Chapter 46 – In A Mood

OoO

It was weeks since Sirius's announcement, and besides the glares from jealous girls, she couldn't be happier. Valentines was coming closer and Hogsmeade fell in the same weekend. Sirius hadn't mentioned anything, but she figured he wasn't one to celebrate it. Now, she was sitting next to Remus in Charms, Sirius behind her with a grumpy look and crossed arms. She loved him, truly, but she loved her friends too. She loved working with Lily or Remus in class or for study sessions. Sirius always wanted to plant himself right next to her, his arm casually over the back of her chair so he could lean in to whisper easily. But she loved to get a rise out of him when she sat down next to Lily or Remus. But they were okay, if she ever choses to sit next to James, he would mope until she made it up to him in a cupboard. But that's why she loved to rile him up, because at the end of the class, he couldn't keep his hands off her or her lips. Sometimes he didn't even wait until they were in a cupboard or an alcove. He just pushed her against the wall before kissing her, she didn't even register the jealous girls that hissed at her when they walked by. Her entire focus was on the boy in front of her.

Remus whispered something to her to make her laugh. And just like she expected, Sirius leaned forward.

"Psst."

Izzie turned slowly, a small smile on her lips and a raised eyebrow. "Can I help you?"

Sirius eyes sparkled as a lopsided grin appeared on his face. Like she said before, too cute for his own good. "What are you two talking about?"

"You obviously." She couldn't help but say, thinking back at the first time he asked her that at the start of school last year.

"Something interesting?" He grinned.

"Just that I'm a better kisser than you." Remus said not looking up from his work. Sirius glared at his best friend, his mood got even worse when James felt a need to chime in.

"I thought I was the best kisser?" James said as he lazily waved his wand in front of him.

"I -" Izzie didn't know what to say. I mean James was a good kisser, but he couldn't compare to Sirius, Remus or Barty. But that may be because her feelings for them were stronger than they were for James. She was saved from answering when Flitwick dismissed the class. She just packed up her bag and swung it over his shoulder before Sirius leaped over the desk and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Hey, you. Where are you off to in such a hurry?"

"I'm meeting your brother." She smiled up at him, her head resting against his chest as they walked out of the classroom. "Stop pouting, I'm meeting you for dinner."

"I'm not pouting." He said, pouting even more. They heard the others snicker behind them.

"Right." She rolled her eyes grinning. "And what if I would say you're the best kisser in the world?"

"I would believe you if you didn't sound so sarcastic." He grumbled.

"Who do you think is the best kisser?" She asked but she didn't really care, but since he was grumbling about her.

He thought it over for a few seconds. "James, obviously."

"Obviously." She grinned. "I'll see you later." She gave him a peck on the lips and went to turn. But Sirius took a hold on her hand and pulled her back against his chest, giving her a proper kiss.

"Not too bad." She squeezed his hand before she walked down the steps to the dungeons.

OoO

When she reached the Slytherin common room, Evan was already waiting for her. "Hey, Evan."

"Isabelle! Great you're here. Regulus is close to losing it."

"What? What happened?" She asked frantically. The news of Regulus disobeying his parents and broke of his marriage to Izzie went better than anyone had expected. From the rumours, it seemed like more kids to a stand against the old-fashioned habits of their parents. Showing love over traditions. They were happy they still have the private room, but Sirius didn't go into the bedroom anymore since she told him about what his brother and best friend did in there.

"Other than another howler from his parents -" He rolled his eyes. "No, it's about Remus."

"About Remus?" She asked confused. She just sat next to him a class, he didn't seem like anything was the matter.

"I don't know more. He's just pacing in our dorm, muttering things like: Remus, the truth and crazy." He said before the Slytherin common room appeared after he told it the password. "You go, when it comes to Lupin, you're the best to talk to him."

"Thanks, Evan." She smiled before she headed to their dorm. Just like Even said, Regulus was pacing around the spacious dorm, tugging on his hair in frustration. "Reg, what's going on?"

"Isabelle." He stopped before he dropped on one of the trunks, dropping his head between his knees. Izzie walked over and wrapped her arm around him. "I love him, Isabelle. I love him more than anyone."

"I know." She rubbed his arm softly. "And he feels the same about you."

"I have to tell the truth."

Izzie's hand stopped the soothing motions on his arm. "Truth, what truth?"

Regulus sighed, and his knee started to bounce in a fast pace. "That I love him."

"You lost me." She said utterly confused.

"My parents sent me another howler. Telling me I'm a disgrace and they are disgusted with me because of who I'm attracted to." Izzie breathed in deep, trying to calm herself from the anger that flared up inside her. "But I don't care, let them send me letters, howlers, whatever. I care about what you think, what Sirius thinks. I'm not afraid anymore."

"Never thought you were."

"I want to come out. I want to tell the world that Remus is the man I love."

"That's huge, Reggie." She engulfed him in a hug. "I'm so proud of you."

"I just don't know how to do it."

She pulled back as she mulled it over. "The Hogsmeade trip is coming up, why don't you ask Remus on a date?"

"On Valentines day? That's telling everyone we're rather serious, isn't it?"

"But it is." I chuckled. "You and Remus are together for over a year, from all of our friends, you two have been in the longest relationship. That's pretty serious if you ask me."

"Huh." He said with a look of surprise, like he just realised how long they've been together. "I'm going to do it. I'm going to ask him."

"Remus is going to be thrilled!" She jumped up and her eyes scanned the room.

"What are you looking for?"

"The howler from your parents. Do you still have it?"

"Pieces of it." He gestured to the bin in the corner. "Why?" He asked when she rifled through it.

"I'm going to make sure you won't get any letters from them anymore. I can't believe Dumbledore doesn't stop them."

"How-" He was starting to ask, but he stopped. Isabelle had a spell for everything. "Do you get letters from your father or my parents?"

"Wouldn't know." She said as she started waving her wand over the pieces of paper. "Everything they send me burns up ten feet before it reaches me. I can't believe I forgot to do it for you." She looked up from the shredded paper. "I'm so sorry, Reg."

"It's okay." He shrugged. "I can handle a howler or two."

"How many has it really been?" She asked as she made a complicated wand movement over the paper, a movement he has never seen before.

"Eight."

Izzie looked at him for a moment. Even as a now seventeen-year-old, you could see worry lines edged on his face. His hair had grown out a bit, reaching just over his shoulders, almost the same length as Sirius's but his curled more at the end then his brother. His eyes, although grey too, were a shade darker and you could see a hint of blue in them.

"Well, now you won't get any." She said burning the pieces away. "Ready to head to the great hall?" She asked holding out her arm.

"Can't let Sirius Orion Black waiting for too long, can't we?" He smirked, looping his arm through hers. "He really is a lovesick puppy." Before they stepped out the door, he stopped her. "I'm really happy for the both of you. You seem really happy."

"I am." She smiled.

"They you don't mind if I take the mickey out of my brother, don't you?" His eyes sparkled.

"You don't think the others do that already? But if you have to." She sighed with a grin. "Here I thought the noble and proper Regulus Black would leave his brother be."

"He had teased me enough through the years." He said as he opened the door.

"Fair point." She wasn't really looking at the common room, but her eyes found Peter in the corner, talking to some seventh and sixth year Slytherins. "Have you found something out?"

"No." Regulus shook his head as they walked to the exit. "But the ones he's with now are okay. Maybe he just feels left out and found new friends?"

"Doesn't explain the question about the map though."

"I guess it doesn't."

OoO

During dinner, she could hear girls whispering around her and Sirius. He was sitting across from her instead of next to her as they did the past weeks. Was he really upset about the kiss question? The girls must've thought they were fighting or something and thought they had a chance because they were trying to get Sirius attention. But Sirius was immersed in a heavy discussion with Remus and James about the prank they had set for tomorrow.

"So, is James the best kisser?" Lily whispered when dessert came. Izzie saw Sirius stiffen a little even though his speech to his friend didn't falter.

"No, I mean he's a good kisser but nothing spectacular. I think that's partially because we don't have any romantic feeling for each other. I'm guessing you find him a greatest kisser?"

"Oh, he is a great kisser." She looked to her boyfriend, but he was busy scribbling down notes to hear any of it. While Sirius was still listening in. "But there was a boy in France, he did something with his tongue." Lily went crimson as she moaned a little at the thought. Izzie burst out laughing, making the boys turn to them. James looked confused at his flushed girlfriend as he pushed his glasses up his nose.

"I'm intrigued -" Mary's said next to Lily. "What made Izzie laugh like that, and you so red in the face, Evans?"

"I -" If possible, she turned even more red. She glanced to Izzie for help, but she was still laughing, clutching her side.

"Lily?" James asked confused.

"We have to go." Lily jumped up. She pulled a still laughing Izzie to her feet and tugged her out the great hall.

"What the hell was that about?" James looked utterly confused to his friends.

Sirius tried to keep his face placid, but it was hard, especially when he caught Remus's eye. He had heard too! Damn, werewolf hearing. The look between them, made them break and started laughing.

"You know?!" He pointed between his friends. "Tell me."

"Well, apparently you're not the best kisser she has had."

"Don't be ridiculous, I'm an amazing kisser." He puffed his chest.

"Well, maybe the lack of previous girlfriends and kissing partners may have something to do with it." Remus mused.

"I am a great kisser!" James yelled, the ones closest to them all turned to look at him.

"Alright, let's go." Sirius pulled him and the three of them walked out the great hall. Once they were out of earshot, he said. "How do you kiss Evans?"

"Excuse me? A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell."

"If you want to be the best kisser she ever had, you better tell us." Remus said.

"What? You two are going to give me advise?" He raised an eyebrow, which disappeared behind the black fringe.

"Who better?" Sirius laughed and clapped his back. Then his face turned grim when he said the next thing. "I've seen you kiss Izzie. Do you kiss Lily the same way?"

"Of course not! I don't want to push any boundaries."

"Idiot." Remus clapped the back of his head. "I can't believe after years of pining; you finally got her and don't even kiss her properly. Her best kiss was with a French guy, who did something amazing with his tongue."

"You kiss Regulus like that?" He asked Remus. "I know Sirius kissed everyone like that, but you?"

Sirius scowled and pushed his hands in the pockets of his trousers. Remus eyed him for a moment before turning to James. "Of course, he's my boyfriend and I love him. And it would be weird if you haven't kissed like that but have sex – have you and Lily -"

"No." James blushed and scurried up the stairs. That was shocking news for the both of them and they quickly hurried after him. "We've been together for nine months, I think." He said not looking at them. "But I don't want to push anything and scare her away."

"You wouldn't scare her away if you slapped her in the face with your dick." Sirius said. Remus and James looked at him with horror at the thought. "She loves you, mate. Just start with a rather passionate kiss and see from there."

"Have you slapped by best friend in the face with your dick?" Remus growled.

"What?! No! We haven't done anything yet!" Sirius exclaimed. She just made me cum in my pants like a twelve-year-old.

"I'm going to kiss Lily!" James said excitedly as he ran up to the portrait.

"Wait until the right time, Prongs." Remus called after him, shaking his head.

When they entered the common room, it was empty. No Lily or Izzie in sight. James went to check their room because the girls slept in their room almost every night, but they weren't there either. They took a seat in front of the fireplace, their eyes on the girls' staircase. Ten minutes later the common room started to fill but they still didn't come down. When it was eleven, they went to bed without seeing them.

OoO

A few hours after they had fallen asleep, Izzie's scream woke them. It's been a while since she had a nightmare. But maybe that was because she slept in the same bed with Sirius most of the time. Remus was out of the room before anyone could react. A few minutes later he came back with a pale faced Izzie and Lily. Lily hugged her best friend tight before climbing into James's bed.

"Izzie." Sirius said, cradling her head in his hands.

"I'm okay, just tired. Can I sleep with you?" She asked Remus and Sirius heart dropped, lowering his hands from her face.

Before Remus could answer, Sirius jumped in. "Why Remus? You've been sleeping with me for weeks."

"Since you've been in a foul mood since Charms. And I'm not in the mood to deal with it." She rubbed her eyes tiredly.

"I'm sorry. I was being childish." He said cupping her cheek. "I can be a bit jealous."

"No kidding." Remus snorted but he was making his way to his bed, knowing, Izzie would forgive him and sleep in his bed.

"Can we talk about it tomorrow?" She said. Sirius saw her hands tremble.

"Sure, love." He kissed her temple and guided her to his bed. He climbed in after and pulled her against his chest. She breathed in his scent and felt relaxed instantly. "I love you."

"I love you, Sirius." She kissed his shirt clad chest.