I'm dedicating this chapter to OmenProphecy, who has given some of the best reviews in existence. Also, OmenProphecy, your wish has been granted!
Secondly, there aren't many chapters left any more – we're winding our way to the finish. I had a request for you guys – could you, please, pretty please, help the fanfiction reach a hundred reviews by the thirtieth and last chapter? I would appreciate it so much.
Deep Pockets
They say that the shock of an even almost always wears off after sometime.
They would be so wrong, it's not even fun to begin explaining how wrong they would be.
June was still reeling from the shock of having been kissed in the middle of the great hall. I mean, who wouldn't be? Especially since she was being interrogated and watched with every move she made.
"You okay?" asked Mary as she caught up with June for Charms. June had just been cornered and questioned, just like she had been for the whole day. This was the last class of the day.
"Uh huh," said June, her eyes darting here and there.
"You don't look okay," said Mary slowly.
"Oh, I'm fine," said June in a high, squeaky voice, "I'm brilliant. I know it's coming out all high and squeaky and weird, but really, I'm fine."
"Right," said Mary, "Oye! I think her systems have crashed!" she called over her side.
Lily and Marlene looked up from their seats – they were sitting right across, "All of them?" asked Marlene loudly.
"Oh, yes," said Mary with a vigorous nod, as June started slamming a book to her forehead.
"Damn you, Black," said Lily good humoredly.
"Allow me to fix the problem," said Sirius with a charming grin, "May I sit near Leto for this class?"
June gave a single, terrified stare which should have spoken in volumes of how little she wanted this, echoing across the galaxy of how she would like the earth to open up and swallow her whole.
"Sure," said Mary with a grin.
"Thank you," said Sirius, graciously.
Mary slid across the desk and out, laughing as she did so. She grinned and slipped into the chair near James.
"Hello Leto," said Sirius through the corner of his mouth, as Flitwick came strolling in.
June blanched.
"Had a nice day, I presume?" he asked politely.
June nodded a little to vigorously, as if she was trying to force her head to move, and once it did, it refused to stop.
"You're not going to talk?" he asked.
June made an extravagant sign of how her throat had been slit via a very helpful index finger, which prodded her neck.
"Well, I can find a solution to that," said Sirius with a grin. He slipped out a parchment of paper, and wrote in neat handwriting:
Watch out.
June was just going to ask him what he meant by that anyway, when Marlene poked her with the sharp end of her wand.
June promptly jumped and brushed against Sirius, which sent her jumping again to the other end of the table.
June glared at Marlene, who mouthed as Lily laughed, "What? You weren't getting a freaking move on and someone had to force you!"
June glared again for good measure, when Sirius' hand brushed across hers, and she gulped. "No worries," said Sirius, "I was just going to borrow your ink. Is that okay?"
June whispered, "Yes."
"Ah, she speaks!" said Sirius, "It's like getting you off your guard all over again. Starting from scratch, aren't I, June?"
June managed a smile. Encouraged by the success of managing to make her facial muscles move, she said, "I suppose so."
"Well, maybe not scratch," said Sirius, wrinkling his nose, "You couldn't even look at me from the beginning."
"I could too!" said June, defensively.
"No, I didn't even know the color of your eyes, remember?" said Sirius triumphantly, "Which reminds me – I should compliment you on those. I didn't manage it when I first saw them. They are the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen."
June went completely and utterly red – what on earth was this freaking warm feeling? She got flustered, and said "Uh. I don't have – I mean, they aren't so -"
"Yes, they are," said Sirius, cutting her across.
June went, if possible, even redder.
"And, you look lovely when you blush."
Marlene sighed visibly as she heard Sirius said so.
June only went into complete shock.
"Here's to looking at you, kid," said Sirius raising his glass – which they were supposed to be charming. Somewhere in the corner, he heard Lily gasp.
"I'll come till the library with you," said Mary, rushing up to June.
Once they were out of Sirius' sight, Mary eyed June slyly. "Oh, stop looking at me like that," said June, "I know what you are thinking."
"I'm sorry, but you guys are adorable!" squealed Mary.
"He's the most annoying person I have met."
"And he seems to know just how to handle you," said Mary, her eyes twinkling.
"Oh, go away. I have an essay to write."
Mary left after sometime, and June began to work on her essay. Her concentration was terribly slippery, though. At one point, she just lay her head on the book, thinking.
"Hello. May I sit here?" asked a small voice.
A second year with red hair smiled nervously, and June nodded, shifting her books about.
"I'm Annie," she said.
"June," muttered June.
"Say, you're the girl Sirius Black kissed this morning."
June groaned. "That seems to be the only thing people are talking about."
"You seem to be oddly against speaking of it," said the girl mischievously, "I wonder why."
"You and the rest of the world," said June.
"Aha! So you admit to something!"
"No, I don't!" said June defensively, "And excuse me, but why is a scrawny second year asking me such things?"
"Scrawny! Scrawny! I ask you! I'm in third year, for your kind information!"
"Could have fooled me," said June, wrinkling her nose.
"Oh, please. You're too tiny to be a sixth year."
"I am not!" said June, horrified, "I am just the right size."
"Meanwhile, I'm the queen of England."
"You'd be a terrible queen of England," said June, at once.
"Looks like someone's passing judgements with a skilled hand," said Annie the queen of England.
"Excuse me for referring to first impressions."
"Well, I think I broke your shell somewhat. They say you're really shy."
June recoiled at that, realizing what an easy conversation she had just conducted. "Oh, now don't do that!" said Annie the redhead, "I just went through so much effort – degrading myself to be a terrible queen of England. You shan't shut up again after that."
June laughed, "Alright."
June woke up with a start.
The library was utterly and completely dark. June had hidden in a corner and passed by Madam Pince's eyes unnoticed. June was used to that. However, she had dozed off at around eleven, and she could tell that it was way past twelve right now.
June jerked up, and with a twitch of her wand, restored all the books to their respective places, quietly. Having done as much, she began to move as silently as possible, out of the library.
Of course, right as she was out of the library, she managed to knock down a suit of Armour.
"Padfoot, go to sleep," yawned James.
"In a bit," said Sirius – he was trying to wrap up some loose ends of an essay.
"Right. I'm going to bed," said James, getting up.
"Okay," said Sirius, distractedly, "Leave the map – I may need to go for some coffee."
James let a moldy piece of parchment flutter down to the table, and Sirius looked up from his essay. This was going to be a long night.
He tapped the map with his wand "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," he said dramatically.
Dumbledore was in his office, McGonagall peacefully sleeping, the rest of the teachers in their respective beds. Peeves seemed to be bouncing along in the Trophy room, and the bloody baron was moaning in the North tower. Now that's interesting – what was little June Leto doing walking away from the library?
Sirius bit his lip and looked around June's vicinity. There was a swiftly moving figure of Pringle coming her way.
June glanced around nervously. She was sure she had heard someone or something coming her way.
"Damn this," she muttered, taking a sharp turn to the left. She seemed to be lost.
"Tsk tsk, Leto," came a drawling voice, "Using language like that."
June whirled around sharply to see Sirius leaning against the wall.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"So unhappy to see me," said Sirius with a grin, "When all I did was come to help you."
"What for?" asked June, wheezing.
"Pringle is coming your way."
June gasped, as she heard the shuffling noise of the familiar gait.
She began running across the corridor – Sirius caught up with her, simply striding a little faster than usual.
"Need my help?" he asked smugly.
"No!" she said forcefully. Just then, the corridor came to a dead end. June groaned, and jumped behind a suit of Armour. Sirius lazily leaned against the wall next to her.
"He is going to catch you. It's fairly late. You're going to be in deep trouble," he said in a sing-song voice.
"How can you help?" she asked desperately.
"Because love, I'm Sirius Black."
She could almost hear Pringle rushing down the corridor in a hurry. Was she imagining the meow of Mr Whiskers?
"Then why don't you?" she asked, straining her ears.
"I have deep pockets," said Sirius diffidently, enjoying the situation.
She could hear Pringle's wheezy breath, and his shuffling feet.
"What do you mean?" she asked, grasping at straws.
"Bribery, love. I accept bribes." Sirius said with a tone of oh-that-was-so-obvious-I-can't-believe-you-didn't- get-it.
She was sure she didn't imagine Mr Whiskers' meow this time.
"Name your price." she whispered desperately.
Sirius fingered his lips with a smug look, and his meaning became obvious.
"Oh, come on," she whispered to herself, but as soon as she heard the all to real breath of Pringle, she pecked him quickly on the lip.
"My dear Miss Leto, I think even you can do better than that." Sirius said in scandalized tones.
"That's all you'll get for now! Save me and get the rest!" She said.
"Fair enough," he said, pulling her close, "Never took you for a haggler."
"What are you do-" began June, but Sirius pressed a hand on her lips, and threw a cloth over them. June was just about to bite his hand and remark on the uselessness of a cloth in the operation of trying to hide them, when she noticed that it was an invisibility cloak.
Sirius left her mouth and pressed a finger to his lips. June had to look sideways and upwards to see the motion and respond with a nod – her back was pressed up against his chest. She suddenly realized the close proximity to Sirius and felt incredibly, undeniably, and utterly nervous.
Pringle came along their way, his shuffling footsteps moving across the dead ended corridor. His face leered sharply, and Mr Whiskers' glared at the corner June and Sirius were hiding in.
"Bloody hate that cat," muttered Sirius in June's ear.
June only gulped.
"Let's go Mr Whiskers," muttered Pringle sourly.
June let out a breath softly.
Pringle's footsteps faded, and Sirius lead her softly out of the corridor, opposite wherever Pringle was going and into a broom cupboard.
"I think he's gone," said Sirius cheerfully.
"Thank God," said June with a sigh.
"Now, I think I would like my payment," said Sirius with a grin.
"Si-Sirius," muttered June.
"Yes, June?" asked Sirius, leaning against the wall on the opposite end, watching her.
"Are you going to stop me from leaving?" she asked.
"Not at all," said Sirius with a smile, "You may leave whenever you wish."
June bit her lip. There was this part of her, this completely suppressed and controlled part of her, that wanted him to stop her from leaving, unless she kissed him.
"I already proved my willingness to kiss you, June," said Sirius seriously, "Tis your turn."
June bit her lip again. She glanced at the door. Then she glances at Sirius.
"Sod this," she muttered, making her way to Sirius, pushing her hair behind.
"You push the arms away," she muttered, a look of concentration on her face.
Sirius just looked bemused.
"You lean in," she muttered, standing on her toes, "I'm sorry, I can't lean. I'm too short."
"Go on," said Sirius.
"You bring the lips closer," she whispered – her breath brushed across his lips.
Sirius' breath got caught in his throat.
"And then..." she muttered.
Sirius had no idea kisses were lethal.
"Right," muttered June, pushing herself away, and trying – in vain – to straighten her skirt.
"C'mere," said Sirius yanking her closer, and kissing her. Again.
This is getting to be a bit of a habit...
"Sirius," she muttered between breaths,
"No," he firmly stated, and the snog session continued.
"Sirius!"
"No."
"I need to go," she said breathlessly, pushing him away.
"Hmph," said Sirius crossly.
"Why, though?" she asked, as an afterthought.
"Why what?" asked Sirius.
"Why me?" she asked.
"You really need to look at yourself in a mirror, Leto."
"Oh, don't give me that."
"Honestly."
"I'm not your 'type'" said June with a glare.
"No, I think you're exactly my type," said Sirius idly, "Smart, witty, brave, beautiful. Just my type."
June blushed completely red.
"Plus, you look lovely when you blush."
June's heart decided that it was time it learned acrobatics – it swooped precariously though her stomach.
"Aha!" came the wheezy voice of Pringle.
Well. Isn't Karma a bitch?
"Oh, you're getting into hell for this," said Pringle gleefully.
June stared at her feet.
"Adrian? What's going on?" came the mildly surprised voice of Albus Dumbledore.
June and Sirius had been hauled out of the broom cupboard, completely in disgrace. June had been shamefacedly contemplating her explusion, while Sirius was quite cheerful.
"I found these two," said Pringle, his voice dropping, "In the broom cupboard."
Albus Dumbledore's eyebrows shot up. This was a fairly rare site. Unfortunately, there was no photographer present.
"Is that so?" asked Dumbledore.
"Would you like me to deal with them, Professor?" asked Pringle.
"No, Pringle, I shall take care of these two," said Dumbledore evenly.
"What?" asked Pringle, shocked.
"I shall take care of them."
"Professor – what are going to do to them?" asked Pringle.
"How about double detention?" asked Dumbledore, a spark twinkling in his eyes.
"Very well, sir," grumbled Pringle, "Where?"
"The Astronomy tower," said Dumbledore, a hint of laughter in the curve of his mouth, "There is a room there – in the left wing, on the top – requires cleaning. Why don't you both head there tomorrow evening, at eight?"
Sirius grinned, "Yes, sir!" he said.
June could see, with little recognized horror and extreme excitement, what was going on.
"And no magic," said Dumbledore with a sense of sternness, "You should be there for a long time."
Oh, for the love of all that is holy.
Sirius nodded enthusiastically. June nodded weakly.
"Mr Pringle," said Dumbledore, "Please see they reach their common room."
Pringle grumbled as he shuffled along the way. June did not dare look at Sirius.
"Where were you all night?" asked her roommates as she returned at half past one.
"I was being set up on a date by Albus Dumbledore," said June dumbly.
"What?" asked Lily.
"Dumbledore," said June, taking her shoes off in a daze, "He set me up on a date."
"Okay..." said Mary, "Is it me, or does the weirdest stuff happen to her?"
"With whom?" asked Dorcas sensibly.
"Sirius," said June, sitting down on her bed as if it was all a dream.
"How?" all of them asked together.
"Pringle caught us in a broom cupboard," began June.
"What on earth," said Marlene, "Was your fluffy bunny face doing in a broom cupboard, in the middle of the night, with Sirius Black?!"
"I was returning from the library," explained June, "And Pringle was coming after me. So, Sirius found me, and offered to help out. Dragged me to a broom cupboard."
"Please tell me you snogged his brains out," said Marlene.
June blushed.
"Oh my god, you cheeky little minx, you did!" said Marlene gleefully.
"You did?" asked Lily tentatively.
June nodded bleakly.
"Hallelujah!" said Marlene giddily, "I seem to be repeating that a lot, but alright! Hallelujah!"
"Then what happened?" asked Mary.
"Pringle caught us," said June, "And then Dumbledore stumbled on Pringle telling us off."
"Then?" asked Dorcas.
"Then, Dumbledore gave us double detention," all of them gasped, "In the astronomy tower," - "No freaking way," muttered Mary, "To clean stuff,"- "This is brilliant," said Marlene, "Without magic, and alone."
"I always knew I liked Dumbledore for a reason!" said Marlene happily.
"Where have you been?" asked James blearily.
"James, did it ever occur to you," said Sirius, grinning like a madman, "That Albus Dumbledore, is possibly the best wingman imaginable?"
And that's that! Please, please, please, please, review! I want the story to get a hundred before it finishes off!
So... what did you guys think?