Disclaimer: Only Malika is mine...

Chapter 3

End of June, 1994

After having lunch, Malika had returned to her cubicle and tried to concentrate on the paperwork she had to do. Unfortunately, her mind kept drifting off towards a certain escaped convict; he was one of the few friends she had left, at least, if he wanted to be her friend. They hadn't been on good terms when they had last spoken to each other, but Malika hoped that he had forgiven her by now.

She had spent twelve years thinking Sirius had betrayed them, and all those years, she had blamed herself for all that had happened, for she had done the same to him. Still, it didn't matter how he felt towards her now, she cared about him, and she wanted to know for sure if he was alright and since Remus wasn't about to tell heron his own accord and she didn't want to ask him, she had to find out for herself.

Making up her mind, Malika put her paperwork on the side and started writing a letter to Dumbledore, asking him if he could get her in contact with Sirius.

Then she started a letter to Sirius, at least, it was what she tried. After many drafts, she still didn't know what to say to him. In the end she decided to keep it short, hoping that in time they would find more to say to each other.

Dear Sirius,

I am writing you this letter to let you know that I have heard about what has really happened that unfortunate Halloween night 13 years ago. I am happy to know that you didn't betray us. The idea of you betraying us has broken my heart over and over again for the past years.

I know we weren't on good terms the last time we saw each other and I understand if you prefer to not hear from me. Maybe I am a fool for hoping that you have forgiven me by now, but it is all I can do. I want you to know that I care about you, no matter what.

I hope you are well, at least, as well as can be expected for someone in your position.

Please write back.
Take care of yourself.

Hopefully your friend,

Malika.

Malika had purposely left Remus out of the letter. Some things were better left unsaid.

She sealed both letters and enclosed the one to Sirius with the letter to Dumbledore, then she called for an owl to sent them to Hogwarts.

November 1974 (Marauders 5th year)

Time went by quickly at Hogwarts, and before they knew it, the girls found themselves in their 5th year. Without their knowledge, things would start to change drastically for them, and these changes would start this year, whether they wanted it or not.

In fact, things had already started; it was more a fact that these changes weren't noticeable yet, at least for the girls.

Then again, some things never changed. The girls had been keeping up with their daily study circle together with Remus. During the summer after their 3d year, Malika had told Lily what she had discovered about Remus. At first, Lily didn't believe her, but after Malika had shown her proof, she admitted the other girl was probably right. Then, they had been discussingwhat they should do with their knowledge. They both knew Remus, and they trusted him, but it was only after Lily mentioned that Dumbledore had probably guaranteed everyone's safety that both girls were convinced they didn't have to do anything. In the end they had agreed to just not talk about it to anyone, not even to Remus himself.

They had also concluded that the other Marauders must know too; this little piece of knowledge changed Malika's opinion about them and made her think higher of them, if only a little bit. For Lily, it didn't change anything; she still hated them with as much fervour as before, and it was a feeling that would only grow during their 4th and 5th year.

Now it was November of their fifth year, the days were getting colder, and with it, many colds captured the students. One day, Malika found herself alone in the common room, sitting on the couch near the fire, reading a book, while Lily had gone to the hospital wing for treatment of a very nasty cold.

All of a sudden, she felt someone sitting down next to her and draping an arm around her shoulders. She looked up into the grinning face of Sirius Black.

'Hello Andrews, left all alone by your counterpart?'

Malika lifted her eyebrows and shrugged his arm of her shoulders. Then she noticed the other Marauders had appeared around her too and had seated themselves on the armchairs closest to the couch.

'Lily went to the Hospital Wing', she answered, and upon seeing James look of concern added, 'nothing serious though, just a cold.'

'Of course she is not me', Sirius replied smugly.

Malika sighed and rolled her eyes, 'Honestly, you would think that joke would get old after the first time, I can't believe you still use it.'

Now, Sirius leaned closer towards her. 'I can't very well change my name now, can I? Although with someone as beautiful as you it isn't hard to forget ones own name.'

Malika rolled her eyes again, and pulled away from him. 'That may work on other girls, but it won't work on me, I thought you would know that by now.'

For the last year, Sirius had been dating many different girls, but never for longer than a few days, Malika didn't want to be the next on his list.

This time, it was James who answered. 'True, Lily has probably shared with her a part of her untouchability.'

Malika couldn't help but notice a touch of bitterness in his voice, and she felt a bit sorry for him.

'You know, James, I think it might help if you would grow up a little, stop chasing her around and things like that.'

James only shrugged her advice off of him, and brought the focus again on Malika. With a pensive but mischievous look in his eyes he said, 'I do think I know what Malika likes though, Sirius, I think she is the kind of girl who would fall for a quiet, studious guy.' And with that he looked suggestively towards Remus.

Malika shook her head towards James, 'You know Remus and I are just friends, James, so shut it, alright.'

What she failed to notice, but was seen by the others, was the slight blush that had crept on Remus's cheeks, and a look of disappointment after her last statement.

After that, the subject of conversation changed, and Malika spent the rest of the evening joking around with the Marauders, until Lily entered the common room and both girls climbed the stairs to their dormitory.

It was the first time she had spent so much time alone with the guys, and she had to admit she actually had enjoyed it.

Once in their dormitory, Lily wanted to know how and why her friend had spent time with, of all people, the Marauders.

After Malika had told her what happened, Lily praised her she had sort of rejected Sirius, but she pointed out her friend must be out of her mind when she said she enjoyed her time. Malika only laughed at that statement, and admitted that only a few hours ago, she would have thought the same.

When she told Lily about James suggestive remark of her liking Remus, Lily got an odd look on her face.

'What's wrong?', Malika asked frowning.

Lily only smiled and asked her own question. 'Well, do you like him?'

Malika looked confused, 'He is one of my best friends, Lily.'

Lily shook her head. 'You really are clueless, aren't you?'

Now, Malika looked even more confused.

'He likes you,' Lily exclaimed, and added when Malika shook her head unbelieving, 'You should see the way he looks at you sometimes.'

Malika looked out of the window now, obviously in thought. 'I don't know, Lily, and I'm tired, let's just go to bed.'

And with that she crawled in her bed and closed the curtains.

000

Meanwhile, the boys had their own conversation in their own dormitory.

'So, Moony, you really like her, don't you?', James said smugly, leaning against his bedpost.

After a short silence, Remus finally sighed, 'Yes, I like her.'

'What are you going to do about it?' Sirius asked from his bed, where he was sorting through Bertie Botts all-flavour beans.

Another sigh. 'Nothing.'

'Why?', Peter asked confused.

Another silence, this time longer.

'If you like her, you should let her know.' James spoke again.

'Please, cut it out, Prongs', Remus continued after a short pause, 'if I tell her how I feel, and we would end up dating, I would eventually have to tell her about…you know, and she would probably hate me after that, and I couldn't stand to lose her that way.'

James opened his mouth again, but Remus cut him off. 'I don't want to talk about it anymore, okay, so let's just drop it', and with that, he crawled in his bed.

A few moments later, Sirius's voice cut through the heavy silence.

'If you don't take your chance, you won't mind if I give a try, will you, Moony?'

A heavy sigh could be heard from Remus's bed, followed by an annoyed 'Whatever, Padfoot, do as you like, but don't hurt her.'

Jen: thanks for your review, Malika is an African name, but I don't really know where I got it from, it's just a name I like to use in stories I write.

Please review, I barely get reviews and I'm wondering if someone is actually interested in my story.