I'm so glad that has finally fixed the minor problem they were having! I've wanted to put this chapter up since Friday. So, I figured now is as good a time as any. Thanks again to those who reviewed!

XOXOXO

L.S.

4. Another Summer; Dates and School Mates

A fourteen year old Vulpe smiled upon seeing Sirius swinging on the swings at their playground. He was early for once and grinning happily, his dark chocolate eyes bright with excitement.

"Finally! I snuck out hours ago," Sirius exclaimed joyfully, adding in explanation, "Mum has been lecturing me a lot lately, I think it's because I'm getting older."
"Makes sense," Vulpe nodded in agreement, a small smile on her lips, "Maybe your parents just thought it was a phase."
"Me liking muggles was a phase?" Sirius raised an eyebrow in amusement, a smile formed on his lips.

"Yeah, like when you only want to eat a certain food for a few weeks," Vulpe explained with a grin, "Then, you get utterly and completely tired of that food."
"And you've gone through that cycle before?" Sirius inquired with a goofy grin, chuckling in amusement.
"Many times," Vulpe agreed, playfully slapping Sirius's arm, "Don't laugh, it's my routine. I pick a new food every week or so."

"You're so silly, Vulpe," Sirius informed her, shaking his head in amusement as he added, "Which food is it this week, may I ask?"
"Of course you can," Vulpe responded cheerfully, a warm smile on her lips, "This week I have a weird infatuation with Ramen."
"Ramen?" Sirius repeated with a grin, nodded in understanding, "What flavor?"
"Beef mostly," Vulpe shrugged with a smile, adding, "Occasionally Oriental or Chicken, it depends on which house elf is around, I suppose."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Sirius teased her with a playful grin, his eyes bright with happiness.
"Hey speaking of not being surprised," Vulpe replied, changing the subject with a pointed look, "How many girls did you take to Hogsmeade this past year?"
"Plenty," Sirius retorted with a cheeky grin, adding, "And they all had an absolutely wonderful time with me."
"Ah...joy," Vulpe responded with sarcasm, rolling her eyes with a small smile, "I told you that you were going to make the Hogwarts girls happy."

"What about you? I don't think I saw you with any lads this year," Sirius commented with a playful grin, "Are the Slytherin boys that bad?"

"Let's see...boys in my year that have more social standing than the Lestranges - because I'm not allowed to be romantically interest in anything lower than our standing," Vulpe explained to Sirius before continuing, "Rodolphus and Rabastan forbid it and everything - they're extra protective of the family name when it comes to me. So, that leaves Lucius Malfoy, Antonio Zabini, and Paul Parkinson - not my type of men at all. Of course, they might consider letting me date Snape, they six of them have form some stupid friendship with one another or something."

Sirius chuckled in amusement and replied, "And the answer is - yes, the Slytherin boys are just that bad!"
"Exactly," Vulpe sighed heavily, sitting down upon Sirius's lap, "You know, this wouldn't have happened if you had forced be into being a Gryffindor!"
"Sorry...Gryffindor only has room for one amazingly good looking blood traitor," Sirius informed her jokingly, adding, "Imagine if there were two of us!"

"You're such a prat, Sirius," Vulpe teased with a smile before changing the subject once more, "So, any particular girl catch your eye?"
"I don't think so," Sirius shrugging, pushing against the ground, causing the swing to sway a little faster.
"Hm...what about that one girl - the one your little group is always trailing after?" Vulpe inquired, a knowing smile upon her lips, "Lily Evans, isn't that her name?"

"Ah, she's caught someone's eye that's for sure," Sirius responded with a grin, chuckling lightly as he added, "James's. He's infatuated with the girl, thinks they're going to get married one day or something."
"James, huh? So, he would be the other leader of the so called Marauders," Vulpe commented lightly, starring up at Sirius.
"Yup, James Potter, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew," Sirius informed her with a fond smile, "My best mates. I think you'd really like them, especially James."

"If they hang out with you they can't be half bad," Vulpe replied with a warm smile on her lips.
"Aw, I'm touched," Sirius responded teasingly with a grin, "I'd love to say the same about your acquaintances, but I know it's not true and lying is a bad habit."

Vulpe rolled her eyes in amusement, knowing Sirius's comment to be true. The two sat swaying in the swing as a pregnant pause ensued between the two teens. The silence was comfortable unlike the awkwardness that normally filled the air during conversations. The two smiled at each other, looking up at the stars before pointing out constellations to each other as they had done many times before. They avoided looking down the street, where two malevolent manors stood side by side, casting large shadows in from the moonlight in their wake.

Well, I hope you guys enjoyed it. I know that Black Manor has protection charms upon it to keep it hidden, but Vulpe is a "family friend" of the Blacks and therefore, she can see it, because she knows it's there. I also realize that the Lestranges would not live at Number 11 Grimmould Place, but I like the idea of them being neighbors as you can see. Anywayz, I'd love to hear more of everyone's ideas, especially constructive criticism, the stuff that will make the story go better. I'm still not sure about the transitions, but they seem alright so far. Let me know if you think Sirius is OOC or not too. I think I keep him pretty alright for such a young age and all, but you never know. Well, I guess that's it!

XOXOXO,

L.S.