As I was exiting Transfiguration's class, Lily pulled me in the opposite direction of the student's flow. I did postpone the explanation of what happened for after class. She waited for McGonagall to begin the lesson before she slide a piece of parchment to me. On it, she wrote two questions, without introduction or anything.

You nearly got killed?

Where did you spent the night?

I let her drag me unto a deserted class nearby, before I told her everything about last night.

- Oh. James told me a little about it, but pieces were missing... She commented. Did I not warn you about Venitia, though?

- Are you really giving me a ''I told you so'' speech right now? It is always easy to say that with insight, Red, I pouted.

- True, I'm sorry... I just regret to have letting you convince me that you were fine on your own. Just promise me you won't go there alone again? I'll go if need be!

- Allright, allright. Anyway I think I have all I needed for the assignment, I sighed.

- And... On another subject... Did you talk to Remus yet? She asked me, looking concerned.

- No, not yet, we were nearly late for Transfiguration and he must still be in the infirmary... And, even if... I... I don't know, I kinda don't know what to say to him...? Is there really something to say? I was more thinking that we should just forget about it.

- Well, knowing Rem' like I do, he sure as hell would like to talk to you. He must feel miserable...

- I know...

We went back upstairs, and I got lost in my daily routine, especially because of the fact that I lost half a day sleeping instead of doing the revision I needed for tomorrow's... Also, Sirius was always lurking around, trying to distract me from my work, until it was time to go to Quidditch practice, as unhelpful as ever, even if I had to admit that I wasn't really disliking the attention.

As I was getting out of the shower after practice, I heard a racket coming from the next room and I hurried back to see what this was about. Entering the locker room, I saw what the laughter's and catcalling's were about. Sirius' hair were royal blue. He was laughing with everyone, parading in the centre of the group and making a reverence. Hm. I guess that my prank didn't have the effect I wanted. Then again, I should've known that my never-serious-boyfriend would turn that to his advantage.

- Oh, hey, love, I adore your choice of colour, see how good it looks with my Weird sister's tee? I look like a Rockstar, don't I? He smirked at me.

- I guess you do, I hate you, I said, joking.

He came to face me.

- Nice try, Fury, but you're an amateur competing against a professional, here, he teased me.

- I had to try, I guess, I said, crossing my arms, pouting a little.

- I can show you, you know, we could work together instead of against each other's, what do you say? He suggested.

- I'll think about it, I said, smiling.

- Dorcas can I talk to you? Remus asked me after class.

- Hm, yeah, sure, I said, following him to an empty classroom.

He closed the door behind him and went to face me, with a nervous smile.

- What's up? I asked him, trying to sound casual.

- You know what's up, Dorcas, I wanted to talk about the other night, in the Forbidden Forest...

- Remus, I know it isn't your fault, you weren't yourself...

- Oh I know it wasn't my fault, it was yours, he shrugged.

- What? I know I shouldn't venture in the forest at night, but... I began, confused.

- Not just that, you know, you look so tasty... He said, a weird smile spreading across his face, his eyes gleaming with a very disturbing glow.

I looked around, finding that the classroom looked suddenly way darker than when we arrived. I looked through the window and saw that in was in fact very dark, and later than I thought. The moon had rise. The full moon. I turned back to look at Remus, panic growing in my stomach. Remus wasn't facing me. The werewolf was, and he jumped on me.

- NoOOOOOOoooooooooooooo! I shouted, sitting in my bed, waking all my roommates up.

Lily and Mary were on me seconds later, while Marlene was looking at me from her bed, not bothering to come.

- What happened? Mary asked me.

- I'm sorry, I said, disoriented, I... It was just a stupid nightmare, I added, still shaken.

The dream was feeling so real, it was incredibly disturbing. It wasn't something happening to me often, nightmares I mean. I never really had those that often as a child. It was the first time that I was really bothered by it. Enough to be a nuisance for people around me. I was feeling bad about it. When I reassured Mary that I was fine and that she should go back to sleep, she obeyed and went back to bed. Lily hugged me, then whispered in my ear.

- Was it about Remus? She asked.

I nodded, feeling once more very stupid. I mean, what, I was feeling fine, why did I have to experience nightmares about it? Lily hugged me again, before she finally went back to bed. I looked at my watch and groaned at the sight of the time. It was only 3 AM and I was pretty sure that I wasn't going back to sleep. Even if I was playing brave about it, I was still a little shaking, replaying those horrific and disturbing images in my head. After half an hour, when I was sure my roommates were sleeping, I got up and got out of my dorm.

At first, I was planning to just chill out or read a book in the Common Room, but as I arrived down the stairs, I eyed the other flight of stairs. The one leading to the boy's dorms. The one leading to Sirius. I also knew that Remus wouldn't be out of the Hospital wing for another day at least... I decided to climb those stairs. I opened the door very gently, wishing that it wouldn't creak, and luck was on my side on this, as it opened soundlessly. It was pitch black in here, but it was easy to know where to walk since all the dorms were made on the same model. Sirius' bed was the third one, so I tip-toed in front of Remus' bed, which was empty, then Peter's, where I could hear him snore, then Sirius' was in front of me. His bed curtains were closed, so I opened them to sneak a peek inside. Since I was completely blind because of the absence of light, I just took the blanket and I slipped next to him unto bed. He seemed to be of the deep sleeper's type, because that didn't wake him up. When I gently cuddle him in his back, I sensed that he tensed at first, then his body relaxed after only seconds. He turned to me and passed his arms around me.

- Hmm... He just managed to say, his nose wandering in my neck, his arms hugging me, sharing the warmth of his sleeping body with mine.

Then, his body tensed a little once more. As my eyes grew accustomed to the surrounding darkness, I saw him reaching under his pillow to take his wand. He silent casted something on his bed curtains.

- I blocked the sound to not wake the others, he explained with a still full of sleep's voice. Is everything okay, Fury? You don't usually come here at night, not that I have any complaint about that... He warmly added.

- I'm fine. I just... Had trouble sleeping, I eluded. So, I thought, how about trying to go back to sleep in my boyfriend's arms? I said, feeling stupid.

- Hm. That was a good idea, I like sleeping surrounded by the scent of you, he said, sniffing my hair.

- That's weird, is that a dog thing? I joked.

- I don't know, maybe. Some things changed a little since I'm an Animagus. Is that too weird?

- Not that much, I'm not a dog and I also like the scent of you, I said kissing him just under his neck, feeling goose bumps there in reaction to my kiss.

- Hm. Definitely nice to have you here, he sighed, cuddling me more tightly.

It didn't take one minute that he was asleep again. I really picked a heavy sleeper, I thought, making myself comfortable and feeling that I was more and more drowsy too...

I've been awoke by the sound of the curtain being drawn, revealing James' head.

- Hey Pads, time to w... He began, then look at me, surprise in his eyes. Well, well, well, and what have we here? Morning, Meadowes, he grinned at me.

- Morning, I replied, a little shy to be discovered in Sirius' bed by James of all people.

- Dorcas' here? When did she arrived? Don't come out, Dorcas, I need to dress up first! I heard a nervous Peter said.

I heard some rambling and clearly in his haste he dropped something that rolled under the bed.

- Crap! I heard him say, and I laughed a little at his expense.

- Pads! Wake up, mate! James repeated, rolling his eyes. You wake him up, Meadowes, he decided, dropping it and going away.

I rolled on my side and faced my boyfriend, still sleeping soundly. I poked him on the shoulder. Nothing. I shook his shoulder a little. He groaned.

- Sirius?

- Hm?

- You'll have to do better than that, Meadowes, James said from farther in the dorm.

- Sirius! I said, louder.

Still no answer, so I kind of lost it a little.

- SIRIUS BLACK, for merlin's sake?!

He opened his eyes, with a malicious glow in it.

- Morning Fury, he said, taking me in his arms. What's the fuss about?

- You have less than 10 minutes to go before breakfast Pads! I heard James say.

- I don't care, the hell with it, he answered, kissing my neck and hugging me.

- You'll be even grumpier if you have to go to class on an empty stomach, pal, Peter added.

- But I have plenty to eat, just here, don't I? he teased, beginning to pretend that he was eating my neck.

- Pfffff okay, I'm outta of here, I laughed, as I was fighting him to get out of his grasp.

I opened the curtain and saw that James was all ready, sitting on his bed, looking at me with a smirk. Sirius magically opened his curtains, then went to sit on the verge of his bed. He was a vision, just out of bed in the morning. Bare torso, black pyjamas trousers, looking up at me while ruffling his messy and very blue, hair. Did I just snuggle in bed with this incredibly hot wizard? And why again was James and Peter here, looking at me with a mocking smile? I certainly would have jump on Sirius otherwise. Also, I was a little self-conscious, remembering how I usually look like a crazy hag in the morning. Crap.

- Hey, Dorcas, Peter greeted me, fancy seeing you here this fine morning, he laughed.

- Well, yeah, I hope it's not bothering you, I blushed.

- No, no, don't fret, Peter said.

- You're always welcome here, Sirius said, taking my hand.

Then, he turned to James, who was behind him, casually seated on his bed.

- How much time do I have left, you said? Sirius asked him.

- A very quick shower, James replied.

- I'm off to it, then, he said, getting up.

- I'll hurry to do the same, I said.

- Well, it would be quicker to come with me, Sirius smiled seductively down at me.

- Yeah, right, quicker, hm, I said, laughing and also blushing at the thought of it. See you later, I said.

- Later, he said, his fingers still holding mine squeezing them briefly, then letting me go before he turned to head to the bathroom.

- Later, Meadowes, James winked at me.

I just nodded, still blushing a little, before I head out of the dorm. As I was going downstairs, I crossed some Gryffindor's boys that looked very surprised to see me here, making me feel like this was the most awkward walk of my life. I entered my dorm, where there was only Lily left, who was getting out of the bathroom.

- Dor! Where were you? She asked me.

- After my nightmare, I went to sleep with Sirius, I shrugged.

- Oh! Nice. You were able to go back to sleep?

- Yeah, I never thought I would, the nightmare was... Just, I will have difficulty to erase those images from my brain... I'll take a very quick shower, Red, I'll meet you down at breakfast?

- Oh it's fine, I'll wait for you, she said, but hurry!

- And what do you guys plan to do to Hogsmeade tomorrow? Peter asked us, as we were eating dinner that night.

- Hm... Dorcas and I were planning Christmas shopping, Lily said. And you lot?

- Same, I guess, Peter said.

- We could regroup after for a butterbeer at the Three broomstick? James suggested.

- Not a bad idea, I shrugged, we could...

I was stopped in the middle of my sentence by the arrival of Remus on the other side of the table.

- Hi, guys, Remus said, with a small voice, but looking directly at me.

- Heum... Hi, I replied.

I was trying to not replay my nightmares as I was looking at his face. The alterations from my dreams were so gruesome, Remus was so nice and friendly, I was stupid to even dream of those things... He took place and we resumed the conversation, agreeing to meet at three pm for a butterbeer. As we were heading out of the Great Hall, Remus approached me and pulled on my sleeve.

- Dorcas? A word, please? He asked with a tired voice.

- Wh... Where? I asked.

- We could go to an emtpy cl... He said.

- How about the grounds? I asked instead, remembering my nightmare.

- Hm. Yeah, sure, he agreed.

We went outside and seated ourselves on marble benches. He was fidgeting with his fingers nervously.

- How are you? I asked him.

- Oh. I don't know, completely fine, I guess, since I just nearly killed you, he said, with a false smile that was a little disturbing.

- Remus... It was partly my fault I shouldn't have been in the Forbidden Forest at this hour...

- Yeah, damn right you shouldn't. The bloody forest is actually crawling with dangerous monsters like me...

- Remus, look at me, I said, putting my hand on his arm.

He shook his head, getting his arm out of my reach.

- I remember it, you know. I may not be myself, when I transform, but I remember everything. And you know what I remember? Your scent. I know your scent, Dorcas. When I'm about to turn... My wolf instincts are acute... I hear and smell better... You smell like... A mix of lavender and vanilla, mint and something musky, I think that's the oil you use on your broom, because the Quidditch players all got that scent... Anyway... I recognized your scent, back there, in the forest. I knew it was you. It was instantaneous, the instinct to kill you and devour you. I never wanted anything more than that, never felt something as strongly as that. If I would have got to you before you escaped, you would be in pieces...

I felt my resolve diminish a little, the little nausea that his words were provoking in me. I shook my head to not let it get to me.

- Okay, enough, I said, getting up. Look at me.

He still shook his head once more in negation.

- REMUS LUPIN, WILL YOU BLOODY LOOK AT ME? I shouted.

He finally raised his head and looked. He was looking miserable, pain was all over his features, and disgust, clearly for himself.

- It was no doubt the most horrifying experience I've had in my whole life, I began.

- SEE? Even you admit that...

- I'M NOT DONE, I shouted. It was, indeed, Remus. Yeah, you're a werewolf. It's a damn curse. Each month, you transform, against your will, unto a creature that crave violence and blood. IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT. You may remember it, but you would never want to be this way normally, would you?

- Of course no, but...

- THERE'S NO BUT! That's what this is about. I was wandering in the woods at night, a very stupid idea, and you blokes were running in the wild, a very stupid idea, too. We're all stupid, and it was just a random, stupid, nearly tragic, ACCIDENT. GOT IT?

- …

He just kept his eyes fixed on mine, unable to say anything more.

- Now Remus, the experience was frightening, true. But it won't ever happen again, because you'll be more careful as well as I will. You're a werewolf once a month for some hours. The rest of the time you're one of my best friends and I love you, all right?

He gulped, then nodded, still looking a little sad.

- I just... It just made me realise even more what a danger I am. You know, about Marlene... I was unable to love her. Not that I didn't try. I thought that it was because of you, Dorcas. But it's not. I abandoned the idea of us two together that morning in the infirmary.

- Remus...

- It's true, though. I saw how much you were into Sirius and how deep he was, too. Also, I never wanted that life for you. And that was what I realised, when you turned me down. I was fooling myself, thinking that I could have that. A normal relationship.

- Of course, you can.

- Dorcas. You don't understand what it is, what it implies, to be a werewolf. You reacted greatly to the news. Most people, they're at best afraid, but usually it's disgust they feel. Do you often hear about werewolves living a normal life?

- No, but, I mean...

- Because no-one wants a werewolf in their life. We're outcasts. Most are hiding, half-wild... I have the incredible chance to have close friends who accept me like I am. Who even accompany me when I transform. Who are working on a potion to help me. I'm the luckiest bastard. But, a wife? Kids? Never heard of that. I mean, hell, maybe the kids would be cursed like me? Hell no. Nobody deserves that.

I stay muted, wanting very hard to debate on this, surely there was a solution... but what do I know? He's the first werewolf I met, after all. That was all so sad... Remus was such a good person...

- So, about Marlene... I tried, she's... Intelligent, funny, and so, so beautiful... I think that would have been easy, to really fall for her... You know?

- I do. Hell, even I could fall for her, I smiled at him.

- Thing is. I don't want to. I don't want her to know about my condition. I don't want this life for her.

- Don't you think that it's her decision to make?

- No. I don't. It's mine. That's my burden, I love her enough to not want her to bear it. She'll get over me, and find someone that would give her the life she wants, and deserved.

- Remus... You deserves it too... I said, feeling the tears run down my cheeks.

- I know I do, Dorcas. I'm a good person to whom bad things happened. Fenrir Greyback ripped me of that path of a normal life when he bit me years ago. It's the way I choose to live it. That could've been worse, I'm surrounded by incredible friends, I went to Hogwarts... For a werewolf, I did well.. He said, turning to me and smiling.

Then, seeing the tears on my face, his smiled faded and he put his hand on my arm.

- Don't cry, I'm fine, I promise.

I wiped my tears and nodded, still pretty sad.

- I'm very happy, you know, for you and Sirius. You two deserved each other, he smiled.

- He never really told me how you two... Had... Settled this situation...

- He was a mess. You know, that time, when Duncan made a show of snogging you in front of us?

- Yeah?

- Don't tell him I told you. But... He lost it, that night. I realised then how much he was unto you. I always thought that it was just to bug me, you know? That's Sirius' style. To joke, taunt and all... So, at first, when I wrote your name on that stupid list, he was just teasing me about you. But, I don't know, for the last year or so... He clearly began to openly flirt with you. I thought that he was messing with me, mostly. Not in a nasty, mean way, he never wanted to really hurt me... I just thought that it was his new way to tease me, to push me to make a move or something... I don't know. But, that night I realised that it was no joke. That wasn't about me at all. It wasn't deliberate. He was unto you, pretty bad. So, that night, we had a real talk, about it... About you. And voila.

- I really wish I never hurt you, though, I sighed.

- And I wish I never hurt Marlene, Dorcas, but that's not how things work. People get hurts, sometimes, even if we don't want to hurt them. That's called life.

- I do wish that you'll meet somebody, someday, that would force you to reconsider everything... I said.

- Who knows? I can't say that I don't secretly wish the same, he winked at me.

I was so cold that my teeth actually started to chatter.

- Are you cold? He asked me, raising an eyebrow.

- I'm freezing to death, I agreed.

- Let's go back, then, he said, getting up, and I followed him. May I remind you that you're the one who wanted to come outside in the cold? he said.

- Ye-ah... About that, it was because I dreamt that we talked in a vacant classroom and you transformed and eat me? I said, nudging him.

- You're not telling me that I'm giving you nightmares? He said, looking horrified.

- Only once. Or twice. But, you have to admit, you're very intimidating as a werewolf. But, I don't think that will happen again, now that we talked about it.

- I sure hope so! He sighed.

- I assure you, that I find you not intimidating for one bit right now, so I should be all right, I laughed, linking my arm to his as we went back to the castle.

- What do you think? Lily asked me, showing me a dark red jumper, she intended to offer to James.

- Yeah, not bad, I said, uninterested.

I was still trying to figure out what to give Sirius for Christmas.

- Hey Lils? I asked her, suddenly inspired. Would you mind taking me shopping during the holidays?

- No, I don't. And we could go with my parent's car, since I got my licence.

- Wouldn't be faster to just apparate there? I asked.

- Sure, it would. But where's the fun in that? We could eat snacks and listen to very loud music on the way in, it's fun, you'll see!

- Let's do this, then, I agreed. I want to buy Sirius the thing that you muggles use to play music.

- A stereo, that's what it's called, she laughed at me.

- How would I know? You think he would like it?

- Sure, he would. I'll buy the new Queen's disk for him to go with it, it would be a perfect coordinate gift, don't you think?

- That Queen band, is it any good?

- pfff. Wizards, she rolled said rolling her eyes at me. It's excellent, she added.

- Great, then, I can scratch that on my list. I'm done, I think... And you?

He was the biggest chunk on my list. My parents were easy, I bought my mom a book, and a fancy magic pen for my dad. I bought multi-coloured magic flowers seeds for gran, she will love it. I bought a great tote bag for Mary, a great golden scarf to Marlene, even though were not in speaking terms lately, I never NOT bought her a Christmas' gift since I know her, so... I bought Remus a muggle novel called Monte Cristo, recommended by Lils. I bought Peter an assortment of Zonko's best stuff. I chose a broom maintenance kit for James and finally, a very fancy kit of vials containing the most common potion ingredients from a Diagon Alley's apothecary for Lily. I ordered it by post. My owl dropped it on me a week ago.

- Yep, I'm done too. Is it time to join the others? Lily asked me, while she was putting our purchases in her marvellous magically expended tote bag.

- Nearly, yes, let's go, then, I replied.

We went out of the shop and headed in direction of the Three broomsticks. We were going to the main street of Hogsmeade, using a parallel alley, when a door opened in front of us. The copper-coloured skin women I saw in Diagon Alley months ago was there, coming from that door, followed by the tall man that I recognized too. I stop dead in my track, freezing for a second. Was that really them? I've never been sure it was, I just had very strong suspicion about it... Lily stopped too, not knowing what was going on. I thought about my wand, safely stashed in my purse. The man rose his eyes to me, and his wand was on me before I even had the time to touch my purse.

I felt my head bang against the wall as I was hit by an unformulated spell. The shock was so hard that it gave me nausea. Lily shouted before the women jumped on her to silence her. The door opened once more and Mulciber got out of it.

- Garrett, what's...? Then he saw us. Oh, great, what a happy surprise, your paths have crossed again! He said, looking at me with a wicked grin.

The so-called Garrett closed in on me in two long strides. His hand was on my neck in an instant and I felt myself rose higher on the wall.

- You little scum, you'll pay for when we last met, he said, his eyes mad with anger.

I wanted to tell him off, because it was in my nature, even if at the time it would have been a really bad idea. Thing is, I couldn't, because he was kind of strangling me on the spot.

- Well, I'll leave you to it, I'm off, Mulciber said, raising his hands as if to say I'm not to be involved, but do as you may. Oh and, by-the-way, that red head is a mudblood, he added loathfully.

He disappeared from my sight as he was heading off of the alley. The bloody bastard. I knew he was not to trust. I knew that he was a wannabe Death eater. But, really? To leave Lily and me here to what? Die?

- I'm not killing you, Meadowes, but you'll suffer, and your mudblood's friend will too... Garrett whispered to me.

- PROFESSOR MCGONAGALL, HURRY, MY FRIENDS ARE IN DANGER! I heard a scream from the end of the alley.

It was Marlene.

- I want you to tell me exactly what happened in that alley, Professor Dumbledore was asking me and Lily, as Pomfrey was attending to my head and throat.

Professor McGonagall and Marlene were there as well.

- You... remember the encounter I had in Diagon Alley last summer, sir? I asked with difficulty, my throat hurting, and my voice croaked.

- I recall you got attacked by Death eaters who wanted to get to your parents, yes, he said.

- Well, we run unto them as I was leaving Gifts and Gibbs to get to the main street, I said. I first saw the woman, then the man named Garrett. I wasn't sure if those were really the ones who attacked me back then... But then, they confirmed they were by attacking us. Then... Mulciber came out after them.

- Augustus Mulciber? Asked Professor McGonagall.

- Yes. Confirmed Lily. He arrived as Garrett was strangling Dorcas. He seemed to know about the grudge those two had against her. He went away, but not before he told them that I was a mudblood, Lily sighed, looking at her hands.

- The bastard! I heard Marlene say next to me.

- And that's when Marlene saw us, I said, looking at her.

She sustained my gaze for a second before she turned to Dumbledore.

- I was heading to Gifts and Gibbs too, and as I turned in the alley, I saw those people attacking my friends. It happened that Professor McGonagall was getting out of the Three Broomsticks, so I called on her to help, Marlene finished.

- I was indeed getting out of the Three Broomsticks with Hagrid, as we were the ones accompanying the students for the trip. I saw the two individuals...

- The Death Eaters, I specified.

- They were not wearing the usual... Professor McGonagall began.

- They attacked Hogwarts' students, what more do you need? I said outraged.

- Calm down, Miss Meadowes, no-one is saying that you aren't right, go on, Minerva, Dumbledore said to her.

She glared at me, before she went on.

- As I was saying, I saw them releasing Miss Meadowes here, and running in the opposite direction for a second before they disapparated. I told Hagrid to gather the students to come back here and I bring back those three with me, she finished. You know what it means, Albus.

- I fear I do, it looks like the end of students' trips to Hogsmeade... He sighed.

- Whaaaatt? Marlene exclaimed.

- You don't realise, Miss McKinon. The war is raging outside those walls. You-know-who rallied more and more people by his side... Professor McGonagall said to her.

- So what, you'll keep us locked up? I croaked as well as I could.

- The security of the students... Your security, she continued, is our responsibility. You just got attacked, in broad daylight, in the middle of Hogsmeade, Miss Evans and you. Things are getting out of hands, we must guarantee your security or parents will take back their children and the school will close, she finished gloomily.

Just the thought of it dreaded me. How could there be no Hogwarts? And all of this mess because of a sociopath getting more and more popular and running freely... I was hoping very hard that my parents would get him, even if that was kind of unlikely. The bloke was too powerful...

They let themselves out, followed by Lily. Marlene was not looking as if she would follow our roommate and instead stayed.

- Everything's fine, Marl', she just wants to keep a look at me because of the risk of concussion, I shrugged, explaining why I was to stay a little while in the Hospital wing.

- When I saw you, being strangled by that psycho... She began.

- I'm fine... And that was because of you, thanks... I said awkwardly.

- This stupid fight, because of men, of all reasons... She said, shaking her head. I realised even more today... Things can turn bad in an instant, you know? You, me, Lily, Mary... We could die tomorrow because of that stupid war... And here I am, resenting you, one of my best friends, because Remus loves you? It's not even your fault!

- I don't blame you, that's a shitty situation you're in because of me... I sighed, thinking of the recent heart-to-heart I had with Remus.

Before we entered the castle that night, I promised him that I wouldn't tell Marlene. That I would mind my own business...

- Dorcas, what's important is our friendship, Marlene said. You didn't betray me or anything. You never asked for Remus to fall for you. As for Sirius, I'm very very happy for you both... She said, her voice breaking and a tear rolling down her left cheek. It's stupid. I love you, Dorcas, let's not fight ever again?

- What a brilliant idea, I said, feeling a water accumulation in my eyes too.

She came to hug me, and I couldn't refrain some tears of happiness and relief. We heard someone approaching and she let go of me to look. It was Sirius, seeing us too having a moment, he took a step back.

- I can come back later, he began.

- Nope, it's fine, everything was said, Marlene smiled at me. Love you, Dore, she finished, blowing kisses in my direction on her way out.

Sirius looked at her as she was leaving, then he came closer to me.

- What happened Fury? He said, looking at me.

His hands gently took my chin up to look at my neck.

- Not much, just got attacked by the Death eater I managed to disarm weeks ago, I smirked cockily.

He grinned at me.

- Was he mad? He asked.

- I would say that he was. There's some unfinished business going on. Now I have a name, at least. He's called Garrett.

- I wish I would have been with you, I crave a fight against those bastards, he said.

- That was lame, actually. I never got the time to get to my wand.

- You should never put it out of reach, Dorcas, he lectured me.

- Believe me, lesson learned... I'll never be caught not ready for a fight again.

- That's my girl, he smiled at me.

- That's what I like best about you, I think, I said.

- What? He asked, intrigued.

- You want to kick ass too, I winked. And you don't worry too much.

- Oh, I can guarantee you that I was worried about you. Then I learned that you were fine, so it stopped, he shrugged.

- We won't be able to visit Hogsmeade anymore because of me, though, I said.

- That's would be a shame. If we didn't have ways to go anyway, he winked at me.

- True. One of the advantages I gain being close to you, I smiled.

- See? Told you I was a catch, he winked at me. So, staying here late? Will she let you go anytime soon? He asked.

- It's stupid, I feel all right, except for my manly voice, that is.

- Yeah, that voice is a turn-off indeed, he laughed. I think I'm gonna rename you George.

- Geez, thanks, I rolled my eyes. Anyway, she said she want to keep me here for a couple of hours in case there was a concussion.

- All right, then, he said, taking off his shoes.

- What are you doing? I raised an eyebrow.

- Make room for me, he said, as he climbed in bed next to me. Looks like a fine place to hang out, he said.

- Yeah, until Miss Pomfrey comes back and kick your butt out, I smiled.

- Until then, he said, taking my face in his hands and kissing me.

After a minute, we heard the curtain being pulled briskly.

- MISTER BLACK?! GET OUT OF HERE IMMEDIATELY! We heard Pomfrey said.

We turned to her with stupid grins and saw that she wasn't alone. My parents were behind her.