Twists of time

by Writer0895

Time can heal everything. Old wounds. Old feuds. Even that faint line between love and hate. And so, give time some credit and watch how it unfolds their story. Watch how time makes the dreams of a certain hazel eyed, messy black haired marauder comes true. Watch how a sweet, kind, green eyes, red haired girl finally surrenders to her feelings and says, "I love you."

10. The walls came crashing down

A/N:The James/Lily 'serious' talk actually happened to me. It was my favorite scene to write. I kind of merged two chapters into one so this is insanely long and it took so much time to finish. Also, I apologize for the super super amount of Alissa scenes in this one but don't worry; she'll take the side positions in the later chapters.

Read and more importantly- REVIEW!

Shout out to KatherineSpice (Your review helped plenty) and Stefan Lee Salvatore (You just wait; there's so much more drama in Sirius' life than you anticipated.)

Also, I removed the first five chapters, nothing real happens in them and they were so horrible. I can't believe you lot actually put up with them till this point. And I also edited the others chapters a bit but I haven't changed any major plot lines, so you can just continue.

Thank you for reading till this point.

Previously: Lily's father dies and James comforts her which leads to them being almost friends. Mary is dating Richard Grunts, a 7th year who had a history of cheating. Remus is a werewolf. Sirius takes up Emily's offer for a date on his birthday at Alissa's insistence. Snape and Lily are done, for real this time. What else; ,m yep that's about it.

Disclaimer: Rowling owns everything. The characters. The plot. My soul.

10. The walls came crashing down.

We accept the love we think we deserve- Stephen Chobsky

"Mate, it has been a bloody long time since we played a good prank." Sirius argued with Remus, one December night. Remus, who was apprehensive about the idea, didn't budge. James had given in without a second thought and it was expected of Peter to agree but Remus was being difficult; as his guilty prefect conscience often made him.

"Try again tomorrow Sirius" suggested James with a yawn. "He isn't going to listen tonight."

"What I don't get is why he can't just say yes today. We both know it will happen; might as well get started on it." Sirius replied as though the said party wasn't present. Remus huffed indignantly, about to express his desire to go to sleep when Peter spoke up.

"Moony, they are right. Our last proper prank was ages ago and we have been pretty well behaved ever since. Even Prongs has stopped baiting Snape for mid-corridor duels that Snape always loses and Sirius hasn't been caught sneaking off after curfew with anyone lately. Honestly, Moony it's your decision but we haven't done anything major to make you feel guilty."

As Remus listened to Peter speak passionately about the upcoming prank, he felt himself give in. It was hardly ever that Peter spoke up with such desire to cause mayhem; it was usually the job of the other two. And besides, Peter was right. He shouldn't be feeling guilty. "Alright." He consented causing instant cheering and a loud whoop from James and Sirius.

"No one can now say that the Marauders are losing their touch." Sirius declared, clapping Remus on the back, who was instantly regretting his decision.

"Who said that the Marauder's are losing their touch?" asked James in surprise. He hadn't heard of it.

"Who doesn't; now that you've stopped hexing Snivelly and the rest of the Slythershits." remarked Sirius in what appeared a nonchalant tone to disguise his curiosity.

"I haven't completely stopped hexing him. I have a detention this weekend to prove my point." James protested.

"And what about that time when he bumped into you and you let it go. You didn't even address him. You would've sent him to the hospital wing last year." Peter pointed out wisely, curiosity evident in his tone.

"I dunno mate, I think it's pretty full this year, the hospital wing." James answered with a lazy smirk.

Sirius snorted unfashionably and Remus gave a small smile. "But really Prongs, that is not like you. Everything alright up there?" Remus asked, tapping his friend's forehead in concern.

"Oh hush." James swatted away his hand in annoyance. "I just don't feel like hexing him all the time. I think it's what they call-" he dropped his voice so that the others leaned in to listen "- maturing."

Remus rolled his eyes and Peter smiled slightly. "Back to the prank." announced Sirius.

The others agreed instantly and a brainstorming session began by the fire. James was on the floor beside Peter while Sirius had bagged a comfortable couch and was seated sideways so that his legs were dangling on the armrest. Remus was sitting on the sofa, with his homework laid out on the table away from Peter's copying eyes. Peter had his own notes out and he was referring them as he scratched his chin with his quill.

"Pete, take notes will you? Side's, there's no chance in hell you're finishing your homework today." James asked lying on his back and tossing a stolen quaffle in air.

"Right. So I was thinking, something more outdoor this time?" he suggested.

"Sure, but exactly what? I have a feeling that the lake would be a valuable source of mischief." commented Sirius.

"We could always toss slytherins in there in their sleep." Remus suggested but Sirius shot it down."It's too easy and amateur."

Peter sighed. This would take a long time. Most of their pranks did.

"How about a change of weather?" suggested James with a smirk. Sirius raised an eyebrow in questioning and James' smirk changed into a wide grin. "How about creating a typhoon or a cyclone; on a relatively appropriate scale, of course?"

"Nice!" Sirius clapped him on the back and Peter grinned.

"I'll look up the weather spells." Remus offered.

"And the air pressure or whatever can suck things too." Peter suggested, years of experience as a marauder overtaking him.

Sirius chortled at the possible innuendo. "I don't want to know how a whirlpool will 'suck things' but sure wormtail, if that's your kink."

James rolled his eyes and Remus cracked a smile. "I meant items; objects like books or quills." Peter squeaked horrified.

"But it ought to be possible to recover them from the cyclone." Remus pointed out.

"Where's the cyclone?" A voice asked from beside Sirius. Alissa knocked aside Sirius' legs and settled on the armrest. She looked at Remus expectantly who squirmed uncomfortably.

Alissa had entered the common relatively brimming with underclassmen; most of them whom she didn't quite often converse with. And there had been Paul, studying silently in a corner with such concentration she didn't have the heart to disturb him. So she had approached the marauders, despite her vary terms Sirius following his birthday.

"Erm…" Remus hesitated, trying to think a proper excuse, though it wasn't likely; not after Alissa had overheard the keyword in their prank.

"There was a cyclone in North America, we were discussing that." He said vaguely, changing to topic. "What are you doing here then? Where are the other girls?"

Alissa rolled her eyes and answered his question with one of her own.

"Are you planning a prank?"

Peter squirmed uncomfortably and finally Sirius spoke up. "Yes, would you kindly leave?"

She pouted in disgust and ignored him, looking at the others. Finally when no one shot Sirius down, she stood up to leave when James spoke up. "Oh sit down and don't utter a word of whatever you heard to anyone. We'll discuss the prank later."

Alissa smiled her thanks and settled on the armrest of Sirius' chair. "I won't." She promised. "And if you want to recover something the cyclone; you can always accio it. But if you don't want it to be harmed and on something's; like paper, a simply drying spell doesn't work, you can always put a bubble head charm on it. But it will be tedious work."

Remus thanked her. "Can I suggest something though?" she asked, continuing.

"I have a feeling you weren't really asking our permission." Sirius muttered.

"Well, wasn't your last major prank flooding the slytherin common room. I mean, it's like water is becoming your trademark sign." Alissa continued ignoring Sirius.

"Alright blondie, enough with the advice; James made it clear didn't he, no talking about what you heard." Sirius answered gruffly.

"I'm not a Blond." She argued.

"I know, but its nice saying that word- Blondie." Sirius winked at her. "Hey, Prongs try it; Blondie." Sirius continued, feigning oblivion to her annoyance.

"How do you stand them?" she asked Remus who smiled not saying a word, not wanting to get caught up in their fight.

"By the way, Blondie's correct; we can't have a trademark sign." Sirius spoke up after a moment.

"Fine; we'll think up something later." retorted James in an attempt to close the topic.

"Fill me in please; I may be able to help." Alissa offered, ignoring the disbelieving looks she got from them.

"Alright; new topic now." snarled James, giving up being subtle about it anymore. Alissa swallowed the urge to argue or smirk at him. Peter groaned from his corner where he had resumed staring at his piece of parchment with frustration.

"How the fuck did I even make it this far? Transfiguration is bloody bunch of shit and I swear McGonagall doesn't even teach in English anymore. She probably uses gobbledegook, no wonder I can't get the hang of it."

Alissa laughed and reached over to sit beside him. "Here let me help." She offered, pointing out where he had gone wrong. They sat working on the homework with Remus interrupting every now and then to give his feedback. James had resumed his quaffle throwing practice, mentally working on different Quidditch strategies; Hufflepuff had supposedly changed their game this year and he didn't fancy spending an hour with McGonagall berating him for having lost the match; she desired the cup even more than he did and that was saying something.

The portrait opened once again, to reveal Emily along with Lily. Emily scanned the common room; possibly for Sirius or Alissa and seeing them together she walked over. Lily followed her and stopped beside Remus.

"Hey Remus, what are you doing?" she asked, leaning over to look at his work.

"Nothing anymore." He beamed as he threw his quill on the table and stretched. "I've finished it; McGonagall's monstrous homework."

"Brilliant." Lily smiled, still standing.

Remus motioned her to sit beside him and smiled as she gave in. Settling down, she informed him about the change in patrol schedule.

"So, Berta is sick and her partner is an ass; a slytherin ass, I might add who refuses to work with Berta's replacement Rhea or anyone else for that matter and when the heads tried to force him, he hexed Rhea; she is in the hospital wing, that poor girl and he claimed it was an accident. He was apparently trying to break open a broom cupboard. Broom cupboard my ass; not with a stinging hex. So anyway, to conclude we'll have to patrol this weekend and Berta and the bitch can take our slots." She finished at length, unaware that now their entire group was staring at her.

"Don't stare." She snapped lightly. Remus cleared his throat and bit back an amused smile as the he told Lily he would be ready to patrol by eight. Emily was whispering something in Sirius' ear and judging by the way his eyebrows were reaching his hairline; James was sure he didn't want to know. He listened in on Lily and Remus' conversation about McGonagall's homework but didn't pay much attention really. He knew transfiguration well enough. Alissa was smiling at him with a knowing look as she waited to Peter to ask her any doubt that he might have. This was the scene, one of silence and crackling fire and homework that Saffi walked in to. She headed in their direction, unsure.

"Why are you sitting with them?" she asked bluntly, dumping her stuff on the floor and sitting besides Lily.

"Jeez, Lovato, you make me feel so loved." James replied, his characteristic smirk on his face.

"Sod off Potter!"

"Saffi, love! You wound me."

"Potter, bugger off."

James grinned watching her get riled up when Lily interrupted them. "C'mon Saffi, let's go before you murder this blistering idiot."

"Now Evans, don't leave on Prongs account." Sirius spoke up, his arm draped around Emily's waist as he grinned at her "Tell me Evans, what did you think of the Quidditch match?"

"Really Sirius, I can't believe you used Quidditch as a conversation starter." She replied folding her hands across her chest.

"You're right Lily." He spoke softly, as though in shock. "I can't believe I, Sir Sirius Black, the mightiest of the mighty, conqueror of them all had to use a menial, insignificant term as 'Prongs' obsession' to indulge in a conversation with the fair lady Evans." Sirius continued after a prolong pause, getting up from his chair. He walked towards Lily, taking her hands and placing them around his cheek, his eyes soft. "Oh mighty lady, only you bring out this side of me."

Lily laughed loudly and flicked his face before lightly jumping back. "Sir Sirius, I'm afraid I can't return your affections. You see, I already have someone." She laughed.

Sirius grinned widely as he responded "Who is this scoundrel, seeking to take my place in your heart? Who is this, I ask thee my fair lady?" he cried, clutching his heart as he pretended to fall backwards in horror.

"Someone who is a much better snog than you are" Lily replied, the mischievous sparkle in her eyes matching Sirius' as she broke character.

"Oi! You broke my heart, shattered it in pieces and laughed while doing so and I put up with it, but this; this is the worst disgrace of all. Lily Evans, I am the best snog you've ever met. I'm sex on legs, admit it. Admit it Evans."

Lily laughed shaking her head and laughing even more at him. Most eyes were trained on the pair of them. Sirius puffed up his chest and looked at her seriously before saying "Don't lie; you fantasize about me. You do, don't you?"

"Yes" came a loud assertion followed by a loud rippling laughter from their little audience. Sirius turned to Peter "Thank you mate; but I don't sway that way." He laughed and even Peter blushed.

"I finished my homework." He said in a manner of explanation but no one cared. They were all laughing and the Sirius and James were making loud kissing noises and the eerily, un-marauder-ishly peaceful atmosphere that Saffi had walked in on had completely vanished.

"What's the joke?" Mary asked as she watched her classmates laugh freely. She had stepped down into the common room with Melina to get a bite to eat when a loud uproar of laughter took place. She made her way towards the fireplace where her friends were standing and watched quizzically as no one responded to her question. She felt like smacking someone on the head but before she could act out her feelings, Melina spoke up. "Apparently Black or Peter cracked some joke. Paul just told me." She added in a manner of explanation as she pointed towards Paul who was or rather had been studying in the corner, unintentionally listening in to Lily and Sirius' very audibly banter.

"Hey Mare!" Lily smiled warmly as she greeted them. "How are you now?"

"I guess… I" she stuttered trying to form a reply when Melina answered for her. "She's fine, perfectly alright. And I'm taking her down to get some food. Anyone care to join?"

When no one replied in affirmative, the pair of them smiled and waved a parting goodbye as they walked towards the great hall, hoping to catch last of the treacle tarts or perhaps a pudding.

It had happened, she later learned, indeed for the first time that day but in that moment, she didn't think she could trust him to be telling the truth.

(Trust him, Trust him not. Loves me, Loves me not.)

Mary had been having a terrible day and it was the last straw. Someone had knocked over her cauldron in Potions as she collected some ingredients from the cupboard, rendering her assignment for the day useless. In transfiguration she ended up giving herself big eyebrows that came in the line of her sight and only McGonagall could take them off. She had then slipped on the stairs giving her a big bruise on the knee. It was slightly swollen and pained when she touched it.

She had been extremely grateful when the afternoon classes got over and she could retire to bed, perhaps listen to music on the wireless. She had been humming, rejoiced at the thought that her crappy day was finally over when she passed through a secluded corridor, a shortcut to the common room. What she hadn't expected was a loud audible moan from a broom closet.

She stopped in her tracks. A rational part of her brain told her to walk away but Saffi had called her a gossip more than once and Saffi wasn't an idiot. There was reason she called her a nosy gossip and that side of her took over as she crept towards the door. It was supposed to be harmless but it caused damage. But perhaps it had been for the better.

As she leaned against the door, trying to listen and figure out the face behind the voices, she heard a loud male groan. She clamped a hand against her mouth to suppress a giggle but her hand went slack as she heard the next words. It was a girl and she was sighing with longing.

"Merlin, Richard, do that to me again." She said a breathy voice. Mary stood frozen for a second in disbelief. It must be some other Richard, it couldn't be, it couldn't possibly her amazing, genuine boyfriend who had promised her, no cheating ever.

It couldn't be, could it?

Statistically speaking, 90% of people find out when their partners are cheating on them by walking in on them in the sinful act. Statistics were on her side, if not the odds of maintaining a long term relationship. There was another groan and Mary just couldn't bear it. It wasn't her Richard, she told herself. "It isn't my Richard, and I will prove it to you." She didn't know whom she was trying to prove it to-her own self, the universe or the walls closing in on her.

She steeled herself and pulled open the door, with her eyes closed. There was a gasp and she opened her eyes, halfway through apologizing for having interrupting the couple when she stopped short.

"Richard" she looked aghast at her loyal boyfriend. She blinked once and turned around and walked away and for someone who had just seen her boyfriend shirtless with a girl equally topless in the broom closet groaning erotically, she was surprisingly calm.

"Mare, Hey, Mary wait up." He called out as he ran after her. "Wait, please." He begged and she stopped, not turning around. She didn't entirely trust herself around him.

"Mary, please look at me."

She took a deep breath and turned around. "Oh Mary, I'm so sorry, and it wasn't intentional and I think there's been a big misunderstanding and- "

"I'm sorry Richard." She cut across his apology, "But I find it difficult to believe you when you're pretty much naked. But I am sure this is a misunderstanding and you were probably doing studying, right. It's natural for one to groan, in frustration of course, while doing homework. And of course it gets stuffy inside a broom closet so you took your clothes off and yeah, bloody hell, who studies in the library any more. There's just no space. I am sure you both were studying Richard. I am sure this is a misunderstanding but excuse me, I wouldn't want to interrupt you from studying." She snarled the last word at him and walked away with as much dignity as she could muster.

She had barely crossed the corner when she broke down, tears coming out of her eyes. Why was it that boys always left her hurt and helpless? Even her last boyfriend; this was the reason she had started becoming casual about her relationships. Don't get in too deep and you can't get hurt. She slowly made her way to the common room, wiping her tears and praying no one would notice them. This news would of course make its way around the Hogwarts' gossip mill in the following days but she didn't have the strength to deal with it right now. She sighed and made her way to the girls dormitory as soon as she could, ignoring the exuberant noises that seem to come from all around. No one noticed that her nose was red or that she had tear stained cheeks and she was grateful that finally the universe had had enough of messing up her day.

She closed the door of her dormitory and stood there for a moment with her back against the door. She sighed and before she could even make an effort to collect herself, tears sprung from her eyes. She dissolved into sobs as she stumbled across the room to her bed.

"Mary!" It was Lily who had come up to use the loo and grab a couple of books before going back to the library.

"Mary, love, what is the matter?"

She wiped her tears and straightened a bit and then threw a pillow across the room. Tears continued down her face and she didn't bother to stop them. Her breaths came ragged and she stopped sobbing only to breathe. She stumbled across the room, not caring what she walked into as she retrieved her pillow and pressed it hard, biting her nails into the cover.

"What's wrong?" Lily asked again sitting down on her bed and gently touching Mary's hand. Mary shook her head. At Lily's insistence she opened her mouth to reply but only hiccups came out. Lily offered her some water and stroked her hair while talking. "What is it? Did something happen? Was it Lestrange or Avery or any of them? Did someone hex you? Mary, please tell me what is wrong?"

By that point Lily was worried, her mind wandering to dark places.

"Ri-Richa-rd." She croaked. Merlin, what a mess she was. She couldn't explain any further. How could she talk about what she had witnessed? It was so difficult and Lily was so worried. She had to collect herself, calm down for Lily's sake if not hers. But before she could say or cry any further, the dormitory door flew open and Saffi walked in. "Lily, I thought we are going to the lib-" she broke off when the scene registered in front of her.

"What happened?" she asked immediately to Lily as though Mary didn't even exist. Lily shrugged her shoulders in response and mouthed "Get Melina."

Saffi nodded and went off in search for Melina. Lily turned to Mary, her voice old and full of understanding. "You'll talk to her, right?" Mary simply closed her eyes and nodded as a moment later Melina rushed in, Saffi at her heel.

"What happened?" she asked concern lining her voice.

"I don't know. Mare was crying when I saw her and she doesn't want to talk about it." Lily answered as she got up and moved away, making space for Melina to sit besides Mary.

"Hey, Mary, what is wrong?" she asked softly, her voice barely audible and Lily and Saffi walked out, leaving the two best friends alone.

There was a silence and Mary's sobs slowed. She was replaying the scene in her mind, wishing Mel could just read it. "Mare, talk to me, will you?" Melina insisted again.

"Richard, he - he has been cheating on me." She whispered.

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"You'll be fine." Melina assured her as she stroked her hair with one arm, the other one pulling her in a protective hug. Mary nodded slightly but she didn't believe it. Melina knew that but it didn't matter. False words of hope would do just fine, if it meant her being alright. Melina sang a lullaby her mom used to sing to her as Mary's hiccups ceased slowly and the only sounds in the room were the high pitched soft tone of the song.

They remained that way for a few seconds and then Melina spoke up.

"I would say it doesn't matter but it clearly does."

Mary cringed visibly and Melina turned to face her. "Mary, hush alright. He cheated on you. What does that tell about him?" Melina asked.

Mary gave her a pointed look but she didn't back down till Mary answered her. "He's an asshole."

"Precisely; and he is not worth it."

"I know. But Mel, damn it, why would he do that? Was I- I mean, I…" she trailed of, unsure as to how she should put her fears into words.

"Don't go there Mary. If you were driving him to cheat, he should have spoken up. If he found your relationship unsatisfactory, he would've mentioned it. But he didn't. And it simply means that he kissed another girl because it turned him on, because he fancied a snog and you weren't there. Mary, you'll be fine." Melina ensured her.

It was a mark of a best friend to judge someone, condemn them to hell and not even know what exactly happened. It showed how exactly Melina knew what Mary needed; not a voice of reason or logic; just a best friend cursing her shit boyfriend along with her. Someone to tell her she'll be fine and make her believe it. She would be the voice of reason later, when Mary would be ready for it. They sat around talking for some more time, Mary grumbling about her bad day and Melina adding her little comments now and then.

Finally her Mary stood up shakily and went towards the bathroom. "I'm hungry." She called out to Melina as she washed her face. "Is it time for dinner?" she asked as stepped out wiping her face. "I think we may just make it." Melina answered and the two of them stepped downstairs. The common room was in a rampant stage; loud laughter coming from the direction of the fireplace where Melina noticed all her friends sat. They questioned as to why everyone where laughing and received the simple explanation that Sirius Black was being himself. Lily expressed her concerns and once she had been assured, the pair of them walked down for dinner.

(Mornings)

Over the course of next week, Alissa found herself becoming steady friends with the Marauders. She spent good amount of her time with Remus, poring over books and homework. James still teased her mercilessly and the two of them indulged in a lot of banter. It all began because of Peter. He insisted Alissa sit beside them during dining hours and even went out of his way to make sure she had a place to hang out with them in the common room. His reasoning behind it, while a bit absurd, made sense. She had happily agreed to tutor him and he felt guilty, and in debt for not having anything to offer in return. So he was kind to her and made her feel as included as he could. Even her relationship was Sirius was starting to become much friendlier and a lot less hostile.

On a Thursday morning, she headed down for breakfast with Sirius by her side; both of them having woken up much more early than required. Still yawning, Alissa stared at Sirius in daze as he poured himself some milk. He placed a mug in front of her and she blinked, startled.

"Why the fuck did I wake up so early today. I am going to sleep through all the lectures." She groaned nursing her coffee.

Sirius grinned as he chewed his bacon. "I am an early riser. Wake up and look around Alissa, the early mornings are amazing. They are so beautiful."

He laughed even more loudly when she gave him a look of utter and absolute hatred.

"Don't laugh so loudly." She muttered, going back to her coffee.

"You're sleepy Al, not hung over."

She chose not to reply and laid down her head on the table. There was momentary silence as Sirius opened a copy of daily prophet that was lying around and began reading it.

"What a bitch!" he exclaimed softly, causing her to lift her head from the table.

"What happened?"

"Nothing, nothing. There have been two death eater attacks in the south and all the prophet finds interesting is how to brew your tea correctly."

Alissa laughed humorlessly as she wondered "Is there a way to make it wrong?"

"Who knows?" Sirius shrugged and she slumped her shoulders. "Don't care; I'm a coffee person."

"So I noticed; how come?"

"They made amazing coffee in Durmstrang. I guess I'm used to it."

"Right."

And what ensued was more silence. Finally, Alissa stretched her legs and served herself some breakfast. "I'm ready to wake up." She announced through a spoonful of porridge.

"Good." Sirius grinned."I'll show you what mornings are really like. You will love them too."

"Hah! Good luck with that. I bet you won't be able to make me love mornings." She replied.

After she finished her breakfast, the two of them walked around the grounds with Sirius leading the way, talking about various things. Every now and then Sirius would point out yet another reason to love mornings. They walked around the perimeter of the grounds with the sun, a rosy red slowly turning yellow. A slight winter breeze blew and it would only be a matter of time before it snowed. The mornings, Alissa grudgingly admitted were pretty amazing but she refused to wake up early, no matter what. They entered back into the great hall, laughing loudly about something Sirius had said and went back to the seats they had previously taken.

"Best thing about waking up early," Sirius told Alissa as he sat down, "is second breakfasts." Alissa shook her head, muttered a quick hello to the other marauders and picked up her bag. "I'll pass." She said and walked away, waving goodbye.

"Seriously though, if you are feeling lazy then you can simply catch up on homework. So much easier." He called out after her and she laughed, rolling her eyes at the thought of Sirius Black waking up early to finish his homework.

"What have you two been up to?" James asked, frowning slightly at her retreating back.

"Nah! Nothing interesting. But she reminded me, what happened to that prank?" Sirius changed the topic, finishing his toast and picking up his bag.

"We used to be better at this." James mourned.

"Yeah but now we have to keep on topping our previous prank and it gets difficult." Sirius nodded sagely.

(The Talk)

"Hey Mary, we need to talk."

Mary looked up from her parchment, took one glance at the speaker and went right back to finishing her essay. The speaker was obviously Richard Grunt, her ex boyfriend. "Her cheating lying disgusting ex boyfriend" she mentally corrected."Whom you still like." A small voice in her head added. Repressing that voice, she focused on her homework, resisting the urge to scream at or slap the boy in front of her.

"Mare, you can't ignore me forever." He said, sitting down on the other side of the table. "Yes, I can" she screamed mentally at him, her face an expression of impassivity; as though the chair in front of her was still very much empty. But again, the small, irrepressible voice reasoned, "He was right, she would have to deal with it."

"It's not a big deal." She mentally debated. "Boyfriends cheat all the time on their girlfriends. She shouldn't take it so seriously. And Richard had a past. She really shouldn't be so upset." She reasoned. "But I am." She groaned at the chaos that was her mind.

"Mare, look at me." Richard said softly, placing an arm on her wrist. So busy she had been arguing with herself that she momentarily forgot his presence, and so she looked up startled.

"Mare, I really am sorry. Will you just listen?" he pleaded, putting on the best innocent expression he could.

"What do you want Richard?" she asked softly.

"I want you stop being mad at me." He replied.

"Then leave me alone." She snapped.

"I will, just hear me out, alright?" he asked. She quirked an eyebrow in his direction and pressed her lips shut. But she hadn't slapped him, or asked him to leave, again, so he took it as permission to explain himself.

"I was just talking to her, we were discussing the homework Flitwick at assigned us and I was explaining the finer details of it. And the corridor was empty and even before we both got together; I had been with Ira so many times. We were really hot together and she missed me. She told me that even when Dorothy was with me we would always get together, so why not now. I told her no, I told her I was serious about you but she thought I was playing hard to get. She kissed me and shoved me in the broom closet. She took off both our clothes. She- "

"Alright, Enough!" Mary exclaimed, her quill snapping as she clenched it. "Too many details."

"Right! Listen, I'm really sorry. She jumped me before I couldn't even comprehend what was happening. And then you came along. I didn't initiate it, I swear."

Mary sighed at the pleading face in front of her, aching to believe him but she couldn't. Her brain heard his words but all she could register was the groans of Ira. Her eyes didn't see his innocence but simply his naked torso entangled with his ex girlfriend.

"Alright. You've had your say. Now leave me alone Richard." She steeled herself to not run her hand through his hair, watched his back as he slumped his shoulder and walked away and when she felt her tears turning the ink wet on her parchment, ruining her homework she got up and left the library.

(Jealous)

Midway through December of 1796, the students of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry were in a mood of celebration. It had started snowing and the first weekend had been lots of fun, even the seventh year NEWT students were unable to resist the delights that a snow fight offered. To leave them further excited were the much anticipated Christmas holidays which would be a good break from the ever increasing always neglected pile of homework.

"Hey you lot!" Alissa announced her presence one evening as she sat down between Remus and James on the couch, facing Peter and Sirius.

"We can't figure out what do to for a prank." Sirius replied glumly.

"Prankster's block?" she asked sympathetically.

"No. We have ideas. They just aren't as good as some of the stuff we've done." Peter answered as Sirius clutched his throat, trying to choke himself. Alissa grinned at Sirius before turning back to Peter.

"Why do you prank?" she asked.

"Obviously because it's fun." He replied, rolling his eyes slightly.

"What ideas do you have now?"

"Well, I thought it might be fun to make Professor Flitwick's toenails grow." James offered.

"It would be." Alissa agreed laughing loudly at the mental image. "Why don't you do it?"

"Because it's so amateur." Sirius replied rolling his eyes.

"And-?"

"She's right." Remus decided after a moment. "We're being pathetic and stubborn. It should be a good laugh. Our best pranks are when we act on impulse."

"Alright." James yawned, nodding. "I am hungry. Pete, come with me to the kitchens?"

As James and Peter walked away, Alissa turned to Remus to finish their game of chess. "Sure. I don't mind." Remus smiled, retrieving their set from the mantle place. Alissa and Remus were equally good chess players and both took their time to think through every move. Most of their games dragged out far too long and so they ended up stopping their games midway and resuming it later.

"And what am I supposed to do?" Sirius asked, crossing his hands with a scowl.

"Watch." Remus said simply with a shrug.

"Homework" Alissa spoke the same second as Remus.

They shared a grin and started setting the pieces as Sirius scowled heavily.

"I'll do my homework; you take forever to think. I can't watch that long without upsetting the table."

And so Sirius was doing his homework sitting beside them as the pair played.

"Alright, that's it for today. I can't concentrate, I'm hungry." Remus declared some time later as the dusk fell. It was nearly time for supper.

"Just wait for a second mate, I'm almost done." Sirius said as he scribbled hurriedly.

"I'll just go and keep this in our room." He said picking up the chess set gingerly. Alissa watched Sirius finish his homework and pull the parchment in a scroll. "C'mon let's go." She tugged him up and started towards the portrait hole.

"Remus?" Sirius inquired when she gave him a devilish smile. Stepping out into the corridor, they walked some distance when she dragged him behind a suit of armor. "I want to scare him." She said, peeping towards the portrait of fat lady. "And what if he's waiting for us inside?" Sirius reasoned.

"He will assume you dragged me to the hall because you were impatient; that's what you do." She replied waving him down. He scowled darkly as he crouched behind her.

"Ahem, what are you both doing?" a voice came behind them causing them to jump around. It was Lily and behind her stood Emily and Saffi, both wearing amused expressions.

"Er..urm. Hiding." Alissa answered flushing.

"We're trying to scare Remus." Sirius explained.

"Yes, you've scared him away. He isn't here." Lily replied failing to contain her laughter.

"Don't be silly." Alissa straightened up from her crouched position. "He's in there." She waved a hand towards the portrait hole."

"Well, I'll make sure to warn him about your intentions." Saffi replied with a sadistic grin, walking towards the entrance, motioning for Lily and Emily to come along.

"C'mon No!" Alissa pouted but Saffi simply shrugged.

"You guys go ahead; I want to have a word." Emily said. Saffi shrugged and Lily followed her inside. Once they were out of sight, Emily turned towards Sirius.

"I ought to leave." Alissa interrupted, edging away. But she was stopped by Emily and so she stood a short distance away facing Emily's back.

"No, I'm just leaving. I just wanted to - well, I was hoping we could spend some time alone Sirius. It's been a long time since we've gone out properly." Emily said looking at Sirius, ignoring Alissa's presence.

Alissa stared at the stoned ceiling, feeling very awkward and very annoyed as she felt Sirius' glare on her. Finally she looked in his direction to find him pleading her for help.

"Date." She mouthed.

"Right, of course Em. I didn't realize- anyhow, I'll make it up to you. We'll go out on a dinner or something." He smiled at her, the charming smile that dragged the girls in. After a long deep kiss, Emily let go of him, a huge smile on her face. "You go and have dinner; I'll be in the common room." She smiled and waved goodbye to Alissa.

"That was awkward." Alissa broke the silence after a moment and suddenly both of them cracked up in laughter."What's the joke?" Remus asked stepping out at that instant. Sirius shook his head and she laughed at his expense while relating the events to Remus as they walked down to the great hall.

(A dream)

Paul dropped his books on the library table with a thud. He was annoyed for some inexplicable reason. He had been scratching away in his parchments, making notes for Ancient runes with such pressure his parchment was starting to tear away but it just made him more vigorous in his writings. Finally, he stopped when he had broken the quill into two and nearly upset the ink pot.

"What happened Dwindt?" Saffi muttered as she dropped into a seat beside him.

"Nothing." He muttered sullenly.

"Right, sure nothing." She mimicked him sarcastically. "Look I am sure you don't want to have a heart to heart about your personal problems with me but for Merlin's sake, take your anger somewhere else. You're disturbing the whole library."

"I'm barely making any noise." He argued, folding his hands across his chest.

"Pince has glared at you three times." She answered simply. "Honestly Paul, what's wrong? May be I can help." She offered much more softly.

"I don't know. Just one of those days." He replied massaging his temples.

"Alright, how about you take a nap? Go to your dorm and sleep. It might help." Saffi suggested.

"You just want me out of here." He replied knowingly.

"Yes." She answered honestly.

"I'm not leaving." He answered. This place was his sanctity and he wasn't very damned well just going to leave it.

"Talk to me." Saffi replied, placing her quill down and patiently waiting.

"I said I don't know."

"Fine, go over everything you've done, I'll help you pinpoint what might be a factor in your great gloomy darkness." She answered in a huff.

"Well, I don't know." He repeated for the third time.

"For fuck's sake Dwindt, tell me, was the breakfast not according to your liking? Did you get a mail from your parents making those annoying inescapable Christmas plans? Did McGonagall not give you an O in your homework?

"No." He answered angrily. Why was this woman riling him up on a bad day. "I had a good breakfast. I did not receive any mail and for your information, McGonagall gave me an O because there was no higher grade for her to give."

"Well, now we are talking. So when did this bout of 'bad day' start?" she smirked.

"Before Transfiguration." He answered readily.

"What happened during breakfast?"

"I ate bacon and eggs, had pumpkin juice and rechecked my essay for Professor Flitwick."

"And then you attended your lectures?"

"Yes."

"Well, there's something we're missing."

"No shit Sherlock." He muttered a permanent frown on his face.

"What?" Saffi asked confused.

"Nothing, a Muggle phrase. You're right; we're missing something."

There was a moment of silence as Saffi picked up her quill and returned to her notes. Paul did the same but both their minds were on the problem at hand. Both, exceptionally brilliant in their studies had already finished their homework. And when provided with a new problem to deal with, their brains leapt at the opportunity.

"Damn it, I know what we're missing. We've been missing it literally." Paul exclaimed suddenly.

"Mr. Dwindt!" Madam Pince whispered aggressively, heading towards their table. "Sorry." Both of them replied together and paying no attention to her, Paul explained to Saffi.

"I haven't received a mail from my mother in over two weeks. I usually get one every week. And during Christmas times, she is especially interested in convincing me to visit her but this year she didn't do that. We were missing the letter." He whispered excitedly.

"Right. Why didn't I think of it?" she muttered rhetorically.

They sat in a moment of silence as it sunk it but then Saffi asked the next logical question.

"So, what now?"

"I don't know. She must be busy or something." He muttered his voice barely audible.

"Paul, take it from me and send her a letter or you might regret it." She muttered and started color coordinating her notes, not allowing Paul a chance to ask any questions.

"Alright." He finally consented, feeling slightly better.

(It's a date)

"Shut up Prongs." Peter whined. He had just come back after disappearing for the previous two hours and was being relentlessly questioned for it by Sirius and James. Peter groaned and muttered something incoherent as James and Sirius started laughing again.

"What was it mate, didn't quite catch that?" James grinned, sticking out his ear for Peter to repeat his response.

"I said, I was with Ella." Peter said loudly, emerging from his pillow, his face a picture of seriousness. There was a momentary pause and silence and Peter hoped that his friends would stop teasing but no such luck.

"Wormtail was getting lucky. Wormtail isn't gay." Sirius chanted from his bed, a smirk on his face.

"Aha! Knew it." James interrupted.

"Peter and Elladora sitting in a tree." Sirius started chanting once again; a tune even he despised just to annoy Peter. That was a mark of their friendship. Peter buried his face once again in the pillow, blushing furiously. Before they could pursue however, their door flew open.

"Sirius Black, you're a dead man." Sirius looked up surprised to find Alissa standing at the door, her hands on her hips.

"I swear I didn't do it." He exclaimed his hands up in surrender.

Alissa cracked a grin at his ridiculous expression. "Yes you did. You forgot your date and Emily's waiting. She came back five mutes ago from the classroom where you were supposed to meet angry and disappointed. I told her to go back and wait; you probably got caught up. I'm going to follow her up. Get your ass there as soon as possible" Alissa spoke in a slightly bossy voice as with every passing second her smirk increased. Sirius eyes widened as his friends burst out laughing.

"Shit."

"Al wait," he called out as she turned to go away. "Where am I meeting her?"

"Holy mother of Merlin, Sirius!" she chastised. "You really haven't made an effort have you? Well, at least transfigure something into a gift."

"Right!" he exclaimed, opening his closet and pulling out the first clean pairs robes he could find.

"Turn around and tell me what?" he asked, starting to change as she complied, all the while laughing at him.

"How about errm… dammit, I don't know."

"C'mon! You're a girl. You ought to know." He exclaimed, brushing his hair and adding that she could turn around.

"But, I don't know what Emily might like."

"Girls are all the same. What would you like?" James interrupted, coming to rescue his best mate.

"I guess, jewelry can do. A nice bracelet."

"Alright." Sirius muttered. "Let's do this."

"I'm just going to go make sure she's still there." Alissa said, turning down the stairs.

"Yeah, alright." Sirius muttered focusing on the details of the bracelet he was imagining.

(Life and the little things)

Sirius had been gone for some time now and James had continued to tease Peter but as he adopted a new strategy, where he entirely ignored James provocations, James got bored easily and went downstairs for dinner and praying that Sirius would make it back in time for their full moon adventure. If he didn't then James doubted he could handle Remus alone.

He entered the great hall to find it relatively empty for the rush hour hadn't started yet. He looked for a seat at Gryffindor table when his eyes fell on a certain red head surprisingly sitting alone and eating quietly. Approaching her, James was even more surprised to find her relatively enjoying being alone.

"All friends ditch you Evans?" he asked, seating opposite to her. She looked up startled, her green eyes coming back to focus.

"More like I ditched them." She smiled.

"Ah! Evans, greet me with smiles like those and I might consider giving up my heart." He said with a smirk, gauging her reaction. She rolled her eyes and paid her attention back to her food. "Now that's like the Evans I know." He grinned, serving himself to some meat.

"So, your friends ditch you Potter?" she asked in the same tone as he had.

"More like I ditched them." He grinned.

They sat in silence for a while, the noise being made by the cutlery. It wasn't an awkward silence and every now and then they shared smiles, mouthful of food. Casting his mind around for a topic, James swallowed his vegetables and spoke up, "What's your favorite color Evans?"

"Well, aren't you random." She raised her eyebrows in question. He grinned as he explained, "No one bothers with people's favorite colors anymore, do they? Like when we were kids, all we had to do was ask each other's names and their favorite colors and borrow a quill and we would be best of friends. Not anymore. Ever wonder why?"

"Well, I suppose as we grow older, we expect different things from our friendships." She answered hesitantly, trying to find the best words to make her point. She took a gulp of water and placed the glass back down on the table; the water droplets forming a ring and turning the wood a darker shade. "We want more things from friendships now; things more than a quill." She added smiling. She got up, swinging one leg over the table hopping up. And then she waited as James finished his juice.

"Ready to go?" she asked to which he nodded.

"But why don't those things matter anymore." James asked, turning back to their previous conversation.

"They do." She said sagely but added, "just not as much as other things."

"It's a pity. It was less complicated before." James decided.

"Perhaps." She agreed, "but we grow up. And we get hurt, broken and we start looking for things that won't break us."

"Favorite colors never broke us." He smirked.

"No, time did. And growing up did. And now we look for things that won't break us further. We look for things that will keep us going. You know, things like trust and faith and all those vague words." She argued. "You don't need to know someone's favorite color to be their best friend but you need to trust them." She concluded, satisfied with her response.

"That's bullshit Evans and you know it. Things break us because we let our guards down. And when do we let our guards down? When we trust people." He answered readily. They were now walking along a dimly lit corridor that seemed to go on forever. It belonged to an older part of the castle that Lily hadn't visited before but James seemed to know the way.

"We need trust and friendship and faith to keep going James. We need to feel these things. It may lead to hurt but we can't let it stop us from feeling. We can't have walls. They will suffocate us. These walls don't defend us anymore than kill us. Yes sometimes we get hurt but-"

"That's yet another thing that bothers me." James interrupted her. "You don't have an answer Lily but you still try to come up with one. The last time I did that was for Flitwick's mock paper. Sometimes it's okay to just say you don't know."

"But I-"

"See there you go again, forming an answer." James pointed out, tucking his hands inside his pocket, his elbows sticking out.

She didn't reply for a while. James could see she was thinking about his words.

"Blue." She finally spoke. "That deep inky, almost black but not quite so shade of blue; that's my favorite color."

"Why?"James grinned.

"Just because. I don't have a reason. I decided it when I was young and I haven't thought about it again."

"That's good. You shouldn't need any other reason than just because you felt like it. I think that as a reason isn't appreciated enough." He replied wisely. "And it's so annoying because we need to have reasons and they need to be deep and good. Why do you like that guy? Oh because he is so nice and a loving person who does good things. Why can't it be because he looks hot."

"And I know we shouldn't have walls, but we all have them nonetheless." He added after some time.

"Wow! Aren't you in a mood." She commented lightly as he finished, he brows furrowed.

He cracked a small, sideways humorless smile. They walked in silence, James taking them along a much longer route than Lily figured.

"I just don't like the idea of growing up. Things were easier before and much more fun. Do you remember that time Sirius and I turned Mike Standler's hair blue; it was our first prank?" James muttered.

"Yes, of course I do. It was horribly mean and equally funny. I think that's when people started noticing you two." Lily laughed.

"Yes, we hadn't even included Remus and Peter back then. They look so notoriously innocent but behind those faces lay such mischievous intentions." James smirked. "That used to be so easy; being naughty and to quote you, being mean."

Lily stayed quiet as they walked, thinking about his words but mostly wondering what was it that brought this on. And then she decided it might be nothing, just like he had said. May be nothing was really bothering him. There didn't have to be reason.

"I'm scared halo." He said, his voice barely audible.

"Who are you and what have you done to James Potter?" she asked, her face etched with mock concern.

"Ha ha, you crack me up." He rolled his eyes sarcastically. "I'm scared Halo. School will end in two years and I don't even know what I am going to do with my life. Hell, where am I headed?"

"James, it's okay you know. Everything will turn out to be alright. And we have not just two years but a whole life time ahead to figure it out." She smiled, reaching out to touch his shoulder. He smiled back at her.

"I know but sometimes I need reassurance."

"Now you have it." She grinned "Sides' this James is starting to worry me."

"Oh c'mon, that's not fair." He groaned, running a hand through his hair.

"It's just, I always pegged you to be the funny guy or perhaps, under circumstances the angry guy." She explained, biting back a smile that felt inappropriate.

"You and everyone else. I can't ever be serious. If I am then something wrong has happened." He grumbled.

She grinned, "Yeah, you can't be serious. We already have one of him and can't handle two."

James laughed loudly, his voice reverberating in the corridor, "Oh fucking Merlin, I think you just bagged the crappiest joke of the year award."

"A good joke is based on whether or not the audience laughs so I may just not get the trophy this year." She retorted. "And sorry I pegged you. You can be serious; in fact you're pretty darn good at being serious." She added.

"Well thank you. You don't know me at all Halo, to go around pegging me." He replied, his eyes twinkling.

"Don't worry Potter, I will unravel all your secrets." She retorted and suddenly James could feel how exactly close they were. He could see the glint in her moist eyes, the moon going up steadily in the window behind her, its light illuminating her. And her lips were chapped, desperately in need for some lip guard. They were chapped and skin was tore off in place where she had bit herself and they looked so incredibly kissable. He knew she was staring at her weird. He was aware of her gaze and he knew he couldn't kiss her. "She has a boyfriend for merlin's sake." He thought. He cleared his throat and spoke the first thing he on his mind; anything to look away from her, anything to commence walking again. When had they stopped?

"How's the boyfriend Evans?"

Lily looked startled and she inhaled deeply, her eyes rolled back in a smirk. "Still hot." She winked at him. He grinned and they started walking again.

"I really don't like full moons." She said absently. "They hide the stars; which are a lot more beautiful and consistent in their arrival."

"Full moon is consistent too." James muttered absently, pulling her in another direction as she took a wrong turn; a genuine mistake because she had no idea how he had navigated them.

"Oh, technicalities. Stars arrive everyday; full moon doesn't."

"I pegged you as the full moon girl." James confessed, his hands stretched out, feeling the wall in front of him.

"Oh! You don't know me well enough to peg me, James Potter." She grinned, crossing her hands and watching him curiously.

"Hang on a second." He grunted, as he pushed a tile in front of him and the wall suddenly disappeared. It lead to a short passage and on the other end was a tapestry. Pushing it aside, they came out on the seventh floor.

"Best shortcut I've ever found." James declared proudly.

"I thought we took more time."

"No we didn't, look it's those first years who left ten minutes before we did." James pointed to a bunch of students huddled around the portrait, muttering the password. The portrait swung open with a creaking noise. The pair of them stepped inside with them, seating themselves by the window.

"I ought to do transfiguration." Lily muttered, stretching her arms. "But so not in the mood." She added lazily.

James grinned, looking at his watch distractedly. "Then don't." He offered simply. Just then the portrait opened and Emily entered. They both looked up at her as she passed them.

"Hey Emily, where's Sirius?" James called out.

She turned around furiously, "Don't say his fucking name in front of me." she breathed coldly and ran up the stairs to her dorm.

"Well, that was- Whatever did Sirius do?" James wondered shocked, running his hand through his hair.

"I ought to go; make sure she's alright." Lily said getting up; biting her lip in worry.

"Yeah, I'll go find Sirius." James got up feeling aware of the map in his room. He waited till Lily was out of sight before heading upstairs and opening the marauder's map, his second favorite possession after his invisibility cloak. Peter was still in the room, snoring lightly when he barged in. Once he spotted Sirius' dot on a second floor corridor, he woke peter up.

"C'mon Wormtail." He shook his friend.

"Is it time to visit Moony?" Peter asked groggily.

"Nearly, and we've got to make a detour to pick up Padfoot." James whispered.

(Jealous much)

"He isn't coming Al." Emily muttered fervently, pacing the small corridor outside the classroom where she was supposed to meet Sirius. She didn't dare go inside, in case he had a surprise planned or worse, he didn't. Alissa who knew better tried to convince her that Sirius was indeed coming.

"C'mon Emily, idiotic as the bloke is, he is coming. He won't stand you up." She assured her friend, patting her on the back.

"He's nearly an hour late." She looked worried.

"Its forty minutes and he's a bloke. Honestly, what do you expect?" Alissa consoled her, flinching inwardly as she lied pathetically to keep her friend from bursting into tears. "Why don't you tell me about how you got together?" she asked.

Emily coughed slightly as she tried to recollect, or pretended to for she remembered exactly how they had got together.

"It was after our O. " she began slowly, dramatically. "Everyone was in a celebratory mood and once the clock struck twelve, most of the first and second years had wandered off. Third year students were warned, as is the rule but allowed to stay. And then naturally, the drinks were spiked." She grinned, sniffling slightly. "A lot of that night is blur but I remember we kissed. In fact we snuck out and found some empty broom closet." She laughed, her voice croaked.

"And you decided to be together?" Alissa asked, one eyebrow raised.

"No, I confronted the bloke the next day. Asked him where we stood. Would it be awkward? Or should we get together?" she said, her eyes had a faraway look in them.

"And?" Alissa prompted.

"He said he didn't mind; thought I was cool. He didn't mind getting together with me." She finished. Lucky for her, she wasn't looking at Alissa who looked like she had swallowed a rather old piece of food she really didn't like. She was staring at the end of the corridor when she thought she heard footsteps. Sure enough, Sirius came running around the corner a moment later, gasping for breath.

"Em, I'm so so sorry. I'm so sorry." He wheezed, bend at the stomach, his hands clutching his knees in support.

"I forgot where we were supposed to meet." He admitted.

Emily stared at him aghast, fury boiling inside of her.

"You for-forgot!" she spluttered. "Forgot!" she screeched. "You show up here forty minutes later claiming you forgot. And since you forgot I am sure you didn't even have anything planned. In fact why the heck did you even bother showing up?"

"Em, I so sorry. And I was planning on taking you down to the kitchens." He said, reaching out to take her arms.

"Don't!" she flinched away. "And the kitchens. Sure, let's eat the same food everyone else is going to with the house- elves staring at us in fascination; because that is the perfect romantic date." She snapped. "To which you are forty minutes late." She added.

"Look, Em, I said I am sorry. Forgive me?" he asked, pleadingly, putting on his best apologetic expression.

"Why should I? I bet you didn't even bother getting me something to apologize. I don't need gifts Sirius, but sometimes I would love a sign to show that you really are sorry." She added.

"Alright, enough." Sirius answered. "Of course I got you something. In fact, I was late in the first place because I was trying to create the perfect bracelet for you. You! Alright. And then I forgot where we were supposed to meet because I had other things on my mind. I have other plans later tonight. So why don't we quit fighting and have our dinner, because I don't have enough time."

Emily looked like she had been literally slapped on the face. Figuratively speaking, she had been.

Up to that point, Alissa figured she would wish both of them good luck on the date and leave but then she realized that the fighting was going to go on a long time. Feeling extremely uncomfortable, she started edging away.

"You made other plans; you were going to go out after our date." Emily whispered questioningly.

"Yes, of course, key word being after."

"I can't believe you Sirius." She spoke. "Don't!" she yelled, as he tried to wrap the bracelet around her arm. "I bet you didn't even mean to bring it for me." She accused.

"Fine." Sirius yelled, heating up himself. "I actually meant this bracelet for Alissa. Here Al, it looks so pretty on you." He grabbed Alissa's wrist just as she was turning away, clasping the silver band with intricate details, which was actually quite pretty and turned back to Emily.

"Are you happy now!" he yelled, unaware of the tears that were threatening to spill from her lids. She ran away, her expression betraying hurt more than anger.

"What!" Sirius turned to Alissa who stood frozen on the spot.

"Nothing." She shook her head, following her friend at her own pace.

(Banging Doors)

Melina decided that the world was an entirely strange place where girls loved to enter the room and bang the door. Not wanting to be sexist, she mentally added that boys probably did the same too but she had never had the opportunity to witness as such. She had been having a perfectly normal night, retiring into her bed after a perfectly normal day when her roommate came in banging the door behind her. She figured it must've been Saffi, who often took out her frustrations on the poor unfortunate, never complaining all enduring doors. She opened one eye and squinted to find that it was in fact Emily, her other roommate. She was wearing a short black muggle dress with very fine makeup that was smeared. Her mascara was running and nose was red, very evidently suggesting that she had been indeed crying. She tried to hide a sob but Melina was out of her covers and by her side in an instant.

Just then the door opened and was banged closed again, this time by Lily who looked worried.

"Emily, what happened?" she asked, concerned lacing her tone.

"Sirius. He screwed it all up." She spoke, hiccuping. Her voice was dry; she had been crying too long. Lily got her up and supporting her, she walked them to the bathroom. Lily took her accessories as Emily washed her face. Wiping herself dry on a towel, she was examining her red nose in subdued silence when the door was closed with resounding bang.

Third time, Melina mentally calculated.

This time, it was Alissa, fiddling around her wrist.

"Em!" she called out. "Look, Em, he's an asshole." She said, walking towards the bathroom as Melina pointed her in that direction.

"Don't cry over him, alright." She said, reaching out to hug her best friend but only to be pushed aside.

"Maybe." She said coldly. "But I can't believe what you did."

"What the hell!" Alissa exclaimed backing away. "What did I do?"

"He gave you a fucking bracelet Alissa, and I've in six months not received a single gift from that man."

"I didn't ask for it Em." Alissa protested. Melina could feel her quivering beside her and despite her red face, Melina doubted Alissa was shaking from anger.

"Em, you can't seriously be accusing me of hitting on him when you're my best friend."

"Well, you have been cozying up with him lately, haven't you?" Emily snarled, too hurt to see sense.

"Take it." Alissa said thrusting the bracelet towards her. "It is this thing right? This one bracelet that makes you doubt our friendship. I don't give on damned fuck about it. It's yours anyway. He transfigured it on his own, detailed it. Him! For you."

Emily took the bracelet hesitatingly and then flung it back. Instinctively, Alissa caught it.

There was a moment; a moment of silence; silence, not peace or serenity, Melina thought as she watched the two girls stare at each other. And then Alissa left; banging the door in her wake.

Four.

That was when Melina decided that girls are the sole species on this planet that will always leave a door banging in their wake.

(An Epiphany)

Somewhere in the castle, a clock struck twelve. Alissa gave a huge yawn as she sat on the window sill at the gryffindor common room; staring at the full moon outside. It was unnervingly white and soothing; the light shone down the grounds, shimmering across the lake. She gave an audible sigh and another yawn. Finally she got up and sat down at her regular table. She was tired, indeed but sleep evaded her. She was angry too and there was a bracelet shoved down at the bottom of her bag that she had to deal with before she slept.

She pulled a blank piece of parchment and figured that she might as well finish her defense homework; that was the only one left. She was one of those people to finish their homework to take their mind of things. She pulled out her research from her bag, her eyes falling on the stupid bracelet that caused it all. A surge of fury coursed through her veins. Stupid Sirius Blank and his stupid bracelet.

"Werewolves" She scribbled her handwriting big and round, at the center of the page. The essay due was about dark creatures. With the ever increasing attacks surrounded by 'You Know Who's' name in hushed tones, inferi was the most popular choice. Dementors had followed next and Alissa had picked Werewolves, slightly overlooked in the recent times. She was supposed to write about recognizing them, about their characteristics, and how to defend oneself against them.

"Werewolves have shorter snouts than regular wolves" she read from her notes, her mind wondering how cruel would it be to feed Sirius Black to werewolves. She shook her head, a voice uncannily like James telling her she was losing it and laughing at her. She blinked several times, continuing to read her research.

"The cause for their disease is lycanthropy or often known as werewolfry."

"Where was James when she needed him?" Alissa mentally grumbled, her mind once again wandering. "He always talks about his Lily problems and the one time I need the bloke, he disappears."

"Werewolves are humans at all times except for when the full moon appears. The transformation can be very painful"

"Today is a full moon." She thought softly. "Someone out there must be in pain." She wondered glumly, exhaustion overtaking her brain's clarity. In that moment, she forgot that werewolves were dangerous vicious creatures who didn't have an ounce of human in them."

"A werewolf bite can be fatal, however a mixture of powdered silver and dittany can allow the victim to live. The only catch is that they transform into a werewolf every full moon themselves."

"Where would James be? And Sirius. I bet they are with the other two, playing out some atrocious prank, not including me despite my request for a forehand warning." She thought, doodling at the corner of her parchment, staring out at the moon. It was so white and full.

"But that can't be." She argued, for she knew Remus had gone to visit his mother; she was sick so often. Remus would visit her almost every month. Who really gets that sick? She had- What did Remus say his mother had?"

She struggled to remember but failed to do so.

"Dragon Pox, probably." She resigned to herself. "But then what were Sirius and James up to?" They disappear once every month like werewolves." She chuckled, copying her notes into coherent sentences at a slow speed. She wrote for a moment more before sitting up straight. "Where in the fucking hell had that come from?" she wondered, trying to sort her head. She was sleep addled and clearly her brain had mushed werewolves, James and Sirius together.

"But it made sense." She argued, her eyes wide. She pressed her fingers to her temple, trying to recollect last month's full moon, or the month before. They weren't there; they never were around during full moon.

"Oh God, James and Sirius are werewolves; perhaps even Peter and Remus. But that can't be right. How rare was the chance for four of them to be werewolves and happened to be sorted into the same house. In fact she doubted Dumbledore would ever let a werewolf into the castle. No, of course he would. He was Dumbledore and he had a reputation for being somewhat unconventional."

She had by that time given up on her essay, her mind alert; sleep vanishing into the darkness. She pondered over her initial argument. "How could all four boys be werewolves. No," she decided "Maybe the rest of them had been bitten by one."

She could feel her heart beats rising, her stomach's contents in her throat. The clock struck one. She laid her head on her notes sideways, staring at them blankly as she tried to register the particular piece of information.

"It is noticed that werewolves often feel ill around the time of transformation. Even during the day, before the moon comes out, the close proximity to the full moon day can make them feel haggard." It read.

"Remus always looks ill." She thought idly. The others didn't look sick; in fact James and Sirius and even Peter looked fine that evening. She sighed, staring dully at the moon outside. It seemed so pretty just hours ago. She sat there, eventually scribbling some more lines of her essay and then finally collected her books and bag, going back to her dorm, her mind still on the boys and werewolves. Needless to say, she didn't sleep that night.

(The breakfast)

Caradoc Dearborn was perfect really. He had a great score in his classes, he was a prefect and respected well among the his peers. He came very close to beating the head boy at achieving the position in question. He was polite and had the perfect table manners. In fact, Lily noticed at breakfast one day in November that he offered to serve others first. He actually offered and not just her, but to everyone in vicinity. He struck up an easy conversation with her friends and Lily couldn't help but think that he was perfect really. There wasn't one thing that was wrong about the boy. He was the types you could introduce your father to and not worry about it. Caradoc Dearborn, with his short mud brown hair combed perfectly was perfect. And he had been addressing her for the past minute, something she was unaware of as she zoned out.

"Lily?" he asked worried as Saffi laughed.

"Don't worry Dearborn. She's zones out quite often. Shake her." She assured him, pouring herself some milk.

"Lily?" he asked again, a bit loudly, shaking her by the shoulders.

"Huh!"

"Alright day dreamer; I'm going to dash. See you in class. Bye Dearborn." Saffi waved, placing her glass of milk back on the table.

"Bye saffi."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Once she was gone, Lily yawned sheepishly her eyes on her plate. "So Lils," he began, placing a soft hand on her shoulder, "What are you up to tonight? Any special plans?" he asked nervously.

"Just a date with this book I have on advanced charms. Why do you ask?" she added the last bit.

"Well, it's been a long time since we spent some time together, with my NEWTs and everything and I really don't have any homework or anything planned; so I wondered if we could take some time out." He offered.

"Oh sure, advanced charms can wait." She grinned.

"Great, I'll pick you up at seven?" he asked, smiling.

"Erm, sure. What exactly do you have planned?" she asked curious.

"It's a surprise." He announced with flourish.

"Car, last time your surprise went really awry." Lily pointed out to their disastrous first date at the Hogsmeade.

"Right! I don't really have anything planned but I figured a nice dinner in some nice quiet corner of the castle."

"Hmm. Sounds lovely. Seven then. Do you remember the way to the Gryffindor common room?"

"Not really, no. May be we should meet up at the astronomy towers. There aren't any classes scheduled up there for tonight."

"Great." She smiled, excitement building up inside her.

"It's a date." He grinned leaning close to her, their forehead touching. Their lips were hovering mere centimeters apart when Lily closed the distance by leaning in for a kiss. His hands snaked around her waist; hers on the back on his neck.

"Ahem! Dearborn, could you pass the salt?" Sirius asked with a smirk. James was beside him, chortling slightly, his eyes heavy and head on the table.

"You're eating porridge Black." Caradoc pointed out, once having recovered from being interrupted.

"And you should be at the hufflepuff table. What can I say, today is an odd morning." Sirius quipped. There was a momentary pause when Caradoc just stared, unable to form a response.

"Pass the salt Dearborn." Sirius prompted, a hint of a smirk on his face. "And while you're at it, try not to make me throw up my breakfast." He added, unable to hide his grin anymore.

"What breakfast, Black." Lily narrowed her eyes at him. Caradoc was too sweet really; too sweet to realize or protest about Black's teasing.

"The one that seems to be coming back in my throat, Lily dear." Sirius grinned, pouring some salt on porridge for Caradoc's benefit.

"C'mon Car, let's go." Lily said, getting up, her eyes narrowed at Sirius. James was still slumped at the table; tired from his previous night's activities.

"Ooohhh" Sirius said loftily, watching the pair of them walk away. Lily turned around, glared daggers at him and then went away, not uttering a word; an eerie sense of Deja vu' overtaking her.

Sirius slumped slightly too; putting a spoonful of porridge into his mouth before spitting it out. "Gah. The salt." He realized a bit too late.

"That's absolutely gross Sirius." came a voice typical of Remus from behind him.

"I was going to sit there." Peter complained. Peter had been voted as the one to accompany Remus from the hospital wing that day.

"Moony! How are you now? Better?" James asked, straightening up and yawning loudly. Winter nights were the worst for the full moon stayed out for a longer time, leading to the marauder's staying up much late than usual.

"Better. Madam Pomfrey's a genius really." He answered, wincing as he stretched out his arms to serve himself some bacon.

"Still hurts." Peter inquired, sympathetically.

"Yeah. It's okay though; You guys alright? Sirius, I didn't push you too hard, did I?" Remus asked, worried as he always was after a full moon.

"We're fine. Sleepy though." James yawned, fiddling with his eggs drowsily.

Before Remus could respond however, Alissa came up behind him, tugging him out of his seat. Sirius looked alarmed, and tried to avoid her eye by concentrating on his half eaten bowl of salty porridge but she didn't glance twice at him. She avoided him completely and he was baffled; not because she was avoiding him out of anger but because she honestly didn't care.

"Remus, we need to talk." She said in a staged whisper; prodding him along. He cringed visibly, causing Alissa to confirm her worst suspicions.

"Where are you taking him Al?" James asked, worried about Remus who has still sporting a big bruise on his shoulder, hidden underneath his robes.

Alissa ignored him, directing Remus outside the hall. The three boys looked at each other, shared one glance and jumped out of their seats. Grabbing their bags, they raced to follow them. There was small room side to the entrance hall whose door Alissa had just closed when it burst open again. James, Sirius and Peter stood at the doorway, a puzzled Remus and an annoyed Alissa staring at them.

"What do you want from him?" Sirius asked.

"Don't you address me Sirius Black. You owe me an explanation, an apology and a path leading me out of this fucking mess." She narrowed her eyes at him and he backed down; but slightly so.

"What do you want from Remus?" he asked again; his tone much more soft.

"Remus, are you a werewolf?" she asked, addressing Remus. Remus's eyes widened and he looked alarmed but before he could reply, she interrupted him.

"Oh god, that was completely uncalled for. I don't even know what I was thinking. I am so sorry ; please don't get offended. I just had a weird night and I was still - just forget it alright Remus. I'm sorry." She continued, flustered, suddenly realizing the absurdity of her thoughts when having spoken them aloud.

"Alright, Alissa. Calm down. Take a deep breath." Remus asked her; placing his hands firmly on her shoulder. She nodded, getting over her slight hysteria. Remus had been very calm for someone who had been rightly accused of being a werewolf.

"Alissa, why would you even think that someone like Remus can be a werewolf." James asked, laughing loudly, hoping to brush off her accusations with laughter.

"I was looking for you two arseholes last night and it dawned on me that you're never around during full moons and I jumped to conclusions." She said, looking at James and Sirius. "I thought that you are all werewolves." She laughed nervously.

Peter laughed along with her which died away quickly. There was an awkward tension in the room which lasted for an entire minute. Finally Alissa spoke, "Look, I know you guys are not werewolves or anything but you could just say that aloud. It would be a relief."

The four boys exchanged glances and shrugged; a gesture that didn't go unnoticed by Alissa.

"I'm not a werewolf Alissa." Peter squeaked, him being very nervous at being so close to being caught.

"Me neither." James smirked from where in had perched himself on a bench during the exchange.

"I know I know."

"Al! Do you think I, I Sirius Black could be a werewolf?" Sirius grinned, shaking her by the shoulders.

Remus remained seated on a bench in the front. He rubbed his sandy brown hair near the temple as Alissa smiled at Sirius. And then she turned to him.

"Remus, please look me in the eye and tell me that you're not a werewolf." She smiled in what she thought was a reassuring tone.

"But then I would be lying." He muttered, his voice barely audible. If the room hadn't turned pitch silent, no one would've even caught him saying it.

"Say what!" Alissa asked, her heart hammering at a million miles a second. Had she heard correctly?

"I'm a werewolf Alissa." Remus spoke softly, his eyes downcast. He couldn't look at her and lie blandly. He just couldn't.

"Yo- You're a wer-werewol-lf." Alissa stuttered, her knees buckling as she looked for something to hold on to.

"I'm sorry Alissa, I understand if you don't want us to be friends or anything anymore. I respect your opinion of course; just please do not tell anyone about this. You can't. I know you probably feel that my school mates ought to know the kind of monster I really am but Alissa please; you don't realize how difficult it already is; being a werewolf. Please Alissa, I beg of you; you can't tell anyone. I haven't hurt anyone and I will never do that. Professor Dumbledore and the staff know about this con-condition of mine and they have taken measure to make sure I never harm anyone. Please, just don't tell anyone Alissa." Remus, his voice still stuck at the same volume; a sense of hysteria and desperation in it. But somehow she caught every word as she stared in what would be conceived as rapt attention or absolute obliviousness, or in this case, a bit of both.

"Remus; you're a werewolf." She whispered; her voice catching in her throat.

"Yes, please don't tell anyone." He replied, his brows scrunch together.

"I won't." She sighed softly.

"You won't?" he asked, almost as thought he had heard wrong; heard what he had wanted to hear instead of the truth.

"Of course I won't." She answered with much more confidence.

Then she offered him a small, nervous smile. "I have one condition though- you will never ever come near me during full moon."

Remus, impossible as it seemed, laughed. Not a dry chuckle or a smile but a loud laugh. The ice broke. He smiled, his eyes very moist.

"But you lot; you absolute liars. You are werewolves too, aren't you?" she turned to the other three.

"No, we aren't Al." James rolled his eyes.

"Don't believe you; I don't." She announced. "C'mon Remus; you honest bloke. We've got classes and I want to grab some breakfast." She said, linking her hand through the crook of his elbow.

"Listen, Alissa." Sirius stopped her, his voice devoid of all teasing. "We didn't lie. We're not werewolves."

"Where were you last night?" she countered.

"That's a secret and I'm afraid I can't tell you anymore than that. Can you accept that?" he asked clearly.

"I can." She smiled and then turned back to Remus. Squeezing his arm, she walked out of the room.

(Ignorance is bliss.)

It was during transfiguration that Emily realized that her plan to ignore Alissa and Sirius till the end of time was extremely flawed. For starters; her assigned partner for transfiguration had been Alissa and somehow she doubted Professor McGonagall was going to let her changed partners because of a feud.

Also, it was highly unlikely for her to ignore Sirius for he had been bothering her for the past twenty minutes by throwing paper balls at her. She supposed they were messages or he was rubbing it in but either ways, he was being a pain in the ass. And because her luck was blasted; or perhaps his was way too good; McGonagall never seemed to catch him.

She sighed and continued with her half of their group research as Alissa did the same in the seat beside her. She was subdued and her demeanor apologetic but she knew better; she had seen her with Sirius laughing in the entrance hall the very morning. They had been laughing and they had apparently made up. She felt extremely jealous at being left out of the joke and angry that they hadn't even bothered to apologize.

She could've screamed in ecstasy when the bell finally rang and she could be out of there. She was one of the very first people at the door. The only one to beat her, however, was Sirius Black.

"Emily, please please listen to me." He asked softly.

"Sirius go away."

"Emily, please."

"What!" she asked, hoping for a proper explanation, giving in easily.

"I'm sorry. I have no excuses or reasons or an explanation. I'm sorry and that bracelet-" he cringed at this point, catching Alissa from the corner of his eye, "-It was for you. I spent a long time trying to perfect it. You know me; I kept it till the last moment and it took up too much time" he lied easily.

"Sirius." Emily sighed, moving to a side to not block the doorway.

"I'm sorry." He asked, his lips pursed.

"It's okay." She smiled, hesitating slightly.

"Great!" he grinned, kissing her on the cheek.

"C'mon, let's go. We're late." He slipped his hand into hers, pulling her towards where James and Alissa where standing.

"James, don't tell me you haven't got a single spare quill." Alissa was complaining with her hand stuck inside her bag, looking for one in her bags; even though she knew she didn't have any.

"Hey, mate; ready for Herbology?" Sirius asked, one hand still wrapped around Emily's waist.

"Sirius, you got a quill?" Alissa whirled and asked, tapping her foot slightly. She knew she would be late for Arithmacy.

"I do." Sirius smirked in his cocky manner.

"Great." Alissa sighed, her hand stretched out in relief.

"Why should I give it?" Sirius grinned, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"Gah! Em, handle your boyfriend, why don't you?" she groaned. "Because I'm running late and don't have time for your games." She added to Sirius.

"Wrong answer." He laughed, the quill in his, waving it out of her reach.

Alissa pursed her lips before leaning to whisper in his ear. Emily stiffened slightly by his side at their close contact but didn't catch what she said. Sirius' hand limped for a moment and Alissa, seeing the opportunity, grabbed the quill, and walked away. She walked backwards, facing Sirius, James and Emily and then she grinned before twirling back again the right way.

"C'mon Em, we're going to be late." She called out to Emily.

They hadn't made up entirely yet but most of Emily's anger was directed at Sirius and both of them knew it. And if she had forgiven Sirius, it would only be a matter of time before she would forgive Alissa too. Besides, they could at least walk together.

"So, made up with Emily?" James asked Sirius, who was still staring at the backs of the two girls.

"I think I am starting to like her." Sirius answered, frowning slightly. "That's great." James clapped him on the back bringing him back to reality.

They walked towards the tapestry at the end of the corridor, which let out directly near their ancient runes class. James was still talking as they walked. "That's really fantastic mate. You're finally falling for your girlfriend. I mean, sure you're about six months too late but no matter." He grinned.

Before Sirius could reply however, they had walked into their classroom and their professor was frowning at them.

"Nice of you to join us Mr. Black, Mr. Potter."

"My pleasure professor." James replied in his usual cocky grin and took a seat. She sniffed delicately but carried forward with the lecture anyway.

(Separate Ways)

"Going somewhere, Halo?" James asked, leaning on a wall in an empty corridor. In front of him was Lily Evans, sixth year prefect who was peeking around the corner; justifiably so for it was way past curfew. She jumped at his arrival and turned around with narrowed eyes. How the hell had he managed to just pop out there; she had barely crossed that section of the wall half a minute ago and no one, not even Potter could be that stealthy, especially when she was on such a high alert for any sounds.

"What are you doing here Potter?"

"Now Halo, its past curfew. How come our darling prefect is sneaking outdoors?" he asked, pushing against the wall and standing upright.

"What's it to you? And how the hell did you manage to just pop out of thin air?" she asked, turning back to the corner. Still peeping cautiously, she jumped once more when she felt his breath on her neck.

"What are we looking for?" he asked.

Turning around to tell him off, she found herself in a precariously close to him. "Personal space Potter" she grunted. He grinned, moving away slightly. She shuddered. "We're not looking for anything. You're going back to the common room and I'm headed on my way."

"At this rate halo," He spoke, walking out of the shadows and crossing the corner, pulling her along, "you'll take an entire year to reach the Astronomy tower."

"How do you know where I'm going?" she asked.

"Well, aren't you going for snog fest with Dearborn. Mighty Agrippa, does Dearborn know you're cheating on him?" James asked with mock horror, fighting to hide his laughter.

"Shut up." She snapped.

"Alright Halo, I know the night patrol, let me help." He offered.

"Why am I not surprised?" she mused, walking a bit more comfortably.

"I hope that was rhetorical." James grinned, walking.

"Potter?"

"Hmm."

"How did you pop out of thin air?"

"Time and place for everything my love, time and place."

"Do you know how insufferable you are?"

"I do my love, I do." He grinned, enjoying watching her being riled up.

"Gah! I'm not even going to bother with you." She answered, folding her arms as they walked.

They walked for sometime in silence, talking but not really. It was a pleasant silence, unlike the one they had shared months ago.

"This is going to become a daily thing?" she asked finally.

"What is?"

"This, you and me walking along the most secluded corridors of the castle at night; usually you leading the way to a place I already know because you think you're the only one with the knowledge of all the corridors and secret passageways."

"I'm not the only one; Sirius, Remus and Peter know them as well." He replied.

She rolled her eyes with a slight smile, but she didn't mind much. She was rather in a hurry. Despite her newfound tolerance for Potter following her father's demise, she really wasn't in the mood to be taking long walks with him, not when Caradoc was waiting for her. Caradoc was a sweetheart, he was perfect really.

"Lily, you'll be alright?" James asked suddenly.

"Oh, you're finally leaving me alone. Yes, potter, I'll be alright; I can navigate my way to the astronomy tower by myself." She replied sarcastically.

It was now his turn to roll his eyes. "I meant over Christmas. I know we have this unsaid rule to not talk about it but I was thinking that holidays will be difficult for you this year, won't it?" he asked concerned.

She was touched that he that thought of it.

"You're not the one for following rules, are you Potter?" she retorted jokingly. "No, seriously speaking though, I will be fine. It won't be easy of course but I think I need to be able to stay strong. Mum needs me. She seemed so broken in her last letter." She answered, unsure if she had revealed a little bit too much of information. Maybe she shouldn't have said the last part.

"And worst case scenario, you could always plot ways to murder me; that way you're bound to cheer up." He grinned.

She laughed "You read my mind Potter."

"Is your mind saying, At last we go our separate ways." He asked, for they had reached the foot of the stairs that lead to the Astronomy tower.

"Your telepathy skills are a bit lacking Potter. My mind is saying Alas, we go our separate ways." She faux-sighed but not in a mocking manner. And then she grinned. "Goodnight Potter."

"Good night halo." He waved, his mind still on her words.

Alas, we go our separate ways

(Jealous outbursts)

He could see it, the hurt, pain, shock and finally acceptance, he could see the entire plethora of emotions passing through her face. She was shocked and justifiably so; heck! He had been shocked himself when he realized it. The day had been so bizarre; it was still very surreal to him.

He had been lazing around in his bed, his mind still stuck on the epiphany he had earlier in the day. Had he meant it when he said he was starting to like her? Looking back, he should have seen it coming. The thought had popped so unexpectedly in his mind that he was shocked, but he felt like he had meant it. He had grown so close to her in the last few weeks, especially the ones that followed his birthday. He was feeling guilty, and he should too but there wasn't anything for him to do. He was staring at the ceiling, something nagging away inside of him as James entered the room.

"Hey Padfoot, what's so interesting about the ceiling?" James spoke as he entered the room, a smile playing on his lips.

"You're mistaken James." Sirius began.

"Huh"

"When I said I am starting to like her, I didn't mean Emily." He whispered, head low in shame.

"But then who- Oh shit." James stared at Sirius, his eyes wide as the meaning of Sirius' words settled.

"Yeah."

James was right. He had to break up with her. The girl liked him, that much was certain and with every second he delayed in telling her the truth, he was going to hurt her more. Normally Sirius didn't care if he hurt girls, they eventually got over him but this time it might screw up his chances. For the first time for as long as he could remember, he wasn't very sure of his chances.

"I'm so sorry." He whispered. And he really was; watching the incredibly pretty girl in front of him, and the pain she was going through, he really was sorry. Was he a making a mistake? Probably, the biggest one but he had to end it. May be he didn't really like her and was simply acting on her words but he didn't like Emily either and it had to end.

"But why? Why now? We just made up this morning." Emily asked for an explanation, blinking rapidly, no doubt to ensure tears didn't form in her eyes.

"I think I like Alissa." Sirius muttered, gulping. She would hate him for it; both Alissa and Emily but they deserved the truth. Emily especially deserved the truth.

He did believe he liked her. Maybe it was just the dirty things and the complete openness with which she spoke them just to get a quill out of his hand that got his heart racing or maybe he liked her in a way that wasn't based purely on sexual attraction. He wasn't sure but he knew he didn't like Emily and James was right, she deserved the truth.

---

A/N: Tadaaa!

16,000 + words. God! I think that makes up for all my super late updates. Also, Sherlock mentions :D. S3 was so hawtt!

And excuse the insane amount of focus on Alissa, Sirius and Emily scenes.

Reviews are better than Ben's butt (Okay, so who am I kidding but no seriously, they are pretty cool too.)

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