Love is the deadliest weapon there is. It's fire, it's passion, it's cherishing, it's devotion. Consuming, enthralling, committing, maddening. That's love for you.

It's bloody awful.

But I do not know a more powerful emotion.

Remus sighed as he laid on his bed. The burgundy red curtains kept him entertained for the time being. Peter wasn't feeling particularly talkative that day, and to be honest, neither did he. His mind was running through a thousand things he'd rather be doing than waiting for Sirius and James to come and in who's company.

He glanced at his wristwatch. 3:47 P.M.

Sirius had told them to be at the rooms at half-past three. He should've taken his time coming as well. He knew Sirius was always late to everywhere unless it was his bed. Remus had a tight schedule, damn.

'Bloody bastard,' he hissed.

'Indeed,' answered Peter, who leaned on one post of Remus' bed. 'We could've come half an hour later and we would've still arrived earlier than the Quidditch Duo.'

Remus didn't respond, but his eyes mirrored his agreement to Peter. The fair-haired boy grabbed one cracker from the lot they had got from the kitchens on their way to Gryffindor Tower.

Two figures bust the door open; the werewolf rolled his eyes. Laughter echoed in the room, and Sirius had his arm around James' shoulders. Yeah, whatever he was going to say, it could've waited until after supper just fine.

'Thank Merlin you haven't died on the way here,' drawled Peter. 'We were going to send a search party, you know?'

Sirius laughed, and if he had detected the acid in Peter's tone, he didn't show it. That's how irritating Sirius Black could be. 'Oh, Pete! Silly goose, we're fine!'

Peter muttered something and summoned some juice. Remus shot him a look. The boy levitated him a glass. The prefect nodded and smiled. He took a sip before his mood soured considerably. Remus cleared his throat, tugged his tie a bit before he turned to Sirius, who now was standing beside his bed. 'That brilliant idea of yours, Sirius?'

The werewolf thought against getting himself some earplugs. Did he really care about whatever Sirius was going to do? No, probably not. But chances were he'd need to know the details to craft a believable lie, it wasn't easy to lie to McGonagall, less to Dumbledore though. A part of him nagged him and told him he should let them face the consequences for their actions already. The other side of him argued that in that case he shouldn't be a prefect either. He liked to turn that voice off whenever it was possible.

But whatever Sirius' plan was, had been or was going to be, it didn't seem like something Sirius would gloat about. His face turned stony, but the tips of his ears reddened. Both Peter and Remus sent each other inquiring gazes. They both had noticed. Now — that was something that deserved their entire attention.

Sirius scratched the back of his neck and motioned James to sit on his respective bed. The boy locked eyes with Remus; it felt like they were all silently judging Sirius before the verdict. But the chaser did as he was told. And the three boys looked at Sirius, they leaned forward.

'We know how much Evans despises James, right?'
Peter's mouth slackened and Remus rubbed his brow and laughed humourlessly. James winced and his cheeks turned crimson. Remus looked at the fair-haired boy and he snorted. They both nodded. 'Old news, what about it?'

'But it's not like that,' James licked his lips. 'She's just—'

Peter thrusted a cracker into his mouth. That did keep him preoccupied for a while. Sirius thanked Peter with a slight bow.

'And we know Evans and Snape are joined by the hip…' Sirius trailed off while keeping eye-contact with James, who still had his mouth full of crumbs.

The grey-eyed boy grinned. Remus bit back a grimace. Whenever Sirius showed his teeth, he resembled either a feral gremlin or a vivacious dog. On bad days, he looked like both. How half of Hogwarts fell to his feet for that 'charming' smile of his was a mystery he doubted he'd live long enough to solve.

'You're going to jinx him for the third time this week or something? You're more dedicated to the guy than James is with Evans, my god,' said Remus as he scowled at Sirius. Did they really need to have an emergency meeting for that? Remus nearly bared his teeth, and it was just nearly because he caught how Sirius' mouth parted for a moment before he recomposed himself.

Sirius pressed his lips together. 'I'm — I'm going to get him to fall for me.'

They were, well, they were all at a loss for words. James turned pallid and the remains of the forgotten cracker fell from his lips. Both Peter and Remus gaped, their mouths opening and closing for several moments. Remus smelled the sweat on Sirius' clammy hands.

'I beg your pardon?' asked Peter, probably hoping he had misheard. Remus' hearing never lied to him, he sighed. Sirius said nothing, but by the way he looked down they all knew he was being sincere, like he wasn't having them on.

'BUT, YOU—?!'

'WHY!?'

'SNIVELLUS — ARE YOU BLOODY INSANE!?'

Remus looked at Sirius with narrowed eyes. He didn't know whether to laugh or to throw the boy off the Astronomy Tower. Probably the latter, if he was being truthful. 'Let me get this straight—'

'There's hardly anything straight about this, Rems,' said Peter as he cut him off, but Remus had to agree with him. The werewolf's eyes met James, he looked like a deer caught in headlights. Sirius threw his hands up.

'You lot really love to make a scene, huh?'

Peter sneered. 'Pot calling the kettle black.'

'Touché.'

'I just — god why would you ever?' James said as he bounced his leg repeatedly Remus felt sympathy for his friend, but he couldn't imagine how it must feel for your best mate to say he's going to seduce your worst enemy. Sure, James could be a drama queen sometimes, but even he had a heart attack when Sirius announced his 'genius' plan. He sighed in relief; Peter would never pull something like that on him.

'Listen, mate! You like Evans but hate Snape — just what kind of process you think you're going to make!?'

'That,' James said the word with so much disgust Remus was positive spit flew towards Sirius' face. 'is your brilliant strategy sent to you by the gods!?'

Peter snorted. 'The only thing the gods ever sent him was some damn magnificent hair.'

'Sirius, if you wanted the guy to hex you six ways to Sunday you should've just said that,' said Remus as he bit back a groan. He resisted the urge of looking at the bloody wristwatch again. He knew what he was: late.

'I am going to seduce him; I mean—' Sirius said as he signalled to his own face with the dumbest look Remus had ever seen on him. 'Look at me!'

'We are looking at you,' said Peter. 'And we're not even liking what we're seeing. I pity Snape.'

Remus threw his head back and narrowly missed hitting the bedframe. He tried not to glare at Sirius. The boy standing beside him at that moment barely brought to mind his ingenious friend. Merlin, how he hated these brief spurts of idiocy his friends suffered from every so often.

Remus rubbed his eyes. 'Okay, you really thought seducing him was going to be easier than simply stop annoying him?'

James took his glasses off and grabbed the nearest pillow to scream into it. 'WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU!?'

Sirius had spent the entire time rocking in his place. He cracked his knuckles the moment before James had shouted. 'SEE IF I EVER HELP YOU EVER AGAIN, YOU FUCKING ARSEHOLE!'

And with the same impression Remus had got from his entrance, Sirius turned on his heel and grabbed James' invisibility cloak before he stormed off, slamming the door shut in the way.

James stood up as if Sirius was still in the room. 'FUCK YOU, BLACK!' he screamed.

But an even louder response came from the other side of the door: 'NO, THANK YOU, NOT MY TYPE!'

Peter and Remus looked at each other again with a mix of confusion and humour present in each other's eyes. Whenever James and Sirius fought, it was loud, but it never lasted for too long. Something Remus still didn't understand was Sirius' defensiveness about his whole strategy. But that would have to wait until he was done with his 'more important than this one' meeting.

The werewolf rolled his eyes and tugged Peter closer to him. He whispered in his ear: 'Mate, what the fuck's going on?'

'For Merlin's beard — if only I knew.'

James stared at the door with hard eyes, almost as if he was trying to intimidate the piece of wood. Remus sighed and stood up. He grabbed his bag and quill if only for a credible cover.

'Are you going after Siri?' asked James, showing more calmness than what he really felt.

Remus snorted. 'No, James. You keep your wife and marital problems in check. I'm going to study, see y'all later.'

But the chaser's eyes didn't leave the door at all, not even when he was blocking his way. Remus felt a chill go down his spine. He craned his neck towards James and mouthed to Peter: 'Watch him.'

Peter nodded and waved him off. Remus felt somewhat guilty for making his friend deal with all of that on his own, but he had made plans beforehand. Remus would keep no one waiting just because Sirius had lost what little sanity he had left.

Remus walked through the halls with his heart almost beating out of his chest. He considered going back to the dorms but after almost jumping from the window to get away from the tension there; he thought against it. Besides, it's not like he hadn't been counting the minutes down for their meeting. His nose caught a familiar scent before he was pulled into one of Filch's many closets.

'Hey,' said Emmeline Vance as she beamed at Remus. Her smile was dangerous. Whenever she flashed one at him, he felt himself grow dizzy. Sometimes he feared his heart wouldn't be strong enough to handle them one day. 'I missed you.'

The girl embraced him and he pulled her closer, caressing her dreadlocks with his left hand as his right arm hugged her waist. He smiled into her hair. 'I missed you too.'

Emmeline got away from his chest just enough so their eyes could meet each other. His green ones falling deeper into her large, deep pools of hazel brown. She smirked at him before her fingers lingered on his right side. 'Liar. If you missed me, you would've come sooner.'

He chuckled and held her soft face in his much rougher hands. Remus felt as if he had the most delicate china in his hands. Her obsidian skin contrasted with his golden one under the dimly lit storage closer. Remus' lips brushed her forehead, he kissed her temple and moved to her lips.

'The boys had some drama going on,' he smirked and enjoyed her flush at their closeness. 'But I'm here, aren't I?'

Emmeline laughed weakly and licked her lips. Remus leaned in and softly kissed them. They stood there for a long and quiet moment, enjoying each other's warmth.

'There's a quidditch game this Saturday,' the girl whispered.

'I'll be there,' Remus said as he calculated how long it would take him to recover from the full moon. 'Who are you playing against?'

Emmeline's eyes sparkled. She brought her hands to his shoulders and shook him excitedly.

'Gryffindor!'

'Do me a favour,' he said before he felt a felling of hilarity and breathlessness hit him in the gut. 'And win.'

She smirked and winked at him. 'Understood, my captain. Did Potter and Black fuck anything up again?'

They were so close; he wanted her to swallow him whole. To have his soul and heart. She pulled his neck closer to her; she leaned in. Remus feared for his sanity. His knees wobbled, but he gave her a long kiss before he answered her question. They both smiled into it. Emmeline stroked his arm. Remus lifted her chin and placed his mouth to her neck. He nibbled her skin softly; she laughed.

'Sirius, he's insane,' he muttered, still focused on her neck. 'And if James doesn't get a hold on his leash, he will bite someone.'

Emmeline chuckled. 'I thought his bark was worse than his bite?'

Remus snorted, he pulled away from her neck. 'No, that's James.'

'So how do you want me?' she asked cockily, a mischievous glint appearing in her eyes as she did so.

'I don't know about quidditch,' Remus said. 'But go for the throat.'

'Merlin, how I hate you,' said Emmeline in an almost inaudible whisper as she dropped her head on his chest. A soft laugh escaped her lips. She touched the scars she didn't know the stories about with so much care. Remus' heart nearly melted at her love. 'I wish I could show everyone you're mine.'

Remus lived with two quidditch players, they were his closest friends along with Peter. He wasn't unknown to quidditch traditions and how a player's partner should wear a replica of their cape on them. Once they date, the partner must come to all games and cheer for their partner's team. It was the fourth game Remus had gone to without skipping, but he couldn't wear the cape. It was too risky.

Remus held her somewhat calloused fingers from quidditch and intertwined their hands. His mind drifted to that one person who could wear Emmeline's cape without feeling out of place. 'Do your parents still want you to be with that tosser of Regulus Black?'

Emmeline rolled her eyes and leaned on the wall behind her. Her eyes hardened, she evaded Remus' gaze. 'You mean the only presentable Black? Yes, they do.'

He knew it wasn't fair for them, his life had never been, a tiny part of him wished Emmeline had never fallen for him. He didn't want the Ravenclaw to cry over a beast like him.

But the seeker breathed in deeply. She kissed his knuckles.

Remus transfigured a chair from one of the unused buckets in the closet. He sat and pulled Emmeline on his lap. She hid her face in the crook of his neck and he hugged her, enjoying the feeling of having her so close to him. Remus wished he could just keep her in his arms, but he couldn't. He knew that too well.

Was it stupid to dwell on such fantasies? Was it stupid to be a dreamer for once in his life? He, who had never asked more than he could have. Was it really impossible for him to ask for Emmeline if she'd have him? But even if it were, it didn't make him want her anything less.

Emmeline, who made him a dreamer and was composed of stars. If Remus could ask for one person, for one wish. He'd dream of her; he'd ask for her every night if so needed.

The seeker grabbed her wand from her cloak. 'Tempus,' she cast. Her hold around him tightened after they saw 5:30 P.M. in silvery lights.

I'm only a man, Remus thought. How can I not dread when we part?

Emmeline then lifted his chin, and she bored her eyes into his. Remus felt as if he was ready to give her the world if so needed. One look at her eyes made him feel as if nothing else mattered in the world, that this universe was just composed by the two of them and they reigned over each other.

His lips met her hand the moment she stood up. He bowed to her. 'Then, my lady, it is time for me to take my leave.' Her shoulders dropped, and despite the feeling, the overwhelming feeling of nostalgia even when they had yet to leave, she brushed his bangs off his face with a smile.

'If that is so, my knight, do you promise to return?'

'I promise,' he said, and he transfigured the chair back to a bucker that would soon aid Filch. Remus felt like his own fairy godmother setting a timer on his happiness. 'Will you wait for me, my lady?'

'I promise,' Emmeline whispered before she disappeared from the closet. A part of Remus' world had gone with her and he was sure she had taken his heart in the way.

Remus walked away with a grin on his face, his bag under his left arm. 'Emmeline,' he said with a sigh as he brough right hand to his lips, brushing over them as if her name gave him power.

'Emmeline,' he repeated to himself.

Peter hated many things about himself, but his biggest flaw was being meek. Had he been a stronger person, he wouldn't have found himself pinned to the wall by someone a year younger than him at that very moment.

If he hadn't been meek, he would've liked to see his fist colliding with Regulus' perfect nose. In this reality, however, he was at his mercy.

'Why were you taking your sweet time, Pettigrew?' Regulus' furious breath hit his face; Peter gulped. 'I told you to be here at five o'clock sharp, did I not?'

'I had to be with James, he—'

The Slytherin sneered and his hold around Peter's wrist tightened. The fair-haired boy nearly drew blood from his lip with the pressure he was applying to it.

'Do I look like I give a bloody damn about Potter?'

Yes, you fucking do, Peter thought.

'No — of course not.'

The boy pulled him close. Their lips were almost touching before Regulus pushed him down, making him kneel, his back still to the wall. At least the bastard had made sure he cast the proper wards around them because god forbid somebody walking on as perfect student Mr Black blackmails and harasses a Gryffindor fifth-year. They couldn't have that, neither of them could.

Regulus smirked and lifted Peter's chin, forcing his hazel eyes to meet the stone-cold grey ones. Peter wished he could curse the living shit out of the Slytherin.

'Tell me, Pettigrew,' he said with a drawl. 'Is my dear brother up to anything?'

Peter looked away from him and stared at the ceiling. Was 'your brother wants to snog your tutor' a correct response? Just what the fuck did blasted Regulus Black want him to say?

'He wants to get in Snape's pants,' Peter said. 'Something about helping James with Evans.'

Regulus' eyes twinkled with amusement; his pupils dilated. Peter wanted to gauge them out. The seeker' held his plump cheeks almost tenderly. The physical closeness between the two of them was going to make Peter sick. Peter never wanted to kiss and kill someone as much as he did with Regulus Black.

'Perfect,' Regulus purred. 'Mother, can tolerate a few pranks on mudbloods, but courting one? She'll go crazy.'

I don't give a shit about you or that damned witch, Peter thought.

'Can I go now?' Peter asked drily. 'If you want company, you can pay for it.'

Regulus' smirk turned into something far scarier than that, he smiled. His hand found its way to the back of Peter's head. He gripped his hair.

'I'm already paying for yours, aren't I?'

I'm only a man, Peter thought. How can I not fear the next time we'll meet?

Peter bit the inside of his cheek. He tasted his own blood. 'No — you pay for information.'

The Slytherin's face darkened and his hold on Peter grew more oppressive, more dangerous. His nails penetrated his pale skin like claws, Peter hissed in pain.

Regulus resembled his mother for the handful he knew about the woman, that's why they got along so well, that's why the youngest Black was ready to throw his older brother under the bus for his sole attention, even if his was always on Peter. The fair-haired boy only hoped that the interest the boy had on him would dissipate the second he graduated from Hogwarts, he'd turn on his heel and never see him again.

The seeker was in his cage, his captor, his monster, his nightmare. But Regulus Black was also a dreamer, he was ambitious, and he was cunning. He was hoping to become Peter Pettigrew's death and sole owner. His words felt like stabs, they felt like slashes and lies and truths and love all at the same time.

'One day you'll be mine,' Regulus whispered with his raspy voice. 'One day you'll crawl back to me because you'll need me.'

I don't bloody think so.

His lips brushed against Peter's pink ones. The latter refrained himself from grimacing. 'And you know what, Peter?'

'What?' he asked solely because he knew Regulus wanted him to.

'I'll keep you by my side, I'll be the only one you'll have, Pettigrew.'

Peter nodded in acknowledgement as Regulus healed the wounds he had placed on him. Obediently, just like the seeker liked him best. Regulus caressed the skin of his neck softly and touched his hair. Peter almost cringed at his touch — thank god he didn't.

He soon found himself pinned to the wall again, Regulus placed his lips on his neck and marked it with his teeth. A tiny voice in Peter's mind told him he should be enjoying the attention he was getting and from who, to have one of the most eligible bachelors after him would be an honour to everyone right?

But not everyone was a fifteen kid being economically pressured to be Regulus Black's rag doll. Not everyone else was Peter Pettigrew.

Fucking wanker, he thought to himself as Regulus' touch felt as if the Slytherin was burning his flesh with ice.

'I'll give you the world,' said Regulus, dropping his head on Peter's shoulder. 'You just have to stay by my side.'

But Peter couldn't leave him. The leash Regulus had on him gave the false sense of freedom. He knew who he belonged to; it was obvious from the very moment Regulus asked for his assistance. What a fool he had been. Regulus Black never asked for anything, instead, he took.

His mind went to his mother, who was back at home and always waited for him with a smile on her face. If anyone was worth going through the hell Regulus put him through, that was his mother.

The devil paid his mother's bills, now the son was his slave.

Regulus kissed his cheek and for a second Peter had to remind himself this wasn't just a fourteen-year-old kid that was one of his best friend's brother. This was hell in human skin. He was misery. The Slytherin turned around once he had brought his wards down.

Peter sobbed in the girl's lavatory. Myrtle would've consoled him had she known how to. She didn't, and it's not like Peter wanted her to.

Peter walked to his room feeling as if he had chatted with the Devil himself. 'Regulus,' he said with a sigh as he brought his right hand to his lips, brushing over them as if his name pushed him down.

'Regulus,' he repeated to himself.

James had left as well the minute Peter took his leave. He told himself not to chase after Sirius — which required little effort, if we're honest — and they'd talk when they were both ready for it. It was obvious to James that snogging Snivellus wasn't for his and Evans' non-existent relationship, but the Gryffindor chaser didn't know if Sirius himself was aware of that much. He loved Sirius, really, but chances are he didn't.

The map led him to the Study Hall, and he double-checked the location, but it was obvious he was in the right place. He still had yet to know why the Study Hall was where Evans and Snape were. James shuddered when his hand came in contact with the wooden doors, mainly because he hadn't been there since his third year. He opened them anyway.

Evans' radiant red hair took his breath away — she was sitting with Snape as they argued about something. Their rapid hand movements mesmerised James as they talked. It didn't look like the sort of conversations Sirius and he had; it was more of the intellectual discussion he'd like to listen to, if not because of Lily's lovely timbre. He contemplated turning on his heel before they noticed him, Sirius had taken his cloak but before he cast a Notice-Me-Not on himself he reminded himself that: hey, if Evans does catch him, at least she'd talk to him.

He walked to the table in front of the duo, feeling rather ballsy, and sat down with some book that was on the table, acting as if he was reading it. James sighed as a wave of heat ran through his body when he heard Lily Evans speaking with her heavy accent from the Midlands. The only good thing about Snape is that he was the only one that could bring that side of her with ease.

'… Hold on, hold on, hold on,' Evans said, getting closer to Snape. 'Her sister was a witch, right? And what was her sister?'

'A princess,' Snape said in that Black Country accent Evans shared with him. He sounded pensive.

'The Wicked Witch of the East, mate!' Evans hissed as she shook Snape's shoulders. 'You're gonna look at me, and you're gonna tell me that I'm wrong? Am I wrong?'

Snape covered his mouth with his hand to stifle a laugh. 'She wore a crown, and she came down in a bubble. You tell your sister that.'

Evans threw her hands in the air. 'Tuney's mental!'

Snape rolled his eyes. James coughed in the crook of his elbow to hide the bubbling laughter that threatened to come from him. This was not the discussion he expected Evans and Snape to have. A Wicked Witch of the East? What even was a 'Tuney' anyway?

'Say, Sev. Why on earth are we not in the library, anyway?'

Snape shrugged and dropped his thin face in Evans' hand. 'Some weirdo cast a disillusionment spell on the Library with some strong-ass wards. I heard Madam Pince went bonkers.'

Evans snorted. 'Rightly so! I bet they were doing something indecent.'

'Who even said anything about a "they"?'

Evans groaned. 'Oh yes, Mr Snape, because people wouldn't be doing it in the Library — right, that must be it. The Hogwarts School of Goodness and Prudence is where we study at.' She paused and turned to face Snape. 'Don't you feel love in the air?'

James mopped on his table. Yes, there was love in the air and it probably was coming from him. He wished she could just talk to him as freely as she did with Snape.

I'm only a man, he thought. How can I not wish for your lovely smile to be aimed at me, if only for one time?

Snape snorted. 'The loveliest thing I'm feeling at the moment is your breath,' he said. 'But who knows — maybe they weren't even in the library to begin with.'

Evans perked up at that. James' thoughts lazily drifted to Remus for a second before he focused on the ongoing conversation.

'What do you mean?' the redhead asked as her eyes glinted with interest.

Snape grabbed one book from Evans' pile.

'For example,' Snape drawled, now immersed in his reading. 'When Miss Tuna says she's going to the swimming pool with her friends, and she even goes out with those hideous flip-flops of hers, but what she's actually doing is swallowing Durley's tongue in the alley next to Whisker's.'

Evans made a choking sound; James was positive she was going to throw up for a second.

'God—'

'Is she truly at the pool? No. But do your parents think she is? Yeah. It's what people do when they go out of their away to make a lie more believable.'

Lily shook her head and bit her lower lip, James mirrored her action without realising.

'So you think they weren't in the library at all?'

Snape gave a sincere laugh; James had only heard him do that a handful of times, it always felt like someone threw a bucket of water at him.

'If they had this forbidden romance thing going on, don't you think they would rather hide the library so no outsiders can check if they were actually there or not than to be caught in the act?'

Lily placed her chin on her hand. 'Got experience sneaking off to shag someone? They all grow so fast.'

'Shut it, Lil's.'

'But wasn't Madam Pince in the library, like — isn't she always there?'

'Oddly enough, she went to get herself some tea. I reckon she's not moving from there ever again.'

'Bloody hell,' Evans said, James trembled at her voice. 'Bloody hell, you're right! God — why are you right?'

Snape closed the book he was reading and hit her on the head with it, Lily gave him a coy smile. 'When am I not right?'

'You want me to answer that, pretty boy?' Evans said.

'Not really.'

James wished he could join them, that he could sit by her side and listen to her ramble about whatever romance novel she and Snape were reading that week. He sighed and walked back to Gryffindor Tower. Maybe if he'd stayed in the Common Room long enough, he'd see Lily. Maybe if he died there waiting, the younger generations would remember him as a love-stricken knight.

With the sort of friends he had, they would nickname his ghost as 'Pothead of the Dramatics'.

James laughed as he covered his face with his hands, he felt an emptiness inside of him. 'Lily,' he whispered with a smile as he brought one of his fingers to his lips, brushing over them as if her name made his heart burst with love.

'Lily,' he repeated to himself.

Sirius' father never loved his wife. The boy always feared he would end up the same way. His parents liked each other enough to marry, enough to have a kid, enough to have another. But Sirius never thought his father loved his mother.

He used to be closer to his dad when he was a kid, Orion Black was the lesser of two evils. But as he grew up, the affection he had for his father turned into pity. He was nothing but someone for Walburga Black to step on. Sirius didn't want to end up like my father. He didn't want to end up like his mother either.

Even in a loveless household, he wanted love. Sirius fell in love with a merciless hunter, so he as well showed his teeth. Severus Snape was the unknown owner of the devil, the hellhound, the grim. He didn't know he had Sirius wrapped around his finger.

James Potter and Severus Snape hated each other; it was mostly James' fault, but as his best friend Sirius couldn't leave him to deal with the Slytherin alone. At least that's what he told himself. Maybe if he hammered the lie into his brain, he would start believing it. Sirius was far from being stupid. Had he had an easier mind, it would've worked. He was foolish enough to fall for a predator, but not enough to lie to himself.

So lie to the world, show them a facade. Then it will be okay.

Snape was evil, he yielded the most obscure weapon that was Sirius with ease. He had Sirius' heart between his fingers, but he wasn't aware his thorns could cause him such a pain. Severus Snape didn't know he was a rose. Sirius didn't know how to pry his heart from him.

Sirius' rose took in the sun with his hair spraying on bright green. Severus laid with Evans near the lake before they studied, Sirius knew that very well. It astounded him the first time he noticed the Slytherin laying down on the grass; he looked serene, and it made his heart flutter, Sirius couldn't bring himself to disrupt his peace whenever he saw him like that. It was easier to act as if he didn't know. He always tried to get a glimpse of the boy when he could.

With his heart heavy he hid under the cloak, Snape and Evans always had some sun before they went to the library.

Now Snape laid a few inches beside him, completely oblivious to the fact Sirius was next to him.

'Sev,' said Evans with that Brummie accent of hers. 'Do you believe in soulmates?'

Sirius flushed at the question and gaped. Severus' pale skin turned slightly pink as well.

'I'm forbidding you from reading Wuthering Heights,' warned Severus. 'Ever again.'

'The question, Sev.'

Severus grimaced but answered nonetheless. 'It's complicated.'

Evans sat up and looked at Severus as if he had lost his mind. Sirius agreed with her reaction. What was that even supposed to mean?

'I mean — you can't tell a wizard that sort of thing doesn't exist,' said Snape. 'But to find them must be so hard, and difficult.'

Evans laid down again and turned to face Snape. 'I get what you mean — people spend their entire lives looking for something so magical, what if you are not supposed to look for them?'

'What do you mean?'

Sirius' heart skipped a beat.

'What if your true love was right in front of you and you just — and you just didn't know?' whispered Evans. Sirius gripped his shirt as he clenched his jaw. Severus looked at her and their hands intertwined, they closed their eyes for a moment.

'Hell,' Severus laughed. 'If that were to happen, if someone was interested in someone like me and knew how much I want to be held but did nothing…'

'Yes?'

Sirius bit his lip.

'I'd never forgive them,' said Severus in an almost inaudible whisper. Sirius almost reached to caress his pink lips when he spoke.

I'm only a man, he thought. How can I not wish to hold you in my arms?

Evans hummed in agreement, her red hair contrasting with the Slytherin's pitch-black one.

'It would be a pity if they didn't show up,' Evans said.

Snape sneered. 'Oh yes — truly a disgrace.'

'What would I do with your dowry, my son?'

Severus furrowed his brows. 'Men don't have dowries, you moron.'

'In a way — having me as a sister-in-law is the dowry.'

'Get down from your high horse,' Severus said as Evans cackled.

The pair stood up after a moment and stretched their long limbs. Evans was the tallest girl in their year, and Severus had nice proportions as well. They smiled at each other.

'Would you walk me to the lavatory in the second floor?' asked Evans. Severus touched his temple for a brief moment before he turned back to Evans.

'We'll go to the one in the fourth, when we were coming, I heard some people say some Slytherin was preparing… a duel, I reckon?'

'In the bloody toilet,' said Evans with a sneer. 'How lovely, god bless Filch.'

'Aren't you going to do anything, miss Prefect?'

Evans kicked Severus' arse; Sirius stifled a laugh. 'No, Lupin told me that the second floor was his zone, I take care of the fifth and the other prefects and heads each have a section.'

'Brilliant, Lupin's out of the game then.'

'But today's being fairly peaceful,' whispered Evans. 'The other wankers must be up to something.'

'Surely,' Severus snorted. 'Up to no good.'

They didn't catch Sirius' wolfish grin. The Gryffindor keeper smiled until he plopped down his bed. His mind was full of Severus featuring some Evans.

'Shit,' he exclaimed as he sat up completely, his grey eyes widened with fear. 'Is this love?'

He looked around and sighed as he noticed there was nobody there. Remus was doing his rounds, maybe Peter and James were doing something together. Sirius stared at the wall. He had laughed at James for so long for falling for Evans. Sirius covered his head with his pillow and screamed on it. It had taken him four years to realise he actually loved Severus Snape, that it wasn't some flimsy attraction or quick infatuation.

Severus' thorns had once again trapped his heart between them, and he wasn't even aware. Sirius had hoped he could get over him, that he could get his heart back. What a fool he had been. He hadn't known his heart had always been in Severus' rose as his thorns grew around him. Sirius' veins trapped the Slytherin's petals.

Sirius turned and faced the wall; his hand was placed on his chest. 'Severus,' he said with a sigh as he brought his right hand to his lips, brushing over them as if his name made him fly.

'Severus,' he repeated to himself.