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

Calm Before the Storm

Chapter 18: Talks Between Friends and Siblings

Sirius lay stretched out on his bed, dressed in his pajama pants, thinking over the day. After they had arrived back at the house Olivia hadn't much more than looked at him. He was so mad at himself. Why hadn't he just told Scarlett to bugger off? Right, because then James would be the only thing stopping him from admitting his feelings for Olivia.

A knock on the door startled him out of his thoughts. "Yea?" Seeing James enter he sat up and prepared himself for a verbal beating from his best friend/brother. He sighed and put his head in his hands as James sat down next to him.

"So today got a bit out of hand, huh?"

Not really knowing what to say, Sirius decided on simply nodding his head an affirmative.

"Why did Scarlett think you were cheating on her with Olivia?"

He rubbed his hands down his face before looking James in the eye. "She just misinterpreted something, Prongs. Nothings going on, I promise."

James gave a sad smile. "I believe you, Sirius. I didn't come here to make accusations. Just wondering if you were ok, if you straightened everything out with Scarlett?"

"Yea, I think so."

James noted how Sirius all but rolled his eyes at the mention of Scarlett's name. "You don't seem very happy about that."

Sirius put on a fake happy face that James could have saw through with 10% vision. "What are you talking about? Of course I'm happy."

James stood up shaking his head with a small smile on his face, deciding to leave Sirius in peace for the time being. When he got to the door though, he stopped and turned back to look at him. "You know, I've been thinking about what happened ever since we left the joke shop. When Scarlett first accused you of being with Olivia I was totally pissed. The more I thought about it though, the more I realized that I would be ok with it."

Sirius stared at James in shock as he turned and walked out, closing the door behind him.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Olivia paced back and forth through the parlor for what seemed like the hundredth time. Where was she? It was 11:30 and Kiley had said she'd be back by eleven. Finally, the fire glowed green and Kiley stepped out of the flames. Olivia ran to her and hugged her. "Where have you been? I'm going crazy here!"

Kiley pulled back away from her and smirked. "We had a long goodnight."

Olivia's eyes bulged before she squealed. "I'm so happy for you! So the dinner went good? Tell me everything."

Kiley laughed at her friend's reaction but she, too, was in a brilliant mood. "Let's go up to your room first."

Olivia put on her 'intimidating' face. "Ok, but I better get step by step details." She grabbed Kiley's hand and practically drug her up the stairs. Once they were safely inside she rounded on her best friend. "So? What happened?"

"Well, when I first got there, he introduced me to his parents. They are both so sweet, they seem like a very close knit family. Then, while his parents were fixing dinner, Remus showed me around the house. Their house is adorable. The living room is covered in pictures of Remus from his baby pictures all the way to pictures of him and the guys from this previous school year. He was kind of embarrassed, me getting to see him in diapers and all, especially after his mom came into the room and started telling me all kinds of stories about him."

Olivia smirked as Kiley got more and more animated while she recounted the night.

"We had an amazing dinner. The food was absolutely delicious we all talked about the upcoming school year and quidditch." A smirk crossed her face. "Then, after we all ate, me and Remus went outside to take a walk. He led me to the most beautiful spot. It was a large lake surrounded by trees and we sat on a huge rock and watched the sunset."

Olivia waited for her to continue but Kiley stayed silent. "Oh no. You are not going to leave me handing like that."

Kiley laughed. "Well, after the sun went down, we walked back to his house and his parents gave us some alone time. We played chess and talked about everything imaginable. He's so smart, Livey, I love talking to him. When it got close to time for me to leave he stood up and started talking about how he really enjoyed the evening and how he was so happy to be able to call me his girlfriend, and that he had liked me for so long." She blushed. "Then we kissed."

Olivia squealed and hugged Kiley. Remus was the first guy she had ever really been interested in and Olivia was excited that things were going so well. "From how long it took you to get home, I'm assuming that it didn't end at just one little kiss?"

Kiley blushed deeper until her face was matching her hair. "It got pretty hot and heavy."

Olivia squealed again.

"Whats all the noise about?"

Both girls looked up to see Sirius standing in the doorway in his pajamas looking half asleep. Now it was Olivia's turn to blush. She hadn't spoken with him since the incident in Gambol and Japes. She had been so embarrassed and felt that her feelings for him were now transparent to everyone.

Kiley recognized the awkwardness and jumped to Olivia's rescue. "We were just talking about my dinner with Remus. Sorry we disturbed you, we didn't realize how loud we were being."

Sirius smirked, "So it went well?" Kiley nodded an affirmative but offered no details. It was enough for Sirius though. "Good for Moony. Be good to him."

Before Kiley had time to answer he turned around and stumbled back toward his room. She turned back toward Olivia. "So I think it's about time you told me whats going on between you and Sirius."

Olivia looked away, avoiding her eyes. "What're you talking about, Kiles? Nothings going on."

"Please, Livey, give me some credit. You've been acting different with each other. Certainly a lot closer."

"We've spent a lot of time together since he moved in, it was unavoidable really."

"So your telling me that you have no feelings for Sirius at all?" Olivia tried her best to keep the blush from creeping up her neck. Kiley smirked. "That's what I thought."

Olivia sighed. "It's not like it matters anyway."

"Why the bloody hell not?"

"Come on, Kiles. What would Sirius ever see in me when he has half the school chasing him?"

"Olivia Potter, you give yourself some credit. The way Sirius looks at you, well, lets just say I don't see him looking at Scarlett that way."

Olivia looked up meekly. "Do you really think I'd ever stand a chance with him?"

Kiley threw her hands up. "Yes! Olivia, he likes you, I can tell." She watched Olivia for several seconds as what she told her sunk in before standing up and walking toward the door.

"Where are you going?"

Kiley laughed. "It's late. It's been an eventful day for the both of us. Let's get some sleep."

Olivia crossed the room and hugged her. "Yea, I guess your right. I'll see you bright and early for breakfast."

After Kiley left, Olivia changed into her pajamas and laid down in bed. She tossed and turned for several minutes before she gave up on sleep for the time being and started to let her mind wonder. Was it possible that maybe Sirius did have feelings for her? The scene at the shop that day with him and Scarlett practically eating each others' faces sure didn't point that direction. Then again, she thought about what Kiley said, about the way he looked at her. Olivia knew the exact look she had been talking about. She cherished that look. The look that made her feel like there was nobody else in the world.

"What're you still doing up, squirt?" She was jolted out of her thoughts and looked up to see James leaning against the door frame. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I was just on my way down to get something to drink. Want to join me?"

She slid out of bed and linked her arm with James' as they walked down the stairs to the kitchen. Minnie greeted them warmly, as she always did. They both requested hot cocoa before taking a seat at the table.

"So, you never did answer me. What's keeping you up so late?"

Olivia smiled at her brother. "Just thinking too much. What about you? Your usually dead to the world by now."

James looked skeptical. "Thinking about what? And I've been writing a letter to Remus."

"I don't really feel like talking about it, Jamie. Not right now."

He stayed quiet for several minutes. Minnie brought them their hot cocoa and they both relished in the warmth it brought them. "Sirius?"

Olivia looked up. "What about him?"

"Is he what's keeping you up?"

Olivia sat shocked. She had thought she was transparent but for James to notice? Then again, he always noticed when things were going on with her. What should she tell him though? How would he react if she told him the truth? Slowly and uncertainly, she nodded her head.

"Yea, I thought so."

"Your not mad?"

James sighed. "Well, I was at first. More so mad at Sirius, I could never be mad at you, Livey. But then I thought about it. A lot. I believe you and Sirius would be perfect together."

"Whoa, Jamie. We're not getting together. He doesn't even like me, and besides, he's with Scarlett."

James smirked. "For now."

"What're you talking about, Jamie?"

Instead of answering her, he picked up his cocoa and walked to the stairs. "Good night, Livey."

Olivia sat staring after him. What the hell was that?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Author's Note: I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and let me know what you think!

Alix117 - Hope you enjoy it, sorry to keep you waiting!

VerityJeneve - I'm glad you like it! I'm not planning at the moment to keep them apart for much longer but sometimes things just randomly hit me and I take it another direction so no promises. :P

sakuno101 - Well, I'm glad you enjoy this one. :) Keep reviewing!

talyag - Sorry to keep you waiting. :(

prettyinpunk66 - Thanks for the review. I'm glad you like it. :)