BlackLupin- Aw, come on, have some heart for the poor kid. You know he loves you, don't you? Thanks for finding that mistake about Caitlin being a Gryffindor. You'll notice I fixed it this time! Chris is going to get points in this one (by Lily) but don't worry—James and Lily will have an adventure of their own. Sooner than you may think. I'm rooting for Prongs, too. That lock idea is really good… maybe I'll use it. And be happy—Caitlin will respond to Sirius' proposal soon. Very soon. smirk
roxygurl25- You know I'm not a nice person. Poor Siri-poo has to endure a lot, but it'll be worth it if he gets what he wants. We'll see if that happens. I know you like a happy ending. Most people do. Including me. (Hint alert!)
Lanette- Yes, I realize they're seventeen, but try to see it from Sirius' point of view. He's a fool hopelessly in love. Gotta love him for that. Thanks for your review!
MPPSexxySiriusJamesRemus- Yes, I thought it was sad, too. Thanks for reviewing!
potts-I wish she said yes, too, but you've got to take into consideration their age. They're very young, you know.
CaliDuchess- Haha, too late, I already have it. Empty threat. Ah yes, and I couldn't help but notice that you put "Oceanside Avenue" on the CD. It's Ocean Avenue. Just thought you ought to know for future reference. Love you!
Chapter 30: Hogwarts Returns
The next morning, Lily took a little extra care in her appearance, something she never did. That morning Chris—and the rest of Hogwarts—was returning. She didn't know what had happened with James or what she felt for him, but she knew she had a boyfriend that she really liked and could not let other people get in the way. She didn't want Chris to think she was cheating, and she most certainly did not want to herself.
When Lily came out of the bathroom, she found Caitlin still in her pajamas, sitting cross-legged in Lily's bed in a daze (A/N: Lily and Co. tell Caitlin the password every time it's changed so that she is able to come in). She didn't acknowledge Lily's entrance. Lily approached Caitlin cautiously.
"Caitlin?" she asked quietly. "Is… is everything alright?" Caitlin didn't respond. "Caitlin? What… what happened last night?"
Again nothing.
"He didn't break up with you, did he? Because if he did, I swear I will wring his little-"
"No, no, it's not that," Caitlin interrupted, her voice soft. "He… he asked me if I would… if I…" she shuddered.
"He didn't!" Lily breathed, misinterpreting Caitlin's hesitance. "I never believed he would do that… I mean, to you…"
"No, it's not that, either," said Caitlin, swatting the idea away. "He…
"He asked me to marry him."
"Oh. My. God." Lily gasped. "But you're only seventeen! Is he out of his mind?"
"We'll both be eighteen by the end of the school year, and we will be graduating…" Caitlin insisted. "And we do love each other… but…"
"What did you tell him?" Lily asked in a worried tone.
"I told him I'd think about it," she whispered wistfully.
"Good for now," Lily said. "I won't force you to do something you don't want to do, Caitlin, but let me know if you need to talk."
"Thanks." A smile ghosted Caitlin's lips. "I will."
"Good. Come on; breakfast. I'm starved."
"No, thanks," Caitlin refused, still sitting on the bed. "I'm not going to classes today. I'm not in the mood."
Lily sighed. "Fine; we probably won't be doing much anyway, since everyone just returned. But at least eat. Come on, I won't let you starve yourself."
Caitlin gave up and reluctantly let Lily drag her to the Great hall. They were greeted by Jane, Arabella, and Katherine, who had just arrived.
"Tell me everything that's new," Katherine exclaimed, after they had greeted each other, eager for gossip. Lily explained about James and the Bludger, and then, since Caitlin was still mute, told the three about what had happened the night before.
"My God," Arabella exclaimed, "is he nuts?!"
"Yeah," Jane said quietly. "It's kind of soon, don't you think?"
"Too soon," Katherine agreed. "But it was really romantic," she sighed blissfully.
"Oh, shut up," Arabella said, but in a friendly way. "We all know you've been wishing Taylor Boot would do something romantic for ages for you. Give it up, Kat."
Katherine blushed, and the four girls laughed.
-
A flock of owls came with the mail. A tawny owl dropped a copy of the newspaper in Sirius' plate and Remus and Peter received the same. Peter gasped.
"Look at this," he said, pointing to the parchment with his stubby finger.
Has Hogwarts' Most Wanted Bachelor Finally Settled Down?
An Inside Story by Rita M. Skeeter
Many ladies have had their eyes (and sometimes more) on handsome, popular seventh-year Sirius Black over the years, writes Rita Skeeter.
Black has been toying with many girls' affections since the day he arrived at Hogwarts. Some of these girls include Wendy Patil, Delia Richards, Rachel Morris, and Hannah Denson.
"He's really handsome," says Delia Richards, a Ravenclaw seventh-year. "And really charming. Girls always go for that. But he always dumps them when he gets tired of them, which is usually no more than a week, maybe two: a regular player."
But has Black changed his traditions? According to the many watchful Hogwarts girls, Sirius has been dating Gryffindor seventh-year Caitlin Taylor for eight months. Is it serious?
Many agree that it is, including many Hogsmeade villagers and Hogwarts students who witnessed the grand fireworks display set up by the player himself on the night of December twenty-sixth. Black broadcasted a message across the night sky, asking a very lucky Caitlin Taylor to marry him. The boy is only seventeen! We have not received word of a response from Caitlin Taylor as of yet. But who could resist such an offer? Caitlin must be a fool if she refuses our young, handsome Sirius Black.
Stay tuned for Caitlin's response!
Sirius' nostrils flared as he clutched the paper tightly in his fist, then crumpled it up into a small wad and stomped on it.
"What the hell?" he yelled. "That was supposed to be my own private affair!"
"Um, Padfoot," Remus spoke up quietly, "don't be mad, but I just wanted to point out… what happened last night was in fireworks. Anyone could have seen it."
"Yeah," Peter squeaked, "it was just unfortunate that Rita Skeeter did."
"People would have seen it anyway, Sirius," Remus said quietly.
Sirius calmed down. "You're right," he admitted. "I just wish she hadn't published this. I don't want the whole school knowing until after Caitlin answers."
-
Lily was enjoying her breakfast just as a shy voice whispered softly in her ear.
"Hi, Lily."
Lily whipped around to see Chris Birkham standing behind her, smiling.
"Hi, Chris!" Lily exclaimed as she flung her arms around his neck. He hugged her back.
"Miss me?"
"Very much, "she answered. "Did you get my letter?"
Chris' brows furrowed slightly.
"Yes, but… I'm sorry, I just didn't have time to write an adequate response," he said.
"Oh. Well… it's okay. I don't really mind," Lily said, hugging him again.
"Lily," Chris asked, "are you busy tonight?"
"Nothing except homework. Why?"
"Well, if you weren't doing anything, I was thinking… maybe we could go out tonight," he said timidly.
"I'd like that," Lily murmured. "Where are we going?"
"Hogsmeade. But wear something casual," he answered.
"It's a date," said Lily, and kissed him.
-
At twelve-thirty A.M., Lily undressed and lay down on her bed, sighing blissfully. She had just returned from her date with Chris Birkham, and was immensely happy.
-Flashback-
Chris was waiting in the Ravenclaw Common Room for Lily at eight. They made their way to Hogsmeade.
"Are you hungry?" Chris asked.
"Not really," she replied. "Let's look around first. I'm kind of in the mood to shop and explore."
"Sounds good to me," Chris agreed, so the couple decided without speaking to take turns going to the shops they liked.
Chris wanted to go to Quality Quidditch supplies because he needed some new equipment. Lily consented, but once they were in the shop, Lily met someone she most certainly did not want to encounter.
Sirius Black was also in need of Quidditch supplies, and was in the broomstick section, fingering the different brooms. He turned around and saw Lily, reddened a little, and turned back to his previous occupation.
"I'll wait right here for you while you find what you need," Lily told Chris sweetly. He nodded and walked away. As soon as he was out of earshot, Lily hissed, "Black!"
"I know what you're going to say, Evans, so save your breath. I'm not in the mood to hear it," he said bitterly.
"Well, I want to say it, so you're just going to have to listen," she snapped. Sirius sighed.
"Are you aware of your age?" Lily exploded. "Caitlin's been in a daze all day! She's only seventeen! She has her whole future ahead of her! You can't possibly ask her to give up everything to settle down right after she graduates from school! She's still young and free! Couldn't you wait at least a year or two until she's tasted some of life? You haven't even been dating for a year yet! Caitlin's still young; you can't ask her to make this decision so early in life! She's got to experience other things first! This is a big step! Are you out of your mind?!" she hissed.
Sirius clenched his fists.
"I'm aware of our age, Evans, and I know that we're both still young," he said quietly. "Don't you think I've already pondered that? Do you think I just randomly asked Caitlin to marry me? I thought it over nonstop for two whole days, falling behind in classes and everything. I thought this would be best. I know it's not the easiest road, but I love her so much and I thought she loved me, too. I know my reputation as a player, but… Caitlin is special. I've never felt this way about any other girl before. The others were just… nothing. If this isn't love, I don't know what is. I do love Caitlin, and I can't picture myself spending the rest of my life with anyone but her. I'm not out of my mind," he finished quietly. "Just hopelessly in love."
Lily was shocked. She had never heard—or imagined—such a heartfelt and sincere speech would come from Sirius Black of all people. She was speechless.
"I'm… I'm—sorry, Black… I just… didn't know… didn't know how hard it was… and… if—if that's how you really feel… and Caitlin's truly happy with you, then… then I promise I won't interfere. And… I give you two my blessing," she finished.
"Thank you," Sirius responded.
"But if you break her heart or hurt her in any way," Lily continued, "I swear I will personally dismember you," she threatened.
Sirius pretended to look frightened. "It's a deal, Evans."
Lily gave him a small smile.
Just then Chris returned, so Lily and Chris went to a place of Lily's choosing—Honeydukes sweet shop. There she bought a truckload of sweets, and Chris bought a few as well. The two spent the rest of their night together walking from shop to shop, talking and laughing. Lily felt truly at ease.
-End of Flashback-
Moments before she drifted off to sleep, Lily swore to herself that she would tell Caitlin every word of Sirius' speech first thing the next morning. And she kept her vow.
-
Right before lunch, as everyone was settling down to tuck in to their meal, Sirius spotted Caitlin approaching him, a glare evident on her face. Sirius' heart quickened, frightened.
"Black," she said sharply as greeting. "We need to talk. Now."
Sirius had never been more nervous or anxious in his life. Was Caitlin going to dump him? Right at the moment of his life, and the biggest question he had ever asked? He didn't think he could take such rejection. Caitlin was his life.
Caitlin said nothing, just pressed a folded piece of parchment into his hand coldly and turned briskly away and walked without a second glance back.
Sirius felt his heart pounding and jumping in his chest and he unfolded the paper with trembling hands.
Yes.
Sirius looked up, hesitant, and saw Caitlin, a few feet away from him, standing where he had last seen her walking away, looking over her shoulder, and she was smiling.
He ran up to her and enveloped her in a tight, bone-crushing hug.
"Sirius, I do love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you," she said, her eyes sparkling.
Sirius held her close, his eyes brimming with tears, and kissed her.
A/N: I hope you guys liked it! I know I shouldn't be telling you this, but get ready for Lily/James, coming up soon! I'm afraid I wasn't able to portray this in the chapter (and throughout the story) but I wanted to depict Chris as the perfect boyfriend. You know, handsome, charming, really caring and devoted, funny. You get the idea.
Leave me a wunn-der-ful review!!
Love you all ten million times with a chocolate chip cookie,
OutofAzkaban
