((A/N: Alright, I've added an AU warning in the summary, as there are a few AU factors in this story. To spare your inquisitions, here they are:

1. Sirius didn't run away to live with James. That would render my story useless.

2. I mentioned Sirius' entire family being deatheaters whereas in the book it was just his brother

Also, thanks for all the reviews, if it weren't for all you lovely people I probably would not work up the effort to continue the story. Keep 'em coming =) ))

Chapter 7

I stretched my arms tiredly, giving a strained yawn. The dorm seemed overly quiet, and with half-formed thoughts I worried I had slept in too late. Peering out of my drawn curtains I discovered I had just awoken early. I reached up and touched my lips gingerly, remembering the events of the night before in slow recollections. I kissed Sirius. 'And he kissed me back...' I struggled to recall whether that had actually happened or had been fabricated in my mind. If it was merely a fabrication, it wouldn't allow itself to be seperated from the truth.

"Great, I'm gay.." I muttered between yawns then rubbed at my eyes, forcing them to stay open. My lids were heavy and seemed reluctant to do so. My sarcastic statement reiterated itself in my mind and I buried my face in my pillow. 'It's ok for friends to be that close... right?' Without much debate I decided that it was perfectly normal, yet better off kept to myself, even if it was normal. I had a feeling that it wouldn't be well received among my not-so-openly minded friends.

Lying in bed and dwelling on these things didn't exactly put me in the best of moods, so I shrugged off my blankets and lazily got up out of bed. Grabbing my robes from the foot of my bed, I wandered over to the unusually empty bathroom. I turned on the tap and cupped my hands beneath the soothingly warm water, watching it fill my hands and flow over them in so many small streams. I brought the water to my face and sighed, the sudden shock awakening my senses. It was a comforting sensation.

There was a quiet creak of the dormitory floor, and soft footsteps padded across it, in my direction. I looked up from my dripping hands and my gaze fell upon a disheveled-looking Sirius, his frail body leaning against the door frame. His eyes were half open, as though he had been reluctantly roused from his sleep, but the creases beneath his eyes were deceptive of that notion. If he had slept, he hadn't slept well. His full pink lips formed a perfect pout, and there was a strong urge in me to hold him tightly in my arms. I settled for giving him a smile. "Morning Sirius," I greeted him happily, a yawn escaping my lips as soon as they parted. My toungue ran over them gently, and the taste of the tap water reminded me that my face was still rather wet. I reached for my towel and pressed it against my face, rubbing slightly. The fabric was so soft that I was sure if I remained with my face nestled into it much longer I'd easily fall asleep. I began to let myself test this theory when I felt something at my arm. I dropped my towel beside the sink and looked down to find a spidery white hand resting on my bicep. I gave Sirius a confused look, but rather than his usual silence, I received his lips against mine in return. I closed my eyes and returned the kiss passionately, cupping his face in my hands. He was so soft, and his kiss was so tender. If it hadn't of been for my lack of comprehension the entire thing would have been perfect. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Abruptly, Sirius broke away from me and made his way back towards his bed, where he disappeared inside the red curtains.

Needless to say, I was highly confused. I sighed and shook my head. Sirius use to be so easy to understand, yet these days I counted myself lucky if I caught a hint of his mood. Besides, if Sirius wanted me to know, he'd let me know. Somehow. I peeled off my clothes and stepped inside the shower stall, pulling the shower door closed as I did. The steamy water poured down over my body and I realized that every inch of it longed for him and his touch. 'But why haven't I noticed it before?'

Defense Against the Dark Arts class is not one I would call my favourite. It's another one of those things where I'd like to ignore its existance, yet I can't. The teacher doesn't bother me, however, so I guess I should count my blessings rather than complain. Said teacher, Professor Almasy was currently droning on about some evil that would soon unleash itself upon us, and I shook my head. Why did he bother to go on about the same damned thing every day? I stared at the oddly formed jars lining the shelves of the room, each holding some unrecognizable object. The candles lighting the room glinted off of them eerily, bringing out an unusual range of colors from the glassy surfaces. I'd seem similar effects before. At home father kept many bottles of that sort, likely holding substances he shouldn't posess. Nothing out of the ordinary.

"Today we'll be learning about something that you all might want to listen to," Professor stressed the word 'all' and I could feel his gaze fall in my direction. I looked over to him and nodded, allowing him to go on. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Remus staring at me contemplatively. It felt like my insides were twisting all of a sudden. I knew what he was thinking. It was the same thing I'd been trying to ignore all day. I wish I could turn back time. I would have stayed in bed rather than letting a sudden whim get the better of me. I'm not sure that anything was meant by the kiss, only that afterwards I was shaking. I don't think he took notice of that. I'm not sure why I was shaking. Maybe because some part of me enjoyed it, or maybe because the kiss felt somewhat obligatory. The thought angered me. He had kissed me first, afterall. What the hell did he think he was doing?

"Occulmancy is not somethign to be taken lightly," Professor Almasy continued. 'Occulmancy... where have I heard that before?' The concept was vaguely familiar and I struggled to recall why. No such luck. With a sigh I gave in to the Professor and listened attentively, or as attentively as I could. My attention span was only long when I didn't want it to be. Things had a funny way of happening like that. Or atleast they did for me. Sometimes I think we bring these things onto ourselves, but I don't know what I've ever done to deserve the things that've been happening lately. Maybe there was something to learn from it all. If so, I can honestly say I'd rather remain ignorant.

Remus brought his chair over to my desk and sat it next to mine, then gave me a smile before seating himself on it. I raised a brow. 'What... is he doing?' He gave a laugh that was more than a little unnerving.
"We're partners."
His words sounded foreign as they hit my ears, and there came a brief moment where all sense had gone from me. 'We're what?!' I bit my lower lip to prevent words that weren't coming to begin with, 'I've given him quite the wrong idea...' My eyes met his once more and I found him to be still smiling. "Professor put us in pairs for the next few classes," he informed me, sounding akin to a teacher talking to a small child. I suppose, in reality, Remus saw me as no different from a small child, and with the way I've been acting it would be understandable. I nodded and looked down at the meticulously neat notes Remus placed on the desk. "Come on, let's get to work," he chided, and though I had no clue what exactly we were supposed to be working on, I dipped my quill into the jar of ink and tried to focus my mind, giving one last look around the dark classroom.