The Marauders

Chapter 7

Sirius thanked Merlin for his good fortune. He was sure he'd be caught by Filch without invisibility cloak or Marauders' Map, but he reached the Room of Requirement without further incident. He knocked quietly when the door appeared, and when no one answered, he entered cautiously. The room was comfortably furnished this time. There were a few comfy chairs and sofa in front of a large fireplace in which a large fire crackled. The warmth of the room was a welcome change from the cold corridors of the castle.

The first thing Sirius noticed was the three girls gathered around the fireplace. The next thing was that Lily and Enna were harshly interrogating Kira. Third was what was being asked. They hadn't noticed him yet, and he was going to say something, but Lily's question made him duck out of view to listen.

"Kira! Answer me, do you love Sirius?" Lily asked, here emerald eyes harsh and piercing.

"I..." Kira paused and sighed, "Yes. I do love him."

Sirius was stunned. Without thinking, he stood and strode towards her.

"Sirius!" Enna said. All three girls jumped up.

Sirius grabbed Kira around the waist and pulled her close to him. In one fluid movement he leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. The world seemed to stop. Lily and Enna melted away with the surroundings. The only people were the two young Gryffindors, their lips locked together in a kiss that should have happened long ago.

Kira didn't fight it- she couldn't. Her limbs had turned to jell-o and if it weren't for Sirius's arm around her waist she would have collapsed. Electric heat flooded through her and she felt every care and worry melt away like ice. She regretted ever considering accepting Severus's invitation. This feeling was why she wanted to be with Sirius; the wetness of his lips, the beating of his heart and the racing of hers, the steadying hand behind her head, the warmth of his body; the feeling that she could fly without effort.

Sirius couldn't believe how incredible it felt to kiss her. It was heaven, and he knew he could never let her go. He loved her, and every bone in his body screamed out the message over again. He loved her, the scent of her hair, the way her eyes glistened when she smiled, the way when she ate macaroni noodles she put one on each prong of her fork and then ate them, the way she stuck out her tongue when she was concentrating, the way she seemed to fit in his arms like a puzzle piece, and now, the way she tasted. It was overwhelming. When they finally parted, he gingerly placed his hand on her cheek. It was damp and he wiped away the silvery trail of tears and whispered to her.

"I love you, Kira." Tears sprang anew from her eyes and she smiled. She placed her hand on his cheek.

"You're crying," Kira whispered.

"So are you," Sirius smiled back.

They stood there, eyes locked, gazing at each other. Enna giggled and Lily ushered her toward the door. Such a bond was created with that kiss that the air around them buzzed with electricity. As Enna touched the door handle, a spark snapped and she yelped and jumped back.

Lily glared at her and dragged her from the room. Once the door was closed, Lily grinned.

"That went better than planned. I'm glad the guys kept up their end of the deal. He had perfect timing... I hoped he wouldn't get there too soon," Lily whispered as they walked through the portrait hole. A meow at her ankles made her look down.

"Ah! So we had a little feline help then, did we? Well, thank you, Crookshanks."

@--} ******* {--@

Sirius brushed a strand of Kira's hair out of her face. He smiled crookedly when he noticed his hand shaking. Kira giggled and held out her own shaking hand. He gently lifted her hand to his mouth and with a small bow, kissed it. Kira blushed redder.

"Sirius..." she said with a smile.

"Yes, my love?" he answered, straightening up and drawing her closer to him. He gazed down into her misty grey eyes.

She lowered her gaze for a moment and when she raised them again he recognized the same pained expression she'd worn in the past few days.

"What is it?" He said, his heart beating rapidly, the blood pounding in his ears.

Please, not again. Don't reject me again... not after this!

"Sirius, you understand that I made a promise, and I can't break that promise, even if it means going to a dance with one person, when I'd much rather go with another."

Her eyes implored him, wanting him to understand, hoping that he'd know what a promise meant to her.

He slowly pulled away from her, her heartstrings tightening with each step he took.

"Kira, um..." He paused, searching for the right words. "I don't..."

For Merlin's sake, I love you, idiot! Don't ruin this... please; it's just a dance... Say that- say it's just a dance, a silly thing that doesn't matter...

"It's just a dance, Siri, please. Just one lousy dance when Snape will get to walk around with me on his arm for a night. Sirius..." she stepped forward and put her hand on his arm. Somehow, even though she put not pressure on it, he found himself unable to pull away again.

Kira fought to find the courage to say what she wanted to. It was hard, finding the right words to explain your feelings to someone you care about. They always say it's hard, but you never know just how hard it is until you try it.

Just say it.

Sirius stood there patiently waiting for her to finish her thought.

"Snape gets one night with my on his arm," she repeated, "but you, Sirius, you will have me in your arms until the day that I die."

A gush of air left Sirius's lungs. He pulled her into a tight embrace and when they separated he was grinning from ear to ear.

"Kira, I--"

He was so ecstatic he was speechless. All he wanted to do was run and jump, and chase his tail...

And suddenly he was. Kira watching utterly flabbergasted as Sirius transformed from a young man to a large dog with gleaming black fur and a furry tail that wagged back and forth so fast it was a blur. He barked and jumped, doing acrobatics he never thought possible. When he'd sufficiently tired himself out, he changed back to his human form, still grinning, and pulled Kira into a more passionate kiss than before.

She was taken aback when his tongue slid into her mouth, but was more surprised at herself when she returned the favor. They kissed for a good two minutes before breaking for air.

Gasping, they giggled and Sirius took her hand and led her to the couch. They sat in silence for a while, just content to gaze into each other's eyes and try and guess what the other was thinking.

"Kira, can you promise me something?" Sirius asked, not shifting his eyes once.

"Yea, what is it?" Kira said, ne'er flinching.

"Promise me you'll dance with me."

"Yes, Siri, I will save you a dance."

"Good, I'm glad. Kira?"

"Yes, Sirius?"

"Dance with me?"

"But I already told you I would," Kira said, confused.

"I know, I meant now."

As if on cue, music began playing from a record player that mysteriously appeared. It was slow and melodious instrumental, no words, just music. Sirius stood and held out his hand to help Kira up. She accepted the outstretched hand and rose.

"Sirius, I have a confession to make, and I know you're not likely to hear this from another girl, maybe some of your mates, but...I...erm, I don't know how to dance..." Kira said, her cheeks flushed for the third time that night.

Sirius laughed. "Sure, just... follow my lead."

He took her hand and guided it to his shoulder and then did the same with her other hand. He gently placed his hands on her hips and said, "To make things simple, just sort of move your feet to the music. We'll start off just going side to side and then maybe we'll try moving. It's really easy- you'll catch on quickly."

The music was soft, perfectly fit to the mood of the night. After a few moments Kira wrapped her arms tighter around Sirius's neck and he wrapped his around her waist. She rested her head on his shoulder, her face turned in towards his neck. She breathed in deeply, taking in every scent. There was the slightly bitter odor of sweat easily overpowered by a faint hint of old cologne. The smell of his hair wafted to her nose and she closed her eyes. A picture of spring rain shimmered into being, her at the dormitory window with Sirius at her side, his arm resting comfortably around her waist.

Another scent interrupted her daydream as they slowly turned in dance. The scent itself was unique from any she'd ever smelled before, and it awakened something in her that she couldn't quite describe. She felt suddenly alive and alert, and, despite the soothing music, she became quite restless.

"Can we go somewhere?" She said suddenly.

Sirius stopped and looked at her, taken aback.

"Um, sure, I guess... where did you want to go?"

Kira thought for a moment before answering him.

"Wherever it is you, James, and Remus go on the full moon."

His eyes widened in shock, and then narrowed.

"Who told you..."

Kira tilted her head down and ground her toe into the floor.

"Promise you won't get mad?"

"Of course."

"Enna."

"I knew it! I told James she wouldn't be able to keep it from you and Lily. Lily knows, too, doesn't she?"

Kira nodded mutely. Sirius sighed.

"Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to show you around our nightly haunts. Just one tonight though, okay? We don't have time to nip back up to my dorm to grab the cloak and the map, unfortunately. Next time, though. They're secrets of the trade- are you prepared to keep them?" He asked with a wink.

"Anything for you, my love," Kira smiled seductively. Sirius's jaw went slightly slack and Kira gently closed it as she walked passed to the door.

"Coming?" She said with an innocent smile and a twist of her hips.

@--} ******* {--@

The draft of air from the passage was bitter cold and Kira shuddered under her thin robe. Sirius wrapped his arm tighter around her, hoping to warm her a little.

"It's a bit of a walk, but it shouldn't take too long... I don't think."

"What do you mean, haven't you gone this way before?" Kira asked, a little skeptical and close to regretting saying anything about an outing at all.

"Well, yes, of course... I just haven't used it in this... form. See, about two years ago James, Peter and I became Animagi so that we could accompany Remus on the full moon, and we've been sneaking out with him since then."

Kira's eyes searched the dark ahead of her, unsure of whether to step through the secret doorway or not. Sirius turned his face toward her and again she caught a whiff of the scent she had smelled earlier. A wild urge to dash into the tunnel and run until she came out on the other end took her and it took all her control to remain clinging to Sirius's side.

"Let's go." She said and stepped boldly forward into the darkness. As Sirius caught up next to her, the wall behind them ground shut and the darkness enveloped them. Kira felt a warm hand on her arm and she jumped.

"Lumos." Sirius's voice muttered from somewhere very close. A blinding light blazed forth from the tip of Sirius's wand and he moved his hand from her arm to her hand.

"C'mon, this way."

@--} ******* {--@

The floorboards creaked underfoot and cobwebs were strewn everywhere. A think layer of dust muffled their footsteps and the light of Sirius's wand cast an eerie glow over what had once been a grand living room. Red velvet couches were flipped every which way, and the fabric was viciously torn and tattered. A musty smell hovered think about them.

"Ugh, it's smells so..."

"Musty, yea I know. You'll get used to it soon enough." Sirius said, striding away from her to light the lanterns hanging from next to a large brick fireplace that had been boarded over. A warmer, yellow light filled the room, banishing the darkness to the furthest corners of the house.

For the third time that night the same smell her. Now it was more powerful than before and at that moment something quite unexpected happened. Kira looked at Sirius and growled. Yes, growled. A low rumble emitted from her throat and Sirius stared, shocked.

"Kira...? Are you..."

With a leap she had tackled him, knocking him over onto the one couch that remained upright. Sirius, who could normally hold his own in a fist fight, was caught off guard and didn't know what exactly was going on- until he felt something smooth and wet brush his lips. He ran his hand up Kira's side to the small of her back and held her on top of him. She snarled and bit his lip. He grinned and growled back then licked her cheek. Kira laughed and smiled down at him.

A rustling nearby caused them to spring apart as if touched by a live electrical wire.

"Ahem. Comfortable?" A familiar voice teased from the darkness, "Oh, please, don't stop for our sake. Continue," James said as the four stepped into the light, "We won't tell anyone..." he snickered.

"Whatchit, James, or the school finds out what a dirty little girl your Lily is," Sirius retorted, leaping over the couch and stand side by side with Kira. Remus and Enna laughed.

"That's not much of a threat, considering their lovely appearance to Astronomy earlier this week. What was that James? Twelve comments on how long it took you to notice that your fly was open?" Remus jibed.

"What exactly are you guys doing here? Isn't it kind of late?" Sirius accused.

"Yes, it is late. But since when did that ever stop us?" James rebutted.

Remus righted the other couch and dragged it closer to the one Kira and Sirius had been lying on a few moments earlier. Kira and Sirius took a seat on theirs and the other four squished onto the opposite one.

"Are we diseased?" Kira asked sarcastically, staring at the four of them squirming and elbowing for more room. "Is there something wrong with sitting on this couch?"

Lily squeezed herself out from halfway behind Enna and James and settled herself next to Kira. She crossed her legs and crossed her arms across her chest in a manner that clearly stated, "I SO don't approve of this..."

Kira looked from Lily's expression to James' innocent one.

"What are you guys up to?" She asked suspiciously.

"Why, what on earth could you mean? We're not doing a thing." James said, barely keeping the sarcasm out of his voice.

"Exactly that- they're NOT doing anything, because what they're NOT doing is incredibly dangerous!" Lily said, now glaring at Enna who had taken an intense interest in the fuzz on her robe.

"Would somebody please enlighten us?" Sirius inquired.

Remus began picking at the stuffing that was sticking out of a rip in the couch.

Enna continued to play with her fuzz. Lily's glare never wavered and James tried in vain to keep his innocent look.

Finally, Lily spoke.

"These clods have decided to help Enna become an Animagus."

Sirius frowned slightly, but Kira's eyes brightened. She sat forward, intrigued.
"Don't get any ideas, Kira. It's really not all it's cracked up to be, at least at first. Chances are James has been advertising all the perks and none of the drawbacks or dangers. Pete almost got stuck with a tail, remember?" he said pointedly to James.

Remus continued to play with the fuzz.

"Remus, mate, you can't seriously be considering this? We just barely managed to do it, how do you expect them to be able to handle. Lily's glare shifted, settling now on Sirius.

"Excuse me? Incapable? You think we're not good enough witches to handle this type of spell?"

Sirius shrugged, "Well, it's really difficult and painful for a while, you really don't want to try it unless you have a high pain tolerance."

Kira scooted over more towards Lily.

"Really, so you think we couldn't handle it?" she asked, her eyes narrowing.

"I never said that, I just said--"

"We heard what you said, and we know what you meant. I'm confident we'd be able to pull it off with flying colors," she stated, "What do you say, Lils? Should we show these cads what real women are made of?"

Lily hesitated, scrutinizing both James and Sirius before opening her mouth. She looked torn between showing Sirius up, and staying on the safe side. Kira kicked her hard.

"Lily?" She said.

A short period of silence ensued followed by a curt nod and a heaving sigh from Remus and Enna. Sirius smirked and winked to James.

"Well, shall we get started? Preferably back in the common room, where I can actually feel my fingers?"

The six filed out of the Shrieking Shack and back into the tunnel, Kira and Enna whispering excitedly and Lily thinking hard about her decision, and whether or not it was such a good idea after all.

@--} ******* {--@

The common room was cozy, and the six had paired off in couples to settle into their favorite spots by the fireplace. Kira and Sirius curled up together in the larger arm chair, Lily and James on a loveseat (the new addition had been added by Professor Lenya when a number of complaints had been filed about the lack of seating in the common room). Enna sat in the other, smaller arm chair and Remus tucked his knees up in front her on the floor.

"Do you have any idea what you want to be?" Remus asked as Enna absently played with his hair.

"I think I'd like to be a falcon. I've always wanted to be able to fly- without a broom, I mean," Lily said.

Enna continued threading her fingers through Remus's brown hair.

"Hmm... I'm not entirely sure, but I think I might like to be a cat- like Crookshanks, only a little less clumsy." She said as the kitten leapt onto Kira's lap. He growled and then settled purring on Kira's lap for a short nap.

"What about you Kira, do you have an animal you'd like to be?" Sirius asked from behind her. She laid her head back on his shoulder and sighed, thinking.

"I've always wanted.... No, you'd think I was silly. Besides, I don't want you to be offended, Reems, it's just..."

The others prodded her, curious to know what creature she'd picked, and how on earth Remus could take offense to it.

"C'mon, Kira, tell us. It can't be that silly- I mean, Jim's a deer- how much sillier can you get?" Enna said teasingly.

"Stag. I'm a stag," James corrected.

"Fine, fine. I'd like to be a wolf. I've always loved wolves, and I thought maybe, if Remus didn't mind..."

Sirius looked at her, an eyebrow raised.

"Not a bad choice. We'll have our own little pack growing here," James said.

Remus was silent. He just sat there, his eyes on Kira, chewing on the inside of his lip.

"What do you say, Reems? Does she remain as wolf or does she pick another creature from the millions out there, like the pipsqueak, or the titmouse."

Lily smacked James' arm.

"Ow! Hey, that's what it's called! I'm serious, it's called a titmouse!"

Lily hit him again. Sirius laughed and Kira giggled a little, but stopped shortly, awaiting Remus's decision.

I can't see how he can say no- it's not like I'm trying to steal his thunder or anything. Why did I even bother asking him? It's my choice. She thought to herself. Ah, but it would be kind of rude, wouldn't it? You'd be able to change back and forth into a wolf whenever the hell you feel like it, but he's stuck that way, with almost no control over himself. That'd be like shoving the fact of the curse in his face and then running away laughing.

"Sure, why not. There's nothing wrong with it- just don't go flaunting the fact. I might have to bite you..." Remus said finally, a smile playing in his eyes while his face remained stagnant. James couldn't tell if it was a joke or not, and Enna gasped a little. Kira grinned though, and thanked him. When he saw James' expression, Remus couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh, James, mate, I was only kidding! C'mon, I don't have to be serious all the time, do I?" Remus chortled.

"No, but I do," Sirius said, pulling yet another pun on his name.

The others groaned and Lily pitched a pillow at his head, narrowly missing Kira and beaming Sirius full in the face. Naturally, pillows appeared out of nowhere and the Marauders and Co. had a short lived, yet thoroughly enjoyed pillow fight that ended just as the sun's morning rays peaked over the mountains.