"Helloooo, are you alright? You've hardly eaten anything!" Lily cocked her head quizzically to one side, her shining emerald eyes swimming with concern.

"It's nothing." I replied with a slight shrug of my shoulders, my face refusing to betray what I really felt inside. Listlessly, I continued poking at my pancakes which by now were already soaked and soggy with syrup. Not like that helped my appetite either.

Actually, it was a downright lie. The truth was, I was feeling a little bit bummed. It was a more complicated than I had liked to explain and it never failed to keep bugging me silently, no matter how far back I pushed it into the deepest recesses of my mind.

"C'mon, Jo, you and I both know that's not it." Lily put down her fork (aligned perfectly with her knife, of course) and placed a comforting hand on top of mine. I met her gaze and smiled gratefully.

I was about to open my mouth to tell her when Sirius Black happened.

"Hope I'm not interrupting your little heart-to-heart session," he sniggered, grabbing a piece of toast and sliding into the seat beside me. Putting an arm around me, he fixed his intense gaze on my face. "Don't tell me you waiting for me!" Sirius gestured at my untouched plate of pancakes. He did not show it, but there was a tinge of worry in his eyes. It was so subtle I was surprised I could even detect it, but it was there; behind the steel gray was a hint of warmth.

"Black." Lily gave Sirius a hard stare. (Maybe a good conk on the head too, if she could.)

"Evans." Sirius mimicked.

"Hey, um, I gotta go, but Jo, promise me you'll come to me if you need a listening ear or anything, 'kay?" Lily smiled before she took off hurriedly for the first class of the day. I gave an almighty sigh and rolled my eyes almost as far back as they would have gone. It was as clear as crystal that she was very obviously trying to get away from Sirius. (Somehow, I don't think he would have minded. But of course, if it was James, that would be a whole different matter.)

"So what was all that about?" Sirius looked at me expectantly.

"All what?" I replied hurriedly, avoiding his gaze. Please don't ask, please don't ask, I chanted silently, desperately willing Sirius not to prod any further.

"Never mind," he answered. Waiiiit a minuteee. Never mind? My mouth formed a surprised 'O' shape- Sirius was actually being understanding for once in weeks! Woo hoo! I let out a huge sigh of relief. That was surprising, I thought, resting my gaze on Sirius, who was chewing on his toast thoughtfully.

How cute, Sirius Black thinking, I smirked.

"Well, are you going to eat that or am I going to have risk my reputation and feed you?" Sirius pointed to my still yet to be touched pile of pancakes, which were by now, colder than ever.

"You'd better not take the risk," I rolled my eyes heavenwards, pushing my pancakes away from me and standing up. "I'm going to head up to class."

Sirius nodded and followed suit. "I'm going with you."

Was it just me or was Sirius being ultra sensitive?

"Sirius," I paused pregnantly. "Are you going out with someone special?"

"Nooooo, what makes you say that?" Sirius grinned, dragging on his words.

"For one, you are being so understanding that it's almost scary."

"Gee, thanks, I think I get what you're trying to imply. I beg to differ, though. I'm a typical snag, literally. Sensitive new age guy, that's me, Sirius Black." He gave me a cocky smile and swished his raven locks out of his eyes.

"…" My mouth fell open. Oh, the audacity!

"Oh, stop gaping," Sirius waved his hand in mock modesty. "I'm shy, you know." God, Sirius head was already so inflated, I didn't think it could get any bigger.

"…" By now I was gagging and laughing almost simultaneously. I doubled over in laughter, leaning against the hard stone wall for support.

"Aha, Miss Carter is smiling again." Sirius smirked when he halted just outside our class.

"Hardy har har."

He placed a firm arm around my waist and drew me closer.

"You ready to kill a few brain cells over school instead of wondering how caring I've become?"

A/N: Yay, inspiration visited again. Comments? Wondering if I should continue this pretty much plot-less story, 'cause I'm having a hard time coming up with something.

Much love.