CLOSE TO YOU • jp + sb [1]

01.03 | MY FIRST KISS

CHAPTER THREE

      THE secluded corridor, away from the thumping bass and raucous laughter of the Gryffindor party, offered a rare moment of tranquillity. Sirius Black and Selyna Diggory sat close together on a plush, low sofa, their earlier conversation fading into a comfortable silence. The flickering torchlight played across their faces, casting gentle shadows that danced with the rhythm of their quiet breaths.

Sirius, still feeling the effects of the party's libations, looked at Selyna with an intensity that seemed to convey unspoken feelings. Her eyes, still glistening from the emotional turmoil of the evening, met his with a mix of vulnerability and curiosity. The atmosphere between them was charged, each heartbeat seeming to draw them closer together.

Without warning, Sirius leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was both tender and fervent. It was a kiss born of both the intoxication of the moment and the deep-seated emotions he had harboured for years. Selyna's breath caught in her throat as his lips moved against hers, the passion of the kiss igniting a flurry of feelings within her. It was as if the entire world had faded away, leaving just the two of them in a bubble of raw emotion and longing.

When they finally pulled apart, their breaths mingling in the cool air, Sirius looked at her with an earnest gaze. "I've wanted to do that for a long time," he admitted, his voice a soft whisper. The sincerity in his tone was unmistakable, and it made Selyna's heart race with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

Overcome by the intensity of the moment, Selyna found herself leaning in once more, her lips finding his again in a second, deeper kiss. This time, the kiss was more exploratory, filled with the sweetness of newfound affection and a desperate need for connection. As they finally broke apart, both of them were breathless, their faces flushed and their eyes locked in a gaze that spoke volumes.

Selyna nestled into Sirius's side, her head resting gently on his shoulder. They sat in comfortable silence, their legs entwined, sharing occasional murmurs of laughter and conversation. They spoke about random things—Sirius's latest prank idea, Selyna's favourite books, and even some silly anecdotes from their summer. The easy companionship was a balm to Selyna's troubled heart, offering a reprieve from the pain and shame caused by the interaction with James that had plagued her earlier.

As time passed, the sounds of the party grew fainter, the once vibrant Gryffindor common room now winding down to a quieter, more intimate gathering. The energy of the evening was beginning to wane, and only a few stragglers remained, their voices now soft and subdued.

When Selyna and Sirius finally decided to return to the common room, they found it almost empty. The dim lighting and scattered cups indicated that most of the revellers had already departed. One of the few remaining figures was James Potter, who, having sobered up, was waiting in the corner with a look of determination on his face. His gaze fell upon Selyna and Sirius as they entered, and his eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of their dishevelled appearance.

"Where have you two been?" James demanded, his tone a mix of curiosity and irritation. "Selyna, I tried to find you after you left. What's going on?"

Selyna, still a bit tipsy and still feeling the sting of her earlier confrontation with James, took a deep breath. "Why does it matter?" she snapped. "It's none of your business. Maybe you should go find Lily if you're so desperate to be up someone's arse."

The harshness of her words seemed to hit James like a physical blow, and he stared at her, momentarily speechless. Sirius, sensing the tension and not wanting to escalate the situation further, placed a hand on Selyna's shoulder, his grip reassuring.

"Let's go, Selyna," Sirius said softly, guiding her towards the stairs. "We should head upstairs."

Selyna cast one last look at James, whose expression was a mixture of hurt and confusion. The words she had spoken felt both liberating and regretful, but she didn't have the energy to process them fully. She turned and followed Sirius up the stairs, the exhaustion of the night settling over her like a heavy cloak.

She departed from Sirius without a word and when she reached the dormitory, Selyna found her room eerily quiet. Her dormmate, Marlene McKinnon, was nowhere to be seen, likely spending the night elsewhere. Alone in the dimly lit room, Selyna finally allowed herself to break down. She sank onto her bed, her emotions overwhelming her.

Disappointment and heartache surged through her as she thought about James. The realization that he would never reciprocate her feelings was a bitter pill to swallow. The fleeting hope she had clung to was now shattered, leaving her with a deep sense of loss and frustration. How could she have been so blind, thinking that maybe—just maybe—he might see her?

At the same time, the kiss with Sirius lingered in her mind, a confusing mixture of excitement and apprehension. What did it mean? Was Sirius's kiss simply a consequence of the night's festivities, or did it signify something deeper? She couldn't ignore the fact that Sirius had admitted to wanting to kiss her for a long time. Did that mean something significant, or was it just a result of the alcohol?

Selyna buried her face in her hands, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her emotions were a turbulent sea, and she felt adrift, unsure of where to go or what to do. The kiss with Sirius had opened a door to new possibilities, but it also left her questioning the sincerity of his feelings and her own. Was she just another notch on his belt, or was there something more meaningful behind his actions?

She had barely begun her final year at Hogwarts, and already, her life felt like an emotional whirlwind. The complexities of her feelings for James, combined with the new and uncertain emotions stirred by Sirius, left her feeling overwhelmed and directionless. The night had brought her both joy and pain, and as she lay in the quiet of her dormitory, she was left grappling with the uncertainty of her heart.

The darkness of the room mirrored the uncertainty in her mind. Selyna stared up at the ceiling, her thoughts racing. What did the future hold for her? Would she find clarity and direction, or would she continue to navigate the turbulent waters of her emotions? As she drifted into a restless sleep, the questions remained unanswered, leaving her to face another day filled with the promise of both heartache and hope.