Chapter 2: It's all about maturity

The others walked into the Gryffindor Tower common room. Marlene and Bella took out their homework and set off on their Ancient Ruins homework. They sat at a table in a corner, as to not be distracted by the brand new first years who usually peered over their shoulders at odd intervals to see what their work was like.

Soon after, they were joined by Remus, Peter and Sirius. Remus and Peter were doing an essay for Divination and Sirius was concentrating on his Potions homework, or trying to at least.

When James had told him to grow up, he just assumed he was receiving the bad end of some rage. But when Bella had said that they must all grow-up, he took that to heart. Him and Bella had a complex relationship. As much as they fooled around she always kept him grounded. She was perfect. She was beautiful and fun, but she had this persona that made him feel guilty when he did something wrong. She made him a better person; kept him in check if you will. Now, to know that they both had to grow up made him feel deflated.

They sat in silence while the common room had a slight buzz. Every once and a while one of them would sigh, or growl and in Marlene's case stick out their tongue when a problem got too tough. It took all of Remus' efforts not to laugh when Marlene did this. So after about 2 hours of silence, and much homework completed later the 5 went over by the fire and sat down.

Remus and Marlene and Peter took the couch and there was only one chair left. Sirius and Bella ran and fought over it. Sirius won by tickling her mercilessly. After about 5 minutes of shameless flirting Bella made Sirius scoot over and she sat in the tiny space left. She was partially sitting on his knees, and was sure he was rather uncomfortable.

They talked for a while about how strange this year was going to be without Lily and James around all the time. They all agreed that the occupants of Gryffindor tower would not miss the early morning fights that were held in the common room and were impossible to sleep through.

After a while the 5 were the only inhabitants left in the common room. Peter decided to go up to bed, closely followed by Remus. Marlene stayed to chat for a few minutes more, but abruptly left when she realised the time. So then there were two.

"If you would kindly get up, I'd like to get some sleep." Bella said, too lazy to be the first to stand.

Sirius, instead of making a move to get up, pulled Bella closer to him and turned her head towards him. He looked into her eyes and then down to her soft pink lips. He looked up again to her eyes and used his thumb to brush away a piece of hair that fell in front. He then leaned forward and brushed his lips gently against hers. Closed his eyes and pulled away slightly. "I've been waiting all summer for an opportunity to do this." he told her huskily.

Bella opened her eyes, that she didn't realise were closed. She let out a long shaky breath. "We can't do this anymore Sirius. As much fun as it is, I need something more. I need to find a boyfriend. I need something real."

Staring her eyes and seeing hurt, he pulled back so their lips were no longer brushing together as they spoke. He gave her room. "Bella."

"No just listen to me. Once I find someone we can't continue this." Bella said softly looking down at her lap.

"That's never stopped us before." Sirius said trying to regain her attention.

"Nothing has ever mattered before Sirius. There was always you at the end of the day when things got rough, and after fooling around with other guys you were always there. I can't do that anymore. We're just going to have to be friends. Do you understand?" Bella said, starting to get up.

Sirius wasn't ready for this conversation to be over. "Bella," he said with all the tenderness he could muster, "I could be that guy. I can't stand not being with you. I can grow up and be the person you want me to be."

Bella looked down at him with teary eyes, "The problem with what you say Is that I don't think you can."

The next day was a Friday. A very dull Friday. The only thing remotely interesting that happened was that Spencer McMillan caught a mysterious 'fever' that made his skin turn blue with purple boils. He was taken out of Transfiguration and rushed to the hospital wing.

Friday Evening came and instead of relaxing with their friends, the seventh year students were seen doing homework instead. The work load was unbearable for those students who had not made much of a effort in the past (cough Sirius cough)

After last nights events the girls retreated to Lily's private dorm. Sirius had made a point of ignoring Bella all day and she had made a point not to be anywhere near him. Although the whole group heard about what happened by word of mouth, they couldn't quite believe the level of maturity that Bella had taken against her ongoing fling with Sirius Black.

"I can't believe it Bella. Just can't believe it." Marlene said taking a bite out of her chocolate frog, "You actually told him that you didn't think he would ever grow up? And that it's over? Like never again will any of us walk in on you two snogging?"

Bella took her head out from under her pillow to look at her two best friends. "I meant what I said. I need a relationship. Something solid and steady. Not just a good snog at the end of the day."

Lily faked a gasp, "You mean.. you don't think? You've actually grown up?"

The other two laughed at Lily's expression. Lily was glad that Bella had done that. She didn't want her friend to spend her last year at Hogwarts the way she had spent the first six. She wanted her best friend to experience something real, ad something that wasn't Sirius Black.

"Yes well, you also made quite a decision last night Lily." Bella pointed out.

Marlene smiled a smug smile, "It's been a long time coming. We have been waiting for this for Merlin knows how long."

Lily had a little smile on her face as well. "Well see, all he had to do was grow up. I am looking forward to having him as a allay rather than an enemy."

Bella snorted a laugh. "This is not just a game Lily, he really wants to be your friend. This morning he came up to me and squeezed the life out of me cause he was so happy. You would have thought that Christmas came early."

Marlene let out a long breath. "Seems seventh year is going to be a year of change. Here's to a year of excitement and torture we are sure to have in store for us.

The boys sat in Gryffindor common room after they had finished their homework. James and Sirius needed not to speak for they just knew how the other felt and thought. No words were passed between the two, but the others knew by their secretive glances that they were having a silent conversation. Remus and Peter knew what had happened, but neither knew what was going on in the heads of their friends.

Sirius suddenly stood up and looked around and when he saw a smirk on James' face he sat down. They continued like that for several minutes until they turned their attentions to their other two friends.

"Glad that's settled. What happened with you two today?" James asked with a smile. He smiled all day.

"Spencer McMillan got what he deserved didn't he? I enjoyed watching him turn blue. When those boils started to explode it was all I could do not to laugh." Peter said as James and Sirius chuckled along with him.

Remus looked at them un-approvingly but did not say a word.

The others noticed he seemed particularly quiet and preoccupied. "So how was your day Mooney?"

"Fine."

"Awfully quiet today." Sirius teased.

"I don't want to talk about it." Remus said startlingly loud.

The other three looked shocked. It wasn't like Remus to get snappy and defensive over anything, especially something he wasn't accused of. "Whoa Mooney, take 'er easy mate. We didn't say anything."

"Whatever."

"What's bugging you mate?" Peter asked, not taking the hint.

"I don't want to talk about it." Remus said grouchily.

"It's about a girl," Sirius said with a proud look. "What else could it be about. Mooney likes a girl."

Remus slightly blushed and muttered "Do not."

James laughed heartily. "Who is she? Oh it's Marlene Isn't it? I knew there was something about her.."

"It's not Marlene." Remus said confidently.

"Well then. Who could it be?" Sirius asked. He was genuinely curious.

"It's not Bella is it?" Peter asked unaware of the tensing Sirius beside him.

"Not Bella, no."

James got a look of horror on his face, "It can't be Lily…"

AN: Well here's chapter 2. Hope you enjoy. Please read and review. Thanks to all of oyu who reviewed the first chapter, much appriciated:)

Kayla