A/N: I own nothing, absolutely nothing...aside from the OCs.
Disclaimer: Sorry for the delay! I hope you all enjoy. Please feel free to leave reviews - good, bad, or indifferent.
"Wake up, will you - it's your birthday!" Sirius said, throwing off James's covers.
"Don't care," James replied, pulling his pillow over his face. "Leave me here."
Sirius leaned over James in his pitiful state.
"What did she say this time?"
"I don't want to talk about it, mate. It's over."
"It couldn't have been that bad. You've pretty much heard it all from her."
"She called me an arrogant bullying toerag."
"Toerag? That is new. Snivellus again?"
"He's a prick - he and the rest of those bloody Slytherins."
"They're not all bad," Sirius thoughts fell on Regulus.
"He is. I hear him talking with Avery about the rise of the Dark Arts. Death Eaters they call them. Load of rubbish. Did you know he even called Evans a Mudblood? Mind you, this was after she defended him."
Sirius shook his head in surprise.
"And yet she's mad at me," he sulked, pulling his covers back on. "Go on and celebrate without me."
"You are going out tonight."
"I don't want to see anyone."
"I'll take care of that mess. It'll just be us four," Sirius assured him. "Now, I'm headed to the Great Hall - want anything?"
"Something to drown my misery would be great. Thanks."
"Pathetic, really. That will have to wait until tonight."
James mumbled something unintelligible as Sirius headed down to breakfast without him.
He saw Vera standing at the entrance of the Great Hall with a red box topped with a gold bow. Lou was at her side, looking every which way but his.
"Morning!" Vera grinned at him. "Where's the birthday boy?"
"He's feeling a tad bit under the weather..."
"Oh," Vera said with a fallen expression.
"Yeah," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.
Lou looked up at him questioningly. She then nodded towards the box in Vera's hands.
Eclairs. Right.
"Is that for him?"
"This?" Vera looked down sadly at the decorated parcel. It's nothing."
Lou coughed, "Maybe Sirius can give it to James for you. Right, Sirius?"
"Oh, sure. Yeah, I can do that."
Vera's smile brightened, "Really? That would be wonderful. It's a dessert - I had cast a charm to keep it cool, but it will only last for a few hours."
"Sure, sure," Sirius nodded along, taking the gift from her hands. "I am sure he will eat it right away."
"Great! Now, these are for James only, alright?" she added a little too directly.
"Understood."
"Any chance he will make an appearance tonight?"
"Party's off, but it couldn't hurt to stop by and see," he hinted. "Is it alright if I borrow Lou for a moment?"
"Sure," Vera winked at Lou. "I'll grab us a seat."
Sirius had waited until Vera had walked away before pulling Lou aside.
Why isn't she looking at me?
"Everything OK?" he asked, eyes searching her face.
"Sorry to hear James is feeling unwell - on his birthday of all days."
"He'll be fine. Just his typical slump over Evans."
She nodded, wrapping her arms around herself.
"I know I'm not much of a looker, but you could at least throw a glance at me every once in awhile."
Lou looked up at him shyly.
"You're upset."
"No..."
"What is it, then?"
The thoughts of last night's kiss raced through his mind.
Sirius sat down the parcel and grabbed Lou's shoulder, facing her towards him, "I won't do that again if you don't want me to."
Lou blushed furiously, hair gently fall across her face.
Sirius tilted her head up gently, "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable around me."
Sirius searched Lou's face as her blush deepened, "I was surprised is all."
"I've been wanting to do that for some time now..."
"I've been waiting for you to," she said quietly, eyes closed tight.
A grin broke out across his face, "Yeah?"
"Yes," she gave a small smile back.
Sirius snaked his arms around her waist, just enough to close their distance, "Come to Hogsmeade tonight."
He thought he could feel her heart flutter.
"Are you sure James is up for it?"
"It will be therapeutic for him. Plus, he'll need to thank Vera for the eclairs you made for him," he winked.
"Stop," Lou laughed. "Of course we'll be there."
He scooped the present back up into his arms and kissed her once more, "Until tonight, Draper."
Sirius had only left when Lou found her way back to Vera. He rushed back to the tower, eclairs in hand, only to find James still in the same state.
"Oi - special delivery for a Mr. Potter," Sirius bowed, placing the box on his nightstand.
James lifted his pillow slightly so that one eye was visible, "What's this?"
"A gift, courtesy of Ms. Arietty."
"Arietty?" he mumbled, wiping the sleep from his eyes.
"Vera - wake up now," Sirius said, smacking his palm against James's forehead.
James carefully untied the ribbon and folded back the red paper, "Eclairs? She made me eclairs?" James smiled, picking up one of the treats to examine.
"Just like when you were a kid, huh?"
"Yeah. Surprised she would remember something like that," he said, placing the eclair back down.
"See! Day's starting to look better already," Sirius said, pulling on a sweater. "Aren't you going to eat one?"
"I'm going to hit the showers first. Help yourself," James said, pushing the box towards Sirius.
"I really shouldn't," Sirius said, remembering Vera's specifications.
"As much as I would love to devour copious amounts of sugar, I have Quidditch to train for. Save me one."
Sirius eyed the treats as James stepped out.
It really would be rude not to after that much work.
Delicious.