The Ice Queen [s.b.]

Sorry and I Swear It - 43

September 4th.

"Two days," James hisses to Lily as they sit by their respective best friends in the hospital wing. "Sirius has been knocked out cold for two days because of the spell your best friend cast."

"And Annalee has been knocked out cold for two days because of the spell your best friend cast," Lily shoots right back, more angered than ever.

"It was an accident," James argues.

She glares, "And her curse was base instinct. She's been in more terrible situations than you know, of course she defended herself!"

"Out!" Madame Pomfrey yells. "Visiting hours are over."

The Gryffindors glare at each other, but trudge off, anyways.

In the middle of the night, Sirius wakes up with a gasp.

When he looks to his left, he sees Annalee still asleep.

"Princess," he whispers, reaching out like he would touch her, before he retracts his hand, realizing it's his fault. He fumbles for his wand, then whispers the counter-curse, making her wake up. "I'm so sorry," he says gently.

With an expression he could only describe as scared, she looks at him, then sets a shielding spell around herself, effectively breaking his heart. At the sight of his puppy-dog eyes that make her own heart break, she takes it down.

"Get away," is all she whispers, wiping at her face frantically in the dark.

"I'm so sorry," he repeats. "I didn't think you wouldn't block the spell."

He can see her lip tremble in the dark as she says quietly, "You distracted me. On purpose. You don't get to do that."

"I didn't," he starts, trying to move up, then wincing. "I didn't mean to. I'd just been trying to tell you that for almost six months."

"I don't believe you. You hurt me, Sirius. On purpose. Twice now," she whimpers, still looking genuinely afraid and now obviously not just talking about the events of the 2nd.

He rubs the bridge of his nose from his bed, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Fawley. I'm so sorry."

"I believe you," she says, her demeanor shifting to be more casual than before. The tears still prickle at her eyes, shining in the dark. She turns over, effectively ending the conversation.

He can still hear her sniffling, though. That's the moment he realizes, as much as he has been trying to deny it, he still cares about her. Still loves her.

September 5th.

"Good morning, Lee," Lily whispers softly, unaware that she's now awake. Ginger trails in behind her.

"Oh, shut up," Anna groans. "It's too early for this."

"You're awake!" Ginger and Lily exclaim immediately, rushing to her side.

"Unfortunately," she grumbles, sitting up in the bed. "Thanks to you two. Kind of."

Ginger smiles, "When'd you wake up?"

"Middle of the bloody night," Anna says, gesturing to Sirius as if to say he's awake.

The other girls' mouth form an 'o', glancing over to the dark-haired boy.

Sirius continues pretending to be asleep.

September 20th.

"Everyone, if I may please have your attention?" Dumbledore calls from the front of the Great Hall. The rumbling student body silences itself. "I am standing here tonight to announce to all of you that there will be a ball this Halloween. Dress attire. Dancing lessons will be held by year in the Great Hall starting in October. That is all."