Author's Note: Special thanks to Stephanie for being my very first review!! *jumps up and down with excitement*

Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns Sirius, James, Lily, the Invisibility Cloak, O.W.L.S, house elves, Hogwarts and its corridor and kitchen. I own all the little words in between.


"What was that about?" Sirius hissed to his friend as they tiptoed down the corridor.

"What was what about?" James whispered back, knowing very well what Sirius meant.

"Is that the real reason you woke me up late?" Sirius demanded. "Or did you 'set your alarmus wrong'?"

James was feeling thoroughly grumpy. "I don't know why it matters," he said in a surly voice.

"It doesn't," Sirius answered carefully. "But since you and Lily Evans have always been friends, you've either had a change of heart in regards to her character, or there's something you're not telling me. And I think, as your best friend, I deserve to know what's up."

"Ssshh," James hissed in response. "D'you want Filch to find us?"

Sirius let out a sigh. "Very subtle," he said under his breath. James decided not to hear him. The fifteen year olds made their way through Hogwarts' maze of corridors, aided by a certain magical piece of topography, in silence. Upon reaching an enormous fruit still - life, they stopped. Sirius reached up and began to tickle a bright green pear, whereupon a doorknob appeared in its place, which he turned to open the hidden door.

Instantly, they were surrounded by a swarm of eager house - elves, most holding aloft trays of sweets. His good humor partially restored, James grinned at Sirius over the sea of round earth-colored heads. They sat down in front of the fire with a platter of boysenberry tarts.

"Life," Sirius commented, "is good."

James nodded absently. He was staring pensively into the fire. "It's just that she always seems to be studying!" he exploded suddenly.

"Isn't it strange when people do that?"

James ignored his friend. "And when I see her preparing for the O.W.L.S., I remember that I should be, not sneaking off to the kitchens like a brainless first year!"

"Hey!"

"And I just know she's trying to be made prefect," James continued, "and if she keeps it up, she will, and I - well -" James looked ashamed. "I won't."

Sirius was surprised. "I never knew it mattered so much to you."

"It doesn't! It matters to my parents...matters a lot." James suddenly snapped his gaze away from the fire and smiled at his friend. "Sorry you had to hear all this. I guess I better stop feeling sorry for myself and start working, right?"

Sirius was still slightly worried, but he smiled back. "That's the spirit, Prongs." He suddenly looked aghast. "Wait - did I just encourage you to study?"

Laughing, James swallowed the rest of his tart and stood up. "And I didn't even get it on film."