Chapter 32-Homecoming
James hadn't seen Sirius this happy in months. As they reached Hogwarts, he was still grinning and wrapped his arm around Halle, who was wearing a Hospital gown and slippers still. She was grinning from left to right as well. Lily was so happy to see her friends so happy. She had one thing on her mind still bothering her and she was ready to get it over with.
"Hey Potter?" Lily called. James looked around to Lily. They were walking into the castle doors and were ready to go into the Gryffindor Common Room when Dumbledore stopped them.
"Hold on one second Miss Douglas. I believe there are others who would like to see you," Professor Dumbledore said.
Almost immediately after he had finished, Professor McGonagall burst through the Portrait Hole wearing a tartan bath robe and her hair in a tight bun. She ran out and gave Halle a big hug.
"Aw, Professor, I missed you too," Halle said.
"We all thought you were gone Halle dear," McGonagall said, with tears of joy. The Herbology teacher and tiny, Professor Flitwick came bustling down the hall as well; Professor Sprout wiping her nose and Professor Flitwick jostling as fast as his little legs could take him. Even Madam Pomfrey was scurrying towards the Common Room.
"Aw, it's so great to be back here," Halle said, letting tears run down her eyes as all the teachers hugged her.
"Hey now, I am sure you all wouldn't be this happy if I left and came back. There wouldn't be any tears of joy to see me," Sirius joked. Halle laughed. Professor McGonagall looked up.
"Oh Mr. Black, there would be tears of sadness that you didn't stay away," she said. Everyone laughed, even Sirius.
"You know you love me McGonagall," Sirius said, gently nudging her arm. McGonagall smiled. She was glad to have the old Sirius back, even if he caused more disruption in her class that way.
"Now, I am sure you all would like to get to bed," Professor Dumbledore said. He smiled at Halle and nodded to the rest.
"It's great to have you back Miss Douglas. Goodnight everyone, sweet dreams," he called, as he and the rest of the teachers left.
"Oh Sirius, I missed you so much," Halle breathed into Sirius's ear as he carried her into the Common Room.
"I missed you too babe," Sirius said.
"Oh my god Halle, it's so weird to see you. I was so worried I would never see you again. Me and Lily were a wreck for a long time," Katy said, sniffling from her tears.
"It was so awful. It was like being trapped inside a cage for days on end. I was still me but I had no way of being me on the outside. When I saw Sirius visit me I was so upset I couldn't talk to him and tell him I loved him too," Halle said.
"And here I thought you were still mad at me," Sirius said.
"After all your visits how could I be?" she said, nuzzling her face into his neck. He kissed her forehead gently.
"Aw, you guys are so sweet," Katy said, causing her to go into more hysterics. Remus hugged her shoulders lovingly.
"We're like that too, love," Remus said. He wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Aw, Katy, you were never this emotional before. You know what, this is supposed to be a happy time. Not a time for tears," Halle said, sitting up, causing Sirius great discomfort.
"I am just so happy," Katy said.
"Oh yeah, you look it," James teased.
Lily looked up and realized what she had wanted to say to Potter. It was Halle's night to be with Sirius and she felt like they deserved some alone time anyways.
"Hey Potter, could I talk to you?" Lily asked.
"Uh, yeah sure Evans. What about?" James asked. They stepped out of the Portrait Hole and started walking along the corridor.
"Well, I think it was a very good thing you did today. You showed true loyalty and I am grateful for it. You gave up your date to go support Halle," Lily said.
"It was the right thing to do. I don't think I could have lived with myself if I hadn't gone. Seeing Halle again has effected everyone in a positive way. It made me so happy to see Sirius so happy," James said.
"I know how you feel. When I saw Sirius and Katy and Remus and you, I was just so happy. And when I saw all the teachers, it made me realize how we should be more appreciative of what we have. And I started to think even before I had seen the teachers, that I should have been more appreciative of you," Lily said.
James paused to look into her eyes. She was glancing nervously at him and then at her feet. He knew this was not an easy thing for her to do.
"The thing is, I think I may have made a mistake. I think I ran away from what I loved and in result it only made me more miserable. I was just so scared James," Lily cried. He patted her back and tried to sooth her.
"We're all scared Lily. Don't you think I'm scared? I'm scared every day. Voldemort killed my parents. It just feels like he could kill me right now. I don't want to die and I don't think my life is fulfilled just yet. I'm scared too Lily," James said. She looked up at him.
"I am scared of losing you again, James," Lily said. James leaned down and gently kissed her tear stained lips. She kissed back, more passionately, as though her body had been craving his touch since their last kiss.
"I love you Lily Evans, and you hurt me. But it hurts more to ignore my feelings," James said.
"I love you too. And I am never going to let you go again. I promise," Lily said. They stood kissing in the halls, holding out their palms, and feeling the promise growing between them.
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"Oh Sirius, I missed you so much," Halle said. Sirius and her were in the deserted Common Room. Lily and James had left and Remus and Katy went on Prefect Patrol.
"I missed you too love," Sirius said. He took her hand and traced his finger around it. He kissed her palm and looked into her eyes.
"I love you," she said to him. He gazed into her eyes, seeing the fire.
"I love you too. And I swear, never again will I let Bellatrix near you. I swear, that if it's the last thing I do, I will defeat her," Sirius said.
Halle looked at him and rested her head on his chest. She wished she could just sleep forever in the arms of Sirius Black.
"I have missed Hogwarts so much," Halle said.
"And Hogwarts has missed you," Sirius said. She smiled.
"Has anything happened since I was gone?" Halle asked.
"Well, our Defense teacher, Professor Dunham, died last week. It was sad, but he was an old bloke. Died in his sleep. I think they're looking for a replacement," Sirius said.
"That's too bad. He was a great teacher," Halle said. They sat in silence just enjoying the feel of their bodies against the others.
"It wasn't the same without you Halle Douglas," Sirius said.