Chapter 10- Truce with the Enemy
James had left Lily in the Heads Room, where she could sit and think in peace. He decided that this didn't require his presence so he headed towards the Gryffindor Common Room. He gave the password to the Fat Lady and entered the portrait hole and looked around to see a most peculiar sight.
Halle Douglas and Remus were sitting in one corner of the room, whispering and glancing nervously in the other corner where Sirius and Katy Jones were talking. James figured that he must have missed something. He headed towards Halle and Remus to over hear parts of their conversation.
"So, were you scared by Sirius or by the kiss?" Remus asked. Halle looked at Sirius and thought for a moment.
"Well, both. I supposedly hate the guy one minute and the next we're kissing. It's just a little too awkward. He is well aware of how I feel about him but today we did have a good time.." she said, trailing off, leaving the thought alone.
"Then what's the problem? Apparently he likes you," Remus said.
"A lot of guys like me. For my looks! I don't want to just be a pretty face. I am more than that and Black doesn't know anything about me. That is why I ran away from him. I've been fooled too many times to let it happen again," she said.
"But Sirius isn't always the bad guy in a relationship. Sure, he has dated a lot of people, but lately he's been watching you. I can tell he likes you. So, you need to step up to the plate and forget your past," he said.
"Wait a minute here Lupin. I've been telling you why I was uncomfortable with kissing your friend but you have yet to tell me why you didn't like kissing Katy? Katy's beautiful and I can tell you like her," Halle said.
"I do like her. But she kissed me after I saved her life and a part of me doesn't deserve that. A part of me freaks many people out and I don't want to ruin the friendship I have with her," Remus said.
"Well, what a good way to do that! Running away from her. She must think you hate her now and will be too embarrassed to talk to you," Halle said.
"Like you should talk! You ran away from Sirius today too!" Remus argued.
"Yes, but I don't like him! You like Katy!" she said back.
"Oh give it up! We all know you like him. Hell, half the school likes him," Remus said.
"You know why I hate you Remus? You're too damn perceptive," Halle said.
"Ha! Confession!" he said, pointing a finger in her face.
"Was not!" she defended.
James knew where this was going. He left before Halle broke out her wand. He walked over to the other corner of the Common Room and listened to what was happening. Sirius and Katy didn't seem to notice that James had just joined their conversation.
"So you kissed her Sirius?" Katy asked. She was clutching a pillow and was frowning slightly. James rarely saw Katy sad, but what he saw made him feel bad. He figured that she felt rejected, just as he had last night.
"Yep, and it was a great kiss too. One of the best I've ever had. I bet she liked it as much as I did," he said, watching Halle argue with Remus.
"Yes, I'm sure," Katy said, rolling her eyes.
"Then why did she run off? Usually they come running back for more," Sirius said, mistaking Katy's sarcasm for concern.
"That's why! You're so sure of yourself that you scared her off. You need to be a little more humble and a little less arrogant," Katy said.
"There is something about that girl that I don't get. But, it makes me feel different. My stomach turns and my heart races and my brain gets kind of dizzy when I'm around her. My perfect face even gets sweaty. I don't sweat! I glisten! Do you think I'm dying?" he asked, rather stupidly.
"No you idiot! You sound like you're in love," Katy said.
"L-Love?" he stuttered.
"Yes, love. Is it so hard for you to say?" she asked him.
"Well, yeah. I have never told a girl I loved her," Sirius said.
"If that's the way you feel about Halle then I suggest you tell her," Katy said, pointing over at Halle.
"Hold up. I didn't see my dear friend Moony doing cartwheels when you kissed him. What happened there?" Sirius asked.
"I'm not quite sure. He saved my life and I kissed him. Was that so wrong?" Katy asked. "I've wanted to for so long and that felt like the perfect moment. He seemed to enjoy it and then suddenly he pulled away and ran."
"I have a feeling I know what its about, but that's Moony's business. All I can say is don't give up on him. At least not yet anyways," Sirius said.
"You know what Sirius? I hope Halle does give you a chance because you can be a great friend," Katy said, getting up and kissing Sirius on the cheek.
"Thanks for your help," she called, going up the stairs to her dorm.
Remus watched her walk by him and felt guilt in the pit of his stomach.
James turned to Sirius, who was watching Halle, and grinned.
"So, you and Douglas? That's a good match," James commented.
"Yeah, it's not like she'll ever talk to me again," Sirius said glumly.
"What's this? This is not the Padfoot I know. Where's the confidence I'm looking for?" James asked.
"Back in the mud. Where I left it," Sirius said. He was still staring at Halle.
"Sirius my friend, we had this conversation less than 24 hours ago. I never thought I would be the one giving you love advice. Tell her how you feel. You can't change how you feel about her, so tell her and remember that you tried your best. If she can't accept that then she's not right for you," James said.
Sirius smiled at his friend.
"You're right Prongs. I think I'll tell her," Sirius said, approaching Halle near the fire. She was watching the flames with a look of deep concentration and a blank stare.
"Hey Moony, can I talk to you outside for a minute?" James asked. Remus got up and followed James out the Portrait Hole, leaving Halle and Sirius alone. He was going to have the similar talk with Remus and offer some advice to his friend.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Sirius asked Halle, sitting down next to her.
"You don't have enough pennies," Halle joked.
"Listen, I want to apologize for what I did earlier. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable," Sirius said, trying to catch her gaze. She looked at him in shock. A sincere apology from Sirius Black?
"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have ran off. I should have told you how I felt," Halle confided.
"There's something I want to tell you but I'm not sure how to say it," Sirius said.
"No, I have something to say too. It's hard to put into words.." she trailed off.
"Tell me Halle," Sirius said.
"Wow, things are changing around here. You've never called me Halle," she said.
"There's a first for everything," Sirius said, mimicking James's precise words the previous night.
"I-I think I love you," Halle said. Sirius took it all in and suddenly began laughing.
"Fine Black, if I knew you'd react this way I wouldn't have said it," Halle said angrily, rising from her seat and getting ready to go to her dorm. Sirius stopped laughing and got up abruptly to stop her from leaving.
"The funny thing is, I was going to tell you the same thing," Sirius whispered. He leaned in towards her face and brought his lips to hers. It was an even better kiss than their previous one.
"What are we going to do now Sirius?" Halle asked, looking up into Sirius' eyes. "I mean, between us?"
"Everything darling. Everything. I guess I better say it. Will you go out with me? And marry me? And bare my children?" he asked.
"Yes to the first one and as to the rest, slow down boy, we'll see," she laughed. He kissed her goodnight once more and they headed for their dorms.
"Goodnight Halle Douglas!" Sirius called.
"Goodnight Sirius Black!" Halle called back.
Tomorrow would be a new day for both of them.
A/N: Please review