Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez lemon - Stages to Ecstasy

            The most passionate of loves usually started out the same way. Before the ‘I love you’s’, and before the hidden attraction, there was usually a fair amount of dislike, and these relationships always held more than their fair share of anger.

            “Ugh, I hate him!”

            “She’s such a bitch!”

            For these two individuals, anger was their default setting. Uncomfortable situation? Be angry about it. Someone in your way? Get angry. Bored? Be angry at someone. Anger was their comfort zone, they felt alive in the crackling heat and deep thunder that rolled around them in waves. They felt anger at each other, and this anger had curdled into a viscous hatred.  

***

            The next phase was not too far from this hatred, more, it was a slick petrol to fuel the angry pyre. They began to feel something other than anger towards each other, some emotion they couldn’t quite label. So naturally, they fell back even more on the only emotion they truly understood.  

            “He thinks just because he’s good looking that everyone will bow down to him! He’s not a real King, he does know that right? And does he always have to wear his jacket open like that?”

            “That bitch needs to be taught a lesson. She needs throwing up against a wall and fucking until she knows her place!”

            This stage was the one filled with restless nights, aching dreams, and many a cold shower. It was the one with heated glances that went unseen, eyes that roved skin but soon looked away.

***

            Following this was the common stage of denial. That pounding need they felt could not be arousal. The quickened beating of their hearts must be from training. Their dreams must be from stress. These tell-tale signs must be symptoms of another emotion.

            “My blood boils just looking at him! I just want to slam him into a wall every time I see him!”

            “I just want to gag her every time she opens that loud mouth of hers! I’ve had enough with her nagging!”

But of course, denial couldn’t last forever.

***

            After denial came the dreaded acceptance. Naturally, for this couple the realization was coupled with more of their delectable anger.

            “I can’t believe I like that arrogant prick! I bet he planned all of this, I bet he’s laughing his ass off right now!”

            “Damn she’s sexy, she just needs to shut up and not say anything, but damn she’s hot."

            Once acceptance had been reached there was only one logical step left. It was inevitable really, the two of them didn’t stand a chance.

***

            A gasp fell from Jessica’s lips as her back was pushed into a wall. Grimmjow grinned his manic smile as he nipped at her neck, his body pressing against hers. The air around them was heavy, and rolling with anticipation. Grimmjow was still wearing his pants, but Jessica has no problem feeling him as he ground powerfully up into her.

            Jessica’s clothes had been disposed of quickly. Like the animal he was, Grimmjow had fisted them between in his large hands and tore them from her body. Scraps of cloth littered the ground and she was left bare to his hungry eyes.

            “Not so hard!” She hissed at him as his teeth sunk into her neck. Grimmjow ignored her, lapping at the wound. He hated her nagging. She thought she could tell him what to do, well now he’d put that voice to good use.

            She cried out as he gave a harsh roll of his hips, his hands tightening on that ass he loved. He admitted it, he was an ass man. He couldn’t get enough of the hot tight flesh between his fingers, and hearing the moans as he squeezed it tighter and tighter. Her legs were tight around his hips, and her hands were fisted in his hair. She found it surprisingly soft, like silk, not coarse like she imagined it. Not that it mattered as she wound her fingers in it, pulling on it, grounding herself.

            He captured her lips again in harsh and bruising kisses that left her gasping. She felt like she was falling, Grimmjow pushed her again and again and she just kept careening downwards. She would lose herself there soon, and Grimmjow would never let her forget it.

            Determined to change the situation, Jessica removed her hand from his hair and moved to a new, more exciting target. She didn’t play around, and she didn’t treat him lightly. Her hand stretched underneath his waistband and wrapped around his hard length, freezing his movements. Their eyes connected, both of them dangerous and darkened with lust. They were both pounding with need, but determined to make the other one give in first. Their breaths were heavy, and their heaving chests were the only thing moving between them.

            Grimmjow raised an eyebrow in challenge. What are you gonna do now? Jessica pumped him once and that eyebrow dropped. She did it again and the smug expression was wiped off his face. She was rough and callous, tugging at him the way she imagined he pulled at himself. He was leaned over her, hands moved from her behind to brace himself on the wall. She felt the heat of his hands on either side of her neck, and his face was so close to hers…

            She licked along his neck, her tongue tracing over the jaw on his cheek and feeling the shiver wrack through his body. He hardened even more under her fingertips and she couldn’t imagine just how painful it must be. Slowly, she leaned back on the wall, her legs untangling from his waist to hold her own weight. Then, she saw the gleam in his eyes as she slinked to her knees, only then breaking eye contact.

            She moved her eyes down past his pectorals and his clenching ab muscles, to the proudly standing proof of his manhood. She moved her hand a few more times, admitting how erotic it was to watch herself jerk him off, and to know that he was undoubtedly watching her do it. She leaned in, licking the slit and the pre-cum leaking out of it. Her hands both moved to his hips, thumbs brushing over the V bones that formed a landing strip to her current location.

            She gave one last long lick, from the base to the tip, her tongue pressing along the vein on the underside of him. And then, she made her move. Her mouth opened and sucked at the head before she bobbed down, taking him to the back of her throat. She stayed there, letting her throat relax around him and when she was ready, gave a powerful suck. She heard the groan that was pulled from deep in his chest, and felt his body move as he leaned closer to the wall, bracing himself on his forearms.

            This was even better than watching herself jerk him off. To have him towering over her, completely at her mercy, oh yes, this was much better. She moved quickly, not relaxing for a second. Her tongue swirled around him, her throat pulsing with every suck, her mouth vibrating with the moans she made as one hand moved down to slip fingers between her wet walls.

            His hips thrust at her, forcing himself deeper and deeper, faster and faster. His eyes were clenched shut, his pleasure rising to it’s peak… and then he stopped, ripping himself from her mouth. His breathing was harsh, it was close. A few more sucks and he would have been pulled over. Another day, he would finish in her pretty mouth, but today he had different plans.

            He turned back to her, fisting a hand in her hair as he pulled her to her feet. He pushed her to the side, and then turning her to her dresser. Jessica felt excitement pool at her core… she had no idea Grimmjow was this kinky.

            The hand on her head returned, roughly bending her at her waist before his hands smoothed over her bottom, caressing it in reverence before sheathing himself inside her in one deep thrust. Her hands braced herself on the edge of the desk, pushing her back into Grimmjow. He didn’t move, and at first she had a fleeting thought that he was letting her adjust to him, and then she realised. He was looking in the mirror on her dresser, the mirror about two feet from Jessica’s face. He was watching her parted lips and gasping breaths. He was watching the flurries of pleasure that crossed her face as he circled inside her. And then the moment was gone and he was pounding into her, her cries of ecstasy bounding around the room. His one hand ran up her spine, pressing down on each bone before circling and trailing its path back down. A brief stop at each nipple, a harsh pull at each, and then his fingers were at her clit, rolling and pinching in time with his thrusting hips. Her mind was hazy, thoughts floating around her until she felt a thumb brush the back of her hand.

            Grimmjow’s other hand had brushed down her arm and braced itself on the desk, right next to Jessica’s, who’s heart warmed at the sincere gesture in such a situation.

            She could feel herself rising fast, thanks to Grimmjow’s quick fingers and talented hips. He was already almost there, having been at that point since her tongue and mouth moments ago. He could feel her rising, tightening around him that drove him faster to his own release.

            “Ah, ahh- Grimmjow!!!!” She cried his name as he felt her insides spasm is release, he quickly followed her down.

            They tumbled onto her bed, sweaty and breathless from their ‘activities’

***

            Sure, they were angry. Sure, it took a long time and a lot of stages for them to get to this point, but in the end only one thing really mattered. It led to some pretty, good, sex.         

Natsu Dragneel one shot - The Fire in Burnished Copper

Gotta love Natsu!

Read, comment and Enjoy!

.x.Hidden.x.Winter.x.

                There was something about a fire that called her. It had something to do with the boy, that one who always seemed at home in the wash of orange and red. The one who lost himself in them, comforted by their presence, the boy at home in the flames. The way the fire seemed to burn down to his very soul and fuel him, the way it propelled him forward.

                There was something to be said about a determination that never quit, about eyes that only looked forward, about a heart that never wavered. Though, she supposed she knew quite a bit about that last one. Katie had never faltered in her love for the dragon slayer, not for a second. He was why she trained every day, to be better, to be able to protect him the way he protected his friends. To be able to help, so that one day he might see her as an equal.

                It scared her, the way he always put himself on the front lines. He was always risking his life for everyone, even if he didn’t know them. It scared her that there was never anyone beside him. And now suddenly, it was as if her nightmares had all come true. Here he was, standing against an enemy, exhausted but ready to fight to the end. She had just rushed into the room and could see Gray, Erza, and Wendy unconscious on the ground. It was all up to Natsu now, it was up to him to protect his friends. Well, it had been.

                She saw the man’s arm move, as if in slow motion. She ran towards them, feet heavy as if running through treacle. Her heart was pounding, she had never been so afraid. Natsu seemed to hear her footsteps and turned to look at who was running behind him when her arms wrapped around his waist and tackled him to the ground.

                “Wha-? Katie?” He asked, bewilderment on his face.     

                She didn’t respond, simply stood and faced the other man. “Your fight is with me now.” She tried to keep her voice strong, but everyone could hear the slight tremble.

                “Katie no-”

                “Be quiet Natsu!” She yelled, balling her hands into fists. He staggered to his feet, that determination blazing in his eyes to keep on fighting. She closed her eyes, she would not be swayed. With a motion, he was clamped to the wall of the room, completely unable to move.

                “Katie!” He roared.

                “If you can’t get out of it then you’re in no condition to fight!” She yelled back, knowing it was true. This was her fight, her chance. It was her turn to protect him now. She locked eyes with the man and crouched her knees enough to keep her balance. Her senses felt around the room for any of the material she needed, feeling small traces here and there. Looks like she would have to rely on her own supplies.

                Natsu struggled against his bonds, but Katie had done her job well. He watched her with wide, protesting eyes. He hadn’t seen her fight in a long time, he couldn’t remember how the last fight had gone. There was a tense silence as the mages looked at each other, and then the man moved, quickly diving towards Katie. Natsu watched her weave and dodge in her unmistakable style. Her mahogany hair fell out of its ponytail and strands hung at her forehead. She ran her hands along the glimmering bracelets she always wore, and the metal seemed to melt, moving around her in a thin stream of bright copper. She barely had any, Natsu realised. And then it was as if an ice cube had slid down his throat in into his stomach, she was using her copper reserves to restrain him. To keep him safe.

                “Katie! Take the copper!” He yelled, but she ignored him. She would keep him safe. She would protect him. The copper hardened into small shapes and launched at the man who dodged each one, laughing. He landed hit after hit on the small girl who recoiled at each one, but jumped back into the fight every time. She hadn’t done any damage, and was quickly running out of copper.

                “Is this all you’ve got, Fairy mage?” He struck her to the ground and she stayed there. Natsu yelled, but no one heard him. “Get up Katie! Get up!!”

                She stayed on her knees, her head bowed, her face cast in shadow. Then she lifted it and Natsu could see the small smile on her face.

                “Where’s my copper?” She asked, looking up to the man standing above her.

                “Planning another game to play?” He sneered.

                “No games,” she said, “but just think, where could my copper be?”  

                The man opened his mouth to say something, words that were never heard as he fell to the ground. Katie let out a breathless chuckle, as if she couldn’t believe she had done it. She had won, she had protected Natsu.

                She looked to the fire salamander still pinned to the wall and summoned the copper back to her wrists. She smiled, and then he was the one running to catch her as she tumbled downwards. She opened bleary eyes to see a frantic Natsu looking down at her. “You ok?” She asked.

                “I should be asking you that! Katie how did you beat him?”

                “Build-up of copper in his bloodstream, couple of blockages in important places.”

                “Katie, why?”

                She coughed, and a small drop of red stained her lips. “I wanted protect you.” She whispered.

                He caught her hand and lifted it to his cheek, feeling the coolness of her fingers against his skin. “You did Katie, you did.” Her eyes closed with a smile on her face and Natsu could feel a wetness roll down his cheeks. He hastily wiped the tears, and looked around.

                “Happy!” his small friend emerged from a pile of rubble, a little bruised but ok. “Can you get help?”

                “Natsu…” Happy said, looking at his friend who was more broken than he had ever seen him. Natsu was a blaze of fight, and honour. He never backed down, and here he was. Tear stains fresh on his cheeks, and an unconscious girl cradled in his arms. Happy nodded, flying off to find help. Right now, Natsu needed him more than ever.

                Natsu refused to let go of Katie’s hand. He carried her all the way back to the guild, he was beside her as Wendy healed her. He slept with his head on Katie’s blankets as she rested. He didn’t eat unless someone brought him food. He would not let her die, she had sacrificed herself to protect him, he would not let her die!

                His head rest on her bed again, eyes closed and breaths deep in sleep. He heard a rustle and felt fingers softly combing through his hair. He smiled at the pleasant feeling, and then his heart jolted as he realised what it meant. He leapt up, eyes wild as he looked at her.

                “Hey you.” She said with a grin, obviously still tired, but awake!

                She let out a breath as Natsu jumped on her, hugging her tighter than she’d ever been held before. “You’re awake! You’re awake!”

                She laughed, “Of course I am, didn’t think I was going to die after my greatest battle did you?”   

                His smile softened, “why did you do it Katie?”

                “I already told you.” She said, but he could tell from the faint shade of pink dusting over her cheeks. Slowly, he leaned in, movements exaggerated so she could push him away at any second. But she didn’t. Her breath caught in her throat as his breath mingled with hers. He was close enough to count the lashes framing her bright eyes, and saw her parted lips glisten as she waited for him.

                Their lips met like the first rays of sun on a misty morning, like a hearth fire reflected off bright copper. It was gentle, and passionate, and everything they’d ever imagined it would be.

                They broke apart when a voice interrupted them from the door. “You lllllllllike each other.”

                Natsu grinned at his old friend, looking back to Katie. “Yeah, I guess we do.” 

Natsu Dragneel one shot - Feed the Flames

                Natsu was lounging on a park bench, soaking in the sun. Lucy and Grey lay on the grass, and Happy was perched in the branches of a nearby tree. It was a rare moment of peace for them. No one was attacking, there wasn’t a mission, there was just the soft breeze and the warm sun. Lucy knew it couldn’t last, but then again, how long could Natsu actually sit down without blowing something up?

                A stomach grumbled, “I’m so hungry.” Natsu whined.

                “Me too.” Happy agreed, fluttering down from the branches. “We should go fishing!”

                “Or find a nice hot fire…” Natsu said, a dreamy edge to his voice.

                The mages sat up, knowing that their relaxation time was over. “There’s a restaurant around the corner.” Lucy offered, but Natsu continued on as if she hadn’t said anything.

                “Lucy, can you summon something to make me a fire?”

                Lucy was about to retort, when a small fire burst from the grass. It was unlike any flame Lucy had seen before, definitely not Natsu’s. She couldn’t really say what the difference was, maybe the pulsing blue centre that beat like a tiny heart, or maybe how it was so controlled. She just knew that there was something different about this fire.

                Natsu didn’t really seem to care where the fire came from. He leapt from the bench, pouncing on the fire. Or rather, where the fire had been. As quickly as it had arrived, it disappeared, spluttering out like a match past it’s due.

                “Hey! Give it back!” Natsu complained to no one in particular.

                “You haven’t changed, Natsu.” A voice said from the road. Lucy had never seen her before, but it was clear that Gray, Happy, and Natsu all knew her.

                “Clara?” Natsu whispered, his eyes wide in disbelief. “You’re alive?”

                “Of course I’m alive.” She said, taking steps towards them.

                “It’s been so long.” He whispered again, a smile breaking onto his face.

                Clara’s cold eyes flickered to Lucy, and then back to Natsu. “Yes it has, and apparently things have changed more than I thought. Anyway, I’m going to the guild, I’ll see you around.” She raised a hand as she left, and Lucy saw the Fairy Tail stamp on the inside of her wrist.   

                “Who was that?” Lucy asked.

                Natsu was busy chattering excitedly to Happy, so it was Gray who answered.

                “Her name’s Clara, she disappeared about a year and a half ago. She was Natsu’s partner, they always went on missions together.”

                “And she made the fire?”

                “Yeah, she’s a fire mage. She’s usually in a better mood than that though…”

                “Come on! Come on! Let’s go to the guild!” Natsu yelled, running down the path Clara had taken. Gray and Lucy quickly followed, Happy flying at his masters shoulder. They burst through the doors and saw Clara stood at the bar talking with Cana.

                Grey grasped Lucy’s arm and led her to another table. “Let them sort this out.” He said. It then dawned on Lucy that maybe Natsu and this mysterious Clara were more than just job partners.

                “Are you back for good Clara?” Natsu asked.

                Clara shrugged, “what does it matter, you’ve got a new team now.”

                “What do you mean?”

                “I mean it’s obvious you don’t need me anymore.” She turned in her chair to continue her conversation with Cana, effectively ignoring Natsu.

Natsu stood there, his mind reeling. His fists flickered in orange flames and then he burst out, “of course I need you!” The flames had swathed his feet, and people of the guild were slowly backing away.

                Clara stood with shadowed, angry eyes. “Then why didn’t you look for me?” Natsu’s flames sputtered as Clara looked at him, “where were you when I needed you!” Her yell silenced the guild. “You were everything to me! I thought I could count on you!” She blinked back a sheen of tears and a sneer replaced the broken expression on her face, “I suppose the great salamander of fairy tail has better things to do, a new team to look after him. A new girl to make him fire. Why on earth would he bother looking for me?”

                “Clara…”              

                “Forget it, it’s cool Natsu. You’ve moved on.” Again, she turned back to talk to Cana when Natsu’s flaming fast slammed on the bar. Splinters or wood flew from the hole, but that was the least of anyone’s concerns.

                Natsu was completely covered in flames. “Don’t say that. Don’t EVER SAY THAT! I’ve never forgotten you! Not for a second!” The flickering fire died down, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, I never should have stopped looking.” His gaze was fixed on the floor, as if staring at it would take him back in time to fix this.

                “Hey, what’s going on?” Gajeel said, walking into the guild with Lily at his side. “Hey Natsu, what did you do wrong this time?” He laughed, obviously it was a joke, but not to Natsu. With a roar, the fire dragon slayer rounded on his friend and launched at him. Gajeel responded in kind, not about to back down from the fight. Normally, Natsu would have been able to hold his own, but today he was starving and his opponent had just happened to finish eating. Natsu was thrown about like a rag doll. Lucy looked away from the brawl to see that same frozen expression on Clara’s face, with the exception of her eyes that were far away in remembrance of happier days. She looked down at her hands, and then looked back to the pink haired mage being beaten on.

                “Natsu!” She yelled, casting an arm out and a blazing arc of fire magic soared his way. Natsu’s face lit up as he ate the fire, and then left Gajeel in a heap on the floor before turning and walking back to Clara with determined steps. He didn’t stop as he reached her, his arms tightening around her waist and his body pressed against hers. Clara stood still, not moving to return the gesture but even so, Lucy could tell without a doubt that this was a lover’s embrace. She turned her attention back to Clara, whose stern expression was slowly shattering as Natsu worked his way back in. She blinked, and then her arms were wrapped around Natsu’s shoulders, her face buried in his neck. Natsu clutched at her, turning his face into her hair. He’d missed her so much.  

                “I missed you.” She whispered into the cloth at his shoulder.

                Natsu pulled back just enough that he could look into her bright eyes, and then somehow his lips were on hers. Lucy averted her eyes, feeling that she was invading the moment. But she couldn’t help the glances she cast in their direction. She had never seen Natsu this devoted to anything that wasn’t a fight against some ‘un-beatable’ opponent. His attention was solely on the girl he held, his obvious adoration for her shining like a wash of the flames he was so fond of.

                “I love you.” He breathed out in a whisper, watching her for any signs of the rejection he feared.

                She smiled, that smile he remembered and loved. That smile that accompanied him on missions and cared for him and made fun of him. That smile he dreamt of, that smile that stole his breath away.

                “I love you too.”

Sirius Black lemon - Kisses in a Classroom

                It was a known fact that Sirius Black was a ladies man. He was good looking, with his dark hair that tumbled around his face, and his dark eyes with their ever present twinkle. He was a charmer, simple as that. He messed around, he flirted, it’s just what he did.

                But Sirius Black had finally, met his match.

***

                Teeth skimmed the caramel skin peeking out from the top of the stockings. Said stockings were the only article of clothing on the girl, and that was just the way Sirius liked her. His hands wandered, stroking her legs through the netty fabric, feeling the roughness of it under his fingers, dragging his tongue along it towards her core, but never quite reaching it. Always pulling away just as her hips lifted to meet him, always watching for the dark eyes that glared at him.

                But she wasn’t about to lay there helplessly, she had a fire of her own inside her. A fire that was coursing through her body, sparking her nerves to the touch of the man. She nudged her leg, just a little, but she knew it was enough. The feel of the stockings he loved so much pressing up against his erection was mind blowing. He lowered his hips to feel her again, and groaned against her skin. Inch by inch his mouth got closer. Her hips lifted again, aching for some form of contact, her mind fizzling when she felt his warm breath upon her. His hair tickled against her bare skin, and she could feel desire pooling there with every passing second that he waited.

                “Siris-aah.” Her complaint morphed into a delighted cry when his tongue dipped sinfully down to taste her. He is skilled, there is no doubt. With his tongue pressing deliciously against her clit and slim fingers skimming her skin to prod at her opening. They slipped inside her, her tight walls stretching to accommodate him. They curled and twisted, leaving her a gasping writhing mess in a tangle of blankets. White pillows were fisted between fingers. Red sheets were curled between toes. His name resounded in a long drawing moan that was pulled from parted lips. He moved himself up, burying his face in her neck and latching himself to the untouched skin there.

                “You’re so wet.” He murmured, chuckling as his fingers slipped at her core. He pinched at her clit, hard, loving the arch of her body as it pressed up against him. He did it again, and again. It jolted through her like strikes of lightning, but she needed more. More than teasing fingers and wandering lips. More than dark eyes and gasping breaths.

                She wrapped a leg around his waist and pulled him down to her, trapping his hand between them. She rolled her hips, moaning loudly at the pressure and friction she had found. Her eyes opened and looked at the man towering over her. Bucking her hips up, she felt his erection against her thigh. Her hand crept down and grasped it, revelling in the familiar feeling of iron beneath velvet. She pumped him roughly, seeing his eyes darken and hearing his breath hitch in his throat. She raised her head to press slow kisses against his jawline, feeling the rumble in his throat.

                “No more teasing.” She whispered into his ear. “Fuck me.”

                He suppressed a shiver that threatened to wrack through his body at her lustful tone. And god, she was right. He was so hard, so painfully hard. He drew back his fingers and pushed his cock to her, grinding down and feeling her arousal coat his shaft. He buried his face in her hair, a low groan escaping to mingle with the mewls in the air. He drew back, feeling his tip line up with her, and pushed into her. He stayed there for a moment, soaking in the tightness of her, and how wet she was, how wet he had made her. But that appreciation was all he had time for, and then he was pulling out and slamming back in. His lips collided messily with hers, kissing each other deeply as if they only had moments left.

                Her legs wrapped around his waist, squeezing him towards release.

                “Sirius.” She whispered, her throaty voice telling him what he needed to know, she was close. Very close.

                He thrust harder, hips circling and pounding against her. She felt the pressure coil in her lower belly before exploding into starlight and solar storms and any other far away blast. Because that’s where she was, far away from this bed, floating in another world of bliss and ecstasy. The man grounded her, thrusting into her a few more times before joining her in that hazy world of orgasmic passion. He collapsed on top of her, feeling her heavy breathing mix with his. He kissed her once, slowly, both of them still revelling in the zinging pleasure that hovered in the thick air around them.

                Rolling over, he pulled her back against him in the epitome of relaxation. Gentle fingers stroked the smooth skin of her hips, wandering over her taut stomach and up past her ribs.

                “Mmm Sirius…” She moaned lightly, his soft caresses welcomed, and even more so when they lightly traced down past her hipbones…. “But James will be back soon.” She protested, knowing that as much as she may want this, they didn’t have enough time.

                Sirius nipped at her neck, “I’d prefer you didn’t talk about my best mate when you’re naked in bed with me.” His tone was light and joking, and although he knew she was right he didn’t stop his mischievous fingertips.  

                “He’ll have Remus with him. And Peter.” She murmured back at him, and then he knew it was over. There was no chance of him letting Peter get even a glimpse of the naked girl in his bed. It would put the wrong sort of ideas in his head…  

                They slowly dressed, laughing and joking with each other, and were fully presentable when the three other marauders entered the room.

                “Jaina!” James said, hugging the girl. “When did you get back?”

                “A couple hours ago.” Jaina replied. “I thought I’d stop by to say hi before going to appeal my divination paper.”

                “Oh you finally got a meeting?” Remus asked, putting things back in the cupboard by his bed.

                She nodded, “yeah, now they just have to agree with me. Honestly, they can’t fail me because I don’t have the ‘inner eye’.” Remus chuckled, knowing full well her detestation of the subject. “I’ll see you all around.” She bid them goodbye, leaving the common room and heading towards that god-forsaken tower.

***      

                That night, Jaina lay awake in her bed listening to the soft breathing of her roommates. She was thinking about that afternoon, and honestly, how could she not. The memories of Sirius above her, his weight pressing down on her. His lips caressing her skin. Her heart thud in her chest at the thought of him, and she knew she was in trouble.

                See, the only problem was that she and Sirius weren’t actually a couple. They had met in first year, and quickly grown to be good friends. The two of them had gone through a few things and somehow woken up in bed together. Instead of the feeling the awkwardness that could have ruined their friendship, they decided to just roll with it. They’d agreed that they wouldn’t have feelings for each other, it was the only way the relationship could work.

                It had seemed so easy at the time, agreeing to stop as soon as one of them had feelings, but now… Jaina didn’t know if she could. How could she stop this? How could she give up Sirius? But then, how could she continue, knowing that she cared more for him than he ever would for her?

***

                “You want to what?” Sirius asked. She had pulled him aside before potions class and said it, and his expression was only making it harder for her to keep her resolve.

                “I want to stop. There’s a guy I’m interested in and I want to see how it goes.” She shrugged, keeping her face blank, “but it’s cool right?”

                “Er… yeah, I guess.” Sirius was thrown on his heels, but he had to play it cool. “Yeah, I’ve been talking to another girl so… this works for both of us.”

                “Great.” Jaina said, walking into the class, Sirius trailing after her.

***

                “So, how are things going with you and Sirius?” Lily perched on the edge of Jaina’s bed. She, along with James, and probably Remus, was one of the only people who actually knew about Jaina’s liaisons with Sirius.

                “They’re going ok.” Jaina responded, chewing the end of her quill.

                “Really?” Lily drawled. “Because to me, things look really awkward.”

                “Well what am I supposed to do?” Jaina asked.

                “You could tell him…”

                “We agreed we would stop if this happened. So we’ve stopped, it’s over.”

                “Well I think you should start up again, you’re very angry these days.”

                “Shouldn’t you be happy about this? You hate them.”

                “I used to not like James, but he’s getting better. We can actually have a conversation now.” Lily corrected, “And I don’t particularly like Sirius, but it’s obvious that you do!”

                “It’s not happening Lily, just give up already.”

                Lily sighed at her tone and moved back to her own bed, unsure how to help her friend.

***

                Double potions. Again. Jaina sat beside Lily who was pretty much the only reason that Jaina ever passed the class. She was awful at potions, but Lily was a master. Slughorn stood at the front of the class and droned on about something. He kept gesturing to the pot of ready-made and boiling potion on his desk. Jaina quickly zoned out, focusing on the button that strained to hold the shirt together over Slughorn’s round belly.

                “So what are we doing?” Jaina asked her partner after Slughorn was done.

                “Seriously Jaina,” Lily said exasperated, “you should listen to him! We’re making veritaserum.”

                “And that is….?”

                “Truth potion.”

                “Sorry I’m late professor.” Sirius strolled into the room and took his seat next to James who had already set up the potion.

                They set about their usual procedure of Lily brewing while Jaina handed her things. Jaina felt kind of lonely, usually she would be chatting with Sirius who was on the next bench over.

                An hour later, Jaina was sat with her head resting heavily on her palm, watching Lily work. It was kind of soothing….

                “You’re really good at this.” She said, making Lily turn around in surprise.

                “Thanks Jaina.”

                “No seriously, you’re the best one in the class, you should pursue this, you have real talent!”

                Lily’s eyes widened a fraction before she muffled a giggle. “You didn’t cast the spell did you?”

                “What spell?”

                “To resist the fumes of the veritaserum?”

                “Er… No.”

                Lily giggled again, making James turn to their table. “What’s so funny Evans?”  

                “Jaina’s inhaled too much of the veritaserum fumes.”

                “You’re joking? This idiot did as well!” James gestured to Sirius who looked at them blankly.

                They moved around – with Slughorn’s permission- so that Sirius and Jaina sat at one table and Lily and James were working at another. Hopefully the effects of the fumes would wear off faster if they weren't sat at a table with a bubbling cauldron.

                “So how are things going?” He asked.

                She shrugged, “alright, a bit boring.”

                He chuckled, “me too. My bed seems too big nowadays.”

                “Mmm, I miss your bed.”

                “We had some pretty hot sex in that bed.”

                She nodded in agreement, “best sex ever.”

                “Well you’re the one who stopped it.” He said.

                “I thought you had a girl you were interested in.” She replied indignantly.

                “I only said that because you said you had a guy!”

                “Well I only said that so I didn’t have to tell you I fell in love with you!” The room was silent. “We agreed we’d stop if one of us developed feeli-” The rest of her sentence was muffled be a pair of lips that she knew only too well. A calloused hand brushed her jaw, tilting her mouth upwards to gain more access.

                They broke apart, “I love you too, idiot.” Sirius said, kissing her again.

                Cat-calls and wolf-whistles resounded in the room at the sight of the two of them finally getting together. James and Lily met each other’s eyes before looking away, a faint blush coating each of their cheeks. Professor Slughorn stood frozen, completely unsure of what to do about the two hormonal teens kissing in his classroom.   

                “Alright everyone, back to work.” He said, in his best ‘teacher voice’. People began to turn back towards their cauldrons, except for the two who had only eyes for each other. And nothing was getting in their way this time. 

            

Seamus Finnigan one shot - From Sparks to Flames

                “Have fun with that Seamus. No one in all of Hogwarts is going to help you with a fire spell.” Seamus groaned, Ron was right. He managed to blow everything up as it was, never mind working with fire! Hermione might… but he was loathe to ask her and have to see the smug look on her face… no, he would find someone else.

                “Come on,” Seamus pleaded, “you have to know someone who can help!” He didn’t have long to learn the spell, and definitely didn’t want detention again.

                Harry and Ron sat in the common room, and then seemed to take pity on him, “Alright, go to the Ravenclaw common room, ask for Samantha Cartwright, she might help you.”

                Seamus ran out of the portrait hole, yelling back apologies to the people he had knocked over. It took him a while to reach Ravenclaw tower, and he was exhausted by the time he had climbed to the top. He knocked impatiently, heart still racing.

                When one does not know what it is, then it is something; but when one knows what it is, then it is nothing. The eagle asked.

                “What? Is that your password?” Seamus cried, frantically knocking again, but the eagle refused to speak again. “Come on!”

                Another Ravenclaw walked behind him, and deftly edged around Seamus before knocking.

                The more of me you take, the more you leave behind.

                “I have no idea!!” Seamus yelled as the Ravenclaw answered, “footsteps.”

                Seamus clambered after the Ravenclaw into the common room, cursing that stupid door. The Ravenclaw’s looked at him strangely, wondering what a random Gryffindor was doing in their common room.

                “I’m looking for Samantha? Please tell me there’s a Samantha here.”

                “Yeah, I’m here.” A voice said, and he turned to look at a very amused girl with fair blond hair. “Aren’t you that Irish bloke from Gryffindor who’s always trying to hit on girls with awful pick-up lines?”

                “What? No of course not!” Seamus’s denial seemed to do nothing, as the other Ravenclaw’s kept sniggering.

                “Yes you do!” she insisted, “you used one last week! Oh what was it… Oh yes! If only my exploding spells were as hot as you!”

                The sniggers grew louder and as she saw his ears turn red, Samantha decided to cut him a break. “So what can I do for you? I assume you had something in mind since you burst into our common room like this.”       

                “I need help learning a spell.”

                “Why don’t you go to Granger? Or another Gryffindor? That would be way easier than trekking all the way up here.”

                He mumbled something.

                “Sorry, what was that?”

                “It’s Flagrate. Everything I do already explodes and since this is a fire charm….”

                “Ah, I get it now. Kind of ironic, the brave Gryffindor’s get scared and shove you off onto a Ravenclaw. Well yes Mr. Finnegan, I will help you.”

***

                “Ready for our first lesson Mr. Finnigan?” Samantha moved to walk beside Seamus as he walked back to his common room.

                “Oh, yeah. I was just going to drop these back off in my dorm.” He gestured to the bag on his back.

                “Yeah that’s fine.” Sam said, continuing to walk alongside him and the other Gryffindors. “What?” She asked, looking back at their quizzical faces, “He saw inside my common room, I want to see inside yours.” The Gryffindor’s shrugged, not wanting to get into an argument with a Ravenclaw. They hadn’t really gotten to know Sam yet, but usually, bickering with a Ravenclaw was not worth the effort.

                After a fair number of stairs, they reached a portrait of a rather robust woman in a pink dress. “So this is the Fat Lady” Sam mused, looking away as they said the password. Ignoring the reproachful look she got from the Fat Lady at the sight of her blue robes, Sam stepped through the portrait hole.

                The common room was circular, just like her own, but that it where the similarities ended. The Ravenclaw common room was full of deep blues and coppers, the domed ceiling was painted with stars. The whole room had an airy feel, and by the door to the dormitories there was the white marble statue of Rowena Ravenclaw. That was the common room she was used to, a room of calm and serenity. The Gryffindor room was, in a word, crowded. It was filled with loud students, cushy armchairs, various random tables. There was a fireplace that dominated the wall where her statue would have gone. It was cosy, the red, well, the red everything made the place feel homey.

                “Well?” Seamus returned without his books, “what do you think?”

                It took her a moment to respond, she felt like the room was overcrowded, things and people were everywhere, so different from her own common room. “It’s very red.” She answered Seamus, who laughed at her.

                “Come on, let’s go someplace quiet.” He ushered her out of the room and she began walking until they reached an abandoned classroom.

                “Alohomora.” Sam muttered.

                “Are you sure we can be here?” Seamus asked, closing the door behind him.

                “If they wanted to keep us out they should put a better charm on the door.” Sam replied as she idly flipped through a charms book. Then she turned to him and took out her wand.

                “Flagrate.” She said, and then wrote Samantha Isabelle Cartwright in the air in a smooth cursive. “Now you try.” She said.

                Seamus lifted his wand, “Flagrate.” A small puff of smoke wisped from the end of his wand and Sam burst out laughing.

                “I’m sorry.” She gasped, trying to reign in her laughter, “I’m sorry but that was so funny!” She calmed herself and then gestured that he should try again. His results were exactly the same.

                “Just tell me what I’m doing wrong.” He said, exasperated after several more tries and the lack of guidance she had given him.

                “I’m watching you to see what you’re messing up on. There’s no specific wand movement that you need to learn for this one, just keep going.”

                Time passed and he made no progress, and then he was just frustrated. He should have controlled himself, because he should have been ready for what was next.

                “Woah!” Sam jumped away as a burst of fire exploded from his wand. When the smoke cleared Seamus was covered in soot, his hair was dark, and his face set in a childish glower.

                Sam emerged from behind the desk with a playful sigh, “you were doing so well.” And then ducked with a screech as Seamus threw a charms book at her.

                “Was that even the spell?” He asked.

                “Of course not! That was more like incendio on steroids!” He chuckled and looked at the state of the room. All of the area around him was burned. There was a clear circle on the wooden floor of charred wood, and several desks had crumpled to the ground in splinters. “Come on, let’s fix up the room and then call it a day.” Seamus nodded. He began the rounds of ‘reparo’ on each of the desks as she worked on repairing the floor. Other than the spells there was no noise, until the door handle started jiggling. Sam turned to him quickly and pointed her wand at him. Moving it in a smooth ‘S’ motion she whispered, “scourgify.” Seamus felt all of the ash and dust vanish from his body and clothes, and then stood as professor McGonagall entered the classroom.

                “Mr Finnigan, Miss Cartwright, what are you doing in here?” She asked sternly, and Seamus could already feel that she was going to take away house points.

                “Professor,” Sam began, “I was helping Seamus with a spell for charms.”

                “And you felt the need to practice in my classroom?”

                Sam bit her lip before blurting out, “all the other professors put stronger spells on their doors! I thought that since you didn’t, it was an invitation to use the room when it was free. And to be fair, Seamus can’t just practice fire charms anywhere, he could burn down the entire school!”     

                The end of McGonagall’s lip twitched up in a smile, “Be off with the both of you, and don’t let me catch you in here again.”

                “You won’t Professor.” Sam gripped Seamus’ hand and led him from the room.

                “That was lucky.” He whistled.

                “Lucky? That was skill.”

                “You lied to her?”

                “I lie every time she catches me, it’s our way of bonding.”

                Seamus shook his head, laughing until they reached the staircase.

                “Well this is my stop.” Sam said, “Look, I know you’re disappointed that we didn’t really get anywhere today, but I’m going to think on it and then we can look at it again tomorrow, hopefully then I’ll have thought of something to help you.”

                He nodded, “See you around Sam.”

***

                “Alright, come on Seamus.” Sam appeared and slid into the seat beside him at the Gryffindor breakfast table in the Great Hall.

                “I’ve only just sat down.” He complained, “You’ve got to let me finish my breakfast.”

                “Oh alright, hurry up though.” She nudged his elbow and the jam on his toast smeared all over his cheek. She bit back a laugh and looked across the table to the other Gryffindor’s.

                “Harry, Ron, how are things going?”

                They both shrugged.

                “Well aren’t you just riveting.” She drawled, helping herself to an apple and began to slice it. “How’s the transfiguration essay going?”

                Their faces paled.

                “You haven’t started have you?” She asked with a knowing smile, continuing to cut her apple.

                “Come on Sam, you’ve got to help us.” Ron begged in a hushed voice, casting a glance at Hermione who was sat a few seats down.

                “You help them with their papers?” Seamus butt in.

                Sam grinned, “I help, for a small fee.”

                “Come on Sam, anything.” Harry pleaded.

                “Anything? Well that is quite the offer Mr. Potter.” She waved her wand, summoning a dollop of melted chocolate to appear on her plate which she began to dip her apple slices into. “It’s not like you have anything I want…” She trailed off as a shadow cast over her. Looking back, she saw Hermione stood behind her.

                “Cartwright.”

                “Granger.”

                The two greeted each other and the air grew chilly as they glared at one another. Hermione soon walked away.

                “What was that about?” Seamus asked.

                “Granger doesn’t like that someone beats her.” Sam said, beginning to stand. “Come on Seamus it’s time to go. As for you two,” She looked at Harry and Ron, There’s a book on each of your beds, chapters 8 through 17 should help you. We’ll discuss payment later.” She winked at them as she walked away, only to bump into Cedric Diggory.

                “Sam, hi.” He said, that friendly Hufflepuff smile on his face. “I er, got you some of that tea you like.” He passed a small box into her hands and watched her face light up.

                “Wow, I haven’t been able to find this anywhere! Thanks Cedric.” She gave him a brief hug before running to catch up to the disgruntled Seamus who had watched the entire thing.

                “Helped him with potions or something?” Seamus asked dryly

                “Cedric? No, he just knows I like this tea, and it’s really hard to find.”

                “So what should I pay you then?” There was a hard edge to his voice that Sam didn’t like. She bumped her hip into his as they walked.

                “The first one is free.”

                They finally reached their destination.

                “Why are we outside?” Seamus asked.

                “There’s nothing for you to blow up out here.” She explained simply, “Now, I think I’ve got a plan.”

                They worked for an hour at least, she corrected his pronunciation of the spell, corrected how he held his wand, and then realised something.

                “Seamus, what are you trying to write?”

                “huh?”

                “this spell is to write things in the air using fire. If you’re not thinking of anything to write, you’re probably not focused on the spell enough.”

                Seamus pondered this, it was as good a suggestion as any. He thought and pictured the letters in his mind, and then said the spell. His wand spluttered like a sparkler and quickly died, but Sam cheered and hugged him in celebration.

                She ushered him on, and soon he could write short words in the air. They faded away quickly, but at least he was writing them.

                “Seamus, think fast.” He fumbled before catching the wand she had tossed to him.

                “Why do I have your wand?” He asked.

                “Do the spell, try it with my wand instead.” Seamus slowly let her hold onto his wand while he focused back on the spell. “Flagrate.” He felt the wand quiver under his fingers, and there was a resistance, like the wand was fighting him. “What’s going on?” He asked her. Sam smiled.

“Keep going, once you get it with my wand then you’ll be fine.”

Seamus tried again and again, but the wand refused to surrender. He stood there, staring at the shuddering wand in his hand until Sam plucked it from his fingers. She gave him his wand back.

“Flagrate!” He said, frustrated. The tip of his wand burst into soft orange sparks, he’d done it! His face broke into a smile and he turned to Sam, hugging her and twirling her in the air. “How did you know that would work?”

“Because my wand would never perform for you, and so then you’d realise how easy the spell actually is when you had your own wand back.” She smiled at him as he danced around, the sparks trailing after him.

***

                “So…. Sam?” Ron grinned as Seamus’ ears turned red. It was late, and there weren’t many of them in the Gryffindor common room. Sam had left earlier after collecting her books from a grateful Harry and Ron.

                “What about her?” Seamus asked, failing to hide his ears.

                “You like her!” Ron said, grinning.

                “Get off it.”

                “You do!” Ron and Harry laughed at him and brought up their hands to dodge the flying rubbish Seamus had thrown.

                “You’d better hurry up then mate, you’ve not got much time left.” Harry said.

                “What do you mean?”

                “Well, Diggory’s had his eye on her for a while now. He’s probably going to ask her out any day now.”

                Seamus was silent. Thinking back on it, Diggory had been overly familiar with Sam…

***

                The next day, Seamus was tense as he sat at breakfast with everyone else. He kept the corner of his eye fixed on the pale blond haired Ravenclaw at the next table over. He would do this, he had a plan.

                He wasn’t used to being nervous, he was usually fine in situations like these, but this was different. This was Sam, with her witty words and laughing eyes. She made him nervous.

                His heart beat as he saw a flash of yellow approaching the Ravenclaw bench, Diggory! Seamus leapt up, his feet catching on the bench and almost making him fall. He scrambled to steady himself and then ran over to where Diggory was heading. He pushed Diggory aside, and got there first.

                “Sam!” He gasped out, and she turned slightly in her seat, smiling when she saw him.

                “Seamus, you ok?”

                “I had this all planned out, I swear! I was going to ask you to hogsmede and had this whole day planned out, but I heard Diggory’s going to ask you, and I had to ask you first, so will you go out with me?” There was a pause as she untangled his rapid stream of words, and in that pause Seamus realised just how silent the Great Hall had become…

                A faint rose hue blossomed on her cheeks as she stood to his level. “Go out as in…?”

                Seamus grasped her shoulders and pulled her body to his, lips connecting and a spark rushing through him. He felt her freeze and his blood ran cold, he’d made such an idiot out of himself! He should have let her go with Diggory…

                Then her lips responded and her fingers curled themselves in his shirt, and it was as if the lion of Gryffindor burst from his chest. They broke and looked at each other, both grinning like fools as cheers erupted around them.

                They only had eyes for each other, and so they completely missed the thumbs up Harry and Ron gave to a certain Hufflepuff who had been in on the plan from the beginning, because all Seamus needed was a little push.