December 19, 1976

ADIRA SITS NEAR the window in the library. It is the day everyone is supposed to leave for Christmas break. Yet again, she stays at school. Her mother sent a letter ahead of time saying that she doesn't think it is a good idea for Adira to come home. Waylon is already at risk, and Clara Hassan will not be able to take it if she is unable to protect both of her children. It is important to her for Adira to stay at school, so she does.

She has only gone back home for break once before, in first year. Her father had not been home for the first part of the holidays, but unexpectantly came home on Christmas Day. It had ended in a messy disaster, and Adira does not like looking back on this day.

Clara has been making excuses every time the holidays come around now so that Adira doesn't come home. So that she stays at Hogwarts where she is safe.

If only Adira's mother knew that her father was not her biggest threat.

Light rain drizzles from the sky outside, and the sound of the drops pattering onto the concrete is clear enough for Adira to hear. The sound starts to become louder and louder. She slowly realizes that it is not the rain but footsteps.

Her head turns to the side, eyes catching on a tall figure who slows once he is a few steps away from her.

For a long moment, neither of them moves. They stare at each other as if they have been starved for years and are just now able to feast. They have not spoken since their argument, and Adira had begun to wonder if her friendship with Sirius Black had been nothing but a dream.

He is out of breath. His eyes dart all over her face, tracing her freckles that she has never been fond of and then dipping down to the curve beneath her mouth.

His lips part. No sounds come out.

Her fingers twitch. She does not go to him.

And so they take one more moment, one single moment, to express everything they need to say with their eyes. In this moment, time stops. Everything fades. It is just them.

"Berry," he breathes.

"Gray," she whispers.

She stands. He steps closer.

"I..."

He hesitates with his words, but she just shakes her head.

"I know."

He swallows, eyes glistening with hope and sadness all in one. She can't take it.

She breaks.

She goes to him. She steps into his hold, into his embrace, into his warmth. Her arms wrap around his torso and his go around her shoulders, his hand intertwining in her hair. They both let out simultaneous breaths of instant relief.

"I'm sorry," he says.

"I'm sorry too," she says back.

"I couldn't go home leaving things between us the way they are."

"I know."

They don't say anything for a long time. They just stay right in each other's arms as if it is the place they both belong. They fit like broken pieces in a puzzle that was never supposed to be created. But somehow, it was, and here they are.

When it is finally time to break apart, Sirius leans back only enough to lean his head against hers. Adira can feel his warm breath over her cheeks. He stares into her eyes with so much emotion that she forgets herself for a second. There is something so intimate about his gaze that she forgets that Sirius is not hers. He stares at her for so long that she forgets that he is in love with someone else.

The moment comes and it goes, and then Sirius is breaking away from her.

"I have to leave for the holidays," he tells her regretfully.

She nods. "I know," she repeats.

"I'll write to you," he promises.

She nods again, itching to touch him again and knowing she can't.

"Write to me too." His hand moves by his side, but he doesn't touch her again.

"I will."

"Okay," he breathes.

"Okay," she whispers.

And then he is gone.