10 Galleons Too Early

It has been over a week since the last time Sirius talked to me. I feel so stupid for actually thinking he liked me. Why would I do that? Why would I kiss him. After all the girls that he has made out with in the corridors, why would I think he would like me? My depressing thoughts are interrupted by James coming in the common room, covered in mud from Quidditch practice. He sets his dirty broom on the carpet and plops down in one of the velvet chairs near the fire, looking triumphant. He bends his hands to mimic being on a trumpet and make a horn sound.

"The king of Quidditch has arrived!" He changes expressions quickly from triumphant and happy to nosy and smug. "So, how're you and Sirius?"

I haven't told him about Sirius avoiding me.

"Let's just say you were 10-Galleons-too-early. He kind of, er, hasn't been talking to me. Or been around me, in that matter..." I lower my voice in hopes that he won't hear what I have said. His eyes go wide.

"What. Did. You. SAY?!"

"N-nothing! Nothing!" I don't want him going to Sirius and telling him off for avoiding me. It is my fault for this happening in the first place. "I just mean that he has been... never mind. So! How was practice?" He looks at me skeptically before responding.

"Well, let's just say my skills have only gotten better than before and the Snitch seems to be getting slower. We are bound to win the next Quidditch match!"

Then I remembered: Sirius is on the Quidditch team. Right as the thought popped into my head, the door to the common room flung open and in came Sirius, muddy and triumphant, just like James. When he looks up, he freezes; probably from seeing me. James gets up, congratulates Sirius on his good practice, and leaves. Sirius and I meet each other's eyes.

"Er, h-hi." His voice sounds ruff and tired. He pulls a strand of loose hair from his bun behind his ear, so it reveals his beautiful eyes. He makes his way to the stairs, but I can't stand it anymore. I have to say sorry.

"Sirius! Wait!" I grab his arm to make him stop. He turns towards me but doesn't meet my eyes. "Look. I just wanted to say I'm so so sorry for what I did back in the shack. I-I knew you didn't like me that way, but I did it anyway. I've seen you with girls and I don't know what made me think you would like me, and I-I just wanted to say sorry." My eyes are suddenly full of tears, but through them, I can see him looking at me, wide eyed. Did I say too much? Does he hate me even more now?

"Moons. Why are you sorry?" I am surprised by these words. He should be mad at me, not confused why I'm sorry. I look up at him through blurred vision.

"Wh-what do you mean, 'why are you sorry'? You obviously don't like me and have been avoiding me ever since that day, so I should definitely be sorry."

"Who ever said I didn't like you?"

What? He said what? His face now seems calm and understanding, definitely not like how I thought he would react. He steps forward and kisses me passionately on the lips, his muddy Quidditch gloves on my waist. His lips are warm, yet cold. No- they make me feel warm, but they are cold. I never thought he would speak to me again. Once again, our surroundings seem to melt, and it's just me and him, him and I. As he pulls away, he speaks.

"I've been avoiding you because I didn't know how to act. I know that seems really damn stupid, but it's true. I didn't know why you did it, to be honest, because I'm just a stupid, fifth year Gryffindor boy who always gets into trouble."

"Well, it's really the Marauders as a whole who gets into trouble, not just you. And you're not stupid. Maybe if you did your homework-" The last part of my sentence was cut off by Sirius punching me in the arm while laughing. "I just mean you are perfect in my eyes, even if you aren't in yours." He kisses me again, but this time, it's more like we've done it a thousand times.

"I love you Remmie."

"I love you too, Padfoot."