The Keys to His Soul
"You want me to do what for you!" Rose asked incredulously. "Are you insane?"
James frowned at her, obviously more than a little offended. James Potter and his three best friends were sitting on either side of Rose Larkspur in the Charms classroom. James was seated on her right, Sirius Black on her left, Remus Lupin next to Sirius, and Peter Pettigrew next to Lupin. Her own two best friends were sitting across the room, giving her curious glances.
Rose could see Lily Evans, her best friend, looking at James with distaste written all over her pretty face. Lily's emerald green eyes shone with dislike. Melody Summers flipped her blond hair over her shoulder and turned her smoke blue gaze on Lupin.
"Please, Rose. You're the only one who can help us," handsome Sirius Black pleaded. He gave a faint smile, his dark brown eyes twinkling slightly.
Rose felt a twinge of annoyance. They had clearly planned this out well; first by isolating her from her friends and cornering her in the one N.E.W.T. class that she felt confident enough to not pay attention in, then by having Sirius use his looks to soften her up. The annoyance she felt was due mostly to the fact that it was working.
"Why should I help you?" Rose asked, trying for a different tactic as her curiosity got the best of her. James had had his eyes on Lily for a long time now, but Lily had always disliked him because she felt that he was too conceited, egotistical, and saw him to be a constant show-off, but Rose had noticed that James was mostly really a show-off when he saw Lily around.
"You're her best friend!" James exclaimed. He waved his wand. The ravens that they were supposed to be Disillusioning seemed to vanish as it blended in with its surroundings. Sirius got his spell right on the first try as well.
Rose waved her wand absentmindedly and her bird vanished, too. "You really like her? You're not just doing this just to prove you can?" Rose asked.
"Of course not!" James retorted indignantly.
"And you promise not to break her heart if this works?" Rose inquired.
"I swear I won't," he said firmly, his eyes filling with hope.
"I suppose I have no choice," Rose muttered. "Don't hurt Lily, James, or I swear I'll make your life a living hell."
"Thank you, Rose! You won't regret this!" James said with the enthusiasm of a little boy on Christmas day.
"Rose, you think you can meet us in the Common Room at midnight?" Sirius asked.
"Midnight," Rose repeated. "Why midnight?"
"It's the only time we'll have to talk freely," Sirius replied. "Anytime else will seem suspicious."
"Oh, and conspiring in the middle of the night is so inconspicuous," Rose said sarcastically.
"Rose, Lily and Melody can't find out! They're already curious enough!" Sirius pointed out.
"Gee, I wonder why," Rose muttered, upset about missing precious hours of wonderful sleep.
"Oh, come on!" Sirius pleaded. "Please? Pretty please with Chocolate Frogs and Sugar Quills on top?"
"Okay, okay," Rose sighed. What am I getting myself into?