A Black Romance

****The Kitchen****

After Marques left, Amber stood thinking about what just happened. She couldn’t believe it. She had gotten her FIRST KISS! I wish I had gotten my first kiss. But no, I was the outcast at school. Anyway, a smile creped over Amber’s face. Finally after seventeen years, she’d finally done it. She had gotten her first kiss. But who to tell? Lily? No, she was sleeping and got angry if someone woke her. Sirius? Yes! He’d be happy for her. She hoped.

As Amber walked into the kitchen, James, Peter, and Remus ran out of the kitchen carrying as much food as possible. Sirius had his back to Amber. She walked up behind him and touched him. He jerked his shoulder away and stood up.

“Had fun snogging my cousin?”

“What’s supposed to mean?” Amber asked, folding her arms across her chest.

“Just what I meant. Did you have fun?”

"And what if I told you yes?” Sirius wasn’t looking for that answer. He looked deeply in Amber’s blue/brown eyes and saw tears weld up. He didn’t know what do next.

“Just, be careful. He’s got more experience than you.”

"Like that slut Gillian?” Again Sirius was stunned, never before had Amber spoken to him like that.

“I just don’t want you to get hurt. You’re my best mate.” Silently Sirius walked past Amber and up to his bedroom. Amber did the same.

****Christmas Day****

I always hated this holiday. I was stuck at that forsaken orphanage with no family. and no presents to share. But, I guess you don't care about me. On with the story.

Even though it was freezing cold outside, the air in the Black Manor was hot and stiff. Sirius had stopped talking and Amber was only talking to Lily and Remus. James took Sirius’ side, because he knew Sirius liked Amber, and Peter, he had to “go home” for family reasons. (It was more like his mother needed someone to make her more butterbeer.

James and Lily shared a room. Remus and Peter had a room until Peter left. Sirius had his own room and Amber’s was next door to his until she moved out and went three rooms down.

The Christmas tree was filled with presents; some from their parents and friends. As usual, Sirius, James, and Remus gave their usual presents to the girls…exploding boxes. Lily got James a pocket watch that not only told time, but also threw you out of bed if you didn’t wake up. Remus got a necklace that glowed green when a full moon was coming. And Sirius got a mirror that gave advice. “Shave your face!”

Amber got Lily some butterfly hair clips that moved. James got a self-cleaning broom kit. Remus got a knitted red sweater with a golden R that moved all over his shirt. Sirius got a book, with empty pages.

“What is it?”

“A journal,” Amber said sourly, “it’ll never run out of pages and it will never get heavier than it is now.”

“Thanks.”

“Welcome.”

After the presents, everybody went outside to make snowmen, I mean snow people for all you "modern" women. James, noticing it was the prefect time to talk to Amber, sat next to her as she looked for rocks.

“Why does he act like he’s my daddy?”

“He just wants to protect you.”

“I’m old enough to make my own decisions. Right or wrong.”

“Are you really?”

“Yes I am,” Amber looked up at with a frown, “it’s just not fair that everybody gets loved but me!”

“We all love you,” James said.

“Not like that! I mean the way you love Lily or the way your parents love you. I don’t have that.”

“Are you sure? Because running to America isn’t going to solve anything. You’re mum is still going to be here and Sirius is still going care about you.”

“But I want something more.”

“Do you think Marques can give you that?” Amber sighed and looked around.

“I don’t know. But I'd sure like to find out."

“Just be careful.”

Sirius watched James and Amber talk. He was hoping James would be able to make Amber see the light and stop falling for Marques and his looks. But what he really wanted was to kiss her. The way he saw her kiss Marques. But he quickly erased the idea from his mind. This was his best friend he was thinking about! She’d seen him naked when they were four. He’d beaten up boys who picked on her bushy brown hair. She’d lied for him.

“Friends make the best lovers,” Lily said, passing Sirius and adding a carrot to the snowman, “James and I went through it and now it’s your turn. The two of you will be better off the sooner you realize that.”

“If you say so,” Sirius said.

****An Ugly Visit****

Later on that night, Peter was in the living room reading a book on charms when the doorbell rang. Peter’s mum, Diana Pettigrew, answered the door. Ah, Diana. She was an ugly woman! I laugh now at how much Peter looks just like his mum. Mr. Pettigrew, Joseph, was killed in Egypt seven years ago by a curse that he was trying to figure out on a coffin. He never really was a good wizard to begin with.

Anyway, I knocked on the door and Diana answered. At first I was taken back by this woman repulsiveness. Even after my years in the deep forests studying the Dark Arts with the nastiest hags, I’d never seen a woman like that before. I am still-hunted by what Mrs. Pettigrew looked like.

“Peter dear, someone is at the door.” Peter got up and almost turned white when he saw me standing in the doorway.

“Now Peter, don’t be rude to your guest! Please come in Mr.??”

“Foster,” I paused, “Thomas Foster.”

“Well, Mr. Foster, please join us for dinner.”

“I’m so sorry, but I can not. I just wanted to talk to Peter for a minute and be on my way.”

Once Diana left, I motioned Peter to sit.

“I have a bit of gossip about Lily Evans.”

“Lily?” Peter answered.

“It seems, Dumbledore knows more about my plans than I thought. I started my plight for power almost fifty years ago.” Peter opened his mouth and looked at me. I could tell that he thought I was old. I greatly dislike it when people call me old. “The Evans are not muggles.”

“You’re kidding!”

“No. They’re unspeakables. They have to live as muggles and report to Dumbledore, The Order of the Phoenix or some silly nonsense like that.”

“If they are both wizards, how come there are not records of them at Hogwarts and Lily’s oldest sister Petunia is not a witch?”

“Back when Petunia was born, Dumbledore thought it was a good idea to take her powers away from her.”

“That's impossible?”

“Oh yes, it's quite possible. But even I dare not try it. Petunia’s memory was altered so she would never have a love for magic and despise anything as such.”

“So what about Lily?”

“I do not know. But I have two theories on her. One, Dumbledore did not have enough power in him to do it again, or she’s important to him. But I can not see why.”

“Why do you need James?”

“I can’t tell you that. But I can tell you why Henry and Rose Evans aren’t in the Hogwarts records. They’re from Sweden, a small magical village called Merlin. They had a school there that all of the kids attended. Dumbledore got word of their great magical powers and asked them to move to England and work for them. The rest is history.” I looked at Peter, his mouth was opened and a look of shock was on his face.

“They’re witches? So what about Petunia? What if her children are magical?”

“Can’t happen,” I replied. “Petunia’s magic is gone forever and she’s going to marry somebody who doesn’t have enough imitation to think about magic. But I have talked enough.”

As I got up to leave, Diana walked back in the room with milk and cookies. Forcing myself to smile, I took a few cookies and bid the two of them a good night. I had someone else to talk to.

****The Black Manor****

It was almost six thirty and Amber was still up reading. Sirius went downstairs to get something to drink and spotted Amber hovering over a book. He quietly walked towards her and touched her on her shoulder.

Amber jumped.

“Merlin! Don’t do that, you could have given me a heart attack.”

“Sorry about that,” Sirius said. “I didn’t know I could have scared you like that.” Amber rolled her eyes. Sirius knew she didn’t like surprises.

“So, what are you reading?” Amber held up her book; (I)Idiot's Guide To Passing N.E.W.T.s(/I)

"Those are not until May."

"Unlike some people," Amber started, looking at Sirius, "I want to get a head start so I can get decent marks."

Sirius stopped and looked into her blue/brown eyes. She was the only person he knew who was so passionate about anything she believed in.

“I’m sorry for the way I’ve been acting.”

“What’s wrong with you Si?” Amber asked. “It’s like I’ve done something wrong and you won’t tell me what it is.”

“Do you really want to know what’s bothering me?” Sirius yelled, “I was pissed because you didn’t ask me to the ball. I’m pissed because you and Remus are getting so close. I’m your best mate! I’m mad because you didn’t tell me about your job. Do you know how I felt when I had to hear it from Lily that you’re going to America? Or how about you kissing that ass Marques?”

“Ok then, since we’re talking about feelings, let’s talk about you and that hoe Gillian! You didn’t see me having a fit because you were shagging the biggest “village bike” Hogwarts has ever seen. Or how about your attitude towards balls and me? ‘Oh, I’m to scare to ask a girl out so I’ll just take Amber. She’ll never get a date. The bushy headed book worm!' Sirius looked hurt.

“So now you’re saying that I can’t get a date and I’m just using you? Don’t flatter yourself. And if you really want to know the truth, I always took you because you were the only one I wanted to take.” Amber slightly grinned as Sirius lifted her chin.

“You are the most beautiful girl in the world.”

And with that, they began to kiss. First softly on the lips, then longer, taking their time and doing some giggling in between. Once they finished, a loud whistling and applause came from the stairs. Sirius and Amber turned to see James, Lily, and Remus clapping.

“Were heard the shouting,” Lily said.

“Amazing isn’t it,” Remus added, nodding towards James and Lily, “above all of their noises.” James blushed and hit Remus in the arm. “Sorry.”

“And we came downstairs to see the two of you snogging,” Lily said, laughing. Sirius grinned and put his hand around Amber’s waist.

“Well, what can I say, women flock to me.”

“Right,” James, Lily, Remus, and Amber said in unison.

“Well, we’re gonna leave you two alone.”

“Yeah! Do everything Lily and I would do.” James called from behind his shoulder, winking at Sirius.

“So,” Sirius started, “where do we go from here?”

“For once in my life, I don’t know.” Amber said, sitting down. “But I don’t want what just happened to change my plans about America.”

“You mean you still want to go?”

“Of course I still want to go! I can’t stay in one place my whole life.”

“But I thought that since this happened, you know,”

"I just don't want to rush into anything right now."

Sirius looked at Amber and slowly turned around and walked upstairs. Leaving his broken heart on the ground.