Troubled Love║Sirius Black

Chapter 42

The first evening of October rolled around, with the previous week being swamped with shedloads of homework and lesson after lesson of catchup work. Hallie had already missed so much from the first few weeks of school, that she had spent a number of evenings up late studying, both in the common room and in the library.

Hallie finally pushed her way back into the common room, eyes heavy and head drooped down low. She was utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally, from the past few weeks.

Schoolwork had become ceaseless. The preparations for NEWTs were well underway, meaning that the 7th years never seemed to get a moment to themselves. Quidditch training had once again begun, meaning that James had the team out at 6am, rain of shine, for quidditch practice. And the nightmares. Call Hallie Brennan a coward, but she was in no mental state to even begin to face them.

So the girl battled through another tired yawn, throwing her bag down in the armchair by the fire.

"Hallie?"

The girl whipped her head around, eyes softening as Sirius rubbed his eyes tiredly, forcing his body up from the sofa. "Alright trouble?" he spoke gruffly, his voice rough and fatigued.

Hallie blushed softly at the nickname - a nickname she once seemed to hate, but now suddenly she seemed to love.

Sirius opened his arms up tiredly, smiling softly towards the girl as she instantly took him up on his offer, crawling carefully into his arms.

"You can talk to me about anything," he muttered, looping his arms tightly around her body.

"I'm doing better, I promise," Hallie yawned, his action making Hallie visibly relax into his embrace. "I just couldn't sleep again, so I went on a walk to clear my head."

"Ok. But next time tell me and I'll come with you," he murmured, pulling her hair softly between his fingers. "Don't go out this late on your own."

"What in case one of the teachers tries to kidnap me?" Hallie laughed, feeling Sirius' chest rise in laughter from beneath her. "As much of a weirdo as Slughorn is, I don't think he's going to try and use my limbs in a potion Sirius."

"Don't speak too soon," he laughed, pulling the girl firmly into his lap. "Maybe the two of us are forging a secret alliance. You might wake up with no fingers," he grinned, grabbing her hand tightly and quickly placing a kiss to her knuckles. "You better watch out love."

Hallie smiled up at him, prodding his cheek softly with her finger. "You care about me too much to do that."

Sirius sighed in defeat, curling his arms up to tip the girl into his chest. Hallie laughed softly, feeling the warmth of his skin meet her own, as he placed a soft kiss to her head.

"You have no idea," he mumbled into her ear, holding the girl even tighter than before.

Hallie had never seen this side of Sirius ever. He had never been one for hugs or for intimacy. In fact, Hallie had never thought it possible for someone like Sirius.

But Hallie was very far from complaining. She quickly lay her head back against his chest, hugging him tightly around his waist. The room fell silent, except for the gentle breaths escaping their lips and the pounding beat of their hearts that they hoped the other wouldn't hear.

"I feel safe with you, you know," Hallie whispered, tilting her head up slightly on Sirius' chest, to look up at his eyes.

Sirius' heart instantly swelled in adoration, casting his gaze down towards the blonde. "I'll always protect you Hallie," he yawned, as the two snuggled indefinitely closer.