Authors note; Serious 'fruitiness' in this chapter!
'There may be trouble ahead,
But while there's music and moonlight and love and romance...
Let's face the music and dance…'
'Let's face the music and dance' – Nat King Cole
Friday 1st June 2000
She looked amazing. When she'd come down the stairs she'd taken his breath away. She was beautiful even without make up, wearing a t shirt and jeans. But tonight, all dressed up, she simply shone. No need for glamour, she had it naturally. The emerald green satin dress she wore accentuated her slender figure and her glossy, auburn hair.
He watched her dancing and laughing with George Weasley. He gave thanks to the heavens again for bringing her into his life. She was his. She loved him! He had pushed away the unwelcome thoughts that invaded his head a few nights ago.
He was so pleased with how well the party had turned out and that so many had come. He knew they were taking a risk throwing a party with Voldemort on the hunt for Rose, but he didn't care. Let the bastard come tonight! There were enough people here to take on him and his followers. Only Alvin Muggleton and his daughter were unable to attend. He'd said she was ill, which was a pity.
She'd loved the gift he'd given her for her birthday. She had flung herself into his arms and showered him with kisses. He was thrilled and relieved. The subdued restraint he had sensed in her seemed to have retreated.
'Great party, Sirius.' Kingsley Shacklebolt slapped him on the back and smiled. 'Thanks Kingsley. Rose deserves it and it's good for us all to have something to celebrate for a change.' Sirius looked around the room in satisfaction, his eyes resting on Rose yet again.
'Very true, man. This is one crazy world we are living in right now,' Kingsley replied in his lilting accent. 'And from what I've seen tonight, there's gonna be some more good news very soon.' Sirius looked at him in surprise, 'What do you mean?' Kingsley laughed. Sirius man, I've been around long enough to know when two people are in love.' Sirius looked back at him in shock and Kingsley chuckled. 'You love Rose don't you? And she loves you.' Sirius let out the breath he'd been holding. 'Yes.'
Kinglsey put a hand on his shoulder. 'Your eyes gave away what your tongue did not. I can see you are worrying what people will say, but let me say this; I think it's wonderful. You deserve some happiness, the both of you. To find it in these dark times is rare. No fear Sirius, I will keep it to myself.' Sirius smiled at him. 'Thanks Kingsley, you're a good friend.'
'And one final word on the matter Sirius. You are a man, she's a woman and age is irrelevant. No one who matters to you will judge either of you on that score.' Kingsley took Sirius' hand and shook it warmly, 'Congratulations man. Now, I'm going to steal a dance from the birthday girl.'
xox
Rose laughed as George Weasley spun her around the floor. They were dancing to a Little Richard song. George was surprisingly good at dancing. Most men she'd known didn't dance. Music and dancing were two of the many things she loved the most. She felt so alive when she heard music and her body couldn't help but respond and move with the rhythm.
She yelled in delight as George flung her over his shoulder at the finish of the song. He steadied her and they were both breathless and laughing. She glanced over at Sirius, who smiled at her lovingly. 'I bloody loved that!' said George. Rose laughed, 'Me too. You are a dark horse Mr Weasley! Where did you learn to dance like that?' George smiled. 'Between you and me, I had lessons. When I realised that the girls liked a fella who could dance at the school ball, I decided I wasn't going to miss out!' Rose laughed. 'Casanova has nothing on you!' George smirked and began playing with the collar and cuffs of his shirt and then strutted around the floor. 'Well, when you've got it…'
She laughed joyfully. George was brilliant. She had been in the year below him and Fred at Hogwarts and they had always been popular characters. It was so sad that Fred was no longer here. She didn't know how George coped. He had lost not only his twin, but also Ron, Ginny, Percy and his parents just over two years ago. She said a silent prayer of thanks that her family were alive and safe and reminded herself how lucky she was.
'Earth to Rose, come in...' George brought her back to the present. She grinned, 'Sorry I was miles away.' George smiled and said 'Bet I can guess where your thoughts were….or should I say who you were thinking about!' Rose looked at him and blushed, No, she thought to herself. He doesn't know….does he?
George put a hand to his brow and one to his chest and his face took on a pained expression. 'My poor heart is broken, dear Rose,' George said in a quivering tone, 'For another has captured your heart….lucky old dog that he is!' George finished his theatrics and broke into a huge grin at Rose's shocked expression.
'How do you know George?' she said, realising from George's joking inference that he knew the truth. George continued grinning. 'Because our dear friend Padfoot over there can't keep his eyes off you. They follow you everywhere and he looks like he wants to devour you!' She blushed as he continued, 'And you are just as bad. Every time his name's been mentioned tonight, you get a gooey smile on your face and look over at him like he's the biggest bar of chocolate you've ever seen!' George said jokingly, referring to Rose's love of confectionary. She laughed. Her face was burning now!
'Is it the real deal then?' George asked softly and seriously. Rose smiled and nodded. 'I love him George. So much. I've never felt like this about anyone before.' He smiled at her. 'Well I don't need to ask if he feels the same. His eyes say it all.' Rose cleared her throat, feeling unusually coy and bashful.
'So, what do you think?' She said. "Does it bother you what people will think?" George replied. 'Not at all, but I think Sirius worries about the age gap, and what people will say about it.' George chuckled, 'Well, he is a bit of an old git, but I'm sure there's life in the old dog yet!' Rose slapped him playfully on the arm, 'Don't be so cheeky!'
George staggered as if he'd been wounded and then laughed again. 'Oh it's definitely love then, with you defending your man's honour so passionately!' He dodged out of the way as she tried to land another playful slap on his arm. She smiled at him. You couldn't help but love his cheek!
George moved back towards her, holding his hands up in mock surrender. 'Please don't hurt me, it was only a joke!' She laughed and he grabbed her in a hug. 'Rose,' he said, 'not that it matters what I think, but I'll tell you anyway. I think it's bloody brilliant. You couldn't find yourself a better fella…well, apart from me!'
She chuckled as he continued, 'Padfoot's punching above his weight, but he couldn't find himself another gal as lovely as you. Seriously Rose, I'm pleased for the both of you.' George hugged her tightly. 'Thanks George, you're a good friend. I hope you'll be as happy as I am one day.'
George smiled and broke away from the hug slightly. 'Oh, not yet. Too many hearts would be broken….I can't do it to all my ladies!' George put a mock expression of martyrdom on his face and Rose couldn't help but laugh. 'Maybe one day though, I'll be lucky enough to find myself a….what do muggles say now? Oh yes, cougar!'
xox
It had been a wonderful night. Everyone had gone now. Sirius was just casting a cleaning spell to tidy up the house. She looked down at her hand and smiled. She loved it. He had given it to her earlier in the day, before the party. The Claddagh ring was a beautiful pale gold, elegant and simple. The hands held a heart in their centre, topped by a small crown. These three symbols represented friendship, love and loyalty. She had flung herself at him, drowning him in thanks and kisses.
She was wearing it on her right hand with the point of the heart towards her wrist. She had read that the tradition of the ring said it was worn this way if your heart was 'captured'. She smiled. Well, hers definitely was!
There had been dancing, laughter and also some tears tonight. When Sirius had raised a toast for her birthday, they also gave a toast to everyone who was not here. There were few in the room that didn't have an absent friend or loved one, or tears to shed.
She sighed in pleasure as she felt Sirius' arms slip around her waist and pull her into him. She twined her hands with his He placed his cheek against hers. 'Alone at last,' he said. She giggled in delight as he nibbled her ear and then kissed her neck. She turned around so she could face him. His hands rested on her waist. She twined her hands around his neck and drew him in for a kiss. He pulled her against him tightly and she could feel him harden at the closeness of their bodies.'Thank you,' she said as they broke apart. 'I've had a wonderful evening, all thanks to you.'
'You and George were deep in conversation earlier,' Sirius said. She smiled and told him. 'George knows about us. He said it was written all over our faces!' Sirius chuckled. 'So does Kingsley! He said he's pleased for us.' He laughed, 'So much for us keeping it quiet!' She smiled. 'George is happy for us too. He said I couldn't find a better man, apart from him of course' Sirius chuckled, 'Cheeky young devil!'
They continued standing with their arms around each other. 'There's one more thing you can do for me tonight Sirius Black.' He smiled at her. 'Your wish is my command.' She broke apart from him, picked up her wand from the table and pointed it at the stereo system. The song began to play. She moved back to him and took his hand.
'Dance with me.' Otis Redding's soulful voice filled the room. 'These arms of mine…' Rose took Sirius by the hand and pulled him to her. He snaked his arms around her waist. She placed her arms around his neck and they began to move slowly to the song. They looked at each other as the song continued to play. Sirius placed his hand on her face and pulled her lips to his hungrily. They were lost in their desire for one another.
Sirius' other hand caressed her bottom and pulled her to him even tighter. Rose snaked one hand in his hair. Her other hand moved to his lower back and then to his rear. Her tongue met his and she responded to his kiss greedily. She felt the swell of him against her and groaned in arousal.
'I want you,' Sirius growled, his forehead against hers as he broke the kiss. She shuddered, her lips swollen. 'You can have me….don't stop.' Their lips met again, like magnets, even more greedily than before. Sirius began to slip Rose's dress from her shoulders. They became a frenzied tangle. Rose began to unbutton his shirt. They bounced against the walls, tearing clothes from each other, trying not to break the connection of their kiss.
Before either of them knew it, they were in the living room and tumbled to the floor, naked. Rose ran her hands down Sirius' lithe chest and abdomen. Sirius moaned in pleasure and looked down at her naked body, 'Sweet Merlin, you're beautiful.'
He fell onto Rose, kissing her hungrily again. Rose grasped his buttocks, pulling her into him and groaning. Sirius moved his mouth to her breasts. Rose gasped in pleasure and snaked her hands up and down his back. He moved down to her abdomen, kissing it and teasing it with his tongue. Rose twisted her hands in his hair and moaned.
'Kiss me again,' she groaned and Sirius obeyed, moving back upwards, bruising her mouth with his. Rose's hands roamed over his hips and back Sirius growled in pleasure as he hardened to her touch. With one hand he stroked her groin and she moaned as his fingers entered and explored the depths. 'Oh God,' she moaned, 'Don't stop!'
'I've got to take you now,' he said huskily. He removed his hand, pulling her legs apart to enter her. She snaked her hands over his chest, to his hips and then to his buttocks, pulling her to him. She let out small moans as they fell into a glorious rhythm. He kissed her and the kiss became deeper as the rhythm of their fused bodies intensified.