Sirius walked down the stairs and his ears, which due to his animagus form were able to pick up even the quietest sounds, pricked when he heard voices coming from the living room. He inched toward the room slowly listening intently.

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. The poor thing's wing was broken by the looks of it."

"Do you know if the letter was read?"

"Well I didn't ask her if that's what you mean."

"You know what I meant."

"I have no idea. It looked fine but how difficult is it to open a letter and reseal it with magic?"

"Not very."

"That's my point Remus."

Sirius looked around the edge of the arch separating the hallway from the living room to find a sight he hadn't expected. Minerva McGonagall's head sat in the fireplace talking earnestly with Remus who bore a serious expression.

"What's happened?" Sirius asked immediately striding across the room in three long steps. It took something extremely grave to extinguish the twitch at the corner of Remus' mouth.

Minerva looked to flush as she looked at him before she answered. "Harry's owl. It was intercepted. We're not sure if Umbridge has read it."

"Is Harry alright?" Sirius demanded.

"Yes he's fine Sirius," Minerva said reassuringly.

"And you?" Sirius asked softly, "How are you?"

Minerva gave a grim smile. "I haven't hexed her yet."

Sirius grinned before his expression turned to one of alarm. "Minerva the floo networks being watched!"

Minerva rolled her eyes, "I'm in Umbridge's office. She has free reign."

"I see."

He fell silent and an awkward silence descended on the two occupants of the room and the witch in the fire.

"Shit!" Minerva hissed suddenly.

Sirius and Remus looked at her in alarm. Minerva McGonagall did not, under any circumstances, swear.

"Minerva?" Remus asked tentatively.

"Pull me in!" Minerva said quickly, "I can hear footsteps. If she catches me then all hell will break loose."

She held out her hands and both Remus and Sirius took one each and pulled her through the fireplace. Both used more force than was necessary and Minerva fell directly onto Sirius much to their simultaneous embarrassment.

"Right," Minerva said scrambling to her feet and dusting ash from her robes, "Well it seems I'm staying here tonight."

Remus gave Sirius a sly side-long glance which Minerva must have noticed for a look of cold fury crossed over her face and her eyebrows joined in the centre to form one singular dark line. Minerva held her glare for several moments causing Remus to look down at his feet and murmur an apology.

Minerva gave him one last furious glance before holding her hand out to Sirius and helping him to his feet. He gave her a grateful smile which earned him a curt nod before she strode into the kitchen.

"Idiot," Sirius hissed at Remus who was still looking steadfastly at the ground, "She's got enough to cope with."

He followed Minerva into the kitchen and found her sitting at the table with her head in her hands. She had removed the hair pins from her hair and it hung around her face obscuring it from view.

"Minerva?" Sirius asked cautiously. She didn't respond and he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and knelt down so he was eye level. "Minerva please tell me what's wrong."

She looked upwards and Sirius saw with considerable alarm that tears were running down her cheeks in torrents.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, "But that woman is insufferable! And she's singled me out and is slowly but surely making my life hell. And I can't retaliate or I'll be dismissed and I can't leave Harry alone. I know he thinks of me as an old school marm but I try my best and…"

She burst into tears again and Sirius drew her toward him and held her close.

"Shh," he said soothingly into her thick, black hair, "Stay here tonight and you'll at least get a decent nights sleep."

Minerva pulled back and gave him a small smile. "Thank you."

Sirius looked up at her from his slightly lower vantage point and ran a hand through her thick hair. "It will be alright Minerva," he said softly, "I promise."

She nodded and closed her eyes as his hand ran along her cheek bone and across her jaw. Sirius, emboldened when she didn't pull away allowed his fingers to run lightly down her neck and she arched her head back slightly to grant him better access. He gave a small smile as she opened her eyes to look at him but faltered when he found her expression unreadable. They stared at each other for an indeterminate amount of time but Sirius would have wagered a considerable amount of money that neither could have looked away. Minerva smiled slightly and her hand reached out and grabbed a handful of his shirt and pulled him gently toward her.

Sirius placed his hands on her waist and pulled her to a standing position with him as their lips brushed. This kiss was soft and reverential as Sirius ran his tongue lightly along her lips which she willing parted allowing him to explore her mouth. Minerva's hands wound around his neck pulling him closer toward her and he ran his hands along her back pushing her against him. They parted only when they needed to breathe and Minerva smiled gently up at him; her swollen lips making her look all the more breathtaking.

"Sirius I'm sor…" Minerva said blushing furiously.

Sirius placed a finger against her lips and shook his head, "But I'm not."

Minerva smiled, "Thank you," she said softly moving past him.

Sirius caught her wrist and pulled her back toward him. "Dance with me," he said softly placing a hand on her waist.

Minerva nodded and rested her hand against his shoulder and Sirius flicked his wands before clasping her hand with the other. The slowest tune yet began to play and they swayed gently.

I don't know what it is that makes me love you so
I only know I never want to let you go
'Cause you started something, can't you see
That ever since we met you've had a hold on me

Minerva's eyes widened as she listened to the lyrics and she opened her mouth to speak but Sirius shook his head and she fell silent.

It happens to be true
I only want to be with you

He spun her away from him gently and she pivoted back and they moved even closer together until she rested her head against his chest. Sirius smiled gently and kissed her gently on the top of the head.

It doesn't matter where you go or what you do
I wanna spend each moment of the day with you
Look what has happened with just one kiss
I never knew that I could be in love like this

Minerva pulled back and the corners of her mouth twitched slightly. "Two kisses," she said softly.

Sirius raised his eyebrows quizzically causing her to give a wider smile.

"We've kissed twice," she said in an even softer voice as she looked down at their still moving feet.

Sirius placed a hand under her chin and made her look upward. "Three," he said with a grin.

Minerva's eyes widened in question but comprehension soon dawned as Sirius leant down and kissed her again.

"Three," she agreed pulling back slightly.

It's crazy but it's true
I only want to be with you
You stopped and smiled at me, asked me if I'd care to dance
I fell into your open arms and I didn't stand a chance

With her hands around his neck Sirius ran a hand along her spine causing her to arch her back toward him. She drew back and smiled apologetically.

"Can we take this slowly?" she whispered.

Now listen honey, I just wanna be beside you everywhere
As long as we're together honey I don't care

Sirius waved his wand and the music instantly disappeared. "Does that answer your question?" he said softly still holding her close.

She nodded slightly. "Thank you."

"Believe me Minerva, the pleasure is all mine."

Author's note:- I know I said I wouldn't update but…I lied. Sorry but study just can't hold my attention long enough. Hope you enjoyed! Please review! Minniequill

Another note:- The song is called 'I Only Want to Be With You.' It has been sung by numerous people but this particular version is by Vonda Shephard.