"Padfoot."
"Nnngh."
"Pads. Wake up."
"Mmm . . . want some more of that, baby?"
"What?"
"Course you do, Nicky."
"Sirius, I mean it. Cut it out and wake up."
"Yeah, Nicholas, you know you want it – ow!"
-
Sirius' eyes are wide as James shakes him by the collar of his pajamas. The look on his face must relay his feelings, because Sirius looks petrified.
"James! What're you doing in my bed? And what're you–"
"Since when did you fantasize about blokes?" James hisses darkly, giving his friend another firm shake. He doesn't mean to sound so severe, but that doesn't change the fact that he does.
"I – I – what are you talking about, mate?"
"Nicholas? Who is he? Is he that Slytherin? Is that his name?"
A flush burns Sirius' face. "You've completely lost it, Prongs. I mean it."
"Answer me!"
"No."
"What?"
"No, that isn't the Slytherin's name.
James blinks. He's surprised he actually answered. That's when he notices that Sirius barely has his eyes open, is barely out of sleep. That Lady Luck . . . she is a blessing.
He releases Sirius' collar; Sirius falls back into the pillows.
"What's his name, then?"
"Why?"
"Don't ask why! Just tell me."
Sirius runs a hand over his eyes and sighs.
"What time is it?"
"Who cares? What's the bloke's name?"
"I don't remember."
"Try," James urges. "Fucking try."
Sirius falls silent for a moment. Then, "Max-something, I think."
"Max? Like Maxwell?"
"Nah. Like Maximus or Maximillian or some stupid Pureblood name like that."
James figures that's the closest he'll get to a name. "Where can I find him?"
"Shit, mate! Four o'clock!"
"Where can I find him?" James growls and clutches Sirius' clothes again. "Tell me!"
"Why?"
James shakes him. Sirius looks terrified. Rightfully terrified. "Because." They stare at each other in silence. Then, Sirius' flabbergasted state slips into one of realization.
"Evans said no." It's a statement.
It isn't as if he could possibly deny it. "Yeah."
"You're going to see that Slytherin again."
" . . . Maybe."
Sirius sits up, intrigued by this turn of events. He folds his arms, eyes pointedly focused on his toes. He swallows, loudly.
"Get in here."
"What?"
"Just. Get. In. Here," Sirius grits. "And close the curtain, yeah?"
Hesitantly, James takes a quick look at the beds around him. Then, he complies, crawling onto the foot of the bed and closing the curtain. He sits, preparing for a conversation he doesn't think he's ready to have.