Hey there!

Thanks for the great reviews, you guys rock!

Here's chapter two! Hope you enjoy it!

It was after twelve when Rima finally woke up. With a gasp, she shot up right, taking in her surroundings. White stone walls, terrible beds, ugly medicine vials… Yep, she was in the hospital wing all right. Because of him. Sirius Bloody Black. He had to go and get her blood pressure up, even though he knew about her weary condition. Ever since Remus had been bitten, Rima tended to get stressed out easily, so as a result when her blood pressure soared, she became weak and occasionally passed out. The Marauder's would try and calm her down whenever they could, but once in a while one of them would do something stupid and get her sent to the hospital wing.

"Rima?"

Jumping at the sound of another voice, Rima turned her head and saw none other than Lily Evans sat in the chair beside her bed. It couldn't have been a more awkward situation. Rima didn't hate Lily, she just disagreed with her stick in the mud ways. But she'd never really got the chance to know Lily, her being a Marauderette and all. Still, Lily had taken the time to come and keep Rima company, the least she could do was be civil.

"Hey there, Evans." Rima attempted a smile but she was sure it came out as a grimace, "What brings you to my lovely sick bed this fine… er, is it evening or afternoon?"

Lily let out a small chuckle and handed Rima a chocolate frog. How Lily knew she liked chocolate frogs, Rima didn't know. Still, she appreciated it none the less. "It's actually morning, Rima. Madam Pomfrey didn't want to let you out so early so she mixed a dreamless sleep potion into your medicine. But, to answer your question… I wanted to see if you were okay. Black had no right to ask you that in front of everyone, it was a foul thing to do! Potter had the nerve to ask me the same thing too! Apparently, they've been planning this for a while."

Lily's face had become more and more scarlet as she went on and Rima realised it was more from anger than embarrassment. She respected her a little more for that.

"Well, thanks for coming, it's really sweet of you. Of course I'm going to say no to Sirius, I mean, I love him and all… but not like that! What did you say to James? Did you let him down easily?" Rima asked quickly, not wanting to sound too nosy. She wouldn't blame Lily if she'd slapped James.

When she didn't receive a reply from Lily, she knew something was up. The red head was fidgeting too much, it was obvious that she was nervous. Was she afraid Rima would scold her for saying no? Surely not, Evans had far too much pride to think that.

"Lily, are you oka-" Rima began, but was cut off.

"I said yes to Potter!" Lily screeched, looking as if she was a little kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Rima was silent for a few moments trying to absorb what the other girl had said. Lily hated James. With a passion.

"Why.. Um, Lily… why would…why in the name of Merlin's pants did you say yes?" Rima exclaimed finally, handing Lily a box of tissues. She'd started tearing up the minute she'd told Rima what she said.

Rima immediately pulled Lily into a hug, patting her hair to calm her down. Even though Lily was the elder of the two, Rima couldn't help but feel like a mother comforting her child.

"Shh. Shhh Lily," she soothed in a soft voice, "It's okay, it's all going to be okay. I'm here for you. Shhh."

Lily's sobs got louder and louder, they even drowned out the sounds of the young Slytherin's vile coughing attack. "I-I d-d-didn-n't want y-you t-too go thr-rough this a-a-alone!" Lily wailed, gripping onto Rima's jumper even tighter.

Rima froze. Lily had said yes to James, just because she didn't want Rima to go through it alone. Lily was looking out for her. After everything she'd said to the redhead, she had her back. She was a true Gryffindor. After a while, when Lily's sobs subsided, Rima led her back over to her chair and the two girl got settled back into their respective places.

"Lily… what exactly happens when purebloods find their 'bride'?" Rima wearily questioned. Her voice shook with nerves but she refused to let them over power her. She was a Gryffindor for Godric's sake! Where was her brave heart of steel?

"Well," Lily sniffed, "They have to go through a.. trial, sort of. The pair live together for a while and have to follow a set of guide lines to see if they're compatible. But that's only if they pass the first test. Apparently, the pureblood knows when he's found his bride, because when he turns fifteen, all he can think about is her. It's like destiny, the two are bonded from the minute they're born. Soul mates. Sort of like how a Veela is with their mate, but less possessive."

"So… let me get this straight. We've been magically bonded to our 'groom' since we were born, just so we could meet them and marry them?" Rima concluded. It sounded more trouble than it was worth, but she wasn't about to let Lily go through this alone.

"Yeah, kind of. That's why… I think we'll be okay…Deep down, they're good guys…" Lily uttered softly, not looking at Rima, face tinted a light pink.

Rima found herself nodding along but jumped when the hospital wing door was pushed open. And none other than Sirius Black and James Potter came striding in, their faces the picture of worry. Lily and Rima both blushed brilliant shades of red upon seeing them. It was like their senses had been heightened and they were seeing the boys for the first time.

Sirius' face, upon closer inspection, was much more defined than Rima had ever noticed. His nose was straight and elegant, giving his stormy grey eyes a more masculine, mysterious feel. His high cheek bones made his face look more aristocratic as if he was of royal descent, and his lips looked more full, soft even. His hair seemed a darker shade than Rima thought it was, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw him brush it back messily. Honeslty… what was happening to her? All she could see was Sirius, standing in front of her. She'd never realised it before, but he was so much taller than James. He towered over Rima, but instead of feeling intimidated, she felt secure, safe… protected.

"All right, Rima?" Sirius hesitantly asked, grasping her right hand ever so slowly. His eyes stayed locked with hers as he stepped forward, closing the gap between them a little.

"Sirius…" Rima breathed, her free hand placed on his shoulder in case he go to close. "You look different, I'm confused. Sirius, what's happening to me?" Her breath was coming out in short bursts and she could feel her blood pressure start to rise. As calmly as he could, Sirius pulled Rima into his arms and ran his hand down her back in a soothing motion.

"Shh, love. You're okay. It's just the effect of the proposal. It doesn't always happen, but it has for you and Lily. I know you're saying no to me, and I want you to know I'm fine with it. You're still my special girl, you hear?"

Rima sucked in a breath and looked down at the floor. It was now or never. "Uum, actually… I'm saying… my answer that is, well… erm, I'll… I'll be your bride, Siri."

Sirius' face froze, and Rima even suspected that he'd stopped breathing. Her face was even brighter than it was before and looking over to Lily, she almost giggled. James was sat on the bed so he and Lily were the same height and had his arms around her waist. Lily looked like she wanted to die, right then and there. When she caught Rima looking, she gave a small smile and a little wink. Rima returned the gesture and looked back at the floor. She stumbled a little when Sirius gently pushed her back but she didn't dare look up. Sirius placed a gentle finger under her chin and titled her face until he could see her face clearly. His eyes bore into hers with an intensity she didn't know existed.

"Really?" He breathed, "You're not joking?"

Rima's heart missed a beat as she tried to form the words in her mouth. "Re..Really," she confirmed airily. It wasn't until she could feel Sirius' breath on her face that she realised he was leaning in for a kiss. Rima wanted to argue, to beat the living daylights out of him, to punch him right in the kisser. But, strangely enough, she found herself leaning in as well and before she knew it, her eyelids were fluttering.

'No! No! I don't want this!' she screamed in her head.

"OH MY GOD! THERE'S A SNAKE!" Lily screamed frantically, pointing towards Madam Pomfrey's office. Immediately, the two boys swept around, trying to find this snake. Lily took the chance to grab the dazes Rima and made a dash for the exit. Rima eventually clogged on to what was going on and sped up, much to the protest of Sirius and James.

"Sorry boys, if you want us to be your brides, you gotta catch us first!" Rima and Lily cackled in unison, high tailing it from the hospital wing. They had no idea where they were going, all they knew was that they had to get away. Fast.

Hehe.

I know it's not great, but what do you think?

Please R&R

PolkaDots44 over and out~