Quick warning, there are mild themes in this chapter. I might have to change the rating on it… Just letting you know.

I don't own Harry Potter…T-T

The small pink nose of the rat poked it's way out from under the despicable glasses wearing redhead's bed. True the boy took care of him, seeing to his every need…but he was a blood traitor. This family was against his master. That wasn't acceptable…

When he'd first came to this part of the country, he'd been picked up by the child. When he found out the little one belonged to the Weasleys of all people…it had been perfect. All he had to do was eat and sleep, the ideal existence, and wait for news that the Dark Lord had resurrected himself. Then all he had to do was make his way to him, the loyal servant returning after years of exile. After all, had it not been him who had passed him information of the Order's plans? That had delivered the Potters to him? Although, that had led to his downfall…

But lately he'd saw something that caused him great worry. The form of a small black haired child fly past the window on a broomstick, the exact copy of the old friend he'd gladly betrayed. The child that had so long ago destroyed He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Harry Potter. Why was he here? It couldn't be possible that they knew he was here… could it? Did they? Maybe it was time to run…

Maybe it was time for Peter Pettigrew to move on to a new home…after his nap.

If only he knew what that would cost him.

~X-x-X~

Dear Mr. Black,

We request that you come to the Ministry on Wednesday, April 21 at 11:30 am. Please ask for Mr. Fitzwilliam Hill in the Department of Magical Wills and Documents.

Thank you, and have a nice day.

Sincerely,

Fitzwilliam J. Hill

Department of Magical Wills and Documents

~X-x-X~

The scrawny, somewhat short, grey robed man stared uneasily around his spacious office, now filled with the unsmiling and menacing looking people of the family Black. Why did they have to give him this particular assignment? These individuals were all purebloods, and were known to have a history with the dark arts. Not something a Muggleborn really wants to deal with.

"Um…is everyone here?" he asked, his voice coming out a bit squeakier than he would have liked.

"Yes, Yes, we are. Now get on with it, this has been left entirely to long!" the commanding voice of the iron gray haired woman snapped. "Why they let my husband's will be handled by a filthy Mudblood like you… Oh how far this Ministry has fallen to even let filth like you walk in the door!"

"Uh yes, right…" he mumbled, fiddling with several papers on his desk and succeeding in making them fall to the floor. With a sigh, he bent to pick them up. This was just not his day.

Looking up after straightening the numerous piles of paper, he realized something. "We don't all seem to be here…" he said cautiously, waiting for the explosion that was not long in coming.

"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT YOU STUPID MUDBLOOD! OF COURSE EVERYONE MY HUSBAND LEFT SOMETHING TO IS HERE YOU ANNOYING TWIT!"

Before a reply could be made, or even more insult could be thrown, there was a knock on the door. It opened a crack, and a head popped in.

"Hey is this the office of Fitzwilliam Hill? I got a letter that said I needed to come in today and meet with him." The person speaking was a young man in his early to middle twenties. In the sea of dark colored robes, he was completely out of place in his Muggle t-shirt and ripped jeans.

"Yes it is. Mr. Sirius Black I assume?"

"Yep! What can I do for yo-HEY! Why are they all here!" the man's friendly and inquiring tone turned quickly to hostility directed at his family members. He pulled out his wand and directed it at them at the same time most of them had their own wands in hand.

"Put those away! You're in the middle of the Ministry, there shall be no dueling here!" Hill called out, his voice a mixture of shrillness and authority.

"Fine…" the newest party member growled, being the first to sheath his wand. "What's this all about anyway?" he demanded.

Sighing, the solicitor smiled. "To the business at hand. The reading of the late Lord Black's will."

"To you, that's the Lord Orion Sirius Black, of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black," a bleach blonde haired woman snapped. He sighed again and began reading.

"I, Orion Sirius Black, Lord of the House of Black, being of sound mind and body do hereby decree my last will and testament. To my wife Walburga, I leave twenty-four thousand galleons to keep her in the coming years. When she dies, any leftover shall go back into the family vault. To my sister Lucretia, I leave three books from the family library (I do believe you know the ones of which I speak) and ten thousand galleons, leftovers also to go back into the vault when she dies. To my nieces Bellatrix and Narcissa, I leave twelve-thousand galleons a piece. And finally the issue of my estate. Various properties, money investments, titles, the family vault, etc. I leave the rest of my worldly possessions to my blood and bone. Here and now, I name you the new Lord Black…"

Here he paused and looked around the room. Many of them were leaning forward in their chairs. The form of Lucius Malfoywore an eager and expectant smirk. He was already beginning to stand up to claim the title when his name was called. It was only right that he received it. His wife was the youngest niece of the dead man, but she was his favorite. He was the more favored husband caught by the two sisters. But it was not his name that was called.

"…My eldest son and heir, Sirius Orion Black, of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black."

No words were said. They were to much in shock, the most so the new Lord.

"Um…can you repeat that please?" the Muggle dressed man asked cautiously.

"You're the new Lord Black."

That's when the screaming began and the curses flew.

~X-x-X~

"Sirius, what in the world happen to you!" the redhead demanded when she had reentered the living room via the fireplace.

He grinned up at her from the couch, a chunk of green blood oozing dragon meat over his right eye. The left side of his face was full of bruises and cuts, the worst of which were still freely bleeding. The pure white shirt he had been wearing when he left was now blood stained and burned. There were several slits in it revealing cuts on his abdomen. His jeans were in no better shape.

"You should see the other guy!" he exclaimed cheerfully, shifting the meat to the other side of his face. When he did, it revealed a puffy slit among a mass of various contusions.

She wasn't amused.

"Sirius Black, you tell me what happen right now!"

"Actually, That's Lord Black now, of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black," he said sarcastically, the joking tone of earlier suddenly gone. He quickly gave her a rundown of his visit to the Ministry.

"And so after they got used to the idea, they figured it was some kind of trick. When the short dude assured them it wasn't, they figured they'd welcome me by trying to kill me. They did a little damage to me, but I did much more to them! I think they all overreacted because they thought Lucius would be made heir…They conveniently forgot that the old bastard had had me magically insured as his heir when I was three. Once done, it can't be redone."

She gaped at him, trying to find words to ask if he was OK, or what had happen afterward.

"So Harry's at his first sleepover this weekend, huh?" he asked out of the blue, casually changing the subject.

"Uh…yeah. Just dropped him off at the Weasley's. Molly says hi and invited us to stay for dinner when we pick him up on Sunday evening," she replied, thankful for something else to talk about.

"Sounds good…so what do you want to do while the midget is away?" he asked, moving the meat once more.

"Well," she mumbled, heading toward the bathroom. When she returned, she held bottles of bruise removal potion and pain reliever that were usually only used for when her son crashed him broom after trying a new trick for the first time. "I don't really know. We've been telling Harry we'd go to the beach house again soon. Why don't we head down there early and get everything set up, then surprise him by heading there after we pick him up."

"Sounds good!" he stated, his cheerful mood from earlier returning. She groaned at his sudden mood changes and handed him a rag soaked in both potions.

"Just shut up and put that over your injuries while I go pack and fire call Mrs. Stewart to let her know we're on out way," she commanded before walking out of the room.

~X-x-X~

"Sirius?" Lily asked Thursday morning as the two stood on the beach.

"Yeah Lily-flower?"

"When you're with Harry… does it ever get to you how like him he is?" she asked, keeping her sight on the incoming tide. She saw him look at her out of the corner of her eye. For once, his normally shaggy shoulder length hair was in some kind of order. He'd pulled it into a ponytail at the base of his neck.

"In all honesty?" he asked gently. He was being cautious as per usual when his foster brother was mentioned.

"Yes Sirius."

He ducked down and picked up a nearby stick. He studied it a few moments before he threw it out into the water.

"All the time Lils. All the time," he answered finally, making her turn and look at him. Their eyes met, which cause thoughts to form… thoughts that greatly shocked her. His dark raven locks tamed, but bangs falling over silver eyes… From were she was standing, she could see the muscles in his arms and the way his chest, well defined from years as a Quidditch beater, tapered to his hips. He was so…hot?

She sighed and desperately tried to think of a way to clear her mind of that particular thought. It wouldn't do for her to think that about him like that…

Seeing her far off expression, he smiled. He knew the perfect way to get her mind off her thoughts.

"Hey Lils, want to go flying?"

~X-x-X~

Maybe flying hadn't been the best idea. She was terrified of heights and had never been able to understand why the boys enjoyed it so much. But at least it had got her mind out of unwanted territory. They'd ended up going to a small island not that far from their property, and just talking. He'd told her about the time that he and James had nearly gotten arrested by the Muggle police for speeding on his charmed motorbike.

When they'd come back, he'd transformed and gone to explore the world in the prospective of a dog. She'd stayed behind to combat her stupid feelings…which hadn't been the best idea. She'd ended up coming to a realization she really hadn't wanted to come to.

There was a drowsy feel to the evening air. The breeze was steady and the night sky showed no light, for it was all covered by storm clouds. The water was unusually calm, swells gently rolling in to the shore. The smell of the ocean hung in the hair like mist, coating everything like a fine perfume.

The quiet sereneness that surrounded the lonely beach house was interrupted suddenly by the falling of rain… and the giant grim like dog who'd just jumped on the porch.

"Sirius!" she screamed in exasperation as he began shaking the water from his pelt.

"Yes Lily-flower?" the dog turned man asked, his voice and face radiating innocence. He sported a half smirk/ half grin that she remembered well from school. He used to use it to try and get out of trouble with McGonagall, as well as pick up girls to snog in a broom cupboard.

"You're getting me wet!"

He studied her for a minute before smirking evilly.

"Get you wet you say? An unusual request Flower, but I shall be happy to oblige." With this, he picked her up and charged out into the storm.

"Black, put me down!" she cried, desperately trying to escape his grasp. No luck.

After awhile, she gave up and started laughing with him as he ran through the downpour. Just a few steps later, he suddenly stopped and set her down.

"I need to tell you something," he burst out, all laughter gone from his face.

"What is it?" she asked, half scared of the answer. This was one of the few times she'd ever seen him this serious.

"Well Lils," he began, pushing his wet bangs out from in front of his face. "Over the last couple of years, I've come to a realization. According to a source that shall remain unnamed, this has been true for awhile and I just haven't realized it. The simple fact is…well, I'm in love with you. When I sleep, I dream of you, and when I am awake I long to hold you in my arms. I understand if you don't feel the same about me, I just figured you should know."

Her mouth fell open in shock before she could control it. She tried to say something, but no sound escaped.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, turning away. "I tried no to, I really did. But…well. I couldn't, so I'm sor-" His ranting apology was cut off when she grabbed his head and wrenched it to hers. Their lips met, and before he could say or do anything, her tongue was in his mouth.

The rain continued to fall heavily, soaking them to the bone. Lightning flashed and thunder roared, but still they ignored it all and did not break apart. They were to caught up in the taste of each other.

The kiss was soft, almost like the movement of air beneath a bird's wings. They broke apart for air. He drew closer, and she felt his lips on her neck, his slight stubble brushing against her as he leisurely explored her neck and collar bone before meeting her lips again. She ran her hands over the strong muscles of his arms, over his back, and tangled them in his long shaggy hair. He moved his hands to her breasts, causing her breath to get caught in her throat. All these new sensations… It was as if the world around them was dissolving into something distant and unreal, and they were alone in the rain.

Breathlessly, they finally broke apart and stared into each others eyes. Without a word, he grabbed her hand and pulled her inside, toward her bedroom. When they reached it he turned to look into her eyes, searching for any momentary doubt. But to his surprise, there was none. He pulled her lips to his again, and she felt his hands begin pulling her damp shit off. They broke apart again momentarily to pull it over her head. His hands, warm and rough, were like fire on her cool skin. She felt them drop to the snap of her jeans, releasing them. He pushed them down and returned to caressing her skin. He kissed her again, enabling her to tangle her fingers in his hair again and draw him close.

"I love you," he whispered for the second time that night, "You're one of the best thing that ever happen to me."

In the dark room she smiled. She was certain all their years of friendship had been preparing them for this moment. The moment when everything changed, and it would be impossible to go back to what they'd had before.

"Oh Sirius," she answered, pulling his forehead to hers and feeling his breath send goose bumps across her skin as she stood in his arms. "I love you too."

~X-x-X~

It was the silence that woke him, coupled with the fact that he was alone in her bed. He glanced around the room, and noting that there was no light on underneath the bathroom door, got up and pulled his jeans back on. He found her on the deck, the wood still wet from the earlier rain. She stood in a patch of moonlight that escaped from behind a cloud, dressed only in a thin robe.

He strode over to her, encircling her waist and pulling her to him. It felt so strange to hold her, so right. Truly perfect.

"Hey…you ok?" he whispered quietly into her ear.

"I'm fine," she answered. "I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep. I didn't want to wake you."

He didn't say anything else, just stood with her as together they watched the clouds drift across the sky. They stayed silent for awhile before finally;

"Do you regret what happen?"

She jerked her head around to stare at him. "What gave you that idea?" she demanded.

He sighed.

"I don't know Lily," he answered, pulling her closer to him. "The way you're acting I guess. It's just that I've wanted to be with you for so long, and now that it has finally happened… I suppose I think it's just going to turn out to be a dream. Or it's going to be taken away from me."

She turned in his arms and put her hands on either side of his face and smiled.

"I love you Sirius, never forget that," she whispered, then placing a feather light kiss on his lips.

"Now come on. It's late and I want to go to bed." So they did just that, falling asleep in each other's arms.

~X-x-X~

The next morning, Sirius awoke with a mass of auburn hair in his face and a weight on his chest. Then he remembered. He had finally told Lily the truth of his feelings, and miraculously, she had returned them. They'd consummated their love only last night. A night that would remain with him for the rest of his life.

A very naked Lily groaned and pulled him closer, snuggling into his side and hoarding his body heat, her leg draped over his torso. "What time is it?" she asked groggily, her head raising slightly. He glanced at the florescent green numbers of the alarm clock pronounced it half seven. "Can we stay in bed today Lily-Flower?" he asked hopefully.

"Afraid not, Siri," she replied sadly. "Mrs. Stewart is suppose to arrive early today to help us clean up and I'd rather no one knew of us just yet. I'm still trying to get used to it myself…" So unhappily, the couple got up to meet the housekeeper, only for her to shoo them away.

That morning, they went for a walk along the beach, smiling at the other people out. They watched as a dog chased a stick gleefully into the waves, reminding them of a certain Animagus in his animal form. They ate lunch in a small family owned restaurant and spent the evening watching a Muggle movie. That night, she cooked dinner for him after the worried housekeeper was talked into going and having a night for herself after she worked all day. They lingered longer than usual over a bottle of wine. Afterward, they took a bath together. She sat in his lap, her head resting against her shoulder. His familiar arms encircled her, holding her to his chest. In the shadowy world created by the candlelight, they were alone and lost in their passion for one another.

"Siri, did I really say yes last night?" she asked, addressing the wall in front of her.

Behind her, the old Marauder grinned. "You did," he replied simply. "You succeeded in making me very happy sweetheart, and I aim to do the same for you. I love you, Lily-flower."

It was amazing, the strength of their feelings for one another. Every time they kissed, he felt his fears slowly melt away, leaving him with a growing sense of completion. He wondered if that was what love felt like for everyone. For her, he was her missing part. Ever since her husband's death, she'd been looking for something. Yet here it was, bright as day, something that had been in front of her all this time.

But it didn't last. With the coming of a new day Sunday, so also came the doubts. He'd told her why he was summoned to the ministry, as well as what had happen in Mr. Hill's office. She also knew what that entitled. He would be required to marry, and soon. To produce heirs. His family was a large group of purists. They would never stand idly by and let him be with or marry a Muggleborn. Look what they did to him when he was proclaimed family head. From the beginning, their relationship was doomed to failure.

They couldn't do this, as much as they both wanted it… it just wasn't possible.

She decided to let them spend just one more day in happiness before she broke both of their hearts. That way was best…

~X-x-X~

Slowly, she stuck her head through the flames to the once familiar house she'd known so well during childhood.

"Severus!" she called out, praying he was there. This was the only thing she could think of to make a clean break.

The Hogwarts Potions Master hurried into the warn living room, and gasped at seeing her face in the flames.

"Lily?" he asked quietly, hardly daring to believe it.

"Yeah Sev, it's me. I was wondering if you were serious about that date you proposed the other day…"

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