Disclaimer: I don't own the Marauders, but I sure wouldn't mind if I did. ;P They belong to J.K. Rowling. I do, however, own Leah Matthews and the other OCs. Don't steal, please!

A/N: I missed you guys! I hope my writing style hasn't differed too much- it has been a very long time since I worked on this story. And again, sorry for the long hiatus! Here it is, the long-awaited chapter eleven... I decided to ease my way back into the story with a little fluff- hope you all don't mind. :]

Girl of His Dreams

Chapter Eleven: Winter Date

The Quidditch tryouts were uneventful. Leah did not do as well as she'd hoped, as she had not gotten any real practice once Madam Pomfrey had healed her broken arm. Truthfully, she was still a bit shaken from her encounter with Bellatrix. Despite any words being said about Heather, the blatant threat the Lestrange girl had left her with did not seem like empty words.

"Alright, you lot, settle down!" James pushed his crooked glasses further up onto his nose and stared at the participants who were huddled about in the snow waiting impatiently for the results. "We have the winners here, so let's get to business. Captain Greeney has selected only the best and the brightest for his team, so if you're name isn't Sirius or James, you can leave now."

"Give me that," Greeney said, snatching the parchment from James' hands and rolling his eyes. "I'll be fast, because it's cold as an ogre's mother out here. If I don't call your name, I'm sorry, but my choice is final. Maybe next year."

"I'm nervous," Leah murmured to Sirius, who had made his way to her side after the mock Quidditch match. "I was distracted the whole time."

"You did great," he replied comfortingly. "I didn't hit you with a bludger, so there's a plus."

"You didn't even try. I could tell."

"Would you rather I had?"

"Obviously," Greeney said loudly, interrupting them, "I am keeping some of my veterans; James, Sirius, Asher, welcome back."

There were some small rounds of applause.

"We have two new Chasers. Welcome to the team, Heidi and Leah." The rest of his list was drowned out by the static in Leah's ears. She'd made it! She grinned broadly and pumped her fist in the air. Lily, who had stopped by to watch, congratulated her warmly. By the time Leah's attention was back on Greeney's voice, he was thanking everyone for showing up, and those who had not made it were filing back into the castle with unmistakable disappointment.

"What did I tell you?" Sirius wrapped a warm arm around her. "Easy."

"This calls for celebration," James announced. He got an infamously mischievous look on his face. "Better yet, this calls for inebriation. What do you say, Padfoot?"

"Sorry, mate, but I can't. I have a date."

Leah blushed, and James' initial look of confusion melted into pride.

"Right then. Have fun, Padfoot. I'll do your drinking for you. Everyone who doesn't have a date, follow me! Party in the common room!" He and the rest of the team marched off, cheering and laughing, and the two were left to stand alone in the snow. It was getting darker out, but Leah had always loved the Winter. Another reminder of her home in Alaska, she supposed.

"Come on," Sirius said suddenly, tugging her in the opposite direction of the castle. Leah followed faithfully, not bothering to ask where they were going. Chances are he wouldn't tell her anyway. They made their way off the field, across the courtyard, and Leah finally realized they were walking toward the lake. Sirius saw her look up at him, and smiled. "You can skate, right?"

"I haven't in years," she replied softly, looking across the ice-covered body of water. Sirius rifled through his book bag and removed two pairs of skates. Leah had been wondering why he was carrying a book bag at all- it wasn't as if he ever had books with him.

"Lily mentioned you were the same size, so I borrowed hers," he explained, handing the smaller pair to her. He slipped his own skates on without difficulty and moved onto the ice, gliding across the surface easily. "Come on!"

Leah struggled with her laces at first, and scowled as Sirius laughed at her. Unlike Sirius, she was not nearly as graceful at first. She stepped onto the lake like a calf learning to walk, and had to wave her arms about like a windmill to keep upright. Sirius danced literal circles around her, until she got irritated enough to shove him roughly. The motion sent them both reeling backwards, and they laughed together as they collapsed onto their posteriors. As Leah placed her hands down to push herself up, Sirius placed his hand atop hers, halting her momentarily.

"You're beautiful," he murmured. Leah looked down, unable to stop a smile from spreading onto her lips. He mirrored her response.

"I know," she retorted confidently, despite the raging butterflies in her chest. This earned herself a chuckle from the handsome man beside her, and before she knew what was happening, he was leaning forward and his hot breath was on her face. Instinctively, she closed her eyes and accepted the kiss. He was warm, and despite the waves of nervousness that constantly washed over her when they touched, he was comfort. After what seemed like hours, not that either of them minded, Sirius pulled back to stare into her eyes.

It was never a game, his eyes told her. You will never be a game.

"I want you," Sirius breathed. At her look of shock, he hastily corrected himself. "Not- not like that, I just... I want you." He looked ashamed of his flustered speech.

"What do you mean then?" Leah blushed slightly, not used to such heavy words from Sirius. Before he could reiterate, she tilted her head to the side. "You have me. Don't you?"

He stopped short, giving her a serious look. "I'm good at casual dating," he muttered. "Anyone will tell you that. I'm sure bloody gits have already told you that. But I don't want that. I want you to be you, and me to be me, and us to be... us. And happy."

"I am happy," she replied warmly. "I have amazing friends. I have an amazing boyfriend." At his pointed look, she grinned. "Yes, boyfriend."

All at once, Sirius was back to his cocky self. "Boyfriend, huh? I suppose I'm alright with that. For now." He kissed her forehead.

For now. The words, meant in a loving way, rang a different tune to Leah. But what happens after graduation?

For now, she repeated firmly. All I can worry about is the present. We're both here now, and that's what matters.

A/N: ( ~ 1200 words) Definitely my shortest chapter, but considering how long I've been away from this story, it's hardly unexpected! I hope you all enjoyed the fluff. Things will be getting more interesting here shortly. Stay tuned! (For real this time, I won't be away for years, promise!)