Chapter 6
James’ mouth hung open in shock as he stood, watching Sirius slam his bat into the bludgers with a power he had never seen from him. Sirius barely looked out of breath—his eyes narrowed at the players, he swung precisely and strongly enough to knock the other team off their broom. He fit in with the current Gryffindor team perfectly, as if he had been playing with them for years.
James knew a little better though. Sirius was a great player, but something was up. Maybe it was tryout-nerves, but he wasn’t convinced. In any case, Sirius hopped off his broom noticeably lighter than he was before the game had started. Lost in thought, Sirius stood with his brows furrowed and started when people began to pat him on the back. He looked around with honest surprise, and a small smile grew on his face in response to the praise. James knew it was a genuine smile too, not the arrogant, lazy one he had plastered on when he was teasing.
This was a real Sirius Black grin, and it had been awhile since James had seen it. Sirius walked over to him, not completely meeting his eye but pulling him into a hug.
“What a show you just put on, Siri. Where the hell did that come from?” James laughed.
“I guess I’m just good at everything,” Sirius smirked, and James knew his walls were back up.
“I’m proud of you,” James whispered, and Sirius nodded and looked at his feet. What is he not telling me, James thought to himself.
***
Sirius threw the common room door open, and everyone turned to look at him.
“You lot are looking at the new Gryffindor beater,” Sirius announced, beaming.
A chorus of praise came in response, and James threw his arm around his neck.
James shouted, “Turn the music up!” And Suffragette City by David Bowie began to bounce off of the common room walls.
The students got up off the couches, congratulating Sirius and the other new Gryffindor team members. Ansia Fontly was the new chaser alongside James. Marlene would be the other beater with Sirius, a match made in Heaven. Or Hell, more likely.
Peter was content with his new position as “back up keeper,” since the keeper position was already filled by 6th year Sebastian De León.
Sirius soaked up the praise, dancing with his friends and momentarily forgetting about his argument with Remus. Until Remus walked in.
Sirius saw him in his peripheral vision, and it took every ounce of self control not to look over at him. Sirius pivoted his body away from the door, dancing with Mary near the fire.
She put her hand on his hips and they swayed for a bit, and Sirius had a quiet feeling that he was supposed to do something else, further the moment, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
Mary did it for him, as she pulled herself close to his chest, standing on her tip toes to whisper, “do you want to find somewhere else to go?” In his ear.
Sirius pushed down his nerves and nodded slightly. Mary tugged on his quidditch jersey to guide him towards the door, and a few whistles could be heard over the music. Remus sat with Lily, and they both turned to watch Sirius and Mary. Sirius avoided eye contact.
James winked at him, and Sirius wore the best shit-eating grin he could manage; he didn’t want Remus to think he was nervous.
***
They found a broom closet to go in, and as soon as the door closed, Mary pulled him close.
“Can I kiss you?” Mary whispered, bating her eyelashes.
Sirius didn’t trust himself to respond, so instead he just kissed her firmly. She sighed slightly, and he put his hands on her hips, slowly moving them up. After a few minutes, she slipped her shirt off and Sirius kissed her neck and collarbone, leaving marks down her front.
Mary giggled and pushed him away, “not too many, Black, I don’t need to be a walking eye shadow pallet.”
Sirius grinned, looking not sorry at all.
“Let’s finish this later, yeah? I’ve got homework that I would normally skip, but it is the second day of class.
Mary rolled her eyes with a soft smile and buttoned her shirt back on.
“Later,” she nodded, and kissed him on the cheek. She left the closet, leaving Sirius to gather his thoughts.
Sirius sat down against the wall, leaning his head back and closing his eyes.
I don’t have any homework, he thought to himself.