Why isn't Potterverse mine?! Ahem. Firstly I'd like to say sorry it's taken FOR-EV-ER (said like Squints does in The Sandlot) to update. I've had writer's block. BUT! This idea came to me the other day whilst driving home from work the other night. Sorry if it sucks, but at least it's something yeah? Also, figure this is a good time to mention, I had been thinking of doing another Cummings/Sirius story where they're back in school. Any thoughts about a yay or nay vote? It would be lovely to hear so. ANYWAY! Thank you all for the reviews, the alerts, subscriptions and whatnot. You're awesome. Enjoy!

Sirius was sitting in the library with a glass of whiskey in one hand while half reading a book he randomly picked off the shelf. He wasn't entirely paying attention at what he was reading otherwise it would've been burned an hour ago when he first picked it up. Granted most of the books in the library would've been burned due to their dark nature but Sirius didn't fancy having an even emptier house.

"CAPTAIN!" Cummings' voice rang throughout the house bringing Sirius out of his thoughts. She seemed to do that easily. Mostly with annoyance and her still bubbly personality that made him want to gag her and hide her in a closet sometimes but it was appreciated. Most days, anyway. Sirius sighed and without warning the door to the library burst open, Cummings wasted no time as she rushed over to him. "Captain, come on, I've got something to show you!"

"Cummings," Sirius groaned refusing to get up from the smelly winged armchair.

"Just, come on," Cummings emphasized pulling on his arm, trying to get him to budge.

"I don't-" Sirius started only to notice her hands. "What happened to you?" Cummings shook off the wee bit of concern he showed for her bandaged hands.

"Just, Captain," She said exasperated. "Please, just come on." Giving in, and slightly curious, Sirius stood up and let Cummings pull him through the house until they arrived in the kitchen where she promptly shoved him into a chair at the head of the table. "Knox." She muttered with the wave of her wand that he didn't even see her pick up, of course now he couldn't even see anything else.

"Cummings what are-?"

"Shut up and just sit there looking pretty, Captain." He heard her voice from somewhere on the other side of the room. Sirius shifted in his seat. She seemed to have more authority in her voice than what he remembered her having. Probably due to her lessons with Harry. He'd have to ask how those were going.

"So h—"

"I said shut up, really Sirius, someone would think you're hard of hearing." Cummings cut him off again, but what really kept Sirius from trying to talk again was the use of his first name. He could count the times she had used it on one hand. Hell he didn't even need a hand. Sirius sat there quietly waiting as Cummings continued doing whatever it was she was doing in the dark. Hopefully nothing dangerous, or stupid. Who was he kidding, it was probably something stupid. This was Cummings after all, so it was probably stupid and involved fake mustaches as well. "Ready?" She called back over her shoulder, Sirius didn't respond. It was silent for a moment. "You can talk now, Captain."

"Yes Cummings, I'm ready." Sirius replied. He couldn't make out what Cummings whispered but saw the glow coming from where she was, she turned around and walked towards him, the glowing object in her hands. His brow furrowed as stared. "What the?"

"Happy birthday!" Cummings grinned setting, what he assumed was supposed to be a cake in front of him. An array of candles set on top, as well as the sides making it obvious that they were placed on there in the dark. Sirius looked up from the "cake" to Cummings who was smiling brightly at him. "Well, go on, make a wish!"

"You didn't sing me happy birthday yet." Sirius told her with a serious look on his face. Cummings quirked an eyebrow.

"Do you really want to hear me sing?" She questioned and Sirius thought better of it, her drunk singing was way off key and if he recalled right her normal singing wasn't much better.

"Fair enough." Sirius paused, thought of a wish and blew out his candles. Presumably with a wave of a wand the lights were back on and the cake looked even more hideous in the light. "What is that?"

"Your cake." Cummings replied picking up a knife to slice into it.

"Are you sure?" Sirius asked as he squinted his eyes and tilted his head to one side.

Cummings shrugged, "Well, I never made it the Muggle way before."

"And you thought now would be a great time to try, then?" Sirius looked at the ex-Hufflepuff doubting the logical thought process that went along with her decision with baking.

"It is your birthday." She reminded him.

"And you're trying to poison me." Cummings frowned as she set a piece of cake on a plate and placed it in front of him. "Why didn't you just use magic? What was that?" He asked when he couldn't understand her mumbling.

"I don't know how." She stated louder. "I never learned cooking spells, alright? And the only books in this house with recipes have very questionable outcomes." It was silent for a moment between the two as Cummings cut herself a piece of the cake and Sirius watched her, she refused to look back at him.

"Did you burn your hands?" He finally asked as she poked at the cake on her own plate with a fork. Cummings nodded. Sirius sighed. "Thank you Cummings. I appreciate it, really." He emphasized in case she thought him insincere. She finally looked at him and smiled.

"You are welcome, Captain." She replied and simultaneously – after saying a silent prayer each – they took a bite of the cake which was surprisingly good and tasted like raspberry which was slightly weird considering Cummings had made a chocolate cake but since it was actually edible she was quite pleased. After a few bites in, Sirius broke the near silence.

"How'd you know it was my birthday?" He inquired. Cummings gave him a look followed by,

"Please, I've known you for years now Captain, and you think I wouldn't remember your birthday?" Cummings scoffed and they fell back into their silence as they ate before she tacked on, "Besides, the girls in school would make a big fuss. I think my favorite year was the one with the pink elephant." A smirk appeared on her face and Sirius just groaned. There was shame.