Ok, these chapter might seem a bit half-ass, but my mind is warped, and I've got two more chapters to get in by Christmas, I think. Also, I've tried to touch base with each character/story line so far so as to give you a full view of what's going on presently. So this is what I've written, and reviews (critical and complimentary) are appreciated. Mwa! Love ya. ---Meha

God? You listening?

James thought now was a good a time as any to pray. Pray for what, he didn't know. He wasn't sure about much. He just wanted things to be normal again. Whatever that meant. But it had to be better than this.

At this point in his thoughts, he was sure he wasn't making sense in the slightest. But hell. He'd pray anyway. For sanity, if anything.

James was walking about on the grounds, snow crunching underneath his feet, hands jammed classically in his pockets. Shoulders slumped, brooding. Head full of thoughts.

He wanted her in his life any way he could get her. But friends…?

Then, somewhere near the edges of his mind, he registered that someone was walking behind him. Wait. No, not someone. Something. Something running…trotting.

It was a dog's barking that cut through his thoughts, bringing him back to his surroundings. James didn't have to look. A rather large black dog was following behind him, smacking the snow-covered earth with his paws.

James noticed an uncanny twinkle in dog's moist eyes as it caught up with James, and fell into step beside him. Panting, he tried to get James's attention by brushing his right front paw against James's knee.

"Cut it out, Sirius," said James, grinning at Padfoot's antics in spite of himself.

In a flash, human Sirius formed next to him. "Sorry, mate," he apologized, slightly shaking the snow out of his dark hair. "Just trying to lighten you up." He brushed some scant snowflakes off of his coat's arm. "Winter is a messy season. So how'd it go with the lovely Miss Evans?" he asked casually, half-grinning. There was always a gleam in Sirius's eyes lately, and James couldn't quite place why.

"How'd you know I was going to meet her?" James inquired, lacking interest in his voice, but just asking all the same.

Black cocked an eyebrow. "I sit right next to you, prat. I could see the note she passed you. I can also see the number of times you doodle her name on the margins of your notes when you think noone's looking."

James gave him a Sod-Off look, but didn't bother voicing this thought. If he could speak to anyone about this, it was Sirius. Practically brothers, Sirius was never afraid to speak his mind to James, knowing it wouldn't strain their friendship. Friends usually tell you what you want to hear, and James liked that Sirius was always honest, and would tell you what you need to hear. "She wants to be friends. But I think that's asking too much."

Sirius looked pensive, watching his steps in the snow. "You think so?"

James did think so. "We were…we, I mean—we can't just go backwards." Just friends? It wasn't honest.

"Prongs," Sirius said, walking a bit slower, making a certain emphasis on his words. "You two were always friends. Always. Even when you hadn't spoken for six years." Sirius was referring to the years James and Lily had separated when she moved, and lost all contact. James caught his friend glance at his throat, where he was not wearing the necklace Lily had given him. If Sirius was thinking along these lines, he didn't say anything about it. "And no matter what happens, you'll always be best friends."

"Then we were together. A couple," James argued.

But Sirius went on as if James hadn't spoken. "Then you were a couple. Best friends who went to the next level and became a couple." He shrugged. "And then you broke up. And stopped being a couple. Doesn't mean you stopped being friends."

Somewhere in there, James was sure he made sense. "I don't know how to be anymore."

"Way I see it, there's a certain redhead we all know and love who's going through a tough time right now and could use her best friend's help."

James kicked at the ground. "She could go to Linda or Amelia."

Sirius's hand twitched, and James took a bit of delight in the fact that it probably did because Sirius was fighting the urge to hit him. "Amelia is off frolicking with my ass of a 'brother'"—and here Sirius even put his fingers into quote-action—"and Linda is there for her. But she doesn't understand the part of Lily that you do."

"But why? She left me. Why would she suddenly realize she needs me?" James's voice was mocking, but he didn't care. It just didn't make sense to him.

"Damn, James. She spends all her time being strong for everyone else, independent—she doesn't take anyone's help. But sooner or later, and I'm willing to bet sooner, she's going to break. James. Could you really stand by and not care?"

Hey. When did this happen? Sirius making sense? But James had to admit, he'd been witness to Sirius's intuitive moments, where he made connections that—to anyone else—weren't there.

James sighed. Head still full of thoughts, shoulders feeling heavier, his neck muscles aching. "I need time to think."

"Clock's a-ticking, mate."

James smirked. "You know, mate. You are much more enjoyable to have around as a dog. Ever think of making the change permanent?"

Sirius shoved him playfully. "Well, aren't we touchy? Fine. I know when I'm not wanted." He seemed to think about what else he felt like doing. "Remus is back from his wolf-days in the Hospital Wing, and Madame Pomfrey already kicked me out of there." He added under his breath, but James still heart, "Maybe I'll just go and see what Linda's up to, then."

But James couldn't let it go. "You sure that's not code for 'Go check out what Linda's wearing?'"

Sirius grinned cheekily. "I should be insulted."

He started back towards the castle. Leaving James with his full-of-bothered-thoughts head.

- - - - - -

Sirius had no sooner stepped into the Common Room when a fellow Gryffindor (named Timothy something, Sirius couldn't remember) approached him. "This letter came for you about twenty minutes ago. The owl is from Gringott's. It won't leave until you've come."

Sirius thanked Timothy-Something, gave him a sickle to pay the owl, and when he was left alone, got comfortable in a sofa-chair, and opened his letter.

His blank, chocolate eyes scanned the lines of the letter. "Well," he breathed. "I'll be damned."

- - - -

She hadn't moved for hours, and was so blissfully cut off from the world of drama and so comfortablely curled in her quaint four-poster bed with the covers over her head, she wasn't quite sure whether or not she was hungry. She hadn't had lunch, or dinner—which was being served at that moment—but was too busy hiding to think of food.

"Missed you in class," a male voice filled with laughter stirred her from her half-sleep. Linda's eyes opened wide and saw the brownest eyes looking back at her.

"Actually," he went on, "you were missed in all your classes." Sirius tilted his head, with his hands resting beneath his chin. He was leaning on the bed, his face level with Linda's still-on-the-pillow one. "So what happened? I thought you were just coming back to grab a book, not a 5-hour nap."

Linda strained her mind. Why hadn't she gone to class, again? OH YEAH. Reg's speel, leading to her freaking out, leading to her migraine. Where was she—oh, her room. What was Sirius doing in her room? Should she lie about why she ditched classes? How did he get in here? I hope I don't have bad sleeping-breath. BED-HAIR???

She looked around, combed fingers through her hair, sat up straight, avoided his playful gaze, and intelligently said, "Uh…yeah," eventually adding, "But when I got here, I felt a bit dizzy. Thought I'd rest."

Linda eyes him suspiciously. The staircase to the Girls' Dorms were rigged with a spell to ward off any boys. At least that's what she'd heard. "How did you get up here?"

Sirius sat back, chocolate pieces of his hair falling elegantly into his striking eyes. "Trust me when I say, if I want to get somewhere, no trick staircase of Dumbledore's is going to stop me."

Linda, bemused, smiled teasingly. "Well. Aren't you just full of surprises."

She got up and walked over to her vanity, looking forward. She could usually feel his gaze scanning her person, and therefore tried to avoid looking at him at all costs. He probably did that to any girl, she thought.

"So what are you doing here, Sirius?" Linda asked, properly combing out her hair in the mirror. "You didn't just get lost on your way to the Great Hall for dinner, did you?"

Sirius leaned back on her bed, his head resting back, arms folded across his slowly rising and falling chest. Linda felt a bit squirmish when he's sat there. His occupation of her bed was too intimate. Plus, it wasn't really made.

"Well," he sighed, "my Uncle Alphard died."

Linda whirled around, mid-brush. "Oh my God, Sirius, I'm so sorry." She was more than surprised at this statement, since just five minutes ago, he was smiling amiabley and being charming. Even now, there was a glimmer of playfullness in his eyes that never went away.

"Don't bother, honey," he assured her. "He was eighty-nine. Smoked like a chimney since he was fifteen, I'm surprised he lasted this long. Word is he had a heart attack. And after cussing up a storm, he kept on smoking his cigar." Sirius began to chuckle lightly to himself. "Yeah. Good ol' Uncle Alphie was one of a kind." He held up the letter the owl had brought (it'd brought two: this one, and the one from Gringott's). "He's left me everything," Sirius went on smiling, and began to read the letter in his hand. "'Dear Nephew, Now you can tell them all where to stick their broomsticks. –Alphard.' Anyways, there's some business to take care of now, concerning his will. Family wants to contest it. So I'm leaving tonight. I'll make up my exams after the holiday, and I'll be gone a week or two at most."

Wow, Linda thought. Drama. Not like we don't have enough of that on a day-to-day basis. "That's so sad that he died, though," Linda persisted.

Sirius smiled so widely, all his white teeth showed. "Are you mad? He's probably telling the Devil to Sod off, to get a life and stop bugging everyone else's. Knowing Uncle Alphie, he's probably having the time of his life."

She smiled thinking of Sirius's description of his uncle Alphard, and how they just had to be related, sharing that who-cares, too-stubborn-to-go-without-a-fight, always-having-fun quality. They were funny like that. "But why are you telling me this?"

To Sirius, the answer seemed obvious. "Because I promised to take you James's family's party. And now there's a chance, just the slightest chance, I'll miss it."

"Damn, Sirius," Linda waved her hand at him, dismissing his comment. Who cared about a stupid party at a time like this? "Don't worry about me or some silly party. My God, go take care of your family, and go mourn your uncle for Heaven's sake."

Sirius smiled at her selfless irritation. He made up his mind. "You promised to go with me, and I promised to take you."

Linda took a deep breath to steady her patience. "Thanks Sirius, but really, don't go feeling you have to—"

He stood up off her bed and kissed her cheek. "Too late, I've made up my mind. See you there."

Sirius Black walked out as fast as he'd pecked her cheek, and she thought of how she wouldn't laugh with him until Christmas.

- - -

"So how will you be spending your Christmas?" Amelia asked Reg, sitting beside him at dinner, her free hand in his warm one. He gently stroked her fingers with his own beneath the table. The Great Hall was buzzing with chatter of Holiday plans. Regulus seemed the least excited about it, and for good reason.

"Probably at home, with the family. We don't really think much of Christmas," Reg answered, not interested in the subject. He went on eating.

Amelia jumped at the opportunity. "Well, since Christmas isn't celebrated at your home, why don't you come celebrate it at mine?"

Regulus dropped his fork. "You're inviting me," he said each word slowly, in a half-drawl, "to spend Christmas with your family?"

Amelia bit her bottom lip out of habit. "Sure. Unless you have other plans."

Shifting in his seat, Reg wanted to tighten his hold on her hand, but was afraid of getting her suspicious of something. Something. "I might. Have other plans."

And like he expected, Amelia didn't give up that easily. "What about Christmas Eve? James invited me to his family's big party, or something. You want to come with me?" But just as he was about to make up some excuse, she went on in a sort of sing-song voice, "If you don't come, I'll have to dance with all the other boys…"

He knew she was just teasing, but…Jeez, his life sucked as he thought of what was to come in just a matter of time. Weeks, really. "I'll try and see if I can make it. For you," he lifted her hand that he'd been holding in his own to his lips and kissed the back of it. "I'll try."

- - - -- - - -

Lily looked around the Hospital Wing. Damn Thaniel for making me come. She'd spent so long outside in the cold, where James had left her that, on her way back to the school, she was shivering, icicle-haired, shaking red hands, and blue-lipped.

Of all people, Thaniel had spotted her outside. He'd been talking to a group of guys when he'd seen her, and when he was about to say Hi, noticed her absolutely frigid state. When he'd commented on it, she'd sneezed in response. Thus, he forefully escorted her to Madame Pomfrey's office to see what could be done with her.

I guess I'll have to thank him late for caring, Lily thought. But I can still be annoyed with him now.

Thaniel was gone now; Pomfrey had shooed him away from her patients since some were still sleeping and he was making enough noise asking Lily if she was alright, and if she needed anything.

Pomfrey had done two different tests on her before realizing Lily just had a case of chills. "Just take this herbal potion, and it'll warm and strengthen every bit of you, warding off any sort of flu. Go on, take it," she shoved the unappetizing drink at Lily. It was some sort of hot tea, Lily thought. And it was purple. But Pomfrey was right, Lily realized when she'd finally gathered courage to take a few sips. It did work wonders.

She sat back on the hospital cot, and looked around the Wing before leaving back to her dormitory.

Someone to her left coughed. "Hey Lils."

Lily smiled at Remus, glad someone was here with her. He was somewhat scratched and scarred. But still held that inner strength he always seemed to save for occassions like this. "Well, don't we make a fine pair."

"We sure do," he smiled back weakly. Pieces of his sandy-brown hair was covering his blue eyes, and he began to push them away clumsily. He looked so tired.

"I'll leave you alone," Lily said softly. "You need to rest."

Remus started to sit up, but thought the better of it, and stayed lying on his back. "Bet you're wondering why I'm here."

Lily had suspicions, but this just confirmed it. "Oddly enough, I'm not."

"Really?"

Lily got up off her cot, and sat in a chair next to Remus's bed. "Doesn't take a genius to figure it out. Remus Lupin. Missing for three days. Three days each month. Three days that just so happen to be around the full moon…" she smiled cheekily at him. "Not to mention the bite mark on your hand." She lifted his right hand to show her point. "Looks like some kind of dog bite, doesn't it?"

Remus squeezed her hand that had picked up his own. "How long have you known, you sly little witch?"

"I didn't. I guessed. Seemed a tad far-fetched, but not anymore." Lily squeezed his hand back. She didn't find it odd or shocking. Remus's secret. Weirder things had happened in her life, she thought.

For some reason, though, Remus's eyes were cast down. "Lily," he started, "I know you aren't the type to gossip, and that I can trust you, but I have to ask you to keep this—"

Lily cut him off. "Hey, it dies with me." Remus and her had been instant friends the moment they met, but this seemed to bond them.

Remus's stormy blues gazed at the ceiling. "I just want to keep any sort of normalcy I can get. As much as a werewolf can get, I mean." He laughed softly, any harder and it would've hurt. "Some fantasy, huh?"

Lily smiled kindly at him, brushing the hair from his face. "Are you kidding?" she joked. "Fantasies were made for fools like you and me."

For the rest of the evening, Lily kept vigil over Remus, since his other friends couldn't be here to keep him company. Two seemingly alone people being alone together.

Author's note: I am sorry to say that I'vegot no time for shoutouts (and it's my fave part to write!), since I've got an exam in just eight hours and I need to go sleep. But I'll be posting again I hope in exactly one week and I'll write all my individual shoutouts to you then.

P.s. No, I am not putting Remus and Lily together. My beta asked me that before I posted this and just so you know, NO. They're just friends.

LOVE YOU MORE THAN COOKIES (and that's saying a lot!) ---Meha