Siriusly Deluded

Chapter 25: Confessions

A huge thunderstorm was raging outside the thick stone walls of Hogwart's. Sirius was sleeping soundly in his dorm, completely unaware of the torrential rain pouring from the skies. He was practically dead to the world, utterly exhausted from a tiring Quidditch practice.

Meanwhile, Lauren was creeping through the school's corridors, searching for the painting of the fat lady that she knew was the entrance to the Gryffindor dormitories. She hadn't seen Sirius all day, and she missed him. The storm outside reminded her even more of that. It's not that she was still afraid; she had conquered that fear years ago. But, hearing the thunder and seeing the lightning flash through the window made her think of the boy that she had been in love with for so long, but hadn't even known it.

She really couldn't believe she was doing what she was about to do. She thought about heading straight back to her dorm, when the painting she was looking for caught her eye. She stepped up to it hesitantly. The woman was sleeping, snoring softly. "Hello?" Lauren said softly. She felt bad enough about breaking possibly the biggest school rule, but she was even more guilty about having to wake the woman up.

'You're a prefect, you shouldn't be doing this,' she scolded herself as she turned on her heels to leave. She froze when she heard a high-pitched voice behind her, saying, "Where are you going, missy? You didn't wake me up just to turn around and leave, did you?"

"Of--of course not," Lauren stammered, turning around and coming face to face with the fat lady. She whispered the password, "Blazing bludgers," softly. The painting swung open. Lauren paused, peeking inside.

She took a step forward.

"Well aren't you pretty?" the lady mused as Lauren got closer.

Lauren blushed and murmured, "I'm so sorry to have woken you."

"It's alright dear," she said comfortingly.

Lauren stepped slowly through the portrait hole, stopping midway and asking embarrassedly, "Do you know where the seventh year boys' dormitory is?" She felt the blush creep even further, down to her neck.

The fat lady smiled knowingly at her. "Doorway on the right. Take the stairs to the top floor."

Lauren thanked the woman quietly. Then she looked around the Gryffindor common room. There were magazines, chess boards, cards, and candy wrappers strewn about. It looked like a lot more fun happened in there than in the Ravenclaw common room, but that wasn't surprising.

Lauren tip-toed to the door on the right side of the room. She pushed it open gently, grimacing as it creaked. She froze, waiting for about a minute in case anyone had heard and was coming to investigate the noise. Then she squeezed through the door and crept silently up the staircase. When she reached the top step, she hesitated in front of the closed door. She started having major doubts about coming up there.

'What if Sirius sleeps...in the nude? Or worse, what if one of his roommates does?' Lauren fought the urge to vomit when she associated that thought with Peter. Then Lauren began rationalizing with herself. 'They probably sleep with their drapes closed, just like we do...But guys don't need as much privacy as girls do, do they?' After more deliberation, Lauren sighed. If she continued on like this, she'd still be standing there deciding to go in or not when one of them opened the door on the way to breakfast.

She sighed and pushed open the door. It was pitch black in the room. After her eyes adjusted, she took a few steps forward. There were four beds in there, 'All with the curtains shut,' she noted, relieved. She wondered which one was Sirius' before she caught sight of his mahogany trunk sitting at the foot of the bed directly in front of her. She remembered helping him pick it out in Diagon Alley before their first year.

Lauren walked over to one side of the bed, pausing. Then she took a deep breath and pulled the curtain back slowly. Behind it was the most adorable thing she had ever seen. Sirius was sound asleep, lying on his stomach. His hand was hanging limply over the side of the bed. His face was turned to the side, towards her. She smiled, just looking at him for a while. Then a sudden loud crack of thunder caused her to gasp and release the curtain.

Sirius was startled out of his deep sleep by the sudden loud noise. He looked around, disoriented. After the thunder, he had heard something else that sounded like it came from in the room...right next to his bed. And he could swear that the curtain in front of his face was moving slightly... 'I'm gonna die,' he thought as he quickly recalled the article Lauren had been reading on the Hogwarts Express.

Lauren froze when she heard movement in Sirius' bed. She prayed that he didn't sleep with his wand nearby. She definitely regretted not taking her own wand with her when she left her dormitory.

After a second, Sirius' thoughts were slightly less dramatic. He figured that James was about to pull a prank on him. He pulled back the curtain swiftly.

Lauren watched in horror as the hanging was violently yanked to the side. She squeezed her eyes shut, preparing to be hit by a hex.

His eyes went wide. There was certainly someone standing in front of him, but whoever it was didn't exactly look like a killer, er, James. The person was...small...definitely female... "Lauren?"

Lauren's eyes popped open. "Hi," she said shyly, tucking her hair behind her ear nervously.

"What are you doing here?" He was too shocked to think of a more tactful way to pose the question.

"I...I missed you," Lauren offered simply. He seemed to have forgotten about her resolution to "snog him silly every day."

"So...you, little miss perfect prefect, decided to break scores of school rules and sneak up to your boyfriend's dormitory to do Merlin-knows-what to him in the middle of the night?" Sirius asked with mock indignation, dramatically clutching his hand to his chest.

"It looks that way..." Lauren smirked.

"Alright," Sirius said, shrugging his shoulders before offering his hands to her. He certainly wasn't complaining...

Lauren placed her hands in his and was pulled into his scarlet and gold covered bed.

Sirius swiftly closed the curtain again.

"Wait!" Lauren exclaimed.

"What?" Sirius asked, looking around for the source of her outburst.

"Let me see your wand," Lauren demanded quickly.

He blinked and swallowed visibly before attempting to speak, "My--my wand?" Then he coughed and said in a sultry voice, "I thought you'd never ask."

Lauren laughed softly and hit him on the chest with the back of her hand.

"Shut up, Sirius."

Sirius sighed as he reached onto the other side of his bed and picked up his wand from his nightstand. He handed it over reluctantly to Lauren. It was one of his most prized possessions after all...

He tried to listen (unsuccessfully) as Lauren muttered a spell, pointing his wand at the curtains.

"What did you just do?" he asked, slightly awed as she handed his wand back.

"Just a silencing charm," Lauren replied flippantly.

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Just what do you plan on doing to me?" he asked huskily.

"I have something in mind," Lauren answered seductively as she leaned forward.

Sirius closed his eyes as he leaned in to close the distance between them. He really liked the way things were going tonight. He could almost feel her lips on his when--WHAM! Something smacked him in the face.

Sirius' eyes popped open. Lauren was sitting there looking at him, a grin on her face and a pillow in her hand.

"What? Expecting something else?" Lauren asked innocently, batting her eyelashes at him.

"Walker. This. Is. War!" Sirius shouted, grabbing two pillows before jumping up. He waited, staring down at her with what he hoped was a menacing look.

Lauren was a little scared. Sirius was towering over her, wielding two pillows, while she only had one. She quickly jumped up, backing up to the foot of the bed. She held the one pillow she had for ammunition like a shield in front of her.

Then she moved quickly forward, hitting Sirius square in the stomach.

Sirius coughed after the pillow made contact. Then he grinned. Lauren had turned her back to him on her way back to her respective "corner." He swung one arm, hitting her in the bum with a pillow.

Lauren stumbled forward, grabbing onto the rail to steady herself. She turned around to face Sirius again. He was grinning madly. She really wanted to wipe that smile off his face. She dodged forward again, hitting Sirius in the chest this time.

Sirius shook his head, embarrassed at his performance. He just couldn't have a real pillow fight with her. If it had been James, he would have already had him begging for mercy...

He sighed as he took a step forward, his arms outstretched. When he reached Lauren he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into him.

"I give up," he said grimly, swallowing his pride like a vomit flavored jelly bean.

"I thought you would," Lauren retorted, a smile playing at her lips.

"I suppose I ought to congratulate you," Sirius said as he leaned down.

"Mmm," was Lauren's only response.

They kissed slowly. Sirius sank down onto the bed, pulling Lauren into his lap. Her pillow was still between them. Sirius grabbed it roughly and threw it towards the end of the bed, pulling her more tightly to him.

After a while, Sirius laid back. "Merlin, where'd you learn to kiss like that?" he asked breathlessly. He felt like he'd just downed an entire bottle of Firewhiskey in one breath, which he'd actually done before on a bet. That's what he was, drunk off of her kisses.

Lauren still sat, looking at him. She smiled as she answered, "Well, I did learn from the master."

"I hope you don't think that's all I know," Sirius said in the same husky tone, raising his hand to brush it across her face lightly.

Lauren instinctively closed her eyes at his touch. She knew full well what he was implying. She had to stay strong. They were too young. Sex was such a distraction. And they were in a room where three other boys were currently sleeping...ew! 'Damn him for being so bloody irresistible,' she thought. He was so...wonderfully infuriating.

"Who said I was talking about you?" she finally asked with a smirk.

"You know, I really think I'm rubbing off on you," Sirius mused as he looked back up at her.

"You think?" Lauren asked sarcastically as she snuggled into him.

"I try not to," he answered.

"It shows."

"Watch it," Sirius warned, but he still wrapped one arm around her shoulders. Lauren placed her head and one hand on his chest. Then she closed her eyes.

After a few minutes of silence, Sirius suddenly spoke. His words were soft, but audible. "Lauren, do you want become an honorary Marauder?" he offered.

Lauren laughed. "Are you kidding?" she asked incredulously. Then she lifted up her head. His expression was grave. Apparently it was really important to him.

"You're not kidding, are you? Won't your friends mind?" she asked.

"No, and I already asked them. I trust you completely. That's enough for them," Sirius answered sincerely.

She laid her head back down on his chest. "Well, if you really want me to, I would be glad to become an...honorary Marauder." Lauren really didn't know exactly what that would entail...knowing Sirius and his friends it definitely involved some kind of mischief.

"So...do you want to become an Animagus?" Sirius asked after a while.

"Maybe..." Lauren said. Actually, ever since she'd found out that he was one, she had been wondering what form her Animagus might be.

"What do you think I would be?" she asked.

"Hmm," Sirius mused, feigning contemplation. Meanwhile, the gears in his head were turning. This was the perfect time to get a little revenge for his pillow-fight loss and her insult to his intelligence. "A bitch?" he said, his words dripping with glee.

Lauren raised herself up on her arm, looking him in the eye. "Excuse me? Is that what you think I am? Oooh, Sirius Black, you better mean female dog if you know what's good for you..." she said angrily.

Sirius laughed before drawing his face into a serious expression and said, "Of course that's what I meant." He still thought she looked cute when she was angry.

Lauren narrowed her eyes, deciding if she wanted to believe him. Eventually she lay back down and returned to her previous position.

A few minutes later, Sirius spoke again. "You're crazy, you know that?" he whispered.

Lauren's eyes popped open. Why did he keep saying things like that to her?

"First I'm a bitch, now I'm crazy," she said exasperatedly. Sure, Sirius really knew how to flatter the ladies.

"Yeah, you're crazy...to fall for me," Sirius said softly.

Lauren sighed. Of course he had to say something totally romantic like that. She sat up slowly.

As she looked him in the eyes, she whispered, "How could I resist?"

Sirius pulled himself to a sitting position next to her, a twinkle in his eye. "I said you were crazy, not stupid."

They both laughed. She pushed him backwards forcefully so he was lying on the bed again. He grabbed her waist, pulling her on top of him.

Lauren leaned down to kiss him. Her lips had only touched his for a second when he moved them.

The Hogwarts Kissing Master had decided to teach her something else. He let her kiss him briefly, but then shifted his head to the side. First he softly kissed her right cheek, then her left.

'Why won't he just kiss me properly?' Lauren thought, wanting to feel his lips on hers again.

Sirius planted another kiss on the tip of her nose. Then he smiled inwardly as he felt Lauren's lips devour his own. He wasn't done teasing her yet. He gave her a series of brief kisses, none lasting for more than a second.

Lauren moaned in frustration.

Sirius finally kissed her, softly and slowly. He could feel Lauren's tongue running quickly and repeatedly across the seam between his lips, but he didn't part them. He continued to kiss her unhurriedly. Then he opened his mouth slightly and started sucking lightly at Lauren's bottom lip. She sighed into his mouth.

Lauren's head was spinning. 'Oh, Merlin. So this is what he was talking about when he said he knew more,' she managed to think.

Once Sirius released her lip, they began kissing ardently. He figured he'd taught her enough for one night.

Completely out of breath, Lauren finally pulled her lips away from his and rested her head on Sirius' shoulder.

That night he whispered to her as he played absentmindedly with her hair. He told her everything he'd never said about his family. About how his mother was obsessed with purity, how she yelled at him for being friends with James and especially Remus. How he was never good enough for his parents. How they were always so proud of Regulus. How they never loved him, how he had so naively wished that they would...

He sighed, realizing that she'd probably fallen asleep before he even started talking. But he was proven wrong when he felt two tears fall onto his shoulder. He used his hand to lift her chin, so he could look into her eyes. His heart surged with emotion as he saw tears tracing their way down her cheeks silently. He could tell that she'd been trying her hardest to hold those tears in. She wanted to be strong for him. But all he wanted was for her to be there for him. That's all he'd ever wanted from her. He wiped the tears away with his thumb. She lowered her head back to his chest, murmuring "I love you, Sirius," before closing her eyes.

"I love you, too," Sirius said softly as he ran his hands soothingly over her arms. He soon drifted off to sleep.

Several hours later, at nine-thirty in the morning to be exact, Remus, James, and Peter were all awake, getting ready to go down to breakfast. They were all quite confused, since Sirius usually jumped on their beds in the mornings to wake them up for his favorite meal of the day. But this morning...Sirius was still asleep.

Remus looked over at James, who had a familiar glint in his eye. The one he always got when he was planning a prank. "Prongs, remember the last time you--" he ventured.

"Shh. You're going to ruin the surprise, Moony," James replied in a whisper, one finger held up to his lips as he walked over to Sirius' bed, wand in hand.

James, however, was the one who got the surprise when he wrenched back the hangings of Sirius' four poster bed. He blinked disbelievingly, several times. But no amount of blinking changed the sight before him.

"What is it Prongs? Is something wrong with Padfoot?" Remus asked concernedly. He walked over to where James was standing. His mouth dropped open. Peter came up behind them, emitting a small squeak as he peered between the taller boys.

Sirius stirred when he felt warm sunlight hit his face. He opened his eyes slowly, smiling as he remembered that Lauren was there. He gently moved a stray piece of hair out of her face. Then he turned his head to the side in hopes of finding a way to block out that pesky sun.

Instead, he saw James, Remus, and Peter staring at him, dumbfounded. He grinned, looking back down at Lauren and shrugged his shoulders before pulling the sheets up further, covering the sight of their entwined legs. Hers in particular, because she was wearing the Quidditch jersey he had given her over the holiday.

Lauren was awakened slightly by his movements. "Mmm, Sirius," she murmured as she snuggled closer to him, if that was even possible.

James proceeded to crack up at that moment. Peter started snickering. Remus looked at Sirius apologetically before chuckling a little himself. What she had said was just too funny to ignore.

The howls of laughter were enough for Lauren to truly wake up. She raised her head, took one glance at the near-hysterical boys, and buried her face in Sirius' chest. She was smiling, however. She didn't have anything to feel guilty about. The Marauders were no strangers to rule-breaking. Besides, she and Sirius hadn't done anything. She started laughing, too.

"Good morning, boys," she said, extricating herself from Sirius and sitting up, still laughing slightly.

"Boys?" James asked indignantly. "We are all men here, right Sirius?"

"Jamie-boy, I believe that was directed towards the three of you," Sirius replied, grinning wickedly. He sat up behind Lauren and winked at his friends over her shoulder. "Now, boys, if you don't mind...I believe my curtains were closed. See you later!"

James rolled his eyes and let go of the hanging, muttering under his breath. Lauren could barely hear him, but she could have sworn she had heard "and Bingo was his name-o."

She didn't understand what he meant, but apparently Sirius did. "Shut up, Bambi!" he replied good-naturedly, sliding his arm around Lauren's waist and pulling her closer. "You're just jealous!"

Remus and Peter could be heard cracking up on the other side of the room.