Disclaimer: You should know by now.

Summary: When Sirius fell through the veil, he didn't die, but was instead sent back in time, to be more precise, his last year of Hogwarts. Now the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor he finds himself disliking his younger self but drawn to a sixth year student by the name of Willow Briar. But nothing can happen between a student and a teacher, right? SBXOC

Chapter Twenty – "Furry little problem"

All too soon the Christmas holidays rolled round and Sirius found himself stood in Hogwarts entrance hall bidding goodbye to Willow.

"Have a good Christmas," he told her. "And I'll see you New Year, right?"

Willow nodded a soft smile on her face.

"Have a good Christmas yourself, Sirius," she murmured, reaching up and lightly kissing him.

Sirius, as was customary now, deepened the kiss before Willow pulled out, her smile slightly wider than before.

"Here," he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, neatly wrapped box and handed it to her. "Don't open it until Christmas."

"I won't," Willow replied taking the box and pocketing it. She looked back at Sirius. "I'll owl you." She promised.

Sirius nodded, and, after one last kiss, watched as she descended with the others towards the coaches that would take them to the train, to take them home.

Once she was out of sight, he turned and headed back up to Gryffindor common room, humming merrily to himself.

He had had a very good seventh year so far.

They had a new defence teacher who wasn't afraid of a laugh, James had finally gotten his girl and Sirius, well, he had fallen in love.

He smiled to himself as he thought about the moment he realised he loved her.

It was snowing heavily outside, as was customary in the highlands during the winter months, and Sirius and James had managed to persuade the Gryffindor common room to join them outside for a snowball fight.

James had been showing off how good his aim was when he was hit with a face full of snow, he brushed it away, ready to glare at the person who had thrown it, only to find Lily smirking at him.

James had smirked back and Lily's eyes had widened before she had run, James chasing her.

Sirius had been stood, laughing as James finally caught Lily, dumping her in the snow, when he, himself, had been shoved into the snow, and when he rolled over, it was to find Willow straddling him, a grin on her face as she had proceeded to rub snow in his face.

"Got you!" she cried, laughing happily before jumping up and hightailing it.

Sirius had followed immediately, catching her and tackling her to the floor. She had rolled so that he was on top of her and was laughing hard, causing him to laugh as well.

"Happy Birthday, Sirius," she had murmured.

Sirius had grinned, he had never told her it was his birthday, in fact, only his friends knew, and promptly kissed her.

"How did you know?" he whispered, once he had pulled out.

Willow just grinned at him.

"Remus will do anything for chocolate." She replied.

Sirius had stared at her before laughing, causing her to break out into laughter as well. For the rest of the time, the two of them had stayed making snow angels, occasionally throwing a snowball at each other when they became bored.

It had been a good day, that day and even though Sirius had never told her he loved her, he planned to do so – soon.

"Everything alright, Sirius?"

Sirius glanced up to see Professor Century stood there, an amused smile on his face.

"Hey, Professor," Sirius replied. "You staying for Christmas?"

Professor Century nodded.

"Of course," he said. "I take it that Willow has returned home?"

Sirius nodded and Professor Century smiled.

"Tell her thank you for my gift," he said. "When you see her, that is."

Sirius nodded, slightly confused.

"I will do."

Professor Century's smile widened.

"Merry Christmas, Sirius." He told him before continuing on his way.

"Merry Christmas." Sirius replied slowly before frowning.

Willow had gotten Professor Century a gift?

They're good friends, a small voice in the back of his head said, She's probably just being nice, besides, he did help the two of you get together, maybe, just maybe she's thankful for that.

Sirius had to admit that the voice in the back of his head was probably right, but he still couldn't shake of the apparent jealous feeling he had.

The train pulled to a stop at platform nine and three quarters and after bidding a merry Christmas to her friends, Willow hurried off, looking for her father.

He was stood by the barrier, his dark hair streaked grey and pulled back into a ponytail, his hazel eyes lit up when he saw her and a grin spread across his scared face as he shifted, opening his arms wide.

She grinned and ran to him, flinging her arms around him and hugging him tightly, taking in the smell of musk that she had always associated with him.

"Hey Dad," she said, grinning up at him.

He grinned back and kissed her forehead.

"Hey, sweetheart," he murmured. "Much to tell me?" he added as he took her trunk and they passed through the wall and onto the busy muggle station of Kings Cross.

Willow smiled.

"You remember Sirius, right?" she asked.

Her father nodded; recounting the letters she had sent mentioning him and his friends.

"What about him?" he asked. "Are you two going out?"

Willow nodded and her father smiled.

"I thought as much," he said, draping an arm around her shoulders. "Your letters change when you mention him. Subtle to an outsider, but to your father, it's obvious."

Willow grinned, knowing it to be true.

"He's lovely," she told him. "So kind and caring."

Her father nodded.

"As long as he treats you with respect, I'm happy."

Willow grinned before taking his hand and allowing him to apparate them to their house.

They arrived with a small 'pop' and her father sent her to her room to unpack while he grabbed the Christmas decorations from the loft.

Willow did as she was asked, unpacking with record speed, changing into more comfortable clothes of jeans and a jumper, before heading down the stairs and into the living room.

The Christmas tree greeted her, standing in the corner of the room, bare and waiting to be decorated.

"That was her quick," her dad commented from where he was untangling the lights. "If I didn't know better I'd say you used magic." His eyes twinkled and Willow grinned before helping him with the lights.

The common room was mostly empty in the Gryffindor tower for many of its occupants had gone home for the holidays leaving The Marauders, Lily and a handful from the younger years left. The five of them were currently sat by the fire, Remus and Peter playing exploding snap and James teaching Lily the basics of Wizards chess. Sirius was staring into the fire; he had become slightly depressed since Willow had left.

"Oh, stop moping Pads," James called, shaking his head. "She'll be back soon, besides Christmas is a week away, so cheer up."

Sirius rolled his eyes at his friends comment and made to reply when there was a tap at the window.

All of them turned to see a large tawny owl hovering in front of the window.

"Isn't that Gaea?" Lily asked.

Sirius nodded, looking gleeful, and hurried towards the window.

Gaea flew through the window, circled the room once, and dropped the letter on the floor before soaring back out the window.

"That was fast," James commented, closing the window as Sirius scooped up the letter and tore it open.

Hey Sirius (hi James, Remus, Peter and of course, Lils)

Fast letter ay? I just couldn't wait to write to you guys about this. We've put up our Christmas tree – there's a photo attached so that you can have a look. It's gorgeous; Dad really went all out this year.

Speaking of Dad, he says he's happy for us and sends you his regards and a "Merry Christmas." He also says to tell Remus that he's got a title of a book for him to read, it'll help with his "furry little problem" it's called Werewolves: Fact or Fiction. Apparently it's good for a laugh.

Anyways, I've got to go know, we're going out for a meal – tradition and all that. Will write later.

Love all of you – yes Sirius, even you ;)

Willow x

Sirius took the picture that was attached at the bottom and smiled as he looked at it.

The Christmas tree was indeed lavishly decorated, lights twinkled at him, the tinsel was draped across the tree and the fairy at the top of the tree winked at him.

In front of the Christmas tree Willow stood, currently blowing him a kiss, while beside her stood her father. A tall, handsome man with a scared face, he too beamed at the camera and waved, his other arm draped across the shoulder of his daughter.

He passed the picture to Lily who smiled when she saw it.

"What's with the book title?" James asked. "Werewolves: Fact or fiction? Does she know?"

Remus nodded, looking amused as he scanned the letter.

"Yes," he said, "Her dad's a werewolf so she knows what it's like to live with the condition."

"Her Dad's a werewolf?" Sirius asked, genuinely shocked.

Remus nodded and looked at him, a kind look on his face.

"It's not something she generally shares, due to the prejudice that's associated with being a werewolf, but she told me because she recognised me as a werewolf, apparently when you've been around one since you were one, you tend to be able to tell them apart." He informed him.

"Oh," Sirius replied.

"I'm sure she was going to tell you, Sirius," Remus said gently, as if reading Sirius' mind. "But you have to give her a chance, like I said, it's not something she generally tells people, I don't think any of her friends – except perhaps Isabella – know, and she's been friends with them for six years. Besides," he added, "It took me a long time to tell you guys, remember."

Sirius nodded, knowing Remus was right.

"Well," he said. "Maybe I should write back."

"Don't see why not, maybe you should mention you know about my problem," Remus informed him. "Make her feel more comfortable, who knows she might reveal to you what she revealed me."

Sirius nodded before reaching across the table and taking a piece of parchment, quill and ink from Lily's bag which was sprawled across the table and began to write back.

Dear Willow,

Good to hear from you. James, Remus, Peter and Lils all say hi and are glad to see the picture – tree looks good by the way.

Remus says thanks for the book title; I think he's going to actually look for it now. Just to let you know, I know all about Remus' "furry little problem" it was my idea to call him that in the first place.

Tell your Dad a "Merry Christmas" from us too.

Have a nice dinner.

Looking forward to seeing you,

Love from all us – yes, including me – cheeky

Sirius, James, Remus, Peter and Lils x

Satisfied with his letter and getting it approved by James, Remus, Peter and Lily, he then headed towards the owlery intending to get it sent that very day.

A/N: Shorter chapter than usual, but I wasn't feeling very well when I wrote it, so please be nice in your review – there's a cookie in it for you if you do

Hope you liked it, despite the badness of it :/

Will update soon,

Wacky Wizard