Dense

James had a secret. One he'd kept from Lily since the first day they'd met. He was in love with Sirius Black. He'd never told Sirius of course, but it was always there, urging him on whenever his best friend was near him. Only Lupin knew, and that had been an accident. Mooney's instincts were always too good.

Unfortunately for him, Padfoot was completely oblivious. At that moment the object of his affection was amusing himself by using magic to toss the first years into the lake. James watched him. Sirius was so beautiful, slim with a face that animated when he laughed.

Sirius turned to James laughing, and beckoned him over. James smiled and walked over, "Oi James, D'you think we should fish them out of there before something eats them?" he asked grinning hugely. James' breath caught for a second, then he grinned, "Yeah, I s'pose we should. After all, we don't want to be expelled."

Lupin watched his tow best friends rescuing the first years, and shook his head. The only person more oblivious than Sirius was Severus. That damn Slytherin. No matter what Remus did, Snape never figured it out. Remus heard Wormtail rustling around him happily watching James and Sirius. "Calm down Peter, you're making it hard for me to read." Lupin reprimanded softly.

Pettigrew flinched, "S-sorry Remus, my f-friend." He said in his cowardly way. Personally Remus didn't understand Peter. How could someone be so cowardly? Remus suddenly wondered if one's animagi form reflected the personality of the person. It would explain why Pettigrew's animagus was a rat. Remus smiled slightly turning back to his book.

"Prongs, mate?" Sirius said after all the first years were safe. "Yeah Padfoot?" James asked walking toward Remus and Peter. Sirius' expression was stormy for a second, and then he grinned, "Nothing. It's not important." He said. James got the impression that it had actually been really important, but shook off the feeling. Sirius would've told him if it'd been truly important.

Remus looked up as his friends approached. He smiled, but that quickly fell when he heard two Hufflepuff girls talking about Severus. "Lord did you see Snape? His hair is so greasy, and he always frowns." The first girl giggled. "Yeah. You think he'd just leave, I mean … no one even likes him." said the second girl smiling blandly. The second girl's comment really set his teeth on edge. He- Remus Lupin- wanted Severus there. 'Sides Snape's hair wasn't greasy at all. It was soft and silky. Also, you'd always frown too if you were picked on as much as Sev was.

He became aware of Sirius waving his hand in front of Remus' face. James just watched him with a peculiar look on his face. Remus moved his head slightly to the left, indicating it was nothing. At least James wasn't dense, Remus thought as Potter lightly nodded in understanding.

"You can stop that now Sirius." Remus said sighing. Maybe he was feeling off because of the full moon being that night. 'Yeah- that was probably it.' He thought standing up. "C'mon the bell is going to ring soon lets head to class." He said. The whole way to class James wondered what was wrong with Remus, but knew better than to ask. Mooney would tell him if he wanted to. The four headed off to History of Magic, Peter bringing up the rear.