'Glowing gobstoppers,' Sirius proclaimed loudly to the Fat Lady.

'Alright, alright,' she moaned and hung out the way. She gave Hermione a peculiar look, as though she knew that she did not belong but recognized her as a Gryffindor. Hermione swore she hear the picture whisper 'Be careful.'

The common room was alive with people and noise. Two boys seemed to playing a game of exploding chess. No doubt Ron would enjoy that. Ron. Hermione's heart leapt. Hopefully the Room of Requirement would provide her with a way back, too, but at the moment she wanted to have fun. She bent down to whisper to one of them.

'Be careful of his rook.' He quickly glanced up at her, gave her a shy smile and scanned the board. He gave a little nod as he noticed a rook that, in a few moves, would be able to check mate. Sirius, having been conferring with James for a few minutes, grabbed Hermione's hand and hoisted her onto a chair so that everyone could see her.

'Everyone,' he shouted. 'This is Rachel, she's new and she's Gryffindor.' A few people cheered at the word Gryffindor, one boy wolf whistled and there were a few uneasy mutters but most people seemed to accept her presence. Sirius dragged her down and back over to the chess game.

'Meet the only people worth knowing. This is Remus and James.' Hermione 's eyes widened with shock. The guy she'd helped with Remus Lupin. Her teacher a few years ago, and, in some respects, her friend. The Order of the Phoenix were like a family to her, which he was part of. And James. Hermione found herself trembling. It was like coming face to face with Harry, albeit a slightly hotter, less geeky Harry.

'N..nice to meet you,' she found herself stuttering, trying not to give anything away. A young girl came over and sat next to James, placing her arm around his waist trying to distract him but he batted him off. She was beautiful, with long ginger hair and bright green eyes. Hermione could feel Sirius stare at her wistfully. So, he was in a similar position to her. He was in love with someone that he could not have.

The girl merely giggled at James's rebuttals, as though she knew he didn't mean them and turned to Hermione and smiled.

'Hello, Rachel. I'm Lily.' Of course, Harry's mum. Hermione felt very bizarre. What Harry would be willing to give to be in her position. Well, she better make the most of it. She chatted to Lily for a while, waiting for the boys to finish their game.

Sirius edged towards Lily, joining in the conversation and trying to make her laugh. However, all her attention was on James who, every few minutes, she would gaze at and smile softly. Sirius clenched his fist, angry and frustrated, more at himself than anyone else. He blamed himself for liking his best friend's girlfriend. He could not do anything either, one because it was James and two, because it was Lily. She was perfect. Beautiful, smart and willing to put up with the Mauraders. She had a muggle upbringing but he was not his family, and did not care. He bit his lip to stop himself from telling her anything foolish and instead devoted some of his time to the new girl. She was pretty and despite her initial snobbery, seemed okay.

'So, why did you move?' Sirius thought she looked slightly nervous as he asked her the question. She looked cute with a blush, though.

'Stuff,' she murmured vaguely, tucking a stray tendril of hair behind one ear. 'You know.' Well, he did not know but people kept things secret for a reason and he knew that best of all so he did not push it. Rachel moved the conversation quickly on to equally as awkward territory. 'So, what were you doing in the Room of Requirement?'

He did not want to tell her. He had not even told his two best friends, let alone some girl he'd just met. 'Stuff. You know.'

She looked at him, amused and annoyed at the same time and opened her mouth to say something when there was a loud explosion. She looked scared, until James stood up and cheered loudly.

'I won!'

Sirius groaned, James had an ego to match his and Remus wouldn't hear the end of this for a long while. Remus shrugged.

'Yeah, but tomorrow I'll win where as you'll always be ugly.' Sirius laughed loudly, and Rachel joined in. A flicker of hurt passed over James's face as Remus insulted him but was gone as quickly as it appeared as Lily lent over and give him a huge kiss on the lips and told him that she thought he was handsome. Sirius stopped laughing and got up and joined Remus, who was heading to bed. He couldn't bear it any longer.

'Night, guys.'