SCREAMING COLOR ↝ SIRIUS BLACK

TWENTY EIGHT

Over the course of the next few days the order welcomed Valerie and she made sure to hit Sirius, James, Peter, and Remus upside the head for not telling her. Marianne had decided she wanted to go back to France to be with her family, seeing as any day could very well be their last.

However, as much as Valerie tried to concentrate all her energy on the order, she still found herself asking questions in the back of her head. She questioned her relationship with Sirius, and how fast it seemed to have developed. Valerie still didn't quite believe what he had said about 'wanting to break down her walls' back in 7th year; there was more to it.

Sirius seemed to notice the edginess to her. He paid more attention to her body language during meetings, what her tone was like. Sirius had narrowed it down to two things, he did something and didn't realize it, or the stress of the order had gotten to her.

"Do you love me?" Valerie bluntly said one day. The two were out in the Potters yard waiting for James and Lily to come back from their first ever date.
"Wha- what?" He stammered.
Valerie and Sirius had never actually exchanged the 'L' word, so it didn't surprise her that it came as quite the shock. 

"Do you love me?" Valerie repeated firmly, this time locking eyes with him.
"I-it's-"
"It's a simple question Sirius." She said a little sterner.
"It's not the right time." He finally managed to say.
"Not the right time?" She repeated angrily.
"I wanted to tell you when the moment felt right, and it certainly doesn't feel right in James' yard!"
"I'm sick of it!" She snapped loudly.
Sirius stepped back with widened eyes.
"I'm sick of feeling like your feelings aren't genuine! I don't what it is- I'm just so paranoid all the time!"
"It's just the war getting to you-"
"It's not the bloody war! Or maybe it is I don't know."

"For what it's worth my feelings are genuine. Sirius began after letting Valerie calm down for a few moments. They've always been genuine, I've liked you for the longest time.. I guess I didn't get the courage to talk to you until fifth year." He explained with a growing smile.
"Then why didn't you just tell me?" Valerie sighed.
"I thought you knew. I thought you saw me all those times I was staring at you. Especially in third year. James never let me hear the end of it; how much I got distracted by you in class. You just always kept to yourself and I guess I didn't want to disturb you. You looked so peaceful..and pretty."

Valerie's smile began to grow as well.
"I love you." Sirius said.
"I thought you said it wasn't the right moment." She said breathlessly.
"It is now." Said Sirius before bringing her into a soft kiss.

"Woah it looks like love is in the air." Sirius and Valerie broke apart to see James next to a glowing Lily.
"Your such a mood killer prongs." Teased Sirius.
"It's one of my specialties. He shrugged cheekily. Along with kissing." He said as he leaned in Lily's side, which caused her to blush a crimson red.

"Oh to be in love." James smirked as he looked to his friends and Lily.