Disclaimer: Wish I did but I don't. (Own it that is)

A/N: I just wanted to thank the wonderful people who took the time to read the first chapter. Double the thanks go to the amazing people who took time out of there day to leave a review, which ultimately made my day brighter. So Luthien and Tari Oronar, Bookish Brownie, Uma-Thurman, Flo M Nimo, Mrs. Weasley the Kataang Luver, BlackSpace and Snivellus Tobias Snape this one's for you.

CHAPTER 2 - Kitchen Conversations

As I watched the object of my early morning dreams walk down the hall with my cousin, I couldn't help but admire his lovely view from behind. I was also left wondering what on earth he was doing here at five o'clock in the morning when his mission wasn't supposed to finish for a couple of days. Dumbledore had said it was a covert operation; surely it wouldn't be over yet.

It was that intriguing thought that led me to following them down the hall, in the direction of the kitchen. Well that and the fact that listening to Sirius and Remus talk about the 'good ol marauder days' was probably more conducive than aimlessly daydreaming about greeting a certain dark haired stranger in a threadbare coat with a welcome home kiss.

I continued along the hall, preparing my very best 'you-woke-me-up-now-you-must-entertain-me' look along the way, but as I reached the partially open kitchen door my cousin's slurred voice drawled out a question that stopped me still in my tracks.

"So Moony, how's your girlfriend?"

I froze. My heart plummeted into my stomach and my breath caught in my throat as I tried to digest this new piece of information, but I couldn't keep my mind of the feeling of nauseousness that swept over me. I couldn't believe it, Remus had a girlfriend. Well I couldbelieve it, Remus was really fanciable after all. I guess I just didn't want to believe that some other women had already claimed him for her own.

More surprising than the news that Remus was in fact taken, was the feelings it evoked in me. Sure, I had a little crush on him, but that was it. Just one of those completely harmless crushes that makes you feel entirely giddy for a little while but ultimately results in nothing, definitely not something strong enough to make me feel sick at the thought of another woman's hands all over him. Yet I did.

Damn, maybe I did fancy him more than I realised. Maybe what had started out as a simple crush, with a few minor daydreams, had developed into a 'full blown, sweaty palms, giddy smiles, heart pounding at the thought of seeing him' attachment without me even being aware of it.

As I contemplated this thought, I slid down the wall until I sat on the ground with my knees pulled into my chest and my arms wrapped around them protectively. It was the smooth tones of the man in question that broke me out of my silent reverie.

"Sirius, I live here with you. You know perfectly well that I don't have a girlfriend."

Suddenly it was easier to breath and the queasy feeling in the pit of my stomach seemed to dissolve as I slowly began to smile in relief. I honestly don't know how I would have handled seeing him with another girl. I placed my palms on the floor and started to get up but Sirius's words halted my progress yet again.

"But you've got a crush on someone, I know you do. You've been moping around the place for weeks and don't give me that incredulous look, I know you Moony. You only mope for two reasons - either there's a girl involved or it's time for your monthly change. Now considering the fact that the full moon was a week ago, by process of elimination, we get – oh look at that - a girl involved."

I slid back to the ground and leaned my head against the musty wall with a sigh. While Remus may not officially be taken, he had his sights set on someone.

I knew that I should leave or at least make my presence known, after all this was a private conversation between two old friends, but I just couldn't bring myself to move away. Torn between good manners and discovering the identity of Remus' crush, I sat forward and breathed deeply as I decided the best course of action. My mother would be so disappointed to know that I was sitting on a dirty old floor listening to a private conversation when she'd tried so hard to raise me with impeccable manners, key word there being tried. In the end my curiosity won over my guilt at eavesdropping and I sunk back against the wall as Remus' voice filled the hall again.

"Crushes are for teenagers Sirius, and I don't believe I've moped around after a girl since I left Hogwarts. You've had too much to drink old friend, your beginning to imagine things. Speaking of which, don't you think you should get rid of all this alcohol before the Weasley children arrive next week. Molly won't think highly of you if her kids get their hands on a bottle of firewhiskey."

I covered my mouth with my hands and silently sniggered at Remus' oh-so-subtle attempt to change the conversation but there was no way Sirius would fall for it, even if he did like to rant about Molly and her 'medieval rules'. I might not have had a lot to do with my cousin since I was 9 but Askaban hadn't changed him when it came to his ruthless pursuit of his suspected truth. There was no way he was going to let this conversation drop until he got a full confession and I planned on sticking around to hear it. After all the best way to fight the enemy is to have a clear idea of what you're up against, right.

"I don't give a flying toss how Molly thinks of me, and don't try and change the subject Moony. You may not have been moping much but don't think I haven't noticed how you watch her all the time, staring at her during meetings, drooling like some lovesick puppy."

Sirius' teasing voice seeped out through the gap in the door and filled the dank halls yet again but Remus' retort was quick.

"Now Padfoot, I know that you have all the manners of Hagrid's three-headed dog Fluffy, so let me explain something to you. It's polite to look at people when they talk, especially during meetings. It shows that you're paying attention and that you have an interest in what they're saying."

I smiled a little as I heard Sirius' cries of outrage over having his 'impeccable Black manners' called into question, but my mind was also racing. Sirius had said that he'd seen Remus watching this mystery woman during Order meetings which meant that it was somebody I already knew. There were only a handful of women who attended regular Order meetings as well as a few stragglers who attended when something extra needed to be done. Theoretically, it shouldn't be too hard to suss her out but things didn't add up quite right. None of the women seemed right for Remus.

Molly Weasley's married so that counts her out, I hope, and no matter how much I wish it wasn't so, I don't think it's me. There may have been a few little moments when we first met but now I can sense the 'platonic friendship only' in his voice when he speaks to me, and it's in his eyes when he helps me up after I inevitably fall over that stupid troll leg umbrella stand. Sometimes he acts a little weird around me and seems to almost hesitate when he talks to me, I guess it's because he sees me as childish, as Sirius' little cousin, no matter how much I wish otherwise. Maybe I'll be able to change that perception in time but for now I have to figure out who his crush is.

It could be Professor McGonagall but she seems entirely too old for him. Then again he did work with her at Hogwarts for a year, all those lonely nights patrolling dark corridors for wrongdoers. They hear a sound in an empty classroom and go to investigate. One thing leads to another and they end up on top of a desk. The thought alone causes me to cringe, that's just way too weird and surely Sirius would discourage such an infatuation.

There's Emmeline Vance. She's prissy, immaculate and stately but that just doesn't seem right either. I mean, I know Remus can be a bit of a stiff shirt sometimes but I don't think he would go for someone quite so, regal. Plus she's way older as well, then again, maybe he has a thing for older women, you know – experience and all. Ewww, I hope not.

Hestia's definitely closer to his age but she seems way too – I guess, silly, for him. Plus I've seen her corner him after meetings and there didn't seem to be any burning lust or desire in his eyes, mostly he just seemed annoyed by her whilst still trying to be polite. Perhaps indifferent describes it better.

So unless it was one of the women who only showed up occasionally, I was baffled. Or perhaps Remus was right and Sirius was simply imagining things. My cousin must have finally fended off the indignation of Remus' last comment there 'private' conversation broke my thoughts again.

"Well I'm sorry, Moony, if my manners don't compare with that of your perfect werewolf ones, but sometimes them meetings go on forever with people just repeating the same dribble, it's difficult not to get bored. Besides, I find if you're looking at them as they speak, they tend to notice the vacant expression in your stare. And it's not just at meetings that you watch her either, you stare at her whenever she's around, with this hopeful little look in your eyes. And you get all nervous when she's near you, stumbling over your words and the like."

"See now I know your making things up Padfoot, I've never stumbled over my words in front of a girl."

"Oh, believe me Moony, you stumble around her. And don't think I haven't noticed how you wash up and dress nicer when you know she's going to be here, all classic signs of a crush old friend. So save yourself some time and just admit that you've got a thing for her already."

Sirius spoke with haughtiness in his voice, as though he'd just proved a very important point but I couldn't help but see the flaws in argument and I was sure Remus would point them out when he spoke next.

"It's called hygiene Sirius. Might I suggest you try it sometime?"

Remus spoke with laughter in his voice and I couldn't help snickering along with him as I heard my cousin grumble about 'showering enough' and having a 'manly smell'.

I heard Remus yawn loudly and I suspected it had nothing to do with boredom. I hadn't thought of it til now, but he must be dog-tired, he just got back from a mission after all. Sirius must have sensed he had an edge over his tired friend because he spoke next with a bored voice.

"Moony this conversation is getting tiring. Why don't you just save us both the effort and admit to you little crush. We both know I'll force it out of you eventually."

Sirius was acting as though he couldn't care less whether Remus admitted his crush or not but in reality he was probably on the edge of his seat with the anticipation of being right. Meanwhile I was sitting flush against the wall, as close to the kitchen door as possible. I knew that it would probably hurt a little to find out who the object of my crush's affections was, but I just had to know.

"Sirius, just leave it. Please."

Remus sounded so tired and defeated as he almost begged Sirius not to press on with the conversation and I knew he was about to give up. It really wasn't fair of Sirius to press him for personal details when he was obviously exhausted but I guess that's the way to do, wait until your opponents weak and then force the answers from them. It's quite genius really.

"Moony, I know you're tired, you've been on the crazy mission for Dumbledore but you're not leaving this kitchen until you admit that I'm right and you have a crush. Admit that I've been right all along and you can toddle of to bed. Admit that you fancy her, that's all you have to do, it's really not that hard."

"Why is being right so important to you?"

"Because I'm a Black. We always have to have the last word and it's incredibly important that we're always right."

"Fine, if it means that you'll let me go to bed in peace then I'll admit it."

I held my breath as I unconsciously leaned closer to the door. This was it, I was finally going to learn the identity of Remus' crush but ultimately, did I really want to know? But as Remus' voice filled the room again, I knew it was too late to walk away. Not knowing would drive me insane.

"I fancy her, alright. Are you happy now that I've admitted it Sirius? I Remus John Lupin have a crush. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go to bed. Goodnight Padfoot."

I barely heard Sirius say goodnight back as I scrambled to my feet and made my way up the stairs, praying to Merlin all the way not to let me trip. I'd just closed the door to my room when I heard Remus making his way up the creaky stairs. I let out a sigh of relief at not being caught eavesdropping as I fell onto my unmade bed in my ridiculously bright room.

I can't believe throughout the whole conversation they never once mentioned the mystery woman's name. I was frustrated and felt like I had just wasted a lot of my precious daydreaming time to learn very little. For the second time that morning I felt robbed. All I knew was the Remus had a crush on a woman in the order, but who? Maybe it was time for a little conversation with my dear old cousin.

Let me know what you think. Actually you know what, I'm not above begging, please review.