'Night, Potter, Black.» I yawned, planning to go straight to bed as soon as I'd crossed the Fat Lady's portrait.
You can't go now.» Sirius stiffled a yawn as well.
Why not?»
I haven't finished with you.» He grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer to him until our entire bodies slowly, and very gently collided against each other.
With every breath, I could feel his muscles contracting beneath his blouse, and the perfume that emanated from him was entransing. I wanted more of him, not just a kiss. I wanted to lose myself in his arms forever, I wanted to forget the world outside of his grasp because the only thing that was worth living for was him. The feeling of belonging somewhere I'd never feel uncomfortable tempted me, but I knew time, as much as I'd want it to stop, would keep on rolling by just as fast as it had always moved. Reluctantly, I tore myself away from Sirius and walked upstairs to my bed where I lay awake for several hours. Well, I think it was several hours. My mind kept replaying these brief instants of bliss, and I don't know how many times I felt his lips touch mine again and again until I started dozing off from a burning desire to suddenly turn night into day and see the only one I seemed to be able to concentrate on : Sirius Black.
A loud banging nose made my heart skip and it hit me that it had come from the door to the girl's dorm. Someone was either trying to come upstairs or had tripped in the process. I jumped to the floor and headed off to see who it was. After all, I had nothing better to do.
Sirius?» I exclaimed, seeing the familiar frame, lounging on the floor of the common room. «What the fuck were you trying to do?» No answer. «Are you alive?»
A groan confirmed that my worst fears had not come true. I helped him back up and asked again what he was doing.
Couldn't sleep.» came the grumbled reply. I raised an eyebrow. You had to be seriously deranged to want to attempt getting into our dorm very early in the morning for no good reason… or just sleepwalking. Either way, it was weird.
You… couldn't sleep… so you decided to try and see if I was awake?»
…» I sighed, rolling my eyes. Ugh- guys. «Alright, I get it. It was a dumb idea.» He said.
Unbelievably dumb, actually.» I corrected, a slight curl to my lips.
Shut up.»
Goodnight, Black.» I walked back up the stairs.
What! Wait up!» Another loud bang.
You're such an idiot! Don't you know that guys just can't get up here!» I turned back and stared at him with an expression as straight as I could get on my face. Aside the fact that what he was doing was irrationnal, it was pretty funny.
Damn, I think I broke my nose.»
Serves you right.» Mmm, the sweet smell of fresh blood filling my nostrils.
Woah! Back off! Are you mad!» I blinked until the room came back into focus. Without knowing it, I'd approached him and started pinning him down to the floor, licking my lips. I was currently standing over him, keeping him from wiggling away. «D'you know you're vicious?»
Oh my God. I'm so sorry.» I rolled off, still in a state of shock. I wasn't meant to have a boyfriend. I'd end up killing him, and I'd feel guilty for the remainder of my lonely life.
You're a bloody menace.»
I know.»
I mean,» he laughed, « I don't mind if it's all for some cheeky foreplay, but I'd really appreciate if you restrained yourself from biting me and sucking me dry next time.» I slapped him behind the head.
That sounded really sick. You know that, right?»
Whoops.» he snorted. Yeah. You can see the effort he put into that last sentence. 'Whoops' is not considered a sentence. It's a stupid expression, an excuse so guys don't have to explain what they don't feel like saying in the first place.
Sirius is a wonderful guy, don't get me wrong; he's handsome, strong, funny, among many other qualities. The fact remains that he is a guy. And all guys are the same when it comes to sexual innuendos and mixed messages. You can count on me when I say they can come up with the most expressions to describe a single word : 'sex'.
So.» Sirius had managed to stop the blood from flowing into his mouth or around, passing by the chin and dripping to the floor. He was now able to talk normally. As normally as he'd even spoken, obviously. «I'm guessing you weren't sleeping either. You seem to be the only one who heard the racket I made.» Racket indeed. « Are you mad at me?»
No. I think you're really weird.»
Welcome to the real world, princess.»
Don't call me princess.»
Why not, princess?»
Don't make me bite you.»
Why not?» He repeated.
Because only Malfoy calls me p-» Shit. I'd forgotten about him. It's hard to think about someone you hate when the one you love is pulling you in a dazzling kiss.
What?» Sirius asked, his curiosity overpowering the rational part of his mind. «Why does Malfoy ca- you know I don't like him even a tad. Especially when he's with you.»
He's got The Mark, Sirius.»
You jest.»
I wish I were.»
We've got to tell the Headmaster!»
Don't.»
Why not?»
Do you have even the slightest idea of what he can do? With Voldemort on his side, there's no stopping him from getting whatever he wants.»
And he wants-»
Me, yes.»
And you're just going to let him screw you!» He jolted up from his seat and looked down at me, his face distorted by the confused emotions that ran through his mind and his heart.
Well…»
Well what?» he spat, his fists clenched tightly.
I'd never thought of that possibility before.» Sirius raised an eyebrow. As if all I thought about all day was getting raped by some evil cocroach. «Listen,» I continued, raising my voice as well, « all the…vapires… have gathered on his side, except for me. And I have a nice, easy choice to make before he comes to talk to me again soon : Do I want to see everyone dear to me die with or without a mark carved into my forearm?»
You're fucked.»
No shit.»
We were both attentive to the familiar sounds of the night; students snoring, beds creaking, giant squids splashing about and thought on our own, debating on whether to state the obvious once again, or attempt to figure a way out of the mess. Sirius had an idea in mind.
If we get you through about four months without dying, I might be able to keep you hiding safely for the remainder of the summer vacations. I recon we could go now, if we told Dumbledore.»
I'd rather wait.»
Four months is a long time.»
They'll get supicious, and I can't just sit around and hide all day, Sirius.» I whined. «Besides, if, let's say, I adhere to Malfoy's invitation, I might be able to get some information on Voldemort that could help us defeat him later.»
And if he finds out you're spying on him?»
You forget I'm immortal.»
You can still feel pain. I wasn't talking about you anyway.» I gaped in disbelief.
You selfish… You can't remain serious for more than two seconds, can you?»
Sirius grinned and wrapped his arms around me protectively.
Just be careful. » He whispered. I promised I would, even though I had no way of making sure.
Exactly a week had passed since that night, and I'd been stupid enough to forget Malfoy and all about his evil plans. In fact, I'd forgotten it so well I was surprised to see him waiting for me, leaning on the doorframe of the empty classroom beside the staircase to the divination tower. The bell had rung to signal the beginning of the afternoon and the end of classes for the day. The hyperactive students rushed outside, where the weather had finally taken a summery turn. The birds sung happily, the sun was high and bright, the weather had warmed up, and the days were longer.
Good afternon, princess.» he whispered in my ear. I'd told James and Sirius to move along, but they froze in place, having second thoughts about my plan. It was too late now, though, as Malfoy had dragged me into the room he'd stood behind seconds before and shut the door. I took a deep breath an asked what I had to :
Does it hurt?»
Not if you embrace the feeling.» He smiled. Mad, they were all mad. « Glad you've decided to join us. Maybe I'll see more of you from now on.» He clasped a red, frizzy strand of hair from my head, conscious that I was scared nearly to death. «Why do you tremble, Dawn? It isn't the anticipation, I imagine.» I swallowed hard. It was too obvious that I was trying to get in as a spy. I'd never live through this. I wish I could just apologize and leave, and that these actions would have no repercussion whatsoever on my surroundings.
When do I get… labeled?»
As soon as the summer vacations begin.» He saw the dissapointment in my eyes. «Is that to early? Too late?»
I'd… rather have it now, get it overwith.»
I'll see if I can arrange it. Meanwhile, we meet every Tuesday night, Saturday night, and Sunday morning. Bye, princess.» He turned and left the room. The tension instantly dropped, and I let out a sigh so loud I was sure he'd heard it from the other side of the door. Sirius stepped in.
So!» He almost shouted. The other Marauders stood behind him.
I…» I was silent. I'd lost track of time during the meeting, concentrated on the fast ticking of my own heart. How could I have heard the clock? I wasn't even sure of what we'd talked about during that time.
Wha'd 'e do, wha'd 'e say?»
I…um.»
He likes you, I know it. Did he try to kiss you?»
Uh…no?»
Hmm.»
What kind of spell,d 'e cast on you?»
No-nothing, no spell.»
Finally, she's talking.»
Shut up, give 'er time. It's not that easy, you know.»
And you would know exactly how?»
Enough.» Remus sighed, pushing the quarreling couple aside. «Did he say he'd give you the mark? (I nodded) Good. When do you get to meet the others?»
Something like… Tuesday night and sometime during the weekend…Saturday night and Sunday morning.»
We'll need their names.»
Huh?»
I think that's about it for now.»
Rem…» The Marauders pulled him into the tight circle, expecting to act all mysteriously, I imagine. Obviously, I heard every word.
Do you think he kissed her?»
It's possible, no? I mean, look at her face, she blushes if you even look at her.» They al turned their faces to watch me, and in my ebarrassement, I guess I'd blushed, because they turned back and kept mumbling.
See?
What if she's just afraid to get the mark?» Ah, finally, a smart one. There were murmurs of approbation, and they decided they'd end the conversation there.
Let's go eat. Dawn, I think I have some food you might actually like this time.»
Riiight.» Every now and then, the boys had enjoyed giving me anything edible they'd find and watch the expression of digust on my face. Why did I adhere to this pointless entertainement in the first place?
The sun was, once again, falling below the horizon, and was halfway drowned out by the forbidden forest. The golden and blood red rays of the sky filtered through the trees, giving the grounds a most gruesome appearance. The Marauders and I were sprawled about the cushy grass, enjoying the humid freshness they had retained during the hot day, taking a small break from 'Tag', which we'd been playing since after they'd unsuccessfully tried to poison me with something they called eggplant.
Where's Sirius?»
Still tagging people, I presume.»
Haven't heard him yell for a while.»
That's how he plays Tag, dear.» Snickering, James shifted his arms from his chest to the back of his head.
Maybe he's just taking a break on the other side of the castle.» Peter suggested.
Dawn, maybe you should know.» A fifth year stopped in his tracks. From the sound of his voice, it sounded serious. «Black is smooching another sixth year by the lake. A Hufflepuff.»
WHAT?»