Written For:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Battle of Black Lake (Alice/Sirius)
(dialogue) "This is a surprise."

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Song Lyrics Challenge
3. I'll leave you lying on the bed

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Roald Dahl Day
Dimpleberry flavoured - Write about Alice Longbottom

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Muggle Music
Task 3 -Write about someone whose past is having an impact on their actions in the present

The Musical Category Competition: Wicked
For Good - Write about someone feeling like they've been changed by someone else.

Broken

Alice slowly opens her eyes, her surroundings coming back to her as her brain wakes up from its peaceful slumber.

She stiffens at the feeling of a body next to her. She looks over to her left. Sirius looks so happy and carefree in sleep. Of course, he puts on a good show while he's awake, but she sees the darkness in his eyes. Ever since they found out about Regulus' death, Sirius has blamed himself.

At least he gets a slight reprieve while he sleeps. It's not much, but it's something.

There's no time for reminiscing, though. She needs to be gone before he wakes up.

Alice sits up and slips out of bed, forcing herself away from the warm blanket that had been cocooning her in comfort. She leaves him lying on the bed. As quiet as a ghost, she gets dressed and avoids looking at the handsome man still sleeping. She always leaves him lying in bed. It has become a tradition.

Tonight, though, the tradition is being broken.

"So, you're leaving again. This is a surprise."

Alice doesn't look at him, but her hands still as they zip up her trousers.

"You heard my sarcasm, right?"

She closes her eyes and whispers, "Yes."

"Good. I wanted to make sure it wasn't missed."

There's a sound of sheets rustling and before she knows it, Alice feels Sirius' breath on her forehead. She doesn't want to, but she opens her eyes, and they lock gazes. She could drown in his eyes if she let herself.

"You always leave. And I'm tired of it," Sirius says.

"Don't. Please," she begs.

Sirius won't listen to her. He never listens if it goes against something he wants. "Alice, we've been falling into bed for almost a year, and that seems to be all there is to this relationship. It's great sex, but it's just sex."

She doesn't look away from his imploring gaze. "Is that really a problem? Most guys would love this kind of arrangement."

"At one time, I might have enjoyed it as well. In Hogwarts, I probably would love to shag a pretty girl and not have to worry about committing, but I'm not that guy any longer. I don't want to waste my time in a relationship that isn't going anywhere. Not when I can..."

'...die any day,' is left unsaid, but she hears it all the same.

"Sirius, I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. Just tell me what I can do," he says with such passion.

Her heart speeds up at the genuine emotion she reads in his eyes and hears in his voice. "I don't..."

"I care about you. What can I do?" Sirius asks.

"Frank proposed to me, and then he left me. That kind of thing changes a person. Maybe I'm unable to commit now. Maybe he broke me."

He cups her cheek, and his thumb rubs against her soft skin. "Maybe you are broken. I know I am. Maybe we can be broken together. Or better yet, maybe can we fix each other. Just give us a chance."

She leans into his touch. "I don't know if I can. I'm sorry, Sirius." She turns her head, kisses his thumb, and then quickly leaves the flat, forgetting her shoes in the process.

It doesn't matter. She needs to get away. Sirius might think he can fix her, but she knows better. She's broken, and there isn't any way to repair the damage.

xXx

(word count: 578)