"Three days into the school year, and already I am warning you of expulsion. I hope that this will not be a preview of the year to come," said Albus Dumbledore, peering over his half-moon glasses at the two boys in front of him. "Although I must say I would not be surprised if it was." He could not help but allow a smile to flit across his lips.

"Are you going to turn us over to Filch? You know how he would love to use those chains he has," Sirius stated almost eagerly, wandering around behind the Headmaster, attempting to get a glance at the papers he had on his desk. Sirius had made a bet with James that they would be order forms for large shipments of a Muggle candy called lemon drops, and that Dumbledore was planning on stocking the kitchens with them. James had immediately shaken on it.

"I'm afraid, not this evening, Mr. Black," Dumbledore grinned. Placing his fingertips together, he looked across the desk and winked at James; the papers vanished with a soft 'pft.' James had to suppress a girlish giggle at the crestfallen expression on Sirius' face. The seat next to him was quickly occupied, as Sirius had become bored and taken a seat.

"So, now you're going to 'impress upon us the seriousness of our actions', I suppose," James stated with a sweet grin.

Sirius followed with, "Are you going to tell our parents that we're very disturbed children that need to be locked up and punished almost brutally?"

"I'm sorry if that's what you were hoping for, but I barely see that as necessary. Now, I believe it's time for you two to get yourselves out of my hair-"

"Or rather your beard-" Sirius interrupted.

"And off to bed," Dumbledore finished, a bit more strongly, though with no less laughter in his voice.

"I told you!" James stated jubilantly as soon as they exited the office. "You owe me two Sickles. Go on then!"

Sirius mumbled a few inaudible phrases, grudgingly handing James the two silver coins. James looked them over as closely as he could in the moonlit halls but, seeming satisfied in the end, pocketed them and gave his friend a good-natured clap on the shoulder.

Suddenly Sirius stopped in mid-step, causing James to go stumbling a few steps too many, bumping into someone who, in the dark, he had not noticed. James could hear Sirius behind him trying extremely hard to stifle his laughter. His cheeks flushed, James stared at the feet of the person in front of him, his gaze continuing up and up until it met two very familiar piercing green eyes.

Startled, James jumped back at least a foot, trying to focus anywhere but on her face. On Lily's face. On the face of the girl he had fallen in love with so long ago.

"You should watch where you're walking, Mr. Potter," she spat irritably. "You do not own these halls, so you should be a bit more courteous."

James was speechless. Sirius was laughing quite audibly now.

"Mr. Black, do you wish to wake up the entire school? Stop your foolishness at once!"

Sirius managed to stifle his laughter, however adding, "Who put you in charge?" James whipped around, scowling at Sirius, as if daring him to get in the way of any chance James had of impressing Lily. Sirius smirked and quieted himself, now fiddling with something in his pocket.

Lily sighed, obviously very annoyed. "What are you two doing up at this hour, anyway? You know it's against the rules to be walking around the halls at night."

"I could ask you the same," James countered playfully.

"What kind of trouble have you two gotten yourselves into this time?" Lily asked, noticeably changing the subject.

"What gives you that idea?" Sirius asked, stepping forward.

Lily scowled. "You two are walking around in the middle of the night. Need I say more?" Sirius shrugged, but said nothing. "I suggest you two go back to your dorms before I have to report you. Unless, of course, it's your goal to see how much trouble you can get into in one night," Lily chided.

Sirius snickered, tugging on James' elbow, and the two made their way back to the dorms.