Chapter Two: Making Memories

Mid OotP

"...And then we spent the rest of the night out on the back talking and laughing," Hestia laughed at the memory. "He was such a charmer back then."

"I'm sure he was," said Nymphadora Tonks as the two ladies made their way into another robes store in Diagon Alley. "I know we're kin, but I can recognize a good looking man when I see one."

Hestia smiled. "It's more than just looks, though. He's funny, he's sincere, he's a hard worker, he's faithful to a fault... and he loves me." she said with a shrug of her shoulders. "Or at least he used to love me. He hasn't said as much since he's been back, but-"

"Oh, trust me, Hestia." said the fuchsia hair-colored Tonks with a knowing smile. "I've seen the way he looks at you. Besides, what is all the hugging and kissing for is he doesn't love you?"

Hestia turned a light shade of pink and continued to finger through a rack of robes. "He never did say those words when we were together anyway. Well, he did once, and that was the last time I saw him. He told me later that he used to say it all the time when he was at school, but he didn't want to ruin what we had by saying it too soon. He said I was special and he wanted me as long as he could have me."

Tonks shook her head. "I swear, if that's not love, I don't know what is."

Hestia smiled hopefully and continued shopping. "What about you, Tonks? Anybody you fancy?"

Tonks again shook her head and turned away. "Nah, I don't have time for anyone of the male gender." Then she held a dark red robe up to her body. "Do you think this is my color?"

"Oh come on. Are you sure there's no Weasley boy that's caught your eye?" Hestia said pointedly. She was delighted when her young friend blushed a shade of dark pink to match her hair.

"Oh, Bill's always been like an older brother to me. Besides, I'm pretty sure he's got his eye on Fleur anyway. I wouldn't dare interfere." she said nonchalantly.

"Not Bill, Charlie!" Hestia replied, shoving Tonks playfully. "You two are always chatting and flirting, and I think I've seen you blush a time or two in his presence. Are you sure there's nothing there?"

"Positive." Tonks said, a little too quickly. "I used to fancy him as a child," she confessed. "I'm sure you remember the Christmas party they at the Burrow, when James and Sirius found Charlie and I under the mistletoe. That was the beginning and the end of that. Charlie Weasley is a childhood crush gone annoying prat, and nothing more."

"Well, like you, I too can recognize a good looking man. Are you telling me that you don't find Charlie Weasley in the least bit attractive?" Hestia pushed.

Tonks sighed, the conversation now wearing on her nerves. "Of course, Charlie Weasley is very attractive man. A blind woman could see that. But that doesn't help the annoying prat part." she smiled.

Hestia laughed. "Oh, Tonks. Didn't anyone ever tell you that the annoying prats make the best husbands?"

Tonks then dropped the robe she was holding. "Husband?" she squeaked. She then quickly picked up the robe she had dropped and placed it back on the rack. "What do I need a husband for? I'm an Auror in the Ministry and a member of the Order, we're so close to getting You-Know-Who after all these years, I don't need anyone messing up my life right now, especially a man."

"Either way, dear, I just thought you should know I've seen how he looks at you." Hestia grinned as she watched Tonks go pale. "When he thinks no one is looking, I've seen how he gets quiet and calm, with a silly smile on his face, googly eyes and all."

Tonks shook her head with a frown and took a deep breath. "I'm sure you're wrong, Hestia. We've had a mutual friendship since we were little children and that's not about to change. Besides, I'm sure he only sees me as his annoying little sister."

Hestia put a hand on the younger woman's shoulder. Tonks looked up hopefully and Hestia smiled at her as she often did. "Annoying... perhaps. But sister? Never."

&

As the two ladies walked into the Infamous House of Black once more, Remus Lupin and Mad-Eye Moody were on their way out.

"Off to business," Remus said quietly to Hestia. "Might want to go check on Sirius in the parlor. Seems a tad irritated, not going on any missions, being cooped up in the house and all."

Hestia nodded. "Sure." She'd wanted an excuse to talk to him all day.

After the door closed, the had no sooner put their bags down when Charlie Weasley, charming smile and wild red hair, stuck his head around the corner. "Hey, Tonks. We're having some members of the Order over for dinner tonight, some and Mum could really use your help in the kitchen."

Tonks shook her head with a smirk and followed him out. Hestia was proud of hitting that particular nail on the head and made her way towards the large parlor doors.

After opening them, she entered a dark room, with the curtains drawn, large flames roaring in the fireplace, and Sirius Black brooding in a big arm chair. Hestia knew he'd been feeling down more often than not, so she stepped in and quietly closed the door behind her.

"Sirius? Are you all right?" she asked gently, slowly moving her way towards him.

"Oh, Hestia. Do come talk to me. You always make me smile." she heard him grumble; this made her smile.

She kicked off her shoes in the doorway then moved to sit at his feet, looking up into his miserable face. "Oh, what's the matter, darling?" she asked, placing a hand on his. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine," he gave a small smile, bringing her hand up to his lips. "Just feeling useless and unappreciated again."

Hestia sighed as he pulled her up into his lap and she cuddled against him. "You know they only keep you here for your own protection. You're still a wanted man and some even suspect a fluffy black dog that associates with you. Now that can't be good for your reputation." she teased.

He chuckled, but his smile didn't last long. "I just... I just want to be a part of something again. I want to help the cause. What good did it do to come and pick me out of hiding so that now I'm stuck here in this damned house instead of the wild outdoors, enjoying my unlimited freedom?"

"You know that they would have found you eventually." she kissed him quickly on the cheek. "Besides, I missed you so much, I'm glad to have you back. Not to mention... I worried for so long over you, hoping you wouldn't forget about me." she said hesitantly.

"Forget about you?" Sirius laughed. "Are you kidding? I knew I was innocent, Hestia, and that kept me sane. But thoughts and memories that I have of you are what kept me happy. You were one of the few that knew I was innocent the whole time, and I knew you'd still be on my side when I got out of that hell hole."

Hestia smiled. "Well, that's what happens when you love someone. You never lose faith."

Sirius then kissed her affectionately and pulled her close with a sigh. "Oh, Hestia. When will this all be over? When will Harry defeat that madman... that monster? When will this war end, this ridiculous hiding end? Then we can get on with our lives and live in peace."

"Someday soon, Sirius." Hestia sighed. "We can only hope someday soon." Snuggling closer, she felt his rough, unshaven jaw and smelt the dirty, arousing scent of Sirius Black. Unable to resist, she trailed her lips over his neck leaving hot sizzling kisses on his skin, that made him close his eyes.

"Perhaps I can take your mind off such taxing matters?" she whispered, making Sirius shift in his chair.

"How can you make the word 'taxing' sound so sexy?" Sirius said hoarsely, making her giggle.

Then as she kissed him on the mouth slowly, she knew she owned him. Losing her fingers in the softness of his hair, biting his lower lips... she loved the feel of his hands on her body. She let out a gasp when she felt his hands on the skin under her shirt, rubbing over the seat of her skirt, a cheeky smile now covering his face as his hands continued to roam freely over her body. They eventually rested on her bum, making her roll her hips against him. He let out a moan into her mouth and pulled away.

"Don't do that, Hestia." he said, breathlessly. She expected him to be joking, but he was serious. "Don't do that. You'll... you'll make me want to..."

"So do it." she whispered urgently, kissing his jaw slowly.

"Hestia, I... we can't..."

"And why not?" she pulled back, offended.

"Because you deserve better than me, Hestia. I'm just a scroungy old mut." he muttered.

"Well, I love you, Sirius. Old mut or not. I love you."

She then moved from his lap and stood before him. She unhooked her robes and let them fall to the floor. She then straddled him once again and looking into his eyes, she whispered. "Let me love you."

Instantly his mouth was on hers, fiery and passionate, consuming all the dreams she'd had before about making love to Sirius. His kiss was so real and overwhelming... In the next moment, they found themselves completely undressed and tangled within each others embrace on the floor. Hestia's fingers were lost in his hair, and Sirius' hands were lost in the pleasure of her body.

After a moment, he slowly pulled back, his kisses ceasing and he looked into her eyes. "Are you sure this is what you want?" he asked hesitantly.

She moved her hips against him again and he closed his eyes. Hestia grinned; she loved making him do that. She then put a hand on his face and lovingly said, "It's all I've ever wanted, Sirius." "Make love to me," she quietly begged.

He ravaged her mouth once more, and then there was no stopping him. The passion that erupted between them was immediate, natural, and beautiful. It seemed as if all of time stood still, and there was nothing else but the love they were making. The sun stopped shining, the waves stopped crashing, the rain stopped falling. It built and increased and grew, until finally, they found a sacred place in each others arms. Hestia could not breath, nor did she want to. She only wanted to remain with him like this forever. "I love you, Hestia!" was the cry from Sirius' lips before he met his fall.

Hours later, they lay there in a sweaty mess, tangled in each others arms, a small blanket covering their bodies. Sirius was resting with his eyes closed and Hestia was leaning up on one arm, playing with his long black hair. She was curious as to how a man who had lived the past 15 years in the harsh confines of Azkaban, could have the softest hair she'd ever felt.

Suddenly, his hand shot up and took hold of hers.

"What's wrong, Sirius?"

He opened his eyes and looked up at her before he spoke. "I want you to know something, Hestia." he said quietly, turning onto his side and playing with her fingers in his own calloused hand. "What I said... when we were... I meant it, Hestia."

"What do you mean?"

He smiled and kissed her hand affectionately. "I love you, Hestia. I wasn't just caught up in the heat of the moment. I really meant it when I said I love you."

Hestia smiled back at him as he kissed her quickly on the lips. "I love you too, Sirius."

She laid her head on his chest as his fingers laced with hers. The peace and contentment that she had searched for, waited so many years for, was finally hers. There, before the smouldering fire in the early hours of the morning, they fell asleep in love they shared and in the warmth of each others arms.

&

A/N: This chapter has been edited to remove graphic sex. 08/01/2007