Chapter 3
“Come on,” Sirius grinned and patted his knee as Fatima made her way across the common room. All the seats were full, Gryffindors crowding in front of the fire and sprawling across the floor drank cocoa and munched ice-mice as they waited for the Secret Santa to begin.
An annoyed tut from Lily decided matters and Fatima settled into Sirius’ lap while managing to avoid eye contact. His arms immediately wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer into what was, admittedly, a more comfortable position.
“Alright?” his breath tickled her ear.
“Yep,” she said, keeping her eyes fixed on the tree. “Sitting on the pointiest knees in Hogwarts but other than that it’s all good.”
“Well,” he snorted, placing a small, plain box in her hand, “please allow me to formally apologise for the state of the Black knees and offer you this small token as restitution.” Fatima heard Sirius stop breathing as she eased open the present and blinked down at the brooch inside.
“This was your sister’s,” she didn’t mean to say anything but his arms tightened around her in a way that made her feel like it was ok to have guessed so quickly.
“It’s supposed to be a secret,” he huffed.
“Maybe don’t go giving out unique family treasures, then,” she said, stroking a finger over the black bead at the centre of the brooch.
“Shut up” he took it from her and awkwardly pinned it to the collar of her robe. “It looks good, don’t make a fuss.”
“Oh, well now I have to,” she grinned, finally looking up at him. He rolled his eyes, grinning back, and they were too busy kissing in the corner to notice James’ howls of rage as he unwrapped a pair of fluffy reindeer antlers.