A Second Channe Through Time

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Page count: 13

Sirius' Apartment – Thursday 14th January 1982

"Mia!" Sirius knocked sharply on her bedroom door.

"I'm busy, Sirius," Hermione's muffled voice answered, tense and clipped.

"Can we talk?"

"No. I'm busy. Leave me alone before I hex you. I can't have any distractions right now!"

Sirius exhaled heavily and stepped back from the door. He drew his wand and began cycling through every unlocking charm he knew. A short while later, he gave up with a frustrated growl.

"I can't get through," he muttered — equal parts annoyed and impressed.

James clapped him on the shoulder. "Step aside and let a professional handle this."

Sirius snorted but moved.

James stepped close to the door... and yelled, "Mia! Something's wrong with Harry!"

A crash sounded instantly — a chair, maybe a table — and footsteps pounded across the room. The door was yanked open a split second later, revealing a frantic, wide-eyed Hermione.

"What? What happened? Where is he? Is he hurt? I didn't feel anything—"

James slid right past her into the room, sending Sirius a smug, triumphant smirk over his shoulder. Sirius followed, rolling his eyes.

"Relax, little witch," James said, still grinning. "Harry's fine. I just needed you to open the door so we could talk."

A low fox-like growl slipped from her mouth.

James' grin vanished.

Her eyes flickered toward her wand lying on the bed.

James saw.

They both lunged.

They crashed onto the mattress — James hitting first, grabbing the wand, Hermione landing half beside him, half on top of him as she stretched for it. Sirius leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching with amused delight as the two grappled.

James quickly rolled, pinning her beneath him, keeping the wand just out of her reach. He tried — and failed — not to enjoy how she writhed beneath him.

He didn't expect the sudden surge of strength. Hermione flipped him.

One moment, he was in control — the next, she was straddling him, determinedly reaching while he held the wand even farther away. Sirius' eyebrows nearly hit his hairline.

"Give me my wand, James," she growled.

"No," he said unapologetically.

"Give it to me so I can hex you."

"See, that's exactly why I'm not giving it back," he said, amused... until he truly realised their position.

Her thighs bracketing his hips. Her warmth settled over him. Her hair fell in curls around his face as she leaned forward, stretching.

His breath hitched. His hand slid instinctively to her hip, steadying her.

She leaned farther — too far — lost her balance, and fell forward, catching herself with her elbows on either side of his head.

Her curls curtained them from the world. Her breath mingled with his. Time stopped.

Their eyes locked and held.

Something electric passed between them — a pull neither of them could seem to resist.

Her head lowered. His eyes fluttered closed. She felt her own closing in response as her lips neared his—