Chapter 6
The library was deserted except for a tall, elegant redhead.
Lily Evans was perched on a ladder, trying to reach a book on the highest shelf. It was just out of reach. As much as she streched she couldn't read it without moving the ladder closer. And though she could have used a summoning charm she didn't want to damage the book. It was very old and delicate.
She was just about to give up and climb down the ladder in order to move it closer when Sirius Black walked into the library. A smile spread over his handsome face when he saw who was there.
He wasn't surprised to find her there. Back when they were at school she had always had her slightly-freckled nose in a book. No wonder she had been one the top students in the year. Prefect too. Not like him and James. Lupin had been the good boy... he got the badge. Sirius grinned at the thought of the expression of his Head of House's face if she had realized that Lupin was no better behaved than the rest if them... just much better at hiding it. Sirius had been popular among the girls... Remus had been popular among the boys.
He flashed Lily the charming, confident smile that had won over so many women over the years. Not Lily though. She merely greeted him with a cheery "Hello Padfoot" before going back to trying to snag the book. She looked lovely in an eggshell-white blouse and long, full, high-waisted skirt in dark-green.
"Still reading every book that comes under your nose?' he said teasingly. "Still chasing everything in a skirt?" she said in a tone that was just as teasing. "Touche" he said with a hearty masculine chuckle that made her grin."But as I've told you... I'm a reformed man now" he said in a serious tone. She streched out as far as she possibly could, her fingers almost brushing the book.
"And I told you..." she said, her voice showing the effort it was taking, "I'll believe that when I..." she started to say. Her sentence was cut off by a shreik as she started to topple, falling off the ladder. Luckily he saw what about to happen a split second before she fell and darted forward in enough time to catch her. The book feel to the floor with a thump.
She was light in his arms as she blinked at him, breathing rapidly from shock. After a moment she seemed to realize he was still holding her and flushed slightly, unwinding her arms from around his neck. When he had set her upright she cleared her throat loudly, running a hand distractedly through her long coppery hair.
"Thank you" she said rather cooly, her cheeks still slightly flushed. "Your welcome" he said in voice that was gallant but without warmth. "I wasn't about to let you fall. You're still my friend... even though you had the bad taste to choose my best friend..." he said, a trace of real bitterness in his voice. "Sirius. Don't start that again..." she said warningly, retreiving the book form the floor and walking briskly past him towards the door.
"He's lucky you know..." he said sincerely. She stopped in midstep and turned to face him. "Lucky?" she said curiously. "Yes. Lucky. He has the love of someone beautiful, intelligent, powerful, passionate... someone with morals and standards. He has something I would do anything to have..." he said sadly, taking a step towards her.
Somthing like wistfulness filled her green eyes and she looked down for a moment. When she looked up wistfulness had been placed by a rather forbidding look. For a moment she reminded him forcibly of Professor McGonagall, about to reprimand him. "Sirius... flattery isn't going to get you anywhere with me. The best you can hope for is my friendship... and you're really walking a fine line there..." she said bluntly. With that she turned and breezed out of the room.