Chapter 4: Time for a Chat – Sirius

Stretched out in an old passageway, Sirius looked at the floor while Kara stared at a stone wall.

They sat for long minutes in silence. Sirius finally cleared his throat and spoke quietly. "Don't you want to yell at me, or hit me… or curse me, or something?" He sounded surprised she hadn't tried any of them yet.

"Why? You wouldn't learn a lesson. Besides, I don't mind the purple."

"Oh." Then he thought about something. "Then you don't mind people thinking we… like each other, then?" His voice was half-way hopeful.

"I don't care what people think."

I should have known, he thought. That's one of the things that attracted me to her in the first place. She would never care if everyone at Hogwarts knew that I liked her.

I can't believe this stupid prank, she thought moodily. I don't care what people think, yeah. But unfortunately, I still care what he thinks. And now he knows I have always liked him.

"Are you going to hang this over me for the rest of our lives?"

"Hang what?" He looked at her as she pointed at her hair. "Why? It's not like it's your fault. I mean, you don't like me like that."

She raised her eyebrows. "So you're trying to tell me this is your fault?"

"Not really."

"But you do like me, right?"

"I guess." He was becoming more sheepish by the minute. He didn't understand. Sheepish was not a word he could even pretend to be. Yet just talking to her… made him that, easily.

"Then it's your fault. I thought it was my fault, because I used to like you. Years ago, though, so obviously it has no bearing." She began to crawl back out to go back to the common room and finish her stupid Potions homework.

"Whoa," he said, pulling her back. "Say that again."

"It was not my fault," she repeated, knowing he wanted the other part. "You said it was yours. It's your fault. Take responsibility, sheesh."

"I heard that part," he said, not letting go. "I want the other half." He looked her straight in the eye.

"I used to like you." Her softened eyes suddenly became cold. "But that was before I came to my senses. Before I found out how you 'operate'."

She felt his hand slacken the grip and she ran out. He just watched her go, shocked. He hadn't known then nor now that she'd ever had feelings for him. Or that people thought… God, he thought. What have I done? Then he realized what he could do. He got up and ran after her.

"Kara!"

She turned around. Their was hurt in her eyes. "What?" Her eyes were glistening… as if she were about to… cry.

"I…" He looked down. He wasn't sure exactly what he could say to her. "I'm sorry."

"I know you are." She meant it in both ways.

"Yeah, well. It took me all those girls I've dated to realize how important you are to me. I never thought you liked me then."

"Of course you didn't." Her eyes never softened. "But I can't believe the other half. What a load of crap! Christ, Sirius, don't you get it? You've got a school-wide reputation now. Fun guy, fast relationship, over quick. That's what I hear walking down the hallways." She closed her eyes for just one second and lifted them again. Now he could see the tears wavering in those dark blue eyes.

"I guess I was like that." Now his eyes lowered to the ground. "But it's only because I couldn't see what was right in front of me. I couldn't understand it, but even when I was dating all those other girls, something just didn't fit. That's why the relationships were over so quick."

"Sure." A tear dropped down her cheek. "Whatever you say, Sirius."

"Will you do me one favor?"

"What?" she asked, suspicious.

"Give me the one kiss that will put us back to normal. I promise, nothing more than a peck. Then I'll leave you alone for forever."

She shook her head. "You don't deserve it." She knew he cared what other people thought of him—especially with the purple hair that matched hers.

He watched her as she walked off slowly.