Sirius Black:

"Mr. Black!"

"Huh?"

Professor McGonagall loomed over him threateningly, her eyes burning and furious. " 'Huh' is not a proper English word, Mr. Black. And I would appreciate it if you would be so kind as to remain alert and awake in my classroom! Especially with the midterm next week!"

"Wow, Minerva, didn't know you cared so much…"

He blinked sleepily, smiling at her. She looked down at him distastefully.

"Twenty points from Gryffindor, Mr. Black. And detention, if I have to remind you again."

She left, again standing at the front of the class- which was deep in its giggling.

Sirius looked around smugly. The yawn sort of ruined the effect, but that's a by-note. He winked at Jess, who was looking at him good-naturedly, sitting next to James on the sit before his.

James wasn't looking back. He's already got a detention to serve off that period, and though the record was nowhere near broken (it was, up to that moment, 8 different detentions to 7 different teachers on the same day- which had only 4 periods in it.), getting in any more trouble wasn't a very good idea anymore.

Returning his gaze to his notebook, charmed to take the notes for him, Sirius frowned. It was strange how things have changed since the year before. For the better, that is. At this time last year he, James and the others would be making plans for the last prank before Christmas break… they would be sneaking into Hogsmeade to buy explosives to set off on the last bell, or maybe just getting a head start on presents. He and James would be getting ready for two weeks of vacationing in James's place, with the Potters showering them both with attention, presents, and really good holiday food…

Not this year. This year, Sirius would be staying alone in his flat, while Remus stays with his parents and Peter in that orphanage of his. James… well, they weren't really sure what James would do.

The first plan was for him to go to Jess's. But that was quickly distinguished, by Jess herself, and her fears of her dad's reaction of her boyfriend's magical nature. Then they thought that James could go to Sirius's flat. But that tiny place had barely enough space for one crazed teen, nevertheless two… especially if they happened to do the very leaders of the Marauders. And so, for the moment, and the first time in the last seven years, James Potter was staying at Hogwarts.

That would have been pretty good, if only Sirius wasn't as good a friend as he was.

Because it was so bloody obvious that James was having second thoughts.

"So, Mr. Black," Sirius looked quickly, expecting to see Professor McGonagall standing over him again. He grinned at seeing Jess staring at him sternly.

"The bell just rung."

"Wicked imitation, Norman," he said. "Where have you been last year when we tried getting into the teacher's lounge? You know they have voice activated passwords."

"They do?" she said, surprised. James, standing besides her, hit Sirius on the head.

"No, they don't. But the passwords always have something to do with books " he said the last word as if it tasted like poison in his mouth. "And the authors of books. It's horrible."

Jess laughed, shaking her head.

Sirius bit his lip.

It wasn't that he didn't like Jess. She was great. She wasn't like a Slytherin at all. Apart from being a muggleborns herself, she wasn't as arrogant as some Slytherin he knew, or as mean, or demanding. She seemed like the perfect girlfriend to Prongs.

And Merlin knew how happy they were that the insanity with Evans was done.

And yet… Lily Evans… well, it was weird. How can anyone, even James, stalk one person for over two years and then just… stop? Just like that?

Even with all the changes going on. Even with his dad dieing, his mom… well, whatever happened to her, and of course that step dad, Laurence. (Whom they haven't heard from in a while. Which was very worrisome.) And, of course, being head boy, this being N.E.W.T.s year, Quidditch captain, and (Merlin, this was a full year…) that curse Evans threw at him so carelessly.

Even with all that, it was still too… convenient. For Jess to appear just at the right moment for James to be completely ready to fall for her.

Well, ok. It was logical. Maybe James just noticed her more, specifically because he wanted to, after (and during) everything else going on.

And maybe Jess was just utterly perfect for James at the moment, with his life in such jeopardy.

But what'll happen when it's not in jeopardy anymore? Would Jess still fit into the equation?

And if she wouldn't, it would mean that she as just… a temporary thing. Just until things go back to normal- until James wasn't in constant worry, fear, and supreme pressure.

And if all that was true…

Wasn't James using her?

From the Diaries of Coral Coriona:

Finally, a moment of quiet for me to write!

It's late at night on December eleventh. In ten days Christmas break would start- and in nine, midterms. Because, you see, not only do we need to take N.E.W.T.s this year, we also must take midterm tests in the middle of the year. Right before our vacation.

Our blessed vacation.

I know people think I love school enough to stay here every year, but really, even I need my breaks. That's why, this year, I'm going to Remus's house. His parents are both Healers- his mom being a full on lycanthropy specialist- and they're barely home.

Fun…!!

Merlin, I'm giggling like a little girl. It's the anticipation… just thinking about what we could do…

Where we could do it…

How long…

How good it would be…

Yeah. Giggling. Must stop soon.

Unfortunately, I'm the only one that seems very happy about the upcoming break. Aly, with her TWH thing, is furious. She'll have to meet up with Sirius Black a few times a week to go over their plans. She hasn't talked to him in forever, and is making a point of ignoring him completely. I don't know what plans they're supposed to go over, cause Aly didn't do anything and Sirius- well, of course he didn't do anything. He's Sirius.

And then there's Lily. She's planning to stay here, in Hogwarts, just so she could avoid being with her sister and parents and her… to be brother in law. She says he's horrible. I haven't met him, so I can't judge, but…

I am not jealous of her. At all.

My brothers- the ever-annoying twins- are planning to stay here. They could go home, of course, but being first year they're kind of excited at the thought of staying in a school were you don't go to classes.

The idea that this happens twice a week escapes them both.

Boys.

They don't have midterms. Why do we have to-

Merlin, I'm supposed to be studying. How could I forget that essay for potions?! And where's Lily? I need her help with that sleeping drought…

She's good with staff like that.

From James Potter's Journal:

I got a letter from 'dad'.

Which just completely ruined my vacation- and it's not even started yet!

I should have seen this coming. I did see this coming. I knew he'd do something like this. I knew it. It was strange enough that he never wrote after what happened with the Marauders, and then the two weeks when I was 'missing', so not completely destroy my break?

Now what the fun in that.

I was on my way back from tutoring. This fifth year Hufflepuff kept me late, with all her questions. No, I'm being mean- I love tutoring. Shocking, but true. I find myself studying harder so I can answer questions every Friday- and kids stop me in the hall to ask staff. It's great! Though Sirius has been making fun of me for a month, but still…

But I'm getting off topic. The letter was waiting for me on my desk, a small piece of paper with no envelope and no bloody signature. I guess he can't waste even the few seconds it takes to sign his own letter- not for me. Not that I'm complaining of the inattention, of course.

Actually, the way I see it, I'd rather he'd just forget I exist. But no. No, that would be too good, right?

No. I need to spend the break in the Potter Manor, seeing him rape my mother and seeing her not care. Is it considered rape if she doesn't care? I don't know. She doesn't stop him- and she doesn't let me, either.

But of course I do, anyway. Or try to. It's the bloody Gryffindor education, I swear! Too bad Gryffindors aren't super powerful, either…

Very painful mental image coming to mind right now.

But you know what? I think I would have been able to stand it. Well, unless I had to worry about the Marauders breaking in at any giving moment and trying to 'kick his ass' as Sirius so kindly said it last time. And what if I'm not there to distract him this time? I won't be the only one in the hospital then.

And that would certainly get the authority's attention, won't it. They'll start investigating or whatever, figure out what he's doing…

Threaten to arrest him…

But they won't do it. Not soon enough. He'll kill mom- and me, probably, if I'm there.

And it'll be my fault.

Merlin, this is so great. So incredibly fantastic. I'm laughing with joy.

While sobbing with guilt.

Cause I'm not telling the Marauders.

Sorry about the wait. It was intentional, but still. (Long story.)

For everyone who didn't get answers about their reviews for the other chapter, my apologies... my computer wasn't functioning (what else is new) and I barely had time to update, never mind answer them. you were all well appriciated, anyway. :-)

Now- everyone looking for a very good, angst, James-centric love fic, please check out Nyxelestia's (formerly known as Black Blood Dragon Goddess) A Game of Love and Trust. It's very well written, has a great plot with all sort of twists in it, and- just read it. really. It's fantastic.

Reviews:

Nyxelestia- soon... late... what's the difference, really? yes, Sirius and Aly are bound to have some... moments... in the near future, specifically Christmas Break, but I wouldn't get my hopes up JUST YET... (told you I'll do it today! if you read A/N, you might have seen both your names up there... :-D

the geek over there- Lily jumping him. it's funny you'd say that. (lol!)

james-s2-lily- well, it's been a while since I heard from you... hi! yeah, late updates though... very bad connection...

Snowflake Prongsette- Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. and felt it. It's great hearing people think my work's emotional. :-)

Special thanks to Dogstar'n'LionHeart for reviewing all the past chapters. it's great knowing people care enough to review old updates.