Disclaimer: See Chapter one.

A/N: In case you couldn't tell, Italics mean flashbacks.

jthmrox@hotmail.com

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"Mmmh. You really should read this book, Sirius. It's quite fascinating," came my reply. Sirius snorted. "Oh, wait, Pardon me, I forgot, nothing ever holds your attention."

"Except you..." Sirius stated. I smirked and turned a page.

"Well, you seem to be quite bored with me at the moment." I said.

"Bored, yes. Uninterested, no. You're holding my attention quite well by sitting there just looking sexy."

Still smiling, I rolled my eyes and kept reading. After about a minute or so of silence, Sirius sighed in mock exasperation and grasped my book, neatly yanking it from my fingers and plopping it on the ground.

"...Happy now?"

"Yep. Now I have you all to myself," Sirius responded, sliding onto my lap. I grinned and wrapped my arms around him.

-----

"I think we killed it."

"...I think you're right. It looks pretty dead to me. But maybe we can charm it back together," I said, taking out my wand.

"I think we pressured it too much."

"Just a wee bit, I guess." I proceeded to use a couple of repairing charms on my precious swing. A moment later, the swing was happily hanging back on its branch, swaying slightly.

"Do you suppose that this was supposed to tell us something?" Sirius asked.

"Probably. Like not to abuse my poor swing."

".... So does that mean we have to be rougher on it?"

"Yep."

*~*~*~*~*

By the time I had finished reliving that little event, I was crying and laughing all at once.

"Sirius, why didn't you tell me? Why did you let me believe the media?" I blurted out.

"Did you really believe it?"

"I-well-no, but--"

"Then it wouldn't have mattered anyway, would it?"

"Siri, just tell me why, please... "

Sirius sighed. "James and Lily were concerned that I was being followed and observed, and they had information of a plot to capture and torture me. So, we decided to switch to Peter, because nobody would expect it."

"But…why Peter? Why not me?" I asked.

"Because that's what would've been expected. Everybody knew of out relationship. Besides, the night we switched was a full moon. That's how you never knew I left."

"Why didn't anyone ever tell me?"

"Just in case.... we didn't want to endanger you more than we had to... Don't take offense or anything, Moony..." Sirius sighed.

I gazed up at Sirius. He looked genuinely sorry.

"Oh, Padfoot..." I cried, wrapping my arms around him and cuddling against his chest.

".... So does this mean you forgive me?" He whispered.

"Of course, Siri.... You know I could never stay upset with you for long." I snickered.

"Yeah, I know I'm irresistible..."

"That you are.... Come on, let's get you washed up and fed," I said, yanking him to his feet. As the two of walked inside, I knew that eventually, everything would be all right. I still hurt, inside, but things were getting better....

~~~ FINI ~~~