Disclaimer: All ideas are based on characters and events belonging to J.K. Rowling. I own nothing.

Calm Before the Storm

Chapter 11: Encounters

Before the week was out, Sirius was perfectly at home with the Potters. Harold and Evelyn did everything in their powers to make sure he was comfortable, not to mention all the time he got to spend with James. They were all so nice to him. It just made him feel even more guilty every time he caught himself looking at Olivia, every time his body tingled because they would touch.

Him and James were currently shoveling food into their mouths faster than Olivia could comprehend while she sat at the table along with them, trying to wrap up her Potions essay. Having little luck, she laid her quill down and sighed, catching James' attention. "What's up, sis?"

"Potions hates me."

Sirius laughed and took the essay from in front of her. He read it once before scrunching his brow and reading it again. "Umm, Olivia, where is the essay that you've been working on all week?"

Olivia banged her head down onto the table, "That's it."

It took all Sirius had to stifle his laughter. She wasn't lying when she said she was horrible at Potions. He passed the essay to James who wasn't near as successful as Sirius at keeping his laughter to himself and halfway though it he was practically doubled over.

"Livey, this is bloody terrible."

Olivia snatched it back out of his hand and was saved from a response as she heard an owl pecking on the kitchen window. They all three turned simultaneously to see a majestic looking black owl that Olivia immediately recognized as belonging to Lucius. She stood and opened the window, taking the letter from his leg before he flew off.

Sirius watched her flipping the letter over and over in her hands. "Who's that from?"

Olivia looked at the two boys nervously. "Uh, its from Lucius."

"Wait. I thought you two broke up."

Olivia looked at James confused. "Why would you think that?"

"He's gone Olivia, gone from Hogwarts. Your never going to get to see him, not to mention the fact that he's going to become a death eater if he isn't already! No. I won't stand for this!"

Sirius had zoned out. Malfoy. He, too, had assumed that Lucius and Olivia were over. He shook his head, trying to clear it. Why should it matter to him? He and Olivia were just friends, they'd always be just friends. It mattered because Malfoy was a git. Yes, that was exactly why it mattered. Sirius was grateful to James for his outburst but upon seeing the look on Olivia's face he wished James had of just kept his mouth shut, realizing that he had just hardened her resolve.

"You don't have a say in it, James. You have no idea who Lucius is. And, for your information, mum and daddy have already agreed to let me have dinner with him tonight!" Olivia turned and stalked out of the room, not even glancing backward as she left a fuming James and a sulking Sirius who was trying to figure out exactly what he was feeling.

She continued stalking as she made her way up the stairs and into her room. How was she ever going to make this work if James was going to be so bloody stupid? She looked at the letter she still held in her hand and finally opened it.

Olivia,

So glad to hear that you can make dinner tonight.

I'll be awaiting the moment I once again can look

into your beautiful eyes. I'll be there to pick you up

at six sharp. Please don't make me wait.

With Love,

Lucius

Olivia couldn't help but smile to herself. Why did it matter what James thought anyway? Her and Lucius could have a relationship without his approval, they had thus far so why did it have to change? She answered herself quickly. It didn't.

She glanced at the clock and jumped up, realizing that it was already half past four. She ran to the bathroom and proceeded to take a shower only realizing after she was finished that she had left her clothes in her room. Wrapping her towel tightly around her she stuck her head out of the bathroom door, checking to make sure the hall was clear before making a run for her room. She was celebrating to herself as she turned the corner and entered her room only to run smack into Sirius.

Sirius turned around as he felt something hit his back only to stop dead. There on the floor was Olivia, soaking wet, wearing only a towel.

Olivia looked up at him in shock. "Sirius! What are you doing in my room?"

Sirius averted his eyes, trying to look anywhere but at the practically naked Olivia. "I uh..I...I was just coming to uh..to see if you needed to talk after, you know, the whole thing in the kitchen." He could feel his body reacting and mentally cursed himself. He had to get out of there. "I'll uh...I'll talk to you later." He skirted around the now standing Olivia, doing his best not to brush past her as he made his way out the door and into the hallway.

Ugh. That was the last thing he needed. He tried to get the image of Olivia out of his head. Even with the towel around her, he could tell she had a gorgeous body. Her build tiny but toned, he could image himself running his hands over her shoulders, down her waist, across her stomach... NO! This was Olivia he was thinking about. He turned around and immediately made his way to the bathroom, suddenly in desperate need of a shower. An ice cold shower.

Olivia just stood there in shock for a minute as she comprehended the fact that Sirius had just seen more of her than he probably ever wanted to see. She felt her face red hot with embarrassment. She started to call out to him but catching a glimpse of the clock, determined that she would just have to talk to him later and apologize.

She shut and locked her door before pulling on her undergarments and stepping into her closet to pick out an outfit. She finally decided on a pair of jeans that were strategically ripped, boots, and a dressy blue button up shirt. She brushed her wavy black hair out, leaving it down to hit the middle of her back and looked at herself in the mirror. She cocked her head sideways as she examined her appearance before taking it all off and starting over. This time she emerged wearing a skirt that hit mid-thigh and a semi tight t-shirt. She once again looked in the mirror, this time giving herself an approving nod.

It was five minutes before six when she made her way downstairs. Her parents, along with James and Sirius were sitting in the living room awaiting her. As soon as she stepped in James jumped up. "Your not wearing that."

She gave him a steely look. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

Her mother was quick to cut in. "Nothing honey, you look perfect."

The doorbell rang and everybody jumped up. Her father was the first to the door and pulled it open to reveal Lucius. He nodded his head. "You must be Lucius."

Lucius extended his hand and shook Harold's firmly. "Yes Sir."

Olivia stepped between her father and Lucius before anybody had time to make any more small talk. "Ready Lucius?"

He nodded his head and took her hand. "I won't keep her out too late, Mr. Potter."

Harold nodded, looking Lucius in the eye. "She'll be home by eleven."

"Daddy."

He moved his stare to Olivia. "You'll be home by eleven."

Olivia shook her head, deciding not to argue considering how long it had taken her to get her parents to agree to this date to begin with. She led Lucius through the house and into the back yard, despite the glares they were receiving from James and Sirius, so they could apparate. She held his hand tightly as he turned in place and she had the feeling of being squeezed through a tube.

They arrived in front of Malfoy manor and Olivia looked at it in awe. Lucius laughed at her expression before leaning down and kissing her deeply. "You look absolutely lovely."

She smiled and pulled him back for another kiss, "Thank you, you don't look too shabby yourself."

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and led her through the gates and into the manor. "I hope your hungry. The house elf has prepared a delectable meal." They made their way through the halls and Olivia couldn't help but let her mouth slightly hang open at Lucius' amazing house. Her family had money, but they chose not to flaunt it like this. Yea, they had a big house but it was homely, not flashing.

She looked around the room they had just entered to find they were in the dining room. There was a huge table that stretched the length of the room with two plates set on one end. Olivia looked at Lucius confused. "Are your parents not joining us?"

Lucius laughed and gave her a sly smile. "My parents are out of town, love." She jerked her head up in shock and his smile faltered a little. "Is that a problem?"

She quickly regained herself. "No, no. I just uh..I told my parents they'd be here."

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. "Well, love. What they don't know won't hurt them, right?"

Olivia felt her face turning red. Her stomach felt like it had a thousand butterflies fluttering around all at once and she glanced up at him. "Right."

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Author's Note: Thank you to all my reviewers. I'm glad there is interest in this story because I'm having a lot of fun writing it.

To Carlie13: So glad that your loving it. I have my own happy dance that I do occasionally. :P Please keep reviewing!