

From below, a bark-like laugh sounded. For some reason, it seemed oddly familiar. "Good night, Sierra."

With those words, Sierra's eyes widened. Her pulse was racing. Her skin was on fire. She knew that if she spoke, her voice would be breathless. Worst of all, her stomach was doing flip-flops and seemed to be full of butterflies that would not settle in one place.

It was then that realization dawned on her. She had a bloody crush on Sirius Black.