Chapter 2

Sirius Black turned the corner into the rose garden and saw a familiar sheet of copper hair.

Lily Evans was standing with her back to him, smelling one fragrant pink blossom. She was wearing a white sundress that complemented her pale skin and vivid hair.

She slowly turned around when she heard his footsteps behind her. A smile spread over her face when she saw who it was. "Padfoot!" she said brightly.

He smiled back warmly. It was good to see how pleased she was to see him. He seemed to have forgotten just how beautiful she was. Either that or in the four years since he'd seen her she'd changed a lot. Her face was sharper than he remembered... less soft... and more womanly... her high cheekbones emphasizing her large, green, almond-shaped eyes. Her long straight coppery hair now hung almost to her waist and was as sleek and shiny as ever. Her skin was still as pale and flawless as porcelain and the white dress embraced her willowy figure in most pleasing way.

Her smile was radiant as she crossed the grass and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him warmly. He slid his arms around her, enjoying having her so close. He'd missed her.

He was enveloped by her sweet, fresh, floral scent. He couldn't help thinking how different she smelled to Bella. Bella smelled sweet too... but her scent was dark, musky, alluring... tantalizing the senses.

The thought of Bella brought him back to his task. If he didn't succeed with Lily he would never get to have Bella. And he wanted her. He always had. Ever since they had been teenagers at Hogwarts. She had been right about that. He always wanted what he couldn't have... and if he won the bet he would be able to have the only two women who had ever refused him... Lily... and Bella. It was as close to perfect as he could imagine. He would not let himself fail.

"Missed me have you?" he said with a grin. She grinned back. "Just a little" she said teasingly. "I've missed you too... just a little" he said playfully. She laughed, the sound high and tinkling like a bell. "You haven't changed a bit" she said laughingly. "You have..." he said honestly "for the better..." She looked down shyly, her cheek going ever so slightly pink.

"From what I hear congratulations are in order" he prompted. "I hear you and James are getting married" he finished. "Yes..." she said, smiling but continuing to look down, unconciously fiddling with the beautiful white-gold, diamond engagement ring on her ring finger. Her expression suggested she was slightly uncomfortable... probably because James was his best friend... and both had them had been in competition to win her affections until she had chosen James.

She met his gaze, uncertainty in her expression as she looked into his handsome face, his dark eyes. Her eyes flicked away, deliberately looking at the flowers rather than him. "Your garden is beautiful..." she said quickly, clearly changing the subject. "Not as beautiful as you..." he said truthfully. A Lily was in his mind far lovelier any rose.

"Sirius don't..." she said looking away, a pained expression on her lovely face. "Don't what?" he said gently, moving a bit closer. "Don't do this..." she said, looking at him reprovingly. "I'm getting married... to your best friend" she pointed out. "I know that... what makes you think my intentions are dishonorable?" he asked, managing to sound offended.

"Because I've been warned about you" she said firmly, her green eyes boring into him. "Warned about me?" he said, managing to sound curious when in actual fact he was annoyed and dismayed. "Yes. Warned. Your reputation with women precedes you" she finished. He kept his face neutral and his voice casual. "What have they been saying about me?" he asked. "That you are relentlessly charming and will say anything to get a woman into bed. That you have a impressive list of conquests. That every woman who gotten involved with you so far has regretted it."

He had a hard job looking amused rather than angry. "Would you be so kind as to tell me who it is who has been badmouthing me so?" he said in a persuasive voice, coming up behind her and putting his hands on her arms. She moved out of his grip, turned around to face him. "A friend..." she said vaguely."Does this friend have a name?" he said in that same tone, taking a step closer to her. "If a friend has been good enough to warn me about you it would be poor repayment for me to rat them out" she pointed out, walking around him.

"Surely I deserve to know who has been slandering my name... how else would I be able to defend myself?" he said silkily. She continued to walk around him smirking slightly. 'SO your saying what I've been told is wrong?" she said sweetly. "Maybe it was true once but I'm trying to change..." he said, a ring of sincerity in his voice.

She smiled and walked close to him. "I'll believe that..." she said softly, leaning in and kissing him on the cheek."When I see it" she finished.

With that she turned and left the garden, his eyes following her longingly.