"Hey Sirius, want to play some Quidditch?" James asked. His cheeks were flushed from running to catch up with the dog Animagus.

"Nah, you go ahead, I have to go to the library for a little 'research'," Sirius said, grinning.

"Sure, but tell the rest of us Marauders when and where; don't get any detentions without us! Meanwhile, sorry to have to ditch you like this, but I've seen Lily Evans down at the Quidditch field, so wish me luck!" James, eyes shining in anticipation and hope, then took off towards the Quidditch pitch.

Sirius, smiled a little, then turned towards the empty corridor and started walking. His smile faded, replaced by a concentrated, thoughtful expression. He really had intended to head to the library, but now he didn't feel in the mood for it. James' crush on Evans reminded him that things wouldn't always be the same. People changed, moved on, and sometimes forgot their old friends. Sirius didn't want that, ever.

Sirius wandered around the castle corridors, not wanting to really go anywhere until he sorted all his thoughts out. He sighed. It was useless to wish for time to stop, because that wouldn't happen, and friends would still change. He hated the thought of graduation, of losing his friends, not keeping in touch with them. And graduation was only two years away; they were all only fifteen!

He hated being the white sheep in the Black family. His mother disapproved of everything he did; no matter how hard he tried to please her. His friends were the only thing he counted on as support and a second family. He didn't want them to leave-for James to marry Lily (as unlikely as that seems now), for Remus to search the world for a job because of what he was, for Peter to find better friends. Sirius himself knew he wasn't going to change one bit from now to after graduation. He wouldn't marry anyone, wouldn't stop being best friends with James, and wouldn't stop sharing the moonlight nights with Moony. But would they still be the same? Would they still accept his friendship? Or would they gradually fade away and disappear in memory?

No, he wouldn't let them! And they wouldn't do that! They were better friends than that! Sirius shook his head, dislodging any thought about the Marauders being Marauders no more. No, he told himself. I have to have trust in them, I have to believe in them. They are my friends, my best friends. We're the Marauders-unbreakable and stubborn! Nothing will break us apart.

With that last thought, and a smile, Sirius finally broke away from his wanderings and raced to the Quidditch pitch. He yelled; glad to have his Marauder friends. "James! Did Evans finally accept your date?"