"Sierra! Have you seen my wand?"

"Lily Evans, get your fat foot off my dress's hem!"

"Mary, are you finished with the mirror yet?"

"Jessica, get off my bed!"

Sirius raised an eyebrow and exchanged a look with Remus. The werewolf smiled a little grimly and returned to reading his book. Sirius turned to look at James, who merely grinned and tossed the snitch he was playing with higher into the air. Finally, Sirius exchanged a cringing look with Peter as they heard a loud thud echo from the girls' dormitories, followed by a string of profanities that made him chuckle despite the fact that Sierra's voice was uttering them.

He didn't hate her. Far from it; his heart still stuttered every time she walked past and his fingers always itched for his wand whenever he saw Regulus or any male talking to her. But he hadn't spoken to her in weeks, and he doubted she would forgive that part easily. It wasn't her fault exactly. Sirius knew that sarcasm and taunts were second nature to her, but there was only one Black family principle that was instilled into him, and that was to never go back on your word. He had sworn after he'd dueled Remus that he'd do the same to anyone who talked that way; it would have to stick.

Almost as if he'd read his mind, Remus closed his book and said evenly, "Padfoot, I really think you should use your opportunity tonight to do some good."

Sirius shrugged. "I can do something good in plenty of ways."

"Do you know what an enigma is, Sirius?"

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Do I need to know?"

"Yes. Because you try to sound enigmatic all the time and instead you just sound like someone with a bruised ego."

James stopped playing with the snitch and looked from one Maruder to the other, brow furrowed. "Is there something going on that I don't know about?"

Remus didn't even hesitate in his reply. "Yes."

"Are you lot going to try to pull a prank without me?"

Sirius chuckled. "No, mate. Wouldn't dream of it."

James shrugged and returned to playing with the snitch, easily appeased. Peter returned to admiring him. Remus rolled his eyes. "You can't avoid it forever, Padfoot."

"I can try," muttered Sirius darkly.

Remus raised his eyebrows but before Sirius could respond to his questioning look, there was the sound of heels clicking and giggles. Automatically, every male turned his attention towards the girls' staircase, which was suddenly overflowing with what seemed like every female in Gryffindor.

He didn't even get a chance to look for her. In a matter of seconds, someone had grabbed his arm and was dragging him out of the portrait hole. Judging by the amount of red hair he could see, he knew who it was.

"Lily?"

"What?" she snapped. He caught a glimpse of dramatic gold make-up and had to admit that she pulled it off easily. Her dress was all silk and flowing and he saw the intricate green vines that covered her bare arms as she brushed her hair off her face. She was a nymph.

Sirius blinked. "Umm, why are you dragging me after you?"

"I don't want anyone to see me!"

"So your solution to that is to drag me after you?" he teased.

He saw her lips twitch, but with the amount of make-up she was wearing he didn't think it was because of him. She turned back and gave him an exasperated look. "I look terrible."

Sirius blinked. "It's a Halloween party. You're supposed to look scary. And Lily-flower," he did a quick examination of her. "Well, you're always scary."

"Ha ha," she said, rolling her eyes. "You're funny, Sirius."

He winked. "You look nice," he made sure he sounded as genuine as he felt. "I don't know why you think you look bad. You're pretty. I wouldn't let Prongs be in love with you if you weren't."

Lily snorted, but this time he was sure she was smiling because of him. "Alright, Black, I admit it, you're sweet," she turned back and winked. "But I'd love to see your face when you see what Sierra looks like."

"I don't know why that should concern me. But she usually manages to look acceptable," Sirius shrugged. It wasn't an easy thing to do because she was still dragging him but he managed.

Lily laughed at that. "You're both ridiculous! She looks amazing."

"I'm your date," he pointed out.

She waved a hand airily. "I know but you're disgusting. You two would look cute together, on the other hand."

He tried to sound indifferent. "All the time or just tonight?"

She laughed again. "Both."

"Should I be insulted or flattered?"

"Both, Black. It's always both. Now smile and let's go to this stupid dance."

!

"It could be worse," said Sirius as he handed Lily a bottle of butterbeer. "He could be constantly staring at you and stepping on her feet."

Lily rolled her eyes but grinned anyway. "I'm more concerned with that," she pointed with her bottle towards the left. "What are they supposed to be, Death Eaters?"

She saw Sirius's eyes narrow as he glanced at the group of boys in black cloaks and face masks. "Harmless kids," he said. He didn't even look at them again. "Probably just a prank by the locals."

Lily shrugged. They watched the dances for a little while longer. As a dark haired girl dressed like a cat passed by and winked at Sirius, Lily barely controlled her laughter. Sirius noticed. "What?"

Amusedly, she shook her head. "I don't understand why they're all obsessed with you."

"Don't be mean, Lily-flower. Just because you're in love with Prongs doesn't mean other girls can't like me."

"They barely know you, Sirius."

"I'm an enigma."

"Is that a new word you learnt today?"

"I heard Mooney use it this morning. That doesn't count."

Lily laughed. "I certainly hope he wasn't talking about you."

Sirius clutched his heart dramatically. "Why do you wound me this way?" he exclaimed.

She shrugged. "Because its fun."

Sirius frowned. "The Head Girl shouldn't be so mean."

"I'm not mean. I'm honest."

"Your honesty is hurtful."

She merely shook her head in amusement again. They were silent for a few seconds. Discreetly, Sirius watched James and Sierra. They were standing with Remus and his date, a pretty Hufflepuff girl who was dressed like a badger. They were all laughing at something. He saw Sierra wave her jeweled fan in front of her face again. She had been using it all evening to hide her face from everyone, which was apparently part of her costume.

Her hair was open and fell in long ringlets down her back. Her make-up was dark and her fan hid most of her face, but he had caught a glimpse of ruby red lips and flashing white teeth when she had laughed at one of James's jokes. It shouldn't surprise him that her dress, while it was floor length, had a slit almost up to her hip and almost no back. Even now, he knew his eyes had become dark as he saw her skin exposed.

"Is she supposed to be a vampire?" he finally asked. Lily giggled.

"Primarily, yes. You know what they say about female vampires. One look and you're hooked."

"Are you trying to be funny?"

"I'm trying to tell you that you're in love with the girl."

"The fact that I find her attractive does not mean-"

"It so means that."

"Shut up, Evans. Go sprinkle your pixie dust on someone who wants to fly."

"Don't insult Peter Pan, Sirius. And I'm not even a fairy."

"You belong to the same family, don't you?"

"Why can't you just go there and ask her to dance?"

"She'll insult me."

"She insults everyone."

"She can ask me herself."

"Boys should always ask first."

"I'll dance with her if you dance with Prongs."

"What?"

Sirius sighed. It was time to put Remus's plan into action. "You're a beautiful girl, Lils, and an amazing date, but you're off limits to me and every girl worth looking at has shown interest in me tonight. Except her," he jerked his head towards Sierra. "So please, keep her date busy so I can get one dance?"

Obviously amused, Lily nodded and Sirius dragged her off towards their friends.

Phase one is in action. Mooney, you owe me.

!

Sirius almost laughed. Sierra had almost dropped her fan when she had felt his hand 'accidentally' graze her bare back. Her eyes had widened as Sirius Black, in all his ripped shirt glory, pirate glory, came to stand next to her and asked her to dance. Seconds later, Lily had grabbed James's hand and dragged him off, so she had no other choice but to nod.

He held her hand in one of his own and the other he let rest on her waist. The song was slow and the floor was filled with couples, so no one was paying them particular attention. Sirius was surprised to see that Sierra didn't seem to want to look at him. She kept her eyes fixed on their feet, and he had a better view of the dramatic color on her eyes. He couldn't help but notice how her lips were almost blood red and perfectly shaped.

He had to break the silence. "Do you dress like this particularly to tempt me or is it just natural?"

Her lips twitched. She didn't seem surprised that he was talking to her. "It got you to talk to me, didn't it?"

"I could have dealt with a more private show," he made a point to look all around the room, at the number of boys who were ogling at the girl in his arms.

Half-heartedly, she smacked his chest. "I really am sorry for what I said."

"We can forget that ever happened if you go out with me," he winked.

Sierra laughed. "I'm tempted to say yes."

"Really?"

It was her turn to wink now. "Well, honey, you're not exactly hard on the eyes tonight, are you?"

"Are you flirting with me?"

"It's not flirting till I kiss you and run away."

"I don't like the running away part."

"Then maybe I'll just kiss you and we'll call it even?" Sirius raised his eyebrows. Sierra grinned. "Not so fast, handsome. You can't ask a girl to dance once in the whole night and expect her to fall for you."

"Can I ask her out?"

"You can, but she could say no."

Sirius couldn't help but smile. "You really are something, Sierra Grayson."

"I hope you mean that as a compliment."

"I always do."

They were silent for a while. The song ended and Sierra let go of his hand, but Sirius pulled her closer and raised his eyebrows. "You talk to me after weeks and you think I'll let you go that easy?"

Sierra laughed. "Our dates could kill each other."

"Let them," something about his tone must have made her reconsider leaving. They locked eyes and in the background, the lights dimmed, as if anticipating this moment. Sierra felt his warm hands press her bare back, making her move closer to him. Her heels made it possible for them to be eye level, and she saw how dark his eyes had gotten. But this time, it wasn't in anger. They made her shiver and feel warm, all at the same time. This apparently wasn't lost on Sirius; he smirked and rested his chin on top of her head, breaking eye contact. Internally, Sierra groaned.

This night wasn't going to be easy.