a/n: Loves. I have just realized that the time may seem a bit screwed. It's really hard to tell when I change months, and I'm sorry. For those of you who were wondering, we're in March right now, and exams are in…May? June? And we'll have one more Quidditch match, Slytherin vs. Gryffindor, in April. That'll be the cues for month change, in case I forget to mention, okay?

- - - - - - --

Chapter 33 – Dangerous Love

- - - - - - - -

"Sirius, I love you, too."

James, Remus, Lily, and Noel heard Maria's words from the hallway. They also heard Sirius ask her out.

James and Remus turned to Noel and Lily. "Ahem. I think there's a little matter of our money, now."

- - - - - - - -

Maria had laid her head on Sirius' bed and was crying softly, not understanding why she felt this way. Sirius got up, stretching and leaning down to whisper in her ear.

"Maria, let's go…"

He took her arm and guided her out of the hospital wing.

"But Sirius, you shouldn't – "

"Shh. I'm okay."

Maria buried her face in his arm and let him take her away. She didn't know where they were going, but at this point, she really didn't care. A bit further along the hall, she heard a little scuffling, but it didn't come again. She sighed.

When Sirius finally stopped, Maria found herself in his dorm. It wasn't like she hadn't been in here before, but this time, somehow, was different. She made her way to the window seat and sat down.

Sirius watched her, wondering what she would do now. But she just sat there, eyes still sparkling. He made his way over to her, kneeling in front of her.

"Maria," he started.

"Sirius," she interrupted. "I couldn't feel myself anymore. It was like, I never knew what was going on. I was just going through the motions as I played Quidditch, when I did my homework, even when I helped Remus go through his transformations. I was just here, another empty girl who had lost a part of herself when Sirius Black had waltzed through her world." She offered him a watery smile. "Bit, Siri, I never dreamed that you would choose me."

He took her hands in his own, twining his fingers with hers. "Maria, why wouldn't I choose you? You're beautiful. You could have had any boy you wanted. And yet, you chose me, the biggest player in the school…next to James."

"And James has tied himself to Lily. He loves her."

"And I love you. Maria, do you not believe me when I say it?"

"I do. But Sirius, I just don't understand. I feel so different when I look at you. And I know I'm in danger of more than just falling flat on my face when you're around." They both smiled. "But the thing is, Sirius, I don't mind. I don't mind, because I do believe you when you say you love me. Even if Voldemort were to glide down here now and demand I become a Death Eater to ensure your safety…you know what? I would do it, if it meant that you could live another day."

Now it was Sirius' turn to cry. He knew he was putting her in danger. That was what Headmaster O'Leary had inadvertently said to Remus on the night the message had appeared in their common room. By being with Sirius, Maria was basically saying, "Here I am, kill me." And they both knew that.

Maria had stopped crying, and was gazing at Sirius warily. 'Voldemort will have a field day with this.' She watched as Sirius bowed his head. For a minute, she would have thought he'd fallen asleep had she not known better. "Siri…?"

Suddenly, Sirius reached up around Maria's neck and pulled her down to meet his lips. She was surprised, but she kissed him back. He whimpered, and his tongue licked at the corners of her mouth, trying to make her open it. She complied, but when his hands started going for her shirt, she pulled back gently.

"No, Sirius. Not yet."

And he understood.

- - - - - - - -

"…" Noel and Lily looked at each other wordlessly. Damn that Sirius! In all the commotion of the pendants, turning into werewolves, dancing, and pranks, they'd forgotten about betting and everything! But James and Remus looked so gleeful, they reached into their pockets and each pulled out five Galleons.

"Yah!!" James shouted, giving Remus a high five. "I knew we'd win!" Remus giggled.

Noel gasped. "Remus, did you just giggle!?"

Remus clapped a hand over his mouth. "Um…no?"

So then Noel and Lily started dancing around, singing, "Remus giggles like a girly-girl!!"

And that was how Maria and Sirius found them.

- - - - - - - -

a/n: Sorry it's short.