I do not own Harry Potter, ob-viously!

It has been two months since we pulled he prank, which means it's now the end of May. Many birthdays have passed between those two months. But now the castle isn't as carefree, the tension is building with the end of year quidditch, exams and the house cup. In fact many people have been duelling in the corridors, which means a lot of detentions have been given out. Honestly the amount of time wasted in detention when they should be studying for the exams.

My N.E.W.T's are coming very soon, one week and three days to be exact! I have been furiously revising and practicing for my exams. I have been doing a couple more classes than everyone else. I have charms, potions, transfiguration, defence against the dark arts, arthimancy, ancient runes and astronomy. It had been a tough job trying to persuade McGonagall to let me do seven N.E.W.T's. I have been a bit short-tempered lately because lack of sleep.

'Lily, relax! Come outside!' Marlene said pulling my hand.

'Marlene, you know how important these are. I've got to study two more subjects than you!' I say urgently. She sighs and sits on the sofa in a huff. I take a deep breath, 'where's Sirius?'

'He's somewhere, I don't know!' she sighs. Sirius usually does this when he gets stressed. He takes off and walks around and usually meets some girls but he wouldn't do that on Marly. Would he? I sit beside her against my wishes.

'Marly, don't worry. He really likes you!' I comfort her.

'But it's him! You know what he's like, Lils!' she says slumping her shoulders. I put my arm around her.

'Test me?' I ask, changing the subject. She nods and reaches for my notes.

'What spell reveals invisible ink?'

'Aparecium,' I say brightly. She nods.

'Reveals last spell on a wand?'

'Prior Incantatem,' she nods again.

'And what counters it?' she asks raising an eyebrow.

'Emm, deletrius?' I say uncertain.

'You are correct!' she laughs using her game show voice. 'What is the charm that keeps a secret with someone?'

'Fidelius,' I say. I hate the thought of being in the position where you need to trust someone so much with your secrets. But it is a lifesaver, most of the time. Marly nods.

'Well done Lils, anything else?'

'That's okay, thanks,' I smile. 'Why don't you go meet Alice? I'll meet you outside when I'm done.'

'Ok, see you soon,' she says jumping off the sofa. She walks out the portrait door. I settle back down to my revision. I take some notes in my book.

Avada kedavra is an unforgivable curse. It murders the opponent instantly. Alfred Spinks, a ghost, reported that his life was over a second after the green curse hit him.

That is one thing, at least my parents didn't suffer, I hope. I sigh and close the book and put it in my bag. I open the door and walk straight into someone.

'Sirius!'

'Sorry Lils,' he says.

'What's the matter?' I ask, looking at his furrowed brow.

'It's nothing, I'm fine,' he says trying to smile.

'Sirius,' I sigh. I take him over to the sofa and pat the seat beside me. He takes it hesitantly.

'I've done something bad,' he starts looking at his hands.

'You didn't, please say you didn't,' I sigh. He looks at me. I stare at his grey eyes, usually mischievous but the light had gone out.

'I didn't mean to, it just happened!' he tried to explain.

'You shouldn't have just happened! This will break Marlene!' I say frustrated.

'I'm sorry, I'm an idiot!' he says putting his head in his hands. I put my arm around his shoulder comfortingly. I know he really didn't mean to kiss someone else, the girl probably came onto him. I've learned not to judge kisses without the full story.

'Lily, what am I going to do?' he says a tear falling onto his smooth face.

'Don't worry,' I say pulling him into a hug. He wraps his arms around my waist and puts his head on my shoulder. I hear the portrait door creak open. James walks in and looks at the two of us. I put my finger up to my mouth and signal him to be quiet. He nods, hearing the strangled sobs coming from the dark-haired boy on my shoulder. He sits down beside us. Sirius sits up startled, he rubs frantically at his eyes.

'What's wrong mate?' James asks concerned.

'I kissed another girl,' he says. James eyes widen.

'You did what?' he says.

'James, let's listen to the full story, we don't want to jump to conclusions,' I say sternly. Sirius lets out a bark of laughter.

'You'd know all about that, Lils!' I glare at him and tell him to continue.

'Well I was walking and then this sixth year, just came around the corner and said there was something really cool in the classroom, so I followed her and then she kissed me in the classroom!' I said frustrated.

I sigh, 'stupid girl!' I hiss.

'Just explain to Marlene!' James says, almost asks. I nod in agreement.

'She'll understand, don't worry,' I say. He nods.

'Thanks guys,' he says. He walks over to the portrait door and leaves nervously.

'Thanks Lils,' James says.

'For what,' I ask confused.

'For understanding Padfoot, he might not show it but he really appreciates it,' he explains.

'Sirius is like a brother now, I need to protect him, I need to protect all of you!'

'I hop you don't see me as a brother,' James smirks.

'Nope,' I say leaning in to kiss him. We sit there kissing for a few minutes before the portrait door bursts open.

'I'm sorry!' Sirius shouts.

'Leave me alone!' Marlene screams at him. James and I let go of each other and share dismayed looks.

'Marly, calm down,' I say.

'Calm down? CALM DOWN! Do you know what he's done?' she shouts.

'He didn't do anything, she came onto him,' I tell her. She looks at me shocked.

'I can't believe you!' she shouts at me.

'Marlene, don't shout at Lils! She didn't do anything!' James says protectively. I put my hand on his arm and shake my head.

'Come on Marly, let's go to my room,' I sigh. She looks at me cautiously but then walks ahead to my room. I turn to Sirius and mouth 'Don't worry.'

When we reach my room I sit down on my bed and Marly joins me. She lies back and lets out a muffled scream from behind her hands. I lie beside her and hug her.

'He really didn't do anything, he told me everything,' I say sincerely.

'I know but it just hurts,' she says looking at me.

'I know but that's because you love him, you don't want anyone else to be with him,' I say wisely.

'I really do you know. Love him.'

'Then go tell him,' I say smiling. She looks nervous. 'Trust me,' I smile. She stands up and walks over to my door. As she opens it she turns to me and thanks me. I roll my eyes and smile. I walk to the bottom of the stairs and motion James to come over. He walks over to me and puts an arm around my waist. I smile up at him and then look over to Marlene and Sirius.

'Mars bar, I'm sorry,' he says sadly. She goes over to him and hits him. I stare confused.

'You, Sirius Black, are an idiot… but I love you,' she says reaching up to him and kissing him passionately. When they break apart Sirius looks at her happily.

'I love you too,' he laughs.

'By the way if you ever call me Mars bar again, I will hurt you so bad, you're pretty little face will be unrecognisable!'

'You really think I have a pretty face?' he says tilting his head. Marlene rolls her eyes and kisses him again.

Chapter 28! Let me know what you think pretty please! : )