Chapter 24
I was out of his room and back to my own by midnight. Buffy was asleep in her bed and I tried to be as quiet as I could so as not to wake her and suffer the inevitable questions she would ask. I had my robe off and just pulled down my shorts when I heard her voice.
"Where ya been?"
I knew she had senses beyond mortal man or woman as the case may be. But could she smell my desire for Sirius. Even after a brief stop at one of the bathrooms to clean up afterward I could still smell him on my skin and my own desire underneath.
"Um, playing?" I responded.
She checked her watch. "Wil's it's after midnight. What were you ... oh!"
She sat up abruptly in bed. Her eyes were wide and shocked. I cringed.
"You're freaked, aren't you?"
She shook her head. "No, Wils. I mean why would I be shocked, Wil's?"
I rolled my eyes. "Buffy, enough with the Wil's. Just say you're freaked so we can get on with the explanation."
She seemed like she swallowed a bad bite of lemon or something. "Sorry, I'm a little freaked," she paused. "I thought you ... liked, yanno."
"Yeah, me too. I mean I still look at you and go 'hubba hubba.'" Now she really looked freaked. "I'm kidding ... well, sorta. I mean I still think about the mud wrestling thing every now and then, but in a purely friendly sorta way."
She crooked her eyebrow at me finally relaxing. "So your liking a little of the Sirius action now?"
I smiled and bounced a little. "I'm liking."
"Wil's he's like ten years older than you or something.'
I shrugged, "I know."
"You're cool with that?"
"Buffy, I just switched gender preference again and you're worried about whether he's too old for me?"
She held up her hands in surrender. "No worries. Not me. I'm worry-less girl."
The silence stood between us for a moment.
"Of course you know Faith is gonna have a field day with this."
I fell back on my pillow and covered my face with my hands. "And it will be all over school tomorrow."
Buffy laughed, "Just when you thought adolescent humor and teasing were gone."
********************
The next morning breakfast came and went with very little teasing. Apparently the school grapevine took a little longer than I thought. I spent the rest of the morning in the Headmaster's office preparing the final details for the casting .
"I wish to thank you for your efforts over the last few days, Willow."
I shrugged, "That's what I'm here for. Harry's a good kid. He doesn't need to worry about someone taking over his head, and in a few minutes he won't have to."
I stirred a hint of varagreen root into the mixture and it bubbled in reaction.
"I was referring to the change in Sirius' attitude."
I almost dropped the ladle into the caldron. "Um ..."
He smiled under his flowing silver beard. "If I may explain?"
I nodded meekly.
"Ever since Harry's parents were murdered, Sirius has been ... reckless. As you know he is Harry's Godfather, but you might be interested to know he, James, and Lily were the best of friends. An almost sibling relationship had developed over their years at Hogwarts.
"The deaths had destroyed something inside of him, making his demeanor bitter and destructive."
I think I may understand more than he knows.
"If I may say, I think his relationship with Harry has helped him through the dark period and imposed upon him a fatherly attitude toward the boy at the end.
"However , if I may be so bold, it is you that has resurrected the spark of life I haven't seen for many many years."
I felt a familiar warmth rise in my face. Not necessarily embarrassment but pride at doing something all warm and fuzzy.
"And I see he has returned the favor."
Okay, now the warmth was pure embarrassment.
"I have taken the liberty to review a few well chosen episodes of yours and your friend's lives."
I looked up, startled.
He held his hand up to stop me saying something.
"I assure you it was necessary and I am not here to proclaim judgment on decisions you have made, but to protect the lives and emotional wellbeing of my friends and associates. I needed to know you better before saying what it is that I have to say."
He smiled at himself. "Forgive a doddering old man his need to play protector."
I stammered. "W-w-what is it you need to say?"
His face lost it's innocence that I had become accustom to over the last few days.
"I have seen the dedication and bravery your small group has shown at the behest of your world. The sacrifices and tribulations that you have participated in have been nothing short of astounding."
I shrugged it off. "It had to be done."
He nodded. "I understand. That is why I must ask you to make a decision before preceding in your blossoming relationship with Sirius."
Now I was getting really curious. "What decision?"
He clinched his hands together and perched his index fingers against one another. "I do not foresee Sirius ever leaving Harry's side voluntarily. Therefore it behooves me to wonder if you are willing to forever leave the sides of your friends to be with him?"
A shudder trailed down my spine.
