Rumours and Secrets

What a night this is turning out to be!

I had only been an hour or so at the Christmas ball and already I was wrecked. I was still sitting beside Lana, who wasn't very good company, because she was completely taken up by Devon. But there was no way I was going to sit somewhere else, in case Sirius or one of the members of his fan club would show up again.

"Git!" I said heatedly.

"Mhmm?" Lana asked.

"Never mind. You just... er… continue…" I said and raised a playful eyebrow at the couple, who were still glued to each other. I chuckled, wondering when McGonagall would show up to break them apart.

Marcus seemed to have disappeared. Not that I minded; I wasn't up for another session of 'what was that about'.

I didn't admit to myself that my eyes were wandering around the Hall looking for Black. I was just watching the crowd. He was nowhere to be seen anyway. I frowned. Where would he be?

That doesn't matter. It doesn't interest you, remember? You just had one dance with him, I reproved myself.

I was talking to myself a lot lately. Maybe I was going insane? Yeah, well whose fault is that, then? Black and his idiotic impulses, I thought angrily. Guys like him should be made illegal. They are very bad for your health. Your mental health, that is.

After a while I was starting to feel a little guilty towards Marcus and I decided to look for him. I couldn't find him anywhere, so I gave up and went for a little fresh air. In the Entrance Hall it was much cooler and I let out a sigh of relief. I still felt a little heated and the cool air was very welcome.

Suddenly I heard footsteps behind me and I turned around. It was Marcus.

"There you are. I was looking for you," I smiled.

Marcus didn't smile back. Instead he frowned angrily. "Really? Seemed to me you were having a lot of fun with that wanker Black."

"Excuse me?"

"You two were awfully close."

"Don't be such a prat, Marcus. What would you've had me do? Make a scene in the middle of the dance floor? It was just a slow dance," I said disdainfully. "Don't get your socks all in a twist."

"You could have said no. You didn't have to dance with him," he persisted. He was starting to annoy me.

"So what if I danced with him?" I cried defiantly. "It's none of your business!"

"None of my business!" Marcus bellowed, shocking me. "Then what have you been up to all night? You were just leading me on, weren't you?"

"What?"

"I thought you liked me. Or do you behave like that with every guy? One minute we seem to be hitting it off; the next minute Black is all over you and you clearly don't mind. One guy a night not enough for you?"

"Marcus, what the hell is your problem?"

"My problem is that there is obviously something going on between you two."

"Are you off your rocker? Nothing is going on with Black and me. As if…" I scorned. "The suggestion alone is enough to make me want to vomit."

"Well, in that case you won't mind me doing this." And with that he grabbed my arms and kissed me hard on the mouth, my lips painfully squashed against my teeth.

I pushed him away and slapped him across the face. "Bastard! Just because there isn't someone else, doesn't mean I'm available to you."

"Why not? You were obviously available to Black! It was disgusting to watch. Guess you want to be in his fan club?"

"Will you let it go?" I shouted.

"No, I won't." Marcus grabbed my arm and pulled me closer to him. He was clenching my wrist so hard it would leave bruises. I tried to wrench myself out of his grip, but he only held me tighter.

I screamed in anger and pain. "Let me go, you imbecile!"

"She doesn't seem to be enjoying your company, Crast. So why don't you just let her go?"

I jerked my head to face the newcomer. Black was standing a few feet away, leaning casually to the wall, holding his wand loosely.

Oh Merlin, here comes the cavalry!

"Stay out of this, Black," Marcus warned him. "She is none of your business." He tightened his grip even further and a soft whimper escaped me before I could stop myself.

Black jolted up straight and pointed his wand at Marcus. "Let go of her, right now!"

Marcus put his hand in his pocket and took out his own wand. "I don't think I will. What were you going to do about it?"

With a nasty grin he twisted my wrist. The tears sprang to my eyes. The pain was becoming unbearable and I thought my wrist was going to break.

Marcus was thinking the same thing. "I could just break it, you know."

Black narrowed his eyes in fury. "You miserable bastard. Why don't pick on someone your own size? She's just a girl."

Through a cloud of pain I thought, I beg your pardon? Just a girl? Arrogant prick! And I kicked Marcus in the shin. He gave a yelp of pain and loosened his grip.

Immediately Black roared, "Stupefy!" A red flash hit Marcus square in the chest. He flew backwards and fell unconscious to the floor.

I had pulled myself loose just in time and fell on my backside.

Great, I thought, more bruises.

"You okay?" Black walked towards me and offered his hand. "Let me see your wrist."

I ignored his hand and scrambled to my feet, suppressing the urge to rub my backside. I felt embarrassed I had been so helpless and I snapped, "Drop the knight-in-shining-armour act, Black. I didn't ask for your help."

Black's eyebrows went up. "What…" he began disbelievingly.

"I could have handled him myself." I was seriously pissed off and my wrist was throbbing like mad.

"No, you couldn't have. He is twice your size and much stronger than you." Black still sounded like he couldn't believe my reaction.

I looked at my wrist, which was already scarlet red and showing bruises. "Yeah, whatever." I walked past him towards the corridor to the Slytherin common room.

Rude, very rude. You know you were no match for Marcus. My conscious had no pity with my hurt pride. I hesitated for a moment, but then I resigned and turned around to face Black.

He was checking on Marcus, who was still unconscious.

"Sirius?"

He looked up, genuinely surprised. I smiled apologetically. "Thanks."

He gave me a wide grin and bowed flamboyantly while pretending to take off a hat. "At your service, my lady."

I rolled my eyes and turned away again, but I couldn't hide the smile on my face.


Lana and I reached the Slytherin common room before the crowd. I had run into her as I walked past the doors of the Great Hall. She was absolutely furious at Marcus for being such a brute and insisted on coming with me.

In our dorm I performed a couple of Healing Charms that made some of the bruises on my wrist vanish. The pain was relieved immediately. I didn't feel like going to madam Pomfrey, because I would have a lot to explain for.

"I can't believe that repulsive piece of vermin!" Lana said, still fuming. "You should tell professor Morton."

Professor Morton was our Head of House and a friend of my father's. I shook my head at Lana. There would be too many complications if I was associated with Sirius Black.

I quickly changed into my nightgown and sat on my bed crossed-legged, trying to untangle my hair. It reached halfway down my back and was quite heavy.

"No, it wasn't that bad. I don't want to run to Morton for every little thing." Bit of a weak excuse, but it was the best I could come up with.

Lana stared at me. "Not bad? He nearly ripped your hand off!"

"Well, he got what he deserved, didn't he? I can't believe how fast Black shot that Stupefy Spell. I barely saw it coming."

"Thank Merlin he did. Very chivalrous of him," Lana winked.

"Bugger off, Lana. I didn't want his help. He just showed up out of nowhere trying to be a hero," I scorned.

"I think he likes you, Niamh," she persisted. "First that dance..." -- I could feel my cheeks start glowing again -- "...then him coming after you… Yes, he's definitely into you."

"Really, you've got it completely wrong. He was just poking his nose into other people's business. And that dance? He just did it to annoy me. He knows I can't stand him."

"Exactly!" Lana sounded proud of me for using the right argument – which one I didn't know – and continued, "He can get any girl. All he has to do is snap his fingers and they all come flying at him. You're the only one that doesn't fall for his charms. I bet he is just fascinated by it."

"Well, I have no interest in being Black's next conquest. He'll just have to find himself some other hobby."

Lana had finished combing her hair and jumped on her bed. "Okay, suit yourself. But I think you just need to get laid and Black is the perfect choice."

"Lana!" I shrieked and threw a pillow at her. She giggled and dove under her blankets.

"Good night," I said sternly.

"Good night," she grinned back.


The next day was a Saturday and I slept till 11 o'clock. After I had taken a shower, got dressed, and packed my trunk I went to the common room, which was almost empty. I was very relieved Marcus wasn't there. We still had to talk things through, but I wasn't up for it right now. I strolled to the Great Hall to get some breakfast – or rather, lunch – and found Lana and Narcissa already there.

"Marcus is still in hospital wing," Lana greeted me.

"Good," I said. "Serves him right." I sat down next to Lana and helped myself to some toast. I looked at Narcissa. "I didn't hear you come back last night. How was the rest of the ball? "

"Oh, it was okay, I suppose," she said in a bit of a bored voice. "Nothing much happened." Narcissa lived for gossip and a party without scandalous events just wasn't a party.

At that moment Seline Greenway, a seventh year Ravenclaw and Narcissa's partner-in-crime when it came to spreading rumours, hurried towards us with twinkling eyes.

"Have you heard?" she asked Narcissa, sounding thrilled. "Sirius Black is in for two months of detention for using the Stupefy Spell on a fellow student in an argument."

I choked on my toast. Seline cast an curious look at me and asked, "You okay?" I gave her the thumbs up while the tears were still in my eyes and took a quick gulp from my cup of pumpkin juice.

"Anyway, Sirius says Marcus Crast, who he was arguing with, was harassing a girl and hurting her. That's why he used that spell. But no girl showed up in the hospital wing, so they don't know who it is and Sirius is refusing to tell." Seline was bouncing up and down in excitement.

"Really? Isn't that fascinating, Niamh?" Lana said while thumping my back.

I scowled at her. "Yes, very interesting," I coughed.

Seline gestured us to be quiet; she still had more on her sleeves. "Professor McGonagall gave him detention, because there is no proof for his story. And Marcus obviously isn't saying anything."

I narrowed my eyes. Of course Marcus wasn't saying anything, he would get tons of detention.

"But that's not all," Seline continued. "Sirius said…" and now she actually sighed in adoration, "…that he would never betray the girl's trust. I have no idea what he meant, but isn't it romantic? I wonder who she is…" she pondered.

I felt my heart racing. Could he mean what I think he means? That he realized that I would be in massive trouble if word got out I was associating with him? Not to mention the conclusions that would be drawn: that I would be influenced by his choice to forsake his pureblood heritage.

Is that the reason he's putting up with two months of detention? I knew there was no other answer. Sirius's message may have had befuddled Seline, but it was very clear to me. Why on earth would he even care? I thought annoyed. Stupid prat with his Gryffindor hero complex!

"He is such a gentleman," Seline finished. Lana was looking at me as if she wanted to say 'I told you so'.

"Well, got to go, girls. See you later." Seline wandered off, no doubt looking for the next person to gossip with.

"He is so gallant, isn't he, Niamh?" Lana and Narcissa were holding their laughter. Lana had obviously told Narcissa this morning what had happened.

I glared at both of them. This is getting ridiculous.

I stood up and said, "I suppose I'm stupid for not seeing this coming. I guess I'll have to talk to McGonagall."

"Ah, now why the sudden interest in his well-being, I wonder," Lana teased.

"I could care less about his well-being," I denied as disdainful as I could. "But two months is a bit harsh, even for a git like him. See you later."

I went to McGonagall's office. Fortunately she was there.

"Yes, miss Carden?" she said after inviting me in.

"I just -- I heard about Sirius Black's detention and uhm…" I fidgeted with my robes.

McGonagall took off her glasses and peered at me.

I flushed guiltily and continued, "His story is true. Crast was harassing me. He thought I was… er… deceiving him and we got into an argument and he got so mad he tried to break my wrist."

I wisely left out the part of the dance with Sirius. "That's what made Black go over the edge." I pulled up my sleeve and held out my wrist, which was still showing a considerable amount of bruises.

"Why didn't you go to madam Pomfrey's office?" she inquired.

I shrugged and made a gesture that could mean anything. "I suppose I just felt a little awkward."

McGonagall gazed intently at me, as if she were looking for something. "You know, Mr. Black told me an interesting story about you."

I blanched.

"He refused to tell me your name, but he did mention that the girl he protected wants to cut herself loose from her family, but doesn't know how." She surveyed me closely. "And that there would be... consequences for her if she did anything else to upset her family… and their acquaintances." She added the last three words in a low voice.

There was an icy little spot in my stomach that I recognised as fear.

"Didn't you end your relationship with young Mr. Malfoy a while ago?" McGonagall asked, seemingly innocent.

"Yes, I did. But it has nothing to do with Black's story. He's got it completely wrong." I looked coolly and distant at McGonagall. "I just came to tell you what happened last night. Black doesn't deserve detention."

"No, indeed, he doesn't. Not this time anyway," McGonagall added semi-amusedly. She put her glasses back on. "Was that all, miss Carden?"

"Yes, professor."

"Very well. You may go."

I nodded, but before I could turn around she added, "Just bear in mind, Niamh, that we have excellent means of protection."

I stiffened and said, "I don't need protection, professor. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Niamh."


A little while later I was walking to the common room after returning a book to the library before Christmas break when someone shouted, "Oi, Niamh! Wait up!" I turned on my heels and saw Sirius running to catch up with me. I braced myself.

"Minnie told me you got me out of detention," he said when he had reached me.

"Minnie?" I repeated dumbly.

"McGonagall," Sirius explained. "Thanks a lot!"

I shrugged and mumbled, "Anyone would have done that." I gave him a teasing smile. "Besides, you spend almost all of your time in detention already. I thought this would make a nice change for you."

Sirius glowered at me and I grinned. I knew I had to cut him off as soon as I could, but I just didn't want to leave yet.

Danger, danger, don't be stupid, several alarm bells in my head rang, but I ignored them.

Sirius grinned back and said with a flirtatious look, "So, how can I repay you for your kindness?" The corner of his mouth curled in a sensual smile, quite similar to the one he'd given me during the dance last night. It was obvious what he had in mind. And Sirius Black had a reputation of getting what he wanted.

My heart started to pound and I felt warm. Silently I cursed my treacherous body. Black was standing far too close for comfort. I stepped back and said, "Let's call it even. You helped me and I helped you. That's all." I kept my face blank.

"No, that won't do," he said, his voice sounding deep and low. He moved a little closer. "I just did what every decent guy would do. That didn't need to be repaid. So you see, we aren't even." Looking up at him, I could see how much he enjoyed talking me into a corner.

I looked in his eyes, which were turning dark when he looked at my mouth and my body answered to his gaze. Why not give in, it asked, and I forgot why I shouldn't. Really, where was the harm in a bit of kissing? My eyes fixed themselves on his mouth. He had a beautiful mouth. Not too full, but with a curved bottom lip that made it incredibly sexy. Everything else vanished and I lifted my mouth to his and he bend down to mine…

Footsteps were coming round the corner and before our lips could meet I jumped backwards. Sirius groaned in disappointment.

"I -- I have to go," I stuttered.

Frustrated, Sirius ran a hand through his hair. "Niamh…"

Any second someone would walk in on us and that fact brought back some control over myself. I backed away from Sirius and forced myself to turn around and walk away calmly.

A second year Ravenclaw strolled around the corner and looked curiously at what no doubt was a strange situation. Sirius was still looking at me. I could feel his eyes burning on the back of my head. I sighed in relief that no Slytherin had caught us. For a moment I thought about going back to Sirius, but it was better just to leave now. Things had already gone far enough.

I had just reached the corner when Sirius called my name. I kept on walking pretending I didn't hear him. I heard his footsteps coming after me and I started walking faster.

Get away, Carden, just get away from him.

"Niamh!"

I gave up and turned around. "What?"

In two big steps he crossed the distance between us, pulled me to him, and captured my lips. My body responded before I could think about it and I found myself kissing him back with equal fervour. His tongue soon followed the curve of my lips begging for entrance. Sirius caressed my neck with his hands, letting his thumb trace the hollow of my throat. I shivered.

When I opened my mouth he slipped his arms around my waist and pulled me even closer. Instinctively I pressed my entire body against his and put my arms around his neck. I was having trouble breathing properly, but I wouldn't let go.

He pushed me against the nearest wall while exploring every inch of my mouth. I moaned when he put a knee between my thighs and pushed his body against mine. This was going way too far, way too fast, but I let my hands glide along the muscles of his back and shoulders, noticing how his strength excited me.

He ripped his mouth from my lips and moved it to my neck and collarbone, making me shiver with pleasure. My hands ran through his long, silky hair.

Suddenly a loud voice boomed through the hallway. "All students returning home for Christmas are to gather at the Entrance Hall. The train will leave in an hour."

We both froze and I pushed Sirius away. I straightened my clothes while thinking non-stop, Oh my god, you stupid cow. What have you done?

I looked at Sirius. "This was a mistake, Sirius. I shouldn't have done this."

"What? What are you talking about?" He looked really angry.

And really handsome. I pushed that thought away. Not relevant.

"Don't tell me this was a mistake. You liked it as much as I did." His voice became louder in anger and his eyes were still so dark they almost seemed black.

"You don't understand, Black. We have to stop this. It's just not possible."

"Actually, I do understand. But you need to understand, Niamh," he said through gritted teeth while pinning me to the wall again, "that I don't give up that easily." Roughly he pressed his lips on mine, opening my mouth. After he had kissed me deeply and thoroughly he left me standing there shakily.

I took a few deep breaths to calm down, decided that it didn't work, and walked to the Entrance Hall anyway. I was careful not to look for Black, but somehow his eyes locked into mine and they gave me a dark look that was both a threat and a promise.

Bugger, this is not going as planned.

I wasn't sure what my plan was exactly, but having a steamy affair – my cheeks flushed – with a disowned, disgraced, and outcast blood traitor was most definitely not part of it. That kiss had to stay a secret and it could never happen again. It was just too dangerous for me. If my family found out -- I didn't even want to go there.

Lana appeared on my side and pinched me. "What are you thinking of?"

A full-blown snogging session in the hallway, what else would I be thinking of?

I smiled innocently at her. "Nothing. Just trying to remember whether I packed everything."

We started discussing our Christmas parties and as usual didn't stop talking until the train arrived at King's Cross Station. When I got out I saw my mother and brother at the platform waiting. My little sister Deirdre was already walking towards them. She was a fifth-year Slytherin and preparing for her OWLs.

"Well, I had better go. I'll see you on New Year's Eve," I said, referring to the party at our London residence she and her family were invited to.

"Have a nice holiday," Lana said, hugging me, and then strolling off to find her family.

I walked over to my mother, but someone bumped into me and whispered in my ear, "Just remember what I said."

I stiffened and turned on my heels to tell him off, but Sirius beat me to it and said loudly, "Watch where you're going, Carden!"

I narrowed my eyes and said, "Piss off, Black." Haughtily I turned my back on him and stormed away. Nobody but me had seen the devilish twinkle in his eyes, but it was sending sparks up and down my body.

Keeping a cool face I walked over to my mother and greeted her with a kiss.

"Hello dear, how are you?"

Still dealing with the after-shocks of making out with Sirius Black, and you? Hmm, maybe not the best of answers…

"Fine, mother, and you?"

"Very busy with all the preparations for the party."

"Oh, mother, that's what you love best," Deirdre laughed.

I kissed my brother, who was shooting irritated looks over my head. "What was that traitor saying to you?"

"Oh, nothing, Rowan. He was just being his usual annoying self." I rolled my eyes. "Just leave it."

"Deirdre, aren't you in the same year as Black's brother, Regulus?" Rowan asked, ruffling his sister's red curls.

Deirdre nodded, moving away from him to protect her hair. "He is in Slytherin with me. Very different from his brother."

"At least his family has one faithful son," my mother sighed. "Don't forget, we're invited at the Blacks' at Christmas Eve."

Great! Just what I need, a whole evening at the Blacks' house without the one Black I want to see. My face changed colour. What the hell am I thinking? I. Don't. Want. To. See. Sirius. Black!