Breaking Black (A Sirius Black Love Story)

Chapter 33

Most everyone was cool with me going to the ball with Robert. And this time, it's not Sirius who seemed wary of me and Robert. It was actually Remus who was acting all protective of me.

For some reason, ever since I told him, Remus did everything in his power to separate me from Robert. He purposefully sat between us at meals, tried to cut into our conversations, and was just hovering like a big brother. Felix isn't even around and Remus just decides to step into his place! It's not like Remus doesn't like Robert! Remus just told me he thinks 'it's weird that someone is that perfect'.

My birthday and the first week of break seemed to pass in a blink of an eye. During that week, Robert sadly didn't ask me out on a second date, he was too busy studying for the O.W.L.s he would be taking in five months... He kind of obsessed over them, considering he wanted to work for the Ministry. So all week long, I ran around with the rest of the Marauders, pranking people and searching for secret tunnels.

Now it was Christmas morning, and we were all seated at the Gryffindor table eating breakfast. Of course, I was squished in between Sirius and Remus, with Robert next to Remus.

"Owl post." James announced as about thirty owls soared into the great hall, bringing a shower of snow with them. There was a small cluster of three owls flapping towards the Gryffindor table. I recognized one of the owls as Altheda, the other two were my mum's and Felix's. The last time I used Altheda to send a letter was when I told mum I would be going to the Valentines Day ball with Robert.

The three owls plopped the neatly wrapped package right on my lap. Altheda cooed softly and handed me a letter she was holding in her beak. After she stole some of my sausage, Altheda flew off into the snow while I tore open my letter.

Dear Lexi,

Merry Christmas! The holidays aren't the same without you here at home. I hope you're having a wonderful time at Hogwarts though!

I'm sure you are very excited about going to this ball! At first, I was concerned that you were going with a boy two years older than you, but Felix has assured me that Robert seems like quite the gentleman. I'd love to meet him sometime! Speaking of the ball, that brings us to the matter of your Christmas gift. I'm sure it will look stunning on you, I wore it for the Yule Ball during my fourth year. Make sure you take lots of pictures! Oh how I wish I could be there in person!

Love and miss you,
Mum

P.S. I was surprised to hear you were going to the ball with Robert Wood. Felix insisted that something was going on between you and your friend Sirius Black.

With a smile, I set aside the letter and ripped open a corner of the package. I already knew it was a dress for the ball. Peering inside, I saw red, silk fabric and a jewelry box.

"What do you have there?" Sirius leaned over my shoulder and tried to look in the package. My hand quickly covered the red fabric and I hid it from view.

"Just a present from my mum." I replied slyly. Nobody is going to see this dress until the ball, not even Robert. It's going to be a total surprise.

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As February 14th inched closer, everyone was becoming fidgety and unfocused in class. Everyone in our year would shoot me envious glances, I was one of the few third years who was invited to the ball. Lily was even asked by a Hufflepuff boy in fourth year, but she politely turned him down, considering she'd never even spoken to him before in her life.