"Oh come on Black! You've gotta be faster than that!"

"Did you just insult me? It's on, soap dope!" Sirius snarled, increasing his speed as he chased me through the outermost lining of the Forbidden Forest. We'd chatted under the willow tree for a few hours, skipping all of our classes. I knew that there would be repercussions when I reentered the castle, but I didn't dwell on the matter, currently having too much fun.

"Ah!" I cried out as Sirius tackled me from behind, how he'd managed to catch up to me was beyond me, he'd been very far away. I landed with a soft thud in the dirt, Sirius laying on top of me, laughing.

"I win!" Sirius proclaimed victoriously, grinning down at me stupidly. I found myself having trouble breathing as his weight crushed my chest.

"Get off, you fat arse!" I cried, trying to push him off of me. I failed.

"You know, I think I'll make myself comfortable." Sirius said, resting his elbows on my ribcage and propping up his head. "That is, unless you'd like to tell me what you're up to..."

"I thought we agreed to drop that!"

"I never agreed to anything, soapy dopey."

"Wh-argh!" I snarled. "Get! Off!"

"I already told you my terms and conditions." Sirius sighed, settling down even more. I wriggled beneath him, trying to scoot away. "Tell me what you're up to, and I'll gladly get off."

"I'm not up to anything!" I defended, giving up on trying to escape.

"Then why are you spending the day with me? Why are you being my friend for one day? Why haven't you run back to your precious Avery and Snivellus and Mulciber and Rosier? Why are you still here?" Sirius challenged. I gaped at him, quickly formulating a response.

"I-I-to gather information!" I blurted out, not thinking. Sirius laughed heartily.

"Like I'm going to believe that." He chuckled, before his expression turned stony. "Listen Elise, you can tell me anything, just know that, okay? I'm not giving up on you. Neither is Evans, you should maybe speak with her. But you can tell us what you're up to. I want you to trust me, but come when you're ready." With that, the boy rolled off of me, laying on the dirt beside me. I swallowed, debating my options in my mind.

I could tell him, and risk him slipping and telling someone else.

Or I could ignore his request and promise, and keep up the act. He would know later, maybe if and when he joined the Resistance.

Making my mind to take the second option, I set my jaw.

"There's nothing to tell, Black. We should go, it's getting late."

"I-fine." Sirius forced a smile, he'd obviously hoped that I would admit to something after spending the day in his company.

"I had fun, if I'm honest, Black." I said, grinning at him as we strolled back to the castle. "But we should also never do this again."

"Why?" Sirius asked confusedly.

"Because if someone catches us, someone catches me, we are done for. I'm as good as dead. But, that being said, I'll see you around, Black." With that, I quickened my pace and left him behind, before stopping. Sirius caught up with me.

"What?" He asked. I sighed.

"Thank you, Black. I really did have a good time." I whispered, and pecked him on the cheek, blushing furiously. Then I ran off, leaving him behind in the night.

I didn't know what had come over me, I didn't like Black. I told myself that it was a friendly peck, that I was expressing my gratitude. Yes, that was it, I decided.

Sirius stood, mouth agape as Cascade reentered the castle, looking to make sure nobody was there. His hand drifted to his cheek, where he had kissed him.

A thousand thoughts ran through his mind, and a triumphant grin appeared on his face. One of them was that no other girl had ever had this affect on him. Another was that he couldn't wait to tell James.

With a goofy grin, the boy walked into the castle, and skipped back to the Gryffindor common room.

---

"Aw!" Gabrielle squealed in an annoyingly high pitched tone as I informed her of what had taken place. We stood in an empty classroom, chatting aimlessly. Gabrielle and I shared the same free period. While I normally would worry about one of my 'friends' catching me, they all currently had divination, so I didn't need to worry.

"Oi! Those are my eardrums you just broke!" I complained, clapping my hands over my ears and making an over dramatic expression of pain. "I'm deaf! I'm deaf!"

"Sure you are, Cas." Gabrielle chuckled. "Deaf you say..? I could have some fun with that."

"Sorry, couldn't hear you." I said absentmindedly, not really paying attention or comprehending what she'd said, having zoned out after exclaiming I was deaf. My mind was preoccupied with other thoughts, such as the charms test in a few days, and the kiss I'd given Sirius Black.

"You're a stuck up little Snake that is in love with my cousin, Sirius Orion Black." Gabrielle said, and I raised an eyebrow, my attention caught at the words in love with my cousin.

"What?!" I exclaimed outrageously. "I am not in love with your arrogant, egocentric, dumb, toerag, playboy cousin!" Gabrielle's eyes twinkled.

"So you are listening to me, Cas!" She said triumphantly, ignoring my defense about her claim pertaining to my love interests.

"Not anymore, I'm not." I disagreed, sticking out my tongue childishly. "I'm hurt and disgusted by the fact that you think I would ever like anything like the pathetic piece of dirt that is your cousin, no offense to you of course. You got the good genes." 

"Then why did you kiss him?" Gabrielle pointed out. "And don't you dare say it was a friendly kiss."

"But it was a friendly kiss!" I protested, raising my hands. "And that's all! I don't fancy your cousin! Besides, I'm 'dating' Avery already!"

"Deniaaaalll!" Gabrielle sang, ignoring my dating Avery comment. "You'll see one day, Elise. You'll realize that I was right all along! The mighty seer Andy prophesies again!"

"Sorry, but Lily and James have already predicted that Sirius and I will end up together. I'm afraid the phony seer title goes to them." I shook my head. "Sorry, Belle."

Gabrielle stuck her tongue out at me, placing her hands on her hips. "Fine then. Be that as it may, I'm still taking credit."

"Of course you are. Typical of you."

"What's that supposed to mean? Don't you dare leave, Elise! Don-"

The door shut behind me.

Gabrielle breathed a sigh of slight relief, running her hand through her hair.

"It is a good thing she did not hear me call her a stuck up Snake."