James slouched against the couch, rubbing his shoulder where the Quaffle had hit him. "Do you always have to throw so hard even when we're practicing, you prat?" he good-naturedly asked Sirius.
Sirius shrugged. "I thought you actually knew how to play Quidditch and would be able to catch it. If I had known how much bloody whining you were going to do about it, I might have held back."
"Like you couldn't have noticed Marcia yelled to me and I was looking the other way," James retorted.
"You've got to pay attention in Quidditch," Sirius said in a faux lecture voice. "You're getting soft, Prongs."
"I noticed you didn't stop Beth from babying you when she saw that bruise on your jaw last week." He did a fair job mimicking Beth's voice and accent. "Oh, Sirius, does it hurt? Can I kiss it and make it better?" James threw the snitch he was carrying in his pocket hard at Sirius.
Sirius caught the snitch right before it hit his face. "I didn't care about my bruise. But who am I to stop Beth from caring?" He smirked at James and threw the snitch back. The snitch flapped its wings angrily at being tossed around so rudely.
"Speaking of our girlfriends, why are they late again?" James looked at his watch. "Lily told me they'd be here right after lessons."
"The better question is why do we wait for them?" Sirius replied. "But I'm pretty sure we both know the answer to that one."
James lifted one eyebrow and changed the subject. "Do you think we're ready to run our new play for the Slytherin match? I'm not sure Geoffrey has it down yet."
"He is a bit slow," Sirius agreed. "Let's see if he gets it next practice."
Lily and Beth came through the portrait hole and Lily hurried to James, her eyes alight with excitement. "Look James!" she said, plopping down next to him. Beth followed her more sedately and sat next to Sirius, leaning up to give him a quick peck on the lips.
"What's this?" James looked bemusedly at the old book Lily waved towards him.
"Professor Slughorn found it. It's an old potions book, extremely rare. He thought I might want to look through it for ideas on a potion Severus and I could work on for our project." She was looking down, paging through the book and didn't see James and Sirius exchange a cagey look. Beth did and she frowned at Sirius questioningly.
"I found this complex potion that can be used for witches and wizards who have had traumatic experiences and their minds are unable to cope," Lily said. "After they take the potion, a trained healer can talk them through their past ordeal and help them learn to live with it."
"How does it do that?" James asked.
"While they are under the potion's influence, they will believe whatever the healer tells them." Lily explained. "The healer can use their own happiest memories to make them believe they are safe. Then they are able to work through the trauma."
"So, witches or wizards who have been tortured, like those in that long-term care ward in St. Mungo's, could be healed." James said.
"Exactly!" Lily found the page she was searching for and showed it to James. "It's called the Sanare potion. The only problem is part of the page is ripped out. Some of the ingredients and directions are missing."
"This looks like a pretty advanced potion," James said slowly, reading the page.
"It is," Lily agreed. "If we could figure out the missing bits, we'd have a really important new potion to be used to help heal. I have some ideas on what might work. I showed Severus and he thinks it has potential."
"About that," James said carefully. Lily turned to look at him warily. "I know you think I'm daft, but I want to keep an eye on you when you're working alone with him." Lily sighed and James doggedly continued. "Please, Lil. It'll make me feel better if you tell me when and where you're meeting with him."
"Why don't you just spy on me using your map?" Lily asked tartly. "You've stalked me with that thing before."
"Stalking girls is the most important function of that map," Sirius agreed. Lily glared and Beth raised an eyebrow at him. "Not that I do that anymore," Sirius hurriedly assured Beth. "Only when I don't know where you are and I'm worried." Sirius had shown Beth the map one day in February when they were looking for James and Lily. She had been amazed at the power of that piece of parchment. Of course, she was pretty much always amazed at the magic they took for granted.
"I don't want to make you angry so I'm asking you up front," James told Lily after giving Sirius a baleful look. "I'm being honest with you."
"Fine," Lily muttered. "I'll tell you about our meetings. The first one is tomorrow at 2:00 in the Potions classroom. Happy now?"
"You're meeting on a Saturday afternoon?" James didn't bother to hide his annoyance. "I'll be happier when you're finished with this bloody thing and I don't have to think about it," James informed her shortly.
"I know," Lily conceded gentling her tone. "We only have a number of weeks for this project, James. It won't be long." She took James' arm and put it around her shoulders, nestling into his side.
"So, are we going to play cricket?" Sirius asked the group at large. "Or do we have to sit around here all afternoon listening to James whine? I've pretty much reached my quota for the day already."
"You're just a ray of sunshine today, aren't you?" Beth swatted his arm.
Sirius gave her a mock glare. "Don't start with me, woman," he warned. He ran his fingers possessively over her hair down to cup her shoulder and pull her closer. Beth's heart sped up and she lifted her arms to loop around his neck, pressing her upper body into his chest.
James stood up, reaching for Lily's hand. "Let's go. Peter and Remus are already waiting for us outside."
Sirius, Beth and Remus teamed up against James, Lily and Peter. The game was close and they worked up a sweat. After they finished, they split up in the Gryffindor common room to take showers and change before dinner.
"I picked the short straw and will get the shower last," Sirius said to Beth as she started up the girls' staircase. "Go ahead down to dinner when you're done and I'll be there as quick as I can."
Beth and Lily found James and Peter waiting for them after they had showered and they walked down to the Great Hall. Marlene was at the Gryffindor table and she grinned as they slid in around her.
"A couple of you are missing," she noted.
"Remus and Sirius will be down in a few minutes," Beth said, pulling the basket of bread next to her plate and helping herself.
Peter continued the debate that had occupied him and James the entire way down. "McGinty is a much better pick than Welsh for the seeker. He's the fastest-"
"Welsh has better reflexes," James interrupted. "They'd be crazy not to snatch him up. I'll bet you Welsh is the first pick tomorrow."
Lily rolled her eyes at Beth and Marlene. "I can hardly wait until the Quidditch Pro Picks are over. They've been arguing over what order players will be picked for weeks. As if it matters."
James' mouth dropped open in outrage. "Of course it matters. Since Smithers retired, the Catapults need a great seeker to be competitive." He and Peter leaned in towards Lily and began discussing each team's strengths and weaknesses that needed to be addressed during the Picks. Lily looked resigned but listened politely, her lips twitching at her boyfriend's passionate discourse.
Beth leaned closer to Marlene. "Who is that huge blonde guy at the Slytherin table next to Snape?" she asked quietly. She'd noticed him attempting to furtively eyeball their table.
Marlene glanced over, keeping her face casual. "Jacob Wilkes," she said her voice hard. "Nasty piece of shit Death Eater."
Beth had to cover her mouth to stifle a giggle. "Not a fan of his, huh?"
"He's a stupid, dumbfuck, prejudiced arsehole." Marlene's normally friendly voice was flat. "I can hardly wait for our Quidditch match against Slytherin. I look forward to giving him a few bruises. 'Few' may be highly variable." She looked up to find James staring at her delightedly.
"I had no idea you were so vicious, McKinnon," James said with a quick grin. "I like this side of you." He elbowed Lily lightly. "Did you know your roommate was so brutal?"
Lily snorted. "Hell yes. I hear Marlene's mouth running off every day. She's tougher than you, James."
James gave her a look of mock outrage and under the table his hands must have gone to work because Lily squirmed and laughed. Beth's attention was caught by a good-looking girl walking past their table who glared at her. Marlene casually flipped the girl off and then looked askance at Beth.
"Why was Anne giving you that death stare?"
Beth shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. "She probably used to snog or sleep with Sirius. I've had a few of those looks."
Marlene looked at Beth sharply. "I know that's no fun, but you know he's never really cared about any girl the way he does with you, right?"
"That's what he tells me," Beth sighed.
"But it bothers you," Marlene still spoke quietly.
"Yeah," Beth shot a glance across the table at James to make sure he wasn't listening. Lily must have retaliated because he was laughing so hard tears had come to his eyes. James was more ticklish than Lily, to Lily's delight. Beth's eyes flicked to Peter, but he was busy throwing spitballs at Luke, two tables away. "I've only had a couple boyfriends and don't have much, er, experience." She blushed. "It's awkward. I'm not too thrilled he's been so…active either."
"You should talk to him," Marlene said with a nod.
"Easier said than done," Beth groused. "Besides, he kind of knows. We've both made comments about our experience, or in my case, lack of."
"He may not know how it makes you feel. That's what is really important."
"I'll think about it," Beth grimaced.
"Think about what?" Sirius' hand dropped on Beth's shoulder and she jumped, looking at him guiltily. He intuited from her expression the conversation had something to do with him and he circled his arm around Beth's waist as he slid in next to her on the bench. Across from them, Remus smiled at her in greeting as he sat next to Lily.
"Nothing," Beth looked around the crowded hall. Not the time or place for a private discussion. Sirius stared at her and then Marlene who shrugged.
Sirius filled his plate and ate quickly, keeping a wary eye on Beth. Although she tried to act normal, her mind seemed to be elsewhere and she acted distracted and a little downcast.
Marlene smiled at Beth reassuringly as she got up to leave after she finished her dinner. "See you later," she told the table cheerily and left at her usual brisk pace.
James, Lily, Remus and Peter were still eating. Sirius decided he wanted to talk to Beth alone. "Ready?" he asked her as he pushed aside his plate.
Beth gave him a puzzled look. "You barely ate," she pointed out.
"I wasn't that hungry," Sirius lied. "Let's go for a walk."
Beth looked skeptical but she stood up and walked out of the Great Hall with him, uncharacteristically silent. Sirius took her hand as they went outside, the sun low in the evening sky. Their feet automatically took them to the pond and they walked around it until they reached a rough-hewn wood bench on the far side from the castle. Sirius sat down and pulled Beth down beside him, circling his arms around her as they looked across the glassy water of the pond with the golden rays of the sun reflecting on it.
Sirius waited until he felt Beth relax in his arms as she looked across the peaceful water. It was becoming cool and he tightened his hold when she shivered as the sun sank behind a cloud. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked, rubbing his hands up and down her arms.
Beth twisted so she could see his face. "Talk about what?"
"Whatever is bothering you," he said flatly. "You don't hide your emotions very well, Beth."
"It's not that big of a deal," Beth looked down so she wouldn't have to meet his eyes.
"You can tell me about little deals," Sirius said calmly. Beth scanned his face but did not see any signs of impatience or annoyance.
Beth's mouth twisted wryly and she sighed. "I know I'm far more inexperienced than you are."
"Inexperienced, how?" Sirius asked. The sun was peeking from below the cloud and it lit up her eyes and the slight furrow in her forehead as she frowned.
"In relationships," she clarified. When he continued to look puzzled she added, "Physically."
"Oh," Sirius waited.
"It bothers me that you've been with…many girls," Beth choked out.
Sirius squirmed internally. "It hasn't been that many," he protested.
"I get an awful lot of dirty looks these days," Beth told him glumly. "I'm pretty sure many of them have been with you in the past."
"Some might just be hopefuls," he said quickly. "Or girls I've just snogged. I'm not sure what you're thinking, Beth, but I'm a bit picky. I haven't shagged that many girls."
"But I haven't slept with anyone and you have with…more than one." Beth looked disheartened, her eyes cast down again.
"They didn't mean anything to me," Sirius said. "You do."
"Are you sure you're not just trying to pacify me?" Beth shook her head. "Because if you are, don't."
"I'm not. Beth, until I fell for you, I never imagined how it would feel being committed in a relationship. Hell, I never wanted to be in a committed relationship. If I had known how I would feel about you, I would not have shagged girls I didn't care about." Sirius wanted more than anything to get that look off Beth's face.
Beth perked up at that but still looked slightly doubtful. "Have you had any long-term relationships?"
"No," Sirius shook his head. "I've never met anyone before you I thought was worth all that emotional codswallop."
"Is that what you think a relationship involves? Emotional codswallop?" Beth sounded offended.
"It's what I used to think," Sirius said honestly. "Before you. Now I want to be with you in all aspects of our relationship, emotional and physical."
"Really?" Beth turned so that her back was to the sun and her eyes were shadowed as she faced him. The sun's rays behind her lit up the edges of her hair to a dark gold.
"Really," Sirius leaned in to touch his lips to hers. Beth pressed her body tightly to him and one of his hands came up to cup the nape of her neck and pull her closer. The kiss escalated and soon Beth was straddling his lap, slipping her hands under his robe to feel his warmth through his thin shirt. Sirius reciprocated by sliding his own hands under her blouse and up her back. She shivered again as his fingers found their way under her bra strap to follow her spine all the way to the back of her neck. "Beth," Sirius mumbled as he tore his lips away. "Let's go inside."
"Um hm," Beth continued to kiss his neck. Sirius knew no one could see them so far from the castle in the semi-dark, but he wanted to get them inside before this went any further. He stood up, cradling Beth in his arms and started towards the castle. When they got closer, he set Beth on her feet and they hurried in together, Beth laughing as he tugged at her hand until they were running.
"Shit," Sirius stopped after he and Beth had raced up the marble staircase part way. "James and Lily are using the Room of Requirement tonight." He frowned, frustrated. "Let's go to my room." He pulled Beth's hand again to hurry up the stairs.
"But," Beth protested, "Peter and Remus might be there."
"Not if I warn them to stay out," Sirius said. "It's still early. They won't be in our room yet." They burst through the portrait hole to find the Common Room crowded with Gryffindors. Sirius spied Remus and Peter at one of the tables and he strode quickly across the room with Beth in tow.
"Sirius," Beth sounded embarrassed. "Don't…"
Remus looked up when he heard Beth's voice. He saw Sirius' face and nodded impassively when Sirius tilted his head towards their room and lifted his eyebrows. Beth blushed and shuffled behind Sirius' back, unable to meet Remus' or Peter's eyes. Sirius saluted his mates and then made his way to the stairs, holding Beth's hand tightly.
They entered Sirius' room, and he slammed the door and then put a locking spell on it. Sirius dropped Beth's hand to wave his wand almost violently at his bed causing the clothes carelessly tossed on it to fly away and land in a messy pile in his trunk. He threw off his robe and turned to Beth, taking her face between his hands as his lips descended on hers. They grappled to get closer to each other as they edged towards his bed. When Sirius had backed up enough so that he felt the side of his mattress against his legs, he fell back across his bed bringing Beth down on top of him.
Sirius moaned as he felt the full length of Beth's body sprawled on top of his. He wrestled her cloak off while continuing to kiss her. His hands moved under her blouse and up her smooth back to her bra strap again. This time his fingers fumbled to unclasp it. Beth was busy unbuttoning his shirt and she shivered when she felt his hands move to her waist and go up the sides of her ribcage.
The ache inside her grew as his firm fingers moved across her body. She ran her hands down his sides to his hips and tried to yank him up to be closer to her, hearing his gasp when she moved her own hips against him. Sirius' mouth dropped to her shoulder and started moving slowly down causing Beth to writhe against him. His lips returned to hers and he moaned as his hands moved down her torso again.
Beth could tell when Sirius reached his breaking point. He wrenched his lips from hers as he dropped his hands back to her waist. "Beth," he groaned. His lips returned, gentler with more devotion than passion as he tried to slow down.
"It's okay Sirius," Beth said. She lifted a hand up to cup his face.
"What?" Sirius stopped, confused. His face was shadowed in the weak light from his bedside lamp.
"I'm ready, Sirius." Beth spoke nervously. "I want to be with you."
Beth forgot how quick Sirius could be when he wanted to. In a split second, he had flipped her over and she was pressed underneath him. He put his hands on either side of her face and looked into her eyes. "Are you sure?" His eyes were bright, intense on hers.
"Yes," she met his look full on, knowing he needed to see it in her eyes.
"You won't regret this later?" His voice was hoarse.
"No." Beth's lips angled up in a tender smile.
He took a deep, ragged breath and breathed out her name. Then his lips were on hers again and Beth let her mind go blank, thinking only of Sirius.