October 10th.

When Anna wakes up again, it's the middle of the night. Sirius is still slumped in the chair across from the bed, asleep.

Anna creeps out of the bed, glad she can fully feel her various limbs again. She walks out of the hospital wing, and into the greater part of the castle. Namely, Dumbledore's office.

"Lemon drop," she whispers to Gary.

He opens and she walks through and up the stairs. Anna lets out a breath of relief upon seeing a light on.

"Ms. Annalee, shouldn't you be in the hospital wing?" he asks as pleasantly as ever upon seeing her.

She smiles widely, "Erm, yeah, technically. Just wanted to check in."

"I suggest you sit down then. Ms. Black notified me of your present situation. May I ask where you'll be going this summer?"

"Well I was hoping I'll be able to stay with Lily, if that's all right. If not her, then could I stay at the Order Headquarters?"

He chuckles, "I'd have to figure it out with Mr. and Mrs. Evans, but I think that'd be quite alright."

"Thank you, Professor!" Anna exclaims. "But... would it be safe for them? If the events of today prove anything, I'm being targeted by Tom."

"If anything, their living situations would be safer. And you would be hidden instead of being in the wide open like you would be at the Order," Dumbledore considers. "Have you considered being an auror when you graduate?"

Anna smiles. "Yeah. And maybe, if a position is open when the Dark Lord is defeated, I could be a Professor?"

"I have no doubt you will do whatever you want, Annalee. I and all of your other Professors are here to help you along the way. You should be getting back to the hospital wing now."

"Wait, I had one last thing I wanted to ask you!"

"Please."

"I want to expand the dueling alliance. I can invite people on a case-by-case basis, and I'll teach them spells. I mean, people I think could help fight in the war once we graduate."

Warmly, he says, "I think that's a fantastic idea. But I want you to start with defensive spells and counter-jinxes. And nothing should be Dark Arts-related. Totally good magic. Lastly, I want every spell you do and every person you have to be recorded. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Professor. Thank you so much. I should go get back to sleep," she beams.

"Good night, Anna."

He smiles back, and waves her off. She scampers back to the hospital wing. She taps Sirius on the shoulder.

"Hey, Sirius?" she whispers.

He jolts awake, "Hey, Princess. How are you feeling?"

"Actually, I'm feeling great. How'd you sleep?" she says softly as she sits down on the bed.

He smiles faintly. "Fine. But I'm sure I'll sleep much better knowing you're safe and happy."

"Good. Sirius?"

"Yes, Princess?"

"Do you think I could maybe hang out with you and your friends a little more?"

"I'd love that, Fawley. So much," he confesses. 

They smile a little at each other and Anna yawns.

"I should get back to sleep. See you in the morning?" she asks hopefully.

He beams, "Of course, Fawley."

She only nods tiredly in response.

"Night, Siri," she murmurs.

"Night, Princess," he returns sweetly.

She drifts asleep.

He heaves a sigh, then returns to the sleepy abyss.

(I DON'T REALLY WANT TO WRITE THE NEXT PART, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO ROMANTICIZE IT. BASICALLY, ANNA HAS PTSD SO SHE HAS A NIGHTMARE ABOUT HER PARENTS. WE START WHEN SHE WAKES UP.) 

"Anna! Wake up! Are you okay?" Sirius says, shaking her.

She jolts, breathing quickly. "Sirius?" she asks meekly.

"Hey," he breathes out. "Is everything okay?"

She starts to nod, then shakes her head. "Nightmare."

He chuckles, "Really? No way. I would've thought that shaking and pleading and crying in your sleep was normal. That's not... normal for you, is it?"

She frowns, "I mean, kind of. It happens a lot."

"Why didn't you tell Lily about this? Or me? And why doesn't Bellatrix say anything?" Sirius demands.

Anna giggles. She bloody giggles. Giggles.

"First of all, do you take me for a bloody fool? If I told Lily, she'd make me take Calming Draughts every night-"

"-I fully intend to as well-"

"-You and I have been friends for the past two days. It's not like it happened from age four to nine when we were friends, Sirius. And lastly, have you met Bellatrix Black? Are we talking about the same girl here?" snaps Anna.

Sirius scoffs, "I'm sorry, who didn't want to be friends?"

"Um, you."

"And you! I've been here for you every single time at Hogwarts. When you're upset, I'm always there to comfort you. What do I get in return? 'This was a mistake, Sirius. Bye!' and then you don't talk to me for another year! Don't be outrageous, because quite frankly, it's just offensive. A little funny, as well. And don't pretend like I'm lying, because let's go through the facts. In our first year, you give me a forceful 'leave me alone'. In third year, I catch you crying and you allow me to hug you, then you run off. This past summer, I find you sitting alone in a bathroom sobbing. What do I do? You hug me, I talk to you, try to make you feel better. What do I get in return? You run away. Again. I know I'm not perfect either, I'm acutely aware of my flaws. My parents made sure of that. But I can't just wait around and be your second option, Fawley. I can't, and I won't. I've spent all night here, worried about you. You can't pretend like I just don't care," he retorts angrily.

"Well if you hate me so much, you should just leave," Anna says, grumpily crossing her arms over her chest.

"Did you not listen to anything I just said?!" he roars, making her flinch and look to the floor with tears pooling in her perfectly blue eyes. Upon seeing this, he says softly, "I'm sorry, Princess, I didn't mean to yell."

"No, you're right," she whispers. "You're completely right. I just don't understand why you bother with me. Why you care so much."

"Because I know you, Fawley. And I like you. A lot. I like the way your eyes light up when you smile, I really like your eyes, I like the way you laugh, I like the way you stand up for what you believe, I like the way you move on a broom, I like the way you stand up for - and, at times, from - your friends. I like you, Annalee Fawley. And if I have to wait around for a bit until you're ready to be with me, then that'll just be it," he monologues.

She smiles, the same smile that lights up her eyes. 

"I like you too," she says sweetly.

"Really?" Sirius asks, suddenly surprised.

She nods. "You should probably kiss me right now."

And he does. It's not like fireworks in the same way you read in books. But their lips mold together in synchrony in such a perfect fashion, it's like they'd always been that way; like it would always be that way.

Until, of course, two happy voices yell from the doorway in unison, "Finally!"

Yay! My children are finally together! It only took sixteen chapters and four years, but they did it! The plot is nowhere near over yet, though. We're only just getting started. *Evil cackles heard in the distance.* I hope you enjoyed! Poor Peter, though. Origin story, much? 

Anyways, please don't forget to comment and vote. Also, leave any critiques you may have! 

Thanks again,

R_F