AN: Well hello there! I'm back from my hiatus! I decided to make a few edits to the chapters I've already posted (here meaning combine two of them into one, add in line breaks between paragraphs... ect) so that's what this is. I hope my old readers haven't forgotten me and I maybe get a few new ones! Thanks for your patience and criticism is always welcome!


Sirius Black liked to spend his free time lounging by the lake, having a few moments of alone time before his friends showed up was something he lavished in. The weather was beginning to grow colder, something the he loved. The sun could warm his skin while the light breeze chilled him. Most days, no one walked by. Today, however, Lily Evans was making her way up to the castle. Sirius noticed her approaching and immediately brought his hand up to smooth his hair.

He had always admired the cute red head, finding her apparent hatred of him to be endearing. He especially loved the way she had grown into a beautiful young woman following their fourth year. She was fifteen with all the gentle curves of a woman, deep red hair, and the most beautiful features Sirius had seen. He green eyes made his knees weak. Of course, he kept all these thoughts to himself. His best friend, James, had staked his claim on Lily all the way back in their second year. It didn't stop him from having all kinds of thoughts about the beautiful girl, though.

Unknown to Sirius, Lily noticed him sitting beneath the tree. Her heart skipped a beat and she considered turning back. She could hardly stand the arrogance he oozed, or the seemingly careless rebellion he flaunted everywhere he went. She especially hated the way other girls fawned over his shaggy black hair and bad boy attitude. And yet, she found herself drawn to him. He was undeniably gorgeous and had a certain charm about him. She takes a deep breath and picks up her pace, heading straight towards him.

"Hey, Lily." Sirius smiles up at her as she passes.

"Sirius." She nods dismissively at him.

"Where are you headed, Evans?" He pushes himself up from the grass and follows her towards the castle.

"I'm meeting Severus in the library."

"Why?"

She glances over at him, noticing that the first few buttons on his shirt were undone. She looks away quickly, "We have some studying to do."

"Wouldn't you rather sit by the lake with me? Skip stones and practice-"

She scoffs, "I wouldn't waste a moment of my life on an arse like you, Black."

Anger bubbles up in his chest. He grabs her wrist, forcing her to turn and look at him. His eyes flashed danger, "Don't you dare call me that, Evans. Don't you fucking dare call me 'Black'."

She pulls her wrist away but doesn't make a move to leave, "Why not?"

He shakes his head, "You wouldn't understand."

"Oh, come on Sirius. Don't pull that. I might." She softens her voice, "Is it your family?"

His face goes red, "Oh, just go meet your greasy haired boyfriend."

He storms away, back to his place beneath the tree. He flops down angrily and, to Lily's surprise, pulls out a pack of cigarettes. She walks over to him and sits down, "You smoke?"

"Yeah. So? What's it to you?"

"Isn't that… a muggle thing to do?"

His lips curl into an involuntary grin, "My mum hates smoking. Because it is a muggle thing to do."

She smiles slightly, "Doing it because your mum hates it… huh. Is that why you're a rebel?"

"A rebel? Is that what they say about me?" He takes a drag from the cigarette. "Brilliant."

Lily sighs, "I didn't mean to upset you."

"It's okay."

"No. I- It's not."

"You seem to be good at pissing me off… giving me the cold shoulder and all. Why's this different?"

"Because… you've never been mean to me. Just Sev and-"

"Why do you like that greasy little-"

"Don't insult him." She snaps. "We've been friends for a long time. And I care about him. Even though we're… never mind."

"What?"

"Nothing. Forget it."

He smiles, "Tell me."

"No."

"I'll tell you why I don't want to be called 'Black' if you tell me about you and Snivellus."

She fights a smile, "Alright. So… you first."

"It is my family." He sighs, then takes another drag from his cigarette, "Their pureblood mania is... disgusting. They've practically disowned me already. I wish I could be someone else. Not from the most noble and ancient house of Black. It makes me bloody sick."

"Can't you reason with them?"

He lets out a short laugh, "I knew you wouldn't understand."

"Is it because I'm a muggle-born?"

He hesitates, "Maybe."

"I do understand how it works, Sirius. I- I've been called… horrible names." She looks down and lowers her voice to a pained whisper, "I know."

"I'm sorry." He says softly, "Don't let them get to you. They're just jealous. I mean, you're the best witch at the school, right?"

"I don't know about that-"

"Well… you're a talented one, at least." He flicks the cigarette aside, "Now tell me about you and Snivellus."

She fiddles with her tie, "Sev's been getting into the dark arts. I- I don't like it. I don't like the people he's hanging around with either. They're the ones who… who say things."

"Isn't that all Slytherins though?"

"Not Sev." She shakes her head, "Not at first, at least."

"Why are you meeting him up at the library then?"

"We still see each other. To study and all." She sighs, "But it's so… different. It's not how we used to be."

"Hm." He nods, "Well… I can always help you get your mind off him."

"Wh-What?"

"Stay here with me. My friends will be 'round soon. But before then we could always…" He lets his voice trail off as his fingers creep up her leg.

He makes it under the hem of her skirt before she swats him away, "You bloody pig!"

"Come on, Lily. We were getting on so well."

She stands, "You're vile and… and… cruel and… and a liar!"

He laughs and gets to his feet, "How am I a liar?"

"I thought you cared. I thought you… you wanted to help me."

"Help you? With what?"

She takes a shaky breath and shakes her head, "I thought you wanted to talk."

"I do. I like talking to you, Lily." He takes a step closer, "I like being around you."

"I- I have to go, Sirius." She turns and hurries away.

"I'll be here all day!" He calls after her.

She rushes to the library, trying to keep her thoughts off Sirius. When she finds Severus sitting at a corner table, her heart sinks. He had a few other friends from Slytherin gathered around. She sighs, "Damn."

"What's the trouble, Lily?" Gwen, a friend from Gryffindor, slides up next to her. She was scanning the books for one on divination.

"Oh… nothing. Just… Sev."

Gwen glances over at him, then narrows her eyes, "Oh."

"I feel like I'd be out of place over there. D-Don't you?"

"I wouldn't go over if I was you." She shakes her head.

Lily pauses, "Hey… Gwen?"

"Yes?"

"Should we go down by the lake to study?"

"That sounds like a good idea. Just let me get this book."

They head back down to the lake. Lily is a little disappointed to see that James, Remus, and Peter had joined Sirius beneath the tree. Not ten minutes after Lily was settled… Severus and his friends walk out, much to the enjoyment of James and Sirius.