Here's the next chapter. Thanks for reading. Same disclaimer.

Mandy's PoV
"You did the right thing, don't worry about it." I heard as I woke up the next morning.

"But she'll hate me. I know she doesn't like him." My brain had started to clear and I recognized that voice to be Talon's.

"Don't worry about it. She'll have to thank you, this way she got a good night sleep, and it was more comfortable than the chair in the Common Room. I know the couch down there was hell on her back last night." That voice could only belong to James.

"Hush up would you? You'll wake her up." Definitely Black's voice but his was strangely close, closer than the others had been. A rough, calloused, worn hand gently caressed the side of my face. It felt like Talon's hand from playing Quidditch but it was bigger.

"Awww, our little Paddy's in love. It's so sweet. He's finally growing up." James said.

"I think I'm going to tear up. Hold me Prongs." Remus said. I heard snickering and then a pillow being thrown.

"Stuff it Moony." Sirius answered. I was shifted so that now a smell assaulted my nose. It was the smell of aftershave, dogs, and a faint smell of grass. I knew I was close to Black because only he could radiate the smell of dogs without one around.

"Padfoot, I know you can sleep in because you have a free period after breakfast but she has Care of Magical Creatures and she'd hate to miss it no matter how mad she is at her roommates. I'm sorry but you'll have to wake your sleeping angel." Remus said.

"No sleep good. Sleep very good." I said in my best five year old, didn't want to get out of bed voice. I tried to snuggle back into the warm bed but a hand pushed me down onto my back.

"Come on Manda, up you get. It's better this way." I saw James's face come into view sideways. I heard footsteps on the stairs and prayed to any and every god listening that it was just another guy passing the dorm to breakfast. Unfortunately the gods must have been having a lie-in because the door swung open. I rolled back on my side and hid my face in Black's warm but bare chest.

"So the slut strikes again. Is she really as good as every guy claims she is?" I heard Parker ask.

"Parker Cassandra, if you are going to be a total bitch and insult my best friend you can leave right now, and don't even think about talking to me again until you decide to ask her what was really going on." Talon said in a low voice.

"Let me guess. You've been with her too." Parker answered. Black's hand draped across my back and he pulled me flush against him.

"Yes, I've been with her. In case you've forgotten I dated her before I dated you and she's been my best friend since we were little. I'm starting to think that she's the smart one and kissing you was the worst mistake I've made in my life."

I wasn't crying yet but I was either going to start or my temper would get the better of me.

"A mistake?" Parker snapped.

"I don't even know what started this cold shoulder the four of you have been giving her, but we're not going to talk to you until it stops." Talon growled. I knew it was hard for him to come between us, but really the only one who should have thought she had a right to be mad at me was Lily.

"She's just a perfect little slut who'd go after any girl's crush or boyfriend."

"Are you talking about me and her on Tuesday, Dixon?" James asked. She must have nodded because James went on. "You don't even know what we were talking about or how she was feeling that put us in that position in the first place. You also don't know why she told me she loved me."

"Because you said it first."

"In the context of our conversation it made a load of sense. But I guess from what Lily heard it could be taken out of context. If you knew your sister like you know yourself, like you should, you'd know better than to jump to conclusions like you and your three roommates have done." James snapped.

"Now get out of our dorm and don't talk to us until you come to your senses." Black finished. His voice was demanding and rough and his grip had tightened considerably on me.

"You're even taking her side. You're probably sleeping with her." Parker growled. As the glass started rattling in the window frames I heard her back up a few steps.

"What's going on?" Peter squeaked. Black's hand slid down to my lower back and his head fell back to the pillow so that he was breathing on my forehead.

"Calm down, Mandy. Please, don't do anything stupid." He muttered. It was slightly calming me down, but not before the door slammed shut.

The room went silent and I heard Parker start muttering as she walked away. "Stupid little wanker, they'll get what's coming to them."

"I'm sorry." I muttered.

"Don't apologize for Parker; she's the one at fault here." Black said propping his head back up.

"Yeah I guess, but I shouldn't have slammed the door like that or caused the glass to rattle." I said.

"Mandy, you haven't moved from the bed and the door slammed on its own." Talon said.

"I don't know how, but somehow I know I caused it." I glanced up and saw Black looking at Remus. I looked back at James and he had the same worried expression. "What is it guys?"

"It's just that by now most magical kids have a handle on their accidental magic." James said. The bed lowered behind me as I was still pressed to Sirius and James made me look at him. I shook my head a couple of times and pushing Black over a bit I laid down on my back.

"Something wrong Mandy?" Talon asked.

"Just too many scents," I answered.

"Well ..."

"Well what James?"

"It's just that since most kids get a handle on their magic by 12 or their second year of Hogwarts, there could be something else. Wandless Magic," he answered.

"But I'm only 16 how could I be doing wandless magic?"

"I don't actually think you are. I just think that, like three percent of the population, your magic is still tied into your emotions. I mean think about it, the only time we've seen you do something like this is when you're really upset or you lose complete control. I mean think back to when you were first told you were a witch. Didn't they ever say "Have you ever done something when you were really scared or upset; something weird or unusual that you couldn't explain?" Surely they've told you about that." Remus said. I nodded and sat up holding Pubert loosely this time.

"Awww you still love your little teddy bear." James teased.

"You should know you got it for me." I answered.

"We were five; my parents bought it and put my name on it." He said.

"Yeah I can see that going something like "Mommy can I get that for Mandy, please Mommy, please? She'll love it I know she will." We all know you Prongsie." Black teased.

"Yeah that's it." I said rolling my eyes. "You probably got rid of the toy broomstick I got you back then too." His face got bright red and I knew he was trying to hide something. "You still have it." His face went redder if possible and he glanced at his trunk. I now knew how much he really cared about me. "Awww Prongsie loves Stripes."

"It's impossible not to love you Mandy."

"Black doesn't think so."

James gave me a look that could have been read as if 'If you only knew'.

"What are you hiding from me James?"

"Lots of things and at the same time nothing at all."

"James."

"Seriously it's nothing."

"Hey Mandy, Cathy says your dorm is clear. The girls went to breakfast." Timmy said poking his head in the doorway.

"Thanks, oh and thanks for last night." I said. He nodded and left. "Do I have to go to class? Can't I just skip and stay here in the nice warm bed?"

"Only if Sirius stays with you." James answered. I scrunched my nose up and shook my head. It took a bit more prodding and poking before they convinced me to go to class.

At breakfast I sat down and noticed Black wasn't there. "He's allowed to miss breakfast he doesn't have class right after it." Remus said.

I glared and ate. Halfway through James turned to me. "Hey, Mandy," James said.

"Hey Jamie," I answered.

"I want to make a little bet with you, one I'm sure I'll win."

"Ok Potter, make your bet." I said lightly.

"Tread carefully Prongs, in the five years I've known her and probably the 11 years you have she's never lost a bet or a dare for that matter." Remus warned.

"That's what so infallible about this one. She'll be so uncertain she won't do it." James and I only ever got competitive about one thing and that was challenges. He was smirking and I think he was over confident about this. I knew I had to do it no matter what, not only to keep my streak but also to knock his ego down a bit.

"Well let's hear it," I demanded.

"I bet you three galleons—"

"Healthy bet there Jamesie-boy, are you sure about this bet?"

"Yes now as I was saying, I bet you three galleons you won't snog the next guy who walks through the Great Hall doors and I mean an honest to Merlin snog, tongue and all."

I tried not to choke on air. I really had to hand it to James he had thought about this one hard to come up with something I'd actually think about not doing. I thought about it, for all I knew the next guy could be a nasty Slytherin, but then again it could also be my next boyfriend. Then there was the fact that a bet was a bet.

"Oh Merlin, you live to torment me don't you?"

"Accept or consequence?"

"I accept." I said standing. I turned to walk towards the door, but looked back at him. I heard the door open and several Griffindors around James gasp. I swallowed hard and turned around to look at who walked in the doors. I turned back to James and mouthed 'you will pay for that.' James smirked and motioned me to turn back around. "Black, one wrong move and you won't have kids."

"Amanda ..." Sirius trailed off. I pushed him into the wall with one hand and sighed.

"I mean it Sirius." He nodded and looked past me for a moment. "James is so dead." I muttered as I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled his face down to meet mine. Then I pushed my lips against his.

When he didn't respond for a few moments I slid my hands up into his raven locks and slowly massaged his scalp. He started responding slowly, his hands moving to my waist and his lips increasing the pressure against mine. I knew his scalp was his sensitive spot thanks to Shelly and that he could hardly resist if you massaged it while kissing him. Once again his kiss was hesitant, and I knew he was at least a little bit frightened of something. Slowly I increased pressure on his scalp and lips to encourage him. His hands tightened on my waist and then he pulled my hips against his. I slid my tongue across his lips and he froze. I prayed hard hoping he'd accept. After a few seconds he opened his mouth and his tongue came out to duel with mine. After what felt like ages wolf whistles broke out along with boos, hisses, and one very loud "damn" followed by a "Potter, language".

I pulled away and looked up at Black neither of our hands moving. "Thanks Black." I said smirking. I turned on my heel and walked back to the table leaving Black standing near the wall. As I sat down next to James I smirked at him. "I do believe you owe me." I stuck my hand out waiting.

"Hold your dragons, how do I know it was an honest to Merlin snog?"

"Don't you trust your best friend?"

"Sure I do, but I also know she'll do anything to win a bet."

"Fine, ask your other best friend see if I care." I pouted. James kissed my cheek and looked past me.

"Finally decided to join us Padfoot?" Remus asked.

Black just stared off into space as if he didn't even hear Remus. "Padfoot," James said. "Earth to Padfoot, are you there? Come in Padfoot."

I clapped in front of his face once and he shook his head.

"What?" Black asked.

"Finally out of your daze there Black?"

"To think I actually let you sleep in my bed." He muttered.

"You know you loved every minute of it." Remus said. Black gaped at him and then I snapped my fingers drawing his attention back to me and James.

"Thank you; was it an honest to Merlin snog? Tongue and all?" James asked.

"Yeah and as much as I hate to say this because it's Hunter, she's bloody amazing. Who taught you to snog like that?" He asked turning his attention from James to me. I glanced at James smiling before I answered.

"My first boyfriend, maybe if you behave like the good dog that's deep inside of you, he'll teach you his secret," I answered. "So James cough it up." James sighed but handed over the coins.

"That was the bet? That was the bet you were supposed to win?" Black barked.

"Wait...you...he...you...he..." I stuttered looking and pointing between the two.

"What?" Black asked.

"He...he..." I continued to stutter.

"Personally I don't see what's wrong." James said. "Padfoot got what he really wanted and Stripes, you won gold. I'm the only one who lost here."

"But you...he..." I stuttered.

"I believe you've established that." Black said nonchalantly biting into a sausage.

"He knew about the bet. James, that's not fair. You both set me up." I blurted.

"Had I know the contents of the bet Amanda, you wouldn't have won." Black said.

"You're just saying that because you enjoyed it too much." I said trying to wrap my head around what happened. I saw Remus give James a concerned look and then James's hand came to rest on my lower back.

"Honestly Mandy he didn't know. He knew I was going to bet someone something right before he came to breakfast but he didn't know who or what I was going to bet. Really there was only a fifty percent chance he was going to be on the receiving end. In case you didn't notice Smithheart was the guy who walked through those doors only moments before the kiss ended." James soothed.

I looked over at Michael, but saw he wasn't looking at me. I continued to watch him but he didn't look up at all. Out of nowhere I felt a tear slide from my eye and I hastily wiped it away. I don't know why it came, but for some reason I felt really sad. The plates and glasses on the Gryffindor table stopped shaking completely and I leaned against James.

"You ok, Mandy?" Remus asked.

"Yeah, but I'd be even better if my roommates didn't think what they did about me." I answered. The day slowly wore on and even though I had classes with the girls not a single one said anything or even glanced at me. That night I spent in Black's bed, but only because James and Talon protested so heavily when I tried to convince them the Common Room couch was fine.

The next day during Potions Slughorn gave us a free period so he could grade the tests he should have graded within the past week.

"Mandy, why don't you just go talk to her? Explain what's going on and then maybe she'll come around." Remus said.

"No. If Lily wants to think I'm totally in love with my best friend and best friend only then so be it. I'm not the one who's wrong here. She is and you know it." I answered.

"Evans." Black and James said.

"I ..." Lily said.

"Whatever you think you just heard you didn't." Remus said quickly.

"Amanda ..." Lily started, but I held up my hand to stop her.

"You haven't called me Amanda since we first met except when you were irritated or angry with me, don't start now Lily." I said.

"Oh, um Mandy, do you think we could talk?" She asked. When I turned around I could see her biting her bottom lip.

"Sure I guess." I said looking back at James who nodded and poked my back. Lily jerked her head towards the empty table in the back of the room. I followed her and then hopped up on to it.

"You know how I feel about Potter," she started.

"Yeah you can't stand him." I said.

"No, I'm confused." I rolled my eyes.

"Lil, I'm not going to hold off on dating a guy while you try and figure out what you feel about him. I'm not that nice or considerate and you know that."

"I know, but ... wait didn't Remus just say that I didn't hear what I thought I heard?"

"That's exactly what he said, but you know what I mean. I love James with most of my heart and I have since I was five. If this isn't an apology for jumping to conclusions, the wrong ones I might add, then I don't want to hear it."

"The wrong conclusions?" She asked.

"Yes, the wrong conclusions, what exactly do you think we were doing?"

"Weren't you trying to steal his attention from me?"

"Lily, that boy is hopelessly in love with you, he has been since the first time he saw you, it's just gotten more hopeless and more public as the years progressed. I couldn't take his attention from you if I stood in front of him in nothing but a Gryffindor Quidditch towel waving a sign that said 'Marry me James.' It's impossible to distract him from loving you. The only thing he'd say to me is go get dressed or something of that nature. James wouldn't date me now; he's my best friend Lily."

"So what were you talking about?" I looked at my feet. "Is it embarrassing?"

"Lily please, very little embarrasses me."

"It was about Sirius then?"

I nodded. "But I don't want to talk about it."

"Why were you sitting like that then?"

"We always do when James gets serious about something; he wants to make sure I won't leave before he's finished."

"Oh," she said twirling her hair around a finger and biting her lip.

"He was also getting sentimental on me."

"Oh ... Mandy, I'm sorry I guess I'm just trying to figure some stuff out and well ... you are my best friend and ..."

"Lils, you're my best friend I get it. Apology accepted."

"Thanks Mandy."

"Sure, don't forget you can talk to me about anything. Just don't go jumping to conclusions first alright?"

"So where exactly did you sleep for the past couple of nights?"

"The Common Room couch the first night and then Black's bed the next two. The boys wouldn't put up with anything less."

"Oh, Mandy you don't know how sorry I am for pulling the girls on my side. It wasn't fair."

"If everyone would return to their seats ..." Slughorn said. Lily smiled and nodded. He handed back our tests and looked at me. "Ms. Hunter did you study for this test?" He asked holding my test away from me.

"Not really, why?" I asked.

"It doesn't show." Slughorn said handing my test to me. I looked at the top that was marked with a bright green 'O'. I looked over and saw that James got an 'E' then did my best not to smirk.

"You suck." James hissed.

"Just you wait. When we get our Transfiguration tests back yours will be higher."

"Sure." I didn't push it but both of us knew it was true.

"Something wrong, Jamie?"

"No, not at all," he answered. As we walked down the hall after class, I heard people still talking about the kiss.

"I really wish everyone would shut up about that stupid kiss already. It was a bloody bet for Merlin's sake. Get over it." I exploded.

"Calm down Amanda, we know it was just a bet, who cares what everyone else thinks?" Black asked slinging an arm around my shoulder.

"Don't touch me, Black." I spat removing his arm.

"That's not what you were saying yesterday morning." He answered.

"That was yesterday."

"Padfoot if you're as smart as you claim you are stop now." James said, though the last part was more of a command than a suggestion.

Black opened his mouth, but almost immediately shut it again. I was about to say something, but I remembered the promise I made to James so I promptly shut it again. I crossed my arms over my chest and pouted hoping Black would say something stupid again. Unfortunately he wasn't who spoke next.

"Hey Seeker," a male voice shouted.

If you noticed sometimes Mandy will switch between calling him Sirius and calling him Black in her head. It's because sometimes she's either too tired or seeing the softer side of him and doesn't hate him as much. Three Galleons comes out to about 30 U.S. Dollars or 15 English Pounds from the research I've done. Also anyone recognize the line about her in a towel and the sign? Let me know what you think.