It was October31st – Halloween and Sirius was walking down to the Entrance Hall with Rachel. Today was their first date, a day in Hogsmeade. Sirius had spent a lot of time with Rachel over the past week so was not nervous about spending a whole day alone with her. In fact, he was quite looking forward to it. When they reached the Front doors, Sirius saw Lily walking ahead of them with none other then Gerald Fern, the new Head Boy. Sirius didn't know much about Gerald. He was in Ravenclaw and apparently very intelligent. Intelligence wasn't the only thing Gerald had going for him. He was very handsome (according to Rachel) and was Captain of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team. A surge of jealousy passed through Sirius.

'When did she start going out with him?' he thought.

He must have voiced this question out loud because Rachel replied

"Oh only a few days ago. He asked her out Monday. They've been attached at the hip pretty much ever since though."

Sirius felt a pang of hurt as he watched Lily and Gerald walking ahead of them, talking and laughing together.

Once they reached Hogsmeade, Sirius lost sight of Lily through the crowds of people milling around the streets.

'Probably for the best' he thought. 'Now I can concentrate on Rachel.'

He and Rachel spent a lovely morning looking in all the shops together. Rachel loved Zonko's and even brought some of Dr Filibuster's Fabulous No- Heat, Wet -Start fireworks, ("These will drive Filch crazy!") By lunchtime, Sirius and Rachel were very thirsty so Sirius took Rachel to the Three Broomsticks and brought both of them a lovely warm tankard of Butterbeer. They had been sitting there for about five minutes, when the door opened and Lily walked in with Gerald close behind her. Gerald went up to the bar while Sirius saw Lily looking around for a place to sit. Suddenly Sirius saw Lily clap eyes on the table where he and Rachel were sitting and smile evilly.

'She wouldn't come and sit with us!' he thought

but that's exactly what she did. Lily walked over to their table and said

"Hi guys, mind if Gerald and I join you?"

Sirius just stared at her, somewhere around him he heard Rachel reply

"Of course not, sit down."

Lily looked at Sirius and smiled evilly again as she took her seat. Gerald soon returned with two tankards of Butterbeer for Lily and himself and took a seat next to Lily.

"Thank you Gerald" said Lily smiling warmly at him. "Oh sorry I haven't introduced you all. Gerald, this is Rachel Worthing and Sirius Black. Guys this is Gerald Fern"

Sirius gave him a grim smile and quickly turned to look out of the window. Rachel asked Lily what she and Gerald had been doing that morning. Sirius continued to stare out of the window, not allowing himself to look at Lily.

"So what about you guys, what have you been doing all morning?" asked Gerald.

"Oh the same really." Replied Rachel.

"So you've not been up to the Shrieking Shack yet?" enquired Gerald. "One of the villagers said they'd heard howling coming from the house last night."

Sirius looked down and grinned to himself. Last night had been a full moon. Sirius looked up and saw that Lily was grinning too.

'She knows' he thought 'she must do!'

Sirius saw Lily look at him. Her grin faded quickly and she went to join in the conversation Rachel and Gerald were having about the 'haunted' shack.

Suddenly an idea hit Sirius.

"Shall we all go up there now?" said Sirius grinning. "See if there's anything to this story of yours Gerald?"

Sirius saw Gerald hesitate for a moment before replying

"Yeah, ok then"

"Excellent!" cried Sirius grinning at Lily who was scowling at him.

Once they had finished their drinks, all four of them headed towards the Shrieking Shack. As they were walking up the hill, Sirius felt someone grab his arm violently. Sirius turned around to see Lily glaring at him.

"What you up to Sirius?"

"I don't know what you mean" replied Sirius innocently.

"Oh come on! You and I both know this place isn't haunted, so what are you playing at, suggesting we come up here?" snapped Lily.

"You frightened I might scare Mr Head Boy over there?" snarled Sirius.

Lily snorted.

"Is that what this is about? Gerald?"

"Oh please, like I care who you go out with!"

"You are an arrogant git you know that Sirius!"

Sirius was about to retaliate when Rachel came running over to them. Lily glared at Sirius and walked away towards Gerald.

"I don't like this Sirius" whimpered Rachel, grabbing Sirius's hand in fright. "Why'd you suggest coming up here?"

Sirius laughed quietly

"Don't worry Rachel. If any evil spirits appear, I'll protect you"

Rachel grinned at Sirius and squeezed his hand. Sirius looked over at Lily and Gerald. His eyes narrowed when he saw Gerald put his arm around Lily as they walked further up the hill. Not to be out done, Sirius put his arm around Rachel while still holding her hand. Rachel turned her body closer to Sirius and put a hand on his chest as they neared the top of the hill, and the Shrieking Shack.

Once at the Shrieking Shack, Sirius took the lead and led the way around the unkempt garden and up to the front door which was wooden and rotting. Sirius looked behind him. He was pleased to see that Gerald was looking apprehensive.

"Shall we go in?" whispered Sirius.

Gerald, who was still looking apprehensive, nodded so Sirius took out his wand and pushed open the door. The door creaked as he opened it into the hallway. Sirius could feel Rachel shaking as she walked behind him, still holding his hand. The hallway was dark despite it being light outside and there was a musty smell hanging in the air. Sirius walked further into the hallway and approached the staircase leading to the rooms concealed upstairs. The remaining three piled into the hallway after him, their eyes darting all around them, ears pricked listening out for possible noises.

Suddenly a creaking sound rang out from behind them followed by a loud bang. Rachel screamed and ran behind Sirius. Sirius began laughing.

"It was just the door!"

True enough, the front door had swung shut behind them.

"Probably just a strong gust of wind" said Sirius, trying to calm a terrified Rachel.

"Can we go please?" begged Rachel. "I don't like this place!"

"Ok, Ok! Let's go!"

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