'Will you stop worrying about what they're up to?' Lily reprimanded as James stared out the library window, looking down at the table near the lake where Sirius and Remus sat together, both looking completely engrossed in the book Remus was holding. Well, really, as James looked on, Remus was thoroughly engrossed in the book; Sirius looked far more interested in Remus. James figured Remus was probably reading aloud; it was the only way Remus ever got Sirius to read.

'James,' Peter whined from the table he and Lily were sitting at, Lily attempting to help Peter grasp even the basics of potions. 'You promised you'd help me.'

'And what am I, chopped liver?' Lily frowned.

'She's right, mate,' James turned back to them, leaning against the window sill. 'She's the potions whiz, not me – be nice. Keep in mind she's only helping out of the goodness of her heart. She can probably change her mind about this whole helping you thing. I'd change my mind pretty quickly after her, too.'

James eyes Peter's horrified expression and smirked, shooting a wink at Lily. 'Oh, c'mon Pete, you're my mate. Do you really think I'd let you fail Slughorn's class just to watch him throw a bloody little tantrum over you, actually, you know what, that sounds like a lot of fun.'

'Jaaaames,' Peter whined again.

'I know, I know,' James rolled his eyes and flopped himself into the chair next to Peter. He's always liked Peter, they were friends after all, but he was finding a new appreciation for his friend as he began to feel more and more excluded from whatever Remus and Sirius were up to without him. At least Peter was always honest with him. He never had to guess at what Peter was thinking – it was usually about how cool his friends were, but all the same, he never hid that fact from his friends.

James felt his attention drifting back towards the window and the two boys he knew were sitting together outside. Together. Without him.

'What's wrong, James?' Peter asked quietly, eyeing his friend with concern. 'You look sad.'

'Oh, he's just being a jealous prat,' Lily tutted. 'He think Remus and Sirius are up to something without him and deliberately keeping him out of it.'

'Are you still on about that?' Peter asked incredulously. 'I told you to just drop it, mate. Seriously, if they had anything big to tell you, they'd tell you.'

'You know, don't you?' James accused.

'I know they hang around each other a lot more,' Peter shrugged. 'Do you blame them, though? I'm taking all sorts of remedial classes, so I'm never around. You and Lily are spending a lot more time together… it's normal.'

James deflated in his seat. 'Stop making sense, Pete. It's weird for me. You're never the wise, logical one.'

'Well, neither are you,' Lily supplied fondly.

'That's really reserved for Remus,' Peter shrugged. 'And on extremely rare occasions, Sirius.'

'Extremely,' James repeated with a nod. As Lily continued on with her explanation, James allowed himself to drift away with his thoughts once again. Was Peter really right? Perheps the two other boys really were just getting closer in his and Peter's absence. The thought cheered him slightly. He stood up to stretch and caught sight of Remus dragging Sirius across the grounds towards the castle by the forearm. It looked like Sirius was at least up to something. And if Remus was this upset about it, James knew he wanted to be involved. He resolved to ask his best friend later how he could help.

James made his way up to the boys' dormitory a few hours later to find it empty. He popped open his trunk and tossed his books inside, taking a moment to stretch. Teaching Peter was exhausting, but, he reasoned, more rewarding than teaching other people. Peter was very forthcoming with his gratitude. James liked being showered with affection. He couldn't help it, it was just how he was.

'Completely irresponsible,' Remus' voice preceded him and Sirius into the room. Both boys walked in looking dishevelled and soaked.

'What happened to you two?' James raised an eyebrow.

'This stupid, bloody git decided it would be really funny to coax me onto a broomstick and then crash it into the bleeding lake!' Remus steamed.

'I didn't crash on purpose, you berk,' Sirius retorted, looking just as upset. 'Like I wanted to be all cold and soggy.'

Remus' expression softened at the pouty look on Sirius' face. He huffed out a sigh. 'I know, I know. Come on, warm baths. That's what's needed here.'

'How do you do that?' James wondered aloud, shaking his head at the way Sirius was always able to calm Remus, even in the heat of a full tirade.

'Do what?' both boys asked at the same time.

'How do calm Remus down like that all the time Sirius?' James clarified. 'I don't think I've ever seen you two fight for any extended period of time.'

'It's just my animal magnetism,' Sirius winked. 'I'm just that charming, y'know?'

Remus rolled his eyes. 'Come on, you idiot. I'm freezing and really want to wash all this lake gunk out of my hair.'

'I'll wash it out for you,' Sirius wagged his eyebrows suggestively. 'I can wash all of it for you, if you catch my drift.'

James snorted. 'Practicing flirting, are you?'

'I'm always in perfect form, thank you,' Sirius smirked. 'C'mon, Moony. Let's go get that gunk out of your hair.'

James watched them go pensively. Perhaps Lily and Peter had been right. It really did look like his two friends were simply getting closer in the others' absence. James felt a sense of relief wash over him. He was certainly glad they weren't keeping anything from him.