At breakfast the next morning, Sirius received a letter from home reminding him that he was expected to be there for the holiday. It was straight forward and impersonal, and since everyone was curious, he let them see it. He'd expected something like it; his parents' way of making sure he knew they still held the reigns.

"Annabelle," said Lily, as they were walking to class, "I thought you and Sirius were fine now. What is the matter?"

"Nothing's the matter. Things are great with Sirius. Why do you ask?"

Lily gave her a perplexed look and said, "You're behaving like you have a Quidditch match against Slytherin in a few minutes."

"Am I acting that way? I didn't think I was."

"Spill it, Annie," ordered Alice. "You're a terrible liar."

Annabelle shrugged meekly and frowned. "I just don't want him to go."

"Are his parents really that bad?" asked Lily. "I mean, what's the worst that could happen?"

"Don't ask her that," said Alice. "She will be trying to come up with an answer to that question all night, making herself sick over it."

"You really should try harder to put on a happy face," Lily suggested. "You are only going to make things harder for him if you don't."

"You're right," Annabelle said. "I'm going to try harder."

Lily and Alice knew Sirius and his family didn't get along, but he'd told Annabelle the rest in confidence so she couldn't tell them about how his parents treated him at home. How his father preferred fists over wands, how his mum was given to fits of screaming rage, and how it was worse for Sirius since his parents took his beliefs as a personal affront to the family. As much as she wanted to tell them the truth, Sirius didn't bestow his trust lightly on people and she would not break that trust. But Lily was right, she needed to try harder to be strong. This wasn't about her, and he didn't need her fears and feelings on the matter burdening him.

"He'll be fine," said Alice. "He's been a part of that family his whole life. I'm sure he is used to how things are by now."

The boys had been sauntering casually behind them, talking about the holiday as well.

"My parents are making me go to Coventry for the first few days of break to visit some old great-great aunt or something like that," James complained. "Never met her in my life; never even heard of her until yesterday mornings' post, and apparently she's not long for this world. But we should sneak out to London some night when I get back. Meet near Padfoot's place, and head over to Camden Town or somewhere."

"Sounds cracking, but count me out this time. My parents would panic if they discovered me gone," said Remus, whose parents were overly protective of him ever since he'd been bitten.

"I'll owl you and let you know," said Sirius, who didn't want to commit to any plans just yet.

"Party-poopers," kidded James. "You are welcome to join us in Coventry, Sirius. My mum told me to tell you."

"To visit some dying old aunt you don't even know? Tell your mum I'm absolutely gutted to miss it, but my parents are very eager to see me."

"You're going to make me endure it alone?" James replied. "And I thought you were a friend."

Sirius just laughed. He knew James' mum was trying to give him an out, a way to avoid going home. Every year she invited him to spend the holiday with them, but good old Orion and Walburga Black wouldn't hear of it. Not at Christmas time. It was about keeping up the appearance of a dignified pureblood family, nothing more. There would be no warmth or joy in the Black household at Christmas, just a lot of ill will and going through the motions. What he wouldn't give to experience one Christmas like his friends did every year. Even Annabelle, who chose to stay at the castle instead of accepting multiple invites to friends' homes, said she found Christmas at Hogwarts to be pleasant and merry. He'd never known the holiday to be anything special, and in recent years it had been miserable.

The boys caught up to the girls at the classroom door, and Sirius grabbed Annabelle's hand and led her down the hall a little ways where he stopped to talk to her. He put his hands in his pockets as he casually leaned against the wall, his eyes examining her countenance for a clue as to what was going on in her head. Besides worrying about him, Annabelle was thinking that no one else but Sirius could make leaning against a wall look so seductive.

"Stop worrying that pretty head of yours, Annie. You look like you're about to play Slytherin with that face you've been pulling all morning."

"Ha. Lily said the same thing," Annabelle said, overcompensating by beaming ecstatically. "But you see? I'm grand. I'm merry and bright."

Sirius grinned. "You can't fool me."

"Am I that obvious?"

"You probably should work on your game face a bit. But, I think I've got something to take your mind off your troubles."

He pulled the mistletoe she'd attached to his Christmas present out of his pocket, and held it up over their heads. Annabelle was surprised he'd kept it. There he was, about to face his parents in a day, and he was thinking of her. Her troubles. She decided that from that moment until Saturday, she would work on her game face so he would have one less thing to worry about.

"I told you I'd make use of this," he said, pulling her close with his other arm.

"You don't need this in order to kiss me." She took it from him and tossed it over her shoulder.

He wrapped his other arm around her and lowered his lips to hers. She felt her cheeks get warm as he hugged her tightly to him and kissed her. They held back some because they were in public and didn't want to end up making a scene, but oh how they both just wanted to keep going. These little interludes were never enough and left them aching for the next brief encounter.

"We should go to class, yeah?" Sirius said eventually, then kissed her again. For a moment she forgot to be worried about anything, too consumed in the sheer bliss of his lips. But, class… they couldn't miss class. She pulled back to look at him.

"We should," she said, not wanting him to let her go, but knowing if he kissed her again she wouldn't stop him, and they'd end up cutting class. She wouldn't be let off the hook for it this time.

They resigned themselves to detaching from each other. He held out his hand and she took it, and they strolled into the classroom. They made it just in time.

Professor Binns, the History of Magic teacher, was an old ghost of a wizard who droned on and on, terribly in love with the sound of his own voice. The classroom could go up in flames and he would be none the wiser; he'd still be talking. Since it was so boring, note passing seemed the natural thing to do to help pass the hour. Lily was amused to have two notes land on her desk at the same time. She could tell who they were from before she opened them. The aeroplane would be from James, and the bird would be from Annabelle. She opened James' note first. It read:

If you really want to go to the Slug Club Party tonight, I would be happy to go with you. I was just teasing yesterday. Shall we, my darling?

Lily wrote back,

It's all right. It won't be any fun for you, and I'd rather spend some time alone with you since we won't be seeing each other over the holiday.

She charmed the note to make its way back to James, then opened Annabelle's note.

This is so boring... I am falling asleep. Are you going to the Slug Club Party tonight? I think you should go.

Lily frowned, and wrote,

I don't think so. James said he would go with me, but I know he doesn't want to. Severus will be there... Maybe not the best decision?

She sent the bird flying along the floor a few seats over to Annabelle, who was just opening a note she'd received from Sirius that read,

Stop passing notes and pay attention to the lecture. You are here to learn, not to muck about. It's distracting.

She grinned and wrote back.

Stop watching what I'm doing and you won't be distracted. Problem solved!

She sent the note back to him and grabbed the one Lily had returned. After reading it she replied,

I guess, but James would probably be on his best behaviour with Slughorn there. And he wants to make you happy. Let him.

Off the bird flew along the floor, gliding straight over Remus' feet to Lily's waiting hand. Lily was already reading James' response.

I know you are worried about Severus and I having a go at each other. I promise you, I won't even acknowledge his existence. Let's go. I will get you alone afterwards.

Before she replied, she read Annabelle's note, telling her to let James make her happy. She knew she couldn't keep the two boys from ever running into each other again, so she wrote back to James, All right, we'll go then. It starts at seven.

Meanwhile, Annabelle opened the note that had sailed back over from Sirius.

It's too difficult not to watch you. I tried. Besides, you are much better looking than Professor Binns.

Annabelle giggled quietly and peeked across the room to Sirius, whose elbow was on the desk with his hand supporting his head. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes and grinned. She wrote back, Now who is the distraction? Is getting me in trouble the only reason you come to school?

A few minutes later, the note came back to Annabelle.

You know, as well as anyone, the answer to that. I come to school for Quidditch, of course.

Annabelle shook her head and responded, Is that the only reason? I think I can give you a better reason than that.

Off it sailed to Sirius. He grabbed it after Johnny B. tried to stomp on it as it passed. After reading it, he couldn't wipe the grin off his face as he replied, I think I like where this conversation is going. What did you have in mind...?

This time he sent the note in a different direction to avoid Johnny B.'s attempts to interfere. A few moments later the note came back to him.

You'll have to wait and see.

He felt his skin tingle at her response. She was torturing him. He stole a glance at her and she was looking straight ahead at the professor, a slight smile playing at her lips. He was glad for the distraction though, as the hour of departure would soon be upon him, and not only would he be leaving her with no friends or family in the castle, but he'd be coming face-to-face with his parents with whom he hadn't shared a word since September, except for that morning's perfunctory letter. Approximately forty-eight hours until reckoning day and he wanted to spend every single one of them with Annabelle. He knew she was afraid for him, but he was trying to play it off like it wasn't anything out of the ordinary for him. He didn't want her Christmas ruined because of his problems.

As soon as class ended, many of the students tore out into the hall to escape the monotony. Annabelle waited for Sirius, who took her hand and kissed it, a smouldering look in his eyes.

Annabelle laughed. "What are you like, you cheeky thing?"

"What did I do?" he asked, the impish smile he wore betraying the innocence of the question.

"Come on, let's get out of here," she said, linking her arm through his and following behind their friends.

They had an hour between classes and she and Sirius managed to slip away. He led her to one of the castle's many secret chambers and hiding-places that he had and his friends had discovered while traipsing around at night. She wondered briefly if they actually did know about her secret tower, but she didn't dare ask in case they didn't.

"How do you know about these places?" she asked, genuinely amazed at how well he knew the castle.

They had entered an unused room in a part of the castle that wasn't occupied by classrooms or dorms. He opened what appeared to be a linen closet, the shelves entirely empty. When he pushed on the shelves, they opened like a door, and she slipped inside, Sirius right behind her as he charmed the outer door to shut from around the shelf-door.

"All castles have secret rooms like this, as well as secret passages. They were put in as a precaution to protect against invaders and the like. You just have to look for them."

"Yes, but they aren't supposed to be easy to find. You and your mates must have been very busy all these years."

Sirius laughed as he led her up a narrow staircase and around a corner into a small cramped room, the ceiling so low that he had to duck his head. There was tiny, rectangular stained-glass window in the wall emitting a trace amount of light. He locked the door behind them.

"Would have sneaked you up here sooner but I couldn't remember where it was." He looked round the space, his hand resting on the ceiling. "Sorry it's so bloody cold in here."

"You must have checked your map that you had with you the night we went to Moore's."

He smiled, narrowing his eyes. "Yes, the map. A very useful map it is, but if I tell you its secrets I'll have to kill you," he teased, pulling her to him.

"It's okay. I'll get it out of you eventually." She shivered a little from the draught coming in under the door.

"Cold, are you?"

She nodded.

"I'll warm you up."

He led her down to the floor, and they rested against the wall next to the window. He kissed her and she felt like she would disintegrate at his touch. It didn't take long for them to lose their inhibitions, doing whatever they could to distract from the inevitable parting on Saturday. He eventually pulled her over him so that she straddled his lap, and as she kissed his temple, he ran his hands up under her skirt. Her breath quickened as she tried to reconcile how incredible it felt with how far they might end up going if she didn't stop him. When his fingers gripped the waistband of her tights. Annabelle gasped and grabbed his wrists, her cheek still pressed to his.

It was an instinctive reaction, but she wasn't quite sure why she'd had it. Everything he had been doing felt good, and right, and part of her wanted so much to continue. Maybe it was just fear, a normal, healthy fear about the finality of it, and the knowledge that once it was done, there was no turning back.

After a pause, Sirius gently took her face in his hands so he could see her. She looked down, embarrassed, not wanting to look at him.

"I'm sorry, Annabelle, I didn't mean to push you."

"You did nothing wrong," she said, still not able to look at him.

He tipped his head so she couldn't avoid his gaze. "You did nothing wrong either. It's all right. It's a big step… for both of us." When she didn't speak, he said, "I love you, Annabelle. And I want you…To be close to you... There's no denying that. But if you want to wait, I reckon I'll survive."

She smiled at him faintly. "I think I'm still a bit scared."

"That's a good reason to stop, then. But you have nothing to fear with me. I promise."

"I believe you."

She shivered again and he said, "Let's get you sorted."

He buttoned up her shirt and helped her with her tie, then pulled her sweater over her head as she slipped her arms inside. She did the same for him, and after they were fully clothed again, she curled up against him as he wrapped his arms round her, kissing her head as he stroked her hair.

She suddenly felt sad as the distraction had come to an abrupt end and reality came swooping back down on her. Sirius was so patient and understanding, and her heart swelled with love for him. She couldn't fight the imagery taking shape in her mind of what might be waiting for him at home - Sirius and his brother blending into the walls unless they stepped out of line, in which case they'd be dealt the only form of touch they had come to expect from their parents, violent force. She couldn't fathom how anyone could want to hurt him, let alone his parents, the people that were supposed to love him most of all. It was heartbreaking, and she clung to him, wishing her touch could be a talisman of sorts, providing some sort of protection against his parents' harmful ways.

Sirius was also feeling melancholy. As much as it pained him, he had expected Annabelle to stop the proceedings; in fact he was pleasantly surprised that she'd wanted to go as far as they did. He knew she loved him, and he meant it when he said he would wait. But there was nothing blocking out his unwanted thoughts now, and he couldn't fight the depression washing over him as he held her, his trip home squirming its way back into the forefront of his mind. The desolation could no longer be kept at bay.

His parents were not loving people. They never had been. They had kids because that was what you did in wealthy pureblood families. He and his brother were the heir and the spare, both created in a loveless moment of procreation to ensure that the money stayed in the family. They were raised by nurses as babies, who would arrive and inevitably go when they could no longer stand working for his austere, temperamental mother and his callous, prideful father. He had foolishly told Annabelle these details of his upbringing, because she had asked. She had wanted to know all about him. Her stricken face when he had told her about it, and of course when he'd told her his father had a proclivity for physical abuse at times, had made him think he should have kept it to himself. Now she was bearing his burden; he could tell by the way she hugged him, but could barely look at him.

After a while she sat up and began smoothing his hair.

"I wish I was a pureblood," she said, matter-of-factly.

"Why, Annabelle? What difference would it make?"

"That way, maybe your parents would be happy."

"My parents don't know what 'happy' means. But, since we're wishing, I wish I wasn't a pureblood. For a lot of reasons. I know you were dealt more than your fair share of troubles, but what I wouldn't give to have a fraction of what you had with your grandfather."

"You deserved better," she said, then kissed his cheek. "You are so precious, and I can't believe they chose to ignore that." Out of habit, she almost suggested again that he just stay at the castle, but then she remembered the letter he'd received from home telling him he was expected there. He had to go.

Her words had a way of calming him, and made him feel a bit stronger. She helped him remember that he had people who cared about him and were looking out for him, as much as he would let them anyway, and who would help him if he needed it. James' parents were always concerned about him and even Dumbledore often asked how things were with his parents. His closest friends knew how it was and they had all offered to go home with him at one point or another, but his parents would never allow it. Still, it felt good knowing he wasn't alone.

"Let's just stay here all day," he suggested. "Or all week. No one would find us."

Annabelle smiled. "Sounds like a plan, except we have McGonagall next."

"We'd better go, then."

They made their way out of the secret chamber, checking to make sure no one was prowling about before stepping out from behind the closet door and ambling off to Transfiguration.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Later that evening, Lily entered the common room all ready for the Slug Club party. Annabelle and Alice had done her hair and make-up, only a touch since she didn't really need it. Caradoc whistled and James blushed when he saw her. He immediately stood up and took her hand.

"Any reservations I had about going to this party are gone now," he said. "You look stunning."

Lily replied bashfully, "You don't look so bad yourself."

Just then Remus came down the stairs, dressed in a nice shirt and tie, his hair looking tame and dapper. Johnny B. came down behind him, grinning proudly at his handiwork. Claire was in the Slug Club and had asked Remus to join her for the party.

"Whoa, Claire is going be throwing her knickers at you!" joked Fairfax, causing Remus to turn as red as a tomato. All the boys burst out laughing, except for Johnny B. who never went in for the vulgar humour.

"Shut up, Hood," Remus sniped. "She's not like your girlfriends."

"Ooooh, fair enough," Fairfax laughed amicably. "I'm only teasing, you know. All I meant was you look very put together."

Remus rolled his eyes, but said no more. He waited by the door for James and Lily.

"All right, mates, last chance to get a glimpse of the Geek Club party, I mean Slug Club party," James announced as Lily playfully swatted his arm. "Who wants to sneak a peek?"

Sirius and Annabelle were going to the library, which was open later the week before the holidays so students could finish up their final assignments and projects. They had a lot to catch up on, but they agreed to walk with them to the party.

"Maybe we can get a glimpse of what we've been missing all these years," Sirius whispered to her.

"You planning on joining?" Annabelle teased.

"Um, let me think about it. No."

First, they stopped at Ravenclaw tower, where Remus knocked on the door with the bronze, eagle-shaped door knocker.

"I can be cracked, I can be made. I can be told, I can be played," it said.

They all looked at each other like it was the lamest riddle ever.

"I thought these riddles were supposed to be difficult," said James.

"Answer it, Remus," Sirius said.

"We can't just go in there," he replied.

"I'll answer it then," Sirius said. "A joke!"

The door opened. James and Sirius, who had their trademark devilish glint in their eyes, started calling out for Claire rather loudly.

"Claire! Time to party!" James shouted. "Hurry up!"

"You don't want to miss a second of this party, Claire. Put your dancing shoes on!" called Sirius.

Again, Remus was mortified and pushed them back from the door. He was just about to close it when Claire appeared, simultaneously laughing and blushing. Some of her friends peeked around the corner, also grinning shyly, like they had to see the boys making all the fuss.

"Aww, she looks so pretty," Annabelle said to Lily as Claire took Remus' arm.

"She does," Lily agreed. "They are adorable together."

"Sorry about that," Remus whispered to Claire.

"It's all right," she replied, then turned to Annabelle and Sirius. "I didn't know you were coming as well."

"We're not," said Sirius. "We're going to have a grand old time in the library catching up on school work."

Claire's smile faded. "Oh, that's too bad."

Annabelle knew Sirius and James were itching to make a joke in response so she quickly spoke in order to deter them from embarrassing Remus anymore.

"Better get going, or else you will be rather late," she trilled.

When they arrived at Slughorn's office, the door was open and the party had begun. Remus and Claire went in first and made their way across the room, probably because Remus wanted to be far away from James and Sirius in case they pulled some stunt in front of Claire.

"All right, mate," said Sirius as he straightened James' tie, then patted his shoulder. "Put on a brave face. You can do this."

James, who was pretending to be very solemn, replied, "If I don't return to the dorm by nine, send help."

Lily took his hand and said, "Come on, James. It's going to be fine."

As they entered the office, Slughorn rushed over to greet Lily, and James looked back to the door at Annabelle and Sirius who were peeking in at the party. Sirius laughed at James and pointed at him. James started laughing too, but shot him the two-finger salute anyway.

"Let's go," said Annabelle, not wanting Slughorn to see them there lest he try to invite them in. "We have a lot of work to do."

As they were leaving, Severus Snape was just arriving at the party. Annabelle tightened her grip on Sirius' hand and held her breath as the boys exchanged glares, but neither said or did anything. Sirius looked to Annabelle after he'd passed and she gave him a reassuring smile to commend him on letting him by without a single remark or threat.

After two hours in the library of straight school work, they had finally caught up and were exhausted. They walked slowly back to Gryffindor tower, stopping at an open window on the landing of the staircase they were on. They looked out over the snowy grounds as the frigid air hit them, then up at the stars that were shining brightly in the clear sky.

"Which one is Sirius?" she asked him.

"Do you see Orion?"

"Yes."

"The three stars of Orion's belt point downward toward Sirius to the left," he explained.

"I see it. The brightest star in the night sky. Fitting name for you, really."

He laughed. "I'd much prefer a common name like Henry or Mike."

"But that would be boring," she said. "And you are a great many things, but boring is not one of them."

Sirius was quiet, deep in thought as he rested his arms on the windowsill. Annabelle put her arm around him, but said nothing. There wasn't anything she could say to make him feel better about the current situation.

After a time, he wrapped his arm around her and said, "Why don't you just go home with Lily? I hate to think of you at school over a holiday."

"I've told you, it's not that bad. There are always a handful of other students, and Dumbledore makes a big deal out of it. Sometimes McGonagall takes the older students to London for a day, which is always fun."

Sirius frowned and gave her a squeeze. "Don't you get lonely all day long?"

"I suppose it can get a little dull, but there's stuff to do. McGonagall gives us free apparition and transfiguration lessons where we learn the fun stuff, and we don't have to be anywhere on time so I can sleep as long as I like. Besides, it's better than putting up with Lily's sister, that's for sure."

"She's not very nice, is she?"

"Not at all. In fact, I did go home with Lily for Christmas during first year. Her parents are lovely - so welcoming. But that wretched Petunia has such resentment for Lily and anyone with magical abilities. She was not thrilled I was staying there, let's put it that way."

"What happened?"

"She cornered me in Lily's room while Lily was in the shower. Told me Christmas was for families and asked me if I didn't have any other freak friends that would take me in for the holiday."

He squinted in disgust. "How rotten."

"Fortunately, all muggles aren't like her," said Annabelle. "Needless to say, I felt awful, and I wanted to go back to the castle and let her have her Christmas without me ruining it."

"Did you tell Lily what she said?"

"No. They already have a strained relationship. I didn't want to make it worse. Lily sensed something was off though, and her parents made extra sure I came back for Easter and part of the summer, but I always feel awkward about Christmas, since Petunia thinks it's just for family."

"Or for people of the non-magical variety," Sirius said. "I can understand you not wanting to be around her."

"It's not a big deal. I've had invites from others, but I just feel like I'm intruding. I don't mind being here, so it's all right, really."

Sirius sighed, the cold air causing him to shiver. Annabelle reached out and pulled the window shut.

"Let's get back," she said. "I want to hear about the Geek Club party."

Just as they were turning to go, they heard giggling from further down the shadowy corridor. They turned to see Remus and Claire, holding hands and walking in their direction. The pair hadn't noticed Sirius and Annabelle standing on the landing by the window yet.

"That isn't the way from Slughorn's office," Annabelle said suspiciously.

Sirius' sad expression changed to a look of pure mischievous delight almost instantly. Annabelle noticed, and whispered, "Sirius… do not embarrass them."

Remus and Claire still hadn't seen them standing there, when they stopped in the middle of the corridor and kissed each other.

Sirius and Annabelle's eyes widened before they looked away, and they started laughing silently. It wasn't even funny; it was just so utterly unexpected, in addition to the fact that Remus and Claire would die of embarrassment if they knew his mates were seeing their intimate moment.

"We should make a run for it," said Sirius. "Oh shite, they're coming."

Sirius jerked back toward the window, flinging it open and throwing his arm round Annabelle. They kept their eyes trained on the sky, pretending as though they hadn't seen a thing. When Remus and Claire discovered them, they hesitated before approaching.

"Oh, what a beautiful winter sky, aye Annie?" Sirius said.

"Indeed it is. Quite twinkly and starry."

Remus stood there, looking at them like he could see right through their act, and he cleared his throat in irritation. Sirius turned around feigning surprise.

"Remus! Claire!" he exclaimed, barely suppressing a grin. "Fancy meeting you here. How was the party?"

Annabelle would never have felt the desire to laugh, but she couldn't help it with Sirius around. Everything had potential to be funny with him, and she still had to fight laughing, especially since she could tell Remus knew they'd seen him kissing Claire.

"It was a little dull, actually," Claire said. "We slipped out early and went for a walk instead."

At least she was honest. Remus was shooting Sirius a look of warning, which only made Annabelle want to laugh harder.

"Want to come to the common room with us, Claire? No one will tell on you," she offered.

Claire looked to Remus who nodded in approval, and Annabelle linked arms with her and led her ahead of the boys to escape the awkwardness.

"Go ahead, say it," Remus said to Sirius. "Whatever joke you are going to make, just spit it out."

"What could I possibly have to say," replied Sirius. "I was looking out a window."

Remus gave him a skeptical look. "You've lost your touch, Padfoot, because you're not fooling me."

"Really," joked Sirius. "I was looking at the stars. I couldn't possibly have seen you and Claire snogging in the corridor."

Remus sighed, smiling. "There it is," he said as he slowly shook his head.

"We didn't mean to see it. And I'm only taking the piss because you are so easy to wind up. Claire is a lovely girl, and I hope you continue to snog her in the corridors."

"Thanks... I think," Remus said, as they followed the girls into the common room.

"Anyway, now we're even," said Sirius, who was remembering that Remus was the only one who'd seen him kissing Annabelle at Moore's Pub.

After talking for a while, and watching James do a hilarious reenactment of events at the Slug Club party, Remus walked Claire back to Ravenclaw tower and eventually they all retreated to their dorm rooms. There was one more day between them and Saturday, and most students were packing, excited to be seeing their families soon, while Annabelle had no choice but watch and worry.