- Chapter 2 -

Aredhel had bee up all night thinking about James and so she was happy she didn't have to get up early for lessons. She hardly knew him yet she had fallen for him as if she'd know him for months. She had to talk Remus but he would only lecture her.

Remus was already down in the great hall eating breakfast, pondering about how he could tell Erin and Aredhel his secret, when James and Sirius walked through the doors laughing and joking, no doubt making fun of the Slytherins. Not wanting to be seen he quickly gathered up the book he had propped up against the jug of pumpkin juice and shoved it into his bag. He stood up intending on going to the library, but they had already seen him.

"Planning on not sitting with us for breakfast, Remus?" said Sirius in a sarcastic tone.

"I…was going to the library…I didn't even see you come in." Come on Remus, he thought, now's not the time to get nervous, he'll notice, he's not that stupid!

"Oh, fair enough. Coming to watch us wipe the smirks off their ugly faces later?" He motioned towards the Slytherin table.

"Yeah sure, I've got to go. I'll see you later, after the match." Picking up a slice of toast he left them sitting there.

He headed back towards the Gryffindor common room; he had never indented on going to the library. He needed to find Aredhel and Erin, he had to tell them.

Aredhel and Erin were sitting in there usual seats next to the fire, discussing their potions homework.

"…Ok I have to get something off my chest." Aredhel said looking up from her essay. "I…I like James."

"I know you do, I even think James knows." Erin answered, crossing out a sentence in her essay.

"He does!"

"Nah, I was only messing with you."

"I wish you wouldn't do that, no wonder I'm paranoid all the time." She said sending a piercing look in Erin's direction. Erin looked up after finishing her essay and signing her name at the bottom.

"I'm sorry its just you need to do something about it instead of just sitting here telling me about it, tell him, I'm sure he'll be more interested than I am. Not to sound stone hearted or anything. Will you read through this for me?" She handed her essay to Aredhel.

"Sure. And anyway who are you to lecture me about telling James how I feel; you would never tell Sirius how you feel. Oh and I forgot to ask what Patrick wanted to see you for yesterday."

"It doesn't matter. It's different with me and Sirius, he's my friend, there could never be anything between us, and it would ruin everything."

"You'll never know unless you tell him"

The portrait swung open and Remus came in, his eyes filling up with tears.

"Remus…?" Aredhel ran over to him "…what's wrong?"

"He… I…Damn it!" He was beginning to feel very confused. He sat down in the arm chair next to the window where Sirius normally sat.

"Are you ok? You know you can tell us anything, Remus. What ever it is." Erin said sympathetically.

"I don't know. It's not that I don't trust you or anything, I would tell you if I knew how to put it into words that don't sound so…I don't know." A tear rolled down his cheek.

"Remus, at least try, we can't help if we don't know what's wrong. Has somebody said or done something?"

"No it's nothing like that."

"Well then, what is it?"

"I… I think I've fallen in love." He said, knowing he could trust them but still unsure if he should.

"Then why are you crying?" Aredhel said, confused.

"Because I know that nothing could ever happen between us."

"Remus, you'll never know unless you tell her." Erin said, glancing at Aredhel, knowing that she had to do the same thing herself.

"…But that's just it…" He said, lowering his voice. "…it's…not a girl..."He lowered his head so all he could see were his feet. He couldn't bear to see there faces. Why did he tell them?

"Oh. Remus look at me, then you can either find out if he feels the same way or you can get over him, either one it's up to you. You know we'll be happy to help." Aredhel said putting her arms around his neck. "Not to invade you privacy or anything but if you want us to help, your going to have to tell us who it is."

There was along pause. I should tell them, thought Remus, he shoes had suddenly become very interesting.

"It's…I…Its Sirius…" He said, staring at the floor, not wanting to see the reaction on his friends faces. Aredhel quickly glanced at Erin and wasn't surprised to see her mouth hanging open in shock. She nudged her friend in the arm and glared at her.

"…Remus?" Aredhel said softly. He lifted his head slightly and looked at her. "I'm can't promise anything, but I'll…We'll, help you, whatever it takes." She stood up and moved over and sat on the arm of Remus' chair and put her arms around his neck. She kissed the top of his head.

"I promise." Remus smiled at them both and hugged Aredhel tightly.

"Thank you." He beamed "I tried to tell you before, but I just couldn't. I wasn't sure how you were going to react. I was, well…scared I guess…" He suddenly noticed how shiny his shoes were.

"Moony, we're your friends, why wouldn't we help you?" Erin asked, looking at him sadly.

"I don't know…" He blushed ever so slightly and shuffled his feet. "You know how it is…I find it hard telling you about girls that I like…" His voice faded to a whisper. "Nevermind guys…"

The portrait door swung open and James and Sirius came in laughing. Remus continued to look at his feet.

"Did you see the looks on their faces?" Sirius joked, as James put his wand back in his cloak pocket. Aredhel stood up and glared at them.

"Do we want to know what you two have been doing?" James looked directly at her and ruffled his hair, the way he always does. She grabbed hold of the chair to balance herself so she didn't fall over.

"Tormenting first years, is my guess." She said.

"Oh, Red, do you know me at all?" He grinned at her. "It was second years actually. We dropped a load of water balloons on them as the came out of the great hall." He turned to Sirius.

"You should have seen the looks on their little faces." Sirius added.

"If Professor Dippet finds out, you know you're in for it."

"You worry too much." James said, collapsing onto his usual chair. "So much for going to the library Remus." Remus looked up at him.

"I changed my mind, that crone of a librarian was shouting at a group of first years who were eating Bertie Bott's and I didn't much fancy getting myself involved." Aredhel smiled at him.

"Hey, Red? You know the potions essay? Will you help me with it?" James asked.

"I…Erm…Yeah, sure." She turned around and headed to the notice board, so he didn't see her blush.

"Great, after charms then?" He asked, following her with his eyes.

"Yeah, that's fine." She stared at the notice board, not really seeing it.