AN: Sorry I updated a little late. I had a little trouble on how to end this chappie. So, enjoy, readers! This one¡¦s for those who¡¦ve missed the Sirius-Lily couple. For those who¡¦re waiting for something on Lily and James, watch for the next few chapters! :)
Disclaimer: Common knowledge
Chapter 21: Settling
¡§Wow, that¡¦s a great Summoning Charm!¡¨ Sirius called to Elsa as the Charms book she was summoning zoomed into her outstretched hand. Elsa grinned as she waved her brand-new wand of yew and unicorn hair. Sirius hopped down from his seat in one room of the Shrieking Shack. The three of them¡XLily, Sirius, and Remus (occasionally four, when Phoebe helped out)¡Xhad decided it was the perfect place to hold their ¡§classes¡¨. Sirius was teaching Elsa Charms currently, and Remus was in the next room with Phoebe, teaching James Transfiguration. Lily was at the jewelry store.
¡§You¡¦re a natural at this,¡¨ Sirius told Elsa. ¡§You¡¦ve learned about four or five years¡¦ worth of lessons in just a few days! If you¡¦d gone to Hogwarts with us, James and I would¡¦ve lost our titles as its brightest students.¡¨
¡§Thanks, Sirius. But I just had great teachers.¡¨ She sat down on the floor. ¡§So, how are you and Lily? I heard you were going out.¡¨
¡§Remus has a big mouth,¡¨ Sirius sighed, shaking his head. How were he and Lily now? Since James had come back, things weren¡¦t going perfectly between them. Sirius knew he had expected this the moment he had taken Lily¡¦s hand and asked her to be his girlfriend; he knew that when James returned, he would have to give her up. Yet a part of him had hoped she had learned to love him and would choose him. He looked up to see Elsa peering at him.
¡§It¡¦s okay if you don¡¦t want to talk. I won¡¦t pry,¡¨ she reassured him, holding her hands up.
¡§James is very fond of you,¡¨ Sirius quipped as a small stone Elsa had been playing with suddenly morphed into a bouquet of flowers. One peek saw the tip of a wand sliding from the slightly ajar door.
Elsa¡¦s eyes lit up. ¡§You think?¡¨
Sirius smiled. ¡§James¡¦s Transfiguration was always excellent.¡¨ He plucked a flower from the bunch. ¡§Sunflowers and daisies. I like the sunflowers, but the daisies? I¡¦m more of a lilies person.¡¨ He turned the sunflower over in his hand and recalled that far-away time when he and Lily had strolled down the streets of Hogsmeade, sharing a sugar sunflower.
¡§I¡¦ll bet.¡¨ Elsa picked up her wand. ¡§Come on. I want to go jinx James.¡¨
Sirius stared thoughtfully at the sunflower he still clutched. ¡§Elsa, can you practice by yourself for a while? There¡¦s someone I have to visit.¡¨
Elsa got a knowing look in her eyes and laughed. ¡§Go. I won¡¦t stop you.¡¨
Lily looked up as the door to the jewelry store opened. ¡§Sirius!¡¨ she exclaimed. He smiled as he strolled up to her. She couldn¡¦t help noticing he drew more than a couple of jealous stares from the other girls in the store. ¡§What are you doing here? Aren¡¦t you supposed to be teaching Elsa Charms right now?¡¨ She placed her hands on her hips.
¡§Elsa? Do not fret, milady. She¡¦s back at the Shack, making antlers grow on Prongs¡¦ head.¡¨
Lily crossed her arms. ¡§So you¡¦re here because¡K¡¨
Sirius shrugged. ¡§Well, there¡¦s this girl I want to buy something for. A girl I really love. I want to give her something. Something she would really like.¡¨
Lily tried to keep her smile under control. ¡§Okay.¡¨ Instinctively, her hand stretched out towards a beautiful heart-shaped silver-and-gold locket she had been wanting since it had arrived. She carefully laid it on the counter. ¡§I¡¦m sure she¡¦ll love this.¡¨
Sirius scratched his chin. ¡§I don¡¦t know. Why don¡¦t you try it out first?¡¨ He picked up the delicate strand, and leaning over, hooked it around her neck. Smiling, he showed her a mirror. Lily sucked in a breath. The necklace looked so beautiful! Like it was made for her. Barely glancing at the price, Sirius pulled out his money bag and started counting out Galleons. Lily felt herself blush as she realized she hadn¡¦t been much of a girlfriend to him, yet he had still been so sweet to her.
¡§Hey, Sirius, I think Remus and Phoebe can handle James and Elsa for one night,¡¨ she said.
Sirius looked confused.
¡§Why don¡¦t you take me out tonight?¡¨ she suggested, grinning.
A happy smile spread across her boyfriend¡¦s face. ¡§Right on!¡¨
¡§I¡¦ll just grab my cloak and tell Alice,¡¨ she told him.
¡§I¡¦ll be waiting,¡¨ Sirius replied.