Author's note: Please be aware that I own ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, everything, except my character OC(S) I place here, belongs to the wonderful Lady J.K. Rowling. THIS IS A TRIAL RUN! I would very much like to hear your thoughts. I was originally never going to upload this fiction, however, I know it was something I was looking forward to sharing. This is a Sirius Black/OC, maybe Severus Snape/OC, Fanfiction. So, welcome back, readers! I hope you enjoy this one as much as you have the first 2 Harry Potter stories! :) Do enjoy, this is the Harry Potter Era, so it's going to be a bit. Keep your heads up. Enjoy!

Updated: 12/2021

Chapter 14

"Remus, I have explained this several times. I was supposed to go back to his fourth year, the end of it actually. This year. To stop him from being killed by that vial monster, but there was nothing in the papers about what happened, just that he was killed. Diggery brought Harry's body back, claiming Voldermort murdered him, the boy was later put into an Asylum by the Ministry of Magic, no one wanted to admit that Voldemort was back. But by the time the Daily Prophet was posting false claims of this, the young Diggery had broken out and came to Albus, I know this much because I had one of Albus's Journals. Cedric came to him for a safe house. His father was contacted but the information of where his son would be going was left out. Sirius was the main keeper, a woman named Holly was the backup. But everything is different, I don't have the journals, I don't have anything at all. I am running on pure instinct and believe it or not, my instincts are terrible. Just like my ways of raising a kid." She said sarcastically, she couldn't help but feel salty about Fudge's demands of being watched 24/7.

Sirius sighed as he gently swished the little amount of Burban in his glass, "Kit, that is not true -"

"Yes, it is! Sirius, I'm the one that's supposed to be caring for Harry until you were free, but at every corner, I've been the one that's needed saving - don't you dare say that isn't true Remus Lupin, we all know that's true. I'm a terrible guardian." Sage grumbled only for a coughing fit to begin. The force of this episode was so painful it had her legs weakening. Grabbing ahold of the countertop to keep her balance had brought tears to her eyes as she covered her mouth as she coughed.

"Libby!?" Molly called with fright as she rushed over to her, "Dear Lord, are you alright dear?" She asked with worry. Brushing her long red hair from her face to check her over, "You're getting paler each day Libby, you need rest." Molly told her motherly.

Shaking her head Sage took a breath to calm her coughing fit, "I can rest when I'm dead Molly, but thank you for worrying. I'll alright… Eventually." She breathed with calming pain.

Walking to them, Sirius sighed and gently rested a hand on Molly's shoulders. A nod of his head to let him take a try at it.

Nodding her head, Molly sighed and stepped back.

Leaning against the countertop next to the redhead's leaning form he studied her tense self. Saw the pain she was in as her body lightly shook, "Sage, listen to Molly. You need rest."

"Don't start Sirius, please… There's no saving me." She muttered softly, her breath wheezing from the blood that coated her throat.

"The hat said you would loop thrice. And this is your first loop, in some ideas." Sirius softly spoke to her.

"What exactly are you implying, Sirius?" She questioned. She couldn't have cared less about this thrice business. She just wanted Harry safe and to live.

Leaning inward, Sirius rested his lips against the soft skin of hair before her ear with a grin, "If I can't save you in this life, then maybe I can save you in the next." Leaning back from her warming skin, he held his grin back at knowing she was blushing, "I know what you're thinking, love, and I will not let you do it, not alone. You are not alone, so stop acting like you are the only one trying to keep my Godson safe, go rest and we will handle everything else. Molly, take her to her room please - Elizabeth, do not argue. You are sick and weakening by the days. Sleep." He demanded. There would be no arguing, Sirius wouldn't let her. She needed rest.

Nodding, Molly helped Sage to her room as her coughing fit started up once more and helped her lay back, "I'll mix some herbs and tea together for your sweetheart."

"It's getting worse Molly. Herbs and teas won't help forever… But thank you." She said weakly as they walked up the stairs.

"Stop trying to give up on yourself dear, that boy cares about you. Remus and Severus care for you, even Sirius cares for you, and so do I. Arthur has the children for the next few days so I will be here." She said sweetly, smiling at the weakening woman as she slipped into slumber quickly. Molly's heart ached as she watched Sage's blue eyes flutter closed. Brushing her red hair gently as she studied the redhead. She had a heartbreaking feeling she may never see her again.

As a couple of days passed, Sage slept in deep slumber peacefully. That was until Arthur came back early with the children. The news hit them hard with fright because Harry and Draco were not with them. To this loud news, Sage had woken up.

Standing on the stairway to the kitchen, Sage was stiff with fear, "What do you mean they aren't with you? Where are they?" She questioned, fear flooding her. What if they were killed? Had they been captured by the Death Eaters? Were they scared and lost? Were they okay? Were they with each other or had they been separated?

"I don't know, I took the children to the Burrow, I had to come here though, I needed help," Arthur said panting, he was out of breath still, then again it could have likely been because of his fear of losing the boys. They had never made it to the Port Key, but they'd had to leave them behind to get the others to safety.

Needless to say, Sage was quickly gone, likely heading for the World Cup to look for the boys. Sirius sighed, "Remus," and Disapparated after her, Remus and Arthur following after him.

Arriving at the disaster, Sage stared in shock at the burning destruction. The burnt tents and the chard ground told its own tail as she walked barefoot, draped in a long, dark blue nightdress and her silk robe. Sage wandered around frantically for the boys, the sudden blast of magic flying up into the sky which formed the bright green ominous skull with the snake slithering through its open mouth and around the skull had her shivering in terror. Jumping into a run she began shouting for the boys. Possibly scaring off the person who'd conjured the vile curse she had lived seeing almost daily. It was only used in her time to show that another rebel had been caught and executed. It was to mark the location of where the body had been left. "Harry! Draco! BOYS!"

His heart jumped into his throat as he rushed after the redhead. Grabbing her, Sirius pulled her back into his arms and covered her mouth from shouting, "Kit! Hush, if you run around screeching you will be sealing your death before you could even save the boy!" Sirius growled into her ear.

"Aunt Sage!"

The sudden shout of the boy's voice startled them all, until, "STUPIFY!"

Followed by, "STOP! THAT'S MY SON!" Arthur's horrifying scream had many shaken.

But his fright had both Sirius and Sage rushing towards the now shouting people, finding Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Draco in a circle of one another, all the boys protecting Hermione while Arthur and Remus spoke with the Auror's and the Minister of Magic with much anger and irritation of them.

Sage and Sirius rushed out to them all, "Draco! Harry!"

"Boys! Hermione, are you alright!"

"Sage! Sirius!"

"Harry, you said there was a man here?" Arthur questioned the boy with worry as the others rushed around to search for him. At the boy's nod, Sirius looked between Sage and Arthur, "Who?"

Shaking his head and a small shrug, "Don't know, di-didn't see his face." He admitted.

"Let's get you kids back to the burrow, come on."

"Yes, I agree, however, I will be having a word with a few of you. Ron, Hermione, what were you two doing out here? I told you to stay at the house." Arthur questioned as they made their way back to the Burrow.

"We wanted to help find Harry and Draco," Ron said admittingly.

"Well, next time leave the search to us adults, yes. Come now, it's dangerous enough out here." Arthur said ushering them.

September 1994

"This is outrageous! How could they not know who conjured that thing! Wasn't there any form of Security!" Hermione bellowed in irritation as she read the Daily Prophet.

Draco and Ron were trying not to laugh at her, "Loads, according to dad. But they have no idea how they even got in," Ron informed the irritated Witch, that still hadn't calmed herself down, Draco was about to make her irritation worse, "Sirius and Remus were talking with Arthur a few nights ago, they think they got in before the World Cup started. When they were getting things ready." It was a bit funny to watch Hermione huff and puff over something that was out of their control, but it was entertaining, nonetheless.

"So, wait a moment. They think those people were originally guests there for the game? Or possibly workers that helped set it up?" Hermione asked, her concern and anger rising as they continued the conversation. It hadn't passed anyone's notice that things seemed to be getting worse as the years went on. Ever since their first year at the school, when Voldemort was mentioned.

Though their attention was happily redirected at Harry when he had suddenly rubbed his forehead, right over the scar, he had been quiet for some of the rides and it hadn't escaped anyone's notice, he was never this silent. Hermione had beaten the boys to him before they even had a chance to open their mouth, "It's hurting again, isn't it?"

Harry was caught, he knew she was smart, but he didn't think she'd see that little action, "I'm fine, just a headache." However, he knew she wouldn't believe it, none of them did, and Draco only proved that when he raised a brow with a grinned look of 'Really?"

Ron snickered at them all, he had his short entertainment for now when Hermione called Harry out once again, "You know Sirius will want to hear about this. The Dark Mark and the dreams."

Hoping he could talk his way out of it Harry shrugged with a playful laugh, a laugh that they did not buy at all, "I'm fine, really Hermione-"

Draco hopped up from his seat and bounces his butt off the cushions next to his dazing friend with a deep grin, "There's no arguing, come on. Get writing, Hermione's right. Sirius will want to know, as will Sage, especially since you've been tossing and turning because of those crazy dreams all summer and not saying a word. They're going to find out sooner or later, sorry."

With a defeated sigh, Harry unpacked the needed things to write his letter to Sirius then sent it off with Hedwig.

"Feel better?" Hermione asked with a grin, her eyes never leaving the book she was currently reading after having enough of the Daily Prophet. Harry and the others giggled with one another after a few intense seconds of silence.

Their arrival at Hogwarts was a very welcoming environment that everyone always enjoyed. Though, it did not go unnoticed that a few things were out of order that the returning students noticed seconds after they sat in their seats.

Sage was sitting off away from Professor Snape between Hagrid, but a new person had definitely caught the student's attention. Sirius Black was sitting on the other side of Sage.

'When did those two get close?' Harry and Draco thought, even sharing a confused expression. Ron and Hermione had even taken notice. That was strange, normally Sage had a seat next to Snape. Had something happened? In the turn of events, Snape was distancing himself from many people, Sage included.

Dumbledore walked to his podium and began his usual speech for the new students, "Sirius Black, has been acquitted of all charges, he was indeed innocent of what he had been accused of, the real killer, all those terribly years ago, has been found guilty. So, fear not. There is no danger here, Sirius Black will be here as an aid to the security of the school. Also, this year, Hogwarts will be host to two different schools that have been chosen, along with Hogwarts, to participate in a Tournament. The winner of this Tournament shall be the winner of the Triwizard Cup, and much more. These two schools will be joining us here at Hogwarts in October where three champions will be chosen to compete in this tournament. One student from each school shall represent their school as they go through the challenges. Now, enough talk, I believe you are all hungry. So, shall we eat?" Dumbledore said with a smile and food began appearing in rows on the tables, allowing everyone to dig into the glorious tasting meals.

Ginny and Hermione both couldn't help but giggle at hearing this news, it was exciting, and very unexpectedly.

Unfortunately, their fun moments of being back at school were not to last since everyone was looking at Draco rather strangely as the night went on, they weren't used to him being anywhere but the Slytherin table and in Slytherin green robes. He was now at the Gryffindor table and in the Gryffindor emblem on his cloak and his tie was their Ruby red and gold.

The Slytherin's were the ones that were most vocal about it, in the form of the one and only, Dagny Malfoy, "So, wait, you got resorted? That's what happened? I thought you just ran to a new house for cover. That's impossible though, 'resorted'… Draco… Hey, dimwit." Dagny growled at being ignored and threw a balled-up piece of paper at the back of his brother's head, drawing Draco's attention with a glare.

Glaring over his shoulder to Dagny, Draco sneered at the boy. "What's it to you, Dagny. It's none of your business what happened. Now bugger off."

Amused at his little brother's reaction to him, Dagny chuckled amusingly. "Aw, is baby brother upset because Mummy and Daddy don't want you anymore?" Dagny laughed.

Ron and Harry looked up from their plates at one another instantly, Hermione's eyes lit with shock and rage as she watched, but the boys quickly grabbed a hold of Draco before he turned to punch the kid.

Harry held his left, Ron held his right, and poor Dean had nearly jumped over the table as he grabbed a hold of Draco's shirt and robes to keep the boy from yanking himself from them and rushing towards Dagny, "Easy man, he isn't worth it," Dean said with a shake of his head.

Ron's eyes were wide with fear as he agreed with Dean, "Yeah, Dean's right man, Dagny ain't worth it." He wasn't worried about Draco one bit, he was scared because Dagny might have just signed his death warrant.

Harry patted Draco's back, trying to help the guys calm him down, "Yeah, come on Draco, let's just finish our super." Unfortunately, and understandably, it wasn't working. Harry and the others 100% understood why, they'd have reacted the very same way, especially since that wasn't what was happening with the Malfoy family at all.

Harry and Ron were nearly petrified with worry, Draco was not calming down at all, "Hermione, get over here, now, hurry." Harry's voice was barely above a painful whisper, he was glad when she dashed under the table and slipped between Harry and Draco, "Hey, Draco. Look at me… Draco, look at me." She took a sigh of relief when he glanced at her, his eyes burning with anger and tears he wanted to let fall. But he would not let Dagny win this. "Just ignore him, you know it isn't true, your mother loves you," Hermione spoke softly to him, trying to remind Draco why he was with Sage. Narcissa had left her down with the woman because she needed her son safe.

Ron slowly let Draco's robes go, watching Hermione work her 'magic', she was good at keeping the three boys calm. They were shocked when Draco took a deep breath to help calm his anger and took hold of Hermione's hand around his and squeezed a few times. He knew the pressure would be enough to simmer his rage down just a degree, he wanted to use a vice-like grip, but he knew if he did that, he'd not only hurt her, he could break her entire hand. And that was the last thing he wanted to do.

Laughing at watching his brother and the girl, Dagny was almost in a ball of laughter, "Really Draco, you need girls to help calm you down, what a flower - AH! WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS THIS! YOU STUPID INBRED!" No one was expecting Hannah Abbott, a Hufflepuff fourth year, with the aid of Lavender Brown, a fourth-year Gryffindor, to get red in the face with anger and tossed their plates at him, covering Dagny Malfoy in every bit of food she had put on it, just to throw it at the bullying Slytherin and voice a few choice words herself.

"Back off Malfoy!" Hannah shouted with heated anger towards the bully.

"You're nothing but a bully!" Lavender called across the table with her friend.

Now this made Draco feel better when he turned and saw a massacre of food slipping down Dagny's face and messing into his hair with chocolate cakes smothered in chocolate sauce and other gooey dessert foods.

Dagny always seemed to find himself on the wrong end of someone's wrath. It seemed no one was that intimidated by him. This knowledge only seemed to piss him off more than he had been in the year he'd attended Hogwarts and the summer he had moved into Malfoy Manor and beat the life half out of Draco. 'I think I'll start with that puff-haired flower-wearing bitch!' His mind was getting darker as he grew, none of his tricks worked with those four, and they definitely didn't work against the Weasley twins, the last time he tried that he got his prank turned back on him, but he also got a bag of sweet sick treats stuck in his candy bag and a none burning firecrackers put under his sheets in his dorm room.

All because his prank the day before had gotten Ginny, which had sent the girl to the hospital wing when his prank exploded in her face knocking her out. 'It was just a stupid knock-out potion in the first place, it didn't even hurt the brat!'

"So, wait, if we're having the Tournament here through the school year, does that mean we don't have Quidditch tryouts this year at all?" Ginny asked suddenly when the thought occurred to her. She had directed the question at Harry.

He shrugged, not truly knowing the answer himself and he too was curious. If that was the case for this year, he and Draco were going to be disappointed, they had been trying to convince Ron to try out for Quidditch the entire summer if they were going to have the chance to play this year. Draco's first year as a Gryffindor, Harry had no idea what he was going to do but it was something else that grabbed his attention, no one was introduced as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts, "Hey, is it just me or did Dumbledore not say who was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor?" Harry asked, eyeing the table. "Maybe Sirius is doing it?" Draco suggested with a shrug, but he too was confused, because Dumbledore had, in fact, not introduced anyone as their new teacher.

"This should be interesting," Ron said with a shrug and continued eating, though, everyone's fun nature and laughing moments weren't going to last past that moment when the Magically tricked ceiling began lighting and thundering, shaking the room and frightening the new students causing them to shriek in fear and slid under the tables. The returning students simply gasped with shock and ducked their heads. No one left that hall unshaken by the sudden change in the ceiling. No one saw who cast a spell up into the ceiling, calming it instantly and returning it back to the star-covered roof over their heads.

Their attention was drawn to an older, greying man, his fake eye scanning the Hall and a bad limp using a large walking stick. He was soaked from the rain. He'd obviously walked a long way in the heavy weather and he was a very cranky looking man, and to have been as drowned wet as he was. Everyone watched in shock as Dumbledore walked up to the man, shook his hand, and patted his arm in welcome, they had no idea what was being said.

"Stupid ceiling, never liked that blasted thing," Alastor grumbled. Dumbledore continued to watch the retired Auror like he hadn't eaten in days and became concerned when he took a large swig from a flask.

Seeing his concern and accusing look, Alastor looked at his flask and shrugged like it was nothing, "Pumpkin Juice. So, why did you need me here at such a short timing Dumbledore?"

Dumbledore showed him to a chair at the teacher's table then walked back to the podium with a wide and happy smile, "Alastor Moody has joined us here for this school year to take over the position as the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor." Then walked back to his chair and began conversing with the still dripping wet man, "Thank you for coming on such a short notice Alastor. I fear for my students, and with the Tournament on its way in October, I can't help but worry more, that time is such an opportunity for something to go wrong. I need eyes, your skills, and an Auror, my friend. Harry and Sage will need extra caution while here this year. She is ill, Alastor, very ill. But for now, Harry is our first concern. Sage can handle herself..."

"Agreed, for now, all we can do is wait and keep our eyes and ears open for any signs of the Darkness."

Whispers erupted through the tables yet again, this time all directed at Alastor Moody, "Alastor Moody is here? Isn't he supposed to be retired?" Ron asked Draco and the twins, all three just shrugged with confusion, they'd only heard of him, barely any of them had met the man. All they knew was that he was the reason most of the cells in Azkaban were full.

Hermione was struck in shock and looked to the boys with confusion like everyone else wondered why he was there at the school for the Teaching Position of the Dark Arts, "The Auror?"

"Yeah, but he's supposed to be retired, haven't a clue as to why he'd come here for a teaching position, the man's loony. Paranoid as ever," Draco said staring at the man who was talking with Dumbledore, "Supposedly he didn't retire, he was forced to leave because he was so paranoid."

Classes began the next day, and everyone was curious about how the Dark Arts class was going to go. And it didn't go so well either. Mad-Eye had stormed into class shouting for it to be silent, vigorously wrote his name on the board, and clearly stated, "I am here because Dumbledore asked me too, end of story!" And began class, everyone shaking in their seats, even Hermione was afraid of him, and that girl could have a backbone.

September ended and the guests would be arriving shortly in the next few days. Draco was beginning to get frightened. Dagny's expressions and demeanor had changed drastically, his harmless pranks had escalated when he set a trap for half of the Weasleys. Lavender had been sent to the hospital, taking the trick in place of George when she had spotted it seconds before it went off and now had scraped and bruises and a nasty bump on her head with a cut at her hairline towards her right temple, it would likely scar. No one truly knew who had set the thing up or placed it, Peeves was definitely not saying either, simply because he thought it was hilarious, then he had received a bump on the head from the Bloody Baron. But they all knew who it was, Dagny Malfoy, unfortunately, they had no proof to accuse the jerk.

It was two weeks before Halloween when a carriage of flying horses and a very tall woman in a fur coat with short hair cut in a bob style arrived. She'd stepped out, helped by Dumbledore, both smiling wide and kissed each other's cheeks in welcome.

"Welcome, Madam Maxim, how wonderful of you to join us," Dumbledore said with an excited smile to the tall woman.

"Ah, Dumbly-dorr, what a pleasure to be 'ere. I 'Ope I find you well?" The Madam asked, a pleased smile as they spoke.

"In excellent form, thank you, Madam, please, won't you and your lovely students join us for supper?" Albus said, politely inviting them.

With a wide, happy smile she spoke, "O' course, my pupils," Madam Maxime began, turned to the carriage and several young ladies walked out, dressed in beautiful silk blues. With their backs straight, their bodies and feet moving like they were professional dancers, and all smiling wide as they looked at the stone castle, "My dear friend, Zank you for ze invite." She thanked him.

Smiling with a nod, Albus walked the tall woman towards the hall, "Shall we eat?"

"Yes, o' course. 'as Karkaroff arrived yet?" Maxime asked with curiosity. However, she didn't sound so excited about the man being there.

"I'm afraid not Madam, but I'm sure he shall be along shortly." He stated. The man was a pain and not much to trust but he was the Headmaster of Durmstrang.

They were off to the dining hall, Sage, Dumbledore, and Madam Maxime all conversing and laughing as they entered the Great Hall for dinner to start, now all they had to do was wait for Karkaroff and his students to arrive.

Everyone sat, chatting with excitement. Madam Maxime held her shoulders back as she walked tall, even though she was already tall, spine straight, and walking with a happy smile to be at Hogwarts. She was shocked at seeing Sirius Black and was slightly concerned. But as she watched a redhead walk to him, whispering something to him. Olympe watched cautiously for the women's safety yet found her interest in the two as Sirius gently rested a hand to her waist as she spoke to him, the soft brush of his thumb to the fabric covering her skin at the redhead's waist had Olympe raising a brow as she took her seat Albus had so graciously pulled out for her and gently pushed her in towards the table like a gentleman. Leaning over to Albus, her eyes never leaving Sirius and Sage, "Tell me, Professor Dumbly-Dor, are zey -"

Curious himself as she asked, Albus caught on quickly at her stopped question and followed her line of sight, nearly chuckling at the sight he too saw, "Surprisingly no, Madam, they simply care for his Godson and the boy's friends. She is Mr. Malfoy's temporary guardian." He informed her casually, a smirk on his face. "She is ill, he is helping her where he can. Fear not," Albus quickly consoled the now worried woman, "She is not contagious, I assure you Madam Maxime, there have been many things happening, her ailment was… Unexpected. Incurable I'm afraid." He sighed sadly.

To this, Maxime grew concerned. Though she may have been reassured the woman was not contagious, she felt worrisome for the man. If the redhead was incurable, would he too be alright? Her soft heart ached for them. " 'er name?" Maxime asked. Her hand over her heart as she watched them.

"Sage," Albus informed his guest. "Sage, Sirius, come meet Madam Maxim." Albus gently called them over.

The two nodded and made their way to the Professor and the Headmistress of Beauxbaton Academy. From there the three held a lovely conversation. "You make a lovely couple," Olympe whispered to them both, a grin on her face as Sage blushed and looked to Sirius and Maxime with slight confusion. Her cheeks burned a bit more at Sirius's chuckle and nod. Her mind finally noticed Sirius's hand, which had been resting at her low back for some time, and eased herself from his side, "You know I, um… I'm a little parched, I think I'll get myself some water, it was lovely to meet you, Madam Maxim, talk to you soon?"

"Mos' definitely my dear," Olympe grinned as she waved her off, "I apologize, Monsieur Black, I could not 'elp myself." Olympe apologized. Her smile still wide.

"Not at all Madam Maxim, I should make sure she is alright, she gets nervous easily," Sirius said with a smile, taking Olympe's hand he kissed her knuckles gently. "Madam, Albus." He said with his soft charm and walked after Sage, a grin on his face. Olympe had pointed out Sirius's intentions to Sage, and it was likely she had not noticed until that night he had been flirting just a little.

Sirius understood that Sage had been close with Severus and she had been trying to get Snape to speak to her. The man was a blind fool. Or he just didn't care. Snape had been clear that Lily and Gabrielle were the only loves he'd ever be able to love in his life, and they were dead. Sirius felt somewhat sorry for Snape, simply because he was not trying to move on past the two women's deaths. But in his attempts to keep Sage from entering his heart, he was hurting her as well. "Sage?"

Sighing softly and loving the sound of his voice, she shook the thought from her mind. She would not last long enough to be with anyone, it was unfair to involve herself with someone only to soon perish and leave them in pain. "I'm fine, just a little… I don't know to be honest." She admitted as she paced back and forth in the slightly chilly and empty halls.

Smiling at her actions Sirius leaned against the wall and simply watched, his arms crossed over his chest, "Flustered?"

Stopping at her pace, she looked at the man watching her. Her heartbeat sped up, almost pounding out of her chest and her cheeks burned bright red. "Flustered? I am flustered." She stammered, trying to calm herself. "I don't have the luxuries to be flustered, Sirius. There's no point in it, I won't be here long enough to fall in love with anyone -"

"And yet you feel for Snape?"

"I am not in love with Severus, I said I fell in love with a man who was like Severus -"

"Yet here you are pacing and unable to control yourself at one woman's compliment about us." He stated, moving from his comfortable place against the wall and closed the distance between himself and her. Looking down into her bright blue eyes Sirius felt his heart jump into his throat. She was beautiful.

"That is irrelevant." Her breath hitched as he walked towards her, backing herself into the wall behind herself she found herself burning with warmth.

"How so? Because I give you attention where someone else does not?" He couldn't help it, he enjoyed the way she reacted to him, her blushes, her catching breaths, her constant refusal to look him in the eyes.

"No one's ever returned any of my feelings, why should I get used to it now?" She whispered a confession. Her blush vanished at the memories of confessing her feelings to Alphard only to have been rejected. He hadn't liked her until she had been attacked. By that time she had done her best to numb herself from him. He'd hurt her once, he'd hurt her again, and the next time could have been worse.

Hearing this had Sirius confused, but now a few things were coming to light. Brushing her soft red hair from covering her face as she looked down towards her feet, Sirius held her cheek in hand, lifting her face to look at him before kissing her forehead, no matter how much he wanted to kiss her at the moment, he didn't think it was the right moment. "The men in your previous time were fools, Sage. And so is Snape." He whispered. Her eyes were soft and slightly dazed as she looked at him closely with slight shock. Smiling at her reaction, Sirius sighed softly, "You need to eat, when you've settled yourself, return to supper." He said before going back to the Hall.

**Thank you for reading I hope you enjoyed. You're all probably thinking why, or finally. I'll explain… I have a plan for that time. So, keep up.