It was packed with Hogwarts students, including Lily and her date, Michael Kelly. You waved to her and she gave you a questioning look. You just shrugged. She wanted to know why you were here with Sirius.
You grabbed two open seats at the counter and Sirius ordered two butterbeers. You reached for your money as Madam Rosmerta, the bartender and owner, came with your drinks.
^I can get it,^ Sirius offered, but you declined. This was too much like a date already. You didn’t want to get your hopes up.
^Hey there Sirius!^ Madam Rosmerta greeted happily.
^Rosie! Long time, no see!^ You rolled your eyes inwardly. Sirius flirted with everyone.
^I know. You’ve got to come around more often.^
^I’ll try.^
^And where’s James today?^
^On a date.^
^Ah, all alone then? What’s with the two drinks?^
^No. I’m here with my-^ he paused for a millisecond, ^friend, Kat.^ He gestured to you and smiled at the grinning Rosmerta.
^Nice to meet you,^ she said, ^you’re always in here with the redhead and the loud girl, right?^
^That’d be me.^ Such a perfect description of your friends.
^They’re nice girls.^
^Yeah.^
^Very nice,^ Sirius added, nodding his head. You swatted his shoulder.
^That’ll be two Sickles each,^ Rosmerta said. You both handed her the money and she went to serve other customers.
^Do you flirt with everyone?^ you asked, smiling.
^Almost,^ Sirius answered.
^Doesn’t it get tiring?^
^Not yet. Especially with you.^
^We don’t flirt.^ Did you?
^Not really.^
^Not at all. Talking and having fun are different than flirting.^
^If you say so.^
^I do.^
^So what’s flirting then?^ You shrugged your shoulders, but then pointed to Lily and Michael.
^That’s flirting.^
^So if I leaned in close and gave you compliments?^
^Sure.^ He leaned in closer to you, and your heart started beating ten times faster.
^You look really pretty today, Kat.^ You blushed in spite of yourself. You knew he was only joking. Wasn’t he? He leaned back away and smiled at you.
^God, Sirius. You’re too good at that.^
^It’s because I practice on ‘everyone’.^
^I see.^ You took a sip of butterbeer. The silence that ensued wasn’t quite as comfortable as the previous ones. You didn’t know whether he was joking or if he really meant the compliment. You glanced over at Sirius to see him, deep in thought, staring into his drink. You kept your eyes on him for a moment, taking in his beautiful features. After a minute, he looked up, sensing your eyes on him.
^Are you alright?^ you asked, concerned.
^Yeah.^ You weren’t convinced, but you let it go. When Sirius suggested you go back to walking around you readily agreed.
In no time the awkward atmosphere evaporated, as the conversation picked up once more and turned to pranks you’d played on each other.
^Remember the time I bewitched your quills to poke you in the ass?^ you asked.
^Funny.^
^You have to admit it was good.^ He nodded.
^Yeah, it was. But I personally liked when I put that stuff in your drink that made you tell everyone you were in love with me.^
^Hilarious. You just liked to hear it!^
^Basically. It’s a nice feeling.^
^I wouldn’t know,^ you said honestly.
^No one’s ever told you they loved you?^
^Not that I remember.^
^That sucks. How is that possible^
^Well, have you ever heard it from your family?^ he shook his head. ^And not everyone’s so lucky as to have a fan club of personal sluts.^ Whoops, you thought once you said it. But Sirius, to your surprise, wasn’t mad.
^True. But no boyfriends?^
^Nope. None that said that.^
^Wow. I would have thought all your boyfriends would tell you that.^
^Why?^
^Because you’re so great.^ You blushed for the second time that day.
^Thanks,^ you said sheepishly.
^N trouble. It’s the truth.^ Three times and counting.
^Let’s go in here,^ Sirius suggested as you came upon Honeyduke’s.
^Alright.^
You entered the shop and Sirius led you straight to the samples.
^These are new.^
^What are they?^ Whatever they were, they didn’t look appetizing.
^Cockroach Clusters,^ Sirius read. You exchanged looks of disgust and Sirius looked to the next sample.
^How about a Fizzing Whizbee?^
^Okay.^ You both picked one up and put it in your mouth.
^That was good,^ you said when the sensation of bubbles popping in your mouth was gone.
^Yeah.^ You picked up a small piece of chocolate. It was the best you’d ever tasted. ^Yum.^ Sirius took one.
^Double yum,^ he said, which made you laugh. ^Let’s get some,^ he suggested.
^Alright,^ you agreed. Splitting the cost 50/50, you walked out of the store a few minutes later with a bag of the amazing chocolates.
^Where t next?^ Sirius asked as you began your destination-less wandering again.
^I don’t know.^
^Zonko’s?^
^Not today. You can go if you want.^ You were suddenly very tired.
^No, I’m fine.^
^Sure?^
^Yeah.^
^Do you want to go back to the castle? I’m kind of tired.^
^Sure.^ You turned around and headed back to the school.
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