It was early afternoon, and the Marauders were all relaxing outside, enjoying a gleeful day off from studies and classes.


James sat nearest the lake, watching the shimmering surface and absentmindedly releasing and catching the golden snitch he had nicked.

Peter sat against a large oak tree, munching on an apple and trying his hardest to study for an upcoming Potions exam with Remus, who was also finding quite a bit of difficulty concentrating.

Sirius was sprawled across the thick, sweet-smelling grass, one arm behind his head, his raven locks falling around him messily. In his right hand he held his wand, which was pointed at the oak tree. With each quick command, another rain of acorns fell from the tree and landed upon Peter and Remus.

Remus glared at Sirius, who was laughing heartily after a rather large flood of acorns had just plopped onto his head.

You know, Padfoot, some of us like to prepare for testing! Peter exclaimed, irritated that his concentration had been broken again.

Yes, why don't you go bother Prongs or something. Remus muttered, his eyes still trained on the book, as he tried with questionable results to memorize a few terms and definitions.

Sirius pouted. You two always ruin all my fun. He said, sighing.


James turned, and gave Sirius a hard look.


Make anything fall on me, mate, and you'll have boils on your arse for a month. He said, smirking. He then turned and continued looking out across the lake. The snitch made a valiant effort to escape while he was distracted by teasing Sirius, but to no avail. James simply lunged a bit, and caught the little ball tightly in his hand.




Remus sighed, looking wistfully at Sirius. The Yule Ball was in one week. Just one week. Sirius had promised that he'd find Remus a date before then. He had told his best friend warmly that Remus was bound to have quite a few girls clamoring over him, if he'd just show a bit more confidence around them. Remus didn't want them clamoring over him though.

::There's only one person on the Earth I want clamoring over me, and he's the one person I'll never have.:: Remus thought to himself, yet again becoming distracted from his studies. Giving his head a light shake, Remus chanced another glance at Sirius, before looking back to the heavy book in his lap.


Moony, how about we go try to find a date for you some more? We don't have much time. Sirius said, leaning closer to Remus.

He held his breath. I'm studying right now, Sirius.

I realize that, mate. But, isn't this Yule Ball a little more important?

Remus laughed, and closed his book. Well, I'm not sure about that, but I could use a bit of a break... can't seem to concentrate. He admitted, looking sheepish. Sirius just laughed, and put a hand on Remus' back.

That, my friend, would be your subconscious telling you to take a bloody break once and a while!!'

Remus mock-glared, and walked with Sirius back to the castle, casting a quick wave to Peter and James over his shoulder.


The faint strands of: Moony's gonna get a giiiiirl friiiend!', sang in James' mock-falsetto rose over the grounds, and Remus rolled his eyes.

::Not if I can help it.::


***


The common room was crowded, seeing as it was still early in the evening, right after supper. Remus and Peter were trying again to study, and James was off somewhere with Lily. Frankly, Remus didn't care to know what they were doing at the moment.
And Sirius, well, he had disappeared right after they had finished eating. All he had said was I have a mission'. He then smirked, gave Remus a friendly slap on the back, and jogged out of the Great Hall. The rest of the Marauders hadn't seen him for almost two hours now.

Remus wasn't worried. He was sure that Sirius was just chatting up a few girls. And even if he was in trouble, he knew full well that Sirius could take care of himself. He had shown that many times since the two had met, and Remus had full faith in him.



Remus was just quizzing Peter on some of the Potions, when Sirius came into the common room, panting for breath, with a huge grin on his face.

Moony! Come here, quick!! He exclaimed, running over to Remus and grabbing his arm to pull him out of the common room.

Woah! What is it, Padfoot?!

Sirius laughed, and said softly. I've found you a date. Then he dashed out of the portal hole, leaving Remus to follow.

Remus was shocked. ::No...::


He made his way out of the portal hole, to see Sirius standing a few feet away with a Ravenclaw girl. She was quite pretty, with long red hair that reached down the middle of her back, and shining green eyes. She was pale, and thin, and Remus knew that she was quite well-desired by many male students. And some female ones, too. Remus wondered to himself what Sirius had had to offer the girl to get her to agree to go to the dance with him.

Erm... hi... Remus began, obviously at a bit of a loss for words. The girl turned, and smiled brightly, her full red lips lifting upwards. She walked quickly to Remus, and put out her hand.

You don't know me, I'm sure, but I'm Willow Aiden, Ravenclaw.

Remus smiled politely, and shook her hand. I'm Remus Lupin, Gryffindor. He said, giving her hand a quick shake and letting go.

Willow beamed. Oh, I know exactly who you are.

Remus blushed just a little and nodded, before glancing to Sirius.

Sirius seemed... pleased with himself, but there was something else in his eyes, too. Remus couldn't quite place what it was, but it looked almost like jealousy.



Sirius said you'd go to the Yule Ball with me.. She began, looking at the ground shyly, then glanced at Sirius. Something passed between them, and then she looked up at Remus hopefully.

Remus swallowed hard, and looked at Sirius.

Well mate, you are looking for a date, and she's available. Sirius said, looking at a nearby bare stone wall as if the most intricate, interesting painting hung upon it.

Remus sighed. Yes, I'll go to the Yule Ball with you. He said, feeling as though he had just sealed a most horrific fate.

Willow grinned. Great! I can't wait!


::I can.:: Remus thought to himself.


\\I can most certainly wait.\\ Sirius thought, with a frown. He and Remus' eyes locked together, both with a gloomy, dark look. They put on their best fake smile for each other, and turned away.


***


That's all for now.. sorry about the wait, but I've been working on my marching band stuff every day at marching camp, and then I've been working all week... Sigh. Anyway, please review, and I'll see you all next chapter!!