Oh my god, like this post is so long!!! Thank me people!

Siriuszsecretlover: No, it's not a new twist. We all know that James married Lily!!

Hunni: Yeah, y'know at my place we say "plants for hire"! Haha, not really. I learnt that from Patrick Star. The starfish from Spongebob.

Chibi: Thanks! Hope you'll enjoy this next LONG postie.

Paranoid: Well, hmm, I've made Mrs. Potter the one who doesn't really care here... hehx. Mr. Potter realizes.

Anyway, on to the post!

Post 53

I awoke when I felt someone shaking me. Blinking sleepily I straightened up. The carriage had stopped and sounds of footsteps upon gravel could be heard.

"We're here..." said James softly. He got off the carriage first and I followed. I looked up at the house.

It was grand, not as large as mine was but big nonetheless. There were two stories, with red brick and a porch with tall marble columns. I climbed blearily out of the carriage, James taking hold of my upper arm for support. I yawned as I stumbled clumsily down the gravel driveway onto the porch. I was half-asleep, dead tired. I wish I could just sink into a nice comfy bed.

Mr Potter pushed the large oak doors open and invited all of us inside. Warmth washed over me the second I stepped into the parquet floor and I removed my scarf. The hall was very bright, with a large glass candle chandelier hanging above. A large pristine white staircase led to the second floor, and that was where James led us.

"Well, why don't you all just show yourselves to your usual rooms while I bring Reine to hers?" suggested James cheerfully.

Sirius immediately frowned. "Yeah, yeah... go on, be nice to the girl. What about your best friends?"

James rolled his eyes. Remus chuckled. Sirius stormed away muttering words under his breath and waving his arms around in mock outrage. Laughing, Remus ran after him and they walked down the corridor. Sirius entered the room on the left right at the end of the corridor, and Remus on the right.

"Well, come on, I'll take you to your room," James said with a small shrug.

We walked two doors down the corridor and turned left.

"First door here..." he turned the knob and pushed the door open.

I entered. The room was spacious and sparkling clean. A large queen bed with really comfortable looking sheets and fluffy white pillows sat at the end of the room, which was also equipped with a cupboard, dressing table and a full-length mirror.

"Bathrooms are just three doors down to the right, if you need anything my room is just next to Sirius'," he said.

"Thanks, it's perfect."

James left and I was just about to fling myself onto the bed when the door opened again. I stopped dead in my tracks and turned.

"Sirius? Aren't you supposed to be in your room?" I asked disapprovingly.

Well, I didn't really mind him there but I really wanted to get to that comfy bed and sleep until forever.

"I can't sleep."

"Can't sleep?!" I cried in shock, wasn't he at all tired from the long train and carriage ride?

"Actually I can, it's just too early," he replied with a smirk.

"It's already ten."

"That isn't midnight yet..."

I put my hands onto my hips and put on a bossy, authoritative voice. "Sirius, it is highly inappropriate for a gentleman to be in a lady's bedchamber at night."

"Says who?"

"Says me."

"C'mon," he drawled. "It's not as if we're gonna... do anything."

"I don't want us to be seen together."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door and a second later, it opened and Mr Potter came trudging in pulling my trunk behind him and my owl's cage under his arm.

I could see the look on his face when he saw the both of us. But I guessed he decided to keep quiet about it.

"Thanks for returning my uhh... diary, Sirius," I faked with a nervous glance at Mr. Potter. "I did not realize I left it behind... in the train!"

"Oh, uh, your welcome, Reine," replied Sirius, playing along.

"Here's your trunk Reine," he said, settling the trunk next to the dressing table. "Good night. Get to bed soon Sirius, you've had a long day."

I smiled gratefully and he left the room with a short backward glance. As soon as he closed the door, I strode towards my trunk and opened it. I rummaged through the clothes and books, while making sure the more embarrassing girl-related items are kept out of his view.

"I'm gonna get changed now, so if you'll step outside for a moment," I said pulling out the cotton blue nightdress from the trunk.

"Aw do I have to?" He wailed.

I blushed. I headed towards him and pushed him in the back. "Yes!" I replied.

"I'll turn around..."

"No!"

"Promise I won't peek."

"No, now out, I'll just be a while."

I shut the door and locked it. I changed quickly into my nightdress, folding my robes, shirt, pants and scarf neatly over the chair by the dressing table. I tucked my shoes under the chair. If father actually cared, he would have been proud.

I draped a cotton and silk ruby red robe around myself and walked to the door as I tied the strings around my waist.

"Okay, you can come in now!" I said, opening the door for him.

I briefly saw him glance up and down before stepping in.

"So what're we gonna do now?" I asked casually.

"Well..." he drawled as he paced slowly around the room. "I've got something in mind..."

"It better not be something that can get us into trouble..." I warned him.

"It won't..."

I didn't like that smirk on his face as he came closer. But my lips gradually stretched into a smile as he leaned in closer. His lips met mine and locked. Just like ever, they were soft and gentle... like a raindrop trickling off a rose petal, like a light breeze in spring. Our fingers interlaced like they always do, slithering their way through the other's.

I didn't know how long it lasted. Time seemed to be of no importance anymore... To me, it's like we're the only people alive. He pushed me towards the wall and deepened the kiss.

I didn't know how long it was until we parted. But when we did, I pulled away because nature called.

"Be right back," I told him. "Makes yourself comfortable, or maybe... you know what? You should just go to sleep."

"I don't wanna go to sleep!" He whined like a child.

"See you tomorrow, Sirius," I said pointedly holding the door open for him.

Sirius groaned and slumped towards me.

"Just a while more after you come back?" He asked hopefully.

"Good night," I said cheerfully with a wave.

Taking the obvious hint, he nodded wearily and leaned closer for a last kiss goodnight. Once he had left, I headed towards the bathroom. Now where did James say it was... Three doors down the right. The doors were quite far apart, actually. I traveled down the lonely quiet corridor, listening to every creak of the house and the lashing wind against the windows.

Then I heard voices. Very faint voices. There, I was already at the bathroom. I shouldn't go eavesdropping. The voices were coming from just a door down. A highly polished oak door. I shook it away and placed my hand on the bathroom door.

It was then I heard my name.

I scuttled quietly to the oak door. If this had something to do with me, it wasn't really eavesdropping...

I heard soft muffles voices, unmistakably from Mr. And Mrs. Potter.

"... just leave him alone, dear." Said a woman's voice.

"How can I? Did you see them together?"

"Relax... all will turn out fine."

"And I found Sirius in her room, just now Marianne!"

"Oh really! You're quick to jump to conclusions."

"Me? Jumping to conclusions? They're together in the same room, Mary, first of all why wasn't she with James instead?"

"Shhh, keep your voice down. James loves her, and in time, she will too. You don't need to make such a fuss."

"We've already made arrangements... When the school year ends, when Reine gets her share of the company, you know what my boss wants."

"Yes... yes..."

"Mr. McKinnon doesn't see any leadership quality in his daughter. He doubts she can keep the company alive after he passes it down..."

I frowned to myself. A wave of hate rushed through me. How could he say that?

"And as James is Quidditch Captain and Head Boy... I know we both see the born leader in him. Think of it, Mary, the Potter name along the Nimbus series."

"You know I don't care about these things... I just want James to be happy."

"He WILL be happy with her. But did you see them, just now, Mary?"

"See what?"

"Reine didn't even think of getting in the same carriage as James. She didn't even walk with James."

"She leant on his shoulder in the carriage, didn't she?"

"I dunno... It felt a bit stiff, if you ask me. Maybe I should write to Mr. McKinnon. There's something about Sirius..."

"Give them time... it's only been a few months..."

"I guess so..."

Then there wasn't anymore talking. I quietly moved away from the door and headed towards the bathroom. That night when I finally got into bed, my head was plagued with thoughts. Mr. Potter can't write to my father about Sirius! He'll bring me more trouble.