Hey there =) So, I decided to divide the chapters a little bit different than in its original form. Or I would have not been able to update today and keep my habit to update CofX together with Black Heart. Hopefully, the next ones are going to be longer and more again. ^^ We'll see. Have fun!

Review:

sandraj45692: Hey there =)

Melissa is going to have her goodybye with this chapter. I don't think the friends would have had much fun if she had stayed at Hogwarts otherwise, like James and Lilli would never really got a good chance for their relationship if she had stayed. She would have never stopped meddling around.

+laugh+ Yeah, I have to admit that I love this special link between both guys. That's what I loved about them so much. Sirius and James close friendship no matter how crazy things went and James and Lilli's deep love for each other =).

So, you like Anna and Sirius as a couple? At another story of mine, Anna was orignally Remus girlfriend first, but through out the story, the chemistry between her and Sirius became almost unignorable. +g+ Was never my intention though. It just happened because their characters acted well on each other. They became a couple in the end of that story and remained a couple in this one. I'm glad if people didn't find that is... +searching for a word+ poor, because Sirius has a girlfriend in almost every other story and I used to not like this fact which was the reason for putting Anna as Remus girlfriend at first so Sirius could remain single.

Well, enough talk. I should really learn to make my answers shorter ÖÖ Have a nice day! Read you =)

Chapter 49 – Hate

When the sun rose that day, it heralded a new morning, a very special new morning for two people. Anna's head laid on Sirius naked chest with her hand placed on his heart. With her forefinger, she gently stroked circles over his muscles while Sirius played with her strands of hair, smiling broadly and knowing perfectly well that she liked this as much as he did.

"You know what?" he said after a while as she shook her head on his chest, but no word left her mouth. "I just asked myself... what's with us now?"

"Us?" she asked confused.

"Yeah, us. Don't tell me there still isn't an us?"

She remained silent.

"An?"

Slowly, she pushed herself up to sit straight, pulling her hair back behind her shoulder, but didn't turn any attention towards him. Sirius pushed himself up, too, looking at her concerned.

"An?" he urged again, hoping for any answer. It was kind of obvious that this would be anything but good and that she probably are going to say something stupid to make him go crazy but Sirius needed to hear her words spoken out loud to deal with this appropriate. But there were no words. Instead, Anna threw his shirt back at him to get fully dressed. Actually, both were already up for a while because they didn't want their friends to catch them in an obvious situation but they had stopped in the middle to feel each other a little bit longer.

Truth was, she enjoyed the past night and was still enjoying the moment. She wanted to enjoy this until the very end before she had to tell him to make a hard change in their life.

After both were fully dressed, she sat back down to him. They kept on looking at each other and Sirius knew that her eyes were telling him a lot, even though most of them were questions and more questions, but this time there were also answers.

"You really want that?" She asked softly.

"What?" He asked confused.

"That!... With me."

"An, of course I want you!"

"No, Sirius," she whispered brokenly, placing her hand on his cheek to touch his skin one last time.

"I didn't mean me..., I mean that thing with me. My parents, Voldemort, my great-grandfather... My parents are prepared to do anything. I know that they are hating me for what I did and.. still do and something tells me, that Dumbledore won't be able to protect me. I know that he's strong but so is Voldemort and I think... the latter one is going to win."

"You even hear what you're talking?"

He was horrified and maybe even angry that she said those things. She really appeared lost.

"It's not what I am saying, Sirius. It's what I can feel. Dumbledore is working with white magic and only with white Magic. Those exists to protect and to strengthen, working defensive and never offensive. Those will never hurt... never kill. The dark Arts on the other side are there to kill people and to hurt them no matter what needed even if that means to use the white Magic against one. If I only keep on protecting without attacking... what's the point? This war would never be over if we fight by only protecting what's still in one piece."

"I understand what you're saying, but I really think you're wrong. Dumbledore is fighting."

"Yes Sirius. He fights, but he fights with white Magic, which isn't meant to attack. How do you hurt someone, if you are only able to protect? James is the best example."

"Because, you're keeping him alive with dark Arts?"

"Because they are stronger! I tried every white magic I knew, no, every white magic that existed an nothing worked. I promised him to help and I wanted to keep my promise and didn't see him dying. But that time, I came to understand that the dark Arts are way stronger, because they have the power to attack and to heal. In the end, Voldemort will win, if Dumbledore keep on acting like this. You saw everything with your own eyes, Sirius. No matter, how much my great-grandfather wants, he can't keep us safe and sound. Melissa was ready to kill me and sacrifice us all to get her revenge. Dumbledore wasn't able to prevent this try, even though he knew how cruel several Slytherins are and how far they would go. He didn't do anything because a white-magical one just didn't punish anyone out of a suspicion."

"But isn't this what differs us from them? Because we are not like Voldemort, we will win this war. You know the Kingcades. His own people, who had done everything for him and it didn't matter to him that his own people were killing each other. You think, Dumbledore would let him has his way with you? We trust each other, we may have our fair shares of arguments and didn't always have the same opinion, but if that happens, we didn't want the other to suffer. If I argue with you and yell at you, I don't do that to hurt you or to proof anything. I do that, because I have your best interests at heart."

Anna couldn't help but be speechless. She had expected him to agree with her and to turn his back on her after that, but he hadn't done that. He didn't hesitate to disagree and while he spoke, she was able to observe a determination in his eyes, that gave her something back she had thought lost for along time... hope.

'You're so stupid, Cord... So... stupid, if you think... that you mean anything to Voldemort. In this war... you're nothing but a deatheater, a servant like any other of them. You are... replaceable for your precious Dark Lord... I... James... Sirius... our death will be mourned, they will fight for us and they'll remember us once this war is over. Because we are friends for real. Let alone the fact that James is coming shows me that I am not indifferent to him like you want to believe.'

Those were her own words, echoing in her mind. Words, she had almost forgot and which were once spoken with determination and faith. Now, Sirius words gave her the same feeling back she thought she had lost with Melissa. Faith.

"Thanks," she whispered tenderly, pressing her lips on his for a deep, passionate kiss.

"Roaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" the voice of the Fat Lady yawned, petting exaggeratedly bored with her hands at her mouth. "Really, that was soooooooo heartbreaking. You can stop now, trying to cheer me up with such gibberish. Thank you very much. The Gabbing Helmet sends his best regards. You now, he told me so much news, I can't believe I haven't heard of that first. For example, Sir Cardigan -"

"I think, we should let the others out, now," Sirius said, since Anna had pulled with the appearance of the Fat Lady. She agreed with a smile and both stood up to open the doors for the others to enter the common room again, of course, ignoring everything the Fat Lady tried to gossip about.

It was still early but Remus was sitting with them at the table for breakfast, already looking like he could use some sleep. His face was completely pale and even his hands were shaking whenever he tried to grab some food to his mouth.

"That bad this time, Moony?" James asked concerned, but his friend only shook his head. It was obvious for all of them, that their friend didn't feel well but didn't want to worry them.

"I guess.. I'll get back to bed for some more sleep. Still tired..." he said with a faint smile and was just about to leave when he suddenly bumped into another oily Slytherin classmate. Snape.

"Watch where you going, Lupin!" he barked angry. Sirius and James jumped up at once to rush to him. But while James was helping Remus back to his feet, the other Marauder pushed Snape rudely away.

"Sirius, no!" Anna yelled hastily, running to the group as well to prevent anything worse from happening.

"Really sweet, Black! Did White break you? So, you honestly stop bullying innocent ones? Maybe you're only scared I might get back at you?!"

"Quiet, Snape!" Anna yelled imperiously, trying desperately to pull Sirius away from the Slytherin.

"Say thank you to Anna for preventing me to beat the crap out of your tiny brain, git!"

"Sirius, please leave him alone!"

"NEC!" Snape's voice suddenly filled the room, his wand was pointing at Sirius, who happened to still stand behind Anna. Lilli, Diana, Remus and James mouth dropped open in horror as the curse of Snape didn't hit Sirius but Anna, pulling both down by force. Sirius just grimaced slightly but Anna gasped in pain. Everyone in the hall was suddenly on their feet, murmuring about what just happened.

"Are you insane?!" Lilli yelled at Snape, while James was pointing his wand right at the Slytherin, who didn't hesitate to take down his wand by choice. His eyes however remained deceitful, knowing perfectly well that James could not attack now.

"What happened?!" McGonagall's harsh voice appeared by them. Sirius and Anna was just about to get back on their feet, but while Sirius was unhurt, Anna gave a short cry of pain since on her right arm was a deep gash with blood running across the skin and dropped on her hand.

"Miss White, to the hospital wing. Miss Ayenterro, take her there. You four a following me!"

James, Lilli, Sirius and Snape were standing right in front of McGonagall in her office and were asked to tell what happened. Since the great hall was fully occupied, the teachers weren't able to catch everything. McGonagall had only noticed something as the light of the curse was flashing.

"Miss Evans, you may start."

"This skunk attacked Anna without any reason!" Sirius shouted and would have jumped onto Snape's throat again if James hadn't restrained him the same like Anna did earlier.

"This idiot attacked me first, Professor," Snape said arrogantly. "I only defended myself!"

"You both aren't Miss Evans unless any of you forgot to mention a second name in your registration? Well then, Miss Evans. Tell me what happened?"

Lilli looked at Sirius first before throwing another look at Snape and then turned back to the teacher.

"Severus bumped into Remus and he fell, Professor and Sirius asked him why he did that -"

"He asked?" Snape barked disdainfully. "He attacked me! You blind bod."

"He only pushed you away from Remus. That was not an attack," Lilli said firmly.

"Then, why was White trying to restrain him from?"

"Who had put the curse on Miss White?" The teacher asked, ignoring their argument to get to the end.

"Severus, Professor Mcgonagall," Lilli answered truthfully. "He suddenly took out his wand and hit Anna with it."

"Mr. Snape, you know that it's not allowed to duel anywhere except in if a teacher told you to!"

"I only defend myself, Professor!"

"You get detention and I will have a word with Professor Kanisteri! 50 points from Slytherin for injuring a classmate."

"Pah!" Sirius barked as he walked back from McGongall's office with Lilli and James. "Detention and points. This jerk deserves worse!"

And as if this wasn't enough, the Slytherin walked past them just at that very moment, still looking arrogant and conceited, but now even with a hint of victory in his attitude. Sirius was about to burst with anger as Snape threw him a patronising grin.

"Sirius, let it rest," Lilli tried to calm his mood, but it was no use. At this moment, there was no reasonable talk possible with him. His rage was seething and judging his expression, it was very likely he may be ready to throw Snape right in front of an evil dragon regardless of the consequences.

"He injured her very deliberately! He knew exactly he's not going to hit me and all he gets is detention? McGongall should have expelled him! She expelled Melissa too, so why – Anna!"

Called person was just leaving the hospital wing with Alice and Diana standing by her sides. Worriedly, he noticed the bandages on her right arm and knew that she was still in pain.

"Hey," she said with a faint smile as the friends rushed to them.

"Merlin, don't say it's serious?! Pomfrey usually heals wounds in a minute!"

"Sirius-" Anna tried to explain, but was cut off at once.

"Oh no! Don't tell me it's broken! But wait! Pomfrey can heal broken bones in a minute, too!"

"Sirius-"

"Hold it! Was this a curse that prevents wounds from healing?"

"Sirius-"

"This bastard! I'll kill him! This -"

"Sirius!" Anna yelled laughingly. "It's really cute that you would push Snape down from the Astronomy Tower for me, but it's nothing. Madame Pomfrey set this bandage only just in case."

"Err, well..." he said awkwardly, while the others grinned amusedly.

"But, it's nice to now how far you would go for me."

And before any of them could even understand what happened, Anna put her hand behind Sirius neck to pull him to a deep, passionate kiss. Sirius was neither surprise nor did he pulled away, but rather smiled contentedly and didn't care about the dropped jaws of his friends.

"Since when is this going on between you two?" James asked curiously as he walked back to the common room with his friend. The girls retreated out to catch some fresh air and have their girl talk.

"Since last night," he answered with a big smirk. "Well... actually, since this morning."

"Err. How that?"

"Dunno, mate. Just happened. Weren't you the one who said yesterday he would be happy with that?"

"I am. But now, I need to hurry to catch up with Lilli, don't I?"

Sirius laughed amusedly, petting his friend onto his shoulder before climbing through the portrait hole into the common room.

"So, that's a race now, Jamesie?"

"Very funny, B!" James joked back before they both walked upstairs to Remus.

Later that day, Anna and Lilli returned back to the common room where Sirius, Remus, James and Peter were already sitting on the couches in front of the fireplace. Anna smiled gently, seeing the boys laying relaxingly on their backs. She sat down next to Sirius, putting a soft kiss on his lips. James smirked at this sight, but turned his attention to Lilli, who had been watching the couple for a while before she also turned her eyes to him. The moment their eyes met, he felt the urge to be with her, holding her in his arms, like Sirius did with Anna, feeling her or just keep on looking in her beautiful eyes. Lilli's eyes were just gorgeous, exceptional green, he had never seen anywhere else. They were sparkling out of innocence and passionate. A squeaking voice interrupted them, well, actually, Anna had pulled away even before the portrait swung aside. They all looked to the person that had just entered the common room and not all of them were pleasantly surprised.

"Kingcade," Sirius snarled, moving protectively in front of his girlfriend like a wall. The blond girl only gave a mocking laugh, eyeing them scornfully.

"Chill, Sirius. I do not have any intention to harm her... at least... not now."

But Anna didn't show any reaction or feeling whatsoever. She remained seated with a blank expression. Kingcade only rolled her eyes before walking past them up to the girls dorm. It was Lilli, who followed her upstaris.

"Let her be, Lilli," Anna called after her, but the Head Girl signalised that she had to do that, before moving forward into the dorm. As she entered the room, the girl was already packing her bags. The way she was wavering her wand closely resembled a very sophisticated woman.

"Hello, Lilli," Kingcade said, without even looking at her and Lilli? She stayed at the door, because something prevented her from moving closer to that girl. Maybe the fact she actually wanted to see her best friend dead? Or the fact how cruel she really was? Or maybe it was her own fear that Kingcade could find a way to stay and to get James back?

"You've won, Evans," she said after a while, closing her bag and jinxing them small enough. "I never thought this day would come, but you really did it."

There was a strange sparkle in those blue eyes and even though she felt pity for her, there were also fear creeping up inside her. Despite everything that happened so far, she always had imagined this moment differently when Kingcade would let James free and disappeared from her life. She never thought she would really feel sympathy for her.

"I lost Anna to you, I lost Sirius to you... and now even James and I can't comprehend all this. To be honest, I never thought this day would come. I was always sure you would be the one to withdraw... Just goes to show you never know."

Kingcade walked closely past her until she stopped near enough to be able to whisper right into Lilli's ear the words she might never forget.

"Congratulations, but if you thought I'm a quitter, you're mistaken. Enjoy your luck. I will destroy it one day."

With that, she left. The sound of her shoes echoed in the corridor, dragging a serious coldness along with her. This wasn't the fresh coldness from a winter month. It was a cruel and dark coldness, that was freezing the one inside, who was meant to feel this. Lilli wanted to say something, anything consolingly like it's your own fault, but Anna, Sirius and James didn't bear grudges and they would understand if you apologise. Or maybe wishing her good luck in Durmstrang, anything to silence her conscience, but nothing came out and instead her conscience became even worse. She managed to get Anna, James and Sirius on her side, to gain their friendship, but for which price? Now, Melissa Kingcade was her enemy for real and Lilli knew this witch would never stop until she gets her revenge. She couldn't help but ask herself what she had done and if this was really what she wanted all along... Probably not... at least not this.

Kingcade came down into the common room, causing the group to stop their talk as she approached them. The way she eyed them wasn't good at all and could feel that she wasn't done with them yet. The nasty and dark glare in her blue eyes were shouting to get to the surface to get the disaster done, a very cruel disaster.

"Well, I guess that's a goodbye then," Kingcade said more ironically then honestly. She sat down next to Remus on the couch, who hadn't pull away or stood up. He wasn't afraid of her, even if her presence was not something he had wish for either. Much like they were never really foes but also not close friends.

"So, Remus. Seems like we're done."

She placed her hand onto his shoulder and got very close with her lips on his cheek to give him a very short, gentle kiss. With her hand, she stroked softly across his hair with a cunning smile. He stayed indifferent towards her, throwing her a blank look. The Marauder was not anyone, who was against anyone else or turned on anyone, but rather stayed neutral as good as possible. Knowing Kingcade's real character, he decided to treat her indifferently, like anyone else he was not fond of.

"Good luck in Durmstrang."

"Luck?" she asked with a fake smile, but retreated from him. "I don't need luck. I am welcomed over there. But I will wish you guys luck. Believe me, you all are going to need it. Anna?"

Called person looked neutrally back, at least she tried to do that consider the weird situation, since this was her former best friend, who was about to bid her farewell. She still wasn't sure how to handle her change. For a second, it seemed as if there was a lot to come, but instead Kingcade only spoke one sentence.

"So long!"

The witch stood up again and walked towards the portrait hole, tears had appeared in the corner of her eyes.

"Lissy!" Anna suddenly called after her. She wanted one last try to save what had lasted for so many years and what had been a close friendship despite all the rivalry. They had shared deep secrets and a lot of experiences with each other. This was now going to end but she wouldn't want to let go easily. She wanted to give her a sign that there would still be a coming back for her if she only wanted to.

Both girls were opposing each other, glaring without saying one word. Then, Kingcade placed two fingers on Anna's temple. She didn't twitch back but remained restrained by her eyes on the place. She hardly had ever seen so much pain in those familiar blue eyes in front of her and she had never expected to see this deep sadness from her former best friend shown at this very moment.

"I'm sorry," Kingcade whispered, before finally turning away to leave.

Sirius rolled his eyes at James, but he kept on staring at Anna, who had not respond to his look by a gesture nor any words. Instead, she was looking after Kingcade until the portrait swung back to close the view. James couldn't help but getting a bad gut feeling at his ex-girlfriend's words. Truth was that Kingcade didn't make threats if she had no intention to act on them.

Anna had tried to read something in Kingcade's mind that would help them to figure out what she was up to, but something had blocked her way. In fact, Kingcade used to not be able to prevent Anna from reading her mind, but now, she was and she didn't understand how this was possible. Her head started pounding hard with this thought, like laying something heavy on her temple.

Remus breathed in heavily as he jumped to his feet to excuse himself for leaving. He wanted to take a rest since the pain worsen with every further minute, causing him to feel deeply exhausted.

They all nodded understandingly and James asked Peter to follow the friend to look out for him. Just in case his condition became unbearable or dangerous. They never saw him this exhausted.

"Poor Remus," Anna whispered, cuddling more into Sirius' arms. Her head was pounding badly, like her nerves were about to explode. She felt so weary and tired, preferably falling asleep in her boyfriend's comfortable hug.

"Yeah, I hope that doesn't mean it's going to be harder tonight?" Sirius grunted, while stroking gently over his girlfriend's hair. He stopped as he noticed that she was burning up, placing his hand onto her forehead but pulled it back at once after clearly feeling her fever.

"An?"

"Hm?" she asked quietly. Her eyes felt so heavy, she could hardly move her eyelids anymore. It was strange, but it was as if something forced her to fall asleep and there was no strength left to strive against it.

"You're burning up!"

"I do... what?" Her voice was weak, hardly audible. His words became duller, the view even blurry.

"Sirius?!"

James hurried to them at once, placing his hands onto her forehead to feel her temperature, but shook his head worriedly. Her eyes were almost completely closed and her movements slowly and uncoordinated.

"Padfoot, that's not good."

"I know... I take her to Pomfrey."

Sirius didn't hesitate to pull her up at his arms while James helped them by opening the portrait hole and running to the hospital wing to inform the nurse. He was almost there when he suddenly stopped, watching Kingcade leaving the corridor. Before she disappeared behind the corner, she looked back. It were her eyes telling him that this was her work, her revenge.