James sat in the hall, purposely not looking to anyone else. Not even Lily. James was worried. Marlene had been disappearing for hours, and then waving her hand whenever he asked about it. As for Sirius, he'd stopped sneaking off with girls and he actually started turning up to classes. He was changing,but for what, was what James wanted to know. What could possibly make Sirius Black, heartthrob and troublemaker extraordinaire, stop being himself?

James knew the answer. He'd known it since summer when Sirius had spent weeks getting drunk instead of going 'on the pull' and it had been confirmed again just now when he'd run out the hall after her.

Sirius was in love with Marlene.

"HELP! HELP! SOMEONE HELP ME PLEASE!"

The whole of the hall span to see Regulus, looking more shocked and angry than scared,shouting as loudly as he could.

"James!" Lily said. "James, it's gotta be Sirius. Marlene probably ripped his head off!" How could he not of realised? Sirius had gone to argue with Marlene. How could he have been so stupid?

"Let's go!" He said, not even waiting for Lily.

There were more and more students appearing for their breakfast, and neither Sirius or Marlene were among them.

Lily was by his side in mere seconds. "She was going to the toilet. Any idea which one?"

Her voice had taken on a desperate pleading tone. "Regulus?!"

Regulus came out from the doorway to the great hall. His hair was hanging in front of his face, and his one visible eye was looking down.

"Whaddya want,red?" He sounded,almost,scared.

"Her name isn't red, it's Lily." James said, addressing Regulus.

"James, shut up. Regulus? Was it Mar? What did she do to Sirius?"

Regulus let out an unemotional chuckle. "What did she do to him? Try the other way around!"

Lily shivered. "Where are they?"

James started pacing. Sirius had been his best friend since their first year, but he'd known Mar since she was born. She had a room in his house where she used to stay over Christmas. If he'd seriously hurt her, he'd never speak to him again.

"Outside the girls bathroom on the second floor."

Without a seconds hesitation, they ran off.

"Mar?" Sirius shook her body gently. He was crying tears,actual tears. He was going to punch Regulus once he knew Marlene was safe and sound.

"Marlene? Mar? Marly? Mar? Mar?" Sirius kept shaking her body,but Marlene did not move. Her hair had been brushed back off her face, and her eyes were red and puffy. She'd been crying, screaming, and then she blacked out.

"Padfoot?! What the bloody hell did you do?!" James stood a few feet away,not angry,but shocked.

Lily,however, was turning red with rage. "WHAT IN MERLINS NAME DID YOU DO TO HER YOU LITTLE-"

"Lily!" James cautioned. "Let him explain!"

Sirius looked between his best friend and Lily,and nodded.

"Thanks," Lily rolled her eyes. "Look, it wasn't meant to happen,okay? I saw her leave the hall,and I figured she was jealous because I was with Emm," Lily scoffed here. "Look,shut up Evans and listen. Then I saw Regulus leave and follow her, and I was curious,so I followed him up here, and he was holding her and she was crying. Look Prongs,you know how I feel about her, and you know how I feel about him. I just got so angry, I started raging. I pushed her aside and screamed at him. He was implying that something was happening, and I pulled my wand out and screamed the first thing I could think of, but she got in the way, and she fell. Oh God, James I hurt her, and I don't know what to do."

"TAKE HER TO THE HOSPITAL WING!" Lily said, breaking off the fierce staring contest between the two boys.

"You're right, you're right. Let's just-" Sirius started.

"NO!" James yelled. "DON'T YOU TOUCH HER!"

"James, mate, I-"

"Don't you dare call me mate. Don't even talk to me. And while we're on, her name is Lily, not Evans, and don't you dare tell her to shut up. You're just as bad as your brother."

James picked up Marlene from the ground, being careful with her body. "Come on Lils, don't stay around that."

James and Lily left, leaving a devastated Sirius to cry alone as Myrtle floated back into her cubicle.

Regulus stalked back towards the common room, having calmed down from his earlier ordeal.

"So,Black." A cold voice said.

"What do you want,Avery?"

"Well cousin," said the dead and high voice of Bellatrix Black, "We heard you tortured the little Gryffindor piece of scum."

She let out a high,sinister, cackle.

"Not intentionally." Regulus muttered.

"I don't understand." Avery said.

"I was aiming for Sirius."

"Even better, always thought we should've gotten rid of him years ago."

"Shut up, Bella. He's still my brother."

"Why were trying to hex him then?" She sneered.

Could he say it? Could he finally admit what he'd always felt for that girl? Not love,but a great need to always be with her. To always protect her and be by her side.

No. Not to these people. Not ever.

"It doesn't matter."

And with that he left.

Sorry this has ttaken so long to update, and sorry this chapter is shorter than the others. Review please and I promise I'll make the next one longer. :)x