I'm amazing! Nah, not really… but I did post two chapters in one day (after a long hiatus, I know, and I'm sorry), but anyway, I hope you like this chapter – I do.

Wow, big quote this time...

The good old days, the honest man;

The restless heart, the Promised Land,

A subtle kiss that no one sees;

A broken wrist and a big trapeze,

Oh well I don't mind, if you don't mind

'Cause I don't shine, if you don't shine

But before you go,

Can you read my mind?

–The Killers 'Read My Mind'

Chapter Nineteen:

I felt physically sick; I'd spent the entire afternoon sitting beside Sirius in the Hospital Wing, a rattling bottle of nerves waiting anxiously on the edge of my seat. He hadn't woken yet, but Madam Le'Dionettre said to give it time, he hit his head pretty hard and completely shattered the bones in his left arm when he hit the ground.

We lost the game, and I'd be a liar if I said it wasn't my fault, but James isn't too angry. He was the one who had to literally hold me back from completely obliterating thatAvery bastard – believe me; I had the Cruciatus Curse on my lips.

Nobody shoves my best friend off a broom from a hundred meters up in the air without having to answer to me afterwards. Avery better watch his back from now on.

But eventually, I was asked to leave the Hospital Wing and return to the Gryffindor Tower (with quite a loud protest from me) as it was past curfew already and I had classes the next day.

So now I lay awake in bed, restless with worry – tossing and turning, kicking my blankets away from me in frustration. It was past midnight and I hadn't had so much as a wink of sleep. So finally, I decided I couldn't take it anymore, and snuck into the boys' dorm – the other three were sleeping soundlessly as I swiped the Marauders Map from James's bedside table.

I left as quickly and quietly as I came.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," Then I tapped the blank parchment and the dark ink surfaced on the page – my own handiwork, since the others are horrible artists that understand nothing of architectural drawing or scale.

First I checked to see where Madame Le'Dionettre was, and I was glad to find her footprints still 'standing' in her room, which I assumed meant she was asleep.

As I was about to leave, I noticed two sets of footprints standing very close together in the old abandoned East Wing of the sixth floor, and was completely shocked to see the names Andromeda Black and Ted Tonks floating underneath. I made a mental note to question her at a later date about her late night wanderings.

But as for now, I had my own late night wandering to do, so clutching the map between my teeth; I subtly morphed my features into that of a sly fox and left the Gryffindor Tower.

I made no sound as I silently padded my way down the dimly lit corridor, but my animal eyes were finely tuned to the night, so it made little difference.

When I came upon the Infirmary, I morphed back into my usual self and pushed open the doors, closing the gently behind me.

I crept my way towards his bed and kneeled down beside him. His chest was slowly rising and falling, which proved he wasn't dead. That was good.

So I sat back in the chair I had sat in for majority of the afternoon, and now the night also, just watching him – the light of the half-moon streamed through the crack in the curtains and soon my eyes adjusted.

Previously, I'd never noted exactly how… handsome he was. Of course I'd heard it from many of the other girls and, I mean, I'm not blind – I know he's good looking, but I'd never truly viewed him that way. All I could see was that goofy kid with the spark in his deep, stormy grey eyes that I met well before I knew anything of magic.

And maybe I was suffering from midnight sun madness, who knew? But under the moonlight, I could clearly see his well-defined jaw, soft and pale skin, long dark eyelashes and shaggy black bangs that fell into his eyes – eyes that if were open – would be like liquid silver.

Sirius looked so peaceful when he was asleep, and this was enough to make me feel warmth spreading inside me. It was just how it worked between us – if one was bright, the other shined.

I leaned in and brushed the hair off his face, smiling slightly to myself. A warm happy smile.

Then, ever so slowly I leaned in, lightly pressing my lips to his. It was soft and bitter-sweet, but still managed to send shivers down my spine. I don't know why I did it, but I did, even though nothing would ever happen between us, I had kissed him.

He stirred and eyes wearily fluttered open, "Wha–"

I pressed one finger to his lips, "Shhh, your dreaming," I whispered in his ear and he closed his eyes again, falling back into his slumber.

I guess I could have told him then and there, I could have confessed my true feelings, told him of all the bottled emotions I'd been holding in my heart – but then what? Nothing. There'd be nothing. It wouldn't change anything. He had a girlfriend; a nice, sweet girl, one who's good to him and cared for him, and no matter how much I loved him… I could never ruin that. I couldn't take that away from him.

Because I knew in my heart, this is all we'll ever amount to be – a stolen kiss in the dead of the night.

Meaningless.

Sorry, shorter chapter than usual but I rather like it. It's bittersweet. Please review, they make my day.