Chapter Two

The Three Broom Sticks pub was crowded with Hogwarts students and shopping witches and wizards. The smell of butterbeer filled Sirius's nostrils, almost a tickling sensation. The amber liquid warmed his throat as he drank from the large mug. Rebecca sat across from him at the table they shared.

"I can't believe you don't like butterbeer," Sirius wiped his mouth and set the mug down with a heavy clunk.

"I am more of a tea person," She took a small sip from her dainty glass. He flashed a grin at Rebecca that made her blush. Sirius leaned back in his chair. Outside the window, students could be seen bustling about, carrying shopping bags from Zonko's Joke shop or a box of candy from Honeydukes.

"Sirius, do you think the Shrieking Shack is really haunted?" Rebecca asked.

"I doubt it," Sirius snickered. "But it's possible."

"What's possible?" Remus Lupin had a deep, calming voice.

"The Shrieking Shack being haunted," Rebecca said.

"Ah, I see," Remus gazed at Sirius for a split second. "Care if I join you?"

"Of course not, mate," Sirius patted the empty wooden chair next to him. Remus placed his newest book on the table and sat down.

"Remus, this is Rebecca," Sirius introduced.

"We know each other," Remus smiled warmly. "We are in Ancient Runes together."

"Excellent," Sirius chimed in. They began to discuss about various subject while sipping a beverage. The Three Broom Sticks began to fill with even more students, who were finishing their shopping, and looking for something to satisfy their thirst or hunger. Soon the subject of James and Lily came up.

"If she doesn't want anything to do with him, than we can't make her," Remus stated, his sandy brown hair covering his eyes slightly.

"But I know if she would just give James a chance, she'd waltzing around the place, sick with love," Rebecca said.

"We could give her a love potion," Sirius suggested.

"No, that wouldn't work and plus it is not allowed at Hogwarts," Remus gave Sirius a skeptical look. "James denies feeling anything for Lily anymore."

"What James says and what he feels are two different things," Sirius said. "If Lily were to confess deep, undying love for him, he would forget all about her many times of rejecting him."

"Sirius, that's it!" Rebecca exclaimed. Both boys stared at her with confused looks written on their faces. "You are a genius, Sirius," Rebecca was full of excitement.

"I don't know how, but I'll accept it," Sirius chuckled.

"Why is he a genius?" Remus asked.

"We get them to confess their love," Rebecca said.

"Oh, that's really simple," Sirius said sarcastically. "Since the only way Lily Evans would do that is if someone Imperius cursed her."

"No, they say it to each others faces," A sly grin played across Rebecca's face.

"I see what you are getting at," Remus said, putting it all together. "You want each of them to hear what the other think of them in the hopes that it might lead them to love."

"Precisely," She took a sip of tea.

"But how will we get Lily to confess," Sirius asked. "That will be the hardest part."

"Which is why she must hear what he has to say first," Remus said. "And it has to be more than just thinking she is beautiful."

"Hopefully Lily's heart will soften when she hears the truth," Rebecca giggled. Sirius was impressed at her little plan. Possibly, the Sorting hat had placed her in the wrong house, Sirius thought. Sirius was something of a master at pulling off pranks and this one would be his best yet, if it was successful. Remus sat with his hand through his hair, looking pensive.

"What do you think, Remus?" Sirius asked. Remus began to ponder about the idea of scheming both Lily and James into falling in love. They would of course murder all three of them if they found out about it, but what was the worst that could happen.

"Well," Remus said slowly. "Count me in."

"Hello mates," James appeared at their table and sat down across from Remus and next to Rebecca. They all smiled at him with a guilty expression, but he didn't notice. James glanced out the window to see a lanky boy in shabby robes.

"Oy, look it's Snivellus," James pointed out.

Severus Snape, his greasy black hair hanging just a little past his chin, briskly made his way through the happy shoppers, perturbed by their inability to move faster. If he had his way, he would hex them all for being so cheery. The Hogs Head pub was near the edge and forgotten part of the village of Hogsmeade. The pub was the quietest place, but not the safest place, to meet someone you didn't want anyone to know about.

Outside a weather-warped sign hung above the door of the pub; inside the place was dark and dingy with a strange smell of goats. A rickety old table near the back corner of the room was occupied by a man in shadowing robes. Severus placed his own hood over his head, ordered a drink, than casually made his way over to the table where the figure sat. The shrouded man looked up; his face cast in a gray shadow, but a gleam glinted in his eyes.

"Severus, you made it," The voice drawled and motioned lazily with his hand for Severus to sit across from him. Severus did so, setting the mug of butterbeer down. The table had a layer of grim as well some collected dust.

"So you have decided then?" The cloaked man's voice was barely a whisper.

"Yes, Lucius," Severus removed his hood, letting it fall onto his shoulders. Lucius Malfoy also removed his hood. His light blonde hair tied behind his back with a thin piece of green silk. A silver ring with a family crest, glinted in the flickering candle light.

"Wise choice, Severus," Lucius drawled. "I shall tell him of your decision." Severus nodded keeping his lips in a straight frown. "Well I must be off. Business at the Ministry and such." Lucius stood, straightening his silky black robes and picking up his cane.

Severus sat at the pub for a long time after Lucius Malfoy left—thinking and drinking his butterbeer. This is what he wanted, to be a Death Eater. The idea of it had been promising from the beginning, but she had held him back. He had wavered on the edge of danger for her—with one foot on each side. Now it was all for nothing because she would have nothing to do with him. Did he deserve it? Possibly.

A/N: Thanks for reading everyone. Please Review.