It happened again. It's the third time this month- a new record, even for him. Sirius Black has just received another howler. His mother's screechy voice still echoed within my mind. Stupid witch, I thought. How can a mother treat her own dear son so cruelly? It didn't help that after a long, awkward pause filled with silence, the entire Great Hall busted into loud, mocking laughter. Despite all this, Sirius had stayed throughout the entire meal. He was too proud to admit defeat to something as simple as a letter, even if that letter had just screamed at you.

Still, no matter how tough he acted, I knew it hurt. You could just tell, if only you were willing to look. I wanted to say something to him, to tell him that I knew what it was like to be rejected by your family, but I could not. To put it simply, Sirius was… out of my league, per say.

Unintentionally, I ended up behind the Marauders on the way back to the common room. I hugged my books close to my chest and hoped that Sirius couldn't hear my heart beat. They were all murmuring excitedly to each other, and I wondered what they talked about. If only I could be in their group!

I was so busy wishing that I was among them that I subconsciously began following them. I didn't even notice that we passed the fat lady's portrait and continued walking on the seventh floor. Spontaneous fits of laughter reached my ears, and I followed behind like a horse that follows a carrot tied to a stick, hoping that I could reach it but knowing I never could.

In retrospect, I should have noticed that we began walking in a circle three times. Also, I wonder why they never noticed me behind them. Oh, well. Both thoughts I now dismiss.

Suddenly, a large, ornate door appeared from the wall. Never seen that before. I blinked in curiosity. Finally, it dawned on me that they would probably be a little freaked that I had followed them. I stepped back behind the edge of the corridor and turned to go when I heard Sirius's voice. "Sorry, mates, I just don't feel up to it right now."

This was met with a chorus of 'no's and protests. Then, inevitably, laughter. I smiled and rolled my eyes. Boys. Footsteps began to echo throughout the hallway. Oh, wait. Boy! I was just about to flee the area when Sirius stepped round the corner. Our eyes met and we stared at each other for a moment. His eyebrows shot up in confusion and, probably, curiosity. "'Ello. Eavesdropping, are we?"

My face reddened, and my mouth unsuccessfully tried to make a coherent sentence. "I… Uh…" Say something! "I followed you!" It came out as a sort of shout, and Sirius took a step back.

Then, silence.

After a rather embarrassing pause, Sirius chuckled. "You're in my year, right?" I nodded. "We have potions together." And every other class, you cute idiot.

I cleared my throat. "I'm Chelsea Klein." I stuck out my hand.

Sirius smiled lopsidedly and shook my hand vigorously. "Sirius Black III, at your service. I would be obliged to walk back to the common room, if you would let me."

I grinned involuntarily. "I'd like that." I only dream about that every night in my life.

Before I could continue, he held up his hand and interrupted, "That is, of course, on the condition you tell me why you were following me."

My smile faltered. "Well…"

"Oh, come on." Sirius tried to charm me. "You can trust me."

Not with the reputation you have with women, I thought a bit bitterly, but I laughed anyway. "I just met you! Officially, of course. We've gone to Hogwarts together since our first year." Not that I was keeping up or anything.

"Exactly!" he chirped. "We've known each other for ages."

I began walking slowly towards the common room. "If you put it that way..." He looked at me with his big grey eyes while sticking out his bottom lip. "All right, all right, I'll tell you!" I laughed.

"Yes!" Sirius did a little dance to celebrate, but I help up my free hand and interrupted him.

"But only on one condition." Sirius started to protest, but I said, "Or I won't tell you."

"Fine," Sirius said, mock-exasperated. He grinned.

"First," I began, sobering up, "you mustn't judge me." He nodded, serious himself. "Secondly…"

"That's two!" Sirius protested. I glared at him. "Fine," he muttered. "Secondly?"

"Secondly," I repeated, "You must not think I'm weird. Okay?"

"Okay." Sirius nodded emphatically. When I hesitated, he added, "I promise!"

I stopped walking and turned towards him. We were only a few steps away from the fat lady. Taking a deep breath, I decided, Why not? "I followed you… to make sure you were okay." Sirius stared at me with an unreadable face. I continued, but I focused on my feet instead of his eyes. "I wanted to see if you were alright after you got a howler from your mum. I know what it's like to be yelled at. Incessantly." I finished and glanced at him.

He stared at me for a moment. I couldn't tell what he was thinking. Oh, Merlin. He must think I'm strange! What kind of person says something like that? This isn't some cheesy romance novel. Then, to my greatest relief, Sirius slowly began to smile. "That is one of the most unusual," here I blushed, "and nicest thing anyone has told me."

I cracked a smile, too. Before I could think, I replied, "What are friends for?"

Sirius nodded. "Yeah. Friends."

Later that night, when I was getting ready for bed, Lily Evans bounced up beside me. I smiled. "Hello there, Lily!"

"Hello there, Chelsea," Lily replied enthusiastically. Everything Lily did or said was filled with energy, happiness, and perfection. While she was not gorgeous, she was quite pretty with dark red hair and large green eyes. She was brilliant, and she always was loyal and dedicated. On top of everything else, she was my best friend. Now, she leaned forward on my bed and whispered, her eyes flickering mischievously, "I saw you and Sirius Black walking together. Care to explain why?"

I felt a blush creep into my cheeks. "Not really, no."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Come off it, Chels, and tell me. I'm your best friend."

Sighing, I answered, "We were just talking." In hopes of distracting her, I began to fluff my pillows. It didn't work.

"Chels," Lily said, her voice low, "I know you have liked him all year. If there's something going on, please tell me."

Glancing around, I stuffed my pillow into her face. "Shush, Lily! Someone will hear. And if that happens," I said dramatically, "I might just have to tell people that you are in love with-"

With one leap, Lily pinned me down to the bed. Eyes sparkling with fire, she hissed, "I do not like him. If word gets out that I do, I'd never live it down!"

"Okay, okay," I giggled sitting up, "I won't tell everyone that you like James Potter."

She took the pillow from my hands and hit me with it. "Shut up. It's not like he needs anything else to make his head bigger."

Shrugging, I added, "True, but this is still going to be a major blow to ol' Severus."

"Don't even mention his name," Lily huffed. "I do not wish to even think about him right now."

"Still in a row, then?" I asked, resuming my efforts of getting ready for bed.

"Yes," Lily muttered, downcast.

Not quite knowing what to say, I put my hand on her shoulder and smiled. "It'll work out eventually. Either he'll figure out he's a stupid bloke for putting you through this or you'll figure it out yourself." After a moment, she finally grinned back. Like a repetition of today's earlier events, I couldn't help but think what are friends for?