Chapter 11: Christmas

"Be of good heart." – Vincent van Gogh

"Your notes are sickeningly neat. Do you know that Burke?"

Ava shot Sirius a playful glare, but couldn't stop the soft laughter that escaped her lips at his joke. It was nice to be back to normal with him. Even if that did mean him relentlessly teasing her during their DADA lessons. In fact, she hadn't realised just how much she'd missed his annoying antics until today.

"I quite like being able to read them…which is more than I can say for that mess." She replied, glancing down at Sirius's crumpled paper and smudged ink in despair. "What are you going to do when you have to study?"

Sirius flashed her a charming grin, leaning back in his chair with an air of confidence most boys could only dream of mustering. "Study? I've never heard of such a thing." Mischief twinkled in his grey eyes as tossed his quill to one side. "Besides I'm lucky enough to have a desk partner who writes oh-so neatly aren't I?"

Ava wasn't sure if it was the deep tone of Sirius's voice or the handsomeness of his smile, but she found herself entirely disarmed. It didn't happen often but in the close proximity of DADA lessons, it was impossible not to pay attention to Sirius's good looks.

It almost wasn't fair that he was allowed to strut around looking the way he did…And, she wasn't the only one to think it, plenty of other girls thought so to and openly gossiped about it all over the Castle. So, it was hardly her fault she had started to notice herself.

"Wow, your attention span isn't great is it?"

Ava snapped out of her thoughts, a deep crimson blush creeping across her face as Sirius chuckled quietly at her embarrassment.

"Thinking about something Burke?"

The suggestive tone only made her cheeks burn hotter, forcing her to duck her head and allow a cascade of her dark curls to fall across her face as a protective shield from his gaze. Although, sadly trying to evade Sirius's eyes only made her catch Evan's cold blue ones across the classroom.

He didn't look happy.

Thankfully Professor Prewett took that precise moment to intervene and announce the end of the class, much to Ava's relief. She barely even registered Sirius trying to catch her attention as she murmured a quick goodbye, grabbed her things and fled Evan's curious gaze.

Sirius stared after her in confusion, surprised by the sudden change in her mood. "Well, that was odd." He commented as Remus approached him. Fortunately, James was too busy wrestling Peter into an affectionate headlock to pay too much attention to the other two's conversation.

Remus gave him a small smile, the tiredness from their late night excursions last week was evident in the dark shadows beneath his eyes. Still, they were better than the torturous exhaustion of spending transformations alone. "Perhaps she just needed to get some work done?" He offered kindly, no doubt attempting to avoid troubling Sirius with talk about one of his least favourite Slytherins.

Sirius flashed him a disbelieving expression before shooting a furious look in Evan's direction. "Sure, that's why she left her book behind." He replied, pointing at the object as if it offended him personally. "I think it has more to do with that prat-"

Remus cut him off with a swift interruption before he could launch into revenge planning mode. A wise decision considering James and Peter were making their way over and would undoubtedly want to participate in any troublemaking. "I'll give it back to her. We have prefect duty together tonight anyway."

Sirius shot him a disgruntled look, almost as if he were disappointed to be handing an excuse to talk to Ava over to Remus, before he passed him the book. "You're definitely the good boy out of us Moony. No wonder you got the badge."

"Thanks for waiting."

Remus nodded in acknowledgment as Ava flashed him a wide smile, hurrying to meet him at the end of the deserted corridor. It had become somewhat of a tradition for him to pick her up from a mid-way point of the castle, almost neutral territory between their two rival common rooms. She had seemed deeply appreciative of the gesture, especially in recently weeks.

He supposed she was trying her best to avoid awkward unwanted run-ins with her fellow Slytherin prefect.

They slipped into a comfortable conversation as they began to patrol, Remus chuckling softly as she described in brilliant detail how Benjy had ended up in detention with Professor Sprout for exploding a mandrake across the classroom.

"He sounds like he could give Sirius and James a run for their money." He joked, a sly grin creeping onto his face as he saw a slight blush spread across Ava's cheeks.

He wondered if she knew how much she was giving away. Sirius clearly wasn't aware that he had shown a hint of his feelings earlier as he begrudgingly handed over the text book. What a pair of idiots.

"Before I forget, you left this behind in DADA by the way." He explained, the thought jogging his memory. Ava slapped her forehead in mock condemnation as she gratefully took the book from him.

"Thanks so much Remus. I've been looking for this all day."

He lifted his eyebrows in surprise. "Getting started on Professor Prewett's homework this early?"

Ava gave him a sheepish grin, looking rather embarrassed as she nodded in agreement. "I feel like I need the head start." She glanced down at the book in her hands. "DADA doesn't come naturally to me and I- I just know how important it is…even more so now."

A sombre look crossed her face and Remus shifted uncomfortable. It was clear that the dark events occurring outside the walls of Hogwarts were still lurking in all of their minds. The war never seemed too far away.

It was only as he took in Ava's flustered appearance that he realised it was genuinely something that was troubling her.

"Is everything okay?" He asked kindly, halting his steps to give her his full attention.

She bit her lip nervously, her fingers running down the spine of the book. "I just wish I was better at it. Defensive spells are one of the things I need to learn most, yet every single bloody lesson I struggle with them."

Remus shot her a sympathetic smile, reaching a hand forward to pat her gently on her shoulder. "Trust me you're not bad at DADA Ava. You just need more confidence in yourself."

She rolled her eyes playfully. "To stop overthinking things? I've heard that before…from your friend no less."

Remus grinned widely at the revelation. Of course, Sirius would say that. No one could ever accuse him of overthinking anything. "It might be one of those rare occasions he's right." He chuckled at her soft laugh of amusement. "Honestly Ava, you can do it. You just have to believe you can."

His tone was sincere and filled with compassion, prompting her to shoot him a shy smile. Clearly, she didn't enjoy the attention being on her.

"Has anyone ever told you that you'd make a brilliant teacher Remus?"

He let out a howl of laughter. Certainly, no one had ever told him that.

Ava nudged him gently to stop his laughter. "I mean it! Professor Lupin has a ring to it too."

He shook his head, smiling softly as he realised she was being serious. "Thanks Ava, but I don't think that will be my calling." If only she knew what he was. How ludicrous the thought of a werewolf becoming a teacher was…

She rolled her eyes playfully. "Well, you've gotten through to me in a way Professor Prewett could only dream of." She told him, her tone teasing yet the words entirely genuine.

The declaration gave him pause for thought. She seemed so miserable earlier about the entire topic, so if he could help her out why wouldn't he?

"Ava, if you ever want- I mean I'd be happy to-" He paused, struggling to get his sentences out. It was outside his comfort zone and made him incredibly nervous. But after all the adventures he and his friends had been on recently and them risking everything for his happiness, he felt the urge to pay it back and do something for someone else.

Ava deserved the same. Yet there didn't seem to be too many people in her own House willing to do it for her.

"What I'm trying to say is if you ever want a hand studying, I'd be happy to help." He said quietly, not daring to look at her.

Ava tilted her head as if considering the proposal. "Like a tutor?" She asked, her lips twitching upwards into a smile.

"I mean only if you-"

She laughed softly, swiftly interrupting his attempt to cast doubt on his own abilities. "I think that sounds like a great idea. You're one of the best in the class and I definitely need the help." She flashed him a brilliant bright smile. "Thanks Remus."

By the time the Hogsmeade Christmas visit arrived, it was clear that everyone was desperate for the holidays to begin. A welcome break from the stress of fifth year, the prospect of browsing the shops and drinking butterbeer was a very attractive one indeed.

But first, Ava had to survive a Zonko's trip with Benjy…which was no easy feat.

Ten minutes in and he had already pranked her, giving her the shock of her life with a nose-biting teacup. Subsequently she had sought refuge in the corner, eyeing him suspiciously as he enthusiastically delved into the jokes and tricks.

Ava half-wished wished she had taken Dorcas up on her rather unexciting offer of accompanying her to Tomes and Scrolls, but a part of her really wanted to make it up to Benjy after feeling like such a terrible friend. It was safe to say she was receiving her punishment now.

Distracted by her thoughts, Ava didn't notice the person approaching until their hand clasped her shoulder.

"Merlin! Benjy, stop scar-" She halted herself mid-shriek as Sirius's smirk came into focus. "Oh, it's you…"

He flashed her a wide grin, leaning comfortable on the shelf behind him before casting a bemused glance. "I wouldn't have thought you would be a Zonko's fan Burke? Seems like too much…fun for a prefect like you if you ask me."

Ava rolled her eyes at his jest, knowing by the mischievous twinkle in his grey eyes that he was only teasing her for affect. Yet, a couple of months ago and she probably would have cursed him green again for that comment. It really did show how much they had grown.

"It's a useful place to scope for Benjy's Christmas presents." She replied, inclining her head towards her friend as he delved into a jar of hiccough sweets. "Seems like you two would get along."

Sirius smiled and the gesture was so genuine that Ava felt her eyebrows raise in surprise. It was hard to believe that a member of the Black Family, the sacred 28 would be pleased by the comparison to a muggleborn. Yet, Sirius seemed rather amused by apparent resemblance.

It was also in stark contrast to Evan's hatred.

"Seems like it." He responded cheerfully, turning his attention back to her and not seeming to notice her dazed expression. "Are you all set for Christmas then?"

Ava smiled softly, mildly pleased by the friendly conversation. It felt great to finally be on good terms with the Gryffindor student again. "I'm more than ready to get home." She replied, grinning at the mere thought of returning home to her crazy household. "You?"

Sirius smile fell and his shoulders dropped slightly. "Ah, I'm the opposite actually." The quiet tone of his voice made it clear that his family reunion wouldn't be happy at all. Ava felt her heart sink in response. It was so unnerving to see someone like Sirius like this. All his confidence seemed to have evaporated at the unwelcome reminder of his family.

Of course, she knew a little bit about his home life through Regulus's offhanded comments. But she had never imagined it would be this bad. In fact, she had found his stories about Sirius upsetting their mother by sticking up posters of scantily clad muggle girls rather amusing last year.

It just felt like he had a talent and pride for winding his old-fashioned parents up. She hadn't ever stopped to think about if it actually hurt him.

A moment of silence passed, before Ava decided to speak. She was unsure of what to say, but she still wanted to do something to get rid of the unusual sombre expression on Sirius's face.

"Sirius, I'm sorry I-"

He brushed off her concern, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly and flashing her a charming grin. It was difficult to tell if it were genuine. "It's fine. Don't strain yourself Burke." He joked. "Besides I'm sure James's parents will be willing to give a stray Black a home. Mrs Potter's dinner are much better too."

Ava couldn't help but smile at his teasing tone, rather glad at the shift in conversation. "Well, I hope you had a good one…wherever you end up."

Sirius seemed surprised at her genuine kindness, nodding at her in appreciation. "Thanks. You too Burke." He grinned widely as he reached forward to offer her something concealed in his palm. "Consider this your Christmas gift."

Ava warily outstretched her hand, half-expecting the object to explode at any moment. It didn't seem like Sirius to pass up the opportunity to playfully torment her. Yet as she stared down at gift, she found herself stunned. A sugar quill.

She glanced up at Sirius as if silently requesting an explanation for the kind gesture. He looked strangely embarrassed as he shrugged his shoulders.

"I know you eat them all the time in class, so…"

Perhaps this unusual friendship would take more getting used to that they thought.

AN/ More fluff! Does anyone else think Sirius is head over heels and doesn't even realise it? He's super soft underneath all the troublemaking… But more angst and drama are also on the horizon! Make sure to check out the next chapter which will feature Regulus (yay!), Lily (yay!) and Evan (boo!).