Author's Note

Hi readers! So it's been twenty days since my last update, and I'm SUPER sorry about that! Please don't hate me!

Life has gotten in the way as usual, but, hey, look, here's a new chapter for your enjoyment!

I appreciate immensely, as always, all the wonderful and inspiring reviews! It means the world to me. Thank you!

Alright, read, enjoy, review!

Disclaimer: I don't own HP!

22. Distractions

"Addy? Hello? Adeline?"

Sirius's voice broke through my thoughts like a bolt of lightning in a thunderstorm. I started, turning to look at him, concern flooding his features.

"You okay, honey?" he asked, wrapping one strong arm around my shoulders and pulling me closer to him on the long bench that lined one side of the Gryffindor table. "You've seemed so distant today."

We were at dinner, a day after I had walked into Lily and I's bathroom to find the dark mark painted on the white tiled wall. Sirius was right, I was distant. But every time I had a moment to myself, somehow my thoughts would drift to that painted warning and the words below it.

We are watching.

"I'm fine," I said now, leaning into Sirius's embrace just the slightest bit. He didn't look particularly convinced, but nodded anyway, then put some more mashed potatoes on my plate. "Well, maybe you should eat a bit more food. You look a bit pale."

"Paler than usual," added James, now nodding at us, "and that's really saying something."

I had almost forgotten we weren't alone, I had been so lost in my thoughts. Looking up, though, I noticed that all the Marauders, plus Lily, were watching me with a degree of concern. Even Peter had glanced up from his plate of food to look at me curiously.

I didn't feel like eating. It wasn't as though the dark mark had been any great shock to me, but it was the slightest bit disconcerting. It made everything seem more… real. Like, someone out there knew who I was, where I was, and was reporting my every move to Lord Voldemort. I felt like a lion in an exhibit at the zoo: being watched, analyzed, and held captive.

Sirius sighed, staring at me as I once again got a bit lost in my thoughts. "Addy?" he said, brows furrowed. "Please tell me you're going to eat something."

"Probably not," I admitted apologetically. I hated to make Sirius worried, but this was nothing compared to how freaked out he would be if I told him what was going on.

He sighed, then stood, pulling me up gently with him. "Well…" he said, his hand making its way to my waist. "Then I think you could do with a pleasant distraction."

I liked the sound of that. I also liked the feeling of Sirius's arm around my waist as he guided me gently out of the great hall. I caught the eye of a few people, mostly girls with jealous glares on their faces, who were watching us as we departed from dinner. However, this didn't bother me in the slightest. With every step I took, Sirius at my side, I felt my worries floating away.

I felt warm and safe with Sirius's arm around me, smiling happily to myself as he brought me through the halls, making a quick stop at the kitchens for hot cocoa before we set foot out of the castle and onto the school grounds.

It was a very pleasant night, with the moon bright and full and a dazzling number of stars peppering the dark sky. Sirius led me, frothy drinks in hand, to a nice bench that overlooked the beautiful landscape.

"Much better," said Sirius as we got settled, me conjuring up a little fire in front of us to keep us warm and comfy. "Although I really wish you had eaten more of your dinner. You need to keep healthy, Addy."

I rolled my eyes at the very serious and maternal look on my boyfriend's face. "You sound my mother. Before she told me to turn myself in to the Dark Lord, of course."

I meant it as a joke. But Sirius frowned, placing his cocoa on the bench and reaching up to tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. I set my own drink down and leaned into his touch, moving slightly closer to him on the bench, reveling in the warmth and comfort he offered.

"Adeline," he sighed, wrapping his arm around me and kissing my hair. "You don't need to worry about that. I am not going to let anything happen to you. I swear it."

"Don't swear about things like that." I muttered, looking off into the distance. "Please."

"No." he said firmly, full of determination, his fiery gaze trained on the landscape stretching before us. "I will. I don't care what I have to do to keep you safe. I'd do it. In a heartbeat. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I am going to protect you until my final breath."

The weight of his words hung in the air for a second. I lifted my head to look at him: his strong jaw, that beautiful dark hair, hanging across his forehead, dangerously close to falling into those big, blue-grey eyes. Then there was his long straight nose, those thick, dark lashes that would look feminine on any other guy but him, and that smooth, tan skin that I wanted to spend all day touching.

It was a handsome face that made every girl in Hogwarts swoon. But I hardly noticed these things, not then. What I noticed was what so many people seemed to ignore, gloss-over. I saw Sirius, strong, brave, full of love and courage and goodness. I saw past the flirt and the prankster and straight into his caring, amazing soul.

I reached up, tracing my finger ever so lightly along his jaw-line. He shivered, and I did too. It was eerie, almost, how connected I felt to him at that moment.

"Thank you." I whispered, looking straight into his eyes when his gaze met mine. Was it the best thing I could have said at that moment? Probably not. But I couldn't think of a response that felt more right. I wanted him to know just how much I appreciated everything. His determination to protect me, his unwavering support without which I would probably have crumbled into nothingness a long time ago, the love and comfort he had so selflessly provided. "Thank you so much."

He nodded, a smile slowly gracing his features as the moment slowly passed. Within moments we were just two teenagers, on a bench, drinking hot cocoa, in love.

"Any time." He said, winking at me, that heart-breaking smile causing the butterflies in my stomach to start up full force.

I laughed, scooting even closer, grinning when his arm tightened around my shoulders. "So…" I said, nervous and giddy, whereas seconds before I had been solemn and serious. "What was all this about a distraction?"

This was the first time Sirius and I had really been alone together since we had kissed on the astronomy tower during the Spring-time ball. And while it had been a blissful week, we had been constantly surrounded by Lily, the Marauders, and the rest of the student body. The tension, though pleasant in its own way, had been growing for days. Now, though, I thought with a very speedily beating heart, there's no one around to bother us…

Sirius seemed to sense this too, because his smile grew even wider and he leaned forward slightly, his forehead nearly touching mine. "Could it be?" he asked, his voice disbelieving, "some privacy?"

I laughed, feeling completely and utterly happy. I was glad that things weren't always heavy and solemn with me and Sirius. I wanted to feel like a regular, love-struck, silly teenage girl every once in a while. "Let's just pray that Lily and James don't come popping out from behind a tree again."

We laughed together, our lips only inches apart. The tension was stronger than ever and I could sense that electrifying feeling in the air again, potent and unmistakable. Sirius seemed to feel it too, as our laughter faded away and his eyes fell on my lips.

We had kissed in the past week, of course. But just light little pecks good morning and good night, always in the presence of others who were sure to either tease us about it (the marauders) or send us death glares (Ravenclaw girls).

This was different. We were alone, no interruptions, and the chemistry between us was so suddenly so strong I could have sworn it was a tangible thing.

For a second all was still, as we faced each other on the bench, our foreheads touching lightly, our breath mingling together. I wanted so badly to kiss him that this brief moment seemed torturous, never-ending, yet perfect at the same time.

Then his soft, incredible lips were on mine, and his hands were on my back, cradling me against him in the most gentle, tender way. My eyes closed immediately, and I got lost in the feeling of him, his hands holding me, his lips sweeping me away and keeping me anchored all at once. Our tongues met together in perfect synchrony, gentle and tender, but with a certain fire that made my heart beat fast and my breathing speed up.

It was a long time before we broke apart, both of us breathing heavily. But his lips never left me, instead kissing the corner of my lips, then making their way across my cheek and down my jaw. When they reached my throat, I gasped in spite of myself, and felt him smile against my skin.

He brought his eyes level with mine, and I could see all my emotions reflected back at me in those beautiful pools of silvery-blue. Adoration. Love. Happiness. Lust.

He leaned forward, and I felt his warm breath on my ear as he whispered, "you're blushing, honey."

I rolled my eyes at him, and probably blushed even more. "I—" I started, then stopped. "You—"

He just laughed, which after a moment made me laugh. We both leaned back against the bench, and I felt the electricity in the air die down to a pleasing buzz. Finally I gathered my thoughts. "You're a very pleasant distraction."

He grinned like a little kid, then wrapped his arm around me, leaning his head against mine. "Why the hell did we go all week without doing that?"

I rolled my eyes. "We've always had an audience," I said, looking up at him. "Hogwarts. Not exactly the best place for romance."

"It's been torture this past week," he mumbled, kissing my cheek. "It really has."

I blushed, and looked down at my hands resting on my lap, feeling kind of proud that I was the one Sirius wanted. How had that ever happened?

"Well," I said, smiling as Sirius's hand suddenly wrapped around both of mine, and he threaded his fingers through my left one. "I personally didn't think it was so bad."

The look on his face was priceless. I couldn't keep a straight face though, and his look of anguish turned into one of confusion as I burst out laughing.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and turned to face him again, bringing my lips within an inch of his. "Joking, Sirius." I said, grinning up at him. "Only joking. I've been dying to kiss you all week. Well, really I've been dying to kiss you for months but—"

He cut me off with a kiss so enthusiastic that I was pushed back slightly against the weather-stained wood of the bench. "That was mean," he mumbled between kisses, but I could feel him smiling against my lips.

I just laughed, and sighed happily when we finally broke apart as the bells, signaling that students needed to return to their dormitories, sounded from within the castle.

"Damn," muttered Sirius, frowning at the castle. "I hate interruptions."

"At least it wasn't Lily or James this time," I said, grabbing his hand and standing up. "Come on,"

We made our way back to Hogwarts tower hand in hand, laughing and joking and smiling. My worries were blissfully forgotten, at least for the moment. All that mattered was that I was with Sirius.