The evening had shifted into a comfortable lull as the group gathered around the fireplace, mugs of hot chocolate in hand, their laughter echoing softly through the cozy room. The Potters' house was alive with warmth, a stark contrast to the winter chill outside. Lyra sat on the plush sofa next to Sirius, her legs tucked beneath her, listening to James and Lily bicker over some trivial detail about Christmas dinner. The comfort of the room, the fire crackling merrily in the hearth, and the sound of familiar voices made Lyra feel almost at peace.

But there was something more. A quiet tension that had built up between her and Sirius over the past few weeks, an unspoken connection that neither of them had addressed. The playful teasing had become more frequent, their eyes lingering a little longer when they spoke, the silences between them more meaningful than ever before. She had no idea what to make of it, but every time he was near, her heart seemed to race faster.

Sirius, always the joker, usually kept things light between them. But tonight, as the group shifted into a quieter mode, his attention seemed to be entirely on her. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, catching her gaze before quickly looking away, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Alright, let's make a deal," he said suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence. "You and I go for a walk outside, and I'll let you win at Wizard's Chess next time."

Lyra raised an eyebrow, intrigued but not entirely convinced. "And why would I want to do that?" she teased.

He leaned closer, his voice lowering in a way that sent a shiver down her spine. "Because, in case you haven't noticed, I'm a lot of fun to be around." He flashed a grin, that signature mischievous look in his eyes.

Lyra rolled her eyes, but her lips couldn't help but curl into a smile. "Is that your idea of a good offer, Black?"

Sirius chuckled, the sound rich and warm, and for a moment, the room felt like it was just the two of them. His hand brushed hers lightly as he reached for his mug, and Lyra couldn't help but feel the spark of electricity that shot through her at the contact.

"I promise, I'm better than you think," he said, his voice softer now. "But you don't have to take my word for it. Come with me."

Without waiting for an answer, Sirius stood and offered her his hand, his grin widening as she hesitated. Lyra was torn—she wanted to stay with the group, but something about Sirius's invitation felt different tonight. She looked up at him, meeting his gaze, and something in his eyes made her feel like she could trust him in a way she never had before. A quiet understanding, as if he'd known her for longer than just a few months.

Finally, she took his hand, allowing him to pull her up and lead her toward the door. As they stepped outside, the cold air hit her cheeks, but Sirius's presence beside her kept her warm. The snow was falling gently, coating the world in a soft blanket of white.

They walked in comfortable silence for a while, the crunch of snow beneath their boots the only sound. Lyra glanced sideways at him, noticing how the moonlight caught the edges of his hair, casting him in a soft glow. There was something more to him now, something beyond the playful, carefree Sirius she'd met.

"So, what's the deal with you and James?" she asked suddenly, breaking the silence. "Always giving each other trouble."

Sirius laughed, the sound light and carefree. "It's what we do. But don't let him fool you. He's madly in love with Lily. He just doesn't know how to admit it."

Lyra chuckled, shaking her head. "It's so obvious, though. I don't know how Lily hasn't figured it out."

Sirius grinned, his gaze flicking to her. "Oh, she's figured it out. She's just playing hard to get."

They continued walking, the playful banter easing the tension that had been building between them. But as they rounded the corner of the house, Sirius slowed his pace, and the two of them came to a stop near a bench, the snow falling gently around them.

Lyra looked up at him, her heart beating a little faster than usual. "Sirius," she said quietly, her voice almost a whisper, "why did you invite me out here?"

His smile faltered, and for a moment, he looked uncertain. "I just thought... you looked like you needed a break from everything," he said, his voice more serious now. "And, well, I wanted to spend some time with you."

Lyra's heart skipped a beat at his words, the sincerity in his voice catching her off guard. She had never really seen this side of him—the side that wasn't wrapped in sarcasm or playful teasing. It made her feel vulnerable in a way she wasn't used to, but it also made her feel something else. Something warm.

"I'm glad you did," she said softly, taking a small step closer to him. The space between them was growing smaller, and Lyra could feel the heat radiating off of him.

Sirius looked down at her, his expression unreadable for a moment. "Lyra... I—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Lyra's heart raced, and without thinking, she reached up and placed a hand on his chest, stopping him mid-sentence. His breath caught, and she could feel the pulse of his heart beneath her fingers.

For a long moment, they simply stood there, their gazes locked. The world seemed to slow around them, the snow falling in slow motion, the sounds of the night growing distant.

And then, without another word, Sirius leaned down, his lips meeting hers in a kiss that was soft at first, tentative, as if testing the waters. But Lyra's response was immediate, her arms wrapping around his neck as she kissed him back, her heart soaring with a mix of relief and excitement.

The kiss deepened, and for a few seconds, the rest of the world seemed to fade away. All that mattered was the feeling of Sirius in her arms, the warmth of his lips against hers, the spark that had been building between them finally igniting.

When they pulled away, their foreheads rested against each other, and Lyra could feel the breathlessness in the air between them.

"Yeah," Sirius whispered, his voice hushed, "me too."

Lyra smiled, her heart full. For the first time in a long while, she felt like she had found something that was real. Something worth fighting for

✵

The Potters' house was filled with the warmth of crackling fire and the smell of freshly baked cookies. Christmas had arrived in full force, and the air was thick with excitement and laughter. Lyra had never felt so at home during the holidays. She sat on the couch, surrounded by her friends, with the large Christmas tree twinkling nearby. Snow gently fell outside the windows, adding to the holiday magic that seemed to have settled over the house.

James and Lily were sitting across from Lyra, their eyes alight with shared joy. Sirius was sprawled lazily on the armchair, looking unusually content for someone so often on the move. Remus was nestled on the floor with a book, though his eyes were occasionally flicking over the top to observe the laughter around him. Marlene, Alice, and Frank were clustered together on the rug, all chatting about their favorite holiday traditions.

Lyra leaned back into the plush cushions, her heart full of warmth. For the first time in a long while, the weight of everything—her past, the dangers of the world, the uncertainty she'd carried with her—felt far away. Here, with these people, everything seemed... simpler.

"Alright, everyone," Lily said, raising her voice above the chatter. "Time for presents!"

The group shifted, their attention moving to the pile of wrapped gifts sitting by the tree. James was the first to grab a box, his grin wide. "I'll go first! This one's for you, Lils," he said, handing her a long, narrow package.

Lily raised an eyebrow. "You didn't wrap it yourself, did you?" she teased, already knowing the answer.

James gave her an exaggerated look of innocence. "Of course I did! What kind of bloke would I be if I didn't?"

Lily rolled her eyes but smiled as she carefully unwrapped the package. Inside was a beautiful gold bracelet, delicate and elegant. She gasped, looking up at James with a smile that was nothing short of radiant. "James, it's perfect."

James looked pleased with himself. "Glad you like it." He winked. "You are lucky I like you Lils or else you wouldn't have such a fine piece of jewlery now,"

She gave him a playful shove.

Lyra couldn't help but smile at their easy affection. Their playful flirtation was so natural, though everyone knew it was still in the "will they, won't they" stage. She turned to Sirius, who had been watching them with a look of amusement. "You're up next," she teased.

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Me?" he said, feigning surprise. "What am I, some sort of charity case?"

"Oh, stop being dramatic," she said with a laugh. "Everyone's exchanging gifts, you're not getting out of it."

Sirius grinned and stood up, rummaging through the pile of presents. He pulled out a small, wrapped box and handed it to Lyra with a playful bow. "Here. A little something for you."

Lyra's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected this. She hadn't expected anything from him. Slowly, she untied the ribbon and peeled back the paper. Inside was a small, intricate silver necklace with a pendant in the shape of a crescent moon. It was delicate, beautiful, and... perfect. Lyra blinked, not quite knowing how to react.

Sirius was watching her closely, his eyes soft. "I saw it and thought of you," he said quietly. "I hope you like it."

Lyra felt warmth spread through her chest, a smile tugging at her lips. "I love it," she said, her voice sincere. "Thank you, Sirius. It's beautiful."

"You're welcome," he said, his usual cocky grin returning. "Don't wear it out too much, though. Wouldn't want everyone thinking you've got good taste."

Lyra chuckled and stood up, walking over to him. "Don't worry, I won't. But I'll wear it when I'm with you," she said softly, the words hanging between them.

Sirius's smile softened, his eyes meeting hers for a moment that felt heavier than the usual teasing exchanges. He stepped forward and, without thinking, pulled her into a quick, warm hug. It wasn't anything grand or dramatic, but for Lyra, it was perfect. The simple gesture spoke volumes more than words ever could.

"Alright, let's see what else we've got here," Sirius said, pulling back with a grin, breaking the moment, and making the air lighter once again.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of laughter, shared stories, and more presents. Remus gave Alice a beautifully bound book on magical creatures, Marlene gave Frank a small enchanted compass, and Frank gifted James a new set of Quidditch gloves. James handed Lyra a beautifully carved wooden box, revealing a set of magical charms and spell ingredients for her experiments. Lily gave her a delicate scarf knitted by her mother. Everyone's faces lit up as they exchanged gifts, enjoying the quiet comfort of being surrounded by people they cared about.

Lyra felt a little overwhelmed but utterly grateful for the thoughtfulness of her friends. She had never experienced anything like this before—an easy, warm celebration of being together. When her turn came, she gave Sirius a small, leather-bound notebook she had found in Hogsmeade, the pages filled with enchanted paper that could transcribe thoughts. She knew he'd appreciate the thought of having a place for his endless musings.

"You're the best, Lyra," Sirius said with a grin, flipping through the pages and immediately starting to doodle on one.

"Only the best for you, Black," Lyra replied, her heart warmed by the sincerity of his words.

As the evening began to wind down, James, Lily, and Sirius were sprawled out on the couches, chatting and laughing like they always did. Remus was sitting cross-legged on the floor, a smile on his face as he listened to the easy banter around him. Lyra felt a warmth in her chest, a quiet happiness that she didn't often allow herself to feel.

For the first time in a long while, Lyra allowed herself to feel like she was truly part of something—something good, something safe. And in this moment, with her friends, with Sirius, she didn't feel quite so lost anymore.