Sooooo…. Chapter 3. Read and enjoy. I'll give you a cookie if you review.

Chapter 3

"Black, will you pay attention?" Professor McGonagall's voice snapped through the air like a whip.

Sirius jerked up quickly, focusing on the teacher. He had been daydreaming all of Transfiguration class, unable to focus on what he needed to be doing. Part of it was his natural tendency and the boring lesson, but the other part was caused by a certain Irish beauty, whom he had been unable to get out of his head. James looked over at him and grinned knowingly, before he too was berated by Professor McGonagall.

As McGonagall started teaching again, Sirius zoned out, his grey eyes drifting from the professor to Aidan, who was doodling absentmindedly on the corner of her notebook. He watched her for a moment before shifting his gaze to James, who was staring at the ceiling, his chin in his hand. The bell finally rang and Sirius scooped up his bag, heading toward the door. He caught sight of Aidan cramming her notebook into her bag and James strolling toward her, and hurried to catch up with them.

"So Padfoot, I see you weren't in your mind during Transfiguration," James said conversationally.

"You could say that," Sirius answered.

"Is McGonagall always that strict?" Aidan injected herself into the conversation.

"Ha. That was tame for her, that was," said Sirius, looking down at her.

"Oh. I was surprised she didn't tell me off for not paying attention," Aidan commented.

"Eh, probably cuz you're new," Sirius shrugged.

"OI! Moony over here," James waved as he spotted Remus heading to the Great Hall. Remus looked up and caught sight of him, grinning as he made his way over.

"Hey, what's up?" Remus asked as he shoved a book in his bag.

"D'you ever stop reading?" Sirius asked, shaking his head in mock disgust as Aidan giggled.

Remus just shrugged as they approached the Gryffindor table and plopped down on a bench. Aidan sank down next to him, dropping her bag unceremoniously on the floor, as James slid into a seat across from them. Sirius sat down next to James, drawing grins from all the Marauders, and a raised eyebrow from James. Aidan glanced around and frowned slightly.

"What're you lot smiling at?" she asked curiously as they hastily and unconvincingly adopted innocent looks.

"Nothing," Sirius said airily, waving his hand. Aidan shrugged and started pulling food onto her plate.

The others followed suit, ravenously tearing into the food. They ate in silence for a few minutes, slowing down as the food filled them up. Sirius glanced up from his plate and caught Aidan's eye, grinning at her.

"Wait, Sirius, you have something on your face," Aidan said, smiling a bit as he swiped at the wrong area. "Hold still, I'll get it for you."

She leaned across the table, placing a couple fingers under his chin to hold his head still while she used a napkin to wipe off the smudge. He looked into her striking blue eyes, and started to feel distinctly hot around the collar as she smiled at him. She finished wiping his cheek and leaned back in her seat.

"Thanks," Sirius said, "I can't imagine how I'd look walking around the castle with food all over my face."

"Probably a right side better than you normally do," James grinned maliciously.

"Oh, I doubt it," Aidan said absently. Noticing the boys smirking at her she explained, "What? You're quite good-looking."

"Umm, thanks," Sirius said awkwardly, as the other Marauders collapsed into fits of silent laughter. Aidan shrugged and sat back to observe the others.

James grinned at her. "I like the way your mind works."

"I dunno what that's supposed to mean, but I'll take it as a compliment," said Aidan.

They finished their dinner and made their up to Gryffindor tower to do homework and relax before heading off to bed. Sirius dropped into a chair by the fire took out his homework for the day, sighing as he unscrewed a bottle of ink. He felt something brush against his leg and started, drawing his wand as he looked down to see James arching his back and purring. "Git," he said idly, before dropping his wand back in his pocket and pulling his homework toward him.

After a minute, Aidan descended the stairs from the girls dormitories and settled herself in an armchair. James immediately abandoned Sirius and headed over to Aidan, leaping onto her lap and nuzzling her chin. She scratched him behind the ears before opening her schoolbag and pulling out a roll of parchment already half filled with writing. Sirius quickly returned his attention to his potions essay and finished it, stuffing it back into his bag. He then gazed at the fire, sinking into a stupor as he watched the flickering flames.

"So, how about that tour?" a voice startled him out of his reverie.

He looked up to see Aidan standing there, hands on her hips and a small smile playing across her face. Sirius grinned and stood up, stretching and yawning. He ran his hands through his hair and glanced at his watch, doing a double take.

"Damn, 8:45?" he said wonderingly.

"Is it too late?" Aidan cocked an eyebrow at him.

"No, no, we just aren't supposed to be out after 9," Sirius answered offhandedly.

"Well, what's a tour without a little risk?" she asked, her blue eyes glinting mischievously.

"Why, it's not a tour at all," he responded, smiling widely. He then grabbed Aidan's hand and pulled her to the portrait hole, clambering out after her.

Sirius headed toward the staircases pointing out random things like suits of armor and classrooms. He gave Aidan a particularly long and interesting explanation as to why a certain suit of armor had a bra and a pair of boxers attached to it with a Permanent Sticking Charm, which caused her to double over, laughing so hard that she couldn't breathe. Sirius helped her down the hallway as her giggles subsided, pointing out other random things. As they passed by the boys' bathroom, he stopped. Aidan glanced at him curiously; obviously this was a lavatory, why was he stopping?

"Shall we?" Sirius gestured toward the door. Aidan grinned and followed him in. They had just stepped through the door when someone came out of a stall and froze at the sight of them. Aidan blushed as she locked gazes with a blonde Slytherin prefect, who looked to be about her age. The boy stared at them, dumbstruck.

"Well, don't let us interrupt you," Sirius said edging toward the door, dragging Aidan with him.

"Hold it, Black. You're not allowed out of bed after hours," the Slytherin said, a malicious gleam in his eye.

"Hey, can't a man use a bathroom around here?" Sirius said innocently.

"Don't make me laugh," the boy replied. "But if you wanna get off, just leave her behind and go on your way." He stared at Aidan, looking satisfied.

"Excuse me?" Aidan's voice was simmering with anger.

"You heard me. If you really want a good time, I'll give you a tour of my bedroom," the boy answered snidely.

"Apologize to her, Ackerman," Sirius snarled.

"I don't think I -"

"Furnunculus!" Aidan shrieked, cutting him off.

He yelled as the spell hit him in the face and ugly boils started to pop up. Sirius stared at him for a second, then grabbed Aidan's hand and took off for the common room, dragging her with him. Once they were through the portrait hole, they collapsed on the floor, laughing.

"That," Sirius panted, "was bloody brilliant."

Aidan nodded as she tried to catch her breath. "Thanks."

"So sorry our tour got cut short," Sirius said smoothly. "We could always continue it in here." His eyes twinkled.

"Alright," Aidan agreed, surprising him. He led her up the staircase and to a door that was labeled as the sixth year boys' dorm.

"We have a visitor," he called to the others as he and Aidan walked in.

Aidan looked around, seeing Remus curled up in his bed, a book in hand, and Peter playing a game of Exploding Snap on his. She also saw a boy with bright red hair, whom she hadn't met. She then looked over at James, her cheeks reddening as she saw him. He was lying spread-eagled on his bed, wearing only a pair of red plaid boxers, and pointing his wand at a fly buzzing around. They all looked shocked to see her, but Sirius found it all rather amusing, sniggering at the looks on their faces.

"Bloody hell Sirius!" James yelled, so startled that he fell off the bed. Sirius just grinned and led a silent Aidan back down the stairs and into the common room.

"That was. . . . interesting," Aidan said, her speech finally returning.

"Was it?" Sirius was still grinning, "now you know one of the injustices of Hogwarts. You can come up and spy on us, yet we can't do the same to you."

"And what makes you think I wanna see you lot starkers?" Aidan asked.

Sirius just smiled at her and said, "Goodnight Aidan," before heading back up the stairs.