"Then stir 4 times, clockwise," Polly instructed Regulus in their Potions class. It was their last period for the day and Polly was already itching to get over it.

She looked around the classroom and saw some pairs arguing, this included her friend Tori who waved at her when they made eye contact. Most were concentrated on their work. But one or two pairs in the corner where were adding ingredients to their potion that were definitely not in the instructions.

Being in a class is definitely different from homeschooling. Plus, potions isn't really her strong suite, but at least Amelia had taught her how to brew that certain potion in the past.

"You know," Polly started as she looked over at the instructions for the Herbicide potion, "I had tried to brew this potion before. I failed the first one. To get rid of the evidence I quickly poured it outside the window," she shook her head with a smile, "Mama was so furious. I had accidentally poured it all over her favorite flowers," she looked up at Regulus, "So, she made me-"

"Why'd you call her that?" Regulus had looked away when he cut her off.

"Who?" she asked startled, "Amelia?"

"Yes. Why'd you call her 'mama'?" he just stared at their potion, "She's not your mother."

Polly turned her body towards him with crossed arms. "She's as good as," she said pointedly, "She took care of me when 'my Mother' send me away."

"She sent you away for a reason. It's for your-"

"I know." It was her turn to cut him off. "Now hush," she waved her hand to him as she looked at their brew, "Is it done?"

Regulus waves his wand one last time then nods. Polly realized that she's almost helpless at Potions. And if it weren't for his help, she'd failed every brew she made. And it's true what most people said, that they really are better at working together. But against each other? That's a different story.

Professor Slughorn, their Potions teacher, walked towards their table after Regulus waved him over. "If it isn't the Black duos. What have you for me today?" he then proceeds to quickly inspect their potion. "How was your first day in Hogwarts, Ms. Black?"

"It's not over yet, Professor," she said.

"Of course. Of course," he nodded, while pouring a bit of their Herbicide onto a small plant. The plant died in an instant and Euuugghhh! the smell was horrible.

"That's horrid," Regulus said as he tried to not breath in the fumes, "And to think, you poured a pot full into Mrs. Pitch's garden." He was smiling now. Polly realized that he's trying to break the ice between them, so she smiled back.

"Outstanding!" their Professor clapped, "Ms. Black, you really are as good at Potions as young Regulus over here."

Polly tried not to wince at that. "I'm really not, sir."

"Don't be so modest, child. I have this special club called the Slug Club and you should-"

"Professor," Regulus casually cuts him off, "Rosier and his partner seem to be done with their potion," he motioned towards the pair who were impatiently waiting for their turn.

"Of course. Thank you, m'boy." He left them soon enough.

Polly turned to Regulus and gave a dramatic sigh, "Thanks. That was close."

"Slug Club. Decent but... not that decent," Regulus smirked.

"Don't let him hear you." The two laughed as they packed up their bags, ready to leave the moment they're dismissed.

Polly reached for his hand and gave it a soft squeeze, "But for real, thank you, Reggie." He squeezed back then gave her a playful nudge, "Any time, Pib. But you owe me."

She rolled her eyes, "I hate 'Pib'. I never get to call you 'Rab', cus' that's Rabastan."

"Come on. You love it. P.I.B." he whispered quietly. This was the playful side Regulus never lets anyone see. 'Pib' came from her initials. She disliked 'Pib' as much as she disliked her middle name. It's always endearing to hear Reggie say it. But she still hates it.

Professor Slughorn made a quick announcement about no homework that day and then dismissed the class. But he made the pairs who were messing around stay, probably for detention. 'Good luck scrubbing those disgusting pots,' almost everybody thought.

"See you later, Reggie," Polly said as they left the classroom.

"Okay. Where are you going?" he asked suspiciously.

"The library," she replied in an 'obviously' tone, "I want to read something before dinner." Regulus shook his head. That's another thing they had in common, their love for books.

"You want me to take your bag to the Common Room?" he offered.

"Thanks," she sighed as she handed him her bag then gave him a quick kiss on his cheek, "You're the best." She quickly ran towards the way to the library. Even though it was true that she wanted to read a book, her reasons for going is entirely different. And it involves a certain hazel-eyed boy.

O=

James Potter was ecstatic. The prank notes Polaris had given him had contained the perfect spell for their own prank, plus hundreds more. He wanted to see her again. He thought it out and decided that it didn't matter that she was a Slytherin. But the thought that she was a Black still bothered him. His best mate would murder him if he found out.

James had 'subtly' asked Remus for advise if it was alright to be friends with someone from a different house. Needless to say, the werewolf was suspicious, and that's putting it lightly.

"Leave the boy alone, Moony," Sirius had said, "It looks like our James-y has found a new bird."

After classes, he basically ran to the library. He really wanted to see her again. Hopefully, she was at the same spot.

And she was.

Polly had picked a book to read. She would have waited for him until dinner. If he ever came, that is.

James rubbed his neck and walked towards her when she waved at him. "Um... hi."

"Hello, James," she says closing her book.

"I thought I might find you here."

"You're looking for me now, Potter?" she smirked. It was like she was teasing herself as well since she was looking for him too but whatever. There was a slight blush forming on her cheeks which she forced down.

"I read your whole book last night," he said and it was rare for him to stay up late reading something, "I realized you also made-up some of your own spells. Mostly for pranking," he praised. He gestured to the seat across her as if to ask permission to sit with her.

"Dedicated much?" she teased as he sat down.

"Well, what can I say," James says smiled brightly, "A prankster devoted to his work is... um..." he trailed of thinking.

Polly giggled, "Is a prankster at heart? And a fan of Polly Black?"

"Ha-ha, very funny," he rolled his eyes but smiled anyway, "Okay. I admit you're pretty awesome," he widened his eyes when he heard himself say that but relaxed when he saw her smile widen.

"You won't believe how great our next pranks are gonna be," he continued. Something in Polly wanted to ask him if she could join them but it would be bad. For both sides. Her heart warmed, anyway, at the thought of her ideas are turning into reality because of these mischievous band of boys.

"Just don't prank me," she repeated what she said last time.

James gave a 'Hmmp' then pouted with a playful accusatory look. And they both cracked up laughing. It was a soft laugh, so that they won't get caught, but it was obvious that they were dying inside. It was a laugh you couldn't contain but you try anyway and it hurts.

"Did you tell your friends it was mine?" she asks as they calmed down, wanting to know if the other Marauders knew the book came from her. She didn't want them to, not yet. She wanted it to be her and James' little secret.

He shook his head, "I didn't think you'd want me to. I haven't shown it to them. I just said I read in somewhere," He was worried he might have offended her but he saw her let out a soft sigh of relief.

"Sorry," she muttered.

"Why?"

"I didn't think you'd want to keep secrets from them."

"It's fine," he waved off, "All they think is that I found another bird, other than Evans."

"Did you?" Polly leaned on the table towards him. She was teasing him but she really wanted to know how he thought of her. 'Or some other chick,' she scolded herself.

James blushed. It was another rare thing to see him do. He regained his composure and said, "What if I did?" It was Polly's turn to blush.

When saw she was uncomfortable he quickly change the topic. "So, you're taking your OWLs this year," Polly nodded in response. "Do you want me to help you study?" 'Okay, Jamie boy, that's laying it on, thick. Too thick,' he face-palmed himself in his head.

"You want to help me?" she said uncertainly. Amelia's lessons where sometimes more advanced than what they teach in school, so she though her OWLs would go smoothly with a bit of review. But, ironically, she had always had trouble studying by herself.

"I'm not the best it class," James said rubbing his neck, "but I could help you with what I can. But if you don't want to, it's fine," he quickly added.

"No. I'd love that," she smiled, "I hate studying alone, anyway."

They talked until dinner time about their likes and dislikes, the Marauder's great pranks and adventures, Polly not having ridden a broomstick ever, and a bunch of other things. When they checked Polly's watch, it was almost time for the feast.

"Just don't touch your goblet at dinner," he winked as he left the library, sneaking pass the strict librarian of Hogwarts.

Madam Pince had spotted her leaving. "It's dinner time. You better go quickly before the feast starts," she basically shoved Polly out of the library then dragged her to the Great Hall. 'It must've been a hard day for her, if she wanted to go eat dinner this badly,' Polly thought as she tried to keep up with the librarian, 'I had a long day too.' Her stomach grumbled.

O=

"Don't touch your goblet', he said,' Poly was staring at her drink intensely. She looked up and saw James looking at her from the Gryffindor table, shaking his head a bit. Then he turned back to his friends.

She was very cautious when she sat at their table. She had to stop Regulus from picking up his goblet, once. He had raised an eye brow at her but had let it go.

'Touch. Not just drink from. Don't touch,' she pondered for a bit then realized, 'Oh shoot!'

He read about her spell that enchants objects and when touched, the person will-

"AAHHH!" a piercing scream echoed around the great hall. Followed by another, and another, and another, until half of the Slytherin table was filled with glittery skinned students trying to scratch the itchy glitter off. The screams where followed by joyous laughter from the other houses. Polly had to bite her cheek to prevent herself from laughing along.

The glitter stuck to their skin wasn't just Gryffindor themed but it was designed to paint their faces like a glittery lion mask. Severus, Tori, and Rabastan were affected, as well. Polly felt sorry for not warning them. They had to miss the whole week if they plan to not attend classes as a glittery lion.

"Go, go, Gryffindor," the Gryffindors cheered loudly again and again, until the furious face of Professor McGonagall stormed towards the Marauders who were falling from their seats laughing. "POTTER, BLACK, LUPIN, PETTIGREW," she yelled over the commotion, "DETENTION!" The pranksters seem to not care, so they carried out laughing.

Polly ignored the look on Reggie's face. He knew it was her spell. But she was too ecstatic, from seeing her own imagination come to life, to care what he thinks. 'Thank you, James.'