Sirius and James didn't return to the common room until after dinner, and when they did, Sirius was limping, and James was holding a bloody rag to his nose, which was still bleeding profusely.
As he crossed the room, Sirius looked around, and finally, made eye contact with Bess. She sent him a small smile, and he nodded at her.
Remus and Peter met them at the door to the boys' dormitories, and they all traipsed upstairs.
A few hours later, when all of the girls had gone to bed, Bess found herself lying across an armchair, deep in thought, and staring at the fire.
She was trying to work out how she felt about Sirius going after Regulus. Her first reaction was worry - not for Regulus, but for Sirius. She felt guilty that he'd gone against his own brother to protect her honour, and she couldn't find it in herself to be upset or annoyed at him.
In fact, she felt like she trusted him so much more. She was trying to work out why, when she heard a noise behind her.
She looked up and saw Sirius, clad in the same pyjama bottoms she'd been wearing in the hospital wing, and a plain black t-shirt. He was standing in the doorway to the boys' dormitories, a worried expression on his face.
"Come here." She said, sitting up and tucking her legs under her.
He walked over slowly, already limping less than he had been, and sat on the arm of the chair, looking down at her. After a moment she got up, stood between his knees, and hugged him tightly. He moved her curls to the side and buried his head in the crook of her neck and squeezed her even closer.
"You're not angry?" She heard him say against her neck.
"With him? Yes. With you? No."
"Why?"
"I- I- I've been trying to rationalise it, but I can only really think of it like this... I was angry when I saw you hurting that Slytherin boy... it was public, and it was potentially humiliat-"
"He tried to hex me again last week..." He said, raising his head slightly and nuzzling her neck.
"Shush..." She said with a laugh. "But... when you went off to look for Regulus, and came back... it felt like you were trying to protect me. There was no 'I'm better than you' feel to it. It wasn't public, it wasn't... ugh- it was..."
"So fighting my brother, good, fighting other people, bad?" He asked with a chuckle.
"You know that's not what I meant!" Bess said with a whine, trying to pull out of the embrace.
Sirius held her tight and nuzzled in to her neck again, mumbling "I know, I'm just teasing..."
"It's just different. And I'd say by the looks of things you're well matched with him on the duelling ground, and I'm guessing there's a lot more to unpack from the whole thing..." She whispered, thinking about his family and their blood purist views.
"I- I don't-"
"Shh, we don't have to talk about it now."
"Thanks." He mumbled against her neck.
She almost shivered when he pressed a kiss to the juncture of her neck and shoulder.
"How's your leg?" She whispered, trying to ignore the blush rising in her cheeks.
"Not too bad. Remus fixed us up."
"Did you have dinner?"
"Yes, mum, we did." He said with a small chuckle.
She pulled back and cupped his face. "I feel like that's an insult..."
Sirius laughed and reached up a hand to push her curls back over her shoulder, bringing his hand to rest at the back of her neck.
They stared at each other for a moment before Bess said, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I know it'll take a lot more than duelling my brother to make up for-"
"It's not- argh, it's- it doesn't make sense, I know, but-"
"It didn't, I didn't get it, but after talking to Remus-"
"-Remus-" Bess said at the same time, a smile on her face.
"I understood it more." He said, moving his hand from her neck to hold her hand which was still cupping his face. "You have no one in this world-"
"Harsh-" Bess whispered, a teasing smile on her face.
Sirius stopped to roll his eyes before continuing, "-and for some reason you trusted me completely. I intentionally tried to hurt you. That's not something you can get over in an instant. I- I understand the feeling."
"You do?"
He nodded and looked down, moving his hands round to play with the hem of her jumper. "When I thought you'd been kissing Scott, I felt betrayed. It was sickening, and I- I lashed out. But when James told me you weren't- I felt-" He stopped and sighed. "I just- I know it's going to take time." He said, nodding to himself, before looking back up, staring into Bess' eyes.
"And in the meantime we're...? What is this?" She asked, with a frown.
"Courting."
"Courting?! What are we? Old people?" She asked with a shocked laugh.
He laughed and brought his arms around her again. "Blame James' secret romance novel collection."
"His what now?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
He chuckled. "Lily mentioned this book once and he bought the whole series so he could chat to her about it. She's never brought it up again though." He said, laughing. "But yeah, I'm just... I don't want to call it waiting... but I am. I'm waiting until you feel comfortable enough... and to prove that I've grown up... because after all you've been through, you deserve to not be hurt emotionally again."
"Maybe I should just date Remus..." Bess said pursing her lips and looking at the ceiling, pretending to be deep in thought.
"Please don't even joke about that..." He groaned, pulling her in tighter and tickling her.
Bess squealed with laughter and he stopped and pulled her in again, grinning at her.
"It's just a fancy way of saying... that if you're okay with it, we're just slightly more than friends, but still getting to know each other."
"So you don't do this kind of thing with James?" She asked, laughing, before biting her lip, and cocking her head to the side.
She wanted to say she was okay with it - she really was. But she felt like she was taking advantage of him in a way - she knew his future, she was lying to him, and she was taking him away from James and Remus.
"There are things I haven't told you." She finally whispered.
"Same." He replied without a pause.
"Important things."
"Same..."
"I don't know when-"
"Same."
"About-"
"Same."
"There are things I don't know if I can ever tell you."
He simply nodded.
"Then I'm okay with this."
"Good." He replied, before leaning forwards and rubbing his nose against hers.
When he pulled back, Bess whispered "I think I need to show you something.."
He frowned and ran a hand over her hair, trailing down her back until he reached her waist.
She took a deep breath and reached down, pulling up the left hand sleeve of her jumper.
Finally, after what felt like minutes of staring in to each other's eyes, his eyes trailed down. They widened when he looked at her scar, and he stilled.
Bess took in a shuddering breath.
He didn't say anything, but stood up suddenly, and pulled her into his arms again.
For the first time in months, she felt truly safe. He didn't need to say anything.
He held her for a while until she pulled back and said "we should go to bed."
He nodded and, after kissing her on the cheek, walked her over to the girls' dormitory stairs.
xXx
Thursday and Friday passed in a flash. It seemed the boys' duel with Regulus and two of his friends had become the new hot goss, and, when someone had seen Bess and Sirius share a long look at breakfast, it hadn't taken long for people to work out why he'd taken his brother down.
Regulus, other than sneering at her, hadn't done anything in retaliation.
Snape and Damacus, the two Slytherins in Bess' Potions class, hadn't tried to mess with her either.
Part of Bess wanted to know what had happened, but the larger part of her didn't.
She had a strong feeling that she'd be on the receiving end of some terrible curses soon, but no one seemed to want to step a toe out of line.
"It's half term next week, no one wants to spend their free week in detention." Lily whispered to her as they sat together at lunch on Friday.
The girls, who had obviously noticed something going on between Bess and Sirius, hadn't said anything so far. She knew they'd begin to ask questions soon, but they were holding off for a while.
She was just thinking it was a little too quiet when James appeared at Lily's side.
"Evans!"
Lily's groan should have been the first thing that tipped him off to her bad mood - she had a terrible headache - but unfortunately for him, he didn't notice.
"Gettling said you're going to Hogsmeade on your own?"
The girls either had dates, were going with other friends or, in Solstice and Bess' cases, weren't going at all.
"And?" Lily asked, grimacing.
"Come with me and I'll buy you everything you want!" He asked, a giant smile on his face.
"I don't need your money, Potter." She groaned, putting her head in her hands.
"Then I'll-"
"Can you just go away?" She asked, rather harshly, Bess thought.
Bess, who had thought that James asked Lily out a lot, hadn't witnessed this before. She was sure Lily thought he was just doing it to be annoying, and that she didn't think he was serious. James, on the other hand, was deadly serious.
His face fell and he frowned deeply. "Fine." He said, as he stalked off.
"Lily...?"
"What?" She asked sharply, finally lifting her head from her hands.
"He was trying..."
"He was joking."
"No, he wasn't." Bess said quietly, shaking her head slightly and looking down the table with a sad expression on her face.
Lily followed her gaze and watched as James just grabbed his bag and walked straight out of the hall.
"He's always throwing his money around... always offering to pay for things..." Lily said quietly.
"It's nineteen seventy-six, Lily... that's what boys do when they like a girl... I don't agree with it, I'm more of a pay my own way kind of person, but it's what they do."
"He doesn't really-"
Bess held up a hand. She knew without a doubt, that they would get together within the next year. "I think we both know he does. He's been a prat in the past, but he seems like he's been trying."
"You're only saying this because you like Sirius..."
"Am I?" Bess asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lily blushed and looked down, suddenly finding her soup very interesting.
xXx
That night, Bess, who always found herself feeling restless the night before her birthday, wanted to do something reckless.
She'd spent an hour that evening straightening her hair and painting her nails in an effort to do something but it hadn't been enough to satiate her need for... she didn't know what.
After making sure the girls were all asleep, she tip toed to her trunk and grabbed a hoodie and her trainers, slipping the clothing on over her pyjamas.
She wanted to go on an adventure.
Barely three quarters of an hour later, she found herself standing in the left corridor of the seventh floor, staring at a large portrait of Barnabas the Barmy teaching some trolls ballet. Well, attempting to.
When she'd finally found the painting, she'd felt her adrenaline spike, and had barely stopped herself from pacing the corridor and entering the Room of Requirement.
The only thing stopping her was that she didn't want to spend her birthday with a little slice of Voldemort.
Just as she was about to head downstairs - she wanted to try and find the kitchens - she heard a rough snarling voice behind her.
"You again!"
Bess groaned and turned around to see Filch standing behind her. It was no use, she was definitely caught, and there was nowhere to run. "Follow me..." he sneered.
Bess nodded and followed him through corridors and hallways until they finally reached his office. He pushed the door open, mumbling about students having no respect for curfews or him, and Bess stepped inside.
"Elizabeth! What on earth are you doing here?" James asked. He was lounging in a chair in the corner, obviously having been caught before Bess.
They grinned at each other and she shrugged.
"Shut it, Potter." Filch said loudly, as he flicked through his papers and pulled out a detailed looking sheet.
"Out after hours..." He began, as he took out a quill and started to tick off indiscretions. "Reason?" He asked, glaring up at her from his desk.
Bess shrugged. She didn't know what to say.
"Insubordination..." He said quietly, writing on the sheet.
"Nice. I haven't got that one in years..." James whispered.
"I said shut it, Potter! Or do you want to add to your punishments?" Filch snapped, before turning back to Bess. "I hope you enjoy your half term... I'm not sure you will though... I'm recommending three detentions..."
"Three?! You only recommended me for two and you caught me-"
"Shut it!"
James glared, but held his tongue.
Filch finally dropped the duo back at the Gryffindor common room a quarter of an hour later.
"Well, that was fun..." he said, chuckling to himself. "Well, uh- better go to back to bed then..."
With that, he whistled, turned around, and walked over to the door to the boys' dormitories.
"Sleep well!" She called to him, as she turned around and walked back to the portrait hole.
"What're you doing?" He called across the common room, as she pushed the portrait and poked her head out, checking the coast was clear.
"Going out."
"But Filch just caught you..."
"Exactly. Now he won't expect me to be out again. If he catches me again that's my own fault."
"What's so important?"
Bess pursed her lips, not knowing what to say. "I want to go to the kitchens."
"Midnight snack? Because Remus has chocolate if that's what you want?"
Bess smiled and shook her head. "You guys need to leave Remus and his food alone... No, I want a hot chocolate and some adventure." She said with a smile, before she slipped out of the portrait hole, leaving him behind.
She ran down the flights of stairs to the corridor above the Entrance Hall.
"You're crazy." James said, pulling her behind a suit of armour just before Filch walked around the corner. Once he was gone, James let her step out in to the corridor.
"Sorry. Really thought he would have gone the other way... why're you here?" She asked with a frown.
"Call him old fashioned, but I think Sirius would prefer if his girlfriend didn't have so many detentions she couldn't spend any time with him in half term week."
"He's not my boyfriend, as you very well know." Bess said, rolling her eyes and walking quickly towards the stairs leading to the hall.
He grinned at her and cocked his head to the side. "Sure about that?"
She glared at him playfully and said, "shut up..." as she felt the blush rise to her cheeks.
He followed her down the corridor. "Do you know how to get to the kitchens?"
"I know I have to tickle a pear, I just need to find it first..." she said, before running down the stairs.
She thought she was alone for a moment until he spoke again, "do you want a pointer?"
"Hmm... What time is it?"
"Almost eleven..."
"Then no thanks, I have time." She whispered back, moving in to an alcove and peering in to the dark hall.
"When're you meant to be there?" He asked. He wasn't even trying to hide - he was just leaning against the wall next to her hiding place.
"Midnight." She said, tip toeing to the next alcove and peeking out.
James frowned and followed her. "Who're you meeting?"
"Your dad. He said to say hi." She said with a playful glare, before rolling her eyes. "Myself. I'm meeting myself."
James, who had let out a small laugh, grinned again.
"Okay, come do something with me and I'll take you to the kitchens."
"No thanks, I don't really want to be part of your pranks..."
"It's not a prank!"
She raised an eyebrow.
"It's really not." He replied quietly.
She pursed her lips and appraised him for a moment. "We'll definitely be back by midnight?"
"I'm eighty per cent sure."
She thought about it for a moment. She really wanted to be in the kitchens by 12, but also found her interest piqued. "Where're we headed?"
"Greenhouse four."
"Herbology?"
"You catch on quick!" He said, as he walked noisily across the hall and opened the main door to the castle grounds.
"Why?"
"Need to water the mandrakes."
"What?" She asked quietly, as she stepped out of the door.
"They're like fat babies at the moment, and need extra care. Sprout's good and all, but she always forgets the extra water on the Friday night before a half term."
"How long've you been doing this?"
They were now walking quickly along the path.
"Since last year."
"Why?" She asked quietly.
"Why not?"
Bess shrugged. "I just thought you'd be doing a prank or something."
"Didn't say I wasn't... Sirius is somewhere in the castle with a few dungbombs as we speak. We take it in turns to sacrifice ourselves to Filch for the cause."
"That's... oddly sweet."
"Thanks."
They walked in silence for a while until they finally came to the right greenhouse.
"It's locked..." Bess whispered as she tried the door.
"You are a witch aren't you?" He asked, waving his wand and unlocking it.
"Since January, yeah..." she joked.
He looked up at her with a grimace. "Always forget about that... be right back."
Bess looked around as he slipped inside the greenhouse, before moving to sit on an upturned bucket near the door while she stared up at the stars.
James did come right back... at least fifteen minutes later... carrying a bucket of manure and some odd looking leaves.
By this time, Bess had lain down on the grass, still stargazing.
"Alright?" He asked as she sat up.
Bess raised an eyebrow at his hoard.
"We're-"
She held up a hand and said "honestly, I don't want to know," before standing up and wiping down the back of her pyjama trousers.
"Probably for the best. Hold this?"
She held the bucket and grimaced at the smell as James locked the door again. The manure smelt awful.
Taking the bucket back, he checked his watch and set off at a faster pace than the way there. "Sorry, that took longer than I thought."
"What's the time?" She asked quietly. She knew they'd spent too long outside, but she didn't have a watch, and there was a curious lack of clocks at the greenhouses.
"Sorry... It's almost midnight. Think it's about two minutes to."
Bess stopped. They wouldn't make it back to the castle in time. She frowned deeply and ran her fingers through her freshly straightened hair before putting her hands in her hoodie pockets and looking back up at the stars.
James, who had walked on further, turned around and jogged back to her. "We can make it for just after twelve?" He asked, looking worried.
She smiled at him and shook her head. "Could you show me where they are after midnight?"
"Sure." He nodded.
"Will you tell me when it turns twelve?"
He nodded again.
She looked up at the sky again and stared at the constellations. She had no idea what they were, having not taken astronomy, but she looked for Orion's belt - the only one she knew.
"It's midnight." He whispered.
Bess closed her eyes and sighed deeply before nodding, turning around, and marching towards the castle again.
James followed her silently until they got to the Entrance Hall, when he placed the bucket near the bottom of the stairs and led her over to a set of stairs leading downwards.
"Portrait's just down there." He said, pointing towards a giant painting which sat near a load of barrels. "Just-"
"Tickle the pear. I got it from here. Thanks! Enjoy your bucket of shit," she said with a grin, before bounding down the stairs.
Just as she got to the bottom she heard him whisper loudly "what time are you heading back?"
She turned to look up at him and replied, "about two I think."
He nodded. "I'll see you then," and left the doorway.
xXx
True to his word, James returned at two. Bess, who had been waiting for him when he'd arrived, ran up the stairs two at a time, and they set off together.
"What happened at midnight?" He asked as they reached the fifth floor.
"I left a glass slipper on the stairs..."
"Come again?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Muggle story."
"Please elaborate."
"Ugh, I honestly can't be bothered. I'll get you a set of nursery rhymes for Christmas or something."
He grinned. "It's a long way to the common room... how about a truth for a truth?"
"Sure."
"When Sirius and I were fourteen-"
"Love it already!" She said, grinning at him.
"We snuck in to the prefect's bathroom and tried to run a bath-"
"Of course."
"But we used too much of the soap and ended up breaking a whole section of the plumbing-"
"Not where I thought this was going, but okay..."
James chuckled before his expression turned serious. "Do you think Lily will ever say yes?"
"Definitely."
"I thought you'd be in camp 'don't like James'."
"You got that vibe from me?"
"No... I just... I guess I just imagined all her friends don't like me."
"No. Look... you're doing well... it's just going to take time for her to realise you're changing and growing up. You have been horrid to her ex-best friend for years..."
"But he's... he's-"
"He was her best friend. No matter what he's done or will do."
James fell silent and they didn't say anything for a long time, until finally they came to the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"I should have known it was you..." The lady said, before shooting a glare in James' direction.
"Don't know what you're talking about..." he replied with a cocky grin.
"Bumbling bridges," Bess said loudly. This earned her a glare from the lady, but soon enough the portrait swung open.
As she clambered in to the common room, Bess turned to wave goodbye to James. "Don't give up. You two are endgame."
"Endgame?" He asked, frowning.
Bess grimaced and mentally slapped herself for using modern slang.
"Uh... it's Muggle slang from where I'm from. Means you're meant to be. Just... give her time. And while you're waiting, grow up a bit?"
James threw his head back and laughed. "So your advice is do what Sirius is doing?"
"It's working isn't it?" She replied with a wink, before climbing the girls' stairs.
She took off her boots, hoodie and muddy pyjama trousers and slid on a spare pair before quietly getting in to bed.
xXx
The next morning, Bess dressed up a bit more than usual - she did her make up and lightly curled her hair in to a relaxed Hollywood waves kind of style, and picked out her boots, a close fitting long sleeved black turtleneck dress, tights, and her leather jacket.
By the time she was done, Lily was the only girl left in the dorm.
"Date?" Lily asked, looking up from her book.
Bess shook her head as she wrangled with the clasp of a simple silver necklace. Her shopping list for the day included getting a new charm for it.
"Birthday."
Lily frowned. "Sirius' birthday is in November..."
"How do you know that?" She asked as she pulled on her boots.
"There's a stupid party every year. It always falls around half term so they go all out."
Bess nodded and looked in the mirror. Behind her, Lily raised an eyebrow.
"It's mine." Bess said, sighing.
"What?"
"It's my birthday..."
"WHAT?" Lily cried as she jumped up and ran over to her friend. "Why didn't you tell us?"
"Never the right time I guess?" She replied with a shrug.
"I'm so sorry!"
"Don't be! I wasn't going to go today, but then... thought I have some things to pick up..."
Lily nodded. "Sol got back together with Derek yesterday..."
"Nooooooo!" Bess cried, her mouth dropping open in shock.
"Yup." Lily said, rolling her eyes. "Which means... I'm completely free. I was actually going to stay here with you..."
Bess grinned. "Fancy getting boring things, chocolate, and a present for Sirius with me?"
Lily nodded enthusiastically and ran over to her trunk, pulling out a green dress.
xXx
When they got downstairs, Bess and Lily joined a very short queue of students - they seemed to be the last to be headed down to the village.
Filch was none too pleased to see Bess, and almost didn't let her go, but Professor Sprout had been passing as the girls argued with the caretaker, and made him let them go as Bess was now 17.
As they walked, Bess explained the previous night's excursion to Lily, who was both impressed and enamoured by James' kindness to Bess - though Bess conveniently left out the part about the trip to the greenhouses.
After she reminded Lily that she had spent three weeks in Hogsmeade that year, Lily stopped her automatic explanation of what shops were around, and instead asked where Bess wanted to go first.
Grinning, Bess led the way to Dervish and Bangs, where she picked out a second hand record player. She had it gift wrapped, but declined the offer to send it to the castle, and instead took it straight over to the Post Office, where she requested the most ridiculously large and fabulous bird they had.
She wanted to send it to Sirius for his birthday, and needed the delivery to be absolutely ridiculous, seeing as he had a flair for the dramatic and she remembered he would send Harry letters via exotic birds when he was on the run.
Since Sirius' birthday wouldn't be for another week and a half, they excitedly said that they could order in some Golden Snidgets for "only fifteen galleons". Bess, who thought this was a ridiculous price for such a weird present, took about five minutes to think of alternatives before she saw a duck sitting on one of the pedestals.
"You're sure you want this delivered by seven ducks?" The cashier repeated, frowning at her.
"Yes. The saddest looking ducks you can find. Fat ones, tall thin ones, it doesn't matter, but they have to look as ridiculous as possible."
"Alright... I guess I've had weirder requests..." the man grumbled, before Bess passed over one galleon and exited the shop.
"What did you go for?"
"Seven ducks."
Lily stopped in the street and looked at Bess weirdly.
"What?" Bess asked, second guessing her decision. "The Golden Snidgets were too expensive and-"
"No, it's absolutely perfect. Honestly, I think he'd love that, and I don't even know him that well!" Lily said, suddenly grinning from ear to ear. "You know him so well... it's just utterly ridiculous enough. Are you sure he'd like a record player though?"
Bess grinned and shrugged before linking arms with the redhead as they walked down to the Three Broomsticks for a spot of late lunch.
They had been planning to go to Scrivenshaft's so Bess could buy a lockable journal and some enchanted ink which only she could read, so that she could start writing down everything she remembered about Horcruxes, but it was now packed with students who were about to head back to the castle.
As she walked in to the warm pub, Bess was reminded of the second time she met Sirius. The hustle and bustle was much the same, and the place was filled with students chatting, laughing, drinking and eating.
"I don't know if we'll get a seat..." Lily said, looking around the pub as they walked to the counter.
"Drink while we wait?" Bess asked, signalling to the bar tender. He nodded and waved at her to say he'd be over as soon as he could.
"Butterbeer I think..." Lily replied, taking out her purse.
"And a mead?" Bess asked, and Lily nodded. "On me." Bess said, pushing the other girl's hand away. "Please?"
Lily relented as the tender came over.
"Two butterbeers, two small glasses of mead, and a bottle of water with two glasses please." Bess ordered quickly, handing over a few gold coins, "and keep the change."
"Thanks Bess! Ros was wondering when you'd be back!" He said with a smile as he turned to make their drinks.
"Do you know everyone?" Lily asked quietly.
"I lived here for three weeks, I'd hope so!" Bess replied, grateful that the bar tender had one, remembered who she was, and two, knew she was of age now. She imagined there must be a list sent to the pub of all the overage students.
"Was it weird, stu-" Lily began, before being cut off by Sirius' voice.
"Love, how on earth did you get out of the castle?" Sirius asked as he put his arms around Bess and pulled her to him.
She laughed, gave him a quick squeeze, and stepped back, leaning against the counter. "Walked out. What about you?"
"Alright Evans?" He asked, nodding at the redhead who rolled her eyes and picked up one of the butterbeers that had just been delivered to the counter Bess was leaning against. Sirius turned back to Bess and asked, "didn't Filch catch you? Or did you do the same as last night and just walk out anyway?" He asked, looking impressed.
Bess grinned and shook her head, before miming locking her lips and throwing away the key.
"Well, it's a wonderful surprise, however you managed it," he said, grinning, and reaching up to tug at the hem of her jacket, pulling her closer to him. "Fancy joining us?" He asked, nodding over to the boys' table.
Bess looked over to see that Remus was reading a book as usual, Peter was tucking in to the largest piece of pie Bess had ever seen, and James was stirring what looked like a cup of coffee, with a glum expression on his face.
Bess frowned. "James okay?"
Sirius leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Yeah... he's just a little down because he was hoping Evans would say yes this time. I think this is the longest he's gone without asking her out."
"Oh, but we talked about this last night!" Bess whined.
"Yeah, but then he woke up and 'the harsh realities of his life came in to focus'" he said, mimicking James' voice.
"Two meads..." the bartender said, putting down the last of their drinks, and heading off to serve someone else.
"What? How did you get that? Ros has always said we're not-" Sirius looked up for a moment as realisation dawned on him. "Love..."
Bess didn't answer, but instead looked at Lily and they both sipped their drinks as they tried not to laugh.
"Right, least I can do is buy you a birthday lunch. Evans, you coming?" He asked, as he put a hand on Bess' waist and tried to push her gently towards his table.
"I'm not going without her," Bess argued, grabbing his hand.
"That's fine, I'm starving, and I think I have an apology to make..." Lily said, as she walked Bess and headed over to the table. Bess and Sirius grinned as James leapt up to pull out a chair for Lily and she put a hand on his arm and whispered something in his ear before sitting down.
Bess looked down at what Sirius was wearing, and chuckled.
"What?" He asked, looking down as well. He was clad in a pair of black straight legged jeans again, but this time had a Fleetwood Mac t-shirt on.
She raised an eyebrow and asked, "do you actually know who they are?"
"Of course! Why? One of your favourites?"
"Actually yes."
"After you outed me as a..."
"Poser." She supplied with a teasing smile.
"Yes, as a poser... I bought a load of records. I think James got tired of hearing Bohemian Rhapsody after the sixth time I played it and hid my record player..." he trailed off, frowning.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why'd you buy more records?"
"Well, I had a girl to impress..." he said, kissing her on the cheek. They smiled at each other for a moment before Sirius turned to the counter to order.
After he'd finished ordering food for the girls, saying "it's a surprise," he led Bess over to his table, where James was now gesticulating wildly, brandishing a pretend sword and saving a reluctant Remus from Peter's dragon impression. Lily, who had already drunk half her glass of mead, was almost crying with laughter.
"Sounds like more of an adventure than Bess explained!" Lily said, still giggling, as Bess sat down next to her.
"Told you. James is the man." Bess said, winking at James as Sirius wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Half an hour later, a plump steak with chips, peppercorn sauce and a grilled tomato was placed in front of Bess, while a shepherd's pie was delivered to Lily.
Sirius leant in to whisper in her ear. "I went for medium, didn't know what you liked and thought it was a safe bet. Dessert's sticky toffee pudding and cream."
Bess turned to look at Sirius, an indescribable expression on her face.
"Not good?" He asked, a worried expression on his face.
She shook her head. "Absolutely perfect," she said, before leaning in and placing a long kiss on his cheek, her lips brushing the corner of his mouth. "Thank you."
Bess stared in to his eyes and leant back in to rub her nose against his, before turning back to her food. She didn't miss the grin which spread across his face.
"So Lily, has anyone ever told you about the time these two ruined the plumbing in the prefect's bathroom?" She asked, taking a sip of her mead.
Lily's eyes widened and her jaw dropped open. "That was you two?"
Bess laughed as the boys turned defensive, and began to eat her steak.
Without knowing it, Sirius had ordered one of her favourite meals for her and, sitting in the little pub surrounded by her new friends and the boy she was... courting... she found herself completely and utterly happy for the first time in almost a year.
It almost... almost stopped the sick feeling growing in her stomach, caused by the knowledge that one of the Horcruxes sat just five minutes' walk from where she slept every night, just inside the Room of Requirement.
xXx
A/N:
Thank you to potterrs, CharlotteGryffindor, idreamtosmilealways, Pewz, Guest - (I'm so sorry, he's not going to be the nicest character! He will be returning, but he won't agree with her, as he was a blood purist, so I'm sticking to that! I'm going to try and have a redemption arc for him, but there's also a chance he'll never see that his views are wrong :( I'm so honoured that you like my version of Sirius! He's so enjoyable to write!), Ghost Claw 001, and HorseGirl16 for your reviews!
I was absolutely blown away by your support for the last chapter, and I hope this one is okay! It's a little longer than usual to make up for the extra half a day's wait.
Happy reading, you lovely people!