A.N - I really shouldn't be doing this, because I don't even have one review! I have a lot of hits though, so I'm putting the next chapter up anyway. Even if this sucks, it would be much better if you told me and I didn't waste my time! Any feedback is good!
Disclaimer: No, I don't own Harry Potter, unfortunately.
The next day dawned bright and early at Hogwarts, the students struggling to get back to their everyday routine while at school. Audrey was having a particularly rough time of getting back into her Hogwarts routine; at home she slept in until about ten o'clock each morning, and was therefore completely off guard when Alice woke her at seven thirty.
"Oh for Merlin's sake, must we go through this every year? I just finished a shower, and you better hurry up if you want to be ready in time for breakfast", Alice said, throwing a pillow at Audrey. "And get up earlier in the summer if it's this hard every year", she said, laughing.
Audrey groaned, and shaking her long brown hair out of her eyes, she tiredly stumbled to the bathroom.
Due to her inability to wake up, Audrey and Alice were some of the last to stumble into breakfast. Giving Audrey a teasing glare, Alice shook her head, and wandered over to the Hufflepuff table to say hello to Frank. Audrey slid into a seat across from Lily who was, surprisingly, seated with James, Sirius, Remus and Peter.
"I see you two are still alive", Audrey said, grabbing a piece of toast and buttering it. "I'll be having those two Galleons then, Sirius".
Sirius stared at her blankly for a moment, then let out a bark of laughter.
"Fair enough", he chuckled, digging in the pockets of his robes and tossing two galleons over to Audrey.
Lily watched this exchange with narrowed eyes. "Did you two make a bet on whether or not James and I would kill each other?"
"Well, it's not – wait, did you just say James?" Audrey asked, her eyes wide. Sirius choked on his pumpkin juice and James looked completely astounded.
"N-no!" Lily shouted, trying to stop the blush that was creeping up her face. "No! I said Potter!"
"I think you said James", Peter piped up, oblivious to everyone's shock.
"I think so too", Sirius chorused, grinning but still looking surprised.
"You can all think what you want, I don't have time for this!" Lily stormed and, grabbing her bag, she jumped up from the table and hurried out of the Great Hall.
Audrey looked at James, her eyes still wide. "What exactly happened last night?"
"Nothing", James said, a dreamy expression on his face, "But in case you didn't hear, she just called me James!"
"Trust me, we heard. I thought I was going to have a heart attack", Remus muttered, speaking for the first time.
Sirius stared at James. "Seriously though, what happened last night?" He asked, repeating Audrey's question.
James sighed. "Nothing! We saw the dorm, it's amazing. We went to our rooms, said goodnight to each other and that was it".
"That was it? No insults, no snide comments, no fighting?" Remus asked, dumbfounded.
James shook his head. "Nope. None".
The four sat in complete silence, gaping at James, who now had a dreamy grin on his face and was completely oblivious to the looks the others were giving him.
"I think he's lost it", Peter whispered frantically, waving his hand in front of James' face.
"Him? I think she's lost it. Why the bloody hell did she call him James?" Audrey asked, looking from Remus to Sirius. "I mean, remember yesterday? I thought at least one of them was going to come down to breakfast with injuries".
Remus and Sirius shrugged, looking thoroughly confused themselves.
"Well, we best get a move on then!" James said cheerily, coming out of his trance, but still grinning from ear to ear. He stood up, passing a piece of paper to Audrey. "Here's your timetable, love. You weren't here when McGonagall gave them out. We all have Herbology now".
The other four stared at him. James gave them all a smile and started walking out of the Hall. "You guys better hurry unless you want to be late for our first class all year!" He called back brightly.
The four exchanged wary glances and scuttled after James, arriving at greenhouse four just as the bell rang.
Walking into the greenhouse, Audrey saw Lily sitting at one of the tables by herself, staring darkly at a plant Audrey didn't recognize. Audrey slid into the seat next to her and smiled tentatively.
"Hey Lils", she said hesitantly, hoping her friend wasn't about to have a meltdown.
Lily turned to look at Audrey, a tormented look on her face. "Why the bloody hell did I call him James?" She moaned, mostly to herself.
Audrey shrugged. "Well, maybe you're finally realizing he's not that bad", she offered, but immediately regretted speaking at all when Lily glared at her.
"Not that bad? NOT THAT BAD? Audrey, this is Potter we're talking about. Of course he is that bad. He's worse! Clearly the stress he has caused me all these years is getting to me", she fumed, putting her face in her hands and groaning. "But why did I have to say it out loud?!"
"You mean you think of him as James in your head, hmm?" Audrey said coyly. Lily shot her a death glare and Audrey grinned meekly. "Um, just kidding?" She said, hoping Lily wouldn't shout at her again.
Lily just moaned and dropped her head onto her arms.
"Well, hello there, Audrey. Hello, Lily", James said, walking over to the girls and grinning. He slid into a seat behind them, with Sirius right next to him, Remus and Peter taking the seats behind them.
"Don't call me that", Lily said through gritted teeth.
"But if you can call me James then I suppose it's only fair that I call you Lily, Lily", James said eagerly.
Checking first to make sure Professor Sprout was busy with her Fanged Geraniums, Lily spun around, pulling her wand out and pointing it at James.
"Call me Lily one more time and I use that curse I told you about in fifth year", Lily snarled.
James and Sirius both cringed and leaned back slightly.
"Sure thing Lil-Evans", James said hastily.
Lily put her wand back in the pocket of her robes and spun around muttering, "git".
Alice walked in just then, waving to the girl's cheerfully and taking a seat by Lily.
Audrey looked at James sympathetically, then turned around to face Professor Sprout, who had now begun their lesson.
All throughout Herbology James Potter was sulking. He was sulking because he was in love with the girl he knew was his soul mate, but he couldn't convince her of this fact. He was sulking because just as he had started to make progress with her, she had got mad at him all over again, putting them back to square one. And he was sulking because he was starting to think his future with her was never going to happen.
Perhaps if he hadn't been so caught up in his own thoughts, he would have noticed the look on his best friend's face as he stared at Audrey Bennett.
Sirius Black, Marauder and prankster, was well-known for his womanizing ways. It wasn't that he purposely dated girls for about a week and then dumped them, only to find another girl minutes later. He just got bored quickly and no girl so far could hold his attention for longer than a week. For reasons unbeknownst to him, girls wanted anything they could get from him, even with his reputation what it was.
Although it rather grated his nerves having girls constantly whining and flirting in front of him, Sirius was put out by one girl whom he seemed to have no affect on. Audrey Bennett.
Audrey was tall and gorgeous, with chestnut brown hair, a radiant smile and the darkest blue eyes Sirius had ever seen. Not only was she stunning, but she was funny, easygoing and brilliant.
Sirius had first met Audrey on his very first train ride to Hogwarts. He had just met James, and they had been discussing which House they were likely to be put in, when a small girl had tackled James, hugging and kissing him excitedly. James had introduced them and they'd all been friends ever since.
It hadn't been until the end of their sixth year that Sirius had felt any feelings towards Audrey that weren't brotherly or friendly. Audrey had been seeing a seventh year Ravenclaw, Gary Whittle for practically all of their sixth year. While the Marauders had been happy for Audrey, they hadn't liked having her spend so much more time with Gary and much less time with them. Gary was very controlling over Audrey, and hardly allowed her to spend any time with her friends. The Marauders eventually cornered Audrey and told her they thought Gary was no good, and she deserved someone much better. Audrey, of course, had been furious. She'd told the boys to mind their business and they'd had the worst fight of their friendship. For a whole month Audrey wouldn't speak to any of them, even James.
About one week before they were supposed to leave Hogwarts for their summer vacation, Sirius had come down to the common room late one night to find Audrey curled up in an armchair crying. He'd calmed her down enough to get the story out of her. Gary had said he had actual plans for his life and couldn't possibly have a relationship with someone who would still be in Hogwarts while he was pursuing a career in the ministry. She'd done all but beg him to give her another chance, to try and make them work until she was out of Hogwarts too, but he'd just laughed in her face.
Sirius' initial thoughts had been to hunt down the slimy git and hex him into oblivion, but Audrey had been so upset and she'd asked him to stay with her, so he did. They fell asleep together on the armchair, in each other's arms. Sirius had woken first, had seen her small hands holding him close to her, and her face looking so peaceful in sleep, and his heart had practically burst. He didn't know what the feeling was then, but as he spent the remaining week at Hogwarts, and then all of summer with her, he knew something had changed.
Somehow, he had developed some sort of feelings for the beautiful witch. He tried to deny it, but every time he saw her pay attention to James, it made his blood boil. He tried to convince himself that she would just be a good shag, but thinking about anyone shagging her and then chucking her made him clench his fists in anger. There was no denying he felt something for Audrey, but he couldn't bring himself to make anything of it. He was, after all, Sirius Black, and he had a reputation to uphold.
"You two were making me positively sick in Herbology", Remus said rather cheerfully as the Marauders headed across the sloping lawns of Hogwarts to their Transfiguration class. "Couldn't be more obvious, either of you, could you?"
"Obvious about what?" James asked sourly, kicking a pebble and staring forlornly after Lily, who was walking towards the castle with Alice and Audrey by her side.
"About fancying Lily and Audrey, you prat", Remus sighed, finally deciding it was time to confront Sirius about his crush on Audrey.
"I don't fancy Audrey!" James said indignantly, looking confusedly as Remus. "Haven't you even heard me for the past four years? I'm meant to be with Lily", he finished dramatically.
Remus rolled his eyes. "You really are a prat, James. I meant, you are very obvious about fancying Lily, and Sirius is very obvious about fancying Audrey".
Sirius, who had been gazing at the girls ahead of them immediately snapped his head around and glared at Remus.
"What! What are you…that doesn't even make…what!?"
James grinned. "Smooth, Padfoot", he chuckled, patting Sirius on the back. Sirius shrugged and glared pointedly at all of them.
"Oh Padfoot, relax. It's just really obvious. Moony told us all about it when you stormed out of our compartment on the train", James explained, grinning as Sirius' eyes widened in horror.
"What! You told her!?" He shouted, causing several people around them to glance over in alarm.
"Sirius, calm down", Remus sighed, shaking his head. "No, we didn't tell her, I told them what I thought once she had left".
"Well, it's not true", Sirius said through gritted teeth. "I don't fancy Audrey! I don't fancy anyone!"
"Then why did you get so mad when Audrey kissed James on the train?" Peter piped up. Sirius rounded on him.
"I have no idea what you're talking about", Sirius said coldly. "I was hungry, so I went to find the witch with the lunch trolley".
"For over half an hour?" James said, laughing. "Come on, Padfoot, we won't tell her! How long have you liked her?"
"I don't like her!" Sirius barked, seeming more like his Animagi form than his human self. "Maybe I just thought she'd be a good shag; it would be an accomplishment", he sneered.
James stopped walking and looked at him angrily. "That's one of my best mates you're talking about Padfoot! Why are you acting like such a wanker?"
"Because I don't like her, I never did, and this is how I have always been with girls!" Sirius shouted, and he stormed up to the castle, leaving his three friends behind.
"He is so in denial", Remus said, shaking his head.
"He's not good enough for her anyway, if he's just going to act like that", James said heatedly.
The three boys walked into the castle and to their Transfiguration class, arriving just as the bell rang. Taking their usual seats in the back, they noticed Sirius sitting with a blonde Hufflepuff, who was giggling and blushing madly. James shook his head, wondering why his best friend was being such a git.
Audrey and Lily had taken seats near the back, much to Lily's annoyance, but Audrey claimed she couldn't stand sitting in the front row again. Alice had taken a seat beside Frank, as they were sharing Transfiguration with the Hufflepuffs.
Just as Lily had been thinking a seat in the back wouldn't be too bad, James, Remus and Peter stormed in, taking the seats just behind and to the left of her and Audrey.
Lily opened her mouth to beg Audrey to move seats but she closed it once she caught a bit of the boys' conversation.
"-Could just open his eyes for one second and see he actually likes someone", James was saying bitterly.
"We probably should have expected him to be in denial about -", Remus began, but the rest of his words were drowned out by McGonagall starting the lesson.
Although she couldn't be sure, Lily thought the boys must be talking about Sirius; he wasn't sitting with them, which was extremely odd, and he was the only boy she could think of who would be in denial about liking someone. She wasn't generally one for gossip, or eavesdropping for that matter, but Lily's curiosity had been piqued, so as McGonagall continued talking, Lily did something she had never done before; she didn't pay attention.
Unfortunately for her, the Marauders had been forced to pass notes back and forth, so McGonagall would not hear them talking. Sighing, Lily wondered what was going on with Sirius; Audrey had filled her in on him acting weird the second they had entered Gryffindor tower last night. Thinking of Sirius fancying anybody was laughable, but Lily was starting to think it was true.
"Whether he's in denial or not, how could he say that about her to me? She's one of my best mate's and he knows that, the wanker!" James whispered furiously, clearly unable to wait long enough to write his response.
"I know, I know", Remus said hurriedly, and the scratching of a quill could be heard again, as they continued their silent argument.
Lily had heard enough, however, and gasped with realization. Ripping a piece of parchment out of her bag, she quickly scribbled a note and passed it to Audrey.
What did you say last night before Sirius went all weird? – L.E
Audrey stared at the note for a moment, thinking, then wrote something back and tossed it over to Lily.
He'd just been flirting with the Fat Lady (more horrifying to witness than hear about, I assure you). Um, he said something about me ruining his chances with the hottest girl in Hogwarts, so I made a joke saying my chances with him weren't ruined. I think it surprised him, or grossed him out, because he looked shocked. That's about it. Why? – A.B
And on the train? Remember you told Alice and I he left and never came back? What happened before he left? – L.E
Nothing! I'd been talking to James and he'd asked why I don't love him, so I'd assured him I did and kissed him, but we were just kidding around, we do it all the time. Sirius said he was going to find the witch with the trolley. What are you on about, Lily? – A.B
Remember how you used to fancy Sirius? Don't even try to deny it, because I listened to you go on for years. Do you still? – L.E
Audrey blushed and burned the note quickly with her wand, just to make sure no one ever read it. She grabbed a fresh piece of parchment and scrawled a reply.
I went out with Gary to get over him, remember? – A.B
Yes, I remember. But I notice you're avoiding the question. – L.E
I'm not avoiding anything. I haven't liked Sirius since last year, since I started dating Gary – A.B
That's not good news for Sirius, then. – L.E
Audrey's brow furrowed. What was Lily getting at? She dipped her quill in her inkpot and was about to demand answers when the bell rang. Burning their second note quickly, Audrey dropped her Transfiguration book into her bag and bolted after Lily, who had already skipped down the aisle and was at the front of the class.
"Mind explaining that? We have our free period now", Audrey said curiously. Lily just nodded, aware of the Marauders walking past them. She couldn't help but notice James made no movement to flatter her, or ask her out, or anything.
At that moment, Alice ran towards the girls, pulling Frank behind her.
"Frank and I are going for a walk around the grounds", Alice said, beaming. "I'll meet up with you two at lunch, okay?"
"Okay", Audrey said, grinning at the pair. Lily beamed at the couple and nodded.
"You two have fun", she said, but Frank and Alice had already begun walking away, holding hands and looking at each other lovingly.
"They are too cute", Audrey sighed, watching them go. As they turned the corner she rounded on Lily. "Now, mind telling me what's going on?"
Lily shrugged. "Let's go in here", she pointed to an empty classroom a few doors down, and the pair hurried in, closing the door behind them.
Lily filled Audrey in on what she had heard the boys talking about.
"Okay, so you think Sirius likes someone", Audrey asked carefully, "What does that have to do with all those questions you were asking me in Transfiguration?"
Lily rolled her eyes. "Honestly, no wonder you and James are best mates, you're both so thick!"
"Hey!" Audrey said, but she was cut off by Lily.
"Isn't it obvious? Sirius likes you!" Lily said loudly.
Audrey stared blankly at Lily for a moment, and then burst out laughing. Lily blinked, confused.
"What are you laughing at? It's true, it all adds up", Lily said, frustrated that Audrey didn't believe her.
"Lils, this is Sirius we're talking about! When has he ever liked a girl, ever? For more than a week", she added when Lily opened her mouth to answer.
"Think of all the times he's gone all weird the past two days! It's obvious to me, and to James and Remus and Pettigrew. You two will see it soon enough!"
Audrey smirked at her and Lily looked confused.
"Oh, it's obvious to James is it? James and I are so thick, are we?" Audrey asked sweetly. Lily grimaced.
"Ugh!" She shouted, stamping her foot. "No! I didn't mean – damn it!" Lily wrenched the door open and marched across the corridor, Audrey following her, trying to hold in her laughter.
A.N - Review and I'll love you forever! :)
