Chapter 26

Sirius was getting bloody annoyed. Of course, he was mighty glad that Alaina and James had taken the risk of getting caught to bring him delicious food, but he had another reason. He had wanted to talk to Alaina about the 'proposal' that he had brought up the other day. However, whenever Sirius got close to mentioning it, James would steer off topic and start talking about Lily.

James was now currently running a list through Alaina. He was trying to resolve his long known problem of

'Why won't Lily date me?'. Sirius was watching Alaina most intently as she approved or denied James' requests of ideas for becoming Lily's lover.

Sirius knew that the idea he had brought up to Alaina had been a touchy subject. He had expected to be slapped or at least pushed off of the Quidditch bleachers. Sirius had not expected her to squeal and leap into his arms the way she had. Not that he was complaining, he just had not been expecting it. Even though they had both been extremely happy at Sirius' idea, it all was hanging on whether or not Gryffindor won the quidditch game, and of course they did.

"What about if I lavish her with lots and lots and lots and lots of presents? Then do you think Lily with like me?" James asked with much enthusiasm. Alaina groaned in an exasperated fashion.

"For the last time, James, no!" Alaina muttered, anger etched into every syllable. "Lily does not wanted to be lavished upon! Just be yourself!" James opened his mouth to argue again but Sirius cut him off.

"We have something to talk about, don't we Alaina?" Alaina jumped at being addressed by Sirius, but a smile lit up her face.

"I believe we do, Mr. Black," As she turned her full attention to Sirius. He could not help but grin as he saw James inch out of the room, to give them their much needed privacy. Sirius was extremely grateful, but Alaina did not notice, as her eyes were too transfixed on Sirius.

Sirius, who had a complete speech on how he was going to woe Alaina, stuttered. "I - I, well - quidditch, we won, and I -," Alaina laughed and laid a petite finger on Sirius' lips. He knew he was blushing red, which was quite unusual for the almighty woman lover, Sirius Black.

"I know you won," Alaina whispered, with her blue eyes glittering with hope. "I am proud of you, Sirius." Sirius felt his heart flutter. He had not heard those words very often, and came from her they meant the world.

"So when do I get my prize?" Sirius asked cheekily. Alaina just laughed and kissed his cheek gently. She always knew how to get rid of that attitude, as Sirius had once again started stuttering, with his hand clasped over the spot where her lips had touched him.

"Can that hold you over for now?" Alaina whispered, and Sirius' heart dropped. This had not been what they had been talked about on the pitch.

"What do you mean, Lainy?" Sirius asked as he sat up in his bed. Alaina looked extremely solemn and she did not speak. Sirius' stomach turned inside out at her silence. "You did not break up with him did you Alaina? In your dorm and on the pitch you said that you did not want to date him anymore. That you liked me!"

"I was telling the truth, Sirius! I just did not have time to break up with Jake." Alaina muttered. Sirius was having a hard time believing her.

"What could have occupied your time so badly so that you could not even break up with your boyfriend. It takes a total of five minutes, Alaina Riley!" Sirius growled, growing angrier by the second. Alaina's eyes widened at his sudden hostile behavior and she stood up from her seat.

"Well if you did not realize, Sirius Black, you almost died today!" Alaina snarled. "I am so sorry if my thoughts were completely focused on you and not on my boyfriend. But if you prefer, I could rearrange that for you." Sirius obviously felt terrible and grabbed her slender wrist in his hand.

"I am sorry, Lainy," Sirius moaned, and he coaxed her back into her seat. "I did not mean a word of it, trust me. I should be grateful you stayed here with me all day." Alaina collapsed on the edge of his bed instead of her chair.

"It was so scary, Sirius," Alaina muttered as she looked straight ahead instead of at him. "You falling and I could not do anything to stop you." She turned around and faced him, and Sirius could see her bright blue eyes were filling up with tears. "You almost died." Sirius weakly wrapped his arms tightly around the girl and held her close.

They did not speak for the rest of the time they were alone. Words were quite unnecessary. Sirius and Alaina just held each other tightly until James came back and unwillingly broke up their hug.

"Hey, Lainy," James said quite kindly, and Alaina could quite clearly see how Lily would be able to fall in love with him. "Its time to go back. It is two in the morning." Alaina nodded her head solemnly, kissed Sirius' cheek one last time and disappeared under the cloak with James.

"See you around, Padfoot," Whispered the invisible James. Sirius nodded his head and settled back down on his bed.

"See you later, Prongs," Sirius whispered and then he sighed happily as the Hospital Wing door shut. "You too, love."