Disclaimer: All ideas are based on characters and events belonging to J.K. Rowling.

Calm Before the Storm

Chapter 17: Diagon Alley

With less than a week left before their return to Hogwarts, a trip had been planned to Diagon Alley. Evelyn was in the parlor by the fireplace waiting for Olivia, Kiley, James, and Sirius to finish getting ready and get downstairs. "If you guys don't hurry then we're not going and you'll have to go to Hogwarts naked!"

A few moments later, the four of them came running down the stairs at top speed. "Sorry Mum, but someone stole my shoes and I've spent half the morning looking for them."

Evelyn laughed at her daughter's disgruntled look before she turned to James and Sirius. "Where did you put them?"

Sirius rubbed the back of his head, looking sheepish. "We kept moving them."

Evelyn laughed again as Olivia playfully shoved Sirius and stuck her tongue out at him. "Come on, you four, lets get going. We have lots to pick up today." The four of them obediently took the floo powder she offered them before stepping into the fireplace and shouting 'Diagon Alley'.

Once they arrived they made a quick trip to Gringotts before Evelyn left them to get their things and do some shopping of her own. James turned to the other three. "Come on, Moony and Wormtail are supposed to meet us at Madam Malkin's."

Olivia scrunched her nose. "Why there?"

"Well, Olli. Unlike you, who grew only half an inch last year, we have all outgrown our robes."

She stuck her tongue out at Sirius' cheekiness. He was right though. She could still very comfortably wear the robes she had purchased the previous year and most of them were still in good condition. She would only have to pick up a few while the boys and Kiley were going to have to replace all of theirs.

James laughed at her disgruntled look. "That and we figured we'd get the most boring part out of the way first."

Remus and Peter waved happily from beside the door of Madam Malkin's. Kiley couldn't help but beam as soon as she saw Remus. Their dinner was planned for that night and they were both extremely excited. Remus put his arm around her as soon as she was within reach and she smiled up at him.

James looked like he started to say something but quickly shut his mouth and thought better of it. They were all glad that Remus had finally found somebody that made him happy. They all knew he deserved it.

It didn't take long for them all to be fitted for new robes and then the small group proceeded to getting their books and other supplies. Finally, they stood outside of Mr. Mulpepper's Apothecary and everything that was needed for the upcoming school year had been purchased. They discussed what they wanted to do with the remainder of their time and each in turn came up with a different answer. They eventually decided to split up so that they could each do what they wanted and meet back together at Florean Fortescue's later for ice cream.

Remus elected to go to the secondhand book shop, in which Kiley eagerly followed. Peter wanted to stop by the sweet shop, while James and Olivia went to Quality Quidditch Supplies. Sirius wasn't sure what he wanted to do. Rather, he knew what he wanted to do and that was follow Olivia around like the little puppy dog that he was, but didn't know what he should do. It was becoming harder and harder to hide his feelings for her because they seemed to be getting stronger and stronger and was eating him alive inside. He wanted to tell her but was both afraid of, not only her reaction, but of James' as well.

Finally, he gave in and followed them as they entered the little shop full of broomsticks and accessories for both the hardcore quidditch fan or the simple follower of the sport. James' eyes were immediately glued to a broomstick that sat in the window, on a large velvet cushion.

Sirius looked down at Olivia. "Well, it looks like we've lost him."

She laughed and nodded her head. She and Sirius both loved Quidditch but nobody's obsession could come close to that of her brother's. "Are you excited to get to play quidditch again?"

Sirius smirked. He was a beater on the Gryffindor team and he was indeed excited for the new season. "Yes. Are you actually going to try out this year?" She looked at him slightly baffled. Nobody knew about her wanting to try out. "Please, Olli, give me a little bit of credit. I know you love to play so there is no reason that you shouldn't have already tried out. You'd make a great seeker and we need one now."

She nodded her head slowly. "Yea, thats what James said."

"So are you going to?"

She stood watching James oogle the newest model broom and chuckled slightly. "Yea. Yea, I think I will."

"Good for you! Now, come on, lets see how long it takes him to find us." He grabbed her hand and started pulling her toward the door.

Realizing he really was planning on leaving James she laughed and started pulling back. "Sirius! We can't just leave him here!"

Sirius kept pulling her toward the door, he couldn't help but smile at the sound of her carefree laugh. "Come on, Olli. It'll be fun." Finally she gave in and followed him out of the shop, still laughing. He wasn't really sure what he was doing. He knew it was a bad idea for him to be alone with her but he just couldn't help himself. Once they reached the street, he should have let go of her hand but he didn't. It was like he couldn't, his hand was stuck to hers like a magnet.

She didn't seem to mind though, in fact she was sincerely enjoying herself. They walked peacefully down the streets of Diagon Alley, talking about the upcoming school year. After they had walked the length of the entire alley, she looked up at Sirius. "So what are we going to do until James realizes that we're gone?"

He scratched his chin, pretending to think hard. "Well, how about swinging by Gambol and Japes Joke Shop?"

She laughed and pulled on his hand. "I thought you'd never ask."

It took them several minutes to reach the joke shop as the alley was crowded since it was so close to the start of term. Finally, they reached their destination but upon entering they both stopped dead.

Scarlett was standing with her younger brother, trying to convince him to leave the joke shop when she noticed Sirius and Olivia enter. She made her way over to them with a startled look. "Sirius? Why didn't you tell me you were coming here toda..."

Suddenly realizing that they were still holding hands Sirius quickly folded his arms across his chest.

"What the bloody hells going on here?"

Olivia felt horrible. Of course her and Sirius' holding hand had been completely innocent but from the look on Scarlett's face she had other ideas. "Scarlett, we were only.."

Scarlett snapped her glare from Sirius to Olivia. "Bugger off, this is between me and Sirius. Go whore around someplace else."

Olivia stepped forward, her wand already in hand but was surprised when Sirius beat her to it. He placed his hand on her arm to keep her wand down before stepping in front of her. His eyes were dark as he addressed Scarlett. "Don't talk to her like that, Scarlett. We weren't doing anything wrong and you have no idea what your talking about. Don't say things that you will regret later."

She started to back down, realizing Sirius' anger but upon noticing how he protectively stood in front of her with his hand behind his back on her arm, she lost it. "Your cheating on me! With Olivia Potter of all people!"

As if the situation wasn't bad enough, James walked through the door just in time to hear Scarlett's last exclamation. "What's she talking about, Sirius?"

Sirius turned around and his face paled. "James. No, she misunderstood something she saw."

"I didn't misunderstand anything! You were holding her hand! Laughing! How else can you take that?"

Sirius looked between Scarlett and James, feeling like he was caught between a rock and a hard place. Olivia, though, came to his rescue. She stepped away from Sirius and wrapped her arm through James'. "Jamie, nothings going on except for Scarlett jumping to the wrong conclusions."

Scarlett looked as if her head would literally explode. "Sirius Black! I trusted you!"

Now that James was there and Olivia was under control, Sirius got his wits back and began trying to calm Scarlett down. "Scarlett, love, listen to me. Me and Olivia are nothing but friends." Even as it came out his mouth he realized it for what it was, a lie. "Your the only one I want."

Olivia clung to James arm as she watched Sirius calm Scarlett. Every time she heard him say they were only friends or confess his love for Scarlett, it felt like her heart was breaking. She didn't fully understand her feelings but she did know that she definitely wouldn't mind if it was her Sirius was confessing his love for.

James looked down at his little sister as Sirius and Scarlett were literally kissing and making up. Apparently she had forgiven him for the little episode and they were beginning to make a slight scene. The snog session wasn't what had his attention though, it was the look on Olivia's face as she also witnessed the event. He had seen that look before, in the mirror, after Lily had once again turned him down and he found himself wanting to curse Sirius. He made a mental note to keep an eye on her when he was around from now on.

She gently tugged his arm. "Come on, Jamie. Let's go get some ice cream."

Sirius and Scarlett broke apart just in time for him to see James and Olivia walking out the door. He felt like kicking himself, literally. He had just known that he needed Scarlett to forgive him because if he didn't have a reason to stay away from Olivia, he never would. He definitely hadn't wanted Olivia to witness that though. "Scarlett, I've got to go meet Moony and Wormtail. I'll see you in a few days." With one last quick kiss, he ran out the door and started toward the ice cream parlor.

They all ate their ice cream in relative silence except for Remus and Kiley who were looking through a book Remus had purchased. Evelyn found them before they had finished and sat down to wait. "So, how did shopping go? Did you guys get everything you need?" They all nodded their heads in turn. "Why so quiet today? Usually I'm having to drag you out of here kicking and screaming."

"Its just been a long day, mum. Can we go on home now?"

Evelyn looked at her daughter strangely. "Sure, honey. Everyone, gather your things!"

She led them to the floo station where everyone took a handful of floo powder. Olivia hugged Kiley and wished her luck on her dinner with Remus. "Don't worry, I'll be back by eleven."

Olivia winked at her. "Then we have all night to talk."

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Author's Note: I'm sincerely sorry about the horribly late update. Please forgive me and review!

Thanks to all my reviewers. 3 Keep giving me feedback and I promise chapters will start coming faster and hopefully longer within the next two weeks.