After leaving Dumbledore's office, the group walked silently back to the common room. No one seemed particularly cheerful; the rest of the students seemed shocked by the attack. It wasn't long before everyone headed to bed.

Lena lay in her bed alone, her mind still turning. Because she was in love with Sirius, her parents had been killed. He was trying to drive a wedge between them. She smiled somewhat smugly. It didn't work, then, the minute she had heard, she had run to him. If she sat to think about it, it was the death of her parents that made her friends rally taround her and brought them all closer together. He clearly did not understand how relationships worked. Well, she wasn't going to let someone as clueless as him dictate her life. She threw back her covers and strode purposefully to Sirius' room. She pulled back his curtains and saw him. He was lying on his side, facing away from her. She slid into bed and wrapped her arms around him. He inhaled as if to say something.

"Sirius Adalbert Black, I am completely in love with you. I have been for quite a while, and I realised it when I came here after I got that letter that changed my life. The first thing I did was run to your arms, and you were there for me afterwards. I'm not going to let him interrupt what I have here. He is not taking you away from me."

"I was going to say the same thing," Sirius said, turning to face her and pressing against her.

James, lying feet away, heard this conversation and felt himself agreeing with Lena. He got up and headed to the girl's room.

"Lily," he whispered, finding her awake. "I don't care how much he wants us, I love you, and he isn't telling me what to do."

"I don't want to put you in danger," Lily said. "He'll come after me anyway, but you—"

"I'm going to end up fighting him one way or another, and I would rather it be for something as wonderful as you. That is, if you will have me."

"Of course I will," she said, pulling him onto her bed and closing the curtain. She kissed him fiercely. James felt his entire body melt into hers, and he poured all of himself into the kiss.

"Wow," Lily said when they pulled apart. "Silencio."

"I know," James breathed. "Could I … stay here tonight?" he asked. "I just want to be near you."

"Of course," she said. "I was going to ask – if maybe – I feel ready, James," she finished in a whisper.

"For…" Lily nodded.

"Only if you're ok with it," she added.

"I am," James said, placing a gentle kiss on her lips.

Back in the girls' room, Remus was staring at his hangings. He, too, had heard Lena's speech and had an urge to go talk to Kim, but he felt that he should give James some time to talk to Lily. Now it looked like he may not be coming back. He rolled out of bed, padded to James' trunk and removed some necessary items. He headed down to the common room, where a figure was walking towards the stairs. He smiled.

"I was just on my way to see you," they said together. Kim smiled that beautiful, radiant smile that lit her entire face.

"Merlin, I love you," he breathed, wrapping his arms around her. "Want to go for a walk? I nicked these from James." They wrapped themselves in the Invisibility Cloak.

"Can I work the map?" Kim asked. Remus nodded, and handed her the parchment. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." She looked at the map in awe. "This is brilliant. I am in love with a genius."

"Who is he? I demand to know," Remus joked. They reached the Room of Requirement, and he opened the door. A bed sat in the middle of the room, and beside a roaring fireplace, sat two cups of steaming cocoa.

"Lena made a lot of sense talking to Sirius," Remus said, handing her a cup.

"As did James, to Lily," Kim said, taking a sip.

"Kim, I'm not doing to repeat what they said, but my life has never been like this before. You have changed me completely. I couldn't bear anything happening to you, but being forced to be apart from you would be worse."

"My thoughts exactly," Kim said. "You've changed me, too. You know about my mum, well, my dad never really recovered. I remind him too much of her, I think. He has always been distant. But you, you are so open with me."

"That is because I love you," Remus said simply.

"I agree with you," she said. "We make our own choices. And I choose you. For as long as we have."

"We will always have each other," Remus said. "No matter what."

They sat entwined in front of the fire, silently smiling, not noticing nor caring for how long. Remus yawned.

"Tired?" she asked.

"Yes," Remus replied.

"Remus?" she said into his shoulder.

"Yes?"

"There is a bed here."

"So there is. What are you implying, Ms Rookwood?"

"Well, it is a long walk back to the Tower. Perhaps we should stay there."

"Are you sure that this is a good idea?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I think it is a wonderful idea."

"Kim, do you mean—"

"Kiss, me, Remus," she said.

"Yes, Ma'am."

­­­­"I wouldn't trade this for anything," Lena murmured. She had just opened her eyes, and was greeted by the warm, intoxicating smell of Sirius. She was snuggled close to him, her head in the nook of his arm.

"Neither would I," Sirius replied. They heard the door open, and James strolled in, wearing a very wide grin. Sirius spotted this through a crack in his curtains, and nudged Lena. She grinned.

"Aw, cute," she said, knowing the Silencing Charm was still in place.

"Wait, Remus isn't in bed either," she noticed, "at least not his own bed."

"That is true," Sirius said. James headed into the bathroom. A few seconds later, Remus entered the room, sporting an equally large grin. When James exited the bathroom, they caught each others eye. They blushed slightly. Lena giggled.

"I'm going to talk to the girls," she said, pulling her nightdress on.

"Hey," Sirius said, grabbing her arm.

"Oh, sorry," she said, and kissed him.

"That's better," Sirius said. "See you at breakfast?" Lena nodded and ruffled his hair.

Ally walked into History of Magic later, pensive. She had interrogated the girls along with Lena earlier, and it was clear that all three of them had made the choice to continue as normal. She sat in her normal seat. It wasn't long before Frank dropped into the seat beside her, as he usually did.

"Good morning," he said.

"Not as good as James and Remus' morning," she said. "Or Lily and Kim's, for that matter," she added.

"No, but I am happy for them," he said. "They made the right choice."

"I know," Ally said. "I wouldn't choose different, if I were in their position."

"The danger wouldn't faze you?" Frank asked.

"No, to tell you the truth, I've been toying with the idea of applying for Auror training," she said.

"Really?" Frank asked. "I am definitely applying. Do they accept many witches?" Ally visibly bristled.

"No, but they will accept me," she said. "They will have no reason not to."

"Of course," Frank said. "So, what you are saying is that if you did have a relationship like the others, you wouldn't give it up?"

"Of course not," she said. "But I don't, unfortunately. Alas, what I would give for a love to be brave for." Frank had turned rather red.

"Well," he said, "you are very brave to me."

"Sorry, Frank?" she said. He blushed slightly.

"Y-you are brave," he said. "I'd be honoured to have a girlfriend like you." Ally smiled.

"Thank you, Frank," she replied. "If I had to be brave for anyone, it would be you." They shared a glance briefly before Professor Binns floated through the blackboard and the class began.­­­­­­­­

"Can you sleep?" Lena asked.

"Not with you whispering in my ear," Sirius replied. Lena poked him.

"Are you nervous?" she asked him. "Quidditch final. The day when my legacy will be determined."

"Feeling melodramatic, dear?"

"It's true!" she said. "All the hype about us being good Chasers, well, if any of it is going to carry on it will depend on us winning this final."

"Well, you are just going to have to win, then," Sirius said. "Which will be a lot harder if you don't get any sleep."

"But I'm not tired," she whined.

"Well," Sirius said, turning over, "let's see if we can tire you out." he leaned over her, and was just starting to enjoy himself, when the curtains were ripped open.

"What do you think you are doing?" James demanded.

"What does it look like?" Sirius replied.

"Well, stop," James said. "I need her tomorrow."

"I need her now," Sirius said.

"I'm serious, Padfoot," James insisted. "I don't want either of you exerting yourself." They stared at him, trying to discern if he was serious.

"We'll take it easy," Lena said, pulling the curtain closed.

"Lena! I need you on top form tomorrow," he protested.

"Then bugger off," she retorted.

James sighed. Remus came out of the bathroom.

"See you tomorrow," he said, walking towards the door with his Quidditch robes and broom in his hand.

"Where are you going?" James spluttered.

"The Room of Requirement," Remus replied.

"My team are completely sex-mad!" James exclaimed.

"You're only figuring that out now?" Remus teased. "James, calm down, we are not exerting ourselves. We are releasing tension. I'll send Lily back, you look like you could do with releasing some yourself."

James flopped onto his bed. Ridiculous. They should be conserving their energy. This was not going to help them—

"Remus said you need help releasing tension," Lily said, in her most seductive voice. She had appeared at the end of the bed and was kneeling over him.

On the other hand, they may be on to something…

"And the Quaffle is in the air!" Ludo Bagman announced. "Of course, it is seized immediately by Potter of Gryffindor... passes to Lupin, White, Potter – ow, that must have hurt, he's been hit by a Bludger sent by Rodulphus Lestrange. But he's managed to keep possession, and he passes to White … who scores! 10-0 to Gryffindor in this Quidditch final."

Lena ducked another Bludger and lined herself up as the Slytherin Keeper, one Regulus Black, prepared to throw the Quaffle. She intercepted it with ease, and passed it straight to Remus, who passed it to James, who threw it over his shoulder to her again. She was flying back towards the goals when she heard Sirius shout her name. She looked to her left to see a Bludger flying directly at her. It hit her in the side, making her drop the Quaffle. Nott caught it, and flew away, passing it to Avery as he went. James flew after him, and attempted an interception, but Avery shot before he could be successful. James swore, but luckily Shea saved it.

He passed quickly to James, who ducked a Bludger to pass to Remus, who weaved in and out of the Slytherin Chasers. He dropped the Quaffle a few feet to Lena, who flew to the scoring area. Rabastan and Rodulphus Lestrange both aimed a Bludger at her from opposite sides. She threw the Quaffle to James and dove out of the Bludgers' paths. James shot and scored.

Regulus passed to Nott, who flew to the middle of the pitch, passing to Avery, who passed to Parkinson. Sirius sent a Bludger in Parkinson's direction, but he managed to get the ball to Avery before it arrived. Avery turned to fly to the Gryffindor posts, but Lena blocked his way and stole the Quaffle. She passed to Remus, who only flew a short distance before sending it to James. It was one of their strategies – keep the Quaffle moving from Chaser to Chaser. It would make the job of the Slytherin Beaters more difficult.

Unfortunately, while James neared the Slytherin posts, he was forced to duck to avoid a Bludger, and he flew right into Parkinson. Not willing to surrender possession so close to scoring, James kicked the Quaffle out of his hands, sending it floating towards the ground. Remus swooped down and caught it, and proceeded to score.

After two hours, the score was 250-100 to Gryffindor, and the Chasers were starting to tire. They needed to score, but Slytherin had no intention of letting that happen. McKie, the Slytherin Seeker, and Rachel, were combing the field for the Snitch, both aware that they needed a goal before it was safe to catch it.

Bludgers were being directed primarily at the Chasers. James called a time out.

"Lena did that last one hurt you?" he asked.

"Barely grazed me, captain," she replied. "If we draw this, we are level on points, right?" James nodded.

"And when the scores end up like that it comes down to who has caught the Snitch most," he explained. "Which is Slytherin. Lena, Remus, we have to score and soon. Rachel, delay McKie like you have been doing, until we score." The team nodded and kicked back into the air. Lena took possession and headed for the goals. Rabastan sent a Bludger in her direction, and she swerved to avoid it. She noticed she was flying towards Nott, swerved again and passed to Remus. She stayed beside him and was joined by James. They fell immediately into a Hawkshead attacking formation. They managed to get close to the scoring area before Derek shouted "Look out!" They were forced to scatter as a Bludger zoomed towards them. As Lena swung around, she caught Regulus' eye, and he scowled.

She flew towards where Remus was dodging opponents, still clutching tightly to the Quaffle. She flew straight towards him, causing some of the Slytherins to move. She stopped just short of touching off Remus' broom, and reached for the Quaffle. Quickly she turned and flew away. It took the Slytherins a couple of seconds to realise that she didn't actually have the Quaffle, by which time Remus had passed to James.

As James sped towards the goal, the Slytherin crowds jumped to their feet. The Snitch.

James burst on, but he was being closely tailed by Nott. He threw it to Lena, who headed straight for the goals. She was coming close, and Regulus was looking panicked. She barely saw him reach inside his robes. She was concentrating on the hoop.

"Accio broom."

Lena felt the broom start to shoot out from under her. Grabbing hold of it as tightly as she could, she aimed and threw the Quaffle. The broom was slipping through her hands, badly grazing her palms. She was forced to let go, and began to plummet rapidly to the ground.

"Lena!" Lily shouted from the Gryffindor stands, which immediately fell silent. Sirius whipped around and paled. He shot towards her, but was not quick enough. She hit the ground with a sickening crunch. An equally sickening cheer erupted from the Slytherin stands, as McKie's hand closed around the Snitch. No member of the Gryffindor team noticed, they were all crowding around Lena.

"Lee, your leg!" Sirius exclaimed. "What did he do to you?"

"Madame Hooch," Lena said. "Need to see Hooch."

"Yes, Ms White?" Madame Hooch asked.

"Was it – did I –" she asked. She was very pale, but she was sitting up.

"Yes," Madame Hooch said. "It did." Lena whooped and threw her arms around Sirius, displaying an energy that was unexpected.

"What's going on?" James asked.

"Ms White scored two seconds before the Snitch was caught," Madame Hooch explained.

"We won!" Lena said.

"We won?" James asked. Madame Hooch nodded.

She pointed her wand at her throat. "Sonorus. ATTENTION, PLEASE. A GOAL WAS SCORED BY GRYFFINDOR IN THE SECONDS BEFORE THE SNITCH WAS CAUGHT. THE FINAL SCORE IS GRYFFINDOR 260, SLYTHERIN 250." There was a stunned silence, and then the Gryffindor crowd erupted into cheers.

"Well done" Lily called, running across the field. "Though that was an incredibly silly thing to do. Are you ok?"

"My leg is broken," she said.

"Lee, I would venture that crushed is a more appropriate description," Sirius said. "Come on, to the Hospital Wing."

"Can't I get a splint or something until we are presented with the cup? I want to hold it." Professor McGonagall appeared behind them.

"That was very foolish, Ms White, making that big a risk," she said. "But congratulations."

"Can I stay, Professor?" McGonagall hesitated.

"Oh, alright, but on your head be it. I'm not getting into trouble with Poppy."

And indeed, Madame Pomfrey was furious when they finally reached the Hospital Wing.

"What a disgusting thing to do," Pomfrey said. "Summoning a broom. And you, Miss, should have come straight here. That is a very bad break."

"She will be ok, won't she?" Sirius asked.

"Yes, of course." She cast charms on Lena's leg, and she felt much better. Lena sat up.

"Where do you think you're going?" Madame Pomfrey asked.

"I'm feeling tons better," Lena said. "Please can I go to the party in the Tower?"

"You will sit here and drink this strengthening draught," Madame Pomfrey said. Lena slumped back. Sirius took her hand.

"Sweetie, we'll have another party when you are back on your feet," he said. "I can't believe him! He has been given a ban for the entire time he attends Hogwarts, and there is no way he'll make it to professional level with that on his record. Small consolation that is, you are very lucky that you only broke your leg."

"But I'm okay, and I really want to celebrate with the rest of the house," she whined.

"I know, but your leg needs to heal," Sirius reminded her.

Lena wasn't very happy with this. "But, but, the party wasn't all I was looking forward to," Lena said, giving Sirius a meaningful look. "After every Quidditch match and practise, we go somewhere to be alone."

"Lena, your health is important to me," he said. "Sex can wait." This made Lena's sulk even more pronounced.

She cheered up slightly when Madame Pomfrey announced she needed to go to Professor Cooke to get some more pain relieving potions, meaning they could have a few minutes alone. And the rest of the team were allowed in for a short visit, so they had a small celebration.

"That was well done, Lena," James said. "How is your leg?"

"Fine, Madame Pomfrey can fix everything," Lena said.

"How did you manage to both score and not kill yourself?" Lily asked.

"Well, when it first started to move away, I held on," she said. "Once I shot, he couldn't save it, he was busy with the broom. And I landed in an odd way."

"Right, that's enough," Madame Pomfrey said, shoving her visitors out the door.

"Wait, Sirius is staying," Lena said. "Please? He can sleep in the next bed." Madame Pomfrey looked ready to refuse. "But, please, he can call you if I need you during the night."

"Oh, all right," the nurse acquiesced. "But the curtain is going up between the beds. No funny business. She walked back to her office, not noticing the scowl on Lena's face.

A/N: Sorry this one took a bit longer, I have had to catch up. And I'm attempting a Challenge Fic over on Sink Into Your Eyes, a great H/G site. You should go there and read The Silent Siege and its sequel, The Veil of Memories, by swishandflick. Also That Muted Sort of Longing by serendipity. Serendipity is also a law student, so updates can take a while. But it is an excellent story. The address of the site is http: you have enjoyed the chapter!