Chapter 16

Throughout their last month in Hogwarts, they had their exams and their practical examinations. Alice, with Frank's help, managed to attend the exams. "I hope I passed!" She squealed.

Frank smiled "I know you did."

Sirius was very nervous and not because of the exams. At breakfast, he received a package. He looked around the Great hall to see if Bo was in sight. 'Oh good, she's not here yet.' He opened it to discover a little royal blue square box. He opened the box and smiled at what he saw: a ring with a pearl in the middle, and around it little diamonds; an engagement ring. 'She's been mad at me recently. I shouldn't have snuck around to buy it for her, but now she'll know.'

"Oh Sirius! It's beautiful!" Startled by the voice behind him, he hid the ring quickly in the box and stuffed the box back in the package. He turned at see Genevieve grinning.

Sirius was relieved "It's just you. I thought it was her." She sat down next to him and helped herself with a bowl of cereal.

"Nah, don't worry, I won't tell her and ruin the surprise. And besides, she's still having trouble with her tie."

Sirius looked disbelievingly at her. "After seven years at Hogwarts, she still has trouble with it?"

She nodded and they chuckled. There was a slight pause.

Genevieve blurted out "I never thought you would go out with Bo. She always had a thing for you, even though there were times she denied it. Do me a favor and don't break her heart, or you'll hear from me."

Sirius listened intently "I will never hurt her. I care about her too much." Genevieve nodded and looked at the entrance. She saw Bo and Sarah walk to their direction. She whispered to Sirius "Here comes Mrs. Black."

James swore not to tell Lily about Sirius' surprise. Sirius knew that if Lily knew, Bo would instantly know. They joined their friends at breakfast when Lily asked him "Sirius has been acting very strange lately. He's always running off to the Owlery and receiving many packages. I wonder what he is up to." She looked at her boyfriend as if to find an answer.

James shook his head "I have no idea."

Lily snorted "Since when do you not know something about Sirius? Preposterous! I want to know. Please tell me." 'Always the stubborn one', James thought. He took a bite from his bacon and grinned at her.

"I swear I have no clue, Lily." She huffed and resumed eating. 'But I'm more stubborn than you', He half smiled to himself.

James was clearly wrong; his girlfriend was equally headstrong. She gave him 'the silent treatment' all day. After their Defense against the Dark Arts exam, he pulled Lily to the side. "This is driving me mad! Are you going to be like this for long?" He asked her anxiously. She smoothed her skirt and pouted. James rolled his eyes and sighed, obviously exasperated.

"Fine, I'll tell you, but you promise not to tell anyone?" Lily had a sheer glint of curiosity in her eyes.

"I promise." Lily replied. James came closer to her and said "Sirius in going to propose to Bo."

Lily was surprised and squealed uncharacteristically. "Are you kidding me? Of course I won't tell! I can't wait to see this! When is he going to do it?"

James smiled and replied "Tonight."

After dinner, Sirius finished his dinner quickly and ran to the common room. "What's going on here?" Bo asked the boys. There was an awkward silence.

"I've had enough with this secrecy! I want to know. I'm stressed enough with the exams, and I really don't need any more anxiety." She ranted. She waited for answer

"Well?" She asked.

"I think you should go to the common room and see for yourself." James muttered. As soon as he said it, she left the table.

"What was that all about?" Frank asked.

"Mrs. Black got mad at us." Remus grinned. The others muttered and whispered about his comment.

"You idiots, Sirius is going to ask her to marry him!" James yelled. They looked at him, finished their dinner and ran to the common.

"Wait for me!" He took a bite of bread and ran after them.

Bo stomped into the common room and closed the door with a BANG. "Sirius! I want to talk to you!" She bellowed. She walked over to the boys' staircase "Sirius? Are you here?" She yelled again. She lay down on a sofa and sighed. She noticed the room was growing darker. She got up to see Sirius walking down the staircase, dressed up in a suit, his hair pulled back in a half ponytail. He held out his wand and conjured elevated candles which were around the room.

She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion "What's going on here, Sirius? James told me about a surprise." Sirius put his wand back in his pocket and kissed Bo. His arms were around her waist.

"You look handsome." Bo complimented him.

"Thanks, love. Let's sit down." They sat down.

"You look stunning." Sirius looked at her intently.

Bo chuckled "I'm in my uniform. What's stunning about that?"

"You're always beautiful to me." Bo blushed.

"You always know how to embarrass me." Sirius shrugged apologetically.

After a pause, Bo asked "Would you mind telling me why you have been hiding something from me?"

Sirius stroke his stubble and replied "I'm sorry for keeping this a secret, but-" He got down on one knee, took out a box and opened it. Bo gasped.

"-I love you so much, Bo. I'll never even dare to hurt you, or let anyone else hurt you, or the baby." Bo let out something between a laugh and cry. "Will you marry me and make me the happiest men alive?" Bo covered her mouth with her hands. She moved her fingers through her hair and she nodded.

"Yes! I'll marry you, Sirius!" He grinned and slid the ring on her wedding finger. He got up and picked her up and swung her around. They shared a kiss when they heard applause. Sirius put Bo down on the ground and they turned to see their friends clapping and whistling.

"Congratulations!" Natalie shouted. Remus clapped Sirius on the shoulder. Frank hugged Bo. Alice summoned her camera and grabbed it. She took unplanned and improvised photos of her friends.

When she had enough, she cried out "Gather round! We need group photos!" The others arranged themselves and she took pictures. After that, Remus excused himself and left the celebration, and out from the common room. Bo wondered where he had left.

Sirius, as if he read her mind, put his hand on the small of her back and said "He's going to get us some pumpkin juice." After a few minutes of laughter, jokes and conversations about the exams, Remus came back with an enlarged jug of juice and goblets. He placed them on a table and everyone took a goblet.

"I would like to propose a toast-" James waited until all of them raised their goblets, and continued "-to the lovely couple, Sirius and Bo! Congrats!"

"To Mr. and Mrs. Black!" Sarah called out.

"To Mr. and Mrs. Black!" the others repeated. They clanked their goblets together. After that, they erupted in laughter.