Chapter 28

The first few months were uneventful. Sirius and James maintained their deep love for each other and got closer each day. However, Sirius could not yet overcome his past experiences, which, he knew, might cause some future problems.

Now it was November and it was nearing James's birthday and Sirius wanted to do something very special for him. He, however, had no idea what to do. So, he went to Remus.

"Moony," he whined as he sat down on the couch in frustration. Remus was sitting there trying to study. As he heard his voice being called, a smile flashed upon his lips, but he did not look up.

"What, Padfoot," he responded.

"I don't know what to do for Prongs's birthday. I can't think of anything special to do."

"Well, why don't you sing him a song," suggested Remus as he continued to stare at his book, not really reading anymore.

"That's embarrassing," whined Sirius and started poking Remus in the arm, as if that would help him think of a good idea. Remus shut his book. It was impossible to do anything really, let alone study, when Sirius felt like complaining.

"Well, why don't you cook something?" he suggested next. Sirius raised his eyebrows in amusement.

"Have you tried my cooking?" he asked. Remus wrinkled his nose at the thought. If his potions were any indication towards his cooking, then it must have been terrible.

"Why don't you…write him a poem?" he suggested next. As Sirius opened his mouth to protest, he thought about it again. What could it possibly hurt, writing him a poem?

"That's a brilliant idea Moony!" he exclaimed, jumping up and running out of the common room to his room to write the it. Sirius and James still had their own room, as Anastasia still liked to cry at night occasionally.

"A poem, a poem, a poem," Sirius muttered to himself furiously as he sat down at his desk. How hard could it be to write a poem that conveyed every little emotion that Sirius felt towards James? Then he thought about that question and sighed. Impossible.

"Oh well," Sirius mumbled to himself. "I guess I can pick one of those emotions and write a poem based on that."

He nodded and then set out writing.

"It's my birthday, it's my birthday," James sang as he walked down to the great hall for breakfast. Neither Sirius nor Anastasia had been there so he assumed that they were eating and preparing for class.

As he entered the great hall, he saw that his assumptions were correct. Sirius was sitting across from Lily and Remus and they were all chatting about something. James came up and sat down next to Sirius. He was greeted by a long kiss on the lips and then he began to eat.

"Happy birthday, James," Sirius said happily. Remus smiled and Lily nodded.

"Happy birthday. Now you're, what, eighteen?" she teased.

"Wow, you're getting old, Prongs," jibed Remus.

Sirius shook his head and kissed James on the cheek again. "But he's still cute," he pointed out. Lily nodded at that comment.

"Yes he is," she agreed and smiled sweetly. Remus looked alarmed at that statement. "Don't worry, honey. You're still cuter."

"Today," Professor McGonagall began, "we are going to transform…"

Sirius zoned out at that point. He was seriously hoping that entire night would go as planned. He wrote the poem and was hoping that it said all that he had hoped that it had said. On top of his poem, Sirius was going to give James permission to do whatever he wished to do with him. He was only hoping that he wouldn't get freaked out by unpleasant memories.

"Mr. Black, what was I saying?" Professor McGonagall asked. She had her hands on her hips and seemed to be frustrated with him. Of course he had no idea what she was talking about, but maybe he could bluff his way through without embarrassing himself too badly.

"Um, Professor, I believe you were talking about transforming something into something else and how much concentration it takes to transform that something into the something else that you want to transform that something into."

Professor McGonagall 's eyebrows drew together. Or he could just confuse her, that might also work. "Mr. Black, I'm afraid that you were paying even less attention than you usually do."

"Sorry," he apologized.

"Would you see me after class, please," she asked and then continued talking.

When class was let out, Sirius went straight to her. He had to pick up Anastasia in fifteen minutes from Madame Pomfery so he was hoping that it wouldn't take too long.

"What's distracting you now, Mr. Black? I have a feeling that it's more than just your usual trivial daydreaming," she said.

He shrugged and looked at the floor. Why not tell her? It wasn't like she really cared in the long run. "Well, it's James's birthday and I'm just hoping that everything I've planned will turn out the way…well, the way I planned it."

Professor McGonagall smiled and nodded. "Well, I hope things go well too, but next time please at least pretend like you're paying attention."

A mischievous smile flashed across his face and she was strongly reminded of the eleven year old boy who had been so filled with energy and innocence as part of the shadow on his heart was lifted. And that had been ripped away by his evil parents. She missed that child, who had not a care in the world. She missed seeing his pranks, even when thecaused her great grief.But it was his contagious laugh that she missed the most.She used to hear it every day and it would drive her crazy. Now she missed it. It was amazing what you missed when you took things for granted. She shook those thoughts away as he replied, "I'll pretend next time, I promise."

And he was gone before she could reprimand him any longer.

James sat in their room, wondering where Sirius was. He stood up and began pacing around the room when his eyes fell upon a piece of parchment. He looked at it closely and then picked it up. It said 'to James'. He unfolded it and read:

Unconditional Love

A love that is pure
A love that is true
A love that is different
A love that shows through

A love that forgives
When it's not deserved
A love that does something
For nothing in return

A love that is bright
As the stars in the sky
A love that persists
Never ceases or dies

A love that is strong
A love that beats all
A love that survives
A love that's unconditional

As he read, his eyes filled with tears. He knew immediately that Sirius must have written it. How else could it so accurately describe how they felt towards each other? Now if only Sirius would actually show up so that they could be together. He honestly hoped that Sirius wasn't planning anything big with Remus, Peter, and Lily. He just wanted it to be them. Hell, he didn't even want Anastasia to be there.

Just then the door opened and Sirius came in, slightly flushed and panting, as if he had been running. James moved forward and kissed Sirius on the lips and he eagerly responded. "Happy birthday," he breathed once they had broken apart.

Instead of leaning in for another kiss, James held up the poem that Sirius had written. "It's beautiful, thank you. I love it and I love you."

Sirius smiled and then licked his lips nervously. "There's something else that I want to give you," he said somewhat hesitantly.

James looked confused for a moment and then asked, "What do you mean? Where's Ana, by the way?"

"She's with Lily and Remus. Tonight is your night, which means I'm putting all of my focus on you, not her, as much as I love her."

James nodded and kissed Sirius on the lips again. When the broke apart, James asked, "Okay, so what is my other gift."

Sirius grinned seductively and leaned forward to whisper in James's ear, "You can have your complete, total, unquestioned way with me tonight."

James pushed away from Sirius and looked shocked. "No, Sirius, I could never do that to you."

"It's your gift. I give you permission," he murmured as he walked seductively to the bed and lay down. He began to slip out of his school robe, leaving his every day clothing on.

James just stood there silently, internal conflict. "Are you sure you're ready," he finally said, looking his boyfriend over. Sirius involuntarily shuddered and then nodded.

"Of course I am, now come on."

James, licking his lips now, put a silencing charm on the room and put a locking charm on the door. "If you insist," he said and walked towards Sirius.

He lay down next to Sirius and carefully pushed him onto his back. He began to run his fingers of the shirt and then unbuttoned it. Soon, his chest was exposed and James was running his fingers over Sirius's smooth chest. He began kissing his chest, his neck, his lips, his forehead, making Sirius groan in anticipation.

Then James moved lower. Sirius felt increasing discomfort as James began to assist Sirius out of his pants. He felt better though when it was gentle pulling and not violent ripping while taking them off. Before he knew it, James was naked and lying next to him.

A.N. I decided I didn't want to change the rating. Too much effort. I seriously hope that I didn't go over the actual rating. Hmm, please review (I say that a lot) and thanks for reviewing.