A/N: kate3110, from what I know about your preferences, I hope that the next few chapters will keep you amused since there will be some action :D Oh, I didn't know that it was good to read my work while listening to gods... Have to say, now you made me smile. :D So, here's the next chapter, the longest one yet, and it's a bit AU, but following canon as much as possible. :D

Disclaimer: Everything you recognize is JKR's, the rest is my imagination.

Fight clubs and brave hearts

''C'mon. You can do this. It's not like it's your first time. You've done this already. He even agreed this time.'' For your information, that was me, talking myself into grabbing the handle of the door to Sirius' room. It was the day after our little deal and we agreed to start training the first thing in the morning, which was exactly now. I was standing in front of the blasted door after knocking a couple of times and him totally ignoring me, probably because of sleeping in. I finally managed to touch the handle, carefully sliding my fingers and palm onto cold brass, as if it was going to burn me. And just when I took a deep breath to push the door open, it was pulled roughly, making me completely lose my balance and stumble into the room, or more precisely into Sirius. I felt warm, rough hands grabbing me by the shoulders and pushing me off, steadying me safely back onto my feet in the process.

''What the hell?'' he exclaimed, looking thoroughly disheveled with his hair sticking in different directions and his eyes still drowsy with sleep.

''You already forgot about our deal? Well done, Black.'' I started my irritated rant, trying to ignore a sudden urge to smooth down his messy hair. It looked clean and soft, I could just- No! Stop!

''Well, I was hoping to get some breakfast first, since certain annoying someone made me drink some bloody potions which make me think about food constantly.'' Sirius drawled, but it was almost…mild. He didn't have that mean look in his eyes, even if he was trying to keep broody appearance. He was in a good mood, for some reason. In fact, he was in a so good mood, that he willingly told me more than a one-word sentence.

''Oh.'' I managed to squeak out, feeling utterly ridiculous while staring up at his steely eyes. ''You're right, we eat first.'' I blinked breaking the contact and ran down the stairs, chastising myself for my sudden weird behavior. Maybe I was feeling awkward because we were alone up in the hallway? I walked into the kitchen with Sirius trailing behind me hoping to find someone in there… No such luck. Molly left the note saying she was in Diagon Alley and all the kids were still asleep.

I started to wander around, digging some ingredients from the pantry, occasionally asking Sirius what would he want to eat. We had a pretty civil, if not a little strained conversation while I was making breakfast, but it was more than enough-he wasn't his angry, mad self this morning. Of course he was still snarky and sarcastic, but the line was after that. We ate in a little uncomfortable silence, Sirius reading Daily Prophet and grunting occasionally, me casting subtle glances at him, feeling unduly giddiness with his physical improvement. And when he willingly addressed me, my pathetic mind started singing. Why did I want him to speak to me so much?

''Ha, check this out. I apparently broke into Azkaban and tried to help some Death Eaters in need.'' Sirius said dryly and rolled his eyes.

''Oh? Some new morning hobby? Congrats.'' I retorted, concentrating on smearing butter on the toast when Sirius snorted. He just snorted. That counts as almost laughing. I caught his look with the smirk on my face, trying to hide sudden rush of pride combined with discomfort at the fact that we shared a joke for a first time in a decade. I still wasn't used to him being… well, him, so this was as new to me as it was to Sirius, probably.

''We should probably head down to the basement'' I said when I saw it was nearly 10am, not missing sudden stiffness coming from Sirius. ''I mean, Remus said it has plenty of space, since he fixed it up for his transformations.'' I got up and started towards the door, expecting him to follow.

…Except he was standing next to the table, looking somehow pale and panicked. When I turned around and saw him like that, he cleared his throat and said in scratchy, quiet voice,

''Sure. Let's go.''

And when we finally reached the end of the stairs and I walked into the basement, leaving the door open and flicking my wand to turn the lights on, I yet again caught Sirius standing frozen on the doorway, looking like they made him go back into his Azkaban cell or something. Maybe that was the problem? Maybe muskiness and dampness in the air and the overall dusty darkness of the room reminded him too much of Azkaban? But it wasn't so much different than the rest of this awful house…

''Black? What's with you and the basement? Want to find some other place for practice?'' I asked, trying not to sound to privy and sympathetically, because he hated it the most.

He snapped out of his little panic attack or whatever that was on the sound of my voice, and gruffly responded, ''Never mind, let's begin.''

I nodded, rolling the sleeves of my cotton, frilly white dress up to my elbows and waiting for him to get ready. He just fumbled with the pockets of his oversized robe and for a brief moment I was wondering how wasn't he hot, constantly dressed in that heavy, long material. My thought was forcefully stopped when I saw some hex flying in my direction and I was, of course completely unprepared. The hex hit me and I slipped and fell, cursing my lack of attention.

''Hey, I wasn't prepared!'' I yelled while getting up, rubbing my sore ass and glaring daggers at clearly amused Black.

''What were you gaping at? You can't expect Bella to ask you if she could torture you.'' He countered, rolling his eyes and smirking casually.

''I was just…Rictusempra!'' I was pretending to wipe some dust off my dress so I could catch him unprepared, but he just flicked his wand and made a shield, cocking one unimpressed brow at me.

''Really, White.'' He flicked his wand again and I was now fully expecting it, so I dodged the jinx and fired back. It was getting more interesting by the minute, heavier and heavier hexes flying around, quick dodges, shields and counter-attacks sparking.

After a couple of hours, he managed to hit me with several hexes while I barely grazed his shoulder once, and I was getting quite frustrated and tired of my lack of form, but I had to admit I was getting better. I was cursing my choice of clothing, seeing how my dress was slowing down my movements and just when I thought that, I realized Sirius was wearing a robe. I smiled at my own sneakiness, ran behind some barrel and cast a charm, aiming perfectly at his robe. It got so big that his hands and wand were covered in dark material and his legs were trapped effectively. He was confused for a moment, and I didn't give him the time to think it through, quickly lighting a small fire on the bottom of his robe, which was a whole 3 foot far from his body. He quickly took off his robe, jumping away from the fire and casting Aguamenti on it when I jumped behind him and hit him with full body-bind. He fell like he was made of wood, face first on the floor and I let a thrilled chuckle come out of my mouth.

''Who wins this one, huh, Black?'' I rolled him over and sat on his frozen knees, pointing my wand at his face and grinning like a fool. Even if his face was stony and blank, he managed to roll his eyes and make me laugh even harder… until my eyes fell on his form. He was now robe-clad, wearing only Muggle ripped jeans, like the ones (likely that exact pair) he had when we were together and white, short-sleeve T-shirt which was baggy, but fitted him perfectly now when he was laying, outlining defined, lean, not overly muscled (where the hell did he get that) body. And naturally, while checking him out, laying under me with that gorgeous combination of almost perfect body and aristocratic, stubbled face with long black hair, my concentration totally broke, and the spell wore off.

Sirius used his chance and ticked me to the floor, locking my arms none too gently above my head with his left hand and taking the exact same position I was in a couple of seconds before.

''Physical combat, White.'' He said leisurely, like we were drinking tea and talking about the weather. ''Many of them just forget all about it, too much of self-confidence they have, if you ask me. It helped me out of many shits.''

''Like when they attacked us in front of your apartment and you lost your wand?'' I breathed out, ignoring the pain in the shins from the pressure of his weight and uncomfortable stretch of my arms. And low-key ignoring his masculine scent mixed with soap and some soft cologne surrounding me. Why did I talk him into being all clean and manly, again?! It does me no good, that's for sure.

His eyes flicked to mine as he released my arms, getting up and not bothering to give me a hand down there. But when I finally got up on my own something akin genuine smile quickly crossed his face. It was barely there, but I saw it. It made him look much younger and carefree.

''Yeah, just like then.'' He answered quietly, ruining my little illusion of young Sirius standing in front of me. Young Sirius would never talk so shyly and awkwardly. But he also showed me that he remembered, that the dementors hadn't really taken it all away from him.

He cleared his throat, not meeting my gaze but looking around the room. ''Can we get out of here now, please?'' Did he just…. Say please?! Really now, what is it with him and this place?!

''Right.'' I fell in step with him, suddenly realizing how much more comfortable I was feeling in his presence, now when we had beaten up each other good. ''So, same place, same time tomorrow?'' I said climbing up the stairs with him.

''Sure.'' He nodded and glanced at me with smirking face. ''You look like hell. Your hair is ruined. Your dress is ruined. Why did you even put it on? It only slows you down.''

I glanced down on my dress, which was in varying shades of brown now, cringing at my stupidity. I was only worrying about the fact it was still bloody hot, totally ignoring all the cons of wearing something white and womanly into the duel.

''I wasn't thinking.'' I winced at my stupid confession and quickly turned the subject on him. ''And why did you need that robe? It's freakishly hot and it does you no good in combat. I thought you of all people would know that.'' I was referring to his younger self, when no man alive could force him into Ministry Auror robes. He was always in his leather jacket, jeans and combat boots.

As on cue, he quickly hid his arms behind his back. I was now curious to see what he was hiding, but I didn't want to be privy again. Not now, when he finally started to act like a normal person around me.

So I tried to forget about his weird behavior and we reached the kitchen, finding Molly, Hermione, Ginny, the twins and Ron already in there.

''What happened to you two?'' Molly started to fuss around us the same moment we stepped into the kitchen.

''Black was just…'' I was trying to catch my breath and move the falling strands from my braid off my face. ''…training me. You know. For my mission.'' Molly just nodded and kids started to be all nosy and excited. Sirius found some Remus' forgotten cardigan on one of the chairs and quickly put it on, seating himself comfortably and engaging in the conversation with little pests. I watched dumbstruck, still not used with his good mood this day and slowly went to my room, in desperate need for a shower.

Showered and wrapped in a towel, I was looking myself in a bathroom mirror, with my too long black hair cascading down my back. And in that moment, all I could think was that it would get in the way. It was too long and yes, it was pretty, but it can only get in the way in the battle. And I had a feeling, that awful, cold feeling flowing through my bones and gripping my stomach, that there would be more battles than I could count in the future. So, I don't know what possessed me, but I was feeling some weird wave of determination and fighting spirit, like those warriors in old, muggle movies. So I conjured the scissors, gathered my damp hair in a low ponytail and just cut it, in two moves. Now, instead of falling in thick waves down to my lower spine, it was barely touching my shoulders. I styled it a little, not to look like an idiot and cleaned the mess up, satisfied with my little bravery, the whole time comparing myself with the Indians when they were putting their war paint on and making a whole ritual out of it.

I was back in the kitchen to find Sirius alone, and in the oddest position ever. He was lounging on his chair, somehow managing to balance on it and take a nap in the same time, and on his chest was a curled ginger ball of fur, also known as Hermione's surly cat. Sirius woke up on the sound of the door opening, looking utterly bewildered and panicked, but he calmed down when he saw me and stopped moving when the cat hissed at him. He shifted his indifferent gaze from me to the cat and they were having one weird staring contest, as if communicating without making any sound (yes, I am still talking about an animal) and then it looked like Sirius suddenly remembered himself, quickly glancing back at me.

''Where'd your hair disappear?'' I still don't know why, but I realized right then that I liked Sirius the most when he was just woken up. Thus he would become somehow childish and vulnerable, all of his past regrets, horrors and traumas abandoning him in a couple of blissful seconds, leaving the pure beauty of ignorant innocence.

''I cut it. It gets in the way.'' I shrugged and waited since he looked like he wanted to add something, but he just closed his mouth, looking back at Crookshanks.

''Since when are you fond of cats?'' Whenever I asked him something, I was afraid I was being boring to him and afraid of his cruel comments. That stupid feeling didn't leave me even today, when he was friendly enough to anyone, even me.

''Not all of them, this particular cat.'' He waved me off shrugging his shoulders and scratching Crookshanks absent-mindedly, and that was my cue to leave him be.

The next three days passed in a very similar fashion. I would wake up, knock on Sirius' door on my way to kitchen, we would have breakfast with various people who would be there at that moment, have a nice little chat or just sit there in finally comfortable silence, finally used to each other completely. Then, we would go to the basement and he would torment me 'til the last drop of sweat, teaching me how to use physical combat in the sync with magic. I had to admit, Black was an excellent teacher. He would leave me to my own devices, to learn by myself my own mistakes and to think over my movements and make tactics. In those hours spent with him down there, I started to admire his competency and quick movements along with a little terrifyingly strong magic and quick sense for strategy. Maybe Azkaban had eaten a part of his sanity and dried him up almost completely, but he still had it left. And I could see it, he was enjoying it. And I could finally understand it-he was, for the first time in a very long time, feeling useful and being needed. And that was one of the reasons that kept him in a good, friendly mood.

The other reason came the fourth day, just when the Order meeting started, escorted by a group of Order members, looking completely confused.

We were sitting in the kitchen, trying to engage fidgeting Sirius in some plans of action or new tactics to ease his mind a little. He was desperately worried the whole day about Harry's arrival, impatiently bursting in the hallway on every little sound. When we finally heard the door opening Molly jumped, running out of the kitchen, probably to usher Harry up, into the safety of bedrooms. She was a little over-protective on the whole issue about giving the kids some information, but what did I know, after all? I wasn't a mother.

I could see Sirius was desperately trying to listen to Dumbledore and his information about Voldemort's secret weapon, but his foot was continuously tapping under the table, and he would nervously play with the spoon in his mug with twitchy fingers, occasionally glancing to the door or to Remus, as if asking him telepathically was Harry alright. But, my attention quickly snapped back to Dumbledore when he addressed me.

''Miss White, the moving of Bellatrix Lestrange is confirmed. I hope you're ready for your departure in the early hours?'' Dumbledore asked in ever so polite manner, his blue, wise eyes twinkling in my direction. When I nodded, he continued.

''You should expect to be absent for a couple of days, so I hope you're prepared to lack some sleep and warm meals.''

''I'm as ready as I could be. Thank you for your concern, sir.'' I said solemnly, getting one warm smile from Dumbledore before he apparated.

Molly sent Tonks to fetch kids for dinner, and while we were waiting for them to get down, I was positively getting more and more nervous, almost like Sirius was. I was trying to reason with myself that he was only fifteen-year-old boy and that he didn't even remember me, but I didn't know how to talk to him. What to tell to the child of your best friend, whom you abandoned because of your own cowardice? I heard his aunt, that stick in the mud Petunia Dursley was awful to him. Would it change anything if I have stayed, if I've at least tried to contact him?

When I heard someone (most likely Tonks) stumbling onto something in the hallway and waking up that blasted portrait, I saw Sirius jumping up and bursting out in the hallway. Reluctantly, I followed.

And then, my nervousness transformed into shock. I was looking at young James Potter. Of course I saw some pictures in the newspapers, but looking at him in front of me, with that wild mess of the hair and lanky posture, I could only see my long gone friend.

Sirius hugged him and started animatedly to talk, and finally, for the first time before my eyes, a bark of happy, uncontrolled laughter escaped him. It was just so long ago when I had heard it for the last time, that the lump in my throat just appeared on its own. And pure happiness and bliss made that haunted look in his eyes go away completely. Sirius started to usher Harry on the way into the kitchen, or better said, right in front of me. And I was standing there frozen, barely succeeding not to gape at the kid's scar and desperately trying to say something.

And when Harry finally noticed me standing in the hallway with them, he wiggled out of Sirius' grasp and looked at me uncertainly with those eyes his mother had left him.

''Hello, Harry.'' It came out scratchy and hoarser than my usual husky voice, and I just knew I was giving him one watery smile. I could barely control tears in my eyes, but I managed to continue. ''You don't remember me, but I remember you since you were a baby. I'm Vivian, one of the friends of your parents.'' I finished, biting my lip to stop myself from jumping onto poor child and hugging him desperately. It was just that he was so much of a mix of my deceased friends that I really wanted to sob.

''Um… Hello.'' He gave me one little smile and then Fred and George came out of nowhere, ruining our little moment.

''Oh, you met Sirius' girl!'' Fred teased, grinning madly when Ginny gave him a glare. The twins were teasing me since they had heard from Tonks that Sirius and I were together, and they didn't want to stop it.

''I…What?'' Harry was now utterly bewildered.

Sirius scoffed, still with the huge grin on his face. ''Yes, as if I would be with such a clumsy pest. You know how much trouble that woman has with using shield charm?'' Sirius countered, draping an arm around Harry's shoulder and finally walking into the kitchen.

I was now even more in shock. Sirius was always ignoring the little jabs from the twins, and now he was openly joking about that? About me?

''Oh, be still, my heart. What should I do now?'' I quickly gathered myself and played along, dramatically holding a hand on my chest, walking into the kitchen along with them and kicking Sirius in the shin in the process.

The evening passed in the most pleasant way since I got here. Everyone was fussing around Harry, Sirius was positively beaming, and even when talking about serious stuff and when he and Molly had a little row about the facts Harry should know, it was still okay. I was trying not to butt into many conversations, leaving the space for family reunions and trying to be fairly invisible. After all, Weasleys and Sirius were the most important people in poor boy's life right now, and it was clear that he missed them dearly.

After some time I excused myself and went to my room, mentally berating myself for forgetting about tomorrow. I prepared all the things I would need, charming the old clock to wake me up at 5am and tried to fall asleep, unfortunately unsuccessfully. It was the eventful day, after all. And for some reason, the last thing I saw before I drifted off was Sirius gleeful smile.