Eventually, spring decided to arrive. The days grew warmer as many students began to prepare for the tests. Ava was given the ok to pick up a book again. This time however, she took a less stringent approach. Lily seemed to be pushing herself harder than normal and craved a break. She took an intermission to double-check this week's Hogsmeade trip, to make sure she wasn't imagining it. It was the last one of the year unfortunately. She sat gloomily down next to Ava.

"Ay," Ava looked over at her. "What's the look for?"

"It's almost here." Lily said in a slightly sad voice.

"What's that?"

"The end of the year. Test. Graduation. Life." Lily went on. "It starts with the last Hogsmeade weekend, and then we just keep on rolling. Then before you know it, its time to test, and we're done, gone, see you later."

"What's wrong with that?" Ava missed the point.

"When will I ever see you again? Or anybody? People will go their own ways. It's just sad that's all."

"Oh come on. You know we will keep in touch. We might even be in the same areas."

"Oh right," Lily nodded sarcastically. "You say that now…" She was just teasing her.

"That's right," Ava grinned maliciously. "I'm going to run off and never talk to you. Burn my robes and every sign I was ever here. Lily who?"

The two laughed at their foolishness. They talked about what they planned to do with their last weekend in the village. It was declared to be a study free weekend. Lily mentioned the fact that James would have to practice this weekend if they were to beat Ravenclaw. Both Ravenclaw and Gryffindor had beat Hufflepuff and Slytherin, so the championship came down to them. As if James had heard the word 'quidditch' from a mile away he came into the room to sit down next to them just in time to put in his two cents.

"No worries," He said casually with a superior smile. He knew Ravenclaw wouldn't stand a chance, no matter what they thought. "Oh, but we are practicing in the morning early Saturday, so I'll meet you in the village around noon."

Lily gave him a nod and a kiss as he head out to practice. She wasn't sure what would happen to them after school. If they would stick together or not. But she wasn't going to trouble herself with it right now. Or at least, not let on to anyone.

"Just a few more days," Ava sighed. "I'm looking forward to seeing the sun again." Which wasn't necessarily true, they had been outside. But with the testing so close, no seventh or fifth year had been able to appreciate the sun and warm days. The rest of the school seemed to though.

"You and me both."

When it didn't seem like the day would ever arrive, it finally picked a gloomy day to show up. Although it didn't stop anyone from having a good time, sun would have been nice. The clouds dark and threatening seemed to crowd together in anticipation. As usual, it seemed to be the four marauders with Ava and Lily. Isobel, Julia, Devon and the rest seemed to be too wired to stay in one place for long. The Three Broomsticks seemed to be full at the moment, so the assemblage walked around the village.

Lily pointed out to Ava all the spots that James took her to on Valentine's Day and about how romantic their picnic was. She told her about that, but felt slightly ashamed that she couldn't tell her about the best part-seeing James transfigure. It had been amazing. He had changed in front of her and let her ride on his back as he took her on a run through the woods. They stopped to have a picnic in an isolated meadow with a picturesque and quite scenic view of a brook. He had borrowed Heath's acoustic guitar and played her a melody. It had been absolutely perfect. She felt guilty that she had to not necessarily lie, but leave out information when she told her best friend. She went on anyways telling her about the rest of the couples she had seen at Hogsmeade that day and how it had been decorated.

Peter remained quiet as James and Lily filled most of the silence unconsciously with their babble. Not that he mind, it kept him from having to say anything, left him to his thoughts. He wondered how life would be once they all graduated. Deep down he knew he wasn't the wizard that the rest were. Things would be harder on his own. Maybe he could find a good roommate…

Sirius was quite glad that this was the last weekend to visit the small village. Yes it had been fun to come, in all the different ways he did. But the last weekend marked what was to come. He was almost out of the school, and free to move on with his life, not that he was sure quite what that would involve. But he was aching to see. He looked over at his friends. Things certainly were complicated.

Remus was lost in thought as well. He had enjoyed his time here. It had been great. But with his life, nothing was ever going to be this easy again. Out there in the real world, he had to deal with his 'condition'. No employer would overlook the fact he disappeared once a month, so he was obligated to tell them what and who he was. Dumbledore had warned him things would not be easy after school, but Remus had the feeling he meant something more.

James and Lily seemed to have great time talking and playing. The rest would occasionally throw in words to help the conversation along. Ava was battling with herself in her mind. She didn't know what to do anymore. Lily's words had really stuck with her.

"So you're okay with never seeing half these people again?" Lily said coming back to their original topic.

Ava shrugged. "They'll pop up occasionally in my life I'm sure. The wizarding world isn't that big."

"Yeah, but the muggle world can be, if you plan to live in both…"

"I'll manage. Why would I need you in my life when I can keep Dena closer?" Ava teased her. "Besides, you said we were going to be roommates again."

Lily laughed in agreement nodding. She stopped laughing as she saw someone come into the yard. Raquel sat down next to the marauders minus James. Raquel had been eyeing Sirius a lot lately, had Ava noticed? Lily knew that there was something there, there had to be with all that time they spent together. Ava attributed it towards friendship. But when had Sirius ever been that close with a girl he wasn't dating?

"Look at her." Ava's voice distasteful. "Doesn't she have better things to do, like study, than interrupt theirs?"

"Why do you care?" Lily shrugged, fiercely holding back a smile. "Any excuse to stop is a good excuse."

"True," she looked at her. "But Raquel? She's been tutored for years, then comes here and is 'coming out of her shell' so to speak, and hits on anything with two legs and a wand."

Lily snorted at Ava's jealousy. There was something there, proof positive. "Aves, is there something you'd like to share with me?

"Huh?" Ava said looking at her friend like she was crazy. "What are you talking about?"

"Sirius?"

"What about him?"

"You like him!" Lily said in a confident whisper. She didn't want Ava to freak out if she said it too loud. Ava's eyes were big as her eyebrows shot up. "You do! I see it all over you face. You're jealous!"

Ava tsked as she tried to brush it off. She rolled her eyes at Lily looking over to where Sirius and Raquel sat talking. The wench had pulled him away and sat at a bench with him holding and pointing at a book she was holding. He looked at it talking to her while she just gazed at him. Maybe Lily was right. That would explain every odd feeling she had had and could never figure out. She frowned at the thought of having fallen for someone. She swore it wouldn't happen again. But Sirius was different.

"So am I right?" Lily asked her quietly and casually. She knew the answer, she just wanted Ava to admit to it. She looked over at her friend watching the other two. Ava turned towards her.

Ava bit her lip and her brows came together as she made a face. It was her way of asking Lily, 'is it a mistake?' Lily shook her head and threw an arm around her. The two laughed. Ava sighed with a release of frustration as she ran her hands through her hair. It was a relief to get it off her chest, to find out what had been haunting her. She smiled at Lily, who seemed to be thinking about something else. "What?"

James had told Lily that Sirius had admitted to liking Ava, but knew it would never happen. He was content to just be friends if that was what she wanted. So if Ava wanted to be with him, she would have to make the first move. Lily looked at her. "So you admit to-to me at least- that you like him?" Ava nodded. "No, you have to better than that. Do you like Sirius?"

"Yes!" Ava said with slight exasperation at Lily making her officially admit. "Yes I like," she gave a slight pause as Lily narrowed her eyes at her, "Sirius Black." She rolled her eyes at the end, sheepishly saying the words. It was the first time she had admitted to it after all. It was just two minutes ago she figured it all out.

"Now we're talking." Lily pulled her close as she told her that Sirius felt the same way but thought she didn't. Ava grimaced slightly at that. Lily went on to tell her that she would have to be the one to admit to it, and what she should do…

Ava was still thinking about what went on between them. Lily was right about her having to talk to Sirius. She had clearly demonstrated to him, words and actions, that she wasn't interested in him. But from when she said that way back when, things had changed. They had grown close as friends, learned each other's life stories, and helped each other out. She touched her necklace, smiling at the thought of Christmas. She eventually drifted back towards the conversation that James, Lily and someone else were now having. Lily shot Ava a smile.

"I think we should go back and see about a table now." Lily said turning down the street that would lead to the pub. A crack of thunder broke in to her words making her jump in to James knocking him over slightly. Laughing he put his arms around her.

Within a few minutes a downpour began. They stood under an awning of a nearby store. Lily looked down the alley. She put her hands over her head as she ran down to get to the nearby bar. James laughed as he jogged next to her. Peter darted out next after them. Remus grabbed a paper that happened to be in sitting in the window ledge. He unfolded it, held it over his hair, and simply walked over to the pub. Sirius shot Ava a smile, about to go after Remus. Ava stopped him, taking a hold of his arm. "Let's go this way."

He shot her a weird look but followed her anyways. He was surprised to se her walk right out into the rain. He smiled with a shrug and followed. "Long way?"

"No," Ava shook her head as some water came out of her hair. "Just don't want to go there. Let's go for a walk. I want to talk to you."

Again, Sirius was surprised. But felt no reason why not to go with her. The rain wasn't even that bad or hard. It was actually a nice pleasant drizzle that complimented the steamy day the cloud coverage had caused. They walked along silently for a bit. Not liking the silence, he grabbed her hand and twirled her around in the rain. She laughed as the rain danced around them, she fell out of the spin and he caught her. She pulled back her wet hair and pulled him along to walk.

'So?' he wanted to ask. They always had a fun time hanging out together but he had no idea what she said she wanted to talk about. He told Raquel that he would meet her later and maybe have a drink. The more he thought about, he was glad they were walking the opposite way of the tavern. "I love the fact you wanted to walk in the rain."

"Sirius." She stopped him, the rain still coming down around them. There was a long pause before she spoke again. "Lets go sit down over there."

He thought she had started to say something then changed her mind. Unworried, he followed her over to a bench. The rain lightened up significantly. But a light mist rain followed. He sat down next to her, turning to face her. If it was anyone else, he would be getting frustrated at being led around and not spoken to, but with her it was fun and mysterious. "So what is it?"

"I-I don't know where to start." She said in a sigh.

"I hear the beginning is always a good place."

"I don't think it will work this time."

"Ok, how about the end?" He said randomly, laughing. He laughed at himself, but more at the fact that she was making him nervous. He felt like she had bad news for him. He gave her and encouraging smile. Before he knew what happened, she reached over and held his face and kissed him. Willingly, he kissed her back. Slightly stunned, he had a half smile painted on his face as she pulled away.

"Ok that was the end." She said embarrassed.

"I hope that wasn't the end of that." His smile grew as he watched her, amazed. "But go on." He had meant the kissing but talking was ok to.

"I've wanted to do that for some time." She admitted. The easy and fun part was over. Now she had to explain herself. "Sirius, I, I had the wrong impression of you when I met you." He nodded in agreement. They hadn't gotten of to the best start.

"I thought you would be like Cain. I didn't even want to think about guys here. But you changed my way of thinking. Just being my friend, like I said I needed. You have been so sweet." she gestured helplessly. She couldn't find what she really wanted to say.

Sirius just smiled and nodded encouragingly. He knew where she was going with this, but it didn't do either of them any good if he saved her from having to say it.

"Truth be told, I've liked you since I saw you, but just didn't know it. You have so much individuality and uniqueness. You don't care what anyone else thinks of you, which works for you. You're strong and say what's on your mind, and I love that. I saw it the first day I met you. But I didn't like it used on me. I was gun shy of guys at that point. But just having you listen to me healed any wounds I was still licking.

"You understand me. The only time you have ever pushed me into doing something I didn't like was when you thought I needed help. You have been the best friend I could have ever imagined. I never thought I would meet someone like you coming here.

She shook her head. Things never came out well in the heat of the moment it seemed like. "I wish I could let you now how I feel. But I'm not very eloquent I fear. But basically, I like you, have liked you, and wish I had seen it sooner."

Sirius still had the same smile on his lips. He loved the fact that she was pretty much to the point. Flowery words were for books. She seemed so nervous as she watched him, like he would tell her no or something. He reached over, kissing her softly on the lips, to reassure her.

As soon as he was finished, she hopped up, pulling him up with her. She threw her arms around him tightly. He slipped his arms around her, not quite believing what was going on. It seemed to have happened fast, but he was willing to accept it that way. Life never slowed down for anyone, why should it for him? Especially when it sent him something so good. He held her, loving the way she firmly held back on to him, her head against him. He leaned his head against hers, savoring the moment.

Ava was still surprised the words had left her mouth. It had felt like she had had no control over what she was saying, it all just seemed to come out on its own. Probably because it had been bottled up for so long. She was thankful that it had finally had emerged though. It felt right, the way they were together.

The moment seemed to freeze. The rain lightly fell around them as they both realized the full extent of what was going on. Sirius was finally with his girl, the girl he had dreamed about, a girl he didn't know exist. When he thought he had found her, she didn't reciprocate. But here they were. In a moment. And Ava? She had been un-broken. Sirius was someone who knew her completely, everything about her, and still accepted who she was. He was always there for her when she had needed him, but didn't ask anything in return. He respected her.

Remarkable. Amazing. They were two extraordinary, Extra-ordinary, people perfectly suited to each other oddly enough. Eccentricity fit them well. Strange that they hadn't seen it before. Sirius thought she was just a pretty girl. Ava thought he was just run of the mill jerk. Appearances can be deceiving though. Sirius had never known anyone with her passion for whatever, for who she was, for life, anything. Ava had never seen such life in another before either. Someone who could have fun anywhere, no matter what they were doing. Who could invigorate and energize people. The possibilities in life exploded. In a moment like this, anything and everything seem possible.

I had intended to continue this stroy from here, but it evovled in to another stroy. so for those of you who would like to know what happens to Sirius, Ava, James, Remus, Lily, etc... and how they deal with the rest of their lives, example: Harry, DeathEaters, etc., You can read 'Thorned Roads' my continuation. Thanks!