The castle was awash with golden leaves and sharp breezes that made even the ghosts tuck in a little tighter as they passed. It was a Hogsmeade weekend—the kind that made couples clutch hands and scarves, cheeks pink from the cold and something sweeter. Sirius was many things: arrogant, handsome, reckless—but subtle? Never.

He leaned against the Gryffindor common room wall that morning, arms crossed, already rehearsing the line he’d say for the fifth time this year.

“You know, statistically, it’s actually more attractive when a girl turns down a bloke a few times before finally giving in. Makes the payoff worth it.”

“Statistically?” Remus muttered, not looking up from his book.

James snorted. “Mate, you’ve literally read one article in Witch Weekly about mysterious allure and now you think you're Casanova in robes.”

Sirius ignored them both. He was watching you, curled up on the couch near the fire with a quill tucked behind your ear and a parchment you’d been chewing over for hours.

He watched how your brows furrowed just slightly when you were focused. How your lips moved when you muttered to yourself. He was utterly, pathetically, and hopelessly in love.

“Do it today, or shut up about it forever,” Lily said as she passed, raising an eyebrow at him before sliding in beside you.

Sirius pushed off the wall.

- Round Five: The Last Attempt -

You weren’t surprised when Sirius appeared at your side as the Gryffindors were gathering by the castle steps to head to Hogsmeade.

“Alright, listen, love—before you say no,” he began, hands shoved in his pockets, head tilted to one side with a charming smile that was so very him—and yet you saw something else flicker in his eyes today. Vulnerability, maybe. Hope.

“Let me say this right. I know I’ve asked before. I know you’ve said no. But I’ve got it on good authority—James’ mum, a centaur, and three chocolate frogs—that fifth time’s the charm.”

You rolled your eyes, but he kept going.

“You’re brilliant. I’m not just saying that to get you to say yes. I mean it. And I’ve tried everything, alright? Puppy eyes, serenades—”

“That was howling, Black.”

“It was a love ode!”

You snorted, and his grin widened. “Look—just one Hogsmeade date. You, me, butterbeer. I solemnly swear I’ll behave.”

You hesitated. And for once, Sirius didn’t push. He looked down, then back up, and simply said:

“…Please?”

It was quiet for a beat, and then—

“…Fine.”

Sirius blinked. “…Wait. Did you just—did you actually—”

“Yes, Black. One date.”

He whooped like he’d just won the Quidditch Cup, spinning you in a circle before you could stop him, nearly knocking over two third-years in the process. You groaned, but he didn’t care.

James shouted across the lawn, “Oi! Told you! She’d say yes eventually!”

- Time Skip — Evening in Hogsmeade -

The sky was stained a soft lavender as twilight settled. Snow flurried lightly, dusting cobblestones and chimney tops. Most students were heading back to the castle, laughter echoing down the winding roads.

But Sirius waited by the entrance gate to Hogsmeade, just where the path began to slope back toward Hogwarts. His leather jacket was draped over his shoulders, hands stuffed in his pockets, but there was a giddy, boyish energy about him that not even the cold could dull.

He bounced on his feet a little, blowing into his hands, the crisp scent of frost and cinnamon still lingering in the air. His hair was tousled by the wind, cheeks pink, lips slightly chapped from the cold and smiling anyway.

And then he saw you walking toward him.