I worked really hard on this chapter, so I hope you like it. I do not own Harry Potter, but i really wish I did.

Sirius

My words hung in the air. There's no going back now. I took the leap I'd been dying to take for months, and now I have to keep going. I pause unsure how to begin. It's not everyday I tell my best friend I want to be more than that.

Keeping her hand grasped firmly in mine, I head Sam over to the big oak tree where we first met. It seems so long ago now. If it hadn't been for that day, I might not be standing here right now about to confess everything to her.

I remember that day back in first year. It was our second day at Hogwarts, and I'd just met James. I knew Sam would like him too, but we couldn't find her anywhere. We were both completely lost as we still didn't know where everything was.

We were laughing and walking down an empty corridor when we heard it. James heard it first, and he stopped me. I stayed silent for a moment until I heard a soft sobbing coming from a hidden staircase. I never would have seen it if James hadn't heard the crying.

Being the curious little kids we were, we had to investigate. There was Sam crying her eyes out oblivious to our presence. She sat on the stairs with her legs curled up in from of her. She looked so fragile while she stared out the large window trying to hide her tears.

It was the first time I ever saw her cry, as she tried so hard to be tough. Even seven years later, I've only seen her cry three times. Three times someone hurt her so bad, she couldn't hold back. Each time, I was there for her.

James backed up having no idea who she was, but I sat down beside her pulling her into a hug. She didn't protest and buried her head in my shirt still sobbing. I looked at James helplessly, but he just shrugged looking concerned. Being only eleven, neither of us had the slightest clue of what to do with a crying girl.

I just held Sam as she cried, stroking her soft hair and trying to tell her everything would be okay. She eventually pulled away from me, her eyes red and puffy and still wet with tears. She looked truly miserable.

"They called me a mudblood. Two seventh years," she whispered, and I heard James' sharp intake of breath. I don't know how she found out what that word means, but it had obviously hurt her. "They said no one wants me here." Her voice sounded so small, but she tried to hide the fact that she'd been crying.

"Don't listen to them Sam. I want you here. I'll always be here for you," I said. I was angry at whoever had hurt her, but I wasn't stupid enough to go picking fights with seventh years.

"Thanks Sirius," she said quietly.

"Hey, what are best friends for?" I asked teasingly. She grinned at me.

"Best friends forever?" she asks looking right at me with those amazing blue eyes of hers.

"Forever," I assured her. She smiled up at me assured that everything would be okay now.

After that, I introduced her to James, and from then on, it was the three of us. The trouble makers of the school. When we met Kaelin, Remus, and Peter, Kaelin and Sam became very close, as did James and I. But in the end, Sam and I were always the closest. Together through everything, good and bad. Best friends.

The memory ends, and I'm left with one thought. What if that's all she sees me as? The best friend? What if that's all she wants? The thought makes me feel sick. I honestly don't think I could handle her rejection. I couldn't look at her knowing she doesn't feel the same way.

I take a deep breath, knowing I have no choice but to continue. Sam is looking at me strangely wondering why I'm not saying anything. My legs feel like jello, and I want to run away, but there's no way I'm letting her walk away without ever knowing.

"Sam," I say feeling my voice shaking slightly. I pray she doesn't notice, and she doesn't seem to. "You're my best friend right?" I ask.

"Of course. Forever. Just like you promised back in first year," she reminds me. I nod.

"I-well, I thought maybe-I mean I hoped-I" I stop when I realize I'm rambling. Sam looks right into my eyes. Why is this so hard? Just tell her. It's not that complicated!

"Sirius, stop," she says. I feel my heart pounding with her words, and I brace myself for the rejection that's sure to come. "I know what you're going to say." She stays calm, and I wonder how she does it. I feel my stomach doing flips at the thought of asking her out, and she's completely calm about it all.

I'm glad she's the one doing the talking. I'm not sure I could have kept going if she hadn't interrupted. I stay silent and let her continue. "Sirius, I'm scared," her voice is barely above a whisper, and I have to strain my ears to hear her. She looks at the ground, but before she does, I see a fearful look in her eyes.

"You don't have to be scared Sam. I'm here," I say reminding her of that day in first year. To be honest, I'm surprised my voice works at all right now.

"What if this doesn't work out? What if it ruins our friendship? I can't lose you Sirius," she says quietly, and I see tears brimming in her eyes. I rest my head against the tree behind me trying to relax. She hasn't said no. Not yet anyways.

"I'm not going anywhere. Ever," I assure her, but she doesn't look convinced. The tears are threatening to spill over now, and the last thing I want is to make her cry.

"What if?" she murmurs more to herself than me. I lift her head up, so she's looking right at me once more, and I'm almost overwhelmed with the urge to kiss her, but I don't. I can't ruin my chances because of my selfish desires. She turns her head away from me as if she can sense what I want. All the more reason not to. She's obviously not ready.

"We can go slow. We don't have to rush, and we can make things work," I say. "I meant what I said in first year. I'll never leave you alone." She hesitates, and for one heart stopping moment, I'm sure she's going to refuse. My heart speeds up, and I don't breath. I wait for her to say something. Anything.

When she speaks, my head is spinning, and I have a hard time concentrating on her words. "Slow?" she repeats. My eyes widen. "I want to go slow."

"Is that a yes?" I say my voice barely above a whisper. She smiles at me.

"Definitely," she says. I grin hugging her tightly, and once again I want to kiss her, but I'm pretty sure that isn't in the description of "slow" just yet.

She hugs me back, and I can't stop smiling. I take her hand in mine, and we just stand there for a moment thinking about what just happened. I've waited so long for this, and now I finally have it. It's one of the best moments of my life, and I pray it lasts forever.

Sam

When he entwines his hand with mine, I feel the sparks shooting up my arm. We sit under that oak tree for a long time in complete silence. I want to say something, but I don't know what.

He looks completely relaxed, but I feel uneasy. This is what I wanted isn't it? The moment I've been waiting for since the beginning of the year. Why is it that I feel so afraid?

"Sirius," I ask looking up at him. He's watching the snow drift lazily to the ground, and I'm reminded of just how cold it is. I can barely feel my fingers, but I don't want to move just yet.

"Hm?" he asks looking over at me with his grey eyes.

"Let's not tell my parents about this yet. Okay?" I say. Maybe that's why I'm afraid. Afraid of what my parents will say.

"If that's what you want," he says calmly. I nod slowly, but the terrified feeling doesn't go away. I have a feeling it's more than just my parents reaction I'm worried about, but I'll deal with whatever it is when the time comes. For now, I just want to make this memory last.