Disclaimer: None of the characters in this fan fiction belongs to me. They're owned by J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. The only ones that belong to me are those that you don't recognize.

A/N: Thank you for reviewing. I really appreciate it.

To Aarien Star: Lol. Your review was quite flattering. Yes, I did indeed use a bit of your ideas. A tad more of it is in this chapter. Thank you. I'm open to suggestions, so if you have anymore, just tell me, and I will surely consider it.

To mammothboardergal: I would love to beta-read for you. But I have to warn you, my spelling is pretty good, but my grammar is only fair. If you don't mind, then it'll be my pleasure to beta-read for you. My email address is weirdmachine5000@yahoo.com.

I can sense that some people are still getting over that Sirius cheating on Bella thing. Don't worry. Soon, you will love Sirius very much. I mean, even more than usual. Because I've got loads of things plan.

Chapter 30

"Bella, are you sure you know how to do this?" Sirius said.

Sirius and Bella were cooking--well, at least trying to. The kitchen was a mess and so were they.

"Er…I think I do," Bella said uncertainly.

"Why are we cooking the muggle way?" Sirius asked. "Wouldn't it be easier just to use magic?"

"Yes, it would be. But we're cooking the muggle way because Lily says it tastes better. And it does. Besides, it's more fun."

"What are we making anyways?"

"Er…this noodle thingy Lily mentioned a while ago. It's spa…spaghetto?…No, it's spaghetti. Yeah, that's it!"

"Oh."

About half an hour later, Sirius and Bella were standing in the middle of a very big mess.

"Sirius?" Bella asked.

"Yeah?"

"Can you set the table while I clean up?"

"Sure."

Then they cleaned themselves up. Just then, Remus apparated in with James and Lily.

"Sirius," James said, grinning. "All right, buddy?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Sirius said, looking at his feet. "Sorry for acting like a bastard lately."

"Don't worry," Remus said, grinning too. "You were just a tiny bit more of a bastard than usual."

They all laughed, including Sirius.

"So are things okay between you two?" Lily asked Sirius and Bella.

"Yeah, we're fine," Bella said, smiling.

"Good," Lily said, smiling too. She casually slid next to Sirius. "Good…I'm glad everything's fine. Because I really want to do this." She slapped Sirius upside his head.

"What the hell was that for?!" Sirius yelled, rubbing his head.

"For making everybody worried about you two, for hurting Bella, and for being a total and complete idiot."

"She's right, you know," James said, grinning again.

Sirius sighed. "I guess I deserved that."

"Yes, you did," Lily said. But then she hugged him and said softly, "I'm really sorry about your parents, Sirius. I understand."

Sirius smiled. "Yeah, I'm sure you do," he said sincerely.

"Great," Remus said. "Now everything's all right again. Now can we get some food? I'm hungry."

"What are we having?" Lily asked. "Anything I can help with?"

"Oh no, thanks," Bella said. "It's ready. Sirius and I've worked on it all day."

"Sirius helped with it?" James said, in mock-concern. "Maybe we should consider ordering some other--"

Sirius hit him playfully. "Don't worry, pal. Together, Bella and I make the best food."

"Let's eat," Bella said.

After dinner, they settled in the living room. While Bella was in the kitchen getting deserts, Sirius said, "Bella's birthday is coming up."

"Oh yeah," Lily said.

"I want to do something special for her," Sirius continued. "Do you guys have any suggestions?"

"Throw her a surprise party," James suggested.

"Nah. Too obvious."

"Take her somewhere romantic," Remus offered.

"Okay…but where?"

"Ooh! I know," Lily exclaimed. She leaned over and whispered her idea to Sirius.

"That's brilliant, Lily!" he cried happily. "Thanks!"

"What is--" James began.

"Shh…" Lily said. Bella had come back with some pie.

"What's up?" she said.

"Nothing, honey," Sirius said, kissing her on the cheek. "Just saying how much I love you."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Hey Lorie!" Kyle called from across the office. They were at work.

"Yeah?" Lorie asked.

"Mr. Aggrit just told me to get you. We're going to get some new images for next month's cover."

"Oh okay," Lorie said. "See you later, Debbie!"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Lorie and Kyle apparated in the middle of a field. It was filled with wild flowers and untamed grass.

"We're getting the new image for the cover here?" Lorie asked.

"Yep," Kyle said. "That's what Mr. Aggrit wants."

"All right." So they snapped a few photos together, and had a great time doing so. Kyle seemed to like Lorie a lot. He was really friendly and sometimes, it felt as though he was trying very hard not to appear to be flirting with Lorie. She seemed to be oblivious to his strange behavior though.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

That night, Lorie received a letter from Remus.

Dear Lorie,

Hey. What's happening? It's so dull over here without you. I mean, it's not like our friends are boring. It's just James and Lily are married, and Sirius and Bella are back together…and…I guess I just miss you. It's uncomfortable to see them together and me just being in the way. I really wish you were here. Well, work's been occupying. But once I'm home…it's lonely again. Write back soon, please. I'll be waiting.

Love,

Remus

*Aww…* Lorie thought. Poor Remus. She sighed.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Dear Remus,

Hello, love. It's dull over here without you too. I miss you a lot. Nothing is happening over here. Oh, but did I tell you? Someone moved in next doors a few days ago. His name is Kyle Hunter and he's very nice. He, like you, went to Hogwarts. He's a couple of years older than us. You might know him. Well, that's all that's new. I have to go now. Write soon.

Love you,

Lorie

P.S. I'm glad that things are all right between Sirius and Bella. I'll be praying that things stay that way.

Remus read the part about the new neighbor over. Kyle Hunter…That name sounded oddly familiar.

"Hey Sirius!" he called.

"What Moony?" Sirius said.

"Do you remember someone named Kyle Hunter?"

"Kyle Hunter? Wasn't he in Ravenclaw?"

"Oh yeah…I remember. He was Head Boy when we were in our second year, right?"

"I think so. Why do you ask?"

"He's Lorie new neighbor."

"Oh. Are you all right with it?"

"Yeah…yeah, I guess so. I mean, why shouldn't I be?"

"Well, if I remember correctly, he was actually pretty good-looking."

"Yeah…but I trust Lorie."

"Ah…"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A/N: Lots of stuff coming up in the next chapter. Bella's birthday…and *ahem* some other stuff. *Grins evilly* Want to know what it is? Please review.