MINOR EDITS IN PROGRESS - The Forgotten Heir | Sirius Black (Marauders Era)

Chapter 3: Breaking The Ice

Saturday arrived, and Velora found herself waiting in the common room, dressed in her best robes. Sirius arrived, right on time, looking uncharacteristically serious.

"You clean up well, Wool," he said, offering her his arm.

She raised an eyebrow but took it reluctantly. "Don't get used to it."

Sirius chuckled, but there was a hint of warmth in his eyes as they set off. As they walked through Hogsmeade, Sirius was relentless in his charm. He bought her sweets from Honeydukes, joked about the oddities in Zonko's Joke Shop, and even won her a small, enchanted trinket at a game stall—a tiny glass orb that glowed softly in her palm.

"Here," he said, handing it to her. "For those nights you decide not to hex anyone. It'll glow just for you."

She couldn't help but roll her eyes, but the orb's soft glow did make her smile, if only briefly. Despite herself, Velora found she was enjoying his company. His humor, his charisma, even the way he could make her laugh with the smallest joke—it was disarming, to say the least.

At the Three Broomsticks, they found a quiet corner to sit, sipping butterbeer as Sirius leaned back, studying her with a thoughtful look.

"What?" Velora asked, feeling self-conscious under his gaze.

"You're not what I expected," he said simply, his voice softer than usual.

"And what did you expect?"

Sirius hesitated, as if searching for the right words. "I don't know. Someone... more detached. Cold, maybe. But you're different when you let your guard down."

Velora looked away, uncomfortable with how accurately he saw through her. "It's easier to be cold. People don't get too close that way."

"You don't have to be like that with me," he said, his voice sincere, a rare moment of vulnerability slipping through his usually playful tone.

Velora's eyes narrowed slightly. "How do I know you mean that, Black? You act like nothing's serious for you. How am I supposed to believe this is?"

Sirius paused, uncharacteristically serious. "Because I'm not like the others. I'm not afraid of who you are—or of how you think you have to be."

She met his gaze, searching for any hint of deceit, but found none. Just honesty, open and raw, in those gray eyes of his. For a moment, she felt her walls falter, a sense of warmth creeping in where only cold had been. "Maybe you're right," she murmured, barely audible.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of laughter, shared stories, and moments of surprising connection. By the time they returned to the castle, Velora felt something new—a strange sense of belonging that had been missing for years.

As they reached the entrance to the Slytherin common room, Sirius leaned in close, a smirk on his lips. "I had a great time today, Velora."

"Me too," she admitted softly.

"Maybe we can do it again sometime?" His tone was playful, but there was a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"Maybe," she said, allowing a small smile to play on her lips.

Sirius grinned, triumphant. "I'll take that as a yes."

But as they made their way back toward the castle's main hall, Sirius's cocky charm flared up once more, making Velora's blood boil.

"You know, you're really not as cold-hearted as everyone says," he teased, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Who knew the Ice Queen could actually have fun?"

Velora stopped, her smile disappearing as she fixed him with an icy glare. "Don't push your luck, Black. This wasn't a date, and don't think for a second I'm one of your fan club."

Sirius's grin faded, clearly surprised by the sudden change in her demeanor. "Velora, I didn't mean—"

"Just don't," she snapped, turning on her heel. "I've had enough games for one day."

With that, she stormed back toward the Slytherin common room, leaving Sirius standing there in stunned silence.

The days following their Hogsmeade trip were filled with a new, uneasy tension. Sirius kept his distance, but Velora noticed his eyes on her more often, lingering, almost hesitant, as if he were trying to figure out how to break the icy silence she'd imposed. For her part, Velora tried to brush it off as a fleeting moment of vulnerability—nothing more.

One evening, as she walked back to the Slytherin common room after a particularly grueling Potions lesson, she heard familiar footsteps behind her. Turning, she saw Sirius hurrying to catch up, an almost apologetic look in his eyes.

"Velora, wait up!" he called.

She stopped, crossing her arms as he approached. "What do you want, Sirius?"

He hesitated, his usual confidence tempered by something softer. "About Hogsmeade... I think I may have been an ass."

Velora's eyebrows rose, surprised at the admission. "You think?"

Sirius chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. "I guess I deserved that. I didn't mean to make it feel like a game. Honestly, I thought you enjoyed yourself."

"I did," she admitted, though her tone remained guarded. "Until you started acting like it was all just some big joke."

He held her gaze, sincerity plain on his face. "I'm sorry, Velora. I didn't mean it like that. Give me a chance to redeem myself?"

She let out a sigh, glancing away. Part of her wanted to walk away, but another part—the part that had enjoyed their time together despite herself—hesitated. "And how exactly would you do that?"

Sirius's smile returned, but it was softer, lacking his usual bravado. "A real date. No bets, no games. Just... me and you."

Velora's eyes narrowed, but she couldn't deny the flicker of curiosity that sparked within her. "If you mess this up, Black, I'm hexing you."

Sirius laughed, relief in his eyes. "Fair enough. Saturday evening, after dinner?"

She gave a small nod, fighting to keep her expression neutral even as a faint flutter of anticipation stirred within her. "Fine. Just... don't get any ideas."

Sirius grinned, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Wouldn't dream of it."

She watched him walk away, a mixture of irritation and reluctant amusement bubbling inside her. Perhaps, she thought, it wouldn't hurt to let her guard down—just a little.