Author Notes; Before we start this chapter! I'd like to say thank you guys for the reviews. I have 69 chapters of this story done, but my computer is being sucky until the 5th, so only expect so many chapters a day - 10 or so or until my computer crashes!

If you want to see anything in this story happen, please inform me! I have some things planned out from my beta-readers. :D You'll be seeing Lucius, Marriage, Adoption, and MPREG later on! Just warnings. :3

Chapter Twenty;

[December 15th, 1998]

'Here it is Tuesday and the git is avoiding me!' Sirius thought to himself as he once again walked into Severus' classroom /right/ after class ended to find Severus already fled. Salazar, who now knows Sirius' animagus form, refuses to give him entry even with the password. Severus was only going to one meal a day and he'd leave a few minutes before the meal ended. Sirius sighed as he walked to the great hall for lunch, pondering if he should once again go to Remus for help.

He took his seat at the end of the table and smiled when Remus took the seat next to him instead of next to Minerva at the middle of the table. During the meal Sirius didn't have an appetite; instead he pushed his food around with his fork, trying to look like a sad little puppy in hopes that Remus would ask what was wrong, like he always did when he saw Sirius pouting.

After Remus took his time to finish his meal, he finally gave in to Sirius, "What's wrong?" he asked after taking a sip of his pumpkin juice.

"Severus is avoiding me… he has been for two days…" Sirius replied frowning.

"Well, what did you do to him?" Remus asked.

"Why do you always assume it is I who did something to him?" Sirius asked slightly offended.

"Because it usually is you who did something, now, I repeat what did you do to him?" Remus reasoned with a warm smile.

"He… I… well… I made him a romantic dinner, with a candle and everything, and I bought him books from Hogsmeade as a gift and…" Sirius paused in his story.

Remus chuckled, "Did you burn the food, Sirius?" he teased in a serious tone.

"Moony, no!" Sirius denied, giving him a glare, "I uh, well… I thought that night might be the night… you know, and well, it's been three months, Moony! I've never had to work /this/ hard for-" Sirius began to say as he was interrupted.

"- For a fuck?" Remus asked, trying his best not to cackle at his friend.

"Damn it, Moony! I'm serious!"

"Yes, yes, I know you are. Calm down and I'll explain to you like I always do," Remus said as they stood up and walked out of the Great Hall together. After a minute of Sirius staying quiet, Remus was satisfied enough to continue talking. "You've never worked this 'hard' as you say because all your other relationships meant nothing. This one obviously means a great deal, or else you would've tried to hit it and quit it the first couple of weeks. Do you understand?" Remus asked. Sirius nodded his head and Remus smiled, "Might I ask if Severus ever answered the question on if he was a virgin?"

Sirius stopped in mid-step and began thinking, "No. He never answered…"

Remus gave a curt nod and continued walking with Sirius, "Then it's obvious he is more than 98% chance one. You need to take your time with these things. He's probably nervous or scared."

"Nervous or scared?" Sirius asked, quirking his eyebrow.

"Yes. Sirius, remember when we were 15, and you lost yours? You came up to the dorm before and said you were going with… I can't even remember the girls' name, and you were excited saying that night was the night," he paused to watch Sirius nod his head, "Yes, well do you remember how you felt that night before your date with her?"

Sirius thought back and frowned, "Nervous and scared."

"Exactly. Most people are when they're doing something for the first time. Especially if they're doing it with someone who has done it before, who has experience when they do not," Remus explained, unsure if it made sense, it did to him and he hoped it would to Sirius.

They both stayed silence the rest of the way to Remus' chambers and both came to a halt at the door. "I think I understand, Moony… but… ugh, how do I get him to /not/ be nervous or scared or whatever he is?"

"You can't just get him not to be, Sirius. You just… let him approach you with it," Remus suggested.

"But… that could take forever, Remy…" Sirius groaned.

"Yes, well, you must ask is Severus worth it?" Remus asked as he opened up his chambers.

Sirius bit his bottom lip in thought, "Well… of course… err."

"Then go apologize for being a git, and wait it out," Remus said, smiling at Sirius.

Sirius rolled his eyes, "What if it takes months? Or years?"

"Then I guess you better get used to your new best friend," Remus said, trying his best not to cackle.

"My new best friend?" Sirius asked a bit confused.

"Your right hand," Remus responded with a wink and closing his door.

"Oh, ha-ha! Hilarious, Moony!" Sirius yelled as he turned on his heel and walked towards the dungeons.

Sirius walked towards the dungeons, trying to think of what to say. He grinned as he came up with an idea, "Whisper!" he called out, knowing she would be near the dungeons. She appeared with a crack of apparition, smiling up at Sirius.

"Whisper is here, sir, how may she assist you?" Whisper asked in a joyful tone.

"Where is Severus?" he asked.

"In his chambers. He wasn't feeling well, sir, I tried to get him to take Pepperup Potion, but sir, he's so stubborn!" Whisper said harshly.

Sirius smiled, "I'll give him some. I'm sure he has some vials in his quarters. Thanks, Whisper."

Whisper nodded her head and disapparated. Sirius turned to his next obstacle, Salazar Slytherin, who was already glaring at him as he turned the corner and headed to the portrait. He gave a smile, "'Lo, Sal. Can I come in?" he asked.

Salazar chuckled, "No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I don't like you. Plus I was told not to let you in."

"Well… I don't like you either, and I need to apologize to him."

"Story of your life, isn't it? How many times have you messed up and been locked out? Three times? In three months? Sad."

"Stop being a git and let me in."

"Oi, don't be rude, I'm an elder to you! A founder of this school! How dare you disrespect me!"

"Let me in!"

"No!"

"Please!"

"Why!"

"So I can apologize!"

"Grr…" Salazar growled in anger.

"… Please… I messed up, I know that. Plus he's sick… I have to give him some pepperup potion." Sirius pleaded, frowning and giving his puppy dog eyes. Salazar's eye twitched in annoyance and reluctantly popped open. Sirius grinned and walked in, looking around the chambers, he sighed when he didn't see Severus. He walked over to his bedroom and pushed it open quietly, seeing Severus' stilled form in the bed, he smiled and walked into the bathroom, opening up the cabinet above the sink and grabbing a vial of Pepperup Potion, walking back into the room and over to the bed.

He sat on the edge of the bed, transfiguring a small glass of water then turning Severus onto his back. Severus moved, keeping his eyes closed and breathing shallow. Sirius rolled his eyes at the horrible attempt to fake sleeping. He placed his hand on Severus' forehead and frowned when he noticed a fever. "Severus," he whispered lightly shaking him, "You need to wake up so I you can take this dose of Pepperup Potion, okay?" he asked as he uncorked the vial and held it to Severus' lips. Severus lifted his head and drunk the potion then lay back down and turned on his side.

Sirius rolled his eyes, putting the vial down and pulling off his shirt, climbing into bed by scooting Severus' over and pulling him to his chest. He wrapped his arms protectively around Severus and smiled as Severus didn't stiffen or flinch. "I'm sorry," he murmured, placing a kiss to the back of Severus' neck then closing his eyes to take a short nap while the potion worked through Severus' system and he napped as well.