Wallflower

Chapter Fourteen: Restraint

The week following the funeral seemed to stretch on and on, so by the end of it Adelaide just wanted to relax. It seemed, though, that no where in the castle was going to allow that. She attempted the Library, but with N.E.W.T.s and O.W.L.s coming up it was packed more then she was accustomed to. She tried the lawn, by the lake, but it was still to cold to be considered relaxing. The kitchens weren't bad, but the smell of food and the bustling of house elves distracted her. Even her dorm was getting out of control with Caryn throwing fits as she fell into panic attacks over the smallest things.

It may have still been January, but people could feel the stress hitting them.

So, that explained why she was relaxing in the Boy's dormitories, curled up beside Sirius. Her hand was resting on his chest and her head on his arm, slipping in and out of consciousness. Sirius jus reclined with one arm around her shoulders and the other resting on top of her hand. He was staring at the ceiling, his mind wandering randomly, never really staying on one thought for long.

"It's nice to find a place that's quiet," Adelaide murmured, "I'm getting tired of listening to Caryn bitch about how terrible her life is." Sirius chuckled.

"I can tell," he said with an amused smile, "you tend to grumble about her during the first class of the day." Adelaide blushed.

"Sorry," she said bashfully, "She's just keeping me from getting a good night sleep." Sirius gently rubbed her shoulder.

"It's fine; I don't mind," he said truthfully. She sighed, but it turned into a yawn, causing tears to prick at the corner of her eyes. They were silent for a moment, when her hand tightened on his chest and she buried her head into his arm as best she could. She was silent for a few seconds, her breath a bit harsher then normal, and she swallowed as a tear escaped from her eyes.

"I miss Maddie," she whispered suddenly, catching his attention, "I feel like I never got to grieve for her. I mean, I know I cried a lot, but never…I never got a chance to get over the fact that she's dead. It hasn't really set in and I still…I don't know anymore, I just can't stop thinking about her. I was so busy, I just was running away from facing her. I know that I saw her in the casket, but I couldn't grasp anything. That's why I planned everything so meticulously; so I didn't have to think about her. I was running away."

Sirius sat up and gently ran his fingers through her hair, but just allowed her to keep talking.

"I've been so out of it all week," she whispered, "and I'm thinking about her twenty-four seven. I just…I miss her…so much."

She pushed herself and sat beside him, looking at the ceiling absently while Sirius put his arm back around her and pulled her close. She sighed, and began to cry. It wasn't the wild sobbing that she had first done, but it was just a steady stream of tears, punctuated by shaky breaths. It was about five minutes before she calmed down and laughed dryly.

"I needed that," she said, smiling at Sirius weakly. He returned the gesture, and after Adelaide whipped away her tears, she smiled at him and gently kissed his cheek, "Thank you for listening," she said happily. He grinned cheekily,

"And a kiss on the cheek's all I get?" he asked. She giggled, before leaning back in and pressing her lips against his. She kissed him slowly, and he rested his hand on the small of her back as she twisted her body towards him.

The tempo suddenly changed, and his hand caused electricity to shoot down her spine and shudder against him. The kiss began to heat up, and she placed her hand on his chest and got onto her knees, her lips remaining connected with his. What started innocently was turning dangerous, and their minds could only focus on each other. Sirius entangled his hands into her hair and tugged lightly, eliciting a moan from her that cause chills to travel along his spine.

She pressed closer and her hand began to trail downwards when he seemed to snap back to his senses. He gently ended the kiss, to her confusion, and her hand stopped in its descent.

"What?" she asked in confusion.

"If we kept kissing much longer," he explained, "things would have started to go father then you would have wanted." She blinked, before a blush spread across her face.

"S-Sorry," she stuttered, taking her bottom lip into her mouth briefly, and they were silent for a moment before she smiled at him, "Thank you for stopping." He shrugged.

"You were very clear on your beliefs," he said with a shrug, "and I respect you enough to keep what you want in mind." She smiled at him and curled back into his arms.

"Thanks," she murmured again, "It means a lot for you to say that."

-

"So, you came,"

Her smooth voice broke through the silence and caused Peter to jump in surprised, his heart pattering fiercely in his chest. He let out a breath as he turned to eye the Italian carefully. Most of him did not trust her, but part of him wanted to. She remembered whatever he told her from their first conversation in Transfiguration four long months ago, and she seemed to actually care. So, with determination, he began to speak.

"You say that James and Remus will be left out of this?" he said, attempting to sound strong, but he came off as nervous. She smiled and slipped out of the shadows, waltzing up to him. It was odd for him to have to look up to see her, but not completely unwelcome; he was used to his height, but that only made it easier to be intimidated. Besides, she was only an inch taller then him.

"Of course, Peter, darling," she said with a wave of her hand, "They will be perfectly fine." He didn't notice the gleam in her eye as she thought happily, 'for now, that is.'

"Th-Then I agree to your terms," Peter said. Annalisa barely kept back the laughter that was going to burst forth from her chest, but instead smiled in what she knew would be a joyous manner.

"That makes me so happy," she cooed, making her way foreword and kissing his forehead. Sometimes she hated her acting ability; she'd much rather be snogging one of her many Slytherin boy toys then flirting endlessly with the rather weak-minded Gryffindor before her. The thought of Mulciber caused herself to heat up in all the right ways.

But no matter, she thought to herself, she could go and have a good time later. Now it was time to work.

"See, here is what I want…"

-

Adelaide was relieved when they were dismissed from Defense, their last class for the day, and fought down the urge to skip back to the common room. Sirius' firm hold on her hand, though, kept her back and made her heart flutter in her chest. They were fast walkers, naturally, and while Lily and James took a detour to the kitchens and Remus stopped by the library, Adelaide and Sirius were free to walk as fast as they wished back to the common room.

"Have you seen Peter recently, other then classes, that is?" Adelaide asked as they stepped through the portrait hole. Sirius shrugged.

"I've seen him with Remus and James sometimes," he responded, taking a seat on the couch with Adelaide beside him, "but I haven't gotten to talk to him; I think the N.E.W.T.s are really getting to him." Adelaide frowned.

"He hasn't shown up for tutoring either," she said, before biting on her lip, "Do you think he's ok?" Sirius shrugged again, watching the fire with an absent expression.

"Who knows with Peter anymore," he responded, and she realized that he didn't really want to talk about him; she pushed it, though.

"Why are you upset with Peter?" she asked softly, watching his reaction. His jaw clinched for a moment, but it relaxed again.

"I'm not upset with him," he lied, and she frowned and gently ran her thumb over his hand.

"You haven't spoken to him," she continued, and Sirius sighed in anger and annoyance.

"Don't you remember what he said when…when Maddie died?" he asked, turning his attention back to her. She sighed.

"It's fine," she comforted, "I don't mind; he didn't know her, as he said."

"But he is our friend!" Sirius protested, "He should have gone out of courtesy and common principle!" Adelaide suddenly glared at him, and pointed her finger at him.

"Listen: do not let me come in the way of your friendships," she ordered in a surprisingly fierce voice, "I will not cause yours and Peter's relationship to crumble because of me. Your friends should be more important than your girlfriend." She kept eye contact with him, and he sighed after a minute.

"You're right," he said reluctantly, "I'm being ridiculous." She sighed, and smiled slightly.

"You aren't being ridiculous," she countered, "You're being protective; and I think you need sleep."

"But I'm not tired," he protested. She raised an eyebrow.

"You're cranky," she said simply, "I know because I heard you muttering about homework during Charms. You don't have to go to sleep, just go up to your dorm and relax for a minute." He sighed in annoyance.

"I am relaxed," he said with a grin, "I'm setting by you; how can I not be relaxed?" She snorted, before pushing him to get up. He didn't budge. So, she stuck out her tongue, causing him to laugh and curl deeper into the couch. So, she gave up for now and curled against him, watching the fire.

They were there for about ten minutes, before Sirius sighed and began to get up.

"I'm putting my things in my room," he said, "I'll forget about them if I don't do it now." He shouldered his bag, and Adelaide sprawled out across the couch with a grin.

"I'll keep your seat warm!" she said happily. He snorted, and made his way upstairs. As soon as he disappeared form sight, the portrait swung open and in walked Peter. Adelaide saw her chance, and took it, leaping up from her spot and hurrying over.

"Peter, if I could have a word?" she asked politely. He seemed surprised, and nodded. She smiled successfully, before looking at him with concern.

"Peter, you haven't showed up for tutoring," she said slowly, "is everything okay?" he nodded.

"Y-Yeah, it's just," he thought quickly, and quickly saddened his expression, "My grandmother died over winter break, and I've been a bit down; that was why I didn't want to go to your sisters funeral." Adelaide felt sympathy fill her, unaware that he was lying through his teeth.

"I'm so sorry," she said softly, and for some reason it aggravated Peter.

"I don't want your sympathy," he said suddenly, and she blinked in surprise.

"I…I just thought…"

"Well you thought wrong!" he snapped angrily, as his pent up emotions began to take control, "You barely have time for your friends anymore, it's always 'Sirius this, Sirius that' and I'm sick of it!" Adelaide looked at him in confusion.

"I…I pay attention to my friends," she said slowly, "You're the one who ignores me." He laughed bitterly,

"That's because I was sick of being told how wonderful Sirius was," he snapped, "I liked you, Adelaide, and you turned me down for my best friend, and that hurt." Adelaide felt herself getting angry; she never talked about Sirius! Their relationship was exactly that; theirs. It was no ones business if they dated each other, or what they did. So, to avoid confrontation she didn't talk about what they did, and only shared anything with Lily (and that was only when she was asked).

"What's so wrong with me going out with the guy I fancy?" she snapped, choosing to keep that in and choose not to comment on it, "It was never my intention to hurt you! Why would I hurt my friend?"

"You knew I liked you!" Peter said angrily, "But you still went and started dating my friend!"

"Why are you doing this!" she screamed angrily, pulling on her hair in aggravation.

By now, Sirius had returned and heard her scream. He hurried over, and attempted to ask what was going on, but was cut off by Peter retorting angrily.

"Because you don't think about what people are like, you only go after looks! You don't care who you hurt to get what you want!" Peter said angrily, and Adelaide felt her chest clench in anger. So, she did something she had never done before.

She raised her hand, and slapped him. The sharp sound of her hand connecting with his cheek reverberated through the room, and silence consumed everyone as they watched curiously. Adelaide had hot tears pouring down her face, and Peter turned to look at her in surprise, only to see the tip of her wand pointed at him, and her eyes in a harsh glare.

"Don't you dare," she spat, "don't you dare question my morals, or my reasoning. Never say that I don't care, ever." She started when Sirius wrapped his hand around her wrist, and gently lowered her arm.

"Calm down, Adelaide," he said, though he also wanted to hex Peter into oblivion, "Lets go get some fresh air."

The portrait swung open and James and Lily stepped in to complete silence, and Adelaide jerked her arm away from Sirius and pointed her finger at Peter angrily, her eyes flaming.

"I was nice to you," she whispered softly, "I did a lot for you, and I never asked for anything other then kindness in response. Do not expect me to go easy on you, and do not expect me to help you. If you continued to treat your friends this way you will wind up alone, and hating yourself. I will not be there when that happens."

And without another word, she walked out of the room with angry tears still pouring down her face. Sirius easily caught up with her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. She whipped around, and hugged him tightly, and attempted to calm herself.

"Sirius? Adelaide?" Remus asked as he turned a corner, spotting them easily, "What's wrong?" Sirius grimaced.

"Ask Peter," he answered, "It's his fault."

He gently moved Adelaide past his now thoroughly confused friend, and they made their way to the Kitchens where she immediately began to eat a large slice of cake, poor Lobby completely worried for her.

"Don't let what he said get to you," Sirius said softly, "He's wrong." She whimpered, but just took another bite of cake.

"I'm planning on getting fat," she murmured, "and I'll enjoy every second of it." Sirius laughed, and was relieved to see small smile cross over her face.

"I'm sure Peter is just having a hard day," he responded with a comforting smile, "Don't let it get to you; he'll come around."

-

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all things concerning belong to J.K. Rowling. I own Adelaide Vicknair, Vanessa Wolfe, Caryn Gree, Elise Barnes, Madeline Vicknair, Annalisa Bertucci, Professor Sicily and Jean Vicknair.

A/N: Even though this is a really short chapter, I feel it was important because by restraining himself and stopping things before they got too far, Sirius showed that he respects her and her beliefs (which is abstinence, FYI). PLUS OMG ANNALISA'S A SLUT!!! AND PETER PISSES ME OFF!!!!! MEOW! :3

Yours truly,
B.E.N.