A/N: You didn't think that I ask for reviews and upload the next chapter immediately huh, especially if I left it with a cliffy. You did? Oh well... Now you just have to review don't you? LOL... I know I'm evil. Well, a good review, actually a good set of reviews would defeat that evil in me. However, since I still love you for reading and reviewing my former chapters and this story as a whole, this is a bonus. This is the love story of Helen (Hermione's mom) and Sirius AND Severus. I did tell you I was going to post it. Let's take a break from thinking about what's worrying Sirius now. And NO. Hermione is NOT dead! This is a funny chapter... Something light for a while. Well, you know that I try my best for it to be funny right? So please review on its funny-ness... if there is such a word... anyway, you know what I mean... Enjoy...

Chapter 26: Love struck Sirius.

James impatiently knocked on the Mahogany door that served as Remus Lupin's small cabin. He has inherited this when his father died and was the only inheritance he got with a small amount of money. They were in going to be in their seventh year and since their first year summer together, it became a tradition that they stay in each other's house. This time however, Peter wasn't allowed as their family will be having a vacation elsewhere.

"Moony, you open the door now or I'll knock it off its hinges!" James said when it was his third time to knock. He was about to knock again when the door opened and Remus showed him a grin he rarely see on his face.

"Hmm… I like that grin, could it be that Sirius did something stupid again?" James asked recalling the last time he saw that same grin involving Sirius in an unintentional self-inflicted injury. It was a spell that backfired because he didn't realize it was a mirror that he was pointing to and not Severus. It was one of his attempts to make Severus boneless while he was walking on the field. When the spell backfired, he was the one all squishy and unable to walk... he can barely talk as his teeth were affected by the spell because it was connected to his bones. James and Remus laughed so hard that it took them half a day to get enough strength to levitate him to Madam Pomfrey. They were still giggling when they did, earning them more swearing from Sirius.

"See for yourself!" Remus said suppressing a giggle. James rushed into the kitchen and saw what Remus meant. He was confused that Sirius was covered with a white substance. He seemed to be intently engaged in a huge book that he didn't even realized James had arrived. When Sirius turned around James was more confused as to why there were floating eggs beside him.

"Ah! James Edward Potter! Another one of my very best friends. How was your trip? I do hope you enjoyed it. And Lily is she as charming as ever? You look famished. Would you like some cake? Oh silly me, of course you want one, with that long journey of yours." Sirius exclaimed upon seeing James. James was now sporting a confused look as Sirius was looking out of it. He was thinking what was long with the travel that he took because it only took him 2 seconds to get from their house to Remus' cabin. The house being like Hogwarts and cannot apparate inside its walls landed him in front of his doorstep instead. He never really liked traveling with the floo network.

"So, did he offer you cake already?" Remus said announcing his presence behind James.

"Was he like this when he arrived?" James asked still looking perplexed with Sirius' actions.

"Yep! He's been overtly polite and caring and I tell you it's creepy. Wait till you ask him why." Remus shook his head with a smile.

"Sirius! What's with the white thingy on your shoulders?" James asked not wanting to get to the point yet as it might trigger Sirius out of whatever it is his into. Striding to the dining table, he took the weight off his feet with one of the wooden chairs.

"Oh, that my dear friend is flour. I've been trying to bake cake for a couple of days now. I dare say that this baking has more to it than it looks." Sirius said again with the same vague look he had.

"What's so hard with it? You just have to make cake appear in front of you. Why go to all this trouble?" James asked being joined by Remus beside his chair.

"Well, Padfoot here wants to learn how to bake the Muggle way as he is trying to impress a young woman in one of the nearby cabins." Remus answered for Sirius because Sirius' eyes looked up and was obviously daydreaming again. James was now beginning to understand it.

"Sirius, out of curiosity, are you, by any chance in-love?" James teased.

"Oh, James, please stop teasing me like that." Sirius blushed. James smile was now from ear to ear because of this unusual sight. Remus bit his lips trying to suppress a laugh. There was nothing wrong with Sirius being in love but you have got to admit that it was hilarious seeing your best friend's face turn into 20 shades of red.

"So, who is the lucky girl?" James inquired. If there was someone making his best-friend a fool out of himself of, well she probably should look decent enough.

"Well, if you have to ask. Her name is Helen." Another dreamy expression on Sirius' face emerged at the mention of her name.

"She lives two cabins to our right and Sirius met him when he came over the other day. They talked and Sirius must've tried his best to impress the girl that he mentioned he also loved baking. Which, as of two days ago he didn't even know what it meant." Remus supplied. James was very amused at the situation. This was why he always loved spending time with his best-friends.

"So, how is it with the baking? Any progress?"

"No, not really. I told you this takes a lot of work." Sirius finally admitted but didn't take the dreamy look off of his face. "Oh well, I would just have to tell her the truth and ask her about it huh? Maybe she could teach me and I could touch her hand." Sirius was now looking so ridiculous that James and Remus laughed at his expression. It was an uncommon sight for Sirius "the ladies man" Black was now saying things like Peter when in front off his crush.

There was a knock at the door. Sirius froze feeling that it was Helen because he asked her if she could come by during her free time and meet his best friends. James and Remus knew why he just stood there staring intently at the door without even blinking. James took this opportunity to mess with Sirius. Its one thing to pull pranks at school but to pull a prank on your best mate is something entirely different not to mention more entertaining. He hoisted himself and marched to the door. Opening it, he saw the vindication of Sirius' behavior. Helen reached up to his eyes, her hair had thick coils, and her eyes were the softest brown he'd ever seen. He had to admit that even he admired Helen's beauty. He was about to gape at Helen when Lily's intense green eyes flashed as an image in his brain. This made him grip his sanity again and remembered that he was thinking of pulling pranks on one of his best friend.

"Yes?" James inquired as if he didn't know who was standing in front of him. It's not like there were any other female who visits them aside from Lily.

"I was wondering if Sirius was here." Helen was nervous and didn't know if this was right. She knew that she just broke up with his boyfriend but Sirius had wonderful blue eyes that made her heart skip a beat and he was as funny as hell. He also didn't care that she was a squib. Not that his boyfriend mind but the pressure his parents placed on her was unbearable. She loved Severus but she just couldn't handle it anymore. She knew that Severus loved her deeply but it was not in his person to defy his parents, not yet. Not until their dead anyway. She however can't wait that long. That's why when Severus came home from Hogwarts for the summer, she broke it off. She knew that Severus wasn't going to take it easy but they both knew it was for the best.

"Yes, and you are?" James asked knowing that Sirius needed a few moments to collect himself and Remus to help him get a hold of himself.

"I'm Helen Saint."

"James Potter, one of Sirius best-friends." James extended his hand.

"Nice to meet you." Helen said taking his hand.

"Come on in. I'll just go get Sirius. Make yourself comfortable, after all it's just me, Sirius and Remus who stays here." James said with an evil grin making Helen blush at the thought of having no parents in this house. She was half-relieved that she didn't have to answer question about her being a squib but quite embarrassed being in a place with no parental supervision. The last time she was in a house without parental supervision did not classify as a PG-13 kind of moment. It was magical but she knew it was a tad bit early engaging herself into the act.

"Thank you." Was her reply.

"Sirius! A gorgeous brunette is looking for you. Should I tell her you're at the kitchen trying to learn how to bake to impress her or should I just tell her to come back some other time when you finally get that baking thing figured out?" James said all too loudly making two individuals go crimson. Remus bit his lips to make sure he doesn't burst out laughing. He knew what James was thinking and he wasn't going to argue, in fact he was going to join James in making it hard for Sirius to get Helen.

"Why did you have to yell that? You could have just told me she was here. Damn it James Edward Potter, I'm telling Lily!" Sirius stormed out the kitchen and was now flour-free with the help of Remus. James however went pale with the mention of Lily's name. Remus was now laughing so hard because of the scene in front of him.

Sirius knew that his best-friend won't make it easy for him to woo let alone talk to Helen in peace. Sirius for a moment was on his right mind, well as right as it could possibly be minus the "in-love" part. He didn't even look at Helen but raged to the fireplace and in a few moments was casting a handful of Floo powder in the hearth.

"Lily Evans!" He roared and instantaneously the auburn-haired girl appeared in the fireplace without a speck of dust in her Muggle clothing.

"What did he do now?" Lily asked stepping out of the hearth. She knew that there was only one reason why Sirius would go into all this trouble of calling her. James.

"He's embarrassing us!" Sirius said loudly and then remembered Helen was in the room. Lily was confused at first until her eyes fell on a young girl her age. Lily being the smart witch she was knew what was going on. And from Helen's flushed cheeks and timid behavior she knew that it wasn't one of Sirius' daily flirting and philandering.

"Hi, I'm Lily Evans. One of Sirius' friends. I'm sure you've met my boyfriend, James. I do apologize for any trouble he caused. Don't worry I'll deal with him right now." Lily said all in breath displeased of what her boyfriend had caused. She shook Helen's hand and stomped into the kitchen to find Remus laughing and James giving him the most innocent face he could.

"Your friends are quite interesting Sirius." Helen said to Sirius and sat down. She was getting very uneasy by the moment. She was highly embarrassed with the whole situation.

"Yes they are. I'm sorry if I lost it a while ago. It's just that I don't want you embarrassed like that." Was all Sirius could say. There was silence between the two until they heard the commotion in the kitchen.

"Don't even think that I'm fooled with that innocent look. You go in there and apologize to her or so help me you will pay for it!" Came Lily's voice.

"I didn't do anything Lily, I swear!" James retorted and raised his hand to justify his words.

"Don't you dare swear James if that is just a lie or I will blast that hand off of you." Lily said which had instantaneous effect as James hid his hands using his Seeker skills that it seemed to have disapparated. Remus found it so amusing that he didn't bother interrupting.

"What did you do?" Lily asked. Although to James it sounded like, 'tell me the truth or die'. It seemed that his throat was so scared of Lily that it fainted, not being able to function. Lily was getting impatient that she asked the one person who would tell her the truth without suffering James and Sirius' wrath, Remus.

"Remus, what did he do?" Lily asked without even looking at Remus.

"He shouted 'Sirius! A gorgeous brunette is looking for you. Should I tell her you're at the kitchen trying to learn how to bake to impress her or should I just tell her to come back some other time when you finally get that baking thing figured out?'" Remus replied all too quickly. Unlike his best-friends who loved pulling pranks on other people, he loved pulling pranks on them. He felt it was his duty to avenge those who they have tricked. Not that he didn't had fun watching but it still felt better pulling pranks on one of the 'untouchables' in Hogwarts. It seemed there were only two people privileged with this honor. Him and Lily.

"Traitor!" James said which earned her another glare from Lily.

"Now march in the living room young man and apologize to them especially to the young girl or else!" Lily shouted and pointed towards the living room. James trudged to the living room and saw Sirius grinning like mad and a small smile on Helen's face.

"I'msorry." James said.

"I didn't hear you!" came Lily's voice from the kitchen.

"I'm sorry! I promise I won't embarrass you again or Lily Evans has all the rights to maim me for the rest of my life. Happy dear?" James said as he quickly went back to the kitchen to find Lily and Remus sipping tea. He didn't want to see the reaction of the two lovebirds in the living room.

"Yes, now for your punishment." James groaned at this. He hated being busted for a prank he pulled. Not that he couldn't do anymore of those in school but Lily always made sure it was at moderate and by moderate it means a little or none at all.

"I feel like a foot massage at this moment, how about you Moony?" Lily asked.

"Massage away!" Remus grinned. He loved watching James in his punishments. It was so different from the James in school. It was as if he was like any other student. James sighed as he took his wand to prepare the things he will need to give Lily and Remus a foot massage. It amazes him how no Professor in Hogwarts could send shivers down his spine with just a slightly raised eyebrow unlike Lily can.

Helen was quite fascinated at James action because of Lily that Sirius ended up telling her how there is only one person on earth who can strike fear in James' heart and that was Lily. Even they couldn't figure out why and they were one of the most brilliant wizards in Hogwarts too.

"Maybe its just love. People never really are their normal selves when they are with the one they love. A person can be a whole lot different in front of other people and in front of the ones they love, many wouldn't believe that they are one and the same person." Helen said remembering how Severus was aloof and always shielded his emotions but not in front of her. He would cry, laugh, dream out loud, tease and even pout in front of her. It was one of the things she loved about him. He was his real self whenever she's around.

"Well, I can't seem to be myself when I'm around you, do you think I'm in love with you now?" Sirius said not knowing that he said it out loud. Helen blushed profusely that she couldn't look at Sirius. They were about two inches away from each other having to sit in a very small comfortable sofa.

"Oh I'm sorry, didn't realize I was saying that out loud." Sirius said who was now turning crimson.

"It's alright. I don't seem to be myself when I'm around you too so it makes two of us." Helen said further painting her cheeks red. Sirius head turned to her and attempted to press his lips against her when she put a finger on Sirius' lips.

"I would love to be with you but I don't think I'm ready for that yet." Helen said. She knew she wasn't a virgin anymore and there is no possible way that Sirius could also be a virgin but it was too soon and she was in part still in love with Severus. If she was going to give herself to Sirius she wants to do it like what she did with Severus. With all her heart and with no regrets. She wanted it to be as beautiful as what they shared. But as of right now, she can't do that. Not yet anyway.

"Okay. So its official that you're my girlfriend now?" Sirius said with a goofy smile on his face.

"Yes. Now, about that baking thing, would you like me to teach you?" Helen said with a mocking tone in her voice.

"Yeah, about that, sorry for lying to you. I just couldn't find something we have in common and I really wanted to keep on talking to you that time." Sirius admitted.

"Its alright but from now on, no more lies or secrets." Helen stated firmly.

"I promise, now come on, I'll introduce you to my friends."

"But I already met them."

"Yeah, but not as my girlfriend." Helen blushed being called as such by Sirius. She knew that it was too fast but there was safety and comfort in Sirius' eyes that she found irresistible. Besides, he'll be in Hogwarts after a month or so and wouldn't be able to see him for a long time. So they headed to the kitchen holding hands.

A month passed by and Sirius was so happy that he was walking on Cloud nine everyday. James got to spend time with Lily. Remus however got a taste of his own medicine as everyone was teasing him about Amanda. It was a fun summer until one fateful day.

"What time is it?" Sirius asked already ready for the day.

"Ten a.m." James answered groggily. He just got up and wouldn't be up if not for Lily who woke up early.

"Why?" Lily asked preparing James a strong cup of coffee.

"Helen's late." Sirius said noting that this was the first time Helen was late. She would always come by at around eight in the morning.

"Maybe she slept in a little bit longer. I wish I could." James said directing his last words to Lily.

"Maybe." Sirius replied but deep in his gut he knew something was amiss. There's something that didn't fit right. Just then an owl flew in the kitchen door and dropped a blue parchment in his lap. A Clandestineness. There was a mix of emotions in his stomach. Lily stared at the Clandestineness and also felt that something was wrong. James was now suddenly awake, he too felt there was something that wasn't right.

Sirius opened the Clandestineness and a faint smell of cinnamon and strawberries filled his nose. It was Helen's smell. Then the figure of Helen appeared in front of him. She was as beautiful as ever but her eyes gave away her sadness. It spoke and drowned the silence in the kitchen.

"Sirius, I," She bowed her head. "I'm sorry but I have to break it off with you. Its not easy but I have to. I can't be with you now knowing my condition." She looked up and tears were streaming in her eyes. "I love you and but I need to learn how to be unselfish now. Thank you for all our wonderful moments. You made me so happy. I'm sorry for leaving like this. Its for the best." It ended and the moment it did tears were flowing like waterfalls in his eyes and he suddenly got up and headed to Helen's house. He wasn't surprise when he found it empty. It seemed that they left last night when they were sleeping.

"Padfoot! What happened?" Lily rushed to him and hugged him.

"She's gone. She said its for the best." Sirius hugged back. He was so deep in his pain that he needed to be held. This was far worse than being disowned by his family. He was sobbing so hard that Remus and James just came to the house silently knowing what they will find. After two days, Sirius wouldn't eat anything. He wouldn't bathe, he wouldn't drink. His best-friends were even wondering if he ever blinked. He was just staring off into space. Deep in his mind he was replaying everything that happened during that whole month they were together. Trying to look for reasons why Helen had left him. He couldn't find anything. All it brought him was pain beyond belief.

"Sirius! Snap out of it. You are going to eat or I will have Dumbledore in this cottage to force you to." Lily said threateningly hoping it would snap the teen out of his condition. Sirius just looked at him with despair in his eyes and went back into staring into space. Hearing Lily's voice made him remember what brought her in the cottage. A fresh batch of tears flowed from his eyes again.

"What did I do Lily? What is it that made me deserve such pain? Isn't it enough that my family hates me for being what I am? A Muggle-loving Pureblooded wizard? Tell me Lily am I so horrible that I don't deserved to be loved?" It was Lily's turn to shed tears. He didn't like seeing Sirius in this state. She didn't know what happened but as of this moment she had a strong urge to throw every curse at Helen for doing this to Sirius. Sure Sirius was stubborn and very mischievous but he was also compassionate, loyal, brave and would die protecting his friends. Lily held Sirius and let him vent out all the pain that been brewing in his heart the past two days.

"You'll be alright. Here drink this." Lily said handing him a glass of pure purple liquid.

"What's this?" Sirius asked. He knew it wasn't a simple juice.

"It's a potion I made myself. It lessens the pain but gives it back to you little by little so you could deal with it a day at a time." Lily said in between her tears.

"Thanks." Sirius was so hurt that he didn't want to feel anything anymore. He drank the potion and felt unbelievably content. Not happy but just right.

"Everyday you would feel a small amount of pain but it will fade as you deal with it. And there will be a day when you wouldn't feel any pain anymore. That would be the day that would tell you, you have dealt with this." Lily explained.

"Thanks Lily. Can we eat now, I'm really hungry." Sirius said getting back the sense of rumor that he had once before this ordeal.

"Yeah, come on." Lily said taking his hand and going down to the kitchen.

The months passed by and Sirius was almost back to his old self but they knew that every morning he would cry and deal with Helen's lost. They couldn't find Helen anywhere so they just accepted the fact that Helen didn't want to be found. After going back to Hogwarts though, Lily was welcomed by a sad face from Severus. When they talked about it she knew exactly what happened, except Helen's pregnancy because even Severus didn't now about that. Severus knew about Helen's affair with Sirius and is blaming him for Helen's departure. Lily tried to explain that it wasn't but Severus wouldn't listen. Lily however didn't mention to Sirius about Severus and Helen's relationship before him.

By the time Sirius was completely recovered from the Helen Saint fiasco, Hogwarts was over and it was his time to discover Lily had been pregnant too and was going to give birth anytime soon. Lily kept her tummy filled with spells to hide his pregnancy until such a time that they were allowed to be married by Albus Dumbledore.

A/N: Okay, so not as funny as I intended it to be. It went from funny to mushy to sad. Oh well, I hope you like it though and I do hope it explains a lot. Because when I think about it when your shagging your boyfriend for almost a year (Lily and James) you should very well be pregnant before you graduate or at least immediately afterwards. And I had to think of a way how I can make Hermione and Harry the same age. They are about a few months apart but still the same year anyway. So there it is. I do hope you enjoyed that. Reviews please.