Title: Girl of His Dreams
Disclaimer: I don't own the Marauders, but I sure wouldn't mind if I did. ;P They belong to J.K. Rowling. I do, however, own Leah Matthews and the other OCs. Don't steal, please!
Girl of His Dreams
Chapter Ten: Prelude to War
That evening was frustrating for Sirius. The common room was packed with students, which caused Leah to hide away in her four-poster bed where no one would bother her. Sirius wasn't allowed in the girls' dorm; no matter how fast he ran up the stairs, they always shifted into a slide and sent him tumbling back down to the floor. Lily agreed to bring food up for her, but like they all suspected would happen, Leah wouldn't touch it.
"I wouldn't have much of an appetite either," Lily had said sympathetically. "She just needs a little time, Sirius."
Remus lounged in his bed, his book propped open in his lap. His eyes were on the pages, but Sirius and James both knew he wasn't reading. Sirius stripped off his shirt, grinning at his two best friends as he stood before them in only baggy pajama pants.
"Enjoy it while you can, mates," he said, attempting to lighten the mood.
"Put your shirt back on," Remus said, rolling his eyes. "No one wants to see that."
"I do," he retorted, staring into a mirror. He flexed his muscles proudly, and behind him, James scoffed, removing his own shirt.
"This is what attracts the ladies," James said, flexing his own muscles proudly. Sirius laughed at him and shoved him away while Remus stood.
"You guys asked for it…" The werewolf whipped off his shirt with a smirk on his face. His skin was pale, but he was well-toned, and several lines flitted across his chest and abs, scars from past transformations. "I'll have you know that all chicks fancy battle scars." James' mouth dropped open in false horror, and Sirius laughed again.
"You're telling that to a guy who already has a girlfriend," he said. His good mood shifted to frustration once more and Remus sighed, patting Sirius on the shoulder sympathetically.
"She's a strong girl," he said. "She'll be fine." No sooner had the words left his mouth than a soft knocking was heard from outside their door. Sirius listened for a second and tip-toed over to the door as Remus glanced at his watch. It was well after midnight, who could it be? Sirius opened the door slightly to see a thin figure standing in the dark, wearing a tank top and pajama pants. Sirius blinked, trying to adjust his eyes to the dark hallway. "What's up, mate?"
"I'm sorry," a soft voice said. "I know I'm not supposed to be here, but…"
"Leah?" Sirius swung the door open, sighing in relief and taking the girl into his arms, a smile on his face. "What are you doing here?"
"I…I felt alone," she said softly. Her cerulean eyes were puffy and red, and Sirius gently ran the pad of this thumb over her eyelids, as if trying to wipe the redness away. Leah leaned to the side to glance shyly at both James and Remus, and Sirius frowned.
"It's just Moony and Prongs, Leah."
"Right… Can I stay, Sirius?" Her blue eyes pleaded with him. "I-I don't snore, I promise!"
Remus chuckled as he ran a hand through his hair and climbed into bed, drawing his curtains closed. James leapt into his bed and did the same. Sirius grinned at her, jerking his thumb at them over his shoulder.
"Now we have all the privacy in the world," he said.
"Are they used to you bringing women in here?" Her tone was suspicious, and she heard a soft snicker from James' bed. Sirius scowled and picked up one of his shoes, lobbing it roughly against James' headboard.
"Ow! That hurt, Padfoot…"
Leah smiled shakily as Sirius sat down on the edge of his bed, taking her hands in his. She stood in front of him, gazing distractedly at her feet.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I'm being such a crybaby…"
"Don't be stupid." He watched while she climbed into his bed. When she had settled into his blankets, he extinguished the candles and crawled in beside her. "Good night Moony, Prongs."
Someone yawned to their right. "'Night Padfoot. Sweet dreams, Leah."
"Thank you," Leah said softly. James, on their left, huffed.
"Shut up, you guys. I'm sleeping." A pause. "Good night, though."
"Silencio," Sirius whispered, and Leah knew he was putting a sound barrier around their bed so that they could talk without being heard. His arms brought her close to him and she immediately curled into his bare chest, her fingers tracing lightly over where she knew his tattoos were.
"I knew you had tattoos," she whispered. "Becka didn't believe me."
Sirius smiled and kissed her forehead, his eyes closing peacefully as her warm breath washed over his collarbone in steady puffs of air. Leah felt his fingers entwine with hers and relaxed for the first time since McGonagall had taken her out of Charms class.
--
Leah woke with a yawn, shifting her body slightly only to realize that her legs were tangled with Sirius', and that his arm was her pillow while he draped the right side of his body over hers protectively. Leah kissed his nose softly and he woke, a grin adorning his sleepy face.
"Good morning, beautiful."
"Good morning," Leah sighed, before rolling away from him and yawning as she glanced at his clock. It was almost nine, which meant that if she didn't get back to her bed, Lily and the other girls in their dorm room would probably wake up and think she had run off. She stood up and stretched, stumbling lightly as she waited for the dizziness to wear off.
"Don't go," Sirius mumbled into his pillow. "It was so warm when you're here."
"My poor baby," Leah said softly. She kissed his forehead and ran her fingers through his silky midnight tresses, a tired smile on her face. Sirius stifled a yawn and dragged her back down into the bed. Leah giggled softly, but pulled away. "Sirius, I have to go back before the girls wake up and see me gone."
"No you don't. Lily knows where you are."
"What?"
"She came in here to check earlier," he mumbled into her hair. "She said something about the library."
"Oh…" Leah didn't relax in his arms, and he released her, propping himself up on his elbows.
"Want me to get up with you? Breakfast should be ready."
Leah climbed out of his bed once more, chuckling. "Haven't you ever heard the saying 'let sleeping dogs lie,' Sirius?"
"You're not as funny as you think you are," he grumbled. But there was a smile on his face, and Leah squeezed his hand before padding softly out of the room. He remained in bed for about a half-hour longer, and finally, with a gruff sigh, Sirius shoved himself up and out of bed, only to find himself staring into the amused eyes of his lycan friend.
"Good morning, Sirius… Sleep well?"
"Who said I slept last night?" He asked cheekily. Remus shook his head, hiding a grin as he began to change. Sirius pulled a shirt on, scratching his stomach lazily as he ambled over to James' bed. "Oi, get out of bed, Prongs. We have Quidditch practice today."
"Lemme alone…you bloody wanker…" Remus rolled his eyes.
"Sirius!" The door crashed open, startling all of them, and a boy ran in, doubled over and panting heavily. He had dirty auburn hair and shaggy clothes. Sirius was immediately wide awake.
"What's going on, Wormtail?"
"It's… It's Leah!" He gasped for breath. "Bellatrix… made her mad… there's a fight… by the library! The Slytherins have her outnumbered!" Sirius jerked a pair of dark jeans on over his silk boxers and dashed out of the room, Remus close behind him with their wands.
"It figures Bellatrix would get the Slytherins to gang up on her," Sirius growled out, taking his wand from Remus as they jumped out of the portrait hole. Remus ran after Sirius down the corridor, a frown on his face as they leapt down the stairs three at a time.
"It figures Leah would let her temper get the better of her," he panted. He stumbled slightly and Sirius jerked him upright.
"That too," Sirius grumbled. They barreled past Flitwick, who squeaked after them to stop running, but they didn't slow their pace at all.
"HOW DARE YOU?!"
Sirius and Remus glanced at each other, knowing they were almost there. That was definitely the sound of an extremely pissed Bellatrix Lestrange.
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A/N: Is it wrong when you fall in love with a story character? Because Holy cow, I want a boyfriend like Sirius! Anyway, thanks for the patience! PLEASE REVIEW!!