My free hours were spent at various places. The library with Lily and Remus, the Quidditch pitch with all of them, the common room with all of them, the Great Hall with all of them, and the Halls with everyone except for Pettigrew who we led on a wild goose chase about the castle. He was looking for a supposed 'new' student that had been leaving him secret messages with us.

"I can't find her! She doesn't go here!" He wailed sadly as we all entered the common room at 7:45 pm.

"That's because we gave you a fake name." James said, patting him on the shoulder and we all laughed.

Sirius's eyes were glowing with mischief and I didn't trust him.

"But there is someone. It's Sandy." He said, eyes shining happily.

"WHAT?" I yelled as Pettigrew's face lit up and he smiled. "Look, Peter, Sirius is lying. We're friends and that's it."

"Come on Sandy, you can admit it now. The jig is up." Sirius continued, trying hard to keep a straight face. No one else was succeeding.

"Ha Ha Sirius you git, bugger off! Peter, we're just friends and that's all we'll ever be sorry."

Not even that I thought in my head. Pettigrew looked like he was believing Sirius more than me. He was smiling and staring at me. He got up and started to walking towards me, I started backing away and luckily bumped into a grandfather clock and saw that it was 7:50 pm.

"Oh, look at the time! I'm late. Bullocks!" I said loudly, actually serious about the last part of my comment.

"Good luck!" I heard Lily and Remus yell and through their laughter, James and Sirius agreed. Pettigrew just stared at me as I rushed out the portrait hole. I yelled my thanks back at them as I sped walk.

"Ugh, I feel so dirty." I said to myself, rubbing my arms.

I reached the Gamekeeper's hut at 8:01. The Gamekeeper, Ogg, and I were friends, so I didn't think he'd mind. Luckily, he didn't.

"Sorry I'm late, Ogg! I had some…boy trouble." I thought I saw Severus's flash with anger at that.

"That's alright Sandy, I won't say anything." He smiled, smiling hugely.

"Thanks. I can see why Molly likes you so much." I said. Molly Weasley always spoke highly of Ogg. "So what are we doing tonight?" I asked, seeing Severus was already there. He was staring at me but I was doing my best not to stare back.

"Going into the Forest, of course!" Ogg said happily, he loved the Forbidden Forest.

"Oh joy." I said sarcastically.

"Ah, don't worry, it'll be fine."

With that we headed out into the Forest. Ogg had his dog with him and his wand, which wasn't unusual. He was ahead of me and Severus, who were walking side by side together. No one was speaking.

"So why were you late?" Severus asked quietly and hesitantly.

"Boy trouble." I repeated myself.

"What's boy trouble? That doesn't answer the question, it could be a number of things." Severus almost sounded angry.

"Well sor-ry. Pettigrew was being, well…Pettigrew."

"Pettigrew?"

"Yeah, Peter Pettigrew. Looks like a rat?" I elaborated.

"Yeah I know who he is. What kind of trouble is he giving you?" Severus sounded a little angry.

"I thank you for caring, but it's no big deal." I said, wondering why he was getting angry.

"What's he doing?" Severus sounded a little more angry.

"Nothing! He's been like that for the entire time I've known him, Sirius just gave him false information that I'd been giving the guys secret messages to give to him. Which I haven't. I hate the little rat." I explained.

Severus's eyes flashed and he looked forward, not looking at me.

"Uh, Severus?" I asked. His head snapped in my direction. I flinched. "Can I ask what's wrong?"

"You're right, he is a little rat and he needs to be taught a lesson." He snarled; I'd never heard him like that before.

"Whoa, I hate him too but I don't think you need to hex him or anything…" I said, a little nervous.

"If he ever does anything again, I want to know. Got it?" He demanded.

My eyes shot open immediately. Severus could not have sounded more boyfriend-like if he'd tried right then.

"What are you?" I said, not knowing where the courage came from. "My boyfriend?"

Severus and I had been whispering so as not to disturb Ogg and he was pretty far ahead of us by now. I stopped when I said that and so did Severus. His eyes bore into mine and he didn't flinch away from staring at me.

"Yes…?" I asked him, swallowing hard.

He stared down at me for a few seconds before answering me. "I don't like Pettigrew. Any excuse to get that git is welcome." He turned away from me and started walking again. I sighed.