"I am telling you, James. It's not healthy." Lily argued back, knowing that the argument was only going to keep in circles. James, however seemed unconcerned by Lily's points.

"If they're happy with each other, I don't understand what is so 'unhealthy' about it?" He seemed a bit put off by her worries, stacking a set of wedding magazines into a box meant to be sent to Hogwarts for his sister. Lily sighed and shook her head.

"Remus ripped her heart out and handed it to her, James. She told me. Everything. Poor Claire- She said it made her feel like an idiot, standing out in the cold, begging him to love her. For them to run away. And now Mary saw her snogging Sirius at the gate between school and Hogsmade? Not hardly."

"It's part of their coping- Promise. Pads and I have talked long, long, long about it. He even thought her to drive that motorcycle. It's... Immersion, he said Claire calls it." He folded the box closed and taped it shut, then tied string around it for an owl to hold to.

"She's misplacing affection and Sirius is just going with it, then." Lily said sourly. "I don't think you should make her go through with it. Also- Were you ever going to tell me it is my fault she has to marry him in the first place?" She all but spat her words out, the bitter hurt and anger flowing freely in her furious green eyes. James dropped the package onto the table.

"How did you- Who...?" He sputtered, baffled at his wife's accusation.

"Remus told me. I finally was able to get him to write back and we had lunch. And he and I don't have secrets from on another- because he's my best friend and yours- and because that's what you do when you trust someone. He said he'd seen them out too- Not like Mary did with his tongue down her throat, thank Merlin, but holding hands and window shopping. Said Sirius looked bored and Claire was dragging him into an antiques shop."

"He had no business talking about that." James said, his own anger rising.

"Did he not?" Lily growled. "James, he loved her! I- I don't know if you're just selfish or stupid but this is not okay."

"We were already married when the threats came, Lily!" James was shouting now, but Lily didn't bat an eye. She still believed herself in the right. "Are you telling me that you wouldn't have married me if you'd known it would cause this?" He flailed his arms out around, gesturing as if their situation was physical in the room.

"I did not say that. James. Seriously?" She shouted back.

"I will not fight with you about this." He snorted. "I have to much to do. Because whether its supported or not, MY sister is getting married. So it may not be to who everyone originally thought- but damn it I will make sure its perfect for her. Like it or not, Lily. This wasn't my idea, but it was my final promise to our father and I will see it through." He took the package and stormed out, leaving Lily fuming in her seat, a great sense of a wasted argument hanging over her head. After a moment, she stood and walked into the kitchen, picking up the phone.

"How are you feeling?" The voice on the other end answered before she could say a word.

"How'd you know who was calling?" Lily asked, baffled.

"I just had a feeling." Remus answered.

"Oh. I'm okay. I'm still just worried about you. Are you sure you have to go?" She ask quietly into the phone.

"Yeah, we're having our last little night out for a pub crawl tonight and I guess Prongs and Pads want to see me off." Remus replied, his voice showing none of the fear Lily expected.

"We had a fight, so if he shows up cross-"

"He'll be fine a pint or two in." Remus assured her.

"They tell me that the pack will kill you if you're found out." Lily blurted.

"Lily- I'm not talking to you about this. You know I'm the only one who can do it. I'll be fine." He said calmly. "Go rest. I'll make sure James gets right before he heads home, yeah?" He said, trying to comfort her.

"Be careful. Don't just give up because-" She stopped. She wanted to tell him that he shouldn't be going just because of Claire and Sirius, but she knew that wasn't his only reason. Lily just worried he'd be more willing to die for the cause without her to come home to. "You're going to be needed to babysit at least three times a month. Come home in one piece." She said finally.

"Of course." He replied, a small amount of humor to his voice before he hung up. Lily sighed. Remus had just been James' friend once upon a time- But he was not the best friend she'd ever had. It was hard for her to see him getting hurt- Giving so much up because he felt so badly about himself and his lycanthropy. It broke her heart.


Claire couldn't stop laughing, even when Butterbeer shot out of her nose as Sirius continued to clap his hands, straws sticking out of his mouth like walrus tusks. She had to admit that their little games he'd invented to help them get better acquainted than 'my best friend's sister' were hilarious, and often took her mind off the awful things in the world around them. She found he was very good at distracting her. She was nearly choked as she cleaned her face off with a napkin. "Alright, your turn." She said, laying the cloth back on the table.

"Right. Okay." He said, taking the straws from his mouth and popping one back into his drink. "Truth or dare?"

"Dare." She said confidently, wondering what he might ask her this time. He'd been quite good at getting some very embarrassing dares and questions in the past, but still she enjoyed the challenge it brought. Her answer brought a huge grin to Sirius' face.

"I have a room rented upstairs. Come up with me." He said offering his hand. Claire's smile faded just slightly.

"Er-"

"Just come up. That's the dare. Then it'll be your turn again." He explained. Claire nodded and took his hand, allowing herself to be lead upstairs and into the third room on the hall. She settled into the couch by the fireplace, where even though it was spring and starting to warm, Sirius had a small fire going.

"Truth or dare?" She ask as Sirius settled down beside her, another bottle of butterbeer in hand for himself as he handed the other to her.

"Truth." He said without hesitation. Claire stopped and thought.

"Who else have you been out with since getting engaged to me?" She ask, eyes narrowed, searching his face. Sirius burst out laughing.

"No one, unless you count my mates. Then just the three of them- Who I have plans with tonight actually." He confessed.

"No other girls?" She ask, surprised.

"That was two questions." Sirius replied. Claire tilted her head, waiting. Sirius sighed, but smiled. "No. I told you there wouldn't be. Besides- I'm really quite fond of my time with you..." He stopped and took a long pull from his drink. "Truth or dare."

"Truth." Claire replied quickly, having done a dare on her last turn.

"Have you thought about you and I together?" He ask, sliding slightly closer.

"Well, yeah. I mean we're planning the wedding and that's like life together forever so of course I've wondered on how-" Sirius stopped her with a gentle kiss.

"No, Claire. Not that kind of together. I know Moony is your only so far and I just wondered if you'd thought about... Us... Like that."

"Have you?" She ask quickly, her face burning bright red.

"That isn't how this game works." He said with a smirk.

"I think that question sort of ended the game- or maybe you daring me to come up here did." She replied. "So now you answer me. Have you?"

"Now, how is that fair?" He said, fake pouting. "I asked first! But-" He took another large pull from his drink, "If you must know. Yes. Several times. Even a couple in the shower." He winked, and even though he thought it impossible, her face grew even redder.

"Oh." She said, her mouth staying in the shocked 'O' formation.

"So have you?" He ask again. She swallowed hard, staring at the ground in front of her for a long moment.

"I- I had a dream." She confessed. "A couple times." Sirius sat forward, intrigued.

"Ah, anything you want to share?" He ask casually, throwing his arm over her head laying it on the back of the couch. "Or you know, try?" He nodded to the bed on the far side of the small rented room.

"Sirius- I..." She started to speak, smiling in an embarrassed sort of way, but he'd once again captured her lips. She stiffened only for a moment, but melted into his embrace as he gently led her closer as he laid back onto the couch. She sort of hummed into his kiss, as his hands adventured up her back, fingers grazing up her spine. She had gotten so lost in the moment, her hands and tangled in his hair. He pulled back and looked her face over. He cheeks were flushed, her lips swollen.

"You know," He said, tipping her chin just a little. "You're beautiful."

"Thank you?" She said, curious. He smiled in a mischievous sort of way, using his hold on her chin to bring their lips back together, before flipping them over in one fluid motion. This time, as their tongues danced together, his hands wandered under her shirt once again, but found a new treasure, and his thump slid over the thin lace there, getting a small gasp from Claire, but not enough to make her break their snog. Her back arched up involuntarily into his touch. She felt the change in him to, where he was laying back with his legs between hers- his jeans now quite a bit tighter. Claire slid her hands down his chest and then lower, grasping at him. Sirius drew back with a sharp intake of air.

"Claire." He growled, his grey eyes burning as he looked her over. Her dark hair was spread around her hair in a halo around her, and she grinned up, no longer as shy as she had been a few moments before. They'd been in situations like this a handful of times before, but she'd never done anything so bold before. It never went so far- but he always wanted her to lead.

"Hmm?" She said, her eyes shining brightly, she moved hand away, but bucked her hips upward. Sirius growled again.

"Claire." He breathed.

"We need more room." She replied innocently, popping open his belt. Sirius hardly had time to think before he apperated them from the couch to the middle of the bed. It was no time at all after that before their clothes were puddled on the floor at the foot of the bed. His mind melted into her soft skin, her touch. She was much more active than most girl's he'd been with, and her motions set a fire down deep in him. Her own whimpers and and moans, not to mention the way his name fell from her lips- it was almost too much. So when he'd walked her back to the castle, and came back to the room for a shower, the guilt set in. He really did enjoy every second he had with Claire- But he knew it was all really just a sham. She was trying, and maybe even enjoying herself a bit, but this wasn't real. He kept trying to remember that. She didn't love him anymore than she thought he loved her.

Sirius stood under the scalding water for a long time, hoping the water would cleanse his skin of her scent before he had to meet with James, Remus and Peter. He didn't want to think how it would hurt his friend to know he and Claire had taken such a step.


So, wedding is soon. Also next chapter will be a double-length- so I hope everyone is still enjoying the story! Be sure to review! Thanks for reading!