Chapter 6
"Good Morning," I said happily as I sat down next to Lily at the breakfast table. Lily was buttering her toast when I walked in.
"You seem overly happy," Lily said noticing I was practically bouncing out of my seat.
"Why wouldn't I be? Life's amazing," I said. Lily sighed, put down her toast, and stared me straight in the face.
"I'm not saying there is a problem with it Gwen. When did you go to bed last night?" she asked.
"What are you, my mother?" She eyed me curiously so I answered he question. "Three."
"What on earth were you doing up so late? Did Sirius come down?" Lily asked. I blushed answering her question.
"Okay, what did the two of you do?" Lily asked. She was completely ignoring her breakfast.
"We talked and lied on the couch, nothing else, I promise. Don't tell James, he'll think the worst," I replied. Lily nodded understandingly.
"I won't tell. Sorry about prying so much. I just have to look out for you. I don't want you making rash decisions and I know you won't talk to James. You're so young, both you and Sirius," Lily said.
"Rash decisions? Lily, have you forgotten you're dating my brother? He is the king of rash decisions," I said. "You can talk to me too. I know James is my brother but I don't care; you can talk to me about anything." Lily nodded.
"Hello love," James said taking a seat next to Lily. She smiled and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. I smiled to myself and started eating my breakfast.
"Hey Gwen, Sirius wanted me to give this to you," James said reaching over the table to get the note to me. I smiled.
"Thanks James. I'll see you two later. I'll leave you to your snogging. I have my own to do," I said and swiftly left before James could say anything. I stopped in the hall and opened my letter and started to read.
Gwyneth Rose Potter, my love. You are the brightest witch I have ever met. (Don't tell Lily I said that) It is time for our second date. With each note will be a test on how well you know me. Your next note will be found where I spend most of my time. See you soon.
With all my love,
Sirius
He was so sweet; I thought a moment, trying to think about where he spent most of his time. He spent most of it with the Marauder's so where do they go. Then it clicked, they all share a dormitory together. I quickly headed up to Gryffindor tower and up the boys spiral staircase before bursting through the seventh years dormitory.
"Hey, what in the world are you doing in here?" Michael, a seventh year, protested from his bed.
"Sorry Michael; did Sirius leave anything in here for me?" I asked him, but when I looked he was fast asleep on his pillow. I shook my head and started wondering if I got the clue wrong. I didn't know which bed was Sirius' which was quite irritating.
"Sirius' bed is the only one made. I suppose he did that for you," came a voice from the doorway. I turned to see Remus standing there. I looked and the only bed that was made had a little note and a rose lying on top of it. I picked it up and turned to Remus.
"Thanks Remus. Honestly, you boys are extremely messy," I said turning to the room.
"Yeah, well, usually I'm the only one to make my bed but Sirius begged me not to until you came to get the note. He thought you would be able to find his bed easier," Remus explained.
"Well, thank you for your help Remus," I said turning to leave the room.
"Sirius loves you, you know. Out of all the girlfriends he has ever had, he cares for you the most," Remus said. I smiled.
"I'll see you later Remus." And I dashed from the room. I walked down to the common room to read my next note.
Gwen, I hope you liked the rose, I know they are your favorite. Your next clue is my favorite hobby and the only thing we have been doing together for four years. Love you lots.
Sirius
I smiled, this one was easy. James and Sirius were both on the Quidditch team as second years but I didn't join till a year later. I ran from the common room and out into the open air. It was cool and crisp as fall was setting in. I decided the note would most likely be in the locker room so that where I went and sure enough on one of the benches there was a note. I quickly opened it.
You figured them all out congratulations.
I looked around for anything else that could be a clue for what was supposed to happen next. After finding nothing, I placed my hands on my hips, standing there frustrated.
"Is that honestly it Sirius? What in the world am I suppose to do now?" I huffed angrily. I always new what to do.
"You are obviously supposed to go on a picnic. I'm surprised you didn't figure it out?" someone said behind me. I turned and standing in the doorway was Sirius holding a picnic basket and a single rose.
"That rose better be for me," I said jokingly. Sirius smiled mischievously moving the rose out of my reach.
"Can I kiss you first?" he asked walking toward me. I looked at him curiously.
"Since when do you need to ask permission to kiss me? You can when ever you want unless I say otherwise," I explained. He kept walking toward me until we were only inches apart.
"Well in that case..." and he lifted my head so my lips met his. I wrapped my arms around his neck pulling him closer and he practically picked me up off the ground, spinning me in circles. When we finally broke apart, I couldn't stop grinning.
"I have something to show you," Sirius said grabbing my hand and leading me out the locker room and off the Quidditch pitch. I didn't argue and let Sirius lead me toward the lake.
"See that hill over there? There is this little sheltered spot and a cove over there completely blocked from view. It is my favorite place to go," Sirius said, still guiding me there. When we made in to the special place, I stood there in awe.
"Sirius, this is amazing," was all I could say, and it was. Sirius had set up a blanket for us to sit on and there were little plates and a vase of roses in the center. It was absolutely stunning.
"I'm glad you like it. We can eat now if you like", Sirius said placing the picnic basket down by the blanket. I nodded and sat down and Sirius joined me. Sirius opened the basket and pulled out two sandwiches and handed one to me.
"Oh my god, Sirius, this is a turkey sandwich, isn't it?" I said looking at the sandwich.
"Yeah, is that okay?" Sirius asked cautiously. I nodded vigorously.
"They are my favorite," I said taking a bite. We finished our sandwiches in silence. When we were finished Sirius peered in to the basket curiously.
"Let's see what else is in here..." Moments later, two cream pies and two bottles of butterbeer were lifted out of the basket. "Here you go," Sirius said handing me one of each.
"Thanks," I muttered taking them from him. I took a bite from the pie and it was the most delicious one I have ever tasted. It was still soft and warm. Every flavor complimented each other and it was just perfect.
"These were really good," I said as I finished my pie.
"I'm glad you liked them. I have a great day planed; you are going to have so much fun," Sirius said.
"Really, what are we doing?" I asked. Sirius stood up and grabbed a parcel that was over by a tree and he handed it to me. I looked at him curiously before opening it. The color drained from my face when I saw what it was.
"Lily helped me pick it out. I thought it was a perfect day for a swim in the lake", Sirius explained. I kept on looking at the bathing suit in the box; there was no way I was getting in that lake.
"Are you afraid of swimming in the lake Gwen Potter, the fantastic, fearless chaser of the Gryffindor team?" Sirius asked.
"I never learned. I always meant to, I just didn't find the time for it between studying and Quidditch," I explained blushing.
"I know. I asked Lily and she told me. But that's okay because I am going to teach you," Sirius said confidently. "You can go over to the trees and change." Pointing over behind the cavern we were originally in. I gulped and grabbed the swimming suit form Sirius' hands and walked out of sight to change. Five minutes later, I returned fully dressed. Sirius was already in the water.
"Come on in, the water's fantastic!" Sirius exclaimed waving me to the lake. I nodded and walked forward letting the ice cold water lick my toes as I walked in. I stopped once the water reached my ankles.
"Keep on coming Gwen, I promise you'll do fine," Sirius assured me. I nodded again and kept going until the water reached my waist, then I stopped.
"I'm not going any farther Sirius", I yelled. "You're going to have to drag me in if you want me in farther." Sirius shrugged in reply.
"Have it your way then." And he started swimming back to shore. I made a break for it and started running through the water but I was too slow. I felt arms grab me around my waist and lift me off my feet, pulling me toward the deeper water.
"Sirius Black, you better put me back on that shore right now or I swear to god you are going to regret this," I threatened but Sirius pretended to not to hear me and hauled me out farther. Sirius stopped when the water was up to our necks.
"Here is where I will teach you the fundamentals. Once you get going, you'll be able to go out farther. The first thing I want you to do is tread water. What you do is move your arms and legs in a circular way to keep you afloat. This will help if you get stranded somewhere and you need a minute to figure out an escape route," Sirius explained. I nodded and tried the new technique. I mastered it in a minute, the easiest thing I have ever done.
"Good, now you need to learn how to float on your back. What you are going to do is kick off from the ground as if you are going to lie on the water and I will hold you up. What you will do then is tilt your head back so you float," Sirius said smartly, I gulped but nodded, and did as I was told. Moments later I was floating on my own in the lake.
"Sirius I did it look…" but as I was coming up from floating, my body suddenly started sinking and I was pulled under. Strong arms grabbed my by the waist again and hauled me up for air.
"Are you alright Gwen?" Sirius asked. "Do you need a kiss of life?" I looked at him and he was smiling mischievously.
"No, I'm alright, I would still settle for just a regular kiss", I said slyly. Sirius grin broadened as he gently pressed his lips to mine.