California Love

Chapter 23. Back at the Potters

Potter Beach House

Sirius laid on the couch next to James, both dripping wet while Remus and Peter wrapped themselves in towels as Euphemia ranted about boys getting her couch soaked.

it has been like this ever since Severa left for that bloody school and Sirius hated every bit of it. Sure, he loved his friends and spending time with them but he yearned for his Sexy Sevvy. He missed the way she smirked and the way she shoved him away whenever he tried to shoot his shot, he missed everything about her.

"Sirius, you good?" He turned to look at Remus, who was now munching down on some cookies. "Yeah, I'm alright...." He let out a dramatic sigh and rolled off the couch and onto the floor. He could feel their eyes on him but he really didn't care, he wanted his Sexy Sevvy back!

"Sir, are you for real?" He looked up at James, who was laughing. "Sexy Sevvy?" Sirius chuckled awkwardly, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks. "Uh, didn't know I said that aloud" he muttered, trying to salvage some semblance of dignity.

But James just grinned wider, his laughter contagious. "but really? Sexy Sevvy? Merlin's beard, mate, you've got it bad," he teased, clapping Sirius on the shoulder.

Remus, still munching on his cookies, shook his head in amusement. "Well, we all miss her, mate. But maybe lay off the nicknames."

Peter piped up from where he was busy drying his hair. "Yeah, let's focus on getting the couch dry before Mrs. Potter decides to hex us all." He just stayed there as they waved their wands, drying off the couch just as Fleamont and Euphemia ran into the room, Euphemia waving a letter around in the air

"Mum, what's going on?" James inquired, tossing his towel aside and joining the others by the now-dry couch.

"It's from Severa!" Euphemia exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she handed the letter to her husband. Fleamont eagerly unfolded it, scanning its contents with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.

Sirius felt a rush of emotions flood through him at the mention of Severa's name. His heart pounded with a mixture of longing and apprehension. What news could she possibly have sent? he wondered, his mind racing with possibilities.

Fleamont's expression suddenly broke into a wide grin as he finished reading. "Severa said she made friends" he announced, his grin growing. "And she sent a photo."

Sirius's heart skipped a beat at Fleamont's words. "Friends?" he echoed, feeling a surge of conflicting emotions. While he was genuinely happy that Severa was finding companionship at Hogwarts, a pang of jealousy crept into his chest. He couldn't help but wonder who these new friends were and how they were filling the void that he so desperately wished to occupy.

As Fleamont retrieved the photo from the letter, Sirius leaned in eagerly, his curiosity outweighing his apprehension. Sirius's heart sank as he took in the sight of Severa standing beside a handsome boy, his arm casually draped around her waist. A surge of jealousy coursed through him, igniting a tumult of emotions within.

"Who's that?" James asked, leaning in for a closer look at the photo.

Fleamont examined the image, his brow furrowing in thought. "Not sure," he admitted. "Maybe she got a boyfriend."

Sirius's grip tightened, his stomach churning with unease. He tried to push down the feelings of insecurity that threatened to overwhelm him, but the image of Severa with another boy lingered in his mind like a shadow.

"She looks happy," Euphemia remarked, unaware of the turmoil brewing within Sirius.

Sirius forced a tight-lipped smile, his facade crumbling beneath the weight of his emotions. "Yeah," he replied, his voice strained. "She does." Euphemia suddenly grabbed the photo and tucked it back in the envelope.

"Okay, time to get dressed, boys," she declared, her tone brisk as she tossed a towel in Sirius's direction. "Dinner's in an hour."

Sirius caught the towel, his mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Severa and the unfamiliar boy. He sighed inwardly, knowing that he couldn't dwell on it now. With a shake of his head, he focused on getting ready for dinner, hoping that the distraction would provide some relief from the turmoil of his emotions.

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Potter Beach House, Sirius's Room

He was wrong, dinner did little to ease Sirius's troubled mind; if anything, it only served to amplify his thoughts of Severa.

When he sat at the table, the sight of the macaroons, one of Severa's favorite desserts, triggered a flood of memories. Each bite was a painful reminder of her absence, the sweetness tainted by the ache of longing.

To make matters worse, Euphemia's incessant chatter about her own past romantic escapades got on Sirius's nerves. With each word, he felt a pang of jealousy, resentful of anyone who had managed to capture Severa's attention before him.

After all, he had known Severa longer than anyone else, and he had even shared an intimate moment with her before she left for Arcane. Didn't that count for something? But some guy, who wasn't even that handsome!, managed to take such a....romantic photo with his Sevvy?!

He rolled off his bed and into the restroom. Sirius stared at his reflection in the mirror, his frustration boiling over into a desperate need for validation. He couldn't comprehend how Severa could be interested in anyone else when he was right here, looking as amazing as ever.

With a determined huff, he tore off his shirt and began striking poses, tossing his hair dramatically. "Look at me," he muttered to his reflection, his voice tinged with bitterness. "I'm beautiful. How could anyone top this?"

He flexed his muscles, admiring the toned physique that came from years of Quidditch training. Surely, Severa would see what she was missing out on, he thought, a faint glimmer of hope flickering within him. But deep down, he knew that no amount of posing could erase the lingering doubts that plagued his mind.

He ran back into his room and grabbed a camera he stole borrowed from Remus, before running back into the restroom. He set the camera up and began taking pictures of himself, striking various dramatic poses and trying to capture his best angles. With each click of the camera, Sirius felt a surge of adrenaline, the act of posing serving as a distraction from the turmoil swirling inside him.

As he reviewed the photos on the camera's display, Sirius couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. He looked undeniably handsome, his confidence radiating from every frame.

But as he continued to take pictures, a nagging voice in the back of his mind reminded him of the futility of his actions. No matter how many pictures he took, no matter how perfect he looked, it wouldn't change the fact that Severa was miles away, living her life without him. 

Pushing aside his lingering doubts and insecurities, Sirius summoned the photos with a flick of his wand, watching as they materialized in front of him. With a determined set to his jaw, he swiftly gathered them up and stuffed them into an envelope.

These pictures would serve as a reminder to Severa of what she was missing out on, a testament to his unwavering affection and undeniable allure. Maybe, just maybe, seeing him in all his glory would reignite the spark between them, he hoped.

"It's okay, My Sexy Sev, Sirius is coming to save the day"

Or That's What He Thinks