Summary: Sometimes life was sweet, but with a bitter ending. Sometimes it was the opposite. Just like butterbeer.

Full Summary: James Potter was in his prime. He was Quidditch Captain for Gryffindor, he had become Animagus to help Remus, and his group of friends were at their height in their pranking career. Now all he had left was to woo the girl. Lily Evans. But of course, James doesn't do things halfway, and all he needed was someone to help him. Now who fit's the role? Only, Olivia Grey. Of course, Slytherin's aren't always the most helpful type, and Sirius Black knows so. Could she be hiding any ulterior motives?

Author's Note: I honestly, truthfully, and siriusly don't own Harry Potter. Also, filler chapter. I know.

Jianyu's POV

"...and yeah. But you know Grey, right? She's okay?"

I heard Embre finish her sentence, but only vaguely. Now, her asking a question? That I spaced completely. Emmeline Vance was studying right across from me. Of course, I had to look over Embre's shoulder and through her caramel brown hair to see this, but that was just a technicality. Besides, how was I not supposed to look? Vance was twirling her hair and chewing pink bubble gum for Merlin's sake! And the worst part was, she knew she was getting attention. And she probably loved it, too.

Yes, Emmeline Vance was one of those girls, and it just so happened that I'd be lucky enough (read: cursed) to fall for her. A pureblood Ravenclaw, long dark hair, and enchanting violet eyes. And don't think I'm exaggerating when I say enchanting and violet. The girl was probably half veela, and don't think that she shuns that conspiracy theory.

Wait. Why had it gotten so quiet, all of the sudden?

"JIANNNNNNYUUUUUUU!"

Embre was looking at me with her head cocked to one side, effectively blocking the view.

"Sorry, what?"

Embre sighed, but in that friendly type way that only she could sigh. Did I mention that Embre was the human equivalent to an optimistic marshmallow? A very smart and artistic marshmallow, but still fluffy. Honestly, it was a surprise she was a Gryffindor. Not that she didn't belong there… I'm rambling, aren't I?

"Did you even hear a word I said?"

Oh no. It was something important, wasn't it? What did I miss? Merlin's beard, bless my poor soul!

Embre took my silence and wide-eyed stare, deducing what happened. "It's Vance, isn't it?" I wanted to say she was wrong, but alas! She knew me too well. "Makes sense. She's with Anthony Grey, right? A little risquè, don't you think?"

"Don't remind me." I sat there, brooding for a few more minutes before suppressing a sigh and sitting up. Time to figure out what Embre was talking about. "Anyway, what happened with Sirius? I heard you say that you made some kind of deal?"

"Okay, so we were in the library-"

"And you saw Olivia Grey talking to James Potter-"

"Right. Sirius, being the pessimist he is, said that Grey was - essentially - a fake and didn't actually want to help James."

"Olivia would never do that! Honestly, she's one of the most loyal people I know! After you, of course."

Embre nodded, getting more and more excited by the moment. "Right? I mean, I don't know her, but it's definitely on my todo list! Anyway, we struck up a deal. I give him 10 Galleons if Grey is a flake, and if she isn't, he gives me 10 and he has to tell me who he's crushing on."

I made one of those faces where if I had water, I would have spit it out on Embre's face. Sirius Black is pining over someone? Since when? "What?!"

"I know! It's ridiculous for him to be so prejudiced!"

"No, about Sirius pining after someone!"

"Oh," Embre looked slightly disappointed, but this was much-needed knowledge! Sirius Black having a crush? I needed to hold something against the cocky git. "He just has some crush. I'm not sure who, Sirius is more secretive than most, but I just know. Intuition, you know?"

I groaned. That was always an excuse for a girl when they actually had no proof. 'Women's intuition.' Embre fixed me a look and I shut up real quick. Then she went on, just as happy as before. "But get this. Then he grabs my hand, kisses it, and says 'may the best man win'. What is that supposed to mean? I mean, obviously I looked stupid and was probably blushing beet red, but what else was I supposed to do? Now that I've thought it over, I'm kind of offended, though. I mean, he said 'best man'. I'm female!"

Of course, trust Embre to get all worked up over something as tiny as a sentence. What I was really interested in was the fact that he had kissed her hand. I mean, sure, it was classic for a guy like Sirius, but they were friends. Isn't that like a 'no-no'? I guess nothing is off limits for that guy…

"I wouldn't worry too much, Olivia would never flake out on someone. Although, it's weird that she hasn't said anything to me yet. Usually, I'm the first person she comes to with news or when she needs advice. But then again, I haven't left Ravenclaw Tower today."

"Yeah," Embre's facial expression softened. "You do need to get out more. Honestly, it's probably not healthy to skip all meals and only go to classes."

"Eh, you Gryffindors live off of food and social interaction. Now Ravenclaws, on the other hand, we do everything on a binge. Binge study, binge eat, binge party. It's what you would call a phase, I suppose."

What, was that not a great way to describe the difference between us? I mean, I might have been a bit extreme in describing, but not too much! Bloody hell, I binge crush! Why do you think Emmeline is such a distraction?

"Well, as long as you're confident I'll win the bet…"

Of course, the bet. "I'm positive." Better make this quick, Emmeline was leaving. Probably heading to the library… It's not stalking if you have to go there anyway, right? Because think what you will, but I am not one of those guys. No, I am not, thank you very much.

"Well, thanks, Jianyu. I can always count on you." Ah, so she got the memo. Thank Merlin for the that. There were many things I would do, but tell Embre to leave was not one of them, nor would it ever be.

"See ya, Shines."

Oh, did I mention I chronically call people by their last name? Yeah. It makes for plenty of jokes (mostly from Olivia, she refuses to call me anything but 'Chang'), but I honestly don't have time to care. It takes time away from studying, does it not?

…

"Chang!" Honestly, how many times will someone interrupt me while I'm trying to concentrate on Vance? C'mon, people! "You don't know just how glad I am to see you. Honestly."

Olivia sat across from me, running a hand through her dark hair. The poor girl was almost as bad as James Potter, running their hands through their already messy hair. Where did that nervous tic even come from? And why was it so common?

"I desperately and completely need your help, and I know Vance is right behind me, but you need to focus. Okay?"

Ah, all of my female friends knew me far too well. With Amos Diggory, I could get away with staring. Hell, I could even get away with it when it came to Emmeline's brother. It's a good thing we have a male as Minister of Magic. If we didn't, well, we'd all be screwed.

"So, I may have possibly agreed to help someone…" I sighed. Honestly, Grey was sweet and all, but she sure did beat around the bush.

"I know."

"You know what?"

"That you're helping Potter get Evans." Man, I can be blunt. Is that a good thing?

She looked freaked out. And let's be real here, I probably would be too. That didn't stop me from giving her my smug, all knowing look. Sure, most people hate that look, but what else am I supposed to do, smile at them? No. That's not how I roll. "Who all knows?"

"Oh, just Embre. Apparently, she made a bet on your integrity."

"WHAT?!" Olivia basically screamed this and Madam Pince seemed to apparate beside us. She threatened to kick us out but had other things to worry about when the Gryffindor Quidditch team decided to walk in.

"Embre Shines, I know you haven't met her, but she's super sweet. Our same year, I think you have potions with them, though. And it was just a tiny bet with Sirius Black. Nothing too big. Besides, they're the only ones that know."

Olivia looked like she was about to have a mental breakdown, but she has a dramatic flair. Although, don't tell her I said that, okay? She'd probably kill me. "Amos knows too, I had to tell him since you were MIA."

"Yeah, sorry about that."

"Eh," Olivia waved it off. That's one good thing about her. Nothing was too serious or incriminating. And even if it was, she'd just rationalize it after a day. "Anyway, how's my sister? And my brother, since you have connections to Gryffindors."

Right. That brought me to my next topic of the day: Olivia's siblings. Apparently there are some deep feelings of hatred there, and Grey avoids them because it's easier than getting rejected every time she reaches out. I monitor her family members in a non-interfering way, just so that Olivia (who is really a big softy at heart) can make sure their safe. They were super close when they were younger, there was just a falling out somewhere in the middle.

"Anna is doing pretty good. Pulling straight O's like a good Ravenclaw. She's not doing too incriminating, just trying to get through her 7th year. Anthony, as you already know, has gotten with Vance, and he was in class yesterday, although his whole left arm is still in a cast. That Bludger must have hit hard."

Olivia nodded, sighing. Running her hand through her hair again, she made some comment about Vance that I totally tuned out. I know it's some kind of apology, and I don't need that. She's fine, it's not her fault her brother is with Emmeline.

It's fine. Everything is fine…