"If only I had been there! I'm so sorry," Sirius said for the umpteenth time.
Stell sighed, she was getting tired of consoling Sirius, "It wouldn't have made any difference."
"But maybe if I'd gone things would've turned out differently. We would've been together and maybe…"
"Look, would you get over yourself? There was nothing you could have done! And even if there had been, I would much rather you save someone else's life and let me end up with double the scars!"
"Yes, but you-"
"I don't care, ok Sirius? Think what's happened to Gideon and Fabian and Joanna and everyone! Compare this," she pointed to her head, "to what's happened to Frank, and- and Alice! They may never get better! Never! I consider myself lucky! And if you're so wrapped up in yourself, so self-centered and shallow that you'd rather have me without any damage than the lives of all those people, well than fine! But you'd better find yourself a new girlfriend!"
Sirius stared at her with his mouth hanging open for a moment. "But you- I didn't- I'm just… I care about you!"
"Do you care about me or just about what I look like?"
"How can you say that? You know it's you I care about! More than anything-" Stell raised her eyebrows, as if challenging what Sirius was saying. Sirius shook his head disbelievingly, "I can't believe you think that about me! Why do you think I feel so guilty? Of course I wish I could have saved all those people!"
"You couldn't have! Stop blaming yourself!"
"Alright, alright! But the thing is, you're the one I'm thinking of, because you're the one I care about most! I love you!"
Sirius was surprised to see that she was crying again. "What…? I'm sorry, I didn't…"
"No, it's not that." Sirius waited, but she didn't continue.
"Are you… are you ok?" he asked timidly. She nodded.
"I love you…"
"I love you," she managed at last. Sirius pulled her to him affectionately.
"I'm so scared." She looked into Sirius's eyes, searching for hope or comfort. "Don't leave me. I won't be able to stand it without you."
"I'll always be there," he said, his voice cracking. He barely held back the tears that tried to squeeze themselves into his eyes. She looked so trusting, reassured by his feeble vow. He wished he could have as much faith in it. She seemed to relax, leaning against him, her fears calmed somehow by his presence, though he was just as terrified as she.
"Good," she whispered, her eyes closed, "I need you." At that moment, Sirius decided resolutely that he would keep his promise, no matter what.
"I'll always be there," he said again, this time with much more certainty. "Forever. I swear to you," he added, though he wasn't convinced she was still awake to hear him.
A/N: I only noticed that thing about the Longbottoms after I wrote that chapter, so I tried to fix it in the next one, although I didn't do the best job. I beg your forgiveness! Oooo, also sorry about the long wait for the update! Hope you enjoyed!