Going back to Hogwarts was something Madeline was really looking forward to that year. She had spent amazing holidays with her friends, and yet she missed seeing Severus every day.
When her mind travelled back to New Year's Eve, she couldn't help but smile. That night, he had wanted to take her away from the party, away with him… She was distracted from her thoughts by Remus, who moved in his sleep. He had been very tired, the full Moon's being close, and he had put his head on Madeline's lap. Now, he was gently snoring, while the girl played with his longish, light brown hair.
Sirius, James and Peter were quietly whispering about Quidditch, and Madeline was letting her eyes roam outside of the window. The Scottish countryside moved rapidly before her as the Hogwarts Express travelled towards the Castle.
It was a cold, foggy day.
Suddenly, someone appeared in front of the door of the compartment; it was Marlene McKinnon.
"Hello everyone" she said sweetly, giving all of them a gentle smile and blushing when her eyes met Sirius' grey ones. Then, she noticed Remus sleeping and lowered her tone of voice, "How's the journey going?"
Padfoot shrugged, "Fine" he muttered. Madeline shot him a reproachful look, and then smiled at the girl. "Good, thank you Lene. How's yours going?" she asked. She would have even proposed her to sit with them, if there had been enough place for her to do so.
"Oh, great, yeah, thank you Mads." She said, "Well… See you at dinner, then!" she rapidly added, before closing the door of the compartment a little too harshly and storming away.
Moony woke up when he heard the door closing, and threw a confused look around himself. "What happened?" he said, rising to a sitting position.
Madeline sighed, "Sirius has just been a dick to Marlene."
"What?", the boy said, knitting his brows, "I haven't said anything wrong!"
"You've barely said anything, Pads!"
"Yeah" Prongs said, "I agree with Mads. You were a little cold."
Peter only nodded, looking between them.
Sirius crossed his arms and let himself fall back in his seat. "Well, I've only snogged her when we were both drunk" he muttered, "I'm not his boyfriend or something."
"Well, you should have thought about that sooner", Madeline stated, gritting her teeth. "You knew she likes you."
"Yeah, yeah, I know, Mads. Listen, I just didn't feel like talking to her, okay? I'll sit with her at dinner it that makes you happy."
"You should sit with her at dinner if that makes you happy, Pads, not me." She explained, "Just… Don't play with her feelings. She doesn't deserve it."
James nodded, "Yeah, brother, the girl's nice. She likes you. Don't screw it."
"Got it, guys. Now, can we talk about something else?"
Remus yawned. "Like what?"
"Like good old Pete and Amelia!" exclaimed Sirius. "I've seen the two of you talking all night at New Year's…"
"That's true I've just remembered!" Prongs lightened up, nodding, and turned towards Pettigrew. "Did something happen?"
Wormtail blushed a deep shade of red. He wasn't used to that much attention and, certainly, not for things like relationships.
"W-we… We kissed once… She was a little shy… But she told me she enjoyed the night."
Sirius and James started cheering. "You're learning well, dear Wormy."
"Yeah, we're proud of you", said Prongs, pretending to remove tears from his eyes.
Remus and Madeline watched them, amused. The girl admired Moony for letting things go so easily. She didn't think she'd be able to do the same.
"Keep her close, Wormtail" said Sirius, knowingly. "The next step is to ask her out."
Prongs nodded solemnly, "I can help you with that if you want." He suggested, swelling his chest.
Peter blushed again, "T-thank you Prongs… But maybe Sirius… Or Madeline… can help me better…"
James raised an eyebrow, confused. "And why would you want their help and not mine?"
Wormtail looked ashamed, then, and that's when they all understood what he meant. Padfoot started barking and pointed a finger towards James, "Well, mate, can't say you're exactly successful with Evans, can we?"
All of them started laughing, except for James Potter, who turned to look at Peter Pettigrew with an offended look on his handsome, young face.

When they reached the Great Hall, they were starving. Madeline crossed the massive door of the room by Remus' side, and instantly shot a long stare towards the Slytherin table. It was some time before she met her favorite pair of onyx's eyes. She smiled at Severus and the side of his mouth twitched in an acknowledging smile of its own.
Sirius sat next to Marlene, and Madeline felt immensely relieved by that. The girl too seemed to lighten up when the boy started telling her about Quidditch, and other annoying stuff girls pretended to like in front of boys they fancied.
Alice and Lily hugged her when they spotted her behind the Marauders, and urged her to sit with them and Frank. Eventually, the sixth years Gryffindor girls and boys ended up being together and sharing a cheerful meal. They ate a lot, and reminisced the good moments spent together at Potter Manor.
It was all going well, when Sirius' eyes met Regulus', and the boys both froze. Marlene raised an eyebrow, questioningly. "Sirius? Are you okay?".
James and Madeline instantly turned to look at their best friend when they heard those words.
They both followed Padfoot's gaze to the Slytherin table, and sighed.
Sirius whispered something to Marlene, and she nodded and gave him a sweet smile. Then, he stood up, and walked away from the Great Hall.
"I guess this is the end of our dinner." Stated James.
Madeline nodded. "I guess you're right" she said, and swallowed one last sip of Pumpin' juice. The other Gryffindors had stopped eating to look at them. Madeline smiled, "I'm a little tired…" she yawned, "I think I'll go to bed… See you in the Common Room" she kindly told them, and stood up. "Yeah… me too!" said James, following her.
Remus, who ignored what had happened between the Black brothers, called for her, "Mads! Aren't you even going to listen to Dumbledore's speech?", he questioned, knowing how much she liked hearing about Dumbledore's views, advices and considerations.
She shrugged, "You'll tell me about it, Moons. I'm needed elsewhere" she commented, turning to look at Prongs.
Remus nodded, "I see." He said. "Shall I…?"
"Oh, no, there's no reason..." She quickly said, knowing that Sirius wouldn't show his emotions in front of too many people. He just wasn't the type. "You should listen to Dumble's speech so you can tell me about it later."
"Will do" Moony assured, and gave her a smile.
Madeline reciprocated it, before walking away from the Gryffindor table along with James.
"What can we do?" asked Prongs while they were on their way the Common Room. "I mean, he knew Reg would be a different person, didn't he? Why's he reacting so bad?"
Madeline sighed, "Prongsie…. He's his brother. He'll never get used to the idea he's a…", she held her breath before saying the word. Funny how much words can be a burden.
James stopped in his tracks, and turned to look at her. There was something different in his eyes. He had turned serious all of a sudden, and it seemed he was looking for something in her eyes. "Say it."
"What?" she asked, surprised.
"Say what he is."
Madeline crossed her arms, "Why?"
"Because I need you to understand it as well."
The girl raised an eyebrow, "Understand what? You're being ridiculous, James."
"Maybe that's true, Madeline, but do you mind answering me?" he asked.
"But you know what I meant" she argued.
"Yeah, but you shouldn't be afraid to say the word, either."
"I'm not afraid."
"Then, say it. Say what Regulus has become."
She sighed deeply, and it took her much strength and patience to find the courage to breathe the word that was giving her nightmare since Christmas. "A Death Eater."
"Yeah, that's what he is. No coming back." He stated, and resumed his walking.
"James!" she shouted, and he turned.
"Yes?"
"I… don't think… there's no coming back." She spat out, "We've met Regulus. He's not the nicest boy on Earth… But he's not evil."
James' eyes widened, "But he's a servant of Voldemort nonetheless!" he took a step in her direction. "Like your dear friend, if you ask me. I bet on my life he's one too, by now."
Madeline held her breath and closed her eyes for an instant.
"Don't talk about him."
"Or what, Mads? You know as well as me he's so fucking interested in the Dark Arts!"
"Yeah, I know that, Prongs…"
"And what else do you know?"
Blue eyes met hazel ones. "What are you asking me?"
"Is he a Death Eater?" he sighed, "I'm sure that if he is, he's told you."
"Why are you so sure about that?"
"Because I've seen how you look at each other. And it makes me mad."
Madeline shook his head, "James…"
"Tell me the truth, Madeline."
"I… don't know."
He inspired slowly, and again so slowly he expired.
"I believe you" he said, and Madeline felt like he had just betrayed him. She didn't like the feeling. "But you not knowing doesn't mean he isn't one." James added.
Before she could answer, another voice interrupted them.
"Will you stop arguing?" They turned to look at Sirius, who had stepped out of the Common Room, probably hearing their voices. "Everybody's going to hear you." He told them…. Oh," he sighed, "Don't come up here if you're going to treat me like a fucking child." He spat out, and walked back into the portrait of the Fat Lady.
Madeline rolled her eyes and followed Sirius. James did the same.
The Common Room was still empty.
"Pads, can we talk? We know seeing Regulus has put you down."
Sirius laid on the sofa and closed his eyes. "There's nothing to say, Mads. You know how I feel. It will take time… I will heal."
James nodded, "Yeah, mate, but you can't storm out of a room anytime you see your brother."
"Who says I can't?"
Madeline sighed, "Pads… Come on… I know it's not easy."
"How can you know that? Your family's good people."
"Yeah, I'm lucky, I know. But… This war…", Merlin, she hated it. "..Is affecting all of us."
Prongs muttered his agreement and sat on the armchair next to the fireplace. "It is." He murmured. "I'm so worried about Mum and Dad all the time… They risk their lives everyday… Being an Auror now is like constantly attempting suicide."
Madeline shot him a look. "What? You've never mentioned it, Prongs. I thought they were safe."
Sirius gave her a look. He probably did knew. The girl wasn't surprised. Since he had ran away from home, the Potters had practically adopted him. They had always treated Sirius like a child of their own, but the bond had become tighter with time.
"Well, they were… But now Voldemort is getting stronger, and they are needed on the battlefield…" he explained. He then shot her an apologetic look. "I should have told you… I just didn't want to think negatively."
Madeline looked at him, and she noticed that some lines had formed on James' forehead. He looked almost… Scared. "You've told me now" she calmed him, smiling. "I'm sorry, Prongs… You know, your parents are stronger than you think."
Sirius gave a low laugh, "Yeah… They have to live with you, don't they?" he said, and Madeline loved him for that. He was always able to lighten up the mood when things became heavy.
James laughed too, "Shut your mouth, dog."
Madeline thought about telling them about Severus. She didn't want to have secrets with her best friends… But then again, those were not her secrets to share. She wouldn't betray his trust… It had took her too much time to make him understand he could confide in her.
Lying to James had been so difficult… And necessary. Things change when you grow old…
"I love you, guys." She simply said, then, and there was a request of forgiveness in her soft words.
Sirius looked at her, "We're all becoming emotional fools. This war is making us age before time."
James nodded, "It really is…" he agreed.
They both stood up, and walked towards her, circling her shoulders with their arms, and laying their heads against her own.
"We love you too" they said in unison. Madeline smiled.