Abby's Side

Abby was lost in thought. Again. She absently toyed with the edge of the parchment she was supposed to be writing an essay on, although she was really just staring at the blank bit. She sighed and leaned back in her chair, propping her shins on the table for support. A casual glance across the room revealed exactly what she expected.

Sirius was sitting backward in his chair with his back to her, explaining something animatedly to his friends. Abby scowled. The friends that, unfortunately, prevented her from trying to get close to him. She'd had the *great luck* of being born James' twin sister-- younger by a few minutes. It was enough, however, to divert Abby's attentions from Sirius. They were in their fifth year now, and as Sirius flicked his hair out of his eyes, Abby could barely control the rush of mixed emotions. Exasperation won out-- exasperation at James for how he treated any boy that tried to get "too cozy" with her.

Then it happened. In a lull of the laughter around him, Sirius glanced over his shoulder and caught Abby's eye. But what came next startled Abby more than the contact. He smiled at her-- not that goofy, mischievous smile... no, this was a real smile, a warm one, and Abby realized how much blue his grey eyes held. With a last smile, Sirius was pulled (reluctantly by the looks of it) back into some plot or another.

Giving up working in the common room as a bad job, Abby packed up her bag and walked out into the corridor. A flush was creeping up her neck, and she hoped her brother hadn't noticed that-- or the exchange with Sirius. She settled back against the wall, trying to control herself; if it weren't for her brother, she might've unceremoniously thrown herself at Sirius...

"Can I ask you where your thoughts might be straying to?"

Speak of the devil... Sirius interrupted her thoughts. "Oh... nowhere, really. How'd you manage to get away?"

Sirius grinned that casual, lopsided grin. "It's really not that hard after awhile. So... what was that back there? I know you were watching me. It felt... weird."

Abby snorted. "Weird, for a girl to watch Sirius Black? Somehow, I doubt that."

"You shouldn't. Wouldn't you feel weird if you were being watched by the only person you *want* watching you?"

Abby's breath caught in her throat. Was he really implying what she thought he was? "Wh-what?"

Sirius was way too close; she could smell the cinnamon on his breath. "The only person I want watching me, Abby, is you." He swooped in and left a soft, but lingering, kiss on her lips.

Abby's mouth had gone dry. She forced herself to swallow-- then wrapped her hands in his hair and kissed him more thoroughly. "Unngh," she managed before breaking away for air. "I want to know how you got away," she said breathlessly as his hands snaked around her waist.

"Forget that," he replied airily, "I've got a more important matter to attend to."

"Mmhmm?" Abby inquired, breathing deeply.

"Yeah. Will you go out with me?"

Abby looked into his eyes, searching. Was he just playing with her, trying to make her his new trophy? Something in the grey said otherwise, said he'd been wanting to ask her for a long time coming. "Yes," she breathed, and he kissed her far more passionately than she expected. "Gods, Sirius," she breathed.

Sirius watched her, trying to discern if this was a sign that he was going too fast. Clearly it wasn't, because she pulled him in for another kiss. "Mmm... as much as I'd love to stay here doing this all night, we're bound to get caught in the corridor." He gauged Abby's reaction; she snaked her hands around his neck.

"So, what do you propose we do?"

"Oh, the what isn't the problem," Sirius said suggestively. "It's the where." He waited to be reprimanded for going too fast on her, but when nothing came, he looked down at the gorgeous girl in his arms. "If you're sure about this, I know where. But I want you to be totally, completely, unblinkingly certain."

A flicker went through Abby, and she shook her head. "Not... not yet. But kisses are always good," she added, pulling him in for one last one. "How do you think-"

"James will handle this?" Sirius finished as they reached the Fat Lady's portrait. "I don't really want to find out tonight. I'll... *ask him* about this in the morning." He gave the password and they climbed through.

"You found her!" James said, grinning. His smile flickered when Abby headed straight upstairs. "Where was she?"

Sirius fell rather heavily into his chair. "God, I had to track all over the castle. I finally found her... get this!!... sitting on a windowsill in the corridor. Anyway... have you figured out what to do about Snivellus?"

Remus looked at his friends over the top of his book, shaking his head and sighing. James, however, leaned forward. "Oh yeah. I think it's about time we give him a taste of his own medicine..."

By the time the four boys retreated to their dormitory, Sirius was stifling jaw-cracking yawns-- and rather *inviting* images of Abby. Glad James couldn't read minds, he pulled the hangings around his four-poster shut and closed his eyes happily.

The next morning, Sirius was awakened by a pillow hitting his head. Accepting reluctantly that he had been pulled out of his pleasant dreams, he rolled over and squinting into the early-morning sunshine. "Prongs?" he said uncertainly, his nose wrinkling.

"Yes?" James' head appeared to one side, and Sirius groaned.

"I was going to tell you something kind of important, but since you're playing this game, I might let you find out the hard way."

"What's so important, Padfoot?" James moved to the foot of the bed, giving Sirius a clearer view of his face.

"I-" Sirius stopped, gauging why his best mate was in such a good mood, then plowed ahead. "I asked your sister out last night."

For a moment, James stared at him slack-jawed. Then an angry flush crept over his face, but that wasn't long-lived either. As Sirius watched him, bemused, James let out a yell that could've raised hell. "HAH! It's about time! What took you so long?!"

All Sirius could manage was a grumpy "Huh?"

"I saw you two eyeing each other up, you've been doing it for WEEKS now!"

"So- so you're not mad?"

"NO!" James was laughing, drawing weird looks from Remus and Peter, who were just beginning to wake up. "I'm amused it took so long though. It's you, innit, Padfoot? Why'd I be mad? I've been trying to get HER to notice YOU for ages!"

Sirius rolled his eyes and clambered out of bed, threatening James with a jinx if he didn't stay out of his face and Abby's face before changing.

Abby was just being roused from pleasant dreams, as well, but in a much more pleasing way. Lily sat on the edge of her classmate's bed, gently shaking her shoulder.

"Abby. Abby!"

The other rolled over onto her back and stretched. "Mmm...morning, Lily. What's up? You never wake me up like this."

Lily grinned at her friend. "You were talking in your sleep again."

A flush crept into Abby's face. "Wh-what was I saying? Was it loud?"

"Not loud enough to wake someone up, but I heard you on my way back from the bathroom. Who's got you in such a good mood today?"

"Sirius," Abby muttered, looking away. A grin spread across Lily's face.

"Sirius? Did he finally break through that thick skull?"

"Umm... I guess so?"

"You guess so?" Lily repeated with a frown. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"He asked me out," Abby replied, finally looking back at the auburn-haired girl.

Lily hugged her friend. "That's one step in the right direction! What do you think your brother will say?"

"Dunno," Abby said, sliding out of bed to change clothes. "Sirius said something about heading him off this morning, before he can really get going." Laughing at that image, Abby pulled on her robes and French braided her shoulder-length hair, adding a thin headband to catch any loose strands. She grabbed her bag and walked down to the common room-- and Sirius was waiting. Alone.

"Morning," he grinned, kissing her cheek chastely. "Sleep well?"

"Well enough," she replied brightly, smiling as he slipped his hand through hers. "How was my brother?"

"Easy. He actually said he was surprised I hadn't asked you out before now."

"Imagine that," Abby laughed as they took a shortcut. Her pulse quickened as she realized the corridor was completely deserted. Sirius felt the change, and pinned her to the wall with a passionate kiss.

"Better?" he asked breathlessly, his grey eyes glazed over.

"Much," she replied softly, "but give me another, to remember?"

With a quiet growl, Sirius planted his lips more firmly to hers, running his tongue along the part in her mouth before slipping it into her mouth. When their tongues met, it was like an electric shock went through both of them; Abby moaned into his mouth, but he broke the kiss. "We can't go too far, not right now," he reminded her.

Abby nodded and followed him down to the Great Hall, grinning at all the girls glaring in her direction. She actually had a new spring to her step, and it had everything to do with the dark-haired wizard leading her to a seat at the Gryffindor table. When they sat down, he slipped one arm around her waist possessively; several of the glaring girls grit their teeth. Sirius only did that when he was *serious* about a girl, not just trying to get to them. Plus, he was with his best mate's sister. Surely, something was up. James would never let either of them toy with the other... would he?

The castle had had nearly two months to get used to seeing Sirius and Abby as a couple, and even the fangirls had to give it to the dark-haired girl-- she knew how to handle him. He'd gone from quite a ladies' man to only Abby's. One day in particular stood out in Abby's mind, although it started out usual enough. She and Sirius had started breakfast by the time Remus, Pettigrew, and James joined them.

James sat down across from them with a huff, Remus barely concealing a smirk. "Let me guess. Lily," Sirius said, winking at Abby.

James was now glaring at his empty plate, and a grin spread across Abby's face. She looked down the table and, upon catching her best friend's eye, grinned. Lily grinned back, then turned back to her conversation with Rose and Alice. Pettigrew sat down on Remus' other side, yawning more widely than Abby thought he should be. When she glanced at Sirius, he shrugged and kissed her forehead. They all looked up at the fluttering of wings, which announced the arrival of the post.

A handsome tawny owl landed neatly between Abby and James, first letting Abby take her letter, then James his. When Abby tore into it, she couldn't help but laugh.

'Abby,

I hope you are looking forward to this summer! We've got a lot to
talk about! I can't believe you and James are almost 16! You have to
let us know if you have a boyfriend yet!! I can't wait to hear back.
Oh, Mum (your Aunt Tilly) sends her love, too. I hope we get to do
what we planned this summer! You HAVE to show me around your house.

Love you!
-Alexa'

Sirius noticed Abby's grin as she tucked the letter into her bag. "Who was that from?" he inquired.

"My cousin. She lives in America, she loves hearing from us. I'm so glad we actually get to write to her."

James, meanwhile, was staring in shocked disbelief at his own letter. He was mouthing a phrase from the letter repeatedly, his look of horror growing each time. 'We'll be seeing you this summer, so don't be surprised.'

"To HELL they'll be seeing me!" he burst out. Abby couldn't contain her fit of giggles, even with her knuckles stuffed into her mouth. She almost toppled off the bench, making Sirius steady her and look at his best mate oddly.

"Prongs?" he probed, snaking his hand between his side and Abby's. He felt her tense as he ran his fingers along her side, then she relaxed. "What's the matter?"

"It's not Alexa," he groaned, "it's Tilly. She's maddening! MADDENING, I tell you! She hovers, she's worse than McGonagall!"

"Excuse you," Abby giggled, "But I think it's because you give her reason to think she needs to hover."

James rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I forgot, she doesn't bother you at all. Reckon there's any way to convince her to let Alexa come alone?"

"Doubt it," she replied. "Anyway, I have to finish that essay... I'll see you guys in class." Subtly slapping Sirius' hand away, she grabbed her bag-- then planted a soft kiss on his lips before sauntering away.

"Does she do that on purpose?" Sirius asked blankly.

It was Remus' turn to lose control of his laughter; the prefect doubled over in his seat and couldn't look James or Sirius in the eye for a good 10 minutes. When he finally regained control, his eyes were sparkling. "I can't believe you. Either of you. Yes, Sirius, I think she does do it on purpose. James, if you'd deflate your ego, you might have a chance." He shoved a last bit of toast into his mouth. "Now come ON, before we're late. McGonagall will go nuts if we're late again."

Deciding he was right, Sirius abandoned his food and ignored the many girls that called out to him. For once, he was focused on only one girl, and she was probably already in class. Sure enough, she was sitting alone-- Sirius managed to slip into the seat next to her behind James and Remus. James shot him a Look over his shoulder, but upon seeing Abby just grinned and turned around.

It was less than a week until O.W.L.S., and Abby's head was spinning by the end of the day. She collapsed onto the couch next to Sirius dramatically. "I can't handle much more!" she complained, one arm over her eyes. "The sooner this is over, the better!"

Sirius brushed a strand of hair off her face, chortling. Remus was busy reading; Peter was sleeping; and James was watching Lily. "C'mon," he whispered. They snuck away from the group and into the corridor. Sirius turned to her in the safety of a hidden alcove. "I felt something change in you this morning, when you kissed me. What was it?"

Abby stepped closer and put her arms around her neck. She brushed her lips across his before answering. "Why don't we find out?"

Sirius pressed their bodies together, hungrily trying to pry her lips apart. With a sigh, Abby let his tongue slip into her mouth, sure that without him supporting her, she would have melted right through the floor. Sirius moved his attentions to the corner of her mouth, then left a feathery trail down her neck. At the very edge of her exposed skin, he nibbled a little, then sucked at the spot.

Abby arched into his touch while he grinned to himself. Sure enough, he'd found the spot on Abby-- his Abby-- that would melt her. He started at the opposite corner of her mouth and repeated the action. His hands had slipped inside her shirt, and were running along her back with a touch that drove her crazy. When he suddenly stepped away, she whimpered.

He took her hand and leaned in to whisper, "Surely no one's in the Room of Requirement, not enough people know about it. Do you want this?"

She didn't miss a beat, and there was no hesitation in her voice or in her eyes when she replied, "YES."

Sirius led her to the seventh floor, then as she watched, he paced back and forth three times-- and a door materialized. Grinning, he took her hand and pulled her in. "Look around," he suggested as he turned a key in the lock with a loud click and kicked off his shoes.

The room she was in was a lavishly-decorated bedroom. Abby left her shoes by Sirius', walking the expanse of the appearance. Deep reds stood out to her senses, with gold and silver at the trimmings. The room seemed to be reflecting her current mood-- one of luxurious, passionate romanticism. Rose petals were scattered over the coffee table-- red and pink ones. A soft carpet was underfoot, and the room seemed to radiate warmth and encouragement. There was a soft, squishy couch, a couple of armchairs, and a large bed in the room, which appeared to have no end. The bed was covered in satin sheets of a palest gold, and a cracked door only a few paces away revealed a large bathroom.

Abby turned back to Sirius, her face alight. "It's perfect, Siri. Perfect."

Sirius pulled her into a passionate kiss, this time letting the passion spiral out of control. When they broke apart, a fire Abby had never felt had spread to the very edges of her being. Sirius slipped her shirt over her head, watching the way the dim light played off her dark hair. He gently unbraided her hair, noticing how she revelled in his touch as he ran his fingers through the silky mass. Abby thought she could get lost in his eyes; they held a lot more than met the eye.

"Am I feeling a new side to you?" Sirius asked playfully, a new undertone to his voice. Abby wasn't sure what it was, but she liked it.

"Oh yeah," she replied between kisses.

Sirius slid her bra straps off her shoulders, then paid special attention to the newly exposed golden skin. Abby arched into his lightest touches, and he marvelled at how easily throaty sounds were elicited from her. He unsnapped her bra with unsure hands, but Abby didn't notice as he put the garment to the side. She was lost in his light touches, the way he was driving her mad with touches she'd only dreamed of. She finally found herself enough to push off his t-shirt, but by now he was focused almost entirely on her skirt.

She smiled that smile at him, and he felt his heart race. Abby guided his hands up her leg, but from there he needed no encouragement. She wrapped her arms around his neck to keep from falling as his hands roamed over her body. "Oh- gods- Siri-" she managed to choke out. The need was evident in her face, her voice, but also in the heat radiating from her.

Abby managed to push off his jeans, and he stepped back a little to look at her fully for the first time. She was, he thought, perfect. Her golden skin was a perfect tan; that much was the exact opposite of her brother, who was much paler. She had a dusting of freckles across her nose, cheeks, chest, and stomach; her stomach was toned and more perfect than Sirius could've imagined. At the same time, Abby was doing the very same appraisal of him.

Sirius was tall, muscular, tanned. He had a six pack ('God, when did that happen?'), and he was oh-so-kissable. His dark hair fell across his face gracefully, and she reached up to brush it away. He closed his eyes at her touch, bringing her closer to him. The last of their barriers was discarded, and Sirius carried her to the bed carefully. As he leaned over her, his heart was racing out of control again. He brought his mouth to her ear, ready to spill his secret.

"I've never done this," he whispered.

Abby's fingers twisted into his hair. "Good, me neither. We're even." She pulled his lips to hers, letting the kiss work its magic.

After they fell over the edge, he flicked his hair out of his eyes. He managed to catch himself before falling on her, and gazed at the gorgeous girl on the bed. Her skin was covered in a thin layer of sweat, and her hair was fanned out around her. Her blue-green eyes were gazing lovingly up at him, and he suddenly wondered how he'd be able to get through the summer without her.

'It won't be long,' he reminded himself. As they dressed, he was running over and over his plan in his mind. This summer was it-- the summer he was planning to run. Unless something happened, or his parents or Regulus caught him sneaking out, he was done. His only question was when he was going to do it. That's why he hadn't told anyone, besides the fact that it would circulate back to his brother, who would immediately owl their mother. Sirius himself wasn't sure what it would take to push him out of the house.

He took Abby's hand as they walked back, noticing the limp in her step. Part of the way back, he pinned her against the wall and kissed her. "Ask Lily," he suggested between kisses, "for a solution to that limp. And for both of us," he added as they continued to walk, "don't let your brother see."

Mercifully, the common room was full when they got back, and Abby immediately slipped upstairs to her dorm to find Lily. Sirius sank into a chair backwards, his eyelids now drooping dangerously.

"What's with you, Padfoot?" Remus asked, looking at him. When Sirius merely shrugged, he frowned, but pursued the issue no farther.

"Where's Abby?" James asked, looking around. Sirius had to work not to jump out of his chair.

"Oh..." he looked around too. "Maybe she got tired and went to bed early."

"More likely she went looking for Evans," James snorted. "She'll help my sister, but won't give me the time of day..." As James fell into stride, Sirius just rolled his eyes.

"I'm going to bed," he interrupted. "Nice rant, though, James, you have some new points."

Leaving his friends gawking after him, Sirius slipped upstairs so he could relive the precious exchange he'd just shared with Abby without his dormmates around. When James, Pettigrew, and Remus finally came upstairs, Sirius was sprawled across his four-poster, fast asleep.

Abby, on the other hand, had no thoughts of sleep. She was trying to figure out how-- and what-- she was going to tell Lily when the latter came through the door. Lily smiled at her. Abby managed to smile back, despite her flushed cheeks. The redhead tilted her head to one side.

"You just kind of disappeared from the common room earlier. I was wondering where you went! Surely you haven't been up here the whole time?"

"Oh- umm- no. I haven't."

"Where were you? Or do I want to hear this?"

Abby bit her lip. "Maybe you do. Maybe you don't. But you're going to hear at least part of it, because I feel like I'm going to burst.

"I was with Sirius."

Lily laughed. "I figured as much! But for so long?"

Abby swallowed. "I told you I was only going to tell you part, but YES, for that long."

Lily knew exactly what had happened now. "Oh, crap!" she exclaimed. "Abby... can you go get my book from Kara's bed?"

There was truth in this; Kara had indeed borrowed Lily's book. But Lily wanted to see Abby walk. The dark-haired girl swallowed, then carefully walked over, retrieved the book, and gingerly sat down. That was when she noticed that her hair was still down. She buried her flushed face in her hands.

"It's okay, Abby," Lily comforted her, "I know what happened. I won't tell anyone, okay?"

Abby nodded gratefully. "Umm... do you know anything to make it... not hurt?"

Lily smiled-- a genuine smile, Abby noted, not a smirk. "Yeah. It's actually in that book right there. You can keep it for awhile if you want, it may come in handy."

Abby breathed her thanks before tucking the book under her pillows. "I'm going to go take a long, HOT bath," Abby said, placing emphasis on all the right words. "Thanks for the book."

She wasn't sure how she was going to get through the summer, but Abby knew that she would make it. As the picture of Sirius smiling over her floated into her vision, she rolled over and fell asleep at last.