It came of no surprise to me when Gryffindor had won the game. The difference between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuffs teams was immense; there was no doubt going into the game who would win.

I was one of the first in the common room after the end of the game. Some people were milling about, waiting for the party to begin, while others decorated the room with red and gold streamers and other various items. Everyone I knew was conveniently absent; no doubt retrieving the "drinks".

My journal was left upstairs in the dormitory. I had the sudden urge to run up and get it so I would have something to do instead looking out of place. Parties weren't really my thing. I never dared to get involved with the rowdiness that always ensued.

A sudden burst of cheers caught my attention and I looked for the source. A group of people were crowded around the portrait hole, and I finally saw James squeeze himself out of the way, something in his hand that was, no doubt, firewhiskey.

I wondered briefly what would happen if McGonagall would happen to walk in. James suddenly spotted me and made his way over. "Hey, where's Lily?" he asked.

I paused. "I guess she's still up in the dormitory."

James frowned and looked momentarily thoughtful. I hoped he wouldn't try climbing the staircase or something equally stupid.

"What would happen if McGonagall walked in on the party?" I found myself asking.

James just laughed at me and I didn't know whether to be offended or not. "Where's your Gryffindor bravery?"

I bit back my retort ("at least I'm not showing any Gryffindor stupidity") and instead, just shrugged at him. He looked mildly amused and then disappeared to probably annoy Lily into coming down to the party.

I spent two hours sitting on the couch in the common room.

I sat next to twenty-two different people the entire time. Nobody stayed seated on the couch for more than a couple minutes. Everyone was too busy dancing or drinking to stay still. I watched all the action around me, all the while wondering if I should leave.

"How's the party?" I looked behind me to see Remus. He looked really tired and my first thought was to tell him to get some sleep.

"Oh, it's fine," I answered, holding back a sigh. Wait, this was Remus. I could tell him the truth. "Actually, I'm just trying to get through this week. It hasn't been the best." My nightmare came to mind, but I quickly thought of something else before I saw the images again.

"What's so bad about this week?"

I hesitated before answering, "My birthday is next week. I'm just waiting for that."

He smiled. "I'll have to get you something then." A loud crash disrupted our conversation and Remus groaned. "Sorry, have to go and fix whatever that was."

"Prefect's duties," I tried to joke. I found that I wasn't really in the mood to joke.

And then I was left on the couch in silence again. Where were all my roommates? I knew Lily was trying to avoid the whole party but where were Mary and Marlene and the rest of them? I couldn't see anyone in the crowd of people.

Another hour passed and people were practically passing out on the floor. I had to move from the couch to an armchair after I got my personal space invaded for the seventh time. I also went to get my journal – I just felt incomplete without it.

A loud, disruptive singing voice suddenly came from my right. I was startled and jumped slightly at the out-of-tune slurred words.

"W-what's all this about? Hey, yeah, don't get your way, all you do is fuss and pout..."

Sirius came stumbling out of the crowd of people, singing as loud as he could. I shrank back into my armchair because, for some reason, I was worried that he would see me.

Maybe I had a fear of drunk people.

My movement, though, caught his attention and his eyes tried to focus on me. He probably had no clue who I was at the moment. But it looked as if he was trying really hard to remember.

He soon gave up and went back to his song, singing it boisterously. "Lalala, you're the only reason I keep on coming home." I involuntarily cringed at how awful he was.

He took a few steps toward me and leaned against my armchair. "How come you're not drinking?" he asked, his words slow as if he couldn't think of them.

Sirius was talking to me again – and he was drunk. Only with my luck would that happen. I didn't even want to talk to him like this. "I don't want to," I responded.

He laughed, as if what I said was really funny. "Ah, but it's good. Makes you forget all your troubles. Your worries. You don't even have to..." he paused, a strange grin on his face. "-have to...think."

I frowned, but couldn't think of anything to say. I was extremely uncomfortable. I didn't know what to say to him. He was drunk – I didn't know what he would remember or how he would react.

"Hey, what's this?" I stared in horror at Sirius who had my journal. My breath caught in my throat. He flipped through a couple pages and started laughing again. "You know, this Sebastian guy really reminds me of someone I know."

My brain said to say 'who' but no sound came out.

Sirius grinned, throwing the book on the armchair next to me. "Reminds me of...me."

My eyes widened. I had to get out of there. I stood up, catching Sirius off-guard, and turned. I bid him a shaky goodnight, my voice going in and out.

He muttered something that sounded like 'night' and began humming the same tune he had been singing earlier. "Keep on comin' hooo-ome," he sang, dancing clumsily in front of me before spotting James and rushing over to him.

He knew. He had figured out who Sebastian was. How could I ever show my face again?

This chapter broke my 500-1000 rule by 35 words. It was shorter, but then a new idea was introduced.

Thanks for all the reviews/alerts/favorites. I'll probably tell you all thanks again if you review.