Disclaimer: I don't own any of J.K. Rowling's world. Only Katie belongs to meeee :)

I KNOW. It's been a loooooong time since I updated but I don't regularly have access to a computer so I've been writing the old fashioned way and typing it up. So. I apologize. Updates will be sporadic from now on. But the story is still stuck in my brain!

Track 11: Want You Bad

If you could only read my mind
You would know that I've been waiting
So long
For someone almost just like you
But with attitude, I'm waiting, so come on

Monday, September 26, 1977

It took her approximately eight hours and no sleep to realize she was being over dramatic.

It had begun with staring up into the dark canopy of her four poster thinking she was a right idiot for setting herself up for heartbreak again and ended with her finally being able to admit that feeling sorry for herself was going to get her nowhere and that maybe what had happened had been for the best. Because really? Was she actually that heartbroken that Eddie had turned out to be such a complete and total arse? Was she even surprised for that matter?

The answer was a definite no.

And in truth, he had saved her a lot of trouble revealing his true intentions before she had become too invested. She ought to be thankful for that right? Even if she did still feel he deserved a proper hex to the face?

Really, the fact that he had been involved with Mary MacDonald at all should have been her first warning. But then she'd never been one to heed the warning signs as evidenced by her rather depressing track record with boys.

And, honestly, the more she thought about it, the more she suspected that things likely wouldn't have worked out with Eddie anyway. After years of daydreaming about him, she'd managed to created this perfect picture in her head of what Eddie would do, what he would say, how he would kiss her, how he would just totally sweep her off her feet and fall madly in love with her. Now that the illusion was shattered, it was obvious her version of Eddie had been nothing more than a fantasy.

It didn't excuse him from being a utter tosser, of course. And it certainly didn't excuse the almost violent turn he'd taken when she'd refused to let him into her knickers. But it made her feel better about mucking up yet another relationship and helped confirm the fact that she should have stuck to her guns and avoided boys in general until she graduated.

Which brought up another embarrassing onslaught of emotions that had to be dealt with.

Sirius.

There was no way of avoiding him, she knew. He took all the same classes, lived in the same bleeding Tower, and had a strange knack of showing up when she least wanted him. Not to mention the mind blowing kiss they'd shared and his promise that he wouldn't let her forget it. Which he hadn't.

Another problem, that kiss...

Just the idea of it made her face heat and her body restless. She was never going to be able to handle Sirius logically when her body insisted on reacting so traitorously to him. Even if she tried to ignore him as she'd promised, it was very likely going to make her miserable in the process.

And that's when she had yet another realization. Maybe...if she just got it out of her system…

Maybe it would stop.

That was Sirius' style anyway right? Hook up and then get the hell out?

The idea was oddly appealing and Katie suddenly found herself imagining the look on Sirius' face when she propositioned him. It couldn't hurt to try, right? He clearly wanted her. And her body, at least, also wanted him. It was perfect really when she thought about it. Especially considering anything more than that with anyone of the male species seemed to result in utter disaster most of the time. It was the perfect solution to both their problems.

Armed with the confidence that making a plan always gave her, she emerged from her four poster sanctuary ready to take on the day and spent the rest of the weekend comforted by her best mates (who all agreed Eddie was an evil toad). She even found herself disappointed when Monday arrived and she still hadn't run into Sirius.

Leave it to him to suddenly disappear when she actually wanted him around for a change.

Still, walking down to breakfast that morning with Alice, she was feeling more herself than she had the entire term thus far. And that was a decided improvement.

"Wait up!"

Katie and Alice turned halfway down the seventh floor corridor to see Lily jogging after them with a wave of her hand. Both girls noted she was looking particularly happy after having disappeared for a 'Head Meeting' with James the night before and then failed to find her way back to her own bed.

"Good morning," Alice offered with a smirk. "Sleep well in the corridor then?"

While girls were technically able to get into the boys' dormitories, Alice and Katie both knew James' mates would never have given them enough privacy to stay together in his bed. So they had to have stayed somewhere.

Lily laughed as a light blush dusted her cheeks but wasn't terribly forthcoming, "It was a rather cozy, er, corridor."

"Yes," Katie replied conspiratorially, remembering Sirius' secret room suddenly and thinking she could take a good guess as to just how cozy. "The tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy is surprisingly magical."

Lily look at Katie in surprise before both girls erupted into laughter and Alice looked between the two of them confused. The blonde raised an eyebrow, "Am I missing something?"

"Don't worry about it," Katie grinned, thinking again how light she felt after her sleepless night of reflection. "We'll tell you when you're older."

"Yes," Lily agreed hoping for a change of subject. "Besides I've got something more important to tell you. Dumbledore has scheduled the first student meeting for the Order of the Phoenix for later this week. Were you both still interested in joining?"

"Of course," Katie said with excitement and Alice nodded her agreement. "I'd nearly forgotten!"

"Brilliant," Lily beamed as they started down the marble staircase towards the Great Hall. "It'll only be a handful of us this first time but James and I have already been working with them since the start of term and we thought it was time others joined in."

"Will other members of the Order be there?" Alice asked curiously. "I've been reading about Mad-Eye Moody in The Underground and I'm just dying to meet him."

"You know The Underground is complete rubbish right? It's all a bunch of conspiracy theories," Lily laughed but glanced knowingly at Katie. "But sadly, no, Moody won't be in attendance but Molly Weasley and Dedalus Diggle will be there."

"Molly is coming to Hogwarts this week?" Katie exclaimed and felt a warm rush of happiness. With all the madness so far this term, it would be nice to see her steady, logical cousin.

"Yes, she and Diggle will be providing a brief orientation for this first recruitment round," she lowered her voice slightly as they walked into the Great Hall. "But please don't mention this to anyone else. Dumbledore asked that James and I limit this information to just the people we'd asked to join us."

"Understandable," Alice nodded as they say down near the end of the Gryffindor table. "The Ministry is still denying that there's actually a war going on. I can only imagine what they would do to get their hands on the Order."

"Quite a bit according to Dumbledore," Lily informed them with a dark look. She poured herself a cup of tea and shook her head, "There's rumors that the Minister might be a traitor."

"Does Dumbledore believe that?" Katie asked and glanced up as James, Remus, and Peter sat down across from them. She was slightly relieved to see Sirius wasn't with them. That conversation was not one to have over breakfast. She looked back at Lily, "Don't you think Dumbledore would do something about it?"

"He doesn't really believe the rumors, I don't think," Lily agreed and frowned at the strange look on her boyfriend's face as he started piling waffles on his plate. "But it's important to stay up to date on what's being whispered in the shadows. Dear Merlin, what is the matter with you, Potter?'

"Eh?" James looked up at the girls but the odd look on his face remained. "What's that?"

"You look as if you've just seen your mother naked," Alice replied helpfully and Remus and Peter both snorted in laughter at how close she'd come to the truth. It instantly made the girls more suspicious.

"Out with it," Lily demanded, eyes narrowing. "What are you up to James Potter?"

"Me? I'm not up to anything," James insisted but couldn't seem to control his face. "Though if you're interested I could use a new wizard's hat for Christmas?"

"Christmas?" Lily repeated bewildered. "What in the world are you on about?"

"Just think about it come Christmas," he insisted dryly and went back to his waffles.

The girls exchanged confused looks when suddenly Remus slapped a hand over his face and groaned, "Godric's beard, I didn't think he'd actually go through with it."

"Go through with what?" Lily asked curiously and glanced suspiciously at James when he buried his face in his waffles suddenly shaking with laughter. "What's going on here? Somebody better start explaining."

"Well you see, it's, um, well...that," Peter replied helpfully and pointed towards the door of the Great Hall and snickering into his other hand.

The three girls turned to look and Katie immediately choked on her toast.

"Oh Merlin, no," she breathed and shook her head in denial as if it might magically change the fact that Sirius Black was walking across the Great Hall towards her.

Mostly naked.

James' wizard's hat over his crotch was the only thing preventing him from being completely naked.

Katie turned back around in her seat quickly, silently praying that a teacher would stop him before he got to their table. This wasn't happening. How could this be happening? Was she being punished for thinking about snogging him? Was it karma? Dear Merlin and Agrippa, what had she done?

"Lovely morning, isn't it?" Unfortunately Sirius' voice reached her ears despite her best mental efforts and he paused casually next to the table as though he hadn't just waltzed across the Great Hall in his birthday suit.

When no one answered his good morning salute, James came valiantly to the rescue.

Though rescue wasn't the term Katie would have used.

"Bit drafty," he suggested, fighting to keep a straight face. "Terribly drafty, in fact. Don't you think he looks a bit chilly, Katie?"

She glared at James. She had been doing everything in her power not to look at Sirius. She crossed her arms and looked up at the bewitched ceiling, "How should I know?"

"I'm actually quite comfortable, thanks for asking," Sirius replied and she couldn't help the quick glance over at him. He gave her a cocky smirk. "Your concern is touching."

Katie felt her cheeks get hot again. She should have known better, thinking she would be the one in control of things with...whatever it was between them. In truth, she'd nearly forgotten about the terms of their bet and, while it was arguable whether he had lost said bet, she really should have seen this coming. And now instead of the quick, quiet snog she'd been hoping for the whole damn school was going to be talking about them. Again.

Well she wasn't going to let him get the best of her. Lifting her chin slightly, she willed the blood in her face to cool and gave him her best glare, "You're an idiot, Black."

In response, his smirk became a full fledged grin and he gave a quick bow, keeping the wizard hat securely in place, "At your service, Prewett. Always."

Gods, he was impossible, she thought but couldn't help admiring the stream of tattoos down one side of his chest. She really shouldn't be attracted to such a cocky, moronic, gorgeous, exhibitionist. She wondered briefly if she was losing touch with reality.

"Ahem," someone cleared their throat from behind Sirius, interrupting Katie's preoccupation with her sanity and Sirius' shoulders.

Everyone else looked up to find Dumbledore standing strategically behind Sirius with a carefully blank look on his face. He offered a small smile, "Mr. Black, it seems you may have forgotten a few articles of clothing this morning. May I escort you back to the Tower to remedy that?"

Remus choked on his coffee and James completely lost his composure into his waffles again as Sirius turned towards Dumbledore giving the Gryffindors a lovely view of his bum and causing Katie to briefly close her eyes in both amusement and mortification. She wasn't going to think about the fact that he had quite a nice bum. She wasn't.

"Sure thing, Headmaster," Sirius replied with a charming grin but glanced over his shoulder at Katie, who was finding the ceiling incredibly interesting yet again. He was intrigued to find, however, that she almost looked as amused with him as she was irritated. It was a start. "Hey Prewett?"

Katie fixed her face with a scowl and looked over at him, careful to avoid looking anywhere but at his face because she was certain she would betray herself, "Yes?"

"You're lovely when you're angry," he replied and winked ridiculously at her when she clenched her jaw. He turned good naturedly toward Dumbledore, "Shall we, Headmaster?"

And with what could only be called a swagger, Sirius led the way from the Great Hall with Albus Dumbledore bringing up the rear (or rather covering it, as it were) and the whole hall promptly exploded with thunderous applause.

But much to Katie's disappointment, the fun did not stop there.

After having escaped breakfast with everyone mostly swallowing her vague story about Sirius losing a bet with her and hence parading through the Great Hall totally starkers, she walked into Transfiguration thinking McGonagall and her lack of tolerance for anything foolish would protect her from the worst of it.

But sitting on the desk, in her usual seat, was a familiar black wizard's hat.

"Oh Merlin," Alice began giggling. "Someone's left you a present."

Face burning once again, she rushed forward to stuff the stupid thing in her bag before anyone else saw and in doing so knocked a note that had been tucked underneath it to the floor. Alice helpfully scooped it off the floor and handed it to her with a sunny smile.

"Thanks," Katie muttered and snatching the note from her hand, slid into her desk trying not to think about the hat and what it had most recently been used for.

As the rest of the class started streaming in and filling the seats around her, she very carefully opened Sirius' note.

Katie,

You really were lovely this morning. I'm not sorry I lost the bet.

Keep the hat.

Sirius

Calmly folding the note, she slipped it back into her bag and, staring directly ahead of her, attempted to assess the incredibly alarming feeling in her stomach. She wasn't quite sure if she wanted to hex him or kiss him. Perhaps both.

It was no use. If she was going to get it out of her system she would have to do it soon. He would only start to get ideas if she dragged it out and after this morning's stunt she really didn't care for that thought. Besides, then they could peacefully go their separate ways and it would be like none of this had ever happened. No more bets, no lessons, just a normal seventh year.

Confident in her resolve, she sat up a little straighter in her chair. She was going to snog Sirius Black's brains out.

It was kind of liberating.

When James Potter got something in his head, anyone except perhaps Lily Evans would be hard put to displace it. She was often heard referring to it as hard headed, but James called it persistence. And it very rarely failed him. Lily, herself, was proof of that.

But more than that, he was also incredibly loyal and at the moment he wanted nothing more than to see his best mate and brother happy. And that meant convincing Katie Prewett that she was going to give Sirius a chance. Or let him snog her at the very least so the idiot would stop barking at everyone.

Which was exactly why James had stationed himself conveniently outside the library that evening, having needled Alice until she'd shared with him that Katie had a study group that night and would likely head back to the tower around 7 o'clock.

He glanced down at his watch. It was 6:58. Any second now, she'd be leaving the library.

He leaned casually against the wall to wait and, sure enough, two minutes later his target emerged with an look of intense contemplation on her face.

"Evening Prewett," he called and pushed himself off the wall as she paused to look round at him.

She frowned suspiciously, "James. Can I help you with something?"

"Not at all," he replied with an easy smile and fell into step beside her. "It's me who can do something for you."

She looked up at him doubtfully, "Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like this conversation much?"

"Well that's entirely up to you, mate," he replied with a shrug and absently took her books from her. He didn't seem to notice he'd done it.

She shook her head, marveling at the complexity that went on behind these boys and their pretty faces. On the surface, they had always seemed so careless and shallow to her but the more she got to know them the more she realized there was a lot more to it.

"Get on with it then," she said grudgingly. Her chances of actually getting away from James Potter and his 'help' were miniscule at best. She might as well hear what he had to say.

He heaved a sigh, "You know he's not as bad as he seems."

"Who?" she asked lightly, though she had a fairly good idea. She'd been thinking about him all day.

"Sirius," he said flatly and squinted curiously at her. "Who else?"

"Not as bad as he seems," she repeated and pretended exasperation. She wasn't sure if she should share her intentions with him or not. "I'd have to disagree with that. He's a bit worse than 'as bad as he seems', actually."

"Look," James insisted. "I know he's a bloody show off, alright? But his heart is in the right place. Er, most of the time."

"Well that's reassuring but I wasn't aware his heart had anything to do with it," Katied quipped and glanced sideways at James.

James chuckled, "He'd kill me if he knew I was telling you this but I'm convinced if you understand him you'll be more..."

He paused.

"Willing?" she asked helpfully and James nodded enthusiastically.

"Exactly," he said and beamed at her.

She looked up at him in amusement, "Well I-"

"Wait," he interrupted, mistaking her amusement for annoyance. "Just hear me out first, okay? Then you can go on ignoring him for the rest of eternity if that's what you want. But you should know some things first."

Curious, and thinking it probably couldn't hurt to have some inside information considering what she was about to do, she stayed silent and let him continue.

"Sirius has been a right arse most of his life. He can't help it," James began, taking Katie's silence as acceptance, and she snorted in appreciation. "It's in his blood. But he's also the most loyal person I've ever met. I'm not going to insult your intelligence by feeding you any rubbish about how he's secretly this sweet, amenable bloke. He's a stubborn jackass most of the time. But when he's your stubborn jackass, when he feels he belongs to you… Well shit, Prewett, he'd die for you."

The depth in James' voice as he spoke had Katie looking up at him again. Obviously James was one of those people Sirius felt he belonged to. Was James implying that she had somehow become one of those people too? The emotions that thought elicited did not sit well in her chest.

"He's also irrational and flys off the cuff a lot," he added quickly, sensing a change in her mood, and he pushed his glasses back up his nose a bit anxiously. "Hence, his little streaking show today. He doesn't usually think, he just reacts. But you should know that what he did today was for you. It wasn't just some stupid stunt to get your attention. If you can believe it, it was his way of apologizing."

"Apologizing?" Katie's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "For what exactly?"

"For Eddie," James responded and glanced down at her with a lopsided smile. "He wouldn't admit it. Not even to me. But I know he blames himself for you getting involved with that wanker. He'd gladly have served detention every Saturday night from now until end of term if it meant he could help you forget about him."

"Well it is sort of his fault," she stated flatly but there was a small smile on her face. James was flirting with a slow, painful death by sharing any of this with her and she decided she should probably return the favor. "But if it makes you feel better I've decided to snog him senseless."

"Yes, but Prewett you don't-"

James suddenly stopped in his tracks, his argument ceasing as he realized what she'd actually said to him, "Sorry. Did you say you're going to snog him?"

She nodded decisively, stopping to face him even as her cheeks suddenly flamed, "I am."

James smirked, impressed, "To be honest with you, I reckoned you'd make him work for it a bit more. I'm a bit disappointed. It's not often I get to watch him sort through his feelings like this."

"What do you mean feelings?" she asked uncomfortably and was reminded that James had told her that Sirius' naked waltz through the Great Hall had been because he felt bad. That did not seem promising.

James smirked as he started walking down the corridor again causing her to rush to keep up, "Well it's just my opinion of course, but I'm fairly certain he's smitten with you."

"Smitten," Katie said and made a face. "What the hell does that even mean?"

"You know," he replied with a shrug. "He's falling for you."

Katie's stomach dropped, "And what makes you think that?"

"Well he hasn't tried to get you in bed yet," James told her. Completely serious. "That's unusual in itself. But he also gets this pained look on his face every time he talks about you like he can't quite figure out why you don't sit comfortably in his head."

He glanced down at her, "Sirius is rubbish when it comes to showing affection, in case you hadn't noticed. It's not his fault, poor sod. His mother is a cold-blooded hag and the rest of his family might be worse. But I'd put money on it that he can't stop thinking about you."

Join the club, she thought ruefully and stamped out the bit of hope that was booming in her chest. James, having recently found himself in a very happy relationship, was currently looking at the world through rose colored glasses she reminded herself. While she trusted that he knew Sirius better than anyone was likely to, she wondered if maybe his opinions weren't skewed slightly by the fact that he was thoroughly and completely in love and wished the same for his best mate. Sirius just didn't seem the type, even after his uncharacteristic pursuit of her. And she wasn't falling for it.

"He hasn't actually told you any of this though?" she pressed. "This is just speculation, right?"

James paused again. They had reached the Portrait Hole.

He raised an eyebrow, "Yes, it's speculation. But I happen to know Sirius fairly well."

She had expected as much and relaxed a bit. She sighed, "Well you should know then that I don't intend to fall for him. That's not what this is about."

James gave her a skeptical look, "But you want to snog him? Senseless, I believe you said?"

"Exactly," she replied firmly. "The two things don't have to be exclusive."

He laughed at the determined expression on her face, "Snogging him and falling for him you mean? Have you forgotten who we're dealing with then, Prewett? Who are you trying to convince with that rubbish?"

"I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything," she exclaimed annoyed at the way he easily dismissed her carefully laid plan. "That's the whole point. I just need to get it - get him - out of my system. It's not anymore complicated than that."

"Me thinks the lady doth protest too much," he replied in amusement as the color rose in her cheeks.

"Oh shut up," she snapped and took her books back from him. "Who asked you anyway?"

"I suppose you didn't," he replied and stuck his now empty hands in his pockets. "But he is my best mate, Prewett. And I'm telling you right now it's not going to be that simple."

"Why not?" she demanded a bit petulant. "Isn't it always that easy for him? He's a heartbreaker, that's what he does."

"You're not wrong," James agreed but shook his head. "I don't know how to explain it. I just know it's different this time. You're different. Something about you got under his skin." He grinned, "If it makes you feel better, he doesn't like it either."

"It doesn't," she informed him and blushed again when he laughed at her. "But I still think you're wrong and I think he'll prefer my way over yours."

James gave the Fat Lady the password and they climbed through together, "You could be right. And even if you're not, he's very good at talking himself out his feelings so he'll probably go along with whatever your propose."

Katie wasn't sure how she felt about that but, to some degree, it was comforting. She took a deep breath, "Well good. Because I don't intend to drag this out."

James regarded her for a moment, hiding the depth of his amusement from her. Poor girl, she was just as far gone as Sirius. He couldn't resist giving her a little push.

"Well, you've stood your ground against him this long. I'm sure you can handle yourself," he told her and glanced once more at her before heading up the stairs to his dormitory. "Oh by the way, Sirius has detention in the Trophy Room tonight. I reckon he'll be there a while. Have a good night, Prewett."

She stared after him with a mixture of irritation and interest. What exactly did he expect her to do with that information? She wasn't going to get Sirius naked in a public place where they could get caught.

And then suddenly something he'd said came floating back to her.

' I reckoned you'd make him work for it a bit more,' he'd said.

She had to admit, the situation did have possibilities. But playing games like that with him, when she didn't intend to stick around, wasn't it a bit hypocritical? It would make her just as bad as him, as Eddie.

But it would put her in control for a change and that was decidedly appealing.

She reflected for a moment, wondering just how much her time with Sirius had corrupted her that she was having these thoughts. Maybe she should make him work a little harder before she let him have what he really wanted. Would that be so bad? To let a boy chase her once, enjoy his attention, and not have any expectations?

A little voice in the back of her head told her she was playing with fire. Girls fell in love with Sirius Black every hour of every day and he never returned their feelings. But the lack of feelings in this arrangement was what was so enticing to her (no matter what James thought) and her lips tingled slightly remembering his kiss. Maybe it was time she took his advice and stopped thinking so much. They were young. There was a war on. And if she knew nothing else in the world, she knew Sirius Black would kiss her like that again if she gave him the chance. She'd always been too much of a romantic perhaps it was time to be a little wicked.

Feeling slightly reckless but determined, she hurried up the stairs to her dormitory to find something more appropriate to wear. She had a detention to crash.

She'd nearly turned back half a dozen times before she finally found herself standing in front of the Trophy Room. And now that she was, she was still contemplating running back to the Tower.

This idea had been good in theory. But in practice?

Would Sirius even go for it? He had proven many times over in his lessons that he was much better at...everything than she was. He would probably laugh in her face at her proposal. Tell her that kiss had just been some stupid joke, something to do because he'd been bored.

The wanker.

She clenched her fists and nearly convinced herself that she was okay with being a coward when she caught the sound of a metallic thump and an impressive stream of cursing. It reminded her of the afternoon she'd found him struggling with the Venomous Tentacula and she suddenly felt a little steadier.

Okay. She could do this. She could totally seduce Sirius Black.

And taking a deep breath, she stepped through the doorway into the dimly lit Trophy Room.

It took a moment for her eyes to adjust but when they did, she found him standing at the top of a step ladder and glaring up at one of the low hanging lights as he gingerly touched the cut on his forehead. It was really unfair how adorable he looked when he was pissed off.

She cleared her throat as much for her sake as his, "Having some trouble, Starboy?"

Sirius' head shot up at the sound of her voice and he nearly hit his head again. When his eyes found her near the door, he smirked as if he'd known she would come, "Depends on what you're referring to."

"You're bleeding, idiot," she replied dryly and took a few more steps into the room as he headed down the step ladder to meet her. She felt a small thrill of anxiety and excitement as he made his way down but did her best to appear unphased.

"Wasn't paying attention," he informed her ruefully and glared up at the light again. "It's sharp."

"I can see that," she replied, riding the edge of her sarcasm so she wouldn't lose her nerve. She looked around for a place to sit him down, she was going to have to heal that cut before they got down to business. Feelings or no, she couldn't stand to see anyone in pain. There was a bench along the wall behind her and she gestured to it, "Let me help."

He glanced at the bench and then back at her and she could see the resistance on his face. She rolled her eyes, genuinely exasperated, "Stop being such a hero. It's just a little cut. It's not going to hurt me."

"Shit Prewett. Can't a bloke at least pretend to be noble once in a while?" he made a face but agreeably made his way over to the bench.

She waited for him to walk past. He'd discarded his tie and button down in favor of the black tshirt he was wearing underneath while he worked and she took in his bare arms and broad chest in appreciation. Tall and somewhat lanky compared to his mates, Sirius didn't seem quite so muscular when he was around James, but up close and personal it always surprised her how solid he was. And she suddenly wished she had an excuse to get him out of his shirt.

Calm down, Prewett, she coached herself. One step at a time.

He gave her a curious look when she didn't immediately join him on the bench, "Alright, Prewett?"

She shook her head and blinked a few times before offering him her best smile, "Fine. I was just thinking that you always seem to injure yourself around me."

"It's not on purpose," he grumbled and rubbed the back of his head. He was finding it hard to place her mood. Right now, she was playing it cool but he had the distinct impression something else was lingering under the surface. One corner of his mouth lifted as he speculated, "Though I'll admit you've saved me a lot of abuse from Pomfrey this term."

"Well perhaps you should be more careful and she might be kinder," she suggested joining him near the bench. She lifted his chin with her finger so she could see the cut on his forehead better.

He lifted an amused eyebrow as she studied the cut, "But then you'd stop coming to my rescue and I'm starting to get pretty used to it. Ow!"

He hissed through his teeth when she probed gently around the cut and despite her intention to remain aloof for the moment she bit her lip in sympathy, "Sorry. You've already got one hell of a bruise forming. I have to know how deep it goes before I can heal it."

His eyes were watering slightly but he gave a good natured shrug, "If it gets your hands on me, I won't complain."

She let her breath out through her nose in amusement before she could stop it, "You're a glutton for punishment, Starboy. Speaking of which, you didn't have to do what you did this morning. I would never have held you to it after Eddie's rubbish and I still technically think you won that bet. We might not have gone to Hogsmeade but we technically had a date. It's not your fault he was a tosser about it."

Sirius scowled fiercely as Katie gently arranged her fingers around the outer edges of the bruise that was forming, "I proposed the terms so I made the call. I didn't win."

"Well thank you," she said quietly and gently let her magic reach out and into him to distract her from the irritated look on his face. She pulled the blood of the bruise back towards the cut in her mind and imagined the cut closing just as a quick sharp pain in her own forehead told her that she'd been successful.

"Mmm," Sirius hummed as the warm sensation stemming from Katie's fingertips eased the ache in his head. "You deserved better than you got, Prewett. It was the least I could do. Eddie's a complete git. I should have known he'd fuck it up. Do you want to talk about it?"

She looked down at him, taken by surprise at the offer, "Uh, no. No, it's okay. There's nothing much to tell I guess. He just... wasn't what I thought he'd be."

She tilted her head to the side considering the careful attention Sirius was giving her, "Seems to be a trend recently."

His grey eyes suddenly became a few shades darker at the suggestion in her voice. He'd definitely understood her meaning.

He reached out a hand and tugged her gently forward to stand between his legs. He'd been dying to slide his hands up her legs since the minute she walked in so he took a moment to let his hands wander up the back of her legs, keeping it subtle, while he tried to decipher what was going through her head, "Is that so? Does that mean you've been thinking about the other night?"

His fingers on her bare thighs were sending goose bumps along every inch of her skin and she had to swallow forcefully before answering his question, "I have."

"And?" he asked, his voice low and slightly deeper than it had been a moment before. His hands had stopped their light, playful exploration at her admission and they were now wrapped possessively around the back of her thighs.

She considered answering him but thought maybe there was a better way to get her point across.

Taking a deep breath, she slid her hands into his hair and slowly lowered her mouth onto his.

The effect was electric. His hands immediately clamped harder around her legs, sending shocks of excitement toward her belly, and though she controlled the kiss, his mouth demanded more, teeth grazing her lips in invitation.

Taking the hint, she moved closer into him and tentatively slid her tongue along his bottom lip. He hummed appreciatively into her mouth opening his own to let his tongue dance teasingly with hers. Her body responded with a shudder and she felt Sirius' hands reflexively move upward to squeeze her bum in response, a low growl in his throat.

"Fuck Prewett," he muttered against her mouth and immediately anchored his hands under her so that he could pull her on top of him to straddle his legs.

The position was intimate and maddening and she found herself reaching for more. Molding her mouth to his again, insistent and eager.

It drove Sirius over an edge he hadn't been aware he'd been balancing on and he gripped her hips with a growl and licked and nipped his way down her neck, pausing to tease his tongue along the edge of her shirt when what he really wanted was to bury his face between her breasts. He honestly hadn't expected her to willingly melt into his arms like this when she'd walked in the room. He'd been prepared to beg, for forgiveness, for a kiss, for whatever got her into his arms. But he hadn't prepared himself for her to skip that part or for this ridiculous assault to his system. It was a hell of a ride.

When she dropped her head back in surrender to his teasing, he latched his mouth onto her neck again and had to physically force himself not to rip open her shirt so he could fill his mouth with more of her. God, he just wanted her naked under him. She tasted like sin.

He sank his teeth none too gently into her shoulder and she lifted her head, whimpering in a way that had his gut clenching. She murmured his name against his ear and he reached a hand up to bring her face and mouth back to his own, burying his other hand in her hair.

Katie was starting to feel dizzy from the barrage of feeling and perhaps a little shell shocked as well. After that first kiss, she had been confident she knew what to expect from him but now, wrapped around him, with his hands doing wicked things wherever they touched her, she realized that they had only scratched the surface that first time. Sirius' reputation wasn't just talk. The boy knew what he was doing.

As if reading her thoughts, his hands slid from her hair and down her back until they were cupped around her bum again and pushing her up against his chest.

Merlin, everything about him felt good. She was starting to feel like she was on fire and was seriously contemplating letting it consume her. Had she really thought she could control this?

For his part, Sirius was having similar thoughts. Every whimper and moan he elicited from her nearly killed him and he was starting to have trouble thinking straight.

"Katie," he groaned, breaking his mouth from hers and burying his face in her neck as he wrapped his arms around her waist in an attempt to anchor himself. His breath was coming heavy as her own chest heaved against him, "I need-"

He swallowed. He was having trouble forming coherent thoughts.

But his momentary loss of control brought Katie back to her senses. Despite any plans she may or may not have made, she hadn't planned to let him get her naked in the middle of the Trophy Room and if they weren't careful that's where they were going to end up if they kept on like this.

She took a few steadying breaths and pushed his shoulders gently away from her so that he leaned back to look up at her.

Her lips were swollen and her eyes dark but her face was set in a determined expression. It made him want to dive into her again.

He leaned forward but Katie kept her hand pressed to his shoulder, "Just- just wait. Okay?"

Sirius leaned back again, "Something wrong?"

"No!" she said too quickly and closed her eyes briefly in embarrassment at his amused chuckle. She took another deep breath through her nose. Try again Prewett. "I just- um, that is, I mean, we need to talk about something before anymore of...this."

She gestured vaguely between them and his eyebrows lifted curiously.

"This? As in you snogging me to death?" he inquired innocently. He shifted his hips purposely beneath her and she nearly moaned out loud when she could feel him underneath her own hips. She may have gone about this the wrong way.

"Can we, um, not do this with me on top of you?" she asked weakly.

He grinned, "Why not then? I like you on top of me and I think you do too."

"That's the problem though, you see," she tried for a third time but willingly slid forward when he wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her closer and prove his point.

"See," he said softly and his grin had become an evil smirk. He started pressing feather light kisses against her collarbone with the angle this new position had afforded them.

"Sirius," she caught her breath when his teeth grazed a particularly sensitive spot.

"Mmm?" he asked, his mouth still on her.

"I'm trying to talk to you about something," she huffed in frustration and he laughed against her skin.

He leaned back again, releasing her just enough so that she couldn't escape, and looked at her expectantly, "So talk."

Feeling much less in control than she hoped she would have been at this point, she gave it up and settled a bit more into his lap, running her fingers through her hair as she tried to decide where to begin.

"So," she began. "If we're going to do this. I have rules."

"Rules," Sirius repeated and groaned. "Leave it to you to make this complicated, Prewett."

"Would you stop talking?" she snapped and found herself playing with the hem of his shirt as she struggled with the courage to propose what she intended. "I think you're going to want to hear my offer."

When he gave her a resigned look and remained silent, she decided just to dive in.

"I suppose, it's really only one rule," she said, meeting his eyes. "I don't want a relationship."

He frowned, "What sort of rubbish are you on about?"

"It's not rubbish," she insisted and crossed her arms. "I will snog you. Perhaps more if you behave. But I am not going to date you. Is that clear?"

To her utter frustration and despair, the boy didn't react. At all.

He simply sat there for a moment studying her like she was something he didn't quite understand.

"Well?" she prompted. "Do we have a deal?"

He held up a finger, "Let me just make sure I understand first. You want to do this. With me. But you don't want me to be your boyfriend. Furthermore, you are also suggesting that it could potentially become a friends with benefits situation long term but without obligation."

She nodded, "That's what I'm proposing. Yes."

He gave her a calculating look like he didn't buy it, "Are we allowed to see other people during this, ah, arrangement?"

It hadn't honestly occurred to her that either of them would want that. She couldn't decide if it bothered her or not that he was thinking about it.

She frowned, "I guess that's up to you. I can't imagine having the energy to juggle multiple blokes."

To her surprise, he laughed.

"Fucking hell, Prewett," he sighed and ran his hands through his hair. "You're something else."

"Is that a no?" she asked and her stomach dropped just a little.

He shook his head, "I'd have to be mad to turn down an offer like that."

"So you agree," she said and a smile started to spread slowly across her lips.

He nodded his head but his expression changed just enough for her to see that he was still thinking, still trying to work it out in his head. Without warning, he reached forward and pulled her forward to sit against his chest. His look was softer than she was used to, "How does it end then?"

"It ends when we get tired of each other," she replied simply and was surprised that the thought twisted with an ache in her gut.

Oh baby, he thought sympathetically. Because he could practically hear the words she hadn't spoken. The ones that told him she honestly believed she wasn't good enough for someone to not get tired of her.

While he wasn't sure he could have given her a relationship regardless of this ridiculous deal, he did want to see her believe someone could want her. And Merlin help him, he wanted her.

So finally he nodded, "Alright, Prewett. We'll do it your way. Just don't fall in love with me."

Katie snorted and rolled her eyes, "Fat chance of that, Starboy."

He growled affectionately and pulled her down into another heated kiss.

She accepted it willingly, the relief from knowing that there were no expectations attached slightly more appealing than she thought it would be.

When it started to heat up, she forced herself to pull away despite his protests.

"You have a detention to finish," she pointed out but placed one last quick kiss on his lips.

"You're going to kill me, woman," he sighed but finally released her legs so that she could climb off his lap. He gave her a mischievous look while she started putting her clothes to rights, "Will I see you after?"

She smirked, "Maybe in the morning."

"I'm not going to get any sleep," he groaned in protest. "Have mercy on me, Prewett."

"What fun would that be?" she laughed and he enjoyed seeing a hint of the natural, relaxed girl she'd been during their lessons. She grinned as he stood, "I don't want you to get tired of me too quickly. I kind of like the idea of having a friend with benefits."

He reached out to grab her waist and pull him up against her one last time for good measure and pressed his mouth to her ear, "It's going to take a lot for me to get tired of you."

It was a simple statement but it instantly filled her with warmth. There was something to be said about a simple, physical attraction between two people.

"Hey now," she laughed softly and extracted herself from his arms when his hands started to drop lower. "None of that. Get back to work."

"Oof. You're brutal, love," he sighed but tucked his hands in his pockets so he wouldn't be tempted to touch again.

"You'll live," she promised him and grinned over her shoulder as she headed out of the Trophy Room. "I have study session in the library after breakfast but then I'm free tomorrow. Don't be a stranger."

And just like that she was gone, leaving Sirius feeling amused, abused, and wanting in the best way.

Friends with benefits, he mused as he turned to climb back up the step ladder. With Katie Prewett. What was the world coming to?

xxASiriusObsession