Chapter Seven

The Black Dating Service

'And why are we here?' James asked Sirius, eyebrows raised. 'I mean I haven't been here since like… first year and that was only to ask Lily out.' He added, looking around the library.

'Yeah, I mean, of all the places! It's only like… Remus who spends his time here' grinned Peter.

'Hey! I come in here to research homework which you copy from me! So, you should thank this library for your good grades.

'I don't get good grades' replied Peter huffily.

'Because your writing is so scruffy, they can't read what you have written!'

'Come on ladies, don't argue' interrupted Sirius. 'I have come to a decision'

His three friends looked up at him, expectantly. The silence grew longer as Sirius watched them, a big grin on his face.

'…'

'Well?' asked James.

'I was getting to it!' replied Sirius.

'No you weren't! You was just smiling at us' Peter said, leaning back, a scared look on his face. 'Why are you looking at us like that!?'

Sirius rolled his eyes. 'It was for the dramatic effect but you ruined it!'

'Look, will you just tell us please!?'

'Fine.' Sirius let the smile go back on his face as he leant forward. Peter leant back further still, an uncertain look on his face. 'I'm going to put on The Black Dating Service'

'The what?' asked James.

'The Black Dating Service'

'But why… I don't need a date'

'Peter does'

'Hey! I do not' Sirius rolled his eyes.

'Yesterday, you were complaining about us always having girlfriends! And that you never get anyone! So now is your chance and I'm not going to let you turn it down! And anyway… I have already asked a few girls to come along to Hogsmeade tomorrow so…' He stuck his tongue out at the fat lad.

'But… Who did you ask!?'

'I'm not telling!'

'It could be anyone?!'

'Trust me my ratty friend' James laughed.

In Hogsmeade

'Welcome Ladies, Gentleman, Werewolves…' Remus gave a sharp intake of breath and the group sat in front of Sirius started murmuring. 'Just joking! Just joking!' he added hastily, glancing at Remus who looked pale.

'Ok. All the girls on the left, boys on the right!' The group started to shuffle into their places. 'Right. Boys, I want you to hand me you're…' Sirius frowned in thought.

'Wands?' interjected James.

'Yes, wands! Boys, hand over the wands.' There was a mumble and shifting as the males started pulling wands from pockets, putting them in a bag Sirius was holding. He shook them about a little, carefully as not to break them before standing in front of the girls.

'Okay, take one each ladies. When you have your boy, just… go somewhere. You have an hour!'

Peter watched from the boys' side expectantly, as a mousey brown haired girl pulled out his wand. Peter stood up, and she gave a small, nervous smile.

'Where would you like to go?' croaked Peter who seemed just as nervous.

'A walk'

'Oh… erm… ok' he gave a smile, taking his wand off her and putting it back into his trouser pocket, and they walked out together. Soon, they rest of the group departed, and James grinned at Sirius.

'I think you did very well there Padfoot my man!'

'Do you think Peter will enjoy himself?' asked Remus thoughtfully.

'Yeah… I think'

Peter sat down on the bench, nervously twiddling his thumbs as she sat beside him.

'Nice day isn't it' she smiled. The sun was bright, and it was an almost cloudless sky.

'Erm… yeah'

'So… Peter? Do you like Quidditch?'

'Not that much. I could never imagine flying a broom'

'Same here, I always think I will slide off the end' she gave a small laugh. They went silent. 'Do you want to kiss me?' she asked quietly, looking up.

'Yes' they leant forward and their lips crashed clumsily together. He tried to pull awake, to rub his cut lip but she was sucking his face off now, bringing him into the black hole where he would never escape…

'So, how was it Wormy?'

'Never ever again' he said, slumping down on his bed, and pulling his jumper off angrily.

'Was it that bad?'

'No, she was that bad!!'

'How do you mean?' asked James with a pitying look as he undid his shirt.

'She almost sucked my face off! Merlin, it was like a fish'

'You've kissed a fish?' asked Remus, pulling his Pj bottoms on.

'Once ok! Once! And the fish was better'