This is the next to last chapter and contains a Sirius POV and a Ron POV. There's also another banner.

Sirius POV

I hated when he returned to Hogwarts after the holidays. It wasn't because I was falling for him like a teenage girl exactly; it was because more people had disappeared and I was concerned. I was scared for both of us. The times we were together in the dark were the only moments we were truly at peace. Separating meant having to deal with a terribly scary reality that neither of us wanted. No one did.

I got word of the recreation of Dumbledore's Army and was extremely proud of Hermione and him to come up with it and proud of my godson for teaching all those eager students what they should have been learning in class. It gave me something positive to focus on since I felt so helpless being shut up in that house. The only time I felt relaxed was when he was by my side in the dark, when I could hold him and know for certain he was safe. He was always a source of joy. But that joy was far away.

He sent me owls to keep me up to date with what spells he had become adept at and I would reply with tips and encouragement. I knew that's what he needed. I heard how Molly and Arthur spoke to their kids and encouragement was not what they usually gave. Don't get me wrong. They were lovely people. They just had too many children to be able to meet all of their needs adequately.

I had been sitting in the library one warm spring day, wishing like hell I could be outside in the beautiful sun, when I heard his voice in the hall. He wasn't supposed to be back until school was over! I overheard Snape explaining to his parents that he'd begun to have dreams involving Harry and, per Albus' request, he'd been sent back here for a few days while Snape taught my godson Occlumency. Other students had been either moved or sent home as well, depending on how close they were to Harry; afraid he might infiltrate their dreams next.

That night, I greeted him with a smile when he entered my bedroom to chat. I didn't even have to answer the door anymore. He'd always knocked the same way; 'knock, knock, pause, knock'. Over the holidays, he'd knock 'his' way and then just open the door. I didn't mind. He was always welcome.

We didn't talk about Harry and the dreams; I didn't ask and he didn't say. He did tell me that he'd managed to get a little further with Hermione, that she'd let him slip his hand under her dress and into her panties to play a little. He'd been amazed at how it had felt to slide a couple fingers inside her and I remembered my first time with a girl being the same way. That's when he asked if men felt the same way. Well, needless to say, I'd only ever been honest with him, so I told him that men felt better (in my opinion), that they felt 'tighter'. He seemed intrigued by that and asked what other things men did together so I answered. His reactions were not of disgust, but of maturity and I felt proud again because what I was explaining would certainly cause most to be a bit squeamish.

I was just so happy and surprised to see him and looked forward to each evening once more. I'd take every one he'd give.

Ron's POV

I couldn't tell him, or anyone for that matter, that I'd lied about the dreams. I just had to come back for a few days. It had been taking me forever to fall asleep at night and once everyone's lamps were out, all I wanted to do was slip into his room and I couldn't. So I lied. No one would miss me anyway so I didn't feel too guilty, although I did cringe a little when they moved some of the other students. I know it sounds horrible, but I didn't care. I couldn't wait until I returned to headquarters so we could chat.

He was so worldly. He seemed to know about everything. I enjoyed listening to his stories from his adolescence or from just a few years ago. He taught me so much. He'd always been quite the charmer with both men and women and it fascinated me to listen to his tales. I'd never met another like him and time passed much too quickly when I was with him.

When we began to talk about men again, I asked him questions, knowing what I wanted and knowing he understood what I wasn't saying. He was good that way. I wished Hermione and I could communicate so easily.

I waited in the hall with baited breath for him to turn the light off. When he finally did, with my heart pounding, I slipped back inside his room. When I climbed into bed, he was lying on his side, completely naked, with the covers at the end of the bed. He knew. He understood. And it was okay. I smiled nervously. Was I really going to do this? He did seem to bring out the adventurous side of me.

I climbed into bed unsure of exactly how the mechanics would work. As always though, he immediately put me at ease by controlling our actions. He showed me how we could pleasure each other at the same time, which just blew my mind. (I made a mental note to try that with Hermione eventually.) He also lubricated my finger with a wandless spell so that when he guided it to his entrance, I would not hurt him. I was relying on his assistance heavily as I wasn't sure what would happen exactly, but I trusted him implicitly. It was like my first year when I sat on my broom for the first time. I couldn't have felt more helpless.

I allowed him to control my actions. He was gentle and easy and, of course, correct. Men were tighter and felt much different from women. His moans were encouraging though and soon he was so caught up in what my mouth and finger were going that he released my length temporarily. I just wanted him to feel good. Did I enjoy pleasuring him like this? Tremendously actually. When he climaxed and began to focus on me again, it was as if he could read my mind. I felt the tip of his finger at my entrance, which surprisingly was a bigger turn-on than I thought it would be, but he never pushed further. It was just enough to enhance my experience and I was spent rather quickly.

I remember it felt as if my whole body was quivering when I crawled up next to him. We were panting and breathing heavily and I thought I felt him shudder as well. I'd never felt closer to another human being and was glad that I'd lied to come home for a few days. I rested my head on his shoulder, wrapped one arm tightly over his waist and dropped one leg in between his. I couldn't get close enough. It's like I knew the clock was ticking.

I soon fell asleep. It was the first time in at least three months that I'd fallen asleep so easily. I even considered staying with him, wondering how it would be to begin the day in his arms, but I knew that couldn't happen. It would turn this into something neither of us was ready to handle.

I did stay longer than usual though. I didn't want to leave his side until I had to.

As always, review please? If I beg nicely? LOL