OK, first of all, I'm SORRY that it took so long to update this story. I didn't give up on it, I just have more on my plate than most people would suspect (and I lost my flash drive with the update on it). Hopefully I'll be on my toes a little more now. So sorry, and keep reading!

Chapter 36

Inside the boys' dorm, James faced Sirius with a worried expression on his face. Sirius had a feeling he knew what was about to be said, but he couldn't help reflecting on how wonderful Avedra's lips had felt on his.

"Sirius," James said, looking at the floor to gather his thoughts. "I'm not sure you know what you're doing with Avedra."

"Funny that," Sirius replied. "I thought we were kissing. Was I wrong?"

James sighed. "Yes, but Remus saw."

"As well he should. I'm not about to go sneaking around the castle like a criminal with the girl I like. James, you heard him as well as I did. He said he didn't care who she ended up with as long as it kept her safe from him." Sirius started to pace the length of the room. This wasn't fair. Remus was the one who kept insisting that everything was fine and suddenly they aren't anymore.

"Sirius, Remus is in love with her." James said quietly. "How would you feel-"

"How would I feel if I saw Remus holding her everyday? How would I feel if she was kissing him?" Sirius snapped. "It hurt me, James, maybe not as much as it hurts him. Maybe he hurts worse because he knows what she feels like pressed against him. Or maybe because he misses the taste of her lips. It still hurt. I didn't see you taking him aside and telling him to tone it down because it bothered me."

James closed his eyes in defeat. "I know, Padfoot, but if you'd seen him. He almost looked bestial."

"Are you worried that we hurt him, or that he'll hurt us?" Sirius asked bluntly.

James eyes snapped open. "Remus wouldn't-"

"He already did, Prongs." Sirius ground out. "Do you not remember what it was like when she came out of the shack? Do you forget what she looked like before she was sent to the hospital?"

"No, I haven't forgotten." James whispered. "He didn't mean to hurt her."

"And yet he hurt her nonetheless. We're still here talking about how it's fine for him to hurt her, because he didn't mean it, but it's not ok for her to move on if it hurts him." Sirius said, pointing his finger. "That seems pretty unfair."

"If you'd just listen to reason." James pleaded. "Maybe if you talk to him."

"Or maybe I'll go right back to kissing the girl I love, because right or wrong, I do love her." Sirius turned away from his best friend. "I'm not going to give her up, James. Not without a fight."