Chapter 6

Sirius awoke the next morning feeling a strong sense of unease. What had happened? He gazed around him and shook his head slightly. He was lying on the couch in the common room and James was sitting asleep next to the couch. The events from last night came roaring back and hit him with staggering impact.

"Remus knows," he thought, slightly in terror slightly in relief. At least he didn't have to bottle it all inside any more. Now he could ask Remus for help or pour out his heart. Remus probably would be too ashamed and embarrassed of him to do so, though. Sirius felt his heart break mildly. He could tolerate a lot of things, but he did not want to give up his friends because he discovered a bad way to earn money. "No duh it's a bad way to earn money," Sirius reprimanded himself, wondering why he hadn't thought of that a lot sooner.

Below him on the ground, James stirred, blinking as his eyes encountered bright light. Sirius smiled slightly and leaned down to kiss him on the forehead. James looked at him in bewilderment before an understanding grin crossed his face.

"Hello, beautiful," he teased, stretching out his arms as he slid up to sit on the couch. Sirius scoot over to make room for him and then allowed his boyfriend to pull him into a tight embrace. "Did you get enough sleep last night?"

Sirius nodded and James smiled as he gently placed a kiss on Sirius's forehead. "Are you going to tell me what was wrong last night, or am I going to have to pry it out of you?"

Feeling a sense of dread, Sirius shook his head. "I'd rather you just let me tell you on my own time and that you will listen to me without making any type of judgment without interrupting."

Looking confused, James opened his mouth to respond when a few fifth years came down and looked at him and James with raised eyebrows. Sirius felt his stomach knot up. What if they knew about him being a prostitute? They would not hesitate to tell James that, considering a lot of Gryffindors still could easily see him as a pureblood maniac who only cared for purebloods, despite the fact that Sirius had been a faithful Gryffindor since he was first sorted.

"I wonder what flew up their asses?" stated James, watching them leave. Sirius laughed at the statement and stood up, pulling James up with him.

"Come on, we have to go get dressed and shower," he mumbled and led the way up the stairs to their dormitory. James looked after him with a slightly bewildered expression on his face, but didn't comment as he stood up to follow him.

As Sirius walked down the stairs, Remus came down. They both paused briefly, Remus looking at Sirius searchingly and Sirius subdued, as if enduring some type of inspection. The moment passed though and Remus continued down the stairs without saying anything while Sirius determinedly walked up the stairs.

James watched the exchange with growing confusion and interest. Something was wrong with his friend and he had no idea what. He was now worried about why Sirius had been downstairs so late. He had noticed that Remus had come up to the common room fairly late as well. He sighed. He'd have to ask Sirius later. Right then didn't seem appropriate for some reason.

"James," began Sirius as he started pulling clothes out of his trunk, "I've got something to tell you." He knew that he would have to tell James soon. Might as well get it over with.

Eyebrows raised, James looked over at him. Sirius sounded way to serious and it worried him slightly. What could be so important? Was he already tired of going out with him? "What is it, Siri?"

Sirius shifted through his clothing, trying to chose his words carefully. This was going to be so hard. He really did love James more than he ever thought he could love a person. This was bound to hurt him. What if, Sirius thought, I can delay telling him? I could quit my job like now and then be like 'oh yeah, I did something stupid before we went out and blah dee blah dee blah. I like that idea.

He looked over at James to see him watching him intently, apparently waiting for an answer. "Um…I actually don't have anything to tell you, yet," Sirius said, a small smile crossing his face. And he didn't even have to lie.

James looked bewildered, but didn't comment. He gathered up his stuff to go get ready and walked to the bathroom, kissing Sirius on the cheek before closing the door. Sirius decided to just get ready out in the dormitory, as it didn't really matter and he had already showered and cleaned up.

Through the door, he called, "James, I'm going to go down now. I'll see you in the great hall, alright?"

James's voice called back, "Cool, I'll see you there, Sirius."

Grinning slightly, Sirius spun on his heel and left the dormitory. He was so lucky to have someone like James to love him. He had discovered that he had feelings for him a while ago and it had been torture always being so close to him yet so far away. James had always been his best friend, although neither of them had really trusted each other in the beginning. That was expected though, as they had been brought up in completely different families.

He sighed. He was ruining his chance of being with James every step he took away from him, with every moment he didn't tell him. What other options did he have though? He was being paid well and was soon going to be able to buy his own house. Then he would be able to quit and James would never have to know. Unless gossip got around to James, in which case he would know and would be hurt by it. And what about Remus? He hadn't seemed overly happy about the entire situation. The glare on the stairs had said enough about Remus's opinion. Sirius sighed, just as someone emerged from the shadows, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt and pulling him into an abandoned hallway.

"What the-" gasped Sirius, as he was pushed up against the wall.

Greg's leering face appeared from the darkness. "I want you," he panted lustfully in Sirius's ear. Sirius attempted to move away, but Greg pulled him closer and bruised his lips in a harsh kiss. Sirius pulled away and huddled in a corner.

Greg smiled creepily. "Every night, from now on, you are mine. You are mine to do whatever I wish with. I will pay you whatever amount you want, but you are mine."

Sirius gazed at him with anger in his eyes. "Who are you to suddenly possess me as if I am some creature, rather than a person?"

Smiling slightly, Greg responded, "You gave up the right to be considered a person in my eyes when you became a prostitute. And I have every right. Or wouldn't you just love for James to find out about your nightly escapades?"

Sirius felt his heart stop. James…James couldn't know. Not now. Not from someone other than him. Greg wouldn't be so cruel as to…Sirius sighed. Who was he trying to kid? Gazing into Greg's eyes, Sirius understood that Greg wasn't just spouting idle threats. For the first time in a long time, Sirius felt fear grip him. He knew that Greg could severely injure him if he really wanted to. What could he do though? He hated the thought of betraying James with this…this scum, but...

"I'll do it," muttered a reluctant Sirius. Greg gave a last smirk and swept away, leaving Sirius in emotional turmoil.

A.N. I'm sorry that took so long. I was trying to make it good, yet it still came out like crap. Oh well, please review. Thank you!