The memory of the incident in the library still burned freshly and painfully in Marissa's mind, she almost shook with the embarrassment of it. She was almost certain Sirius and the Marauders would be laughing at her foolhardy hope. The vision of Elena with her lips inches from Sirius' singed even more, though Marissa could not replace the look of alarm on his face at this turn of events. Of course, one would never realise there had been so much as a word exchanged between the pair, their lines of vision did not even cross when in class. He resumed openly flirting with pretty, giddy Hufflepuffs and redirected his attentions to more pressing matters, these included the best ways to traumatize Snivellus after potions.
While writing to her parents, her emotions leaked out in the stabs she used to dot her 'i's' and the vicious slashes to cross her 't's'. She became so expressive in her writing that several times with an angry flourish of her quill, she ripped through the parchment. Of course, she would never include the exact source of her frustration. She had a talent for suppressing emotions, but applying this skill to Sirius Black was becoming increasingly challenging. Instead of venting, she informed them of the upcoming quidditch cup, the trip to Hogsmeade and her exams-it was the sort of news they had grown to expect from their wordless seventeen year old.
The way to the owlery was peaceful with most of the castle still enjoying the comforting warmth of thier beds. Marissa kicked several rich, crispy leaves from her path, enjoying their crinkling sound. The general hooting of the owls increased as she trudged up the stone steps.
The chill of the owlery seeped through her legs and up into her spine until it nauseated her skull. A few of the birds flapped their wings in lazy acknowledgement and hooted softly. A handsome oak coloured one fluttered down to greet her. 'Hello' she murmured in response to the tawny school owl, ruffling it's back feathers affectionately. 'The usual' Marissa instructed. The owl hooted and pulled itself up, full of self-importance then took off. The beat of its wings made the breeze blow Marissa's hair from her face. It was only then she discovered the clear, damp teardrops warming her icy cheeks-an angry brush of her palm cleared them quickly, as if they had never existed.
Quite unexpectedly, an annoying but shamelessly handsome boy was leaning against the open archway. If he had noticed he had company he did not let on. Sirius Black moved with a calm indifference, identical to the demeanor he assumed in their shared classes around her. He kept his back blocking her as he fiddled with a different owl, attaching a thick letter. Marissa's own cheeks burned at the increased iciness of the tense atmosphere and a shiver swept through her being. She inhaled profusely, wincing as the cold air beat against her lungs.
Sirius wished he had the courage to turn around and whisper softly into her cheek. He wanted to scream Elena's unimportance. He wanted to tell her thather face clouded his waking thoughts. Most of all, he wanted to finally taste her flushed lips. However, these were things he wouldn't dare do.
Marissa fumbled with her bag, her haste attributed to the arrival of Sirius Black. Turning hastily to leave, she caught a glimpse of him and silently cursed the way his hair fell gracefully, barely skimming his eyes. In the same split moment, Sirius turned his head just enough to see her leave. He may have been mistaken due to the dull light of the owlery but what looked like tears marked Marissa's cheeks. He tried unsuccessfully to refocus his attention to affixing his letter. He had believed the girl would have been in the library, never had he wished so much to be somewhere else. His handsome brow crumpled; 'Fuck it', he said quickly, immediately dropping the letter to launch after her.
Her tall elegant frame fled down the stairs with vigor. Sirius conquered the uneven, blocky steps easily, using his long legs to race downwards. He bellowed her name but she showed no indication of halting. Instead, she moved even faster. He reached out, catching Marissa roughly by her hand burned against the chilliness of her skin. Yanking her fragile body, she was turned around to face him, but she glared absently into the distance. Sirius hadn't imagined it, her face was indeed stained with tears , many still running and painting fresh patterns on her cheeks. She tried to furiously pull back her arm and reclaim it from his grasp but his grip did not yield. Angrily opening her mouth only to shut it again, Marissa tightened her jaw. When she finally spoke, he quiet voice was cold and shaky- "Let go, You're hurting me'.
Her words made him drop it abruptly. With the sharp realisation that this was the first time he had touched, he noted how smooth and cold she was against his rough had been so tiny in his grasp that he feared he would snap her if he had held on any longer. Her arm flopped loosely at her side as if it had never been touched. Her breath stood out like a frozen puff, a glassy web against the icy stillness of the air. Steadily recomposing herself and now free of his clutch, Marissa turned again hoping to return to the safety of her dormitory. A place where handsome, cruel boys could not approach. He was surprised that she walked away, the feeling of rejection was alien and sour to him. Perhaps this was what it felt like being Peter? 'Wait Marissa, please?' he called to her retreating form, desperation permeated each syllable. These words felt awkward and wrong in his mind but it was the only thing he believed would make her stay. Sirius Black had never grovelled before but if there was a time to, it was now.
'Marissa', he looked at her with an unwavering gaze, they were so close he could have counted the freckles on the bridge of her nose. 'You were never going to be one of those girls to me, You're different and I know that'. He was aware that he sounded increasingly incoherent and pathetic the more he talked, but some things had to be said. Even if they killed a little of his Black house pride. Marissa's attention was immediately reverted to him, the morning air was still but carried a definite chill. She shivered feeling the cold despite the fact his gaze made her uncomfortably warm.
"You're cold" he stated simply. "No" she retaliated defiantly. "Here", he pulled off the gold and red jumper and handed it to her; she caught an eyeful of his lean physique covered by a thin shirt before chiding herself. The jumper was wonderfully woolly and it seemed unfair to leave him standing there with his arm outstretched generously. She took it gingerly and slipped it over her body easily. She was immediately grateful for the insulation it supplied. It hung laughably loose and only emphasised her lack of a figure even more. Somehow she had a way of making it work-Sirius genuinely doubted any other girls ability to make a baggy jumper seem as attractive as Marissa was doing. Sirius stood transfixed by the girl, she had been sweet and honest and kind, in other words, far too good for him. She rolled the sleeves up to make her hands visible; their length would have made using a wand impossible.
'I think we need to talk', Sirius cringed at his inability to speak a proper sentence but concealed it behind his cool facade. In response, she bit her lip uncomfortably. 'Why put yourself back into this? Tell him you're busy, you have homework or something!' her conscience besieged her .Her mind threw around words like trouble and easy. 'Okay' she concluded with a shakey smile, despite the screaming protests of her sensible brain. Every sensible cell in her psyche rebelled against this decision but Marissa digressed.
As always any reviews would be really appreciated! Thanks for reading, the next chapter is written and will be posted soon, for all those who have followed the journey so far, you're waiting and patience will be worth it :)