They ran down three sets of stairs, James in the lead followed by Auria, Sirius and Remus. Rounding a bend they were about to climb down the fourth when-

"Wingardium Leviosa" Auria, Remus and Sirius screamed in unison, their wands pointed at James.

James was floating in mid air, right where the third floor staircase should have been.

Auria broke the spell, lifted her wand again and said, "accio James."

Potter quickly drifted back towards them onto solid ground. Sirius helped James to his feet and the four friends looked around in awe.

Except for the first and last steps, the entire third floor staircase was gone. Across the huge gap stood the rest of the students, who were now laughing at James. Glaring down at them Auria noticed that the last step seemed to be crumbling.

"Acid" she muttered quietly, now noticing a strange smell in the air.

"What?" Sirius asked.

"Acid, who ever did this must have used some sort of acid to burn away the stairs. Look" she said pointing down.

Sirius looked over the edge and saw that a few of the stairs were missing from the flight of steps down below.

"But who would be able to brew such a po-" Sirius began.

"Hey Peter!" James called across the gap. "Welcome back mate. How's your mom?"

"Good thanks. They let her go home today" he yelled back happily.

James was just about to speak again when Proffessors McGonagall and Verge appeared at the front of the crowd.

"Where have you four been?" McGonagall demanded.

"Upstairs, in our dormitory room" Sirius answered.

"All of you?" Verge sneered as he glanced at Auria.

"Yup" James replied casually. "We were doing homework."

"I see" Verge said and then turning to Auria added, "then why Ms. Jacobs, is there a large gash on your hand?"

Auria looked down and suddenly realized that her hand was cut and bleeding. During the battle she hadn't even noticed.

"I-um"

"I hit her with a spell by accident" Sirius said defiantly.

"Oh, so you beat your girlfriend" Snape said cruely.

He stepped out from behind Verge, his top lip curling with pleasure.

"I DO NOT" Sirius screamed back, drawing his wand.

"That will be enough" a soft voice said.

Just then Dumbledore appeared at the edge of the gap.

Sirius stuffed his wand back into his pocket, swearing loudly to himself.

"Minerva" Dumbledore continued quickly. "I would like you to take all the students down to the Great Hall and set up beds for them there. I have spoken to the house elves and they have told me that this can be repaired by tomorrow night."

Auria noticed that he seemed rather agitated and eager to leave.

"I have some important business to attend to right now."

"But Albus" McGonagall protested.

"No Minerva, I have to go, I am needed else where" he said sternly, a glint of anger in his eyes.

Without another word he swept off back down the hall and out of sight.

As McGonagall began to herd everyone back downstairs Professor Verge decided to interrogate them some more.

"So, you four spent the entire night, a Friday night, up in your dormitory studying?"

"Yes" Remus replied, his face completely serious.

"We didn't do this" James said, frustration creeping into his voice.

McGonagall turned around to look at them.

James looked confused as to why they did not believe them.

"Why would we stop ourselves from being able to get to the kitchens?" he asked raising his arms.

Auria swore that she saw a faint smile appear on McGonagall's lips.

"Come Professor Verge" she said, taking hold of his arm. "They didn't do this."

Verge gave them one last glare before reluctantly following McGonagall down the stairs.

As soon as they were out of sight Auria, Sirius, James and Remus turned away and walked back towards the common room. They were just about to go up the final staircase when Remus stopped.

"Um guys" he said, turning around to face them all. "Do you realize what this means?"

A wide smile appeared on his face. Everyone else looked at each other and shook their heads.

Remus leaned in and in almost a whisper said, "we have ALL of Gryffindor tower to ourselves tonight."

Sirius, Auria and James grinned at each other.

"What shall we do first?" James asked.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Having completely forgotten their saving of the Bengers, the rest of the night was spent holding desk races in the halls, having sword fights with the suits of armor and letting fireworks zoom around the dark classrooms. At 2 o'clock in the morning they finally returned to the common room exhausted.

"I am the desk racing champion" James said parading around the room.

"Oi, don't forget that I beat you once" Auria said throwing herself down on a couch.

"I beat three suits of armor at sword fighting" Remus said proudly.

"And I beat four" Sirius said sitting down beside Auria.

"Until that fifth one ripped your shirt" James reminded him.

Auria giggled when she saw that Sirius' shirt had been ripped completely in half, right down the middle of his chest.

"What? You think this is funny" Sirius said to her playfully, pointing at his shirt.

"Yes, I do" Auria said with a tone of mock sincerity.

"Do you know what I think is funny?" he asked.

"No what?" Auria replied, leaning in seductively.

"THIS" Siris said, reaching out and tickling her stomach.

Auria began to squirm and laugh.

"No, Sirius stop" she panted as she tried to push him away.

Remus yawned loudly.

"I'm going to bed" he declared.

"Me too" James added, following Remus up the stairs. "Keep it down you two."

Sirius tickled Auria for a few more moments until she fell of the couch.

"Oof" she said, landing hard on the floor.

"Sorry" Sirius said, getting down on the floor beside her.

"It's ok" she said yawning. "We should go to bed too."

Sirius nodded and helped her to her feet.

"You know" Auria began casually. "I have a room upstairs all to myself tonight."

"Really?" Sirius said with a look of mock surprise.

Auria nodded and gave him a soft kiss.

"Go get your pajamas, but don't put them on yet" she whispered in his ear.

Sirius ran up the stairs two at a time, and returned a moment later carrying his night clothes. He had a huge grin on his face and was practically dancing with excitement. Sirius had no idea what his girlfriend was planning, but he was sure it would be good. Once he was back, Auria changed into a phoenix and carried him up to her door. Then changing back, she led him inside and over to her bed. Grabbing her pajama's she walked over to Sirius and placed them in his hands. He handed her hers, a look of understanding in his deep brown eyes.

Slowly, Sirius lifted Auria's shirt over her head. Then he put his hands around her back and undid her bra. She let it fall to the floor and put her arms around his neck. Sirius gazed down at her breasts for a moment before slipping her pajama shirt over her arms and head. He ran his hands down her chest to smooth it out, feeling her shiver beneath his touch. Now it was her turn. Auria took off Sirius' ripped shirt and threw it onto a chair. She gently ran her hands up and down his chest, kissing him as she went. Auria helped him put one arm in each sleeve, but didn't do up the buttons in the front. Sirius slid his hands beneath her shirt and around her waist. He gazed deep into her eyes for a moment before leaning in to kiss her. When they broke apart he put his head to her ear and whispered, "I love you."

"I love you too" she said with a soft smile.

Auria took his hand and led it down to the top of her pants. With slightly shaking hands Sirius undid her pants, and watched as she carefully stepped out of them. He saw that she was wearing bright blue underwear, to match her bra. Bending down he helped her slip one leg in and then the other. Carefully he pulled them up, running his hands along her legs as he went. Her skin was soft and smooth beneath his touch. Next Auria did the same for him. She grinned when she saw the boxers he was wearing. They were green with the Stonewall Stormers quidditch team logo printed on them. Once she had stopped laughing she bent down and helped him into the pajama bottoms. She grinned to herself when she saw how strong and muscular quidditch had made his legs.

Once they were done Sirius took her hand and led her over to her bed. Auria pulled back the covers and they climbed in. Sirius leaned up on the pillow and pulled Auria in next to him.

"You're so beautiful" he said, reaching up and touching her face.

Auria blushed and looked away. Sirius slid his hand down to her chin and turned her face back towards his. He leaned over and gave her a slow passionate kiss.

They broke apart some minutes later, and fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms.