A/N: Um... I have NO idea what I'm about to type, so work with me here, ok! ; )
Disclaimer: Duh.

Strangest Friends
Chapter 12: Happy Birthday

Jamie was sitting in the common room, Sirius's head in her lap, asleep. She had been worried about Sirius since the night before, and had half a mind to say that they should skip the dance that night. She ran her fingers through Sirius's black hair as he breathed gently. Jamie sighed and looked down at him. She was happy it was Saturday; hardly anyone was in the common room. Lily and James were playing a quiet game of chess, and Tessa was reading in an armchair near the fireplace. Other than that, no one was in there except a third year, which was doing homework.
Sirius coughed in his sleep, and made Jamie jump. James looked up from his game and smiled at the two of them. Jamie smiled back. Jamie swept a lock of Sirius's hair out of his face and she studied it. He was extremely handsome, but of course she thought that. She felt warm inside and stroked his cheek.
Sirius slowly opened his eyes and looked up into Jamie's face.
"Hey," he said and sat up.
"Hi," said Jamie.
"How long have I been asleep?" he asked her, rubbing his eyes.
"About an hour," Jamie answered, rubbing her foot. They had hurt a lot since she had begun dancing again.
"You ok?" he asked her, taking her foot in his hand.
"I'm fine," she smiled. "You ever notice how much you touch my feet?"
"I love your feet," Sirius said, tickling them through her sock. "But your eyes are better."
"My eyes are like yours," Jamie said, and their eyes locked. It was true; they were both the same brilliant shade of blue. Sirius looked away and yawned.
"You're really tired, aren't you?" Jamie laughed, kneeling on the couch.
"You bet," Sirius said. He looked at James and Lily, and a pained expression filled his face.
"Sirius," Jamie said quietly. "Maybe we shouldn't go to the dance. We should probably just talk, you know?"
"Yeah," Sirius replied. "I didn't really feel up to it anyway."
"Ok," Jamie said and stood up.
An owl flew into the room, and made Jamie fall back onto the couch.
Sirius laughed at her.
"Shut up," she said and jokingly punched him.
The owl came to her.
"I got an owl, I got an owl," Jamie said, pretending to dance.
It was a large tawny owl with bright brown eyes. The owl looked up at her. Jamie untied the letter and package.
"Thanks," Jamie said and the owl flew off.
Lily, James, and Tessa got up and came by Sirius and Jamie. They looked at her, expectantly.
"What is this?" Jamie joked. "A opening ceremony?"
"Yep," Tessa said.
Jamie opened the envelope and pulled out a card. It said 'Happy Birthday' on the front.
"Today is your birthday?" Sirius asked her quickly.
"Yep," Jamie said and read the card.
"No way," Sirius said.
"Yeah, I turned 17 today," Jamie said, acting as if it was nothing.
"But, I didn't get you anything!" Sirius choked.
"Sirius, I don't care if you got me anything," Jamie laughed.
"But, I have to!"
"No you don't, Si," Jamie said, looking at him.
"But-"
"Si."
She opened the package and a long silver dress fell out. Pinned to it was a note, 'For your next dance.'
"Wow, that's beautiful," Lily said, fingering the silky material.
"You can wear it tonight!" Tessa squealed.
"No, we're not going to the dance," Jamie said to her, looking at the dress. She had been hinting towards her mom to buy the dress, ever since she had seen it in a store.
"What?" James asked, "Why not?"
"I'm tired, Sirius is tired," Jamie shrugged. "It's all good."
"Try it on!" Lily said, glaring at James for his perverse looks.
"Ok," Jamie said and ran up the stairs to their room.
"You freak," Lily said to James, smiling widely.
"Well, then," James said. He looked at Sirius. "Yo, dude, you ok?"
"How could I forget her birthday?" Sirius asked them. "She's my girlfriend and I forgot her birthday!"
"Don't worry about it, Sirius," Lily said. "You can give her my present."
"No, I'll just run to Hogsmeade," Sirius said. "Tell her I will be back."
"That's Sirius, for you," Tessa said.
"Yeah," James said as Jamie came out.
"Where's Sirius?" she asked, in her dress.
"He went to get you a birthday present," Lily said.
"That's my boy," Jamie smiled and went to change out of the dress.

Sirius didn't come back until right before James, Lily, and Tessa left for the dance. Tessa was going with a sixth year. Jamie had fallen asleep on the couch, even though it was extremely loud in the room.
Sirius gently aroused her and she sat up, stretching.
"Good morning," he said.
"Hey," Jamie answered, "What time is it? Have they left yet?"
"It's 7:20, and they're about to," Sirius said.
"Ok," Jamie said and rested her head onto the couch arm.
"I don't think so," Sirius said, pulling her up. "You should stay awake now."
"Fine," Jamie agreed. "Where's my present?"
Sirius grinned slyly. "Wait until they leave."
"Is the dance open to everyone?" Jamie asked.
"Yeah, it's kind of weird, but oh well," Sirius said.
"Probably for Halloween," Jamie suggested.
"Maybe," Sirius said.
James, Lily, and Tessa walked up to the couple. They were wearing their dress cloaks and smiling.
"You guys sure you don't want to come?" Lily asked them.
"Yeah," Sirius said.
"Ok," James said and waved goodbye.
When the crowd had finally dispersed, and they were alone in the common room, Sirius took out a small box and placed it in Jamie's hands.
"Happy birthday," he said.
Jamie opened the box and there was a beautiful silver ring in it with a brilliant blue sapphire on it. It matched Jamie and Sirius's eyes exactly.
"Oh my, God," Jamie whispered as she slipped it onto her finger. "Sirius, it's beautiful." She looked up at him and he was smiling happily at her.
"I take it you like it," Sirius said.
"I love it," Jamie said.
Sirius kissed Jamie on the forehead and held her hand up to look at the ring. "I have good taste," he said and kissed her hand.
"That you do," Jamie said and snuggled into him.
Sirius ran his fingers through Jamie's curly blond hair. He sighed.
"What's wrong?" Jamie asked Sirius.
"Oh, nothing," Sirius said.
"You sure?" Jamie asked him, looking at him, her eyes filled with worry.
"Well, I was just thinking," Sirius said. "About-" He stopped talking.
"You don't have to tell me, Sirius," Jamie said, kneeling next to him on the couch.
"No, I have to," Sirius said, taking Jamie's hand. "I've been thinking about James. You know, with all this going on. I'm afraid for him to die. He and I are like brothers. When his parents died last year, it was me who let him live with us, me who let him cry on my shoulder. He's my best friend, and has been since the diaper days." He smiled happily. Then, his smile disappeared. I don't want him to die, Jamie."
"Oh, Sirius, don't worry," Jamie said, running her fingers through his. "James is strong, he won't die. Lily won't let him."
Sirius smiled and nodded. "You're right."
"Glad you figured that out," Jamie said.
Sirius leaned his forehead against Jamie's and kissed her nose. Just then there was a loud pounding on the portrait of Sir Cadogan.
"Oh my, God, Sirius, what was that?" Jamie asked him.
"I don't know," Sirius said, but they both knew what they thought it was. "Come on," he said, and pulled Jamie underneath him behind the small gap behind the couch. If it had been different circumstances, he would have said something.
They heard the portrait being blown open. Jamie was shivering under Sirius. Sirius wrapped his arms around her and whispered, "Shh..."
"Where are you, Potter?" said the voice. Jamie sucked in a breath of air.
There was a high cackling laughter. Sirius closed his eyes to keep his tears from escaping his eyes. Jamie gripped his shoulders. They heard some furniture cracking and the fire had long since been blown out. He laughed again, then disappeared. Jamie looked up at Sirius who was crying.
"Come on," Jamie said and squeezed out.
"Jamie- no!" Sirius said.
"Crucio!" came a loud voice and Jamie bent over in pain. She started to scream and Sirius jumped out.
"Leave her alone!" Sirius yelled grabbing for his own wand.
Voldemort looked at Sirius, or rather turned his hooded head towards Sirius, and disappeared completely.
Sirius rushed to Jamie, who was lying on the floor. "Jamie, Jamie are you ok?"
Jamie looked up at Sirius and smiled slightly, "Hey."
Sirius brought Jamie up in his arms and cried.