A/N: Thank you TheBeautifulLetdown, padfootedmoony, EmEm2388, not-a-drunken-princess, Ilara Zadlo and Sima for reviewing. (For those of you who dislike Rainzzi or her character, I hope this chapter changes your opinion of her… :)
14. Sirius vs. Brice
For like an eternity Sirius lay watching her, letting the morning sunlight play on her closed lids.
With the fear that all good things would collapse once he closed his eyes, he had had no intention to blink, let alone sleep. But surprisingly he wasn't fatigued at all. He just lay there in the mound of pillows besides her, hoping the day could drag on like that.
As a soft breeze swept in from the window, he reached over and pulled the sheet up around her protectively. She stirred slightly in her sleep and unconscious brought her face closer to his. For the uncountable time, Sirius ran his eyes appreciatively all over her exquisite features. It suddenly occurred to him that he hadn't seen her during morning hours for quite some years…her hair was shining succulently under the sunlight…
God, and he had forgotten how long her dark lashes were, the lengthiness of which was stressed dramatically now that he observed from the side. Suddenly he had an urge to brush them with his finger, just to feel them, but at a second thought he decided against the option, lest she be woken from her sleep. He rose on one elbow and fell to trace her jaw-line tentatively.
Peculiar it might be, the first word that he could find to describe her was 'peaceful', while the second was 'vulnerable'. He was marvelled by such big a difference between her usual self and when she let down her guard. And it brought him an odd sense of satisfaction to assume he was among the few ones that had seen the face under the façade that she had been trying so hard to preserve. It was as though they had reached a new stage, and more importantly, he could finally retrieve in her some evidence of the Rainzzi that he used to know.
A smile appeared on his face as his finger advanced to her bottom lip. The lips that his own had occupied not long ago.
Series of kissing and hugging were not that much, now he thought about it, but it's certainly a nice progress. In fact, there had been some suggestive moments throughout the night that could have easily directed them to sex. But somehow he didn't think it was a decent act to take advantage of her current mental state. What a noble man, he thought teasingly.
His smile soon weakened as his mind drifted to the prime reason she had been here.
In spite of his bombardment, she didn't exactly tell him what bothered her, though she had given him full guarantee that she could manage it herself. And scene of her appearance at the doorway had been invading his brain all night and it depressed him every time to remember that she had come not to find him but Remus. It still didn't mean anything, Sirius concluded, what counted was the fact that she was being with him right now.
As if desperate to vindicate to himself, he bent down on an impulse and pressed his lips on hers, laying down a tender kiss. The doubts immediately ebbed away, and he realised with confidence that even if they were not arriving anywhere currently, the ending would still be the same: they were destined to be together…he would make sure of that.
Carried away, he failed to notice the strange grimace on her face that signified her awakening consciousness, before she fluttered open her eyes, or he wouldn't have been so offhanded to be shoved away. All of a sudden her hand was on his chest, eyeing him difficultly and keeping him away, but she didn't exactly push him off. He remained towering her as she closed her eyes again with exhaustion and massaged her temple as though troubled.
"G'morning, Rainzzi," whispered Sirius cheerfully, but she didn't seem very comfortable in his presence. Yet, he was glad to see that after the rest, she was utterly calm.
"Morning."
He straightened up and watched when she pushed herself up in the bed and moved to rest on the headboard sleepily, pulling the sheet with her and bringing her knees to the chest. Looking over his shoulder, she idly glanced around the chamber.
He couldn't resist the smirk from displaying as puzzlement whirled over her eyes that were focused on the opposite wall. On which a splendid masterpiece was hung – the portrait of them in gown and tux. He remained silent and enjoyed the way her eyes lingered on his then back on the paint.
"Feeling better?" he asked softly.
"Yes," she hesitated.
"Do you want some breakfast?"
"No, thanks," she said, moving over to the edge of the bed, and discovered awkwardly that she was in his pyjamas. For a moment, her eyes travelled from herself then to the mess of black gauze on the bedside table that was her dress. Sirius had the impression that she was pondering over what had happened during the night. "Hm, Sirius," she said finally, clutching her clothes, but she didn't question him about the night, "Would you mind lending me some shirt and pants?"
He gaped at her, surprised.
"I have to go to work," she explained.
"I see. No problem." Sirius strode across the room quickly and furrowed at his wardrobe. "Rainzzi," he turned back to her, "I've kept some of your old clothes in the spare room. I think –"
"Shirt and pants are fine." She walked to him impatiently. He handed her the careful selection when she reached his side but he didn't let go of it as soon as he should have. For a few seconds they were basically pulling on the same thing.
He held her gaze. "In fact, some possessions of yours are kept too. If you want to –"
"Sirius, I am in a hurry, so if you don't mind…" Rainzzi interrupted indifferently. He let go of the clothes. "Thank you," she said, heading to the bathroom.
He frowned at her back, at her renewed formality. There was really no need to be so discreet. Sirius bumped down on the chair nearby moodily. He sat with his lined face on the hands for a while, trying not to think too much, then hastily got out of the chair as if it discomforted him.
He strode to the bathroom and stamped his ear on the door, he could hear the splashing of water. "Rainzzi," he knocked on the door and raised his voice, "I think we need to talk properly."
The sound of running water came to a halt, ensued by a noise not unlike that of some collision.
"Are you okay?" he asked apprehensively, there was no response. "Rainzzi?"
When she didn't respond again, he forced open the door, ready to rescue. But the bathroom was totally vacant. It didn't take him long to perceive that the noise was of no collision but of her Disapparation. He was speechless…but at the same time he wanted to curse aloud. He glared at her nonexistence.
He looked up at the mirror and met the face of a manipulated man, feverishly he slammed the door shut with a thunderous bang, and ended up clutching the rim of the sink and glaring down as if it was the face of an archenemy.
"SIRIUS!" A voice distracted him abruptly.
"WHAT?" Sirius spat, ready to zero in on the scapegoat that had such a bad timing. He glared at the doorway as Harry stepped in cautiously, clutching in his hand the Daily Prophet. And he was clearly in a state of shock.
"Do you know?" he asked vaguely.
A swoosh of irritation appeared just above Sirius' brows. "Do I know what? I know nothing! I don't know how human minds work! I don't know what people think! Am I supposed to know everything? How can you expect me to know without telling me?" barked Sirius incoherently. "What is it that I am supposed to know again?"
Harry took a step backward, taken aback. Sirius felt apologetic for his temper, but he couldn't help venting it out.
After a moment of meeting the eyes, Harry dismissed the idea of leaving his godfather alone; Sirius had got to know it. "Sirius, I thought you should know about it." he shoved the newspaper into Sirius' hand.
Sirius glared at it. It was the front page of the gossip section with the headline 'Fudge and Delanuit Engaged' and a few photos taken during the dance.
……………………
Having had some calculation at Sirius' place, Rainzzi had decided to act cool at all prices. She didn't know if it was some psychological impact Sirius had on her, but staying with him all night, she seemed to have gained a new surge of confidence. One day ago, she relied her life on the Auror job, however, it didn't seem that important anymore, knowing at least one person on earth would back her up no matter what happened.
If she was to be frank, she couldn't reason why she had been so upset by the whole thing. Maybe it was because of all the alcohol, maybe of shock, and maybe…it was because of the association between the plot and other mishaps, she wasn't sure. But one thing she was sure about, she couldn't afford to act impulsively again; since it might affect the Order in some way or another. And most important of all, it brought her an inward scowl to imagine that Brice Fudge was possibly laughing his head off now.
She tried not to gawk when she saw the scene in the entrance to the Ministry a moment later. Twenty or so reporters were gathered at the reception, demanding to interview either Rainzzi Delanuit or Brice Fudge.
She turned and receded to a shadowy corner, keen not to be spotted. She glanced around, it's plain impossible to sneak through the crowd without being recognised. She was eyeing the fireplace hopefully when Jack, Brice's assistant, came to her.
"Miss Delanuit, Brice wants you in his office," he murmured behind his sunglasses. She nodded and he led her to the secret passageway approachable only by the most senior officials.
Entering after her, Jack pressed the button labelled 'B. Fudge' with a maneuver on the side of the door. In an instant, the wall which had been empty and vacant transformed into a door. He opened it and ushered her in.
"Thanks, Jack," said Brice, who was sitting on the leisurable sofa and twirling a goblet of wine. Jack nodded courteously and receded.
"You know what?" Brice said to Rainzzi when Jack closed the door. "This is the second round already. God knows how shocked I am to wake up in their spotlight! If the reporters track you down, say you've no comment, OK?. Let the news stir for a little longer before you nod your head. We still haven't squarely admitted you're the bride, not literally anyway."
Rainzzi stared at him fixedly, trying to keep calm and cool. In front of a large crowd, she wasn't going to demean and embarrass herself just because of some shit Brice was stirring. But she wouldn't mind acting nasty in front of him.
She waited a few seconds for the noise from the corridor to fade away. Now, it is my round for shit-stirring, she thought. "The bride? Well, I am not."
A silence ensued and lasted. But a chuckle was audible when Brice eventually put down the stupid goblet and stood up. Pulling a straight face and rubbing his jaw, he regarded her a moment seriously before a sneer appeared on his shaven face. "My dear, you are," he said, "And it will be an exciting event I can assure you. Preparations for the wedding have started for weeks without you knowing it."
She tried to look innocent. "Your wedding?"
"Our wedding, Delanuit. Don't play dumb with me. The wedding of Brice Fudge and Rainzzi Delanuit," he spread his arms dramatically and closed his eyes. He didn't move for the next few seconds, it was as if he was expecting the audience to start clapping. But at the absence of applause he was indifferent. "The wedding of you and me. Still find anything questionable?"
Rainzzi frowned, "Yes, you sanity."
"Tut tut tut tut," Brice shook his index finger just centimeters from her face. "Sarcasm is an odd quality. Its impact on different people differentiates. It annoys some people while it excites others. For me, it always turns me on." He studied her stubborn face for a while. "I hate to disappoint you, Rainzzi, but I really hope you didn't run to Dumbledore and asked for help last night. Because whatever that old man might have promised you would just be false hopes I am afraid."
She stared at him expressionlessly for a moment, and then all at once she broke into hysterical laughters, which intensified as she met his eyes. Brice watched quietly and waited for her laughters to die away.
She met his eyes again and coughed for a few times, wiping the corners of her eyes. To his surprise, she grabbed his head closer and stared into his eyes with a sympathetic smile. "You are the one having false hopes, Fudge." She knew she was playing a dangerous game, but she couldn't help it. She could have nothing to lose anyway.
He returned a matching smile. "How so?"
"You think I am going to marry you," she paused, "You think the threat of sacking me would frustrate me; you think the menace of scandalising me would destroy me. I am disappointed, Brice. I thought three years' worth of observation has made you realise something which you obviously haven't." She tilted her head to one side thoughtfully before smiling again, this time of outright arrogance. "Irritating me you can excel at, but you can't devastate me. Take my words for it, you can't. What does it prove even if I end up marrying you? It only stresses the fact that you are merely an equipment for me to rise to power. A tool. A puppet to toy with, Brice."
Brice was silent for a moment, expression impenetrable, and he didn't bother to get away from under her palm. "You have the freedom to make such an elaboration. I wouldn't mind that," he said shortly, raising his brows. "So I take it as you've decided to get along with the plan, huh?"
"Get along!" she repeated in disbelief, then jerked her hand away and shoved him away quite awkwardly, "You expect me to get along? I don't get along. I do just what I want."
"Don't hesitate if you want to be reminded of what I said last night."
"Thanks, my memory is as good as ever. And I don't like the idea of hearing those bullshit again," she said nonchalantly, walking the length of his office then leaned on the edge of his desk.
Brice walked over to her, fumbled in the mess on his desk and pulled out something. "This is for you."
Rainzzi appraised the envelope that bore a Ministry logo in the corner and discarded it, throwing it back on the table casually. "Maybe you didn't notice, things have changed."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning it won't be as easy as you think to dismiss me now. A letter might be what would have destroyed my career life a few years ago. But thanks to you, I have gained publicity over the years, especially after all that fuss you have just made. People know who I am, reporters are nosy about what happens to me. Do you think this dismissal can escape all the eyes of watchdogs? I'd advice you to prepare an answer in advance. You know, just to avoid further making a fool of yourself."
"I apologise for underestimating you, Rainzzi," Brice leaned on the desk besides her, staring forward. "But I am glad that the game is getting more interesting."
"You're very entertaining, too."
"Thank you. This is the first time you have complimented me," Brice smirked, "As I've always said, you're a brilliant woman. But – what you've yet to understand is that when I play a game, I devote myself to it entirely. There's no backing away no matter how many thrones are out there in the path." He turned to her, "Watchdogs. You think public opinion and pressure can restrain me. I am not my father, Rainzzi. I don't care what the fuck they say about me."
"You are not your father, but you are a Fudge. Your actions affect what they think of your father."
"You still don't get my point," Brice shook his head sympathetically, "I don't even care about myself, would I bother with the reputation of that old man then?"
Masking the fact that she was disturbed, she met his gaze lightly. "So I see we are quite alike in this aspect. I don't give a damn to what people say about the Delanuits. And like you, I will not hesitate to stake everything on a single throw. I am not afraid of taking risk. The Auror job –" she squinted at the unopened envelope, "might be my aspiration, but I don't need it anyway. Money, I have loads; fame, the occupation doesn't bring anymore. Let those stupid men fight for it, for this rotten government. I'll be drinking coffee and reading the newspaper and laughing when they died protecting something unworthy of their lives."
He clapped his hands as if in admiration, but she knew otherwise. "This is an animated speech. Very captivating. Have you been practicing and rehearsing all night?"
"It just comes naturally," she shrugged amicably.
"I can see that you've taken my words to heart and are expecting the sack when you walk in the Ministry this morning. But you're still wet behind the ears in this arena," he said, straightening up and walked around the desk, taping his fingers on the rim and humming as he did so.
Her eyes followed him and watched coolly as he pulled open a drawer under his desk. She narrowed her eyes as he handed her a 2-ring file, and scowled at it.
"Open it," he prompted. She shot him a dirty glance before looking at the content. But she couldn't understand them, they were just some recordation of some sort.
Seeing her puzzlement, he took his time to explain, "These are the Apparation records of you and several other people during the last month." He swivelled around on his chair and glanced out of the window. "Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Nymphadora Tonks, Arthur Weasley…Oh, really! The list could go on forever. But you should know who they would be without me telling you."
Alarmed, she tried not to let the panic show. "I don't catch the underlying meaning behind. Is it a joke or something? Where does these people's Apparation concern me?"
"Two dozens of people Apparating at about the same hour every time and then the Monitor loses track of all their whereabouts. Checking the Customs records, they remain in the territory. It is like they are disappearing into somewhere that doesn't exist on the British map. The system may have been malfunctioning, but two dozens of people is too much of a coincidence," Brice still had his back to her, but she could just imagine the triumphant look he had on his face. "Rainzzi, you've worked quite a few years in the Auror, this should be your area of expertise. Can you offer me some professional comment?"
"My professional comment would be that you should propose some maintenance of that worn-out system," she grasped the 2-ring file tightly to keep her hand from flinching. At the same time, she looked through the documents as if obliviously; he had got the vantage now, those Apparation analysis was clearly studied and investigated.
"The same two dozens of people. Same time. Same problem. Does it occur to you that this phenomenon may be artificial?" Brice swivelled around to face her again, looking up at her with a kind of confidentiality.
"Be frank here," she said.
"I am thinking these people may be meeting periodically to draw a plot to thwart the Ministry of Magic," he said, crossing his arms above his chest. "If this is the case, I think they'd better be more cautious. You know, it's against the Law. And so far these documents you're holding is enough ammunition to sentence those people who violate the law to a 5-year imprisonment in Azkaban. But I bet they'll just be too willing to be locked up in the same prison, won't they, huh? Since they seem so fond to meet regularly."
"Typical governmental practice," Rainzzi thrust the file back at him, but half-carelessly, half-contemptuously. "The Monitor loses track of some people and then they are accused of intentionally evading supervision. It's typical really! Disguising the Ministry's impotence by deriving conspiratorial assumptions."
Brice sneered, and in slow and elegant movements walked to her again. "Anyway, you won't be involved in it, as I genuinely believe you're an exceptional case and play no part. Only those foolish people will be condemned."
"So why are you informing me of this?" she stepped away from the desk and faced him directly.
He shrugged with a chortle. "I just thought you'll be interested, since you're quite close with some of them."
"I am really impressed by your thoughtfulness," hissed Rainzzi sardonically.
"A skillful player always has a few aces prepared for emergency. Do you have any?" he asked in her ear, eyeing her with avid anticipation.
"You were right when you said the game is getting more interesting," Rainzzi managed a sneer, boring her eyes into his fearlessly, "But to think you've gained the upper hand, you're in for a surprise, Brice."
She looked at the crystal decoration on the desk for a moment, the one she knew Brice treasured, before she casually swept it onto the floor, shattering it into pieces and smiled sweetly at him. Without so much as a backward glance, she strode to the door, the sneer broad on her face until she was safely out of his office.
……………………
"Rainzzi, do you need some help there?" Tonks asked her, as she balanced the paper box which contained all her belongings in her laden arms.
"Don't bother," said Rainzzi roughly, looking at Tonks without any hint of amicability then strode past her and walked out of the office. She could feel the eyes of the people in the Auror Department surreptitiously on her and she could hear that they were gossiping among themselves. However, she was disappointed that none of them had a grasp of the accurate picture behind the 'resignation'.
Rumour had it that she was leaving her job because of the engagement with Fudge Jr. as she wanted to devote herself to married life. Brainless gits, she thought furiously as she progressed to the lift, Pride themselves as intelligentsia, they are such a disgrace to Aurors.
She was stabbing at the button when a male voice appeared just from her right. "Rainzzi."
She turned suspiciously, but saw no one. With her Auror reflexes, she went for her wand momentously but that someone caught her hand.
"It's Sirius," he said, "I am under the Invisibility Cloak."
Rainzzi's eyes swept around, glancing sharply at every direction, and her hand was still on its mid-way to fetch the wand.
"I have to talk to you."
"Not here. Not now," she murmured warningly, barely parting her lips. She knew she had to deal with him some time, but she wasn't ready. She was about to enter into the lift when she was jerked backward forcefully. She didn't struggle much, lest they should attract curiosity and attention from the others.
"Can't you find another more suitable time to talk?" she hissed under her breath as Sirius dragged her into a dilapidated women's restroom, the door of which hung a board saying it was under construction.
"No, you'll just sneak away again. I can't wait any longer." Sirius pulled the Invisibility Cloak off him, closing the door quietly. He pointed his wand to the door, "Privatio"
"I don't have time for this," Rainzzi muttered in an exasperated sigh as he slanted against the door.
"You never have time for this," he remarked bitterly. He took the Daily Prophet out, smoothed it and held for her to read. "What is all this shit about?"
She glowered at the newspaper unseeingly and then at him, she really didn't need anymore reminders. "I bet the article provides enough descriptions."
"Tell me all of them are not true," he said with determined calmness, shoving his hands into the pockets carefully just to keep himself from using them.
Rainzzi stared at him, irritated. His eyes were filled with expectation and were demanding, but she was not about to give in.
And it didn't take him long to realise that she wasn't planning to reply. "Rainzzi," he said, in a pleading voice this time, hoping to soften her. "Tell me they're not true."
She stared at him for a few moments, then inhaled deeply, "I am not sure myself."
There was an excruciating silence when Sirius stared at the woman before him with a variety of emotions. Longing and indignation. Confusion and desperation. Love and hate.
One moment she was leading him on to believe that they had arrived at a new stage and the next, she wasn't sure about whether to engage with another man or not. He was sure if she had been a man, he would have punched her right in the face long ago. "What do mean by you're not sure?" He was really trying hard to repress his anger, he tried, it wouldn't be his fault if he ended up attacking her. And he could see that she had sensed the hostility in the room since her hand was clutching her wand in the pocket.
Rainzzi tried to avoid his gaze, but she met her own reflection at every direction and she loathed the sight of it. "It's complicated," she rested her back on the marble wall and closed her eyes tiredly. "I don't want to choose. I hate to make decisions. Either way, there's going to be consequences."
Sirius scrutinised her face for a moment, then his temper ceased as he suspected there may be a lot more then he knew. Consequences. What did she mean? "Is Fudge intimidating you?"
She bit her bottom lip before she replied. "Kind of," she murmured, "Not life and death intimidation, but just as acute. Serious enough to foil the Order."
"Fudge found out about the Order?"
"As good as."
"But no matter what, a marriage is not something to be ventured." As Sirius' voice grew consistently louder, she opened her eyes. "If he threatens you with condemning the Order, so be it. Dumbledore will find a way out. We're on predominating ground now."
"Don't overlook Brice Fudge, he could be pretty nasty when he wants to. And he would rather end up in a lose-lose situation than to give up. Then Voldemort will be the ultimate winner."
"But I want to test Fudge's extreme," said Sirius courageously, staring into her eyes as if to make her have faith in him. Rainzzi wanted to laugh, arrogant daredevil, but she didn't, nor did she give any other response. "You don't want to marry him, this is what that counts. It's not that hard to make a decision. Just do whatever you wish to. Screw the consequences. Even if they involve other people, it's not your fault."
She stared at him, "What about responsibility of one's own action, Sirius?"
"You haven't intentionally boiled it up. You're not responsible for it."
She looked at him incredulously. "Would you have said the same if it's not me who's involved?"
The stubbornness on Sirius's face faltered.
"You're too selfish." The words that escaped from her own mouth surprised her.
"I don't deny I am selfish," his expression was unreadable, "And can you deny you are?"
"So, I am," she said hotly, gesturing wildly to better express herself, "Tell you what, I think I will just marry Fudge. To tell the truth, I really like money and jewelries. The prestige and fame are to die for too. I will just betray the Order and marry Fudge, and enjoy the time of my life. Is that what you're implying I should do?"
Sirius caught her hand in mid-air, "Perhaps I should make it simpler. You have no choice. Because even if you want to marry for marital benefits, you can't," he said, looking at her almost murderously, "You are mine. Rainzzi Delanuit. We engaged. You can't-"
"Have you quite finished?" she snapped suddenly.
"No, listen to me…"
"I don't have to listen to you. I am not yours, Black. And that's my business anyway. Not yours. If you are just wondering if you could help, I would deny it, though I am really grateful. My life is complicated enough, I don't appreciate any interference or…unnecessary entanglement."
"Unnecessary entanglement!" echoed Sirius incredulously. Then he grabbed her arm violently, pulling her close and squinted at her. But his tone was unexpectedly gentle when he spoke again. "You didn't seem to care last night though, huh?"
"Don't make a fuss over it, okay?" she warned, waving her hand in the air dismissively. She sighed in desperation as hurt and humiliation crossed his eyes and his face turned accusing. "How old are you, Sirius?" she paused, "It was just some kisses for crying out loud! No shagging. No sex. What implications do you want to draw from it?"
For a split second, she thought he was going to slap her right across the face, and if she was to be frank, she thought she very well deserved it. But he didn't. Instead, he just shoved her into the nearest corner and stood unflinching right in front. He reached out and cupped one of her cheek in his palm, stroking it slightly, all the while burning his eyes into the depth of hers, as though in seek of something. Love. Affection. Any recognition. Then he leaned in and kissed her.
It was an intrusive kiss, not at all comfortable, a kiss of verification. Rainzzi could feel that he was searching in her desperately, however, she could also feel that he wasn't exactly holding her tight…he seem to be offering her an easy way out. But she neither pulled away nor did she respond to the kiss. Her world was always split into halves. Everything was torn in between. She wanted to taste him, yet she didn't want him to be involved in her life. She was always bound by onuses but she hated commitments.
"Be honest to yourself," Sirius whispered in her face when he drew back, his voice frantic, leaning still closer until she had nowhere to look at but his dark eyes. "Did you feel something?"
Answering was easy. But making a decision was not. Did she feel something…anything?
There were two contradicting voices arguing in her head. One was insisting that she could just shake her head if she wasn't sure. But the other was arguing that postponing was no good, she should look into her heart and tell the truth.
Why bother with it if you aren't sure? Just say no already! You don't care much about frustrating him anyway.
No! It isn't about frustration. It's about responsibility! It's about dealing with it like a mature person.
Being cornered pressurised her. It suffocated her. But she didn't try to sneak away from him, even though she knew she could summon some guard to throw him out of the Ministry if she failed to duck him by herself.
But you aren't sure about it. Don't rush to a nice response just for the sake of satisfying others. A careless nod always brings consequences!
Making a casual shake of the head can make you regret too! The point is – you owe him an answer. He has been so unreserved in front of you. Does it occur to you that he deserves to be treated with the same respect?
It was hard not to look at him, for his gaze was so fixed and determined, and he was looking at her from eye to eye. The affection and hopefulness was demonstrated openly. And it was apparent that he wouldn't go away without an answer.
You don't owe-
Shut up. Rainzzi, it's not a difficult question. Start from today to be honest to yourself! Emotions and sentiments are not difficult at all to understand once you're willing to face them. Now, be honest. Tell no lies. Now, did you feel something when he kissed you?
"Yes," replied Rainzzi quietly, "But not enough to retain me from anything."
Sirius stared at her impenetrably for a moment; it was hard to interpret his expression. It was far too complicated. Various emotions, delicate and quick-changing as the shadows of clouds on a sunny day of wind, chased one another continually over his lips and eyes.
"I thought we could work it out," he said heavily, rubbing his jaw, "I was certain we could. And I thought it's just a matter of time. I tried to flatter you. And I tried to be an obstacle just to get your attention. I tried really hard to charm you, I thought you will be captivated one day. But it's obviously a make-believe, since you are consistently resisting me, which I could kind of understand why. I don't know what I would do to a person who's the indirect reason my life was forever scarred." He sneered ironically, sending a shiver down her spine. "Perhaps I should be grateful enough that you are not particularly hostile to me anymore."
"But, Rainzzi, tell me honestly," Sirius swallowed, giving it a last try. "Is there anything that I can still do to bring back the flame?"
Their eyes fully met for a few moments. Her long lashes were casting shadows over her slightly-downcast eyes, Sirius couldn't tell what she was feeling. But he could see she was chewing her lip. He felt like a heavy something had landed on his heart, he was having problem breathing easy, as if he was waiting for a fatal sentence. He told himself not to get hopeful again, but he couldn't help it. He was quite delighted that she didn't answer him right away…his death wasn't yet certified…
"Don't expect too much from me, that's what you can do," she looked at anywhere but his eyes. "I've told you some time ago. Our accounts for the happenings between us are quite…asymmetric. You experienced a lot with me that I don't remember…In my memorandum we've just been reacquainted for little more than a month. I think there has been pretty nice progress, if you ask me. From the time when I want to curse you every time I see you to now that I kind of…manage to tolerate your existence," Rainzzi looked at him squarely in the face finally. "Things have certainly improved. It's just that you're too quick-tempered to notice that."
Sirius stared at her from eye to eye, he gripped her hand tightly. "I promise I'll be patient," he nodded solemnly, "But you have to promise me that you'll stay true to your feelings."
She gave him an once-over but nodded nonetheless with the faintest smile. "I promise you."
A/N: SO HOW'S IT! Succeeds to change your opinion of Rainzzi? I really hope it does. Anyway, the story will progress to a new stage with Rainzzi and Sirius vs Brice and the Order vs Ministry and Death Eaters.
Also, as always, thanks for reading…and PLEASE REVIEW! Your opinions will be appreciated! ♥