Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me except Sarah and Ophelia. thank you for reading!

Chapter 2

The next night the boys had all transformed into their various animal forms and gone to the Shrieking Shack for a last night of excitement before it was time to return to their homes for the summer. James loved their adventures under the full moon. He had mastered the art of transforming into his animal, the stag, faster than Sirius and Peter had. Sirius had followed quickly after, transforming into a large black dog, but James held bragging rights on it. It had taken Peter until January of their fifth year to be able to transform into a rat, his animal form.

They had spent their last night roaming freely out in the areas beyond Hogsmeade and loved every last minute of it. They all knew it would be three months before they got to do this again and intended to use this time to celebrate the feeling of freedom.

Two days later James sat on the train in a compartment with his three friends, except he didn't seem to notice their existence. He was staring out the window, watching as the scenery passed by. They were on their way home for the summer. Another year had passed and he still was having no luck with Lily.

Sirius and Remus were discussing Quidditch and their favorite teams for the season when Sirius noticed James' silence. "What's up Prongs? You've barely said a word since we got on here and you hardly ever shut up when it comes to Quidditch!"

"Just thinking," said James without turning back to his friends.

"Oh come off it James," said Sirius with a poke to James side, "You still have two years to try to win her over."

James turned back to his friends then, his expression filled with doubt. "You heard her Padfoot, she thinks I'm arrogant and completely ridiculous!"

"Your never know, things might turn in your favor still, Prongs," said Remus with a slight grin. Then turning to Sirius he asked "You wanna go track down the sweets cart?"

"Sure, can never have too many Chocolate Frogs," said Sirius as he stood, "You coming guys?"

James shook his head as Peter stood up. Sirius grinned "Just don't think about her the WHOLE time we're gone James."

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Sirius, Remus and Peter headed to the front of the train laughing about James' many failed advances on Lily when they saw the sweets cart with two attractive and familiar looking girls buying Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.

"Watch out," said Sirius looking at the brunette's purchase with a look of distaste, "they can get pretty gross sometimes."

"I know," the brunette replied not looking up, "I've gotten some nasty ones before but the strawberry jam beans keep me coming back." When she looked up and Sirius saw her so closely he drew a breath.

She was stunning! How had he not noticed until now? They had been in the same house, sat in the same common room night after night for five years! The next seven words came out of his mouth so quickly he didn't have time to stop himself, "Would you go out with me sometime?" His eyes widened at his own blunt question, usually he would be more casual and collected before he did something so risky! His stomach leapt at her reply.

"Sure, that sounds like fun!"

She sounded as if it were the most natural thing ever, as if she knew it was coming.

He smiled broadly and replied "Great, I'll owl you this summer, maybe we can meet up at Diagon Alley or in Hogsmeade or something." If he sounded as stupid to her as he did to himself he didn't stand a chance.

"That sounds great, Sirius," she said, then waved, "I'll talk to you later."

"Bye, Ophelia," he replied. MERLIN!! I sound ridiculous!!