Abby's Side

Abby finally began to feel better about a week later, and Madam Pomfrey agreed to let her push herself in class again. Sirius continued to keep himself between Pettigrew and Abby, and the couple shared no more than sweet kisses through the middle of October.

The first Hogsmeade weekend was around Halloween, and Sirius finally caught Abby alone about a week in advance. "I was wondering," he said, grinning at her, "if such a lovely lady as yourself would consent to visit Hogsmeade with me."

Abby giggled at his playfulness and leaned against his arm, batting her eyes at him goofily. "Why, I'd love to accompany you to Hogsmeade! You might be bombarded by desperate girls without me around to save you!"

Sirius shook his head and kissed her temple. Their relationship had reached new heights which involved only minimal physical commitment. While the lust was still there, it was somehow easier to hold in check after the confession of love for each other. They exchanged goofy looks in the corridors and at meals, but James' only reprimands came as teasing and very halfhearted pleas for them to stop.

Sirius deliberately woke early the morning of the Hogsmeade visit. Not to get ready, but to spend as much time with Abby as perceivably possible. They met up in the common room and exchanged chaste kisses on the cheek before wandering aimlessly along hidden passageways. The sun was barely up when they finally brought their lips together. Abby sighed and opened herself up to Sirius' passion, gasping when their tongues met. It had been a long time, and Abby found herself lost in those kisses again.

"I love you so much," she whispered, leaning against him with her arms around his waist. His arms were draped loosely around her neck, and he smiled at her. After a kiss to the top of her head, they laced their fingers together and finally made their way down to breakfast.

James and Remus soon came into the Great Hall--but Pettigrew was right behind them. Sirius made no secret about the way he saw the less-talented tagalong, dropping his fork onto his plate and racing out of the Hall after Abby.

She was leaning against the wall, calming her breathing down. Sirius pulled her into his arms and rocked her back and forth, cursing Pettigrew silently. "Do you want to stay here, Abby? I know he's probably going."

"I don't want to ruin this," she said miserably.

"You won't, baby, as long as I'm spending time with you, it's a date. Is that clear?"

She smiled up at him and nodded. "I love you so much."

"I love you so much, too. Now... not to the common room, they'll look there. And the Room of Requirement. Which puts us bank out of places to hide."

"No, it doesn't, silly!" Abby protested. "Any closet can be expanded and transfigured."

"What are you suggesting?" Sirius asked slowly, following her carefully through the corridors.

"I'm suggesting snuggling and a nap. Time together, Siri. You're right here but I miss you so much, we never get to just cuddle anymore." Sirius smiled at her and Transfigured the largest closet they could find into a snug but cozy room. When Abby cuddled into his arms, she fell asleep almost immediately. Sirius fell asleep soon, as well, sighing contentedly.

Christmas break came much too quickly for most of the castle. The morning of the 23rd, the day students left Hogwarts, brought light to a fresh dusting of snow. Bitter cold could not dim the spirits of the students, even on the Hogwarts Express. Pettigrew was staying at Hogwarts, leaving Abby to nap peacefully the entire trip home.

Christmas Eve at the Potter's was more than Sirius could have imagined. As snow fell in bunches outside, they all gathered in the living room with hot chocolate and music. Abby fell asleep leaning against Sirius' shoulder, and even when his arm fell painfully asleep, he couldn't bring himself to wake her.

Mr. and Mrs. Potter excused themselves and went up to bed, and James surprisingly followed soon after. It was only when Sirius found himself dropping off to sleep that he woke Abby up. She smiled blearily up at him, and he suddenly knew he couldn't wait any longer to give her the present he'd had for months.

"Come on," he said, helping her to her feet. "Your present is upstairs in my trunk. I was going to wait until tomorrow, but now I don't think that's possible."

When Sirius pulled the present out, Abby's eyes lit up. It was small, and light--undoubtedly, to her, some sort of jewelry. She carefully removed the paper, much to Sirius' amusement, and held her breath as she looked up at him. When he nodded, she carefully pulled the lid off the box.

"It's a promise ring," Sirius said quietly. "I asked your parents what they would think of a promise ring, and they agreed. Someday, Abby, I will ask you to marry me. It just can't be yet."

She smiled at him, her heart nearly breaking as he slid the ring onto her left ring finger. Abby pulled him in for a kiss, one that left her heart pounding in her chest. "Insatiable," she murmured. "Remember that?"

"I think so," Sirius replied. When Abby relaxed, he took his chance and flipped them. After setting a locking charm, a repelling charm, and a silencing charm on the room, he brought his lips to her in a passionate kiss.

"Mmmph," Abby moaned. Sirius grinned at her, and she swallowed. It had been so long, but she knew what she wanted--what she needed--and it was set on a platter in front of her. Sirius slid her t-shirt over her head but didn't completely remove it, pinning her arms above her head. He pulled off his own shirt, then his jeans and her PJ pants. "Siri," she whined.

Sirius kissed her stomach, gauging her reactions to his every move. He slowly removed the rest of her clothes and slid off his own boxers, then made the passion last as long as he could hold out. Afterwards, he was so exhausted he barely managed to slide his clothes back on and remove the charms from the room before collapsing in a deep sleep.

Abby smiled at him as she draped her clothes over one arm and Disapparated into her room. She tossed the clothes aside and changed into more comfortable clothes before sliding under the covers and falling asleep.

When Abby bounded into the guest room and bounced on the bed of the half-dressed Sirius, he groaned and mumbled something incomprehensible. After locking the door and Silencing the room, Abby straddled his chest and leaned down to kiss him.

"SHIT, Abby!" Sirius hissed. "What are you trying to do, kill m-?" He cut himself off with a groan. Abby had slid under his covers and wriggled into his lap. "Unngghh."

They finally managed to clean themselves up, and Abby disappeared as Sirius was dropping back off to sleep. He was on his stomach, face in the pillows, clad in just boxers and a t-shirt with the blankets tangled around him, when James burst in with Abby.

"It's Christmas morning, mate!" James called brightly. "It's 10 in the morning, you lazy bum, get up!"

Abby flopped onto his bed, causing a stream of curses to find their way incomprehensibly out of Sirius' mouth. James laughed, causing Sirius to finally roll over and regard the twins blearily.

"All right, all right, I'm awake. Now- oh." Abby had placed a well-timed kiss on his lips, causing him to finally wake up completely.

"Come on, Siri, breakfast!" she said cheerfully, bounding out of the room. Sirius followed her, stumbling slightly in his sleepy state.

"Morning, Sirius," Mrs. Potter said brightly. "Glad to see you up and about this morning."

Abby stood behind him, kneading the knots out of his shoulders gently while he ate. "Oh, mummy, did you see the promise ring Sirius gave me?" Abby held out her hand while her mother examined the silver ring with her daughter's March birthstone set into it. Mrs. Potter exchanged a secret look with her husband, noting the glow in both her daughter and Sirius.