𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄
chapter thirty-nine; First Date Behavior
" I think I've actually scared away a few first years because I've told everyone we're dating— "

  THE YEARLY RITUALS seemed dull by her seventh year. Madeline accepted her schedule from Flitwick with a smile, she scarfed down breakfast afterward, made her way to the classes she now had to attend (N.E.W.T levels were no joke), and spoke to Flitwick, once again, this time about quidditch.

  It was an average start to the year.

  "So, I was thinking," Sirius began, falling in stride with Madeline as she turned a corner in the bustling corridors, snaking an arm around her shoulders.

  "That's never good," Madeline smiled.

  "How would you feel about a date?" Sirius asked, unfazed, "A real, proper, date?"

  "In general, a real proper date would be nice, I suppose it matters who the date is with," Madeline teased, "With Remus? Pete? Lily? Okay, Marlene—"

  "With me," Sirius cut off swiftly, planting his feet and stopping the girl, "Do you want to go on a date with me?"

  "I'd love to," Madeline smiled gently, pressing herself onto her feet and pecking Sirius on the lips. "As long as it's not Madam Puddifoots."

  "Euch," Sirius made a face, "No, no, I'll sort something out— don't want to wait until we can go to Hogsmeade, anyway. This weekend."

  "Someone's eager."

  "I just want to take my girlfriend on a date," Sirius grinned, eyes softening as he simply admired Madeline. Halfway through the day, the freshness of the morning had worn off, her hair flatter than it had been at breakfast, but she was just as beautiful. 

  "I suppose you're allowed to do that," She smiled, "We should get to Transfiguration."

  "You're attractive when you're responsible."

  Madeline scoffed heavily, rolling her eyes and shoving Sirius' chest. He laughed, watching Madeline start down the hall, before hopping into his walk, joining her once again.

ϟ

  "Is this seat taken?"

  "Unless you're willing to write this Potions essay for me? Yes."

  Remus gave Madeline a blank look, sliding into the seat across from her. Even a week into her seventh year, Madeline was seriously reconsidering the class-load she'd chosen to take on.

  "I don't even know what I'll be doing when I'm out of here, why does this crap matter?" Madeline grumbled, shoving her parchment far away from herself.

  "Now's a bad time."

  "I'm just being dramatic," Madeline sighed, making a single lock of hair fly into the air and fall back in the center of her face, "What's up?"

  "James has chosen to stop speaking with all of us."

  "What?" Madeline asked, eyebrows knitting together tightly, "Why the hell would he do that?"

  "'Cause we knew," Remus shrugged, "Him and Pete are talking, but James has limited himself mostly to Lily and Peter."

  "I'm sorry, Rem."

  "Not your fault," Remus smiled gently, "Now, I believe I owe you a potions essay?"

  "Maybe just help with it."

  "I'm at your service."

  "Can I tell you to go get me Fizzing Whizzbees—"

  "Nope."

  "Worth a shot."

ϟ

  Sirius Black was proud of himself. He'd managed to keep a secret from Madeline for an entire week, which he truly believed impossible as it'd never been done before, and it was a good secret, too. 

  The date had taken a long time to set up, but he'd done it all by himself (okay, mostly by himself) and managed to keep it a surprise until Saturday evening.

  "You're quite excited," Madeline noted, attempting to hide her smile as Sirius Black nearly skipped down the corridor with her hand in his own.

  "You're not?"

  "No, I am," She smiled, "But you look like you might explode."

  Sirius grinned widely, "It's our first date, Madeline, do I not have a right to be excited?"

  "Alright, alright, I give," Madeline laughed.

  Sirius halted at the bottom of the Astronomy Tower's stairs, making Madeline jar to a halt.

  "I promise we'll go on a real date soon," Sirius said, the smile settling into a sober expression, "In Hogsmeade. It's not a secret anymore and I don't want you to think I'm still treating it like one. I don't want to hide you— I think I've actually scared away a few first years because I've told everyone we're dating—"

  "You're a mess, Sirius Black," Madeline accused with a smile, she brushed his hair out of his face and paused for a moment, "It's not a secret, but that doesn't mean we can't have private moments, Sirius. As long as I'm with you, I don't care who sees."

  Sirius smiled fondly, kissing Madeline before happily tugging her hand and leading her upstairs.

  Madeline's features softened as the scene fully came into view. She wasn't sure how Sirius had managed to do it all, but it was beautiful. A deep blue blanket covered the stone floor, a small picnic basket in the center of it. And hanging mid-air were tens— maybe a hundred lit candles. Mirroring that of the Great Hall, a million flames dancing in the fall wind, flickering occasionally but never going out.

  "Sirius. . ."

  "C'mon," Sirius smiled, nodding his head towards the blanket. Madeline allowed Sirius to lead her across the tower, claiming a seat on the plush blanket. "You like it?"

  "It's gorgeous," She smiled, "The candles. . ?"

  "Lily and Remus helped," Sirius admitted, blushing slightly, "They found the spell for it."

  Madeline just smiled at Sirius, admiration seeping into the air between them. 

  The evening bled into night, Sirius had packed chocolate strawberries and countless other sweets that the couple shared happily. They found themselves back in the rhythm of deep conversation, both laying back on the blanket with their heads nearly touching. Madeline's hand rested on Sirius' stomach, mindlessly toying with a loose thread on his shirt.

  "Who do you think'll win the quidditch cup this year?"

  "Us, surely," Sirius said, lips tugging into a smile, "You got your 15 minutes last year."

  "Well, it'll be half an hour, because Ravenclaw's winning again."

  "Half an hour of fame is not a saying, Mads."

  "I'm making it one."

  "You can't do that."

  "Watch me," Madeline sang, making Sirius laugh briefly.

  "Hey, have you spoke to Reg since we got here?"

  "No."

  "Neither have I."

  Madeline reshuffled so she was entirely on her stomach, propping herself up on her elbows. Sirius raised a brow as he tucked a hand behind his head, watching Madeline's face morph into the definition of seriousness.

  "You know it's not because he's angry with you or anything, right?"

  "Why else wouldn't he talk to me?" Sirius nearly mumbled.

  "Self-preservation," She said simply, "He's in Death-Eater headquarters, Sirius. Anyone sees him talking to a bunch of blood-traitors. . . Reg's smart, he'll sneak up here and see us if he can. But it's safer for all of us to keep our distance otherwise."

  "You're probably right."

  "I'm always right."

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
the fact that it is chapter
39, Sirius and Maddie's first
kiss was over a year ago and
this is their FIRST DATE
they're a mess. also,
last chapter I mentioned ship
names and 'Blotter/ Botter' was
BY FAR MY FAVORITE because 
it sounds like a wreck, 
which is fitting for them.