Once Again
By Annoriel
Chapter 09 (Talking)
Disclaimer: You're reading this? And you recognize a lot of things? Well, that's not mine. Ah, but there's these weird things you've never heard of? Those are indeed mine.
A/N: It took long but it came! Enjoy.
Melissa walked slowly to the Griffindor Tower, her bag hanging precariously on one shoulder while she absent-mindedly braided her hair. She wasn't in a hurry... Actually, the later she would get there, the better. The "talk" with Sirius couldn't be put off anymore. She had to do it before the Christmas break, she had to do it know. But she really didn't mind taking a longer way to her Common Room...
Melissa frowned and bit her lower lip – something she always did when she was concentrated. She had no idea of why she was so worried... After all, all she had to do was to tell her boyfriend – who claimed to love her – that she planned to study abroad! That couldn't possibly hurt... Right?
But then again... She remembered all too well the reason of their first fight: Sarah "Whatever". She had left and he had found someone else, namely she. Melissa felt a tug at her heart. What if the same happened to her? For the first time in her life she was afraid of giving up something for the sake of her chosen future; for the first time she wasn't sure about what she wanted...
"Password?" The Fat Lady asked without looking down at her, worried she was in painting her nails.
Melissa looked up startled. She had been so lost in thought that she didn't notice she had already arrived. Her brain worked fast and her mouth was already open, ready to say the password but she stopped herself on the last minute.
Get a grip, girl! Where's your Griffindor courage? Now, just open your mouth and say...
"Red-nosed Rudolph"
Melissa spun around to find Peter Pettigrew's chubby face smiling at her.
"Forgot the password, eh?" She nodded for lack of better answer and the Marauder let out a chuckle. "It's ok... Quite a weird password, it is. Sure it was Lily's idea to make it the name of one of the Saint Claus' deers."
Melissa sighed heavily and shook her head. Damn boy with no timing at all!
"Yeah, yeah... Let's get in, shall we? By the way, it's Santa Claus' reindeers. And it was James' idea. Really, you shouldn't talk about what you don't know." She snapped.
Peter flushed violently and mumbled "S-Sorry." Before running through the portrait.
She had barely passed through the entrance when she heard Sirius calling her. For a moment or two she thought about pretending she didn't hear him, but then, realizing how stupid and childish she was being, she turned around... and was very glad she did!
Sirius was standing a couple meters away from her, his cheeks flushed probably from running. His breath came in gasps and his red and gold tie hung loose around his neck, his robe was completely open and his disheveled hair fell graciously on his eyes. He brushed it away and smiled... The kind of smile he only kept for her, full of love and... complicity seemed to be the right word.
For a second he just stood there admiring her, taking in every detail. Her short cut nails – for she couldn't help but bite them when they were too big, - her just above the knee skirt (and her beautiful legs). Sirius loved her legs, they were so long and so graceful! Especially when she wrapped them around his waist when... Sirius shook his head to make the mental pictures his line of thought invoked go away.
With two steps he was in front of her and had her in his arms. They kissed long and passionately until they eventually had to breathe.
He smirked. "Admit it, you can't keep your hands off me."
Melissa laughed. "That's cocky, Sirius!"
"No, it isn't. It's self-confidence." He ran his hands through her hair, undoing her braid. "Now tell me what've you done to poor Wormtail. He was almost crying when I came across him!"
She had the decency to blush a little. "I'm afraid I snapped at him just a moment ago. But I have this thing to tell you and although it's really silly, I don't know how to start... And I was lost in thought and he came talking to me... Well, you know me. I wasn't exactly friendly with him. I'll apologize when I get the opportunity."
"Hm hm..." Sirius pressed his lips together. "And what's this thing you have to tell me?" Melissa suddenly seemed very interested on his boots. He sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair. "Com'on, let's sit over there."
The place in question was a windowsill. Sirius loved it there because they could see all of the Quidditch pitch and most of the Forbidden Forest. At this moment of the year, the sight was especially beautiful because of the snow.
Melissa rested her head against the cool glass of the window, waiting for the words to come to her. "... You know that I always dreamed of being..."
"A medi-witch. Yes, I know of course." Where was she planning to get with that talk?
"And you know I'll have to leave the country to do as I wish, don't you?" she looked up at him, biting her lower lip.
A sudden thought struck him. "What?! Are you going to leave now?"
He sounded so surprised and had such an adorable expression on his face that Melissa had to laugh. "No! Not until the next year. So..."
He took both her hands into his. "So I can't see what's the problem."
"I'm afraid, Sirius. I'm afraid I won't be able to leave when the time comes. I know it sounds ridiculous but for the first time I have real friends and a life beyond my parents. Things that I will miss so much and... And there's you! Maybe I'm being too pretentious, but right now I can't think of life without you. And that's what scares me the most..."
Sirius enveloped her in a bear hug. "Would it help if I said you don't mean a thing to me?"
She smacked him playfully in the arm. "No, it wouldn't!" she said and buried her face in his chest
He laughed softly. "Good. Because I can't think of life without either." He held her closer – if it was possible – and stroked her hair gently. "Lis, if there's something I've learnt after all these years of prank-pulling and detentions is that we have to live one day each. You know, Live for the Moment, Carpe Diem and all that..." he could feel her smiling against him and smiled too. "And right now, right here, we're together. Tomorrow we'll think about the problems of tomorrow."
Melissa pushed away from him and wasn't surprised to find wet circles on his uniform. She stared into his gray eyes for an eternal second before kissing him, reveling in his touch, getting inebriated with his scent. When they parted, she raked both her hands through his hair, pulling him to a swift kiss before resting against his chest once more, feeling completely safe and warm with his arms around her.
"When have you became so wise, Sirius Black?"
Dianna yawned and sat by Remus' side on the coach on Gryffindor's Common Rooms. "Gosh! Packing up does make me tired!" she rested her head on her boyfriend's shoulder and closed her eyes for a while.
Remus chuckled. "You know, it helps when you start packing soon... Preferably not on the night before your departure!"
Sirius, who had just came in, laughed. "It's useless Moony, my old chap. Dianna is hopelessly disorganized." He threw himself on the nearest chair.
James stopped playing with his snitch and looked at Sirius, one brow raised. "Your opinion doesn't count. Everybody knows you're a tidying- freak."
Sirius made a mock hurt face. "I'm not that bad!"
The argument would have gone on hadn't Lily popped in. "Hey guys! Guess what? I've just got a letter from my parents and they said I'm allowed to spend New Year's Eve at James'!"
James jumped up and took Lily in his arms, swirling her around. "That's great!" He put her on the floor and rested his forehead against hers. "Can you imagine... Torbey... Just you and me..."
"And me!" Sirius added and sighed noisily. "Yep, it will be pretty romantic."
James rolled his eyes, one arm still around Lily's waist. "Damn my education! Why had I to invite you in first place?"
Sirius smirked. "You're stuck with me, Prongsie."
"Don't forget about us, mate!" Remus said and Dianna nodded sleepily.
James lifted his eyes to the ceiling. "Woe unto me!"
"What about Melissa?" Lily asked and James glared at her. As if three of them wasn't enough...
"What about me... What?" Melissa stood at the bottom of the stairs that led to the girl's dorm. Her eyes scanned the room finally falling upon Sirius, who motioned for her to come on over.
Lily waited until she was settled on Sirius' lap – something Melissa just did after making sure that no strangers were around – and answered. "We were wondering if you will also stay at James' during New Year's Eve.
She swallowed hard. "Fat chance."
Upon hearing this, even Dianna woke up. "Ah, com'on...! Your father can't be that of a jerk... Ops, I'm sorry, it's your father after all." But she didn't seem sorry at all.
Dianna knew – and Sirius had a faint idea – how old-fashioned Melissa's father could be. And that meant no sleeping somewhere near boys and no long trips with friends whom he didn't knew their parents. Apparently he choosed to ignore that his daughter was almost of age.
Sirius looked at her with his puppy eyes. "You mean that I'll only get to see you next year?"
"That's a possibility." Melissa answered barely being able to restrain the laughter.
"Aww... But kiss how kiss will I kiss survive kiss?"
"Argh! Get a room you two!" Remus yelled.
Melissa immediately felt the tension build up in her boyfriend through his hand. It didn't take long until she found the reason why. At the crowed Platform 9¾, standing a couple of meters away stood Bellatrix Black with two more persons that had to be her parents. They were talking quietly but she still could distinguish words as "blood traitors", "shame" and "dishonored". And they were pointing towards them.
She squeezed Sirius' hand and smiled reassuringly when he looked down at her. Dianna had explained to her how her and her brother's ideals and concepts were different from their family's ones. And also had told her how Sirius had ran away when he was sixteen and how the two of them now lived in a flat in downtown London. She couldn't blame them.
"I won't bother if you don't" she whispered.
"Deal!" he whispered back and kissed her cheek. "Have you found your parents yet?"
"Actually, they told me they might be late..." she smirked for she knew what he was thinking.
"Good. More time for us."
Melissa was unpacking her stuff when she heard a soft knock on her door. "Come in!"
Elizabeth Walker walked in and sat on her daughter's four posters bed. She was a forty-something years old lady with black – though already graying – hair and soft chocolate brown eyes. She was petit and a bit chubby, but also very intelligent and vivacious. They stood in silence for while and Elizabeth couldn't help but notice how changed Melissa was.
"I noticed the ring." She finally said.
Melissa looked up startled and touched the ring Sirius had given her. Blushing, she sat side by side with her mother.
"I told you about him in a letter or two... But father was so teed off that I decided it was better if I told you this personally."
Elizabeth smiled. "He must be very important to you..."
Melissa smiled wide. "You would love him, Mom. He's so funny and intelligent and..."
"And you love him."
Melissa blushed furiously. "I..."
"Shush... You don't have to explain. I can see it in your eyes. Just..." she lowered her voice to a conspicuous tone. "Just keep it low until we figure out a way to tell your father without him having a heart attack!"
They both laughed.
After they sobered, Elizabeth said. "He's not that bad, your father. He's just trying to protect you the best way he knows. And he does it because he loves you."
"I love him too, Mom. But I'd really appreciate if he let me take my own decisions."
"Just talk to him, Mel. You'll see how everything will fall into its places."
Obs.1 – The line "That's cocky, Sirius!" and its answer "No, it isn't. It's self-confidence" are from the movie How to lose a guy in ten day, in case someone was wondering. (The original line is: "That's cocky, Ben!")
Obs-2 – I know I previously said that Sirius' eyes are dark blue... But J. K. said they are gray, so bear with it.
Obs.3 – I'm trying to adapt my plot to be as close as possible to TOotP. That whole thing with Bellatrix and her parents were to explain it.
Don't forget to review!
By Annoriel
Chapter 09 (Talking)
Disclaimer: You're reading this? And you recognize a lot of things? Well, that's not mine. Ah, but there's these weird things you've never heard of? Those are indeed mine.
A/N: It took long but it came! Enjoy.
Melissa walked slowly to the Griffindor Tower, her bag hanging precariously on one shoulder while she absent-mindedly braided her hair. She wasn't in a hurry... Actually, the later she would get there, the better. The "talk" with Sirius couldn't be put off anymore. She had to do it before the Christmas break, she had to do it know. But she really didn't mind taking a longer way to her Common Room...
Melissa frowned and bit her lower lip – something she always did when she was concentrated. She had no idea of why she was so worried... After all, all she had to do was to tell her boyfriend – who claimed to love her – that she planned to study abroad! That couldn't possibly hurt... Right?
But then again... She remembered all too well the reason of their first fight: Sarah "Whatever". She had left and he had found someone else, namely she. Melissa felt a tug at her heart. What if the same happened to her? For the first time in her life she was afraid of giving up something for the sake of her chosen future; for the first time she wasn't sure about what she wanted...
"Password?" The Fat Lady asked without looking down at her, worried she was in painting her nails.
Melissa looked up startled. She had been so lost in thought that she didn't notice she had already arrived. Her brain worked fast and her mouth was already open, ready to say the password but she stopped herself on the last minute.
Get a grip, girl! Where's your Griffindor courage? Now, just open your mouth and say...
"Red-nosed Rudolph"
Melissa spun around to find Peter Pettigrew's chubby face smiling at her.
"Forgot the password, eh?" She nodded for lack of better answer and the Marauder let out a chuckle. "It's ok... Quite a weird password, it is. Sure it was Lily's idea to make it the name of one of the Saint Claus' deers."
Melissa sighed heavily and shook her head. Damn boy with no timing at all!
"Yeah, yeah... Let's get in, shall we? By the way, it's Santa Claus' reindeers. And it was James' idea. Really, you shouldn't talk about what you don't know." She snapped.
Peter flushed violently and mumbled "S-Sorry." Before running through the portrait.
She had barely passed through the entrance when she heard Sirius calling her. For a moment or two she thought about pretending she didn't hear him, but then, realizing how stupid and childish she was being, she turned around... and was very glad she did!
Sirius was standing a couple meters away from her, his cheeks flushed probably from running. His breath came in gasps and his red and gold tie hung loose around his neck, his robe was completely open and his disheveled hair fell graciously on his eyes. He brushed it away and smiled... The kind of smile he only kept for her, full of love and... complicity seemed to be the right word.
For a second he just stood there admiring her, taking in every detail. Her short cut nails – for she couldn't help but bite them when they were too big, - her just above the knee skirt (and her beautiful legs). Sirius loved her legs, they were so long and so graceful! Especially when she wrapped them around his waist when... Sirius shook his head to make the mental pictures his line of thought invoked go away.
With two steps he was in front of her and had her in his arms. They kissed long and passionately until they eventually had to breathe.
He smirked. "Admit it, you can't keep your hands off me."
Melissa laughed. "That's cocky, Sirius!"
"No, it isn't. It's self-confidence." He ran his hands through her hair, undoing her braid. "Now tell me what've you done to poor Wormtail. He was almost crying when I came across him!"
She had the decency to blush a little. "I'm afraid I snapped at him just a moment ago. But I have this thing to tell you and although it's really silly, I don't know how to start... And I was lost in thought and he came talking to me... Well, you know me. I wasn't exactly friendly with him. I'll apologize when I get the opportunity."
"Hm hm..." Sirius pressed his lips together. "And what's this thing you have to tell me?" Melissa suddenly seemed very interested on his boots. He sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair. "Com'on, let's sit over there."
The place in question was a windowsill. Sirius loved it there because they could see all of the Quidditch pitch and most of the Forbidden Forest. At this moment of the year, the sight was especially beautiful because of the snow.
Melissa rested her head against the cool glass of the window, waiting for the words to come to her. "... You know that I always dreamed of being..."
"A medi-witch. Yes, I know of course." Where was she planning to get with that talk?
"And you know I'll have to leave the country to do as I wish, don't you?" she looked up at him, biting her lower lip.
A sudden thought struck him. "What?! Are you going to leave now?"
He sounded so surprised and had such an adorable expression on his face that Melissa had to laugh. "No! Not until the next year. So..."
He took both her hands into his. "So I can't see what's the problem."
"I'm afraid, Sirius. I'm afraid I won't be able to leave when the time comes. I know it sounds ridiculous but for the first time I have real friends and a life beyond my parents. Things that I will miss so much and... And there's you! Maybe I'm being too pretentious, but right now I can't think of life without you. And that's what scares me the most..."
Sirius enveloped her in a bear hug. "Would it help if I said you don't mean a thing to me?"
She smacked him playfully in the arm. "No, it wouldn't!" she said and buried her face in his chest
He laughed softly. "Good. Because I can't think of life without either." He held her closer – if it was possible – and stroked her hair gently. "Lis, if there's something I've learnt after all these years of prank-pulling and detentions is that we have to live one day each. You know, Live for the Moment, Carpe Diem and all that..." he could feel her smiling against him and smiled too. "And right now, right here, we're together. Tomorrow we'll think about the problems of tomorrow."
Melissa pushed away from him and wasn't surprised to find wet circles on his uniform. She stared into his gray eyes for an eternal second before kissing him, reveling in his touch, getting inebriated with his scent. When they parted, she raked both her hands through his hair, pulling him to a swift kiss before resting against his chest once more, feeling completely safe and warm with his arms around her.
"When have you became so wise, Sirius Black?"
Dianna yawned and sat by Remus' side on the coach on Gryffindor's Common Rooms. "Gosh! Packing up does make me tired!" she rested her head on her boyfriend's shoulder and closed her eyes for a while.
Remus chuckled. "You know, it helps when you start packing soon... Preferably not on the night before your departure!"
Sirius, who had just came in, laughed. "It's useless Moony, my old chap. Dianna is hopelessly disorganized." He threw himself on the nearest chair.
James stopped playing with his snitch and looked at Sirius, one brow raised. "Your opinion doesn't count. Everybody knows you're a tidying- freak."
Sirius made a mock hurt face. "I'm not that bad!"
The argument would have gone on hadn't Lily popped in. "Hey guys! Guess what? I've just got a letter from my parents and they said I'm allowed to spend New Year's Eve at James'!"
James jumped up and took Lily in his arms, swirling her around. "That's great!" He put her on the floor and rested his forehead against hers. "Can you imagine... Torbey... Just you and me..."
"And me!" Sirius added and sighed noisily. "Yep, it will be pretty romantic."
James rolled his eyes, one arm still around Lily's waist. "Damn my education! Why had I to invite you in first place?"
Sirius smirked. "You're stuck with me, Prongsie."
"Don't forget about us, mate!" Remus said and Dianna nodded sleepily.
James lifted his eyes to the ceiling. "Woe unto me!"
"What about Melissa?" Lily asked and James glared at her. As if three of them wasn't enough...
"What about me... What?" Melissa stood at the bottom of the stairs that led to the girl's dorm. Her eyes scanned the room finally falling upon Sirius, who motioned for her to come on over.
Lily waited until she was settled on Sirius' lap – something Melissa just did after making sure that no strangers were around – and answered. "We were wondering if you will also stay at James' during New Year's Eve.
She swallowed hard. "Fat chance."
Upon hearing this, even Dianna woke up. "Ah, com'on...! Your father can't be that of a jerk... Ops, I'm sorry, it's your father after all." But she didn't seem sorry at all.
Dianna knew – and Sirius had a faint idea – how old-fashioned Melissa's father could be. And that meant no sleeping somewhere near boys and no long trips with friends whom he didn't knew their parents. Apparently he choosed to ignore that his daughter was almost of age.
Sirius looked at her with his puppy eyes. "You mean that I'll only get to see you next year?"
"That's a possibility." Melissa answered barely being able to restrain the laughter.
"Aww... But kiss how kiss will I kiss survive kiss?"
"Argh! Get a room you two!" Remus yelled.
Melissa immediately felt the tension build up in her boyfriend through his hand. It didn't take long until she found the reason why. At the crowed Platform 9¾, standing a couple of meters away stood Bellatrix Black with two more persons that had to be her parents. They were talking quietly but she still could distinguish words as "blood traitors", "shame" and "dishonored". And they were pointing towards them.
She squeezed Sirius' hand and smiled reassuringly when he looked down at her. Dianna had explained to her how her and her brother's ideals and concepts were different from their family's ones. And also had told her how Sirius had ran away when he was sixteen and how the two of them now lived in a flat in downtown London. She couldn't blame them.
"I won't bother if you don't" she whispered.
"Deal!" he whispered back and kissed her cheek. "Have you found your parents yet?"
"Actually, they told me they might be late..." she smirked for she knew what he was thinking.
"Good. More time for us."
Melissa was unpacking her stuff when she heard a soft knock on her door. "Come in!"
Elizabeth Walker walked in and sat on her daughter's four posters bed. She was a forty-something years old lady with black – though already graying – hair and soft chocolate brown eyes. She was petit and a bit chubby, but also very intelligent and vivacious. They stood in silence for while and Elizabeth couldn't help but notice how changed Melissa was.
"I noticed the ring." She finally said.
Melissa looked up startled and touched the ring Sirius had given her. Blushing, she sat side by side with her mother.
"I told you about him in a letter or two... But father was so teed off that I decided it was better if I told you this personally."
Elizabeth smiled. "He must be very important to you..."
Melissa smiled wide. "You would love him, Mom. He's so funny and intelligent and..."
"And you love him."
Melissa blushed furiously. "I..."
"Shush... You don't have to explain. I can see it in your eyes. Just..." she lowered her voice to a conspicuous tone. "Just keep it low until we figure out a way to tell your father without him having a heart attack!"
They both laughed.
After they sobered, Elizabeth said. "He's not that bad, your father. He's just trying to protect you the best way he knows. And he does it because he loves you."
"I love him too, Mom. But I'd really appreciate if he let me take my own decisions."
"Just talk to him, Mel. You'll see how everything will fall into its places."
Obs.1 – The line "That's cocky, Sirius!" and its answer "No, it isn't. It's self-confidence" are from the movie How to lose a guy in ten day, in case someone was wondering. (The original line is: "That's cocky, Ben!")
Obs-2 – I know I previously said that Sirius' eyes are dark blue... But J. K. said they are gray, so bear with it.
Obs.3 – I'm trying to adapt my plot to be as close as possible to TOotP. That whole thing with Bellatrix and her parents were to explain it.
Don't forget to review!