Chapter Two: A Small Rebellion

When Doriel reappeared she immediately fell to her knees. The imposing golden Throne of the Seraphim in the white marble audience chamber was occupied by the supreme Archangel Michael. On his right hand stood the Archangel Uriel; on his left stood the Archangel Gabriel. The leader of the Seraphim looked down upon her severely. "What were you doing with that Wizard?"

"I-I wasn't doing anything!" she stammered. "He wanted to see his godson and I just thought—After all it is our duty to make mortal spirits happy."

"You know fraternization with mortals is forbidden," Michael reminded her.

"I wasn't fraternizing!" Doriel protested.

"What do you call it then?" Michael gave her a look of undisguised disdain. "A handsome young Wizard is too much of a temptation for one of the Cherubim."

Uriel motioned for Michael to come closer. "I suggest we let the girl do what comes naturally," the archangel whispered. "If she is meant to fall, let her do it so we have one less angel in Heaven who is drawn to the flesh. If you recall she was sympathetic to Lucifer at the time of the Great War."

"I remember." Michael nodded grimly. "Very well." He looked up and addressed the recalcitrant angel again. "You know the rules, Doriel. Follow them and be content. If you do not, there will be consequences."

Doriel bowed low. "I will do my best, Michael, I swear."

The next evening, James and Lily invited Sirius and the Lupins over for dinner.

"It seems I've attracted the attention of an angel," Sirius told his friends. "She took me to see Harry at the Weasleys."

"Is he well?" Lily asked anxiously.

"We could only stay for a moment, but yes, he looked very well and happy," Sirius told her. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his old friend James Potter frowning. After dinner James took him aside.

"Sirius, I know you meant well, but it upsets Lily that she can't see Harry whenever she wants. And here you are with your new angel friend, checking in on Harry as easy as you please."

"James," Sirius said, taken aback by his friend's anger, "I never wanted to upset anyone. I thought you'd be glad to know Harry is all right."

"I am, it's just that—I guess I'm just angry it wasn't us who got to see him," James admitted.

"If it means anything I haven't seen Doriel at all today and even if I do see her again I doubt we'll be able to visit Harry again."

Sirius was more disconcerted than he thought he should be by Doriel's absence. She was a weird little thing he didn't quite know what to make of. Still she provided him with an amusing distraction he desperately needed. Besides, he rather liked her.

The next morning when he left his house, he found Doriel doing aerial acrobatics outside. It was obvious she was trying to impress him with her flying, so how could he disappoint her? He clapped loudly then called for her to land. After a few more somersaults she did so.

"Good morning, Mr. Black," she said brightly while smoothing out her curly yellow hair.

"Good morning, Doriel," he replied. "Please call me Sirius."

"Do you like the water, Sirius?"

"I do."

"Wonderful! I'll show you the River of Life!" She took his hand and was just about to fly off with him when Sirius stopped her.

"Doriel, are you supposed to be flying me anywhere?" Sirius asked. "It's just that you're the only angel I've seen since after I first arrived."

"Oh, we are actually everywhere, but we're supposed to remain invisible. That's how we are able to provide for you and your fellow mortals."

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "But you're not invisible."

Doriel shrugged. "When I saw you and how alone you were, I thought it I could provide for you better if I wasn't invisible."

Sirius chuckled. "I guess I'm just not used to this level of attention."

Doriel lowered her head. "I've displeased you."

Sirius took her by the shoulders. "You've done no such thing. It's just that you needn't try quite so hard."

Downcast, she nodded in understanding. "I suppose I should leave now."

"You don't have to do that either," he said, taking her hand. "There's a nice pond across the heath that's rather pleasant at this time of day. Would you like to come with me?"

Doriel flapped her wings with excitement. "Yes please!"

When they arrived at the pond, a mild breeze gently rippled across the water. Sirius sat down at the edge of it and took off his shoes and stockings, then dipped his bare feet in the cool water. He motioned for Doriel to do the same. After a moment's hesitation she removed her sandals and dipped her feet in as well.

"Sirius, yesterday you said you were in a Wizard prison. May I ask you what you did?"

"Nothing. I was framed for the murder of twelve Muggles—non-magical mortals— and another Wizard. After I escaped I was forced to hide from the authorities. I never had much of a life after I escaped, but at least I died fighting our enemies and protecting Harry."

"I fought in the war against Lucifer—well, I held a sword anyway. I'm glad I didn't hurt any of my fellow angels, even if they were rebels." Tears sprang to Doriel's eyes. "Our family was torn apart when a third of the angelic host fell."

"It was like that during both the Wizarding Wars," Sirius told her sadly. "Family against family. My own mother disowned me when I chose to fight against Voldemort."

"I've heard that name—he was truly evil, but Lucifer wasn't like Voldemort," Doriel was quick to explain. "He was the best of us. He did not want to destroy man he just could not bear the thought of bowing to Adam. I just wish God could have forgiven Lucifer his pride. Heaven hasn't been the same since. Michael is very strict lest there be another rebellion."

Sirius couldn't help thinking he would have done the same as Lucifer if he'd been in his shoes—or sandals. He handed her a handkerchief with which to wipe her eyes. "The Archangel Michael, is he the one who called for you the other day?"

Doriel nodded. "But we aren't doing anything wrong."

"Not yet," Sirius said with a mischievous grin. He suspected they were very likely breaking a rule or two, but he didn't care. Besides, defying the Powers That Be gave him a rush of excitement he hadn't felt since he was alive. He pushed back a few stray curls behind Doriel's ear, then stroked her cheek. "You're very pretty," he told her.

She blushed bright red then risked meeting his eyes. "So are you."

Sirius laughed. "Do you know how long it's been since I've kissed a woman?"

"H-how long?" she breathed.

"Too long." Sirius took her chin in his hand and leaned in for a soft kiss.

When he withdrew Doriel's smile was as bright as the sun. "Do you know when I was last kissed by a man?"

He smiled and shook his head.

"Never," she sighed. "Do it again, please."

Sirius kissed the little angel again, this time teasing her mouth open with his tongue. Doriel gasped in surprise, allowing Sirius to deepen the kiss while she began to run her hands tentatively through his long hair. He slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her close then Doriel's wings curled forward to envelop them both in an embrace.

Unbeknownst to the couple, Uriel bore silent witness to their latest transgressions. It wouldn't be long before Doriel was arrested for crimes against angel kind and that ill-humored Wizard could be expelled from Heaven permanently.

To be continued…

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