Tuesday.
James slid into the seat next to Sirius and helped himself to lunch. Sirius watched him from the corner of his eye, carefully.
"You're late."
"I know I am."
"Where have you been?"
"Do you care?"
Sirius shrugged and went back to his food. "Quidditch practice tonight."
"You're not even on the team."
"I like to keep track. This way I know which nights I have to do my own homework."
"Like you ever do anyway."
Sirius pushed his plate away and got up. "What is up your ass, Prongs?"
"My head." James kept shoving food into his mouth as Sirius left.
They didn't see each other until Transfiguration. They sat behind the same desk as always, but Sirius wasn't about to risk speech. James was uncomfortable for a few minutes until he said quietly, "Look, I was talking to Lily."
Sirius squinted at the blackboard, refusing to look at James. "Why were you talking to Lily." It wasn't a question; he knew the answer.
"I was more yelling at her. I tried talking to her yesterday."
"But it didn't work."
"No. Of course it didn't bloody work, the girl is imperishable."
"Are you sure that's the word you're looking for?"
"Yes."
"Why can't you let up?"
James laughed. "Why can't you quit?"
"Have you never heard of chemical dependency, James? Have you never heard of withdrawal?"
"No, I haven't. She'll cut you off eventually."
"What good would that do her?"
"If you die, she gets caught."
"So, I won't die."
"How can you bloody well tell? You know you're –"
"Mr Potter!" McGonagall had stopped her lesson and was staring at them, along with the rest of the class. James wiggled several fingers in their direction.
"Hi."
"Would you care to join us, or will you carry on your conversation outside?"
"That would actually be awesome, thanks," James said, getting up and grabbing Sirius by the arm. McGonagall fixed them with a glare and they sank back into their seats.
"Wrong answer. I want a two-foot scroll on the history of misdemeanours in Hogwarts, from each of you, assuming it's late enough in the year to be a safe assignment," she said sarcastically.
"Don't worry, Professor, we'll be sure to take notes," James said.
She started to turn away. Sirius put up his hand. "Do you mean the history to be from each of us, or the scroll?"
"One guess."
Sirius nodded gravely. "I might need more parchment than that, but I'll try to squeeze them in."
"I'll see you in my office at the end of the day, Black. Bring plenty of elbow-grease. Now be still."
They sat without moving for the rest of the class. As soon as the bell rang they were out the door, and James said, "doing too much."
"What?"
"You know you're doing too much."
"Too much of what?"
"I'm picking up our argument."
"What was it about again, sorry?"
"You." James rolled his eyes.
Sirius spread his arms wide and grinned. "Here I am."
"For how long?"
"Not very, Divination's a good hike."
"How many times do you think you can OD before you feel the effects?"
"One. Why do you ask?"
"I'm going to kill you," James said.
"Do it now, then, I can't stand that witch of a woman."
"Muggles are more to your taste, I'm sure." James was rummaging through his bag to make sure he hadn't left any books behind. Sirius walked backwards to keep James' pace.
"Why Prongs, I do believe that is the single most prejudiced statement I have heard come out of your mouth. You wouldn't rather I found some pureblood to supply me, surely."
"I would rather you stop."
"This is getting tedious."
"I know it is."
"Then hush, and let me think."
"It's not like you have much to think about anyway. I left my Transfiguration text."
"Do you want to go back for it?"
"Not very much."
Sirius turned forward and sped up. "I have lots to think about. I have to think about how long I can wangle living with you without wearing out my welcome. I have to think about how I'm going to support myself when I do. I have to think about whether steak or ground beef is more to my taste for dinner this evening."
"That's a lot."
"I know it is."
"I can think of at least one way of cutting down on your expenses, and lengthening your stay to boot."
"I can think of at least three reasons not to."
"We've been over two. What's the third?"
"Have you ever thought about Lily?"
"Many times, none of them agreeable."
"She's desperate for money -"
"She refused what I offered."
"You tried to bribe her? That's big of you, especially since it isn't yours to give. She's living on the edge. She needs all the help I can provide."
"You're not helping, you're a paying customer and she sees you as such. She doesn't give a rat's ass what happens to you and you know it."
"Well, I give at least a bunny rabbit's ass about her, and I happen to want her to live a decent life."
"So do I, but I don't think you should be sacrificing your health for it. Not that I imagine you see it that way."
"Whatever, James. Give it up."
He did, for the time being. They suffered through the rest of the afternoon and headed back to McGonagall's office, Sirius for his detention and James for his book. Also, he knew that Lily would be there last block.