Poppy's POV

"Okay so, I'd really like it if you came to lunch today" Sirius sprang it on me as soon as we stepped foot in my house. I turned to him, surprised and saw him smiling at me.

"But they don't know I'm coming. I don't want to put them out" I said quickly, feeling my heart rate increase but he grinned at me and I understood what he'd done. "You owl'd them yesterday, didn't you?" I asked and he laughed before nodding, putting his bag down and pulling me to him and kissing me.

"Maybe" he told me with that cheeky smile and I just shook my head. "So, will you?" he asked.

"Of course, I will" I replied, knowing I would do anything for him given what he had done for me. He positively beamed at me before kissing me again, pulling me flush against him.

"What time are we due over there?" I asked him when we broke away, the both of us a little flustered.

"Not until 12. So, we've got all morning" he told me with a grin before picking me up, making me gasp as he strode with confidence upstairs and I couldn't help but laugh, allowing him to do so.

"Pop you look beautiful and they already know and like you. Stop stressing" Sirius told me lazily as he watched me from the bed. It was alright for him to say, he was already dressed and lounging on my bed, being of no help whatsoever telling me I looked good in everything I had tried on. As such, I was back in a green summer dress wondering if it was too casual for lunch with the Potter's.

"But this is the first time they're meeting me properly" I stressed to him, hearing him sigh before he got up and moved. I saw him a moment later in the mirror, arms wrapping around my waist as he dropped his chin onto my shoulder.

"And they're going to love you" he assured me, turning so he could kiss my neck. I relaxed at the feel of him against me which I think he knew as I could see him smile. "Come on, I know you don't like being late" he told me, and I sighed but nodded, knowing he was right. It would be honestly horrific for me to be late. As such, I put on a spritz of perfume and refreshed a couple of curls before feeling happier, seeing Sirius waiting patiently for me. "You really do look beautiful" he told me as I went to him, not being able to help the blush as he pulled me in for a hug and I relaxed into him. After a moment he pulled back, gave me a soft kiss before leading me from my room. I made sure all the usual protective spells were in place and added one of my own which Evelyn had taught me, allowing my magic to flood through the house. Sirius watched me curiously but said nothing, still stood there patiently waiting. Sirius went first, allowing me to secure the floo before I took a deep breath and followed him. I wobbled upon my arrival, feeling his hands go to either side of my waist to steady me before taking my hand and leading me through the house.

"We're home!" he yelled as we went, making me wince slightly which just made him laugh. He seemed in a very good, happy mood and I couldn't help but smile at him, knowing how much he was looking forward to me being here.

"In the kitchen!" I heard James yell back and Sirius orientated us in this direction which I remembered from Easter. Just as we arrived at the door, he paused me, giving me a soft kiss.

"It'll be fine" he reassured me one last time and I nodded but as always, the nervousness would be easy to see in my eyes. With that he led the way into the kitchen where the Potters were gathered, all of them looking up at us and smiling.

"Sirius it's lovely to have you back" Mrs Potter said, instantly leaving the counter and sweeping towards us, quickly embracing Sirius. "And Poppy it's so wonderful to see you again" she told me with a wide smile when she'd stopped hugging Sirius.

"It's really nice to see you too Mrs Potter" I replied politely, feeling Sirius re-take my hand. "And you too Mr Potter" I said, turning to him and seeing him smile widely at me.

"It's Matt Poppy, really" he insisted, giving me a smile.

"Hi Pop" James greeted me with a smile, coming to give me a big hug.

"Come on in properly you two. Sit down and tell us all about your holiday!" Mrs Potter encouraged and I took a seat next to Sirius as he quickly launched in to telling them all about it, making me smile.

Lunch had actually gone really well. Sirius was obviously ecstatic me being there, pulling me into conversation regularly and Mr and Mrs Potter asked me lots of questions about my life in France which I was happy to tell them about. James seemed to find this whole thing amusing as he mainly watched our conversations with a big smile but not saying anything. After lunch, I caught Sirius and James exchange a glance which made me suspicious, even more so when James told his parents he and I would clear the table. I could see that his parents were hesitant about this, but James gave them a look which they seemed to understand before dragging me to help him. As we put everything away and washed up, I could hear Sirius and the Potter's having a hushed conversation and did my best not to eavesdrop, instead striking up conversation with James. He happily chatted away to me, telling me what he had planned for the rest of the holidays and how he hoped to spend a lot of time getting ready for the next quidditch season. When we were done, I saw him glance towards the table before leading me back and I slipped in next to Sirius who quickly re-took my hand but not saying anything just yet.

Mrs Potter then conjured up dessert which I hadn't expected but which was a delicious trifle before she invited us to sit outside with them for a bit. The boys and Mr Potter couldn't resist dashing off for some quidditch and I was quite happy to sit and talk to Mrs Potter.

"You make him very happy Poppy" she told me as we watched them, Mr Potter looking like he was enjoying himself as much as the two boys. I blushed at her compliment, unable to keep from smiling, happy to hear this from her.

"He makes me very happy too" I admitted quietly, seeing her smile widely at this.

"I can tell" she replied, and I saw her turn to me with a smile. "I hope you don't mind but the boys told us about your…abilities" she continued cautiously. I felt a little surprised at first but then figured I shouldn't be as it was bound to have come up at some point.

"That's okay" I replied, and she looked a little more relaxed at this.

"Sirius said it comes down through your mother's side?" she asked me now and I nodded.

"It's a woman thing" I told her, and she laughed a little at this, eyes sparkling in the sunlight.

"That doesn't surprise me" she said, making me laugh. "And your shine" she added, and I hesitated a little here, knowing how strange it was. "You've shone a lot today. It seems to surround Sirius as well" she told me, taking me by surprise.

"Really?" I found myself asking and she nodded, seeming surprised I hadn't realised. This was something I would need to ask Evelyn about for definite.

"I'm just very glad you're both happy together" she summed up, making me blush again. "Sirius says your guardians are okay with him staying with you this week?" she asked casually, and I did my best to not blush again.

"Yes, they are" I told her, ensuring I maintained eye contact with her; no doubt she'd been told about my eyes. She looked at me carefully for a moment before nodding and smiling.

"I'm glad you'll not be on your own. But if you need anything you need only ask okay?" she told me, and I nodded with a smile.

"Thank you so much Mrs Potter" I replied.

"Poppy honestly, it's just Carol to you" she reminded me, making me blush and nod. "And will the two of you come for dinner on Friday?" she asked me now.

"We'd love to" I told her, seemingly happy with my response just as the guys came swooping down towards us, making us both laugh as they successfully distracted us.

We stayed for another hour or so before heading back to mine. It felt strange to be at mine with just Sirius and nobody else, like it was our opportunity to pretend to be adults for one short week. As such, we went to get some food in before we spent the rest of the day on the sofa watching TV, enjoying just being together before heading to bed for more fun.

The next day I let my friends know I was back in the country and about my current living arrangement and Lily had been the first to reply, asking if she could possibly come and stay for a couple of days; her sister's boyfriend was visiting and she couldn't stand him, needing an excuse to be out of the house for a while. Naturally I agreed, letting her know at the same time that Sirius would also be here, but it was a mark of her dislike of her sister's boyfriend that she didn't care and would be grateful for the escape. Sirius seemed to find this amusing and I warned him to be on his best behaviour whilst Lily was here.

Surprisingly, he had agreed and, furthermore, Lily was just as friendly in return to him. If I ever needed to go and do anything or sort the house leaving the pair of them to it, they would happily chat away and they seemed to be strangely getting along! I had never seen Lily so pleasant to a Marauder who wasn't Remus and I remember only too well her dislike of them in my first week of school. Therefore, no matter how many times I witnessed it, it still surprised me.

"Pop I'm guna hang out with the guys for a bit tonight" Sirius told us as he bounded down the stairs and joined Lily and I in the front room.

"Okay" I replied, seeing him look excited. "You staying at home tonight or…?" I asked him and he grinned at me.

"Obviously I'm coming back here" he told me before leaning over the back of the sofa and giving me an upside-down kiss. "Don't get too comfy in bed without me" he whispered to me before straightening up. "Have a good evening you two" he said, giving Lily a smile before he floo'd out.

"You two are far too cute" Lily commented, and I turned to her to see she had been watching me. I smiled and shrugged, not sure how to reply.

"I have to say, it's been nice to see the two of you getting on" I told her, and I saw her look a little sheepish.

"I know he means a lot to you Pop so I figured I should make the effort" she admitted. My eyes widened in surprise before a whole rush of happiness surged through me and I got up to give her a big hug. She laughed but hugged me back before I sat next to her.

"Thanks Lily" I said, and she just smiled.

"Honestly Pop I've actually enjoyed it. I'll admit, maybe I judged him too harshly" she told me, making me smile. "I mean don't get me wrong he was extremely irritating and arrogant lower down the school but, well I think you've changed him for the better" she continued now, and I couldn't help but feel a little proud. "Plus, he's very clearly head over heels in love with you" she told me with a grin, making me blush a little. "And you very clearly love him just as much, right?" she questioned; her voice soft now. It would be churlish to admit it and besides, she was one of my best friends. I nodded, seeing her smile widen. "I'll bet you're loving having him here for the week as well?" she asked with a grin now and I laughed but nodded.

"Oh, very much so" I admitted, making her laugh.

"You saucy thing! How are you two going to cope going back to school?" she asked, seeming genuinely curious. I rolled my eyes and shook my head,

"Lily we don't have sex all the time!" I exclaimed and I saw her raise her eyebrows at this.

"But every night" she said, and I blushed which only made her laugh.

"Well we have to make the most of having the house to ourselves" I replied, and she grinned but nodded.

"Fair point" she conceded. There was a momentary silence as I thought through the question I wanted to ask.

"Lily?" I started, turning to her and seeing her nod. She seemed curious but I still hesitated. "Did you and Luke…?" I trailed off and she blushed. She didn't say anything immediately, looking thoughtful before she nodded. My eyes widened in surprise; she hadn't ever said anything!

"Why didn't you say?!" I exclaimed and she shrugged, still looking very red.

"There was just a lot going on and it seemed…trivial in comparison" she explained slowly. I figured it might have something to do with the common room debacle but still, it was kind of a big thing.

"Lily you could have said! Oh my gosh Fiona is guna freak when she finds out" I told her with a laugh and she joined me, laughing too.

"You're probably right" she admitted, a grin on her face. "Wait until she gets the details" she continued, and I couldn't help but scrunch my face a little at this, only making Lily laugh. "Oh, I know you wanna know really" she teased before starting to tell me the story and I had to admit, I was kind of curious and so settled down a night of girl chat and gossip.