James watched the moon play hide and seek behind the clouds. He wondered if it was going to rain. The puffs of grey looked magnificent as they hid the moon's friends.

James heard a shuffle of footsteps coming his way. "Can't sleep?" asked Sirius, sitting in front of James in the window seat. He too looked outside for a brief moment.

James smiled, bringing his knees closer, his arms wrapped around them. "No," whispered James, shaking his head.

Sirius slumped against the window. "What are you thinking?" he asked, raising his brows.

James was only admiring the night sky. He shook his head, as he mumbled, "Nothing." His eyes looking at the moon once again. But the moon had hidden behind the clouds.

Sirius let out a loud sigh, and turned towards James. "If that is it, might I suggest something?"

James tilted his head, blinking a couple of times. He gave a firm nod and waited.

"We were supposed to talk about Evans."

"Oh." The thumping of his heart was out of control. James knew his ears were turning red by the second. His mind stuttered for a minute, as he held his breath. He waited for Sirius to continue.

"I see you still cannot keep your eyes off her," said Sirius, studying James's face. He had a smile tugging at his lips.

"I tried," whispered James, as he screwed his eyes shut. "But it's hard." Even now, all he could see was her. Her beautiful green eyes, the fiery red hair. The freckles on her fair cheeks.

"Why?"

James opened his eyes, and looked outside. "Even when I try not to think of anything, I still can't stop thinking about her!" started James, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. He chuckled, "I am sure it sounds sappy but just one look at her, and it makes my day."

"It does sound sappy," agreed Sirius, chuckling too.

"I reckon I can sit and watch her smile for the whole day," said James, shaking his head. "Or just listen to her talk."

For a moment there was silence, and James could hear his beating heart in his head. He was flushed, thinking about what he had admitted. More so, thinking about what he was going to admit. "Everything about her is perfect, and I can't imagine a world where she didn't exist."

"Mate –" started Sirius, pinching the bridge of his nose.

James shook his head, looking at Sirius. "I'm sure it's a crush and it'll go away."

Rather than agreeing with James, Sirius laughed. He looked at James in amusement. "What?" questioned James, pushing his glasses back.

"You're in love!"

"What?"

"You're in love with Evans." Sirius let out an exasperated sigh. "We've caught you smiling a lot more since you fell in love with her," he began explaining. "And we see all the tricks you use to impress her – like the snitch."

For a moment, James stopped breathing, as his heart skipped a beat. He took a deep breath. "I don't know why. But every time I leave our dormitories, my eyes search for her without meaning to."

Sirius grinned from ear to ear, as he said, "That's love for sure."

"How do you know?" asked James, looking everywhere but at Sirius. He could feel his cheeks were on fire.

"Mate, it's been long enough and you've been rejected enough time –" said Sirius, giving James's shoulder a light squeeze. " – if it was a crush, you'd be over her by now."

That was correct. If it was someone else, James would have stopped chasing her. But with Evans, it was different. "I suppose you're right."

"I am."

"So, will you forgive her?" asked James, his eyes gleaming with hope. He slipped a small smile.

Sirius threw his hands in the air, as he rolled his eyes. "Fine."

The boys made their way down to the common room. They were famished. And Sirius was getting grumpy without food in his system.

James glanced in Sirius's direction, he snickered, his hair was the perfect length now. "You ought to cut your hair Padfoot," he started, pointing his finger towards Sirius's head.

Sirius blinked a couple of times. "Why?" he asked, running his fingers through his hair.

"It looks like Snivelly's hair –" started James, shaking his head, " – that length."

For a moment Sirius's mouth hung open. "HOW DARE YOU?!" gasped Sirius, gritting his teeth.

James's eyes travelled past Sirius and Evans caught James's eye before anyone noticed her making her way over to them. "Remus," she greeted him with a smile.

"Hello Evans," said Sirius, with a grin. He waved in her direction, before throwing a glance in James's direction.

James stood there with his mouth agape, as he rumpled up his hair.

Lily didn't spare a glance in their direction, giving her whole attention to Remus.

"Good morning Lily," said Remus, with a small smile.

"Professor McGonagall is looking for the four of you," said Evans, without wasting a moment. Although she spoke about the four of them, she only looked at Remus.

"Four of us?" squeaked Peter, his eyes widening. He looked at Sirius and James with a frantic look on his face. Sirius pinched Peter's inner arm, making him gasp.

Remus nodded, as he gave Evans a smile. "Alright."

Any other day, Evans would have left by now. But today, she stood there, shifting from one foot to another. She tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. It looked like she was contemplating something.

"Is there something else you want to say?" asked Sirius, giving James a slight nudge.

That did the deed. Without looking back, Evans darted past the boys. The portrait hole opened and she disappeared behind it.

Sirius narrowed his eyes, still looking at where she had disappeared. He mumbled, "She could've apologized to Prongs."

"You're still on it?" asked Peter, raising his brows.

"In case it makes you feel better –" started Remus, turning to his friends. " – she asked me about Prongs during patrolling."

James's mouth hung open. Had he heard that right? A thousand fireworks went off in his head, and his heart did a summersault. "What did she ask?"

"If you're hurt."

"She thinks we were lying?" scoffed Sirius, rolling his eyes.

Remus shook his head, before he said, "I'd say that incident is making her question her friendship with Snivellus."

Sirius raised his index finger and said, "You should've added the stalking."

"And how would I prove it?" asked Remus, tilting his head. He crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Or tell her how I came to possess the information?"

James pressed his lips together and shrugged. "He's got a point."

The boys padded out of the common room, making their way to McGonagall's office. It was obvious that breakfast would have to wait.

"Are we going to McGonagall?" squeaked Peter, his brows lowered. He whimpered, as he looked back and forth between his friends.

"Yes," said James in a nonchalant manner. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his trousers.

"Why are you wetting your pants Wormtail?" hissed Sirius, anger creeping into his voice. He glared at Peter, pursing his lips.

"What if she knows about –" whispered Peter, shaking his head.

"Shush!" hushed Sirius, pressing his index finger against his lips.

"How could she?" said James, rolling his eyes. "The only – thing – that saw us was Peeves."

"You told him that you'd teach Filch a lesson," reminded Peter, pointing his finger towards James.

"So?" asked James, his face crinkled. He shrugged before continuing, "Most of the student body hates him."

"You're good at lying," asked Remus, looking past James at Peter. "Why do you get scared?"

"Just because I'm good at it doesn't mean I want to do it!"

Sirius stopped dead in his tracks. Turning towards Peter, he held him by his shoulders at an arm's length. "Look, no one knows we did it." Giving him a strong pat on his back, Sirius continued, "Pull yourself together."

As soon as the boys stepped inside the office, they noticed Filch. Mrs Norris sat near his foot. He had his mean eyes set on the boys. Baring his teeth, his breath was ragged.

"Professor?" said James. His low voice, boomed in the silent office.

McGonagall looked exhausted, as she rubbed her temples. Giving a firm nod, she said, "Come in."

The boys gathered around her desk; their hands clasped together in front of them.

McGonagall fixed her glasses, she looked at them at last. "This is the third time for the two of you," pointing her wand at Sirius and James. Her piercing gaze set on them. "Second time for you Mister Pettigrew," she continued, now pointing her wand at poor Peter. "And I expected better from you Mister Lupin."

"Exactly why are we here Professor?" asked James, tilting his head, his brows furrowed.

"You know damn well!" blurted Filch, shaking his fist in the air.

The boys exchanged a puzzled look – the look they had mastered in past five years. On the inside, James was laughing.

"Wait Argus," said McGonagall, holding her hand up. Her thin lips had become thinner. "I'll only ask this once; I expect a yes or no response."

The boys gave a firm nod, looking at McGonagall with as much seriousness as they could muster.

"If the answer is yes," said McGonagall, she turned towards James and Sirius. "The two of you will be boarding Hogwarts Express this evening."

"What's the question Professor?" asked James, raising his brows.

"Do you know about what happened to Mister Filch's office?"

"The whole school knows, why are we being expelled for it?" Sirius questioned back, furrowing his brows. He gave McGonagall a puzzled look, his nose crinkling.

"Did you do it?"

Sirius shook his head, as he replied, "No ma'am, we didn't."

"Peeves said it was you!" bellowed Filch. His knuckles had turned pale by how hard he was clenching his fist. "I know you and your friends are always up to something!"

"What did Peeves say exactly?" asked James, raising his brows as he pushed his neck forward.

"That a bunch of students put Dungbombs in my office!" yelped Filch, pointing his index finger at the boys.

"A bunch of students?" blurted James, narrowing his eyes. He turned towards Filch, taking a step in his direction. "And you assumed it was us?"

"I know it was you!" continued Filch, shaking his fist in the air. His face was flushed. "Ever since I caught you using harmful spells in corridors you have been eyeing me for revenge."

"We have been given detention multiple times," said James from between his teeth. Shaking his head, he continued, "We never take revenge on authority figures."

He turned towards McGonagall. "Have we ever Dungbomb your office Professor?" he asked. Raising his hand upward, he extended it towards McGonagall. "You've given us more detentions than any other authority figure."

The muscles in Sirius's jaw bunched, as he asked, "Did anyone see us entering your office?"

McGonagall too now turned her attention towards Filch. "Did Peeves see them Argus?"

"Well – well – I don't think –" stammered Filch, scratching his head. He looked around, as if trying to remember any information.

James smirked, rolling his eyes. He recomposed his face, as he continued, "So, we appeared out of thin air? And disappeared?"

The room remained silent, as the boys looked back and forth between McGonagall and Filch.

"There is nothing that can tie us to this Professor," said Sirius, after a long pause. "Can we go have our breakfast?"

McGonagall gave a firm nod. Gesturing towards the office door, she said, "Very well."

As if on command, the boys turned around to make their way out of the office.

From the corner of his eyes, James caught Sirius's gaze. Giving a sly smile, James tried to supress the laughter bubbling behind his lips. Sirius too returned the smile with a smirk of his own.

"He gave me a smug smile!" Filch's voice boomed across the office. His bony hands caught Sirius by his shoulder. Turning him around, Filch's hands made way to Sirius's collar. "Don't give me a smug smile boy!"

James's eyes widened; he could feel the anger boiling in the pit of his stomach. He clenched his fists at his side. Taking a step in their direction, he almost snapped Filch's hand in half.

"Argus!" McGonagall stepped between Filch and James. Her wide eyes looked at Filch from over her glasses.

Sirius gritted his teeth, clawing at Filch's hand on his collar. He spoke from between his teeth, "I didn't smile at you." His eyes were filled with rage.

At once, Filch let go of Sirius's collar.

James draped his hand around Sirius's shoulder, escorting him out of the office. He knew Sirius loathed anyone who tried to touch him. Especially after what his parents had done to him. It was more of a defense mechanism than anger. James could feel Sirius shudder under his touch. Giving Sirius's shoulder a light squeeze, he wanted to remind Sirius that he was there for him.

Letting out a loud sigh, Sirius muttered under his breath, "Filch is insane."

Peter still fidgeted with his fingers, as he said, "I thought Peeves ratted us out."

"How could he?" said James, giving Sirius a smirk, "No one saw us."

After lunch, James decided to make his way back to his room. He had to take some rest before his Quidditch practice. He was waiting to make his way through the crowd in the Entrance Hall. On the other side, he caught sight of Snivellus. His nose was still buried inside his dirty book.

James gritted his teeth, looking away from the git. The last thing he wanted was to ruin his mood.

"Damn you Peeves!" Filch's voice was followed by a loud clatter and thud. It made James jump. Then without a warning, Peeves glided out of the corridor, stopping in front of James.

"Hello Peeves," greeted James, with a massive smirk. His mood had improved, knowing Peeves had irritated Filch.

"Potter!"

"Back to business?" asked James, looking at the corner from where Peeves had appeared.

Peeves hovered near James, as he rolled his eyes. He gave James an innocent smile, as he said, "I was only helping him clean the armour from the inside."

"Listen Peeves," whispered James, stepping to a corner. Peeves followed him.

James threw a last glance at the corridor where Filch was, to check if he was coming. "I'll squash Mrs Norris's tail if you push the book out of Snivellus's hands the next time you see him," said James, grinning.

Peeves considered it for a moment, and James thought he would reject the offer. But when Mrs Norris appeared around the corner, mischief glistened in Peeves and James's eyes. Peeves showed James a toothy grin as he said, "I will push him down if you do it now."

"Deal," agreed James.

He marched up to where Mrs Norris was sitting, her tail lying flat on the ground. Stretching out his foot, James could feel the excitement exploding inside him. He squashed Mrs Norris's tail, with a grin.

The evil cat screeched, her fur standing. She dashed off to the corridor like a bullet.

The whole entrance hall roared with applause. The students and Peeves cheered for James. Through the buzzing of laughter and compliments, James picked up one that was used the most. "Nice one Potter."

It was safe to suffice that Peeves kept his word too. When it had been muddy and rainy the next day, Peeves shoved Snivellus in the mud in the courtyard. James felt a surge of happiness witnessing that.