Chapter 20: This Is What You Came For

Gemma sat on her bed and leaned back on her hands. It was the morning of their Hogsmeade trip and she was waiting for the others to finish getting ready. She could hear Alice brushing her teeth in the bathroom, while Lily pulled on an emerald green jumper dress over thick black tights. She looked lovely for her date with James.

Mary finished her mascara then turned to Lily. "You look stunning. James's jaw is going to drop when he sees you in that."

Lily smiled and twisted in front of the mirror. "Do you think so? It isn't too short?"

"It's short and sexy." Mary replied and Lily frowned at her reflection.

Gemma smiled at her from across the room. "It's perfect. It's short but not too short. The tights help, as it looks like you're wearing leggings."

Reassured, Lily smiled. "You're right. And it's comfortable, which is the main thing."

"Ooh sexy!" Alice eyed up Lily as she left the bathroom. "James is going to have a heart attack."

They all chuckled and Lily blushed. "Thanks girls. I hope James likes it too."

"He will." Alice joined Gemma on her bed. "He's been talking about this date all week, and as much as I love you, Lily, I'm sick of hearing your name."

Lily smiled. "That's sweet. That James has been talking about our date; not that you're sick of me."

Alice laughed. "I'm not sick of you. Just your name. But it has been sweet. He's obviously very excited and it's making me incredibly jealous." Alice pulled an exaggerated sad face but Gemma knew there was truth in it.

"You're missing Frank really badly, aren't you?" Mary came to sit on Gemma's bed too. "Has he written again?"

Alice shook her head. "Not yet. But it's only been a week since the last note." She smiled brightly – a little too brightly. "Enough about me; today is Lily's big day. Are you going to let him give you a little peck?"

Lily blushed again. "Maybe. We'll see. I'm just going to enjoy the date and see how I feel. I've never kissed anyone before so I don't really know what I'm expected to do."

"If it feels right, you'll work out what to do." Alice said. "And he'll probably take the lead anyway. Guys usually do."

Gemma laughed and nodded. She agreed with that; Sirius was definitely one for taking control.

"Look at you, nodding away." Mary said, looking straight at Gemma. "I didn't think Ivan had done much leading."

Gemma froze, then shifted uncomfortably. Crap.

"Yeah." Alice eyed her suspiciously. "From what you said, Ivan had just pressed his lips to yours and left it that. Did we miss something? Was Ivan a bit more than you let on?"

Gemma chewed her lip. She could lie again. She could say Ivan gave her more. She could say she was agreeing because of reading her erotic romance novels. Or… she could finally admit the truth. She sighed. "Ok. I'm not thinking about Ivan."

All her friends looked confused until Mary suddenly gasped. "Gemma Arwin; are you with someone? Are you kissing someone in secret that we all don't know about?"

Gemma watched Alice's frown deepen. Damn. She really should have told her friends sooner. "Yes." All her friends started to speak over each other and Gemma held up her hands. "Please. Let me explain. Because I'm not with anyone. But I have been… kissing someone. A friend."

"A friend?" Alice was still frowning at her.

"Who?" Mary interrupted. "Sirius? Peter? Remus?" She gasped and glanced at Lily. "James?"

Gemma frowned at Mary's whispered question. "No, of course not James! Do you really think I'd be sat here helping Lily get ready for her date if I was secretly kissing James?"

Mary looked suitably chastised. "Sorry."

"Who is it, Gemma?" Lily asked, joining them on the bed too.

"It's Sirius, isn't it?" Alice asked.

Lily and Mary both darted surprised looks back and forth between Gemma and Alice. Gemma wasn't sure how Alice knew with so much certainty, but she didn't deny it. She nodded. "Yes."

Mary jumped up and started talking about how amazing it was that they were getting together, especially as Lily and James were getting together, but Gemma stopped listening to her. She stared at Alice, who looked hurt.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Alice's voice was quiet; a sign she was upset.

"Mary." Lily stood and headed over to their over-excitable friend. "Let's head down to the common room for a moment." Mary paused and then realised there was tension in the room. She nodded and left with Lily.

Gemma turned back to Alice. "I wanted to tell you, I just didn't really know how. It's… confusing. Or at least, it was confusing."

"How long have you two been seeing each other?" She frowned. "Or whatever it is you're doing, since you said you're not with him."

"I'm not with him. We're just friends but we have been kissing… and… stuff."

"Stuff?"

Gemma felt herself blush. "Yeah. Stuff."

Alice stood and walked up and down the room. "Can you start from the beginning? I'm really confused."

Gemma took a steadying breath then told Alice everything. From her mixed feelings about Sirius last year, and their few heated encounters before the day at the shack; leaving out Padfoot, of course. Then she talked about their conversations up in the tower, and the times since when they had given each other orgasms. Gemma ignored the look of shock on Alice's face as she told her everything, but she couldn't ignore the continued look of hurt. Fuck. She had fucked up by not telling her best friend sooner. She took another deep breath. "I'm sorry for not telling you, Alice. I wanted to; I just didn't know what it all meant and then when I did, I wasn't sure how you'd react."

For long moments Alice didn't say anything and Gemma wondered if she had done too much damage to their friendship. Then Alice turned to her. "I think my reaction is pretty obvious. You know I'm going to have to threaten to chop his balls off if he ever hurts you."

Gemma laughed in both surprise and relief at Alice's comment and Alice laughed too. Maybe she hadn't damaged their friendship after all. Gemma grew serious again. "I am sorry for not telling you."

"I know."

"And he isn't going to hurt me. I've got my eyes wide open. He doesn't want a relationship; I don't want a relationship; and neither one of us wants to ruin our friendship. We're just having fun."

Alice frowned again. "That's the bit I don't get. I thought you wanted a relationship. I thought you wanted what I have with Frank."

"I do." Gemma admitted. "One day. But I'm ok without it right now. And you said yourself, ages ago, that you got lucky when you took one chance on Frank and he turned out to be your perfect man." Alice nodded in agreement. "I wasn't so lucky with Ivan and I know Sirius isn't the one for me. But he does drive me crazy. Good crazy." Gemma laughed. "Well, and bad crazy because he really can be a pain in the arse, but honestly, Alice, I'm having a lot of fun just… doing stuff." She shrugged. "I don't know; it's just easy with Sirius."

Alice sighed. "I can't say I understand – which means I do understand why you struggled to tell me – but if you're happy doing… stuff… with Sirius, then I'm going to be happy for you. And you're sure you won't fall for him and end up broken-hearted? Sirius has a reputation, Gemma. He's slept with half the girls in school and…"

"Actually…" Gemma interrupted. "Most of the stories we've heard aren't true. Sirius isn't as bad as the rumours make him out to be."

Alice frowned, clearly not believing that. "Hmm. Fine. But I'm still worried he's going to break your heart, Gemma."

"Well, my heart isn't involved, so he won't." And Gemma was certain of that. She liked Sirius as a friend, but nothing more. She gave Alice a cheeky smile. "Besides, maybe I'll be the one to break his heart."

Alice chuckled. "If anyone is going to end up broken-hearted, it better be Sirius. Otherwise I will break his fucking balls."

Gemma laughed. "Please stop threatening to do that."

"Why? Do you like his balls?" They both burst out laughing and Gemma found she just couldn't respond to that.

"Knock knock." Lily's voice floated into the room and her and Mary stepped back in. "We heard laughing so we figured it was safe to enter."

"Of course it's safe to enter." Alice said. "It'll take a lot more than Gemma keeping secrets about boys from us to start a second wizarding war."

"Merlin, the first one isn't over yet." Mary grumbled as she joined Lily on her bed, opposite Gemma. "So… are you going to tell us what the hell is going on with you and Sirius?"

Gemma nodded and glanced at Alice, who gave her an encouraging smile. "Ok. Well…"

Sirius threw his cricket ball up and down in the air while James changed his shirt for the fourth time. He caught Remus's attention and they both rolled their eyes. The morning had been exhausting and they hadn't even left their dorm yet.

"Ok. This is the one." James pulled his jumper over his shirt and studied himself in the mirror. "Except…"

"Merlin, no!" Peter practically shouted, standing up and dragging James from the mirror. "Your shirt is fine. It's a blue shirt; the same bloody colour as every other shirt you've put on this morning. And it's hidden by the stupid jumper anyway!"

Sirius chuckled at Peter's outburst but James looked concerned. "Should I not wear the jumper?

Peter looked set to punch James, so Sirius jumped in. "The jumper is great. The shirt is great. You look great. Shall we go?"

James glanced back his reflection. "Yes. Ok. Wait. I need flowers." He grabbed his wand and conjured some lilies. "There. Now I'm ready."

"Finally." Remus stood and they all grabbed their own jumpers and coats. "Remember to just be yourself, James."

"But not too much." Sirius grinned. "You don't want to scare the girl."

"I'm not going to scare her." James scowled at Sirius. "I'm going to treat her like a lady because that's what she is." He paused for a moment. "I am, however, going to try and steal a cheeky kiss at the end of the date. If she wants it, of course."

Peter laughed. "Good luck with that. I think Mary intends to sit in the corner watching you the whole time. You make one move and she's going to pounce."

James shrugged. "Mary doesn't scare me."

"No." Remus agreed, smiling slightly. "But where there is Mary, you can guarantee Alice and Gemma aren't far behind."

James's expression turned serious. "Surely they won't stop me going in for a little kiss?"

Peter shrugged. "Probably not. But I'll keep an eye on Mary for you."

"I'll try and keep Alice and Gemma distracted." Remus added. "But I won't be able to stop both of them if they feel the need to interrupt."

Sirius chuckled. "I'll handle Gemma. I've got a few ideas on how I can keep her occupied."

He looked up to his friends who were all frowning at him. James raised his eyebrow. "Don't tell me you're planning on kissing her again. After that disaster in the shack last year."

Sirius smiled. He hadn't told his friends about the other kisses, but now seemed like a good moment. "Well, actually, we've already been kissing again. And I do indeed plan on kissing her even more."

"You and Gemma?" James asked, while the others looked just as surprised. "Since when?"

"Since that day at the shack. Well, that was the very first time, but after we cleared the air we agreed to have a little fun. We've only kissed a few more times, but we want to take it further."

"So, are you two in a relationship then?" Remus looked confused and… concerned?

Sirius shook his head. "No, we're just friends. We don't want anything like that. We're just… doing stuff. Fun stuff." He raised his eyebrows and grinned. His friends would know what he meant.

"Mate." James chuckled slightly. "How far you gone with her?"

Sirius paused. In the past he hadn't hesitated to tell his friends what sexual acts he'd gotten up to, but for some reason with Gemma it was different. He didn't want his friends to think of her that way. "Far enough to know I want to go further."

Sirius noticed Remus was still frowning. "And Gemma definitely wants this? This 'no-relationship' thing you've just mentioned. Does she really want something so… casual?"

Sirius nodded. "She says she does and I believe her. She hasn't been clingy or trying to get me to commit to anything. In fact, she seems just as happy walking away after as I am. So far it's been pretty… easy. And very enjoyable." He grinned, remembering the two times he had brought her to release. He wanted to do it again. Maybe next time with his mouth.

Merlin, then maybe she'd return the favour. The thought of Gemma on her knees in front of him, her soft pink mouth opening while he fed her his cock. His hand wrapped up in all that glorious hair, holding her still for him…

"Mate, I don't know what you're thinking about but I can see your fucking boner from here."

The others laughed at James's words and Sirius quickly adjusted himself. Damn. His imagination always ran wild whenever Gemma was involved. "Fuck off."

They laughed again and then James got back to studying himself in the mirror. Eventually they were once again ready to leave.

Sirius smiled as James stumbled over his hello to Lily. They were in the main entrance to the castle, and the girls had finally joined them. Lily was wearing a green jumper that made her eyes stand out more than usual, and Sirius could tell James was trying hard not to stare at her legs. She looked really nice; it was clear she was making an effort, just as James had.

But his own gaze constantly flew to Gemma. She looked sexy in fitted jeans, ankle boots and a tight blue jumper that hugged the curve of her breasts. Breasts he was desperate to see again, and this time without any clothing surrounding them. He wanted to lay her bare and feast his eyes on her figure. He shifted. Damn; he seemed to be in a constant state of arousal these days.

"Shall we?" James held his arm out for Lily to take and she beamed as she placed her hand on the inside of his elbow and brought the lilies to her nose again.

Sirius smiled. The flowers had been a hit. James led Lily out and Mary bounded over to Peter and Remus, but not before she gave Sirius an odd smile. She glanced back at Gemma and winked at her, then laughed at something Remus said and followed James and Lily out. Sirius noticed Alice was watching him too, but before he could ask her if everything was ok, she narrowed her eyes at him and walked off. He had a moment of panic; had he done something to upset Alice? Merlin he hoped not.

"Morning."

He turned and smiled at Gemma who had arrived at his side. He wanted to kiss her again. Maybe suggest they don't visit Hogsmeade and instead spend the day in the privacy of his dorm. Except… he had plans for today. "Morning. How are you?"

"I'm ok. How are you?"

"Fine. Fed up of watching James change his outfit five times this morning. I'm glad they're finally on their way. The build up to this date has been epic."

Gemma smiled and they turned to leave the castle. "It has been. But I'm excited for them. It's clear they both like each other, so maybe this will be the start of something special."

"Hopefully." Sirius looked up at the path ahead of them and saw Alice glance back in their direction. He leaned towards Gemma. "Have I done something to upset Alice? She keeps staring at me."

Gemma sighed. "No. But I did tell her – and Mary and Lily – about us. About what we've been getting up to. Alice is… concerned."

"Ah." He glanced at Gemma and laughed slightly. "Why is Alice concerned? Does she think I'm going to break your heart and abandon you?"

Gemma smiled. "Actually, yes. But I told her that what we're doing isn't like that. Our hearts aren't involved and neither of us expect anything more than what it is. It's just a bit of fun."

Sirius nodded, liking Gemma's take on the matter. He was relieved that she had told her friends that, and not told them that she was hoping for more. That was where he had fallen down with girls in the past. "I actually told the guys this morning too. Remus had the same concerns I think."

Gemma rolled her eyes. "I like that the assumption is I'm going to get hurt." She grinned at him. "I said to Alice; maybe I'll break your heart."

He placed his hand over his heart. "You wound me, Gemma."

She smiled and they continued their walk. "So." Gemma did a quick check for who was near them, and they were alone. "What's the plan for catching Snape today? We know he's going to be meeting Mulciber, right?"

Sirius nodded. "We set up a fake conversation yesterday between Peter and Remus, where Peter said he was going to sneak back to the castle from Hogsmeade at noon. Instead, Peter is going to head into Gladrags and get himself a new dress-robe." Gemma laughed and he continued explaining their plan. "We know Snape will follow him though, expecting the passageway to be in that shop. Remus and I are going to be hiding outside, and when Snape gives up and goes off to meet Mulciber, we'll tail him." He tapped the inside of his coat. "James has given me his cloak, since he'll be busy with Lily all day."

"Sounds like a good plan. What can I do?"

Sirius paused. "Nothing. Just enjoy your day."

Gemma turned to him. "I can't just sit around all day. If Mulciber is involved then I want to be involved too. You know how we feel about each other. I need to be part of the solution.

Sirius sighed. He knew Gemma was right. She should be involved, given her history with Mulciber. But, because of her history with Mulciber – and with Lestrange and Avery – Sirius really didn't want her involved. Plus, they didn't need any more bodies under the cloak. It was going to be difficult enough with the two of them. "Honestly, Gem, I don't think there is anything to do. Right now we need to know exactly who Snape is meeting – Mulciber alone, or others – and what exactly they're planning. Remus and I can get close with the cloak, but we'll struggle if there's three of us under there."

Gemma looked set to argue but then she stopped herself. She sighed and nodded once. "Ok. Fine. But you'll tell me straight away what you find, yes?"

"Yes." He had an idea and leaned in to her slightly. "Tell you what, how about I meet you at the shack after and I can tell you all about it and… make up for you missing out?" He winked at her and enjoyed the blush that crept over her cheeks.

She smiled at him. "I could accept those terms."

They arrived at the village and their friends were waiting for them. Alice stepped forward. "James has taken Lily for a walk around the woods before going to The Three Broomsticks. We're going to leave them to it and maybe hit the shops. You coming Gemma?"

Gemma nodded and left his side, then headed off with the girls. She gave a quick glance over her shoulder and smiled back at him, and Sirius was suddenly very excited to meet her in the shack later.

"So, we have some time before noon." Remus looked around the village then to both Sirius and Peter. "What shall we do?"

Peter shrugged. "Head to Zonko's?"

Sirius didn't care, and it seemed Remus didn't mind either. "Sure." So they headed to the joke shop, then spent the rest of the morning wandering aimlessly, waiting for their plan to begin.

Sirius and Remus walked slowly through the forest, treading carefully to avoid making a sound. Despite being under the invisibility cloak, they didn't want Snape to get suspicious that he was being followed and call off the meeting.

A few moments ago, Snape had stormed out of Gladrags and straight into the forest. It was clear he had been frustrated that his plan to follow Peter had backfired. Sirius had wanted to laugh.

As Snape turned direction, Sirius frowned. They seemed to be heading away from the main wooded area and towards the Shrieking Shack instead. His heart rate sped up slightly. If Snape was meeting Mulciber at the shack, then Sirius had potentially put Gemma in danger; she would be meeting him there at some point after noon.

Remus slowed his pace. "Do you think Snape knows about the entrance via the shack?"

Sirius frowned. They knew that Snape knew there was a passageway from the Whomping Willow – thanks to him and his stupid prank in fifth year that had almost ended in disaster – but they were certain Snape didn't know where that passageway led to. James had stopped Snape just in time to see where the passageway ended; and who had been at the other end. Sirius shook his head. "I don't think so. But I guess we'll find out."

Remus nodded and they picked up their pace again, catching up quietly with Snape. The shack came into view and Sirius could see four additional bodies up ahead; Mulciber, Lestrange, Avery and Regulus. All stood around the back of the shack, and Sirius clenched his fists as he took all four of them in, plus Snape. Never had he wanted to physically hurt a group of people more.

"You took your time." Mulciber sneered at Snape. "But Black here says you have a lead. Tell me."

"The lead was a lie. Pettigrew is clearly on to us, so he fed us false information. Lupin is in on it too, which means Potter and Black are."

Mulciber scowled. "So you still can't tell me how I can get into Hogwarts?"

"No."

"Fuck. You've let me down Snape, which means you've let our master down."

"I disagree." Sirius had to admit he was impressed that Snape wasn't cowering to Mulciber's snarl. "You've been put in charge of finding the passageway from Hogsmeade. I'm simply helping. If anyone is disappointing the dark lord, it is you."

Mulciber stepped forward but Avery held him back. "Now is not the time to fight amongst ourselves. We can find another way to locate the passageway."

"We'll tear this whole town apart." Lestrange announced, a gleam in his eye that made Sirius uncomfortable.

"We will." Mulciber nodded, then turned to Snape. "And you will continue your search. If those Gryffindors are on to us, then we'll need to use them in a different way."

"Couldn't we find someone else who knows about the passageways?" Avery asked.

Regulus shook his head. "There is no one else. Those four know every single inch of that castle. I doubt anyone else has explored it the way they have."

"Exactly." Mulciber nodded slowly. "They're the key. We just need to convince them to reveal their secrets." Sirius almost scoffed. That wasn't going to happen.

"None of them will talk." Snape pointed out.

"No…" Mulciber slowly started to smirk. "Not voluntarily. But they will if someone they care about is threatened."

Snape huffed. "They only care about themselves."

"Not true." Regulus said as he moved forward. "My brother seems to have a thing for a certain blonde. Follows her around like a lost dog." They all laughed and Sirius bristled. He didn't follow anyone around like a lost dog.

"As amusing as that theory is, I don't believe there is anything between Black and Arwin. They're partnered together. He has to follow her around. No… I can think of someone far more important to that little group."

"The mudblood?" Lestrange asked and Sirius tensed. He felt Remus tense too.

Mulciber nodded. "Yes. Evans. Potter is obsessed with her, and I hear they've gone on a little date together today. It seems she's finally falling under his spell."

Avery looked over at Mulciber. "What's the plan?"

"I'll let Snape decide." Mulciber smiled and Sirius noticed Snape looked uncomfortable. "Threaten her. Hurt her. I don't care. But use the promise of her untimely demise as a way of getting Potter to reveal everything. I guarantee he'll sing."

Sirius felt Remus grab at his jumper and he suddenly realised he had stepped forward. But he had wanted to get to Mulciber; to hurt him for daring to threaten to Lily. To use that threat to manipulate James. Sirius looked at Snape. He seemed hesitant to agree - maybe because at one point he had been friends with Lily – but then he nodded his head. Bastard.

"Good. Don't arrive empty handed next time." Mulciber twisted and disapparated quickly from sight, followed by Lestrange and Avery.

Regulus stepped over to Snape. "You'll go after Evans?"

Snape hesitated. "Yes."

Regulus eyed him slowly. "You need a hand?"

"No." No hesitation there. Snape turned and started to walk back to the village. He called over his shoulder. "You have your own mission, remember?"

Sirius watched his brother. Snape had disappeared from view and Regulus was standing alone, staring at his left arm, a solemn expression on his face. "Yeah." He mumbled and Sirius only just caught the words. "I remember."

Gemma walked up to the shack, wondering where in the woods Sirius and Remus were and whether they had been able to follow Snape to meet with Mulciber. Hopefully they had learned something useful.

She stepped up to the door and pushed it open. She immediately came face to face with Sirius. "Oh. Hi."

"Hello." He smiled as he stepped forward, closed the door behind her and pulled her into his arms. His mouth crashed down on hers and she was pushed backwards, her back against the door, his large body covering hers.

Gemma sank into the kiss. She rubbed herself against him and felt the growing length of his arousal. She wanted to touch him again, to see him lose control. But first…

She broke from the kiss. "Sirius, wait." He lifted his head. "Tell me about Snape. Did he meet Mulciber? What happened?"

Sirius sighed and stepped back. "What a way to kill the mood Gemma."

She laughed. "Sorry. But I want to know."

"Fine. Let's go in here." Sirius pulled her into the room they had used months ago when they had both been injured, and led her to the stool and table. She perched on the table, while Sirius took the stool. "So, we followed Snape to here actually, and he did meet with Mulciber."

Gemma listened carefully to Sirius, jumping in only a few times to ask questions. She had a hundred more, but she could tell he wanted to complete the story first. Then he got to the part about Lily.

"What the hell!" Gemma jumped up from the table and Sirius stood too. "If Lily is in danger then I need to warn her, right now."

"Don't worry. Remus is going to tell James and we're all going to keep an eye on her. Besides, I'm not sure Snape is going to actually hurt her; just threaten to hurt her."

"And when James refuses to give up the secrets? Then what? Won't Lily be in danger then? Or is James going to tell Snape where the passageway is so Mulciber can get in? Because then Lily's in danger anyway."

"We don't know what we're going to do, but no way are we letting Lily get hurt and no way are we giving up the passageway. We'll think of another solution."

"And you'll warn Lily, right?"

"Maybe."

"Why maybe? She needs to know. She's a strong witch, she can easily fight back when cornered but she needs to know it's a possibility." And Gemma couldn't keep something like this from Lily. Or Alice and Mary. If Lily was in danger, they all needed to know because they all needed to stick together.

"I'll see what James says…"

"James?" Gemma frowned at Sirius. "James doesn't have a say in this."

"And you do?"

"I do more so than James. They've been on one date. Lily has been my friend for six years. And there is no way I'm keeping her in the dark on this." Sirius sighed, so Gemma continued her argument. "If you had heard this the other way around - using James to get to Lily – would you let Lily decide whether James knew or not? Or would you make the decision?"

Gemma knew she had him there. He'd never leave the fate of James in anyone else's hands. Sirius stepped into her and pushed her to sit back down on the table. He moved into the space between her legs, pushing her thighs wide so they circled his hips. "Fine. You win. You can tell Lily."

Gemma nodded once. "I will." Sirius continued to crowd into her so she placed her hands on his shoulders, ready to push him back slightly. She wasn't quite done. "Now, about this threat…"

"Uh uh." Sirius shook his head and circled her wrists. "No more talk."

"Sirius…"

"Shh." He smiled a sensual smile and Gemma's heart fluttered. She loved that smile. "I let you shout at me about telling Lily, but we're done talking now. I want what I came for."

Gemma shivered in excitement at his controlling tone, but she couldn't resist one final comment. "I didn't shout…"

Her words were stopped in her throat as Sirius took her lips once again. He plunged his tongue deep into her mouth and she welcomed him, thrust against him with her own. She tried to move her hands – to run her palms over his chest or through his hair – but he kept his grip on her wrists.

As if sensing her desire to move, he slowly lifted her arms up. He leaned into her and pushed her backwards until her back hit the table; her wrists pinned next to her head. Excitement surged through her at the realisation that she couldn't move. That Sirius was well and truly in control.

He lifted his head and started kissing her jawline and down her throat. "Keep your hands where they are."

"Ok." Her voice sounded breathless and her heart hammered in her chest. She usually hated doing what she was told, but in this instance, she loved the idea of following Sirius's orders. Maybe because she knew he had more experience than her. Or maybe because she trusted him to give her nothing but pleasure.

Sirius let go of her wrists and Gemma kept them still. She wanted to run her fingers through his hair though. She wanted to lift his jumper and see his bare chest and run her palms over his muscular arms.

Sirius kissed up her throat until he reached her earlobe. He sucked it into his mouth, then whispered softly in her ear. "If you move them, I'll tie them together so you can't move at all." Then he scored her lobe with his teeth.

Liquid heat pooled in her core and Gemma wondered if she would climax there and then. She could hear herself panting, and she thrust her hips up against his erection, seeking desperately for friction; anything that would give her the release she needed.

Sirius chuckled and placed his hands firmly on her hips, stopping her from being able to move against him. "Uh uh. Not yet." Gemma huffed in frustration and Sirius pulled back slightly to smile down at her. "I want to see you first."

He reached for the bottom of her jumper and lifted it up. Gemma pushed her nerves aside and shuffled slightly so he could lift it up and over her head. He then reached for the back of her bra and in one quick motion, had it falling away.

She instinctively covered her breasts with her hands, but Sirius slowly shook his head and reached for her wrists again. He didn't pull her hands aside though, and she realised he was waiting for her to make that decision herself. That even when he was in control, she still had a say. She relaxed and moved her hands back into position next to her head.

His eyes flared as he took her in. She was happy enough with her figure; she was slim and her breasts were a decent size; they filled her palms. And she could tell that Sirius also appreciated her figure. She relaxed further.

"So beautiful." His whispered comment was almost lost as he bent his head and sucked one of her nipples into his mouth. She arched into him and his palm covered her other breast, squeezing the soft mound and circling her nipple with finger and thumb.

Gemma panted underneath him. It felt like her nipples were connected to her core; every suck and lick and circle and pinch sent sensation soaring through her body. She was unravelling and he hadn't even touched her where she needed to be touched.

Sirius's lips left her nipple and slowly he kissed the underside of her breast, then down her stomach. His hands followed, trailing a path down her body until he was kissing her lower stomach, just above her jeans. His hands went to the button on her jeans and she held her breath as he slowly unzipped her. Merlin, what did he have planned?

A sudden and constant banging startled Gemma and her hands immediately flew up to cover herself. She looked up at Sirius who had stood and was staring towards the door.

"Shit." He turned and grabbed her bra and jumper, handing them to her. "I'll see who it is and get rid of them. But it might be worth you getting dressed."

She nodded and put her bra back on as Sirius left the room and closed the door behind him. Gemma could hear voices – was that Alice? – and had just pulled her jumper down when the door flew open.

"I've seen it all before!" Alice cried as she barged into the room, Sirius following behind her. Gemma stood up.

Sirius blocked the door, a heavy frown on his face, then slammed it shut behind him. Gemma just caught sight of Remus in the hallway. "Well Remus hasn't and he won't ever."

Alice ignored him and closed the gap to her. "Gemma, it's Mary. She's not well again."

Gemma hadn't been expecting that. "What is it? Is it like before? Sickness?"

"She started to feel sick, yes, but then she got really feverish and she looked like she was going to faint. Lily, James and Peter have taken her back to the castle and Lily is demanding that she go see Madam Pomfrey, but I knew you'd want to be there with her. Remus told me you'd be here." She glanced over her shoulder. "With Sirius."

"Thank you. I do want to be there." Gemma glanced at Sirius. "Sorry."

"Don't be, you should be with Mary." Sirius opened the door. "And we'll all go."

Gemma gave Sirius a quick smile then headed out of the shack with Alice. They both walked quickly to get back to the castle, with Sirius and Remus following close behind.