Chapter Twelve:

Andromeda quickly gathered her clothes and made for the portrait feeling entirely embarrassed. Her quick-no-thought-involved decision to kiss James had all turned out for the worse. For some reason she had thought it would be okay, she had always thought James liked her. Apparently she had thought wrong.

Now James probably hated her and Sirius definitely hated James. Which made no sense since James and Sirius never got angry with each other. Even when Sirius had caught James making out with his girlfriend in the fourth year he didn't threaten James the way he had this morning.

There was some sort of dynamic going on that Andromeda was completely left out of. It had to be something serious to shake up the most steadfast of friendships and Andromeda was curious to find out what it was. But being a girl three years younger than them she probably had absolutely no chance of them telling her what was going on.

So that meant if she wanted to know she had to be proactive and do a little snooping. Instead of leaving the Gryffindor tower Andromeda hid between a bookshelf and the wall and stood there still in Lily's pyjamas waiting for either Sirius or James to leave so she could follow them.

As she waited Andromeda slipped on her clothes underneath the nightgown and stripped it off. She left her shoes off so that she could walk down the halls without making much of a racket. As the minutes passed students began to emerge from their dormitories and start heading down to the Great Hall for breakfast. James looked rather sullen, though still beautiful and hunky, as he sluggishly walked across the red carpeted common room. Andromeda prepared to go after him but just as he was pushing open the portrait Lily entered the room and called for him to wait up.

Andromeda quickly pushed herself back into the corner and watched jealously as Lily smiled serenely at James. She muttered something with a look of care on her face. Andromeda felt the urge to pelt Evans with every charm she knew but resisted knowing that it wouldn't do anything but make the situation much worse.

They quickly exited out into the hall leaving Andromeda alone in the room. She wondered where Sirius was while pulling at a loose string on her robe. Finally after what seemed like hours she heard several voices coming down from the boy's staircase. One was considerably louder than the other and ranting on about what an ass some guy was.

"Seriously he won't even listen to me when I try to tell him. It's just 'Good one Padfoot' like what I said wasn't even true."

Sirius came into Andromeda's view his fists moving angrily in the air. Remus came right after patting Sirius' back trying to console him. Andromeda edged closer attempting to hear what he was saying.

"I mean Remus how in the world can he not except it and take it as something other than a joke?"

Finally they were close enough for Andromeda to hear Remus' answer. "He's scared and alone Sirius. It's not as if he doesn't know because I'm quite sure he does. But you've got to understand he doesn't want it to be true. It would mean that there would be a possibility of you ditching him for your love life.

"I mean seriously did you think he actually believed the bit last night about you not being able to cause mischief because you'd rather study and do homework? Give him some credit Sirius."

Sirius fell into an armchair glaring at Remus. "Why must you always act so smart? It's not as if I didn't know he'd eventually get it but knowing that he does get it pisses me off even more. Because he still pretends not to know or care."

Remus sat in the chair opposite Sirius and grabbed his knees. Sirius barked angrily and shoved them off.

"Fine act just as immature as he is. Why can't you both just grow up? James has to get it through his enlarged jock head that you now have a love life and don't always want to spend your time with him and you have to understand that he is feeling alone and frustrated. His best friend is suddenly too busy to hang out with him because of a newly acquired love life..."

Sirius tried to interject but Remus pressed his fingers to Sirius' lips. "I'm not saying his attitude is appropriate or justifiable I'm just trying to make you understand what he must be feeling. And on top of you dating he must feel jealous because the person he loves the most doesn't want to have anything to do with him. He's used to being better than you but now for once you're better than him at something and he doesn't like it."

They continued on in this fashion for awhile but Andromeda tuned out. "Poor James," she thought. She knew what it felt like to be alone and she knew how much it sucked. On top of feeling sorry for James she was furious with Sirius for inflicting that feeling upon him. He had chosen some dumb broad over James, the nerve. If Andromeda ever found out who she was she would definitely curse her to kingdom come.

"And what was he thinking kissing my cousin like that? She's only thirteen." Andromeda's attention refocused at the mention of this morning's incident.

"You above anyone else should've seen it coming. Being James' friend for as long as you have and all. You should be well aware the attraction women feel towards him. With the amount of time they've been hanging out it was almost inevitable that Andromeda would fall for him."

"I'm not as brainless as you keep making me out to be Remus. I do have eyes you know. I can see the way women react to him but it doesn't excuse the fact that he let Andromeda kiss him. You know nothing will come of it except a broken heart on Andromeda's part. James is too wrapped up in Lily to care how many hearts he breaks. And on top of everything else she's only thirteen."

Remus laughed and caressed Sirius face. "You're so pathetic you know that don't you? Andromeda will have to grow someday whether you like it or not. It's not your job to make sure she stays a little girl forever that's her mom's. So let her go and treat her like she is a young woman and not your little cousin."

"I guess you're right," Sirius looked up at Remus smiling. "I just didn't want her to miss out on good parenting like I did."

"Trust me Sirius what you were doing wasn't good parenting." Remus smiled slyly. "And remind to never allow you to raise children."

"Hey," Sirius laughed and punched Remus' arm. Remus giggled and jumped onto Sirius' chair pinning him back.

Andromeda tried to keep herself from laughing but the sight of Remus wrestling was just too funny. She burst out into a fit of laughter but her hand flung to her mouth as Sirius and Remus looked up. Remus' nostrils flared slightly as if he were trying to sniff the air. Slowly they made their way over to the bookcase both looking stony and cautious. Andromeda crouched down and shoved herself as far back as she could manage without feeling claustrophobic. Her robe got caught under her hand and when she tried to move the fabric ripped feeling the room with that one noise.

Sirius' face suddenly appeared in the crack looking menacing with a halo of morning light above his dark head.

"What are you doing back here?"

A/n: Mwahahahahahahahahahaha!!! Look I've finally updated. WOOT! Go me. Sorry it took so long I just needed a little break to think and figure some things out. But now I'm back and so ready to continue with this story. YAY!!!!!!