Hey, thanks to The Yoshinator for my first ever review! This chapter's dedicated to you :)

Disclainer: As I said, I own none but Althea.

Chapter 2 - You Haven't Changed a Bit

At Althea's exclamation, the whole room had gone silent. Sirius remained expressionless, except from a slightly worried twitch of his eyebrows. However, soon after, everyone launched into explanation.

"No, you don't understand, it's not what we've been thinking"

"He never actually worked for You Know Who!"

"It was Pettigrew, that little rat, and Black has just been framed, guilty as he may appear."

This last comment was from Moody, naturally, who did not like to be too nice to anyone, and if he, the least trusting person in the room, (actually, probably in the world) believed that Sirius was innocent, then who was she to disagree? So she ran to Sirius and threw her arms around his neck.

"I'm sorry, Sirius, I'm so sorry!" she said, repeatedly.

Sirius merely looked confused. "Why do you need to be sorry, love?" he asked quizzically. This proved to be too much and Althea promptly burst into tears, as Dumbledore ushered the Order out of the dining room.

"I should have known you were innocent. That you would rather die than betray James."

"Al, everyone thought it was me! And Albus told me how you fought for my sake for ages with the ministry."

"I did, Sirius, but then I caught up with Moody and he told me he'd heard that the ministry found your wand and tested it." She sighed. "I had to give up."

Sirius frowned. "That's what Moody said, is it? It's probably what they told him as well. The bastards took my wand, but they never actually used Priori Incantatem on it." He now looked completely disgusted. "I suppose they were scared. I mean, what if it turned out that I was innocent and they had to release me? That would look terrible for them, wouldn't it? It was the same then as it is now with Fudge, refusing to believe what's in front of them."

Althea shook her head in exhaustion. "Well, you hardly made it easier for yourself. You always did have this annoying habit of rushing into things."

Flashback

The summer sun was shining down brightly on the grounds of Hogwarts castle. The sixth years had just finished their NEWTs, and were now lounging outside the castle. Lucius Malfoy was proudly bragging to any who would listen about the job he had been promised in the ministry.

A crowd of fourth year Hufflepuff girls just happened to pass by at the moment he was describing in great detail his new boss Artemis Mole, and began to snigger at the description of the "moustachio". Malfoy, being a Malfoy, immediately took offense and began to threaten the girls with wand (not a euphemism!).

At this moment, four young second year Gryffindors caught sight of the scene that was unfolding, where a SLYTHERIN was attacking a group of girls. These four young Gryffindors being boys, it did not escape their notice, either, that these girls just happened to be rather attractive. So a young Sirius Black, eager as he was to impress the ladies, ran forward and stood between the ladies and Malfoy.

"Leave them alone, Malfoy," he shouted, in that typically high pitched voice of a boy who has not yet hit puberty. Now the attention of the crowd was drawn. First years ran away from the scene, second years watched in awe and older years simply cringed as they prepared for the boy to feel Malfoy's wrath. This was the case with all houses except Slytherin. Members of this house simply watched in glee as the boy who had betrayed their house by becoming a Gryffindor would now get what was coming to him.

The corners of Malfoy's mouth began to twitch, but he resisted a smile. "Oh, you want me to leave them alone? And what are you going to do if I don't?" he asked.

Sirius pondered for a moment and then responded "I'll challenge you to a duel!" At this, a universal 'ooh' passed through the growing crowd of onlookers, and James slapped his palm on his forehead.

Malfoy could now not even hide his smile, and he simply said "McNair can be my second. And who's yours?"

Sirius had forgotten about this minor obstacle, and he looked around at his mates, wondering which one of them would be willing to help him. There was a moment of silence. Then, rolling his eyes and wondering why he became friends with all the fools, James slowly stepped forward. "I'll do it."

"Well, we appreciate the loyalty you show to your friend, Mr Potter, but I'm afraid that no one will be doing anything." Everyone turned around to see Andromeda Black, head girl, standing next to Albus Dumbledore. "We seem to have forgotten the minor hitch that we are in school."

"Headmaster, sir, it was simply a bit of fun from my part," began Malfoy immediately, but Dumbledore held up a hand to stop him.

"Be that as it may, Mr Malfoy, as prefect, you should not be encouraging such tendencies from the younger years, but instead you should attempt to set an example to them. I am afraid I shall have to take 10 points from Slytherin, and give you detention with Mr Filch." Dumbledore then turned to Sirius and James. "Mr Black, I am severely disappointed in you. In future, I expect you to think before you act. It may land you in quite some trouble one day".

End Flashback

"You haven't changed a bit, you know. Do you remember, Albus told you that this annoying habit of yours would get you into trouble?" asked Althea.

"How can I forget? He only took 5 points from me, but it was the first time someone I cared about told me I'd disappointed them." Sirius said, with a smile. "I was so young and impressionable."

"For Albus, even 5 points was a lot to take from a Gryffindor. Mind, he did give them back to James afterwards didn't he? What was it he said?" Althea said with a smile.

"Extraordinary loyalty, I think," responded Sirius, grinning in return. "But to be honest, I can't blame him for favouring Gryffindors. I mean, Slytherins had the Slug, you lot had Flitwick and Hufflepuffs had Sprout. We had to have someone on our side. I mean, Minnie would hardly get us out of tricky situations would she? And, of course," he added with a wink, "it's natural that Albus supported Gryffindor. After all, it is the best house."

Althea raised her eyebrows. "Well, it may be right now because my godson is in that house but of course when we were at Hogwarts, Ravenclaw was the unarguable best. It had me as a member, after all."

"And what if I think that that is total rubbish?" questioned Sirius.

She replied, "Well, I've always thought you were a bit, you know" and she gestured with her hands.

Sirius shook his head with a smile. "I missed you, Ally," he said.

"I missed you too, Sirius," she responded.

SO that was a quick update. I'm just too eager.

Sirius: Yes, yes you are. You need to sleep now, Al.

Althea: Eh, who needs sleep. I just can't wait to write the next chapter!

Remus: I hope you haven't forgotten that you said we are best friends. And you've mentioned me how many times so far?

Althea: Er... hehe... um you'll be in the next one. I think. We'll see how it goes. All I know is that it's gonna be a good one!

Please review! :)