Chapter 6
An hour later Sirius sat with Susan on his lap while Amelia poured them some drinks. "So did you visit just to see me again?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, as much as I would like to say so, no. I wouldn't have sent you an official letter if that were the case." Sirius started. "There is a reason I took on the Black Lordship yesterday and I'm trying to establish contacts in such a haste."
While she sat next to him he started to describe what he was doing to her. He related much of what he told the Longbottoms, and what he's been paraphrasing all day. However, he spared Amelia all the arguments he managed to come up with. So he did not monologue about Noble Houses rights and traditions, nor did he bemoan what setting precedence for invalidating the wills of nobility by the government officials could mean. Instead, he told her more of his own worries and predictions, and then what he's done about them so far.
"I understand your worries, but I'm not sure why you came to me. Bones are a Most Ancient and Noble House but as a woman, I won't be able to claim the lordship and as such won't have that much sway." She finished bitterly. Despite being fairly traditional and generally accepting of the split roles between genders that their society enforced, Sirius imagined it must have stung to be left without any control over her family's hereditary seat. Just because there were no males left in the Bones family line they had been practically left bereft of any of their prior political influence.
After reassuring her that he appreciated her support anyway, they talked for a while and slowly the topics drifted to more casual ones. After a while they just sat in companionable silence, Sirius with one arm around Amelia and the other holding her hand, playing with her fingers. "'Melia." He said to get her attention. "I do love you, I hope you know that." Her eyes widened slightly, she wasn't shocked by his statement, but it was the first time he told her that in such a straightforward manner. "I'm sorry that I've been so distant lately. I was really stumped by that whole prophecy business. James was like a brother to me and lately I've come to see Lily like a sister as well. Looking back I can't say I regret spending that time with them, while I still could."
Amelia squeezed his hand. "You have nothing to be sorry about. I wasn't exactly expecting to be swept off my feet with your romantic gestures while there is a war going on. Especially considering how invested in it we both are, or were I guess."
"Well, you were just as busy as I was and made more of an effort than I did. I guess I just didn't handle the everyday stress very well. And now there is my godson added to the mix." Sirius suddenly grinned. "I guess now is not the time to try and take our relationship to the next step." Amelia gaped.
"Hmm, I might have to put a baby in you to up my chances." Sirius joked.
Amelia took a moment to compose herself. "What about all the witches in England? Won't they weep for days after the news reach them? You said yourself that you don't want to risk an uprising, didn't you?" She threw his own words, from the early days of their relationship, back at him.
Sirius rolled his eyes, but remained serious. "You have nothing to worry about. You are the only one for me. Besides I might have changed partners quickly, but I never cheated on anyone." He suddenly grinned. "It's not as if just anyone can match the intensity of what we have together." Amelia blushed faintly when he pulled down the neck of his t-shirt slightly revealing the red marks on his chest.
Their relationship was always fairly physical, though it took Sirius more than six months of dating before they 'sealed' their relationship. Amelia, unlike Sirius, had fairly traditional views in that regard, she believed that sex should be reserved for spouses. And his reputation did not help.
She did agree to go out with him when he asked, but from the start, she made it clear that she would expect fidelity and dedication. Sirius had not been considering a serious relationship back then but decided to give it a try. He surprised himself by going through with his promises. He went from a frivolous sexual lifestyle to being practically celibate, with hugs and chaste kisses here and there.
But he was truly interested in Amelia. He was attracted to her back in Hogwarts, when she was a Hufflepuff chaser a year ahead of him, top of her class. He had considered her untouchable back then, she had a reputation of rejecting everyone, sometimes violently and he never heard of her going out with anyone. In fact, she seemed entirely focused on her studies and responsibilities. He began to really notice her in his sixth year when, after over two years of 'experimenting', he was actually beginning to be interested in girls for other reasons beyond chasing tail. But the war was starting and neither of them had much time to worry about romance back then, especially, as a Head Girl with increased coursework.
Sirius had finally asked her out when he started the accelerated auror training. Amelia was already on her way out, starting Junior Auror duties. Not wanting to waste his chance he pulled himself together one day, simply walking over and genuinely asking. They tentatively started dating and, half a year in, things were still going slow. He still thought that the reason she decided to go that far at that point in time was the uncertainty of war, which had just turned worse.
He still believed it was a good thing though. They got closer than ever, and he felt 10 times more accomplished than after any of his other 'conquests'. That was beside the obvious benefits. The sex was great from the start and it only got better each time.
Despite their ups and downs, they were still together after almost 3 years. They even lived together for a while. With the rocky situation magical Britain was in, Sirius believed it was a testament to the fact they worked well together.
"Are you staying the night?" Amelia asked, still slightly flustered.
Sirius sighed and gave her a quick kiss. "No, Andi is coming tonight, with Nymphie. They will be staying with us for a while, we will help each other with the kids and it should be safer that way. It would be the pinnacle of bad form to not even show up to welcome them. No matter how much I want to stay for a repeat performance." He added. "I meant it when I said I love you. Don't be too shocked if I really do get on one knee in the near future. I have to claim you while I can." He joked.
She kissed him passionately. "I think I know how to handle that perfectly well. Now go before I decide you'll stay whether you want to or not." She playfully pushed him to his feet.
Amelia rolled her eyes when Sirius made a show of looking her up and down, while he backed out of the room.
'Life is good.' Sirius mused. 'If things work out I'll finally be able to stop wondering what could have been. Being there for Harry, Andi, and Nymphie, maybe even having a proper family of my own.' He smiled at the thought and made his way home.
END
