28 February, 1977

17, it's a big deal in the Wizarding World, and because my dad owned our house that means that legally it's mine, pleasant thoughts for my coming of age. The girls and Remus have something planned for me, but they won't tell me what. Life is just a little bit crazy right now. Dating a Slytherin and trying to hide it from my friends. I can't wait for this year to be over.

Annicka Llewellyn

Annicka was sitting by a window in the common room, smiling as she read a letter from Marcus when it was suddenly snatched from her hand. "Who is this from then?" and annoyingly familiar voice asked.

"Give it back," Annicka demanded jumping to her feet.

"Marcus," he read the signature, "Who is Marcus?"

"Black, you will give me back my letter, or you will pay," she ordered pulling out her wand.

"Fine, take it," Sirius held out the letter. Ann snatched it from his grasp, pushed past Lily and Remus and left the common room.

"What did you do this time?" Lily asked sounding quite accusatory.

"I just – borrowed her letter," Sirius explained trying to be delicate.

"Borrowed?" Remus asked.

"You mean stole," Lily corrected.

"Look, I don't know why she freaked out," Sirius argued, "All I did was ask who Marcus is."

"Who?" Lily and Remus asked in unison.

"I don't know, but it looked like a love letter to me," Sirius replied and walked away with a smirk.

Annicka was pacing across an unused classroom waiting for Marcus, when she heard his voice, "Happy Birthday." She turned to face him with a smile. "Thank you," she stepped forward to meet him.

"What's wrong?" Marcus asked.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, "I just had another run in with Black."

"What happened?" he asked sympathetically.

"Oh, he saw me reading one of your letters and he took it, "Annicka explained.

"He what?" Marcus' voice cracked like a whip.

"It's okay," she promised. "He doesn't know anything."

"Are you sure?" he demanded to know grabbing her arm.

"Of course I am," she flinched a little as his hand tightened on her arm. To distract him she placed her hand on his cheek. "Now why don't you give me a birthday present?" she suggested and kissed him. Marcus was effectively distracted.

13 March, 1977

Friday the 13th, I don't usually go in for superstitions, but today has certainly been unlucky for me. My day begins with a spill at breakfast, so I have to change my clothes, then my bag splits open and I have to scramble through the hall to find all of my supplies. Then at lunch Lily and Remus won't stop asking me about Marcus, I just didn't say anything, and they eventually stopped. During potions my neighbor's cauldron spilled over and I was sent to the Hospital Wing. Then when I met Marcus tonight we had a fight. Today just isn't my day.

Annicka Llewellyn

5 April, 1977

March really flew by. I had several arguments with Lily and Remus, they still want to know about Marcus and we agreed that we couldn't tell anyone, so I'm fighting with my best friends and arguing with my boyfriend almost every day. The teachers have piled on the work. Every year it becomes harder to get through it all, and every year there is more. Thankfully the Easter Holiday is coming up and I can get away from here for a while.

Annicka Llewellyn

"So do I get to hear about this new boy you refuse to tell my son about?" Mrs. Lupin asked as she and Annicka washed the dishes after their Easter dinner. Annicka hesitated a moment, looking around to see if Remus was nearby. "He's gone upstairs Ann." Amanda assured her.

"Okay," Ann took a steadying breath. "His name is Marcus, and he's from another house. He is so sweet, and passionate! Oh, he kisses me like he'll die if he can't have me in his arms. It's . . . intoxicating," Annicka explained with a wistful smile.

"You two haven't – you know," Amanda asked delicately.

"No, no," Ann objected. "We've had a few . . . disagreements about that."

"He wants to, but you don't," Mrs. Lupin concluded.

"Yeah," Ann sighed, "It puts a strain on things some times, and he gets so angry."

"He hasn't hurt you," Amanda demanded to know placing a hand on Annicka's shoulder.

"No, of course not," Ann objected. "I wouldn't put up with that from anyone."

"You should break up with him," Remus stated, appearing in the doorway.

"What?" Annicka's voice was breathless with shock, but she still managed to infuse it with anger.

"Don't break anything that can't be fixed," Mrs. Lupin pleaded as she left them alone.

"If he's pressuring you for sex you shouldn't be with him, it's simple," Remus continued as though his mother had never said anything.

"No Remus, it's not simple," Annicka argued, "and quite frankly it is none of your business if I do or do not have sex with anyone. You can't tell me you've never thought about it," she continued when she saw his shock. "Not with me idiot, look, all I'm saying is – he is a romantically involved teenage boy. And like all teenage boys he is going to think about it."

"That's not the point!" Remus objected.

"It kind of is," she retorted. "Listen, I will deal with Marcus, so stop trying to control my life. You are not my father, or my brother. You are my best friend and I expect you to respect my decisions," Annicka tried to storm past him, but Remus caught her, wrapping her in his arms.

"I'm sorry," he apologized, "I just worry about you."

"I know," Annicka sighed, returning the embrace.

20 April, 1977

Why is it that just when I think things are getting better something happens to turn my life upside down again? I haven't mentioned it in a while, but I've stayed friends with Jeremy. Obviously we are not as close as we were before, but today he got a letter from his mother. His father disappeared and she's afraid he might be dead. With so many people disappearing and dying it may seem silly of me to care about one more, but a good friend has lost his dad. I think I finally know how all of my friends felt, trying to comfort me. I had no idea what to say so I just sat with him under the big tree by the lake for most of the afternoon.

Marcus saw us together and when I met him tonight he said all kinds of thing until I was able to explain what had happened. Jealousy is one of the most horrible of irrational emotions. Sometimes I don't know if I want to stay with Marcus, then he'll turn around and be so sweet. I don't know what I'm going to do about him.

Annicka Llewellyn

10 May, 1977

I haven't had much time to see anyone, exams are coming up very soon so I'm spending all of my time studying. Most of my time is take up in the library with Remus and Lily. My stolen moments with Marcus are becoming few and farther between. We can't seem to stop fighting either, no now we barely talk anymore. Life is insanity, but I can feel that a change is coming. I just hope it's a good one.

Annicka Llewellyn

27 May, 1977

Exams are next week and I am so nervous I can barely study. Marcus and I are meeting tomorrow night, hoping to break the tension, at least that's how he put it. I'm so tired. I'm just going to bed.

Annicka Llewellyn

Annicka paused in the Entrance Hall, waiting for the last few stragglers to pass by before she continued on her way to meet Marcus. As she took her last few steps across she thought she saw Marcus exit the grand front doors. Once again Annicka hesitated, unable to decide is she should follow him, or if she was imagining it was him. When the doors did not reopen Annicka decided to investigate and followed. Sirius Black walked up from the lower levels of the castle and saw her leave, "Annicka?" he called after her but got no answer. The front doors had barely shut when he followed.

Annicka searched the grounds frantically, hoping she would not get caught, and was just about to give up when she saw two figures by the Forbidden Forest. "Marcus?" she called out, and as she got closer she saw the taller one of the pair hit the other. A moment later she recognized him as Marcus, his face contorted with rage. "Marcus, No!" she shouted, grabbing his arm and trying to pull him away from the boy at his feet. He turned to face her and Annicka felt a sharp pain across her cheek, snapping her head to the side. It took her a moment to realize Marcus had hit her.

"Stay out of it," he ordered.

"Marcus, stop this," she repeated, dazed but determined. Marcus raised his hand again, but before anything else could happen, a jet of red light flew out and struck him. Annicka turned and saw Sirius Black standing a few feet away. "What are you doing here?" she demanded to know.

"Are you okay?" Sirius asked concerned.

"I'm fine," she replied shortly. Annicka moved over to the young boy, stepping over the crumpled form of her once boyfriend, to inspect his injuries. "We need to get them to the Hospital Wing," she stated. With a wave of her wand she summoned two stretchers and levitated the boys onto them. "You take Marcus," she instructed, "I'll get him." Sirius was silent as he followed Annicka to the Hospital Wing. "Madam Pomphrey!" Annicka called out as they passed through the doors.

"What happened" Madam Pomphrey demanded to know as she exited her office.

"They were in a fight," Annicka explained. "I tried to stop it, but then Sirius cam and stunned the Slytherin boy."

"Did one of them hit you?" the nurse asked, pausing in her examination of the two boys. "Your lip is bleeding," she added when Annicka didn't answer.

"Oh," she exclaimed, "it's nothing, just a stray punch. It's bound to happen when you just go barreling in."

"Hmm . . ." Madam Pomphrey scrutinized her face for a moment before taking action. "Stand still," she instructed and pointed her wand at Annicka's face. "All right, back to you common room," she ordered when the girl's lip had been healed.

"Thank you," Annicka sighed and once again led the way. Sirius and Annicka walked for several minutes before he chose to speak.

"That was the first time," he stated without prelude.

"What?" Annicka asked, distracted from her thoughts.

"That was the first time you ever called me by my first name," Sirius clarified, sounding awed.

Annicka paused, thinking, "Yeah, I suppose it is," she replied dryly. Sirius started heading to the nearest downward staircase, "Where are you going?" she demanded to know.

"Come on, I want to give you something," he answered cryptically.

"No," she automatically objected. "We have to be in our common room before the patrols start."

"All I am asking for is 10 minutes," Sirius held out his hand, inviting her to take it. Annicka hesitated, "Hey, I saved you back there. I think you can trust me for 10 minutes."

"Fine!" she finally agreed. "I'll give you 10 minutes, but I'm not promising anything more than that," and ignoring his hand she descended the staircase with him. They walked through the halls of the castle quietly, each absorbed in their thoughts until Sirius cautioned Annicka to pause. She glanced at him about to ask why when Mrs. Norris, the caretaker's cat passed by several corridors down. That is when she noticed the piece of parchment he held, "Is that the Marauder's map?" she asked when he motioned her forward.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he replied quickly hiding the parchment.

"Oh, please," Annicka laughed, "Remus told me all about the map you made of the school to sneak around the patrols."

"Moony told you?" Sirius asked sounding uncertain.

"Remus tells me almost everything," she replied with a shrug.

"Like what?" he asked.

"Well, as Remus says, some secrets aren't mine to tell," Annicka smiled at the fear and confusion on his face. They continued in Silence, finally reaching their destination with only a few minutes to spare. Sirius stopped in front of a large paining of a bowl of fruit, "What are we doing at the kitchens?" Annicka asked sounding exasperated.

"You'll see," Sirius replied as he reached out, tickling the pear and turned the knob that appeared. He led the way inside where they were immediately surrounded by at least a dozen House Elves.

"Master Sirius! Master Sirius!" a small voice greeted him.

"Hello Flora," he greeted the House Elf warmly. "Two slices of your best chocolate cake please." Flora led them over to two small stools set up by one of the long tables as the elves all dispersed. Sirius turned to Annicka only to find her scrutinizing him. "What?" he asked.

"Chocolate cake?" she asked. Sirius was unable to decipher her tone.

"Well it is your favorite," he replied, confused by her reaction.

"How could you possibly know that?" Annicka asked just as confused.

"Doesn't everyone?" Sirius commented with a bit of a laugh. Annicka remained silent, clearly confused, so he tried to explain delicately. "When we have chocolate cake to dessert you tend to be vocal." He could see she still didn't understand so he continued. "You – well, you sort of . . . moan," he finished flinching at her anticipated reaction.

Annicka's confusion lasted for a moment longer before her eyes widened and she gasped, "Oh, my giddy aunt!" In shame Annicka buried her face in her hands. "Why did no one tell me?" she asked mortified.

"Well, the first few times everyone thought it was kind of funny," Sirius explained, happy she hadn't cursed him yet. "And now everyone's gotten to used to it we don't really notice anymore." Before Annicka could respond Flora came back with their cake and scurried away.

"This is just great," Annicka grumbled, pulling her plate closer and taking a bite. All of her troubles were immediately forgotten as soon as the cake touched her tongue. "Mmmm," she sighed in pleasure. She took another bite, and another, until she looked up to see Sirius watching her. "What?" she asked.

Sirius quickly turned back to his own food, "Nothing," he objected with a shake of his head.

Annicka stared at him for a moment before she dropped her fork onto the plate with a clatter, "That's it," she declared, "no more cake for me."

"Why not?" Sirius asked confused.

"Because it's embarrassing!" Annicka exclaimed.

"I think it's kind of sexy," Sirius mumbled to himself. There was silence for a moment before Annicka turned back to him.

"Did you just say sexy?" she asked a little dazed. Sirius looked down at his plate for a moment, avoiding the question, and gathering his composure.

"Can I ask you a personal question?" he asked.

"Sure," Annicka agreed. "Things can only get more awkward at this point," she added under her breath.

"Was that him?" Sirius asked. Annicka's brow furrowed in confusion, "Your Marcus," he clarified.

Now it was Annicka's turn to look away, "You caught that did you," she commented dryly. She took a deep breath before continuing, "Yes, that was him."

"Well, that explains it," Sirius nodded sagely.

"Explains what?" she asked tensely.

"Just . . . why you never told anyone about him," Sirius explained, "he's a Slytherin."

"I sounds like a bad joke, doesn't it?" Annicka asked dejectedly. "A Slytherin asks a Gryffindor on a date, insert punch line here."

"It's not that bad," Sirius tried to pacify her.

"Not that bad?" she asked incredulous. "Can you imagine what Lily would say? Remus would have killed me."

"Okay maybe it is that bad," Sirius conceded.

"I am such an idiot!" Annicka exclaimed, suddenly pushing her plate away with so much force it slid half-way down the table. "I believed him," she confessed. "He told me that –" tears started welling up in her eyes, and she couldn't finish her sentence. "I knew he had a temper – that he had this in him, but I ignored it. I was so stupid!"

"You are not stupid," Sirius objected. Annicka shook her head, disbelieving. "Listen to me!" he ordered reaching out and turned her face toward him. "You are not stupid. You see the best in everyone around you. There is nothing wrong with that."

"Everyone?" Annicka interrupted, her tone joking.

"I make it difficult," Sirius qualified.

"Not always," Annicka contradicted quietly.

"Listen to me Annicka, I know you," he stated passionately. "Better than you think I do," he added before she could object. "You are clever and caring. You work harder than anyone I know. You're funny, loyal, you inspire hope. You are beautiful, and I he couldn't see what a good thing he had then he is the idiot!"

Annicka laughed a little out of embarrassment, "First I'm sexy, now I'm beautiful. If I didn't know any better I would think you were trying to flirt with me," she said jokingly. They way Sirius was looking at her was making her nervous. Annicka jumped to her feet, "It's late," she announced.

"You're right," Sirius agreed standing as well.

"Thank you," she blurted out suddenly.

"You don't need to thank me," Sirius replied, startled by the sentiment.

"Yes, I do," she objected her voice sincere, "Thank you.

"Annicka you never need to thank me," Sirius argued reaching out to touch her cheek. As they looked into each other's eyes, something changed. It was a moment that seemed to last forever.

"Sirius," Annicka sighed, before she could speak again Sirius' lips had captured hers. Before she could stop herself Annicka responded to the kiss wrapping her arms around his neck. As he deepened the kiss they forgot where they were, until Flora the House Elf reappeared. "Master Sirius!"

"Yes?" Sirius asked his voice husky as he turned to face the elf. He sighed quietly when Annicka pulled away.

"Would you like anything else? It is time," Flora warned him.

"No, thank you Flora," he replied. A moment later he turned back to Annicka and saw her looking intently at the floor.

"We really should get back," she said gazing at her feet, "everyone will be worried."

"Right," he agreed. Annicka turned and left the kitchen without another word. Sirius sighed and followed her, pulling out the map to avoid the patrols. They took trip back to Gryffindor Tower in silence, Annicka staring determinately ahead. When they arrived Remus was waiting, arms crossed over his chest, glowering. "Where were you?" he demanded to know sharply.

"Calm down Remus, we're fine," Annicka replied with a sigh.

"That's not what I asked," he argued, a little less forcefully.

"No but that is what you were worried about," Annicka stated confidently. "I will tell you all about it in the morning but I am exhausted so I am going to bed. Good night boys," she turned from Remus and Sirius and walked away. Their answers faint to her ears.

June 1977

I kissed Sirius Black! What is the world coming to?

Annicka Llewellyn

By the next morning Annicka had decided to act as though nothing had happened between Sirius and her. At breakfast she told her friends that after breaking up with Marcus (to avoid revealing his identity) she had come across a fight and tried to help. She explained how Sirius had come t her rescue, careful to use his last name, and was just getting to the part about the Hospital Wing when he sat down next to her. "What are you doing?" she asked pausing in her narrative.

"Sitting down," Sirius replied, stating the obvious.

"Why are you sitting next to me?" she clarified.

For a moment Sirius was silent, gazing into her eyes, "You know why," he whispered. Annicka abruptly stood from the table and left the Great Hall. Sirius gazed after her until he felt someone smack the back of his head. "Ow!" he exclaimed.

"What did you do now?" Remus demanded to know.

"Nothing!" Sirius objected, "I just sat down."

"Remus it may just be because he was there when she broke up with Marcus," Lily said in Sirius' defense, he was about to thank her when she added, "But we shouldn't rule anything out."

3 June, 1977

First day of exams and I can barely concentrate. Sirius keeps trying to catch me off guard hoping I'll talk to him about the "incident" as I am calling it, but right now I can't. I just can't. Passing these exams is the only way to guarantee that I can take all the classes I need next year. This is going to be a nightmare!

Annicka Llewellyn