Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Don't sue. Easy as that.

A/N: Wow. I really like this chapter. I think it went pretty good. Enjoy!

>Chapter 3

"Charm is a way of getting the answer yes without asking a clear question."

--Albert Camus

Sirius shoved Remus across the corridor and into a suit of armor. Remus laughed and dusted himself off, as he continued down the hall. They had just been down to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, where they had begun to brew the potion. It'd take about three days, which when it came to potions, was awfully quick. Just as they rounded the corner, they spotted two figures furiously kissing. Sirius snuck a glance at Remus and saw that his face had paled slightly and he wore a blank expression. It could only mean one thing—Caitlyn Finney.

Cait and her bulky, Quidditch playing, Ravenclaw boyfriend Owen Weston, were making out right next to the portrait of the Fat Lady. Remus abruptly stopped walking and attempted to look anywhere but at the two people in front of him. Sirius grabbed him by his robes and dragged him up to the portrait. Cait and Owen continued on as if they had no idea anyone was anywhere near them. This only seemed to make Remus more uncomfortable. Sirius spoke the password, dragged Remus through the entrance, and sat him in a chair by the fire. Remus had fancied Cait since second year. It didn't help that she was always dating Quidditch players. Remus' lanky figure could never compete with the toned athletes that Cait seemed to reel in. It really was unfair.

"Hey! What's up?" Ellie had come up behind Sirius and was peering down at Remus. "He saw Cait, didn't he? The least she could do is find a bloody broom closet for her and her boyfriend to snog in. I passed them on the way in. They were practically in each other's pants!" She sighed and sat down in the armchair next to Remus.

Sirius laughed and looked down towards Remus. The color seemed to be returning to his face. "Yeah. But you'd think he'd be over it by now. Cait's just an average looking girl." Sirius turned towards Ellie and smiled charmingly. "But you on the other hand, are exquisite!"

Ellie smiled right back. "You're not so bad yourself."

Remus sighed and stood up suddenly. "I've got work to do. Night Ellie, Sirius." He nodded to each of them in turn and made his way up the boy's staircase. Just at that moment the portrait swung open to reveal Cait. She quickly adjusted her robes, as she made her way over to Ellie and Sirius. She flopped down in Remus' vacant chair and rubbed a hand over her eyes.

"You okay, Cait?" Ellie asked as she looked over at her friend's slumped form.

But Cait's answer was drowned out as yelling erupted from the portrait hole.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU! YOU'RE HEAD BOY!" Lily yelled, her hands swinging around for emphasis. "YOU ARE SO IMMATURE!" With a mangled cry of fury she walked quickly up to the girl's dormitories. James simply smiled, and made his way over to the group congregated by the fire.

"James, what did you do now?" Ellie asked as she stood up. "Now I have to go and try to calm her down!" With a smile towards Sirius and a glare towards James, she made her way after Lily.

Cait sighed loudly. "I might was well go and help her. Ellie might need help in restraining Lily. Night, guys." She got up and headed up the girl's staircase.

"Drama, drama, drama!" Sirius muttered as he sat down in an armchair.

James laughed and ran a hand through his hair. "I think Lily's starting to like me!"

Sirius snorted and looked at James. "Not a chance, my friend. I unlike you, have made progress!"

"With who? Ellie?"

"Duh!"

"Sirius, that girl will flirt with anyone. Trust me, you're nothing special."

"At least Ellie and I have civil conversations."

"Lily and I….uh…have a special relationship." James smirked.

Sirius stared. "You count yelling and harmful threats, special?"

"Lils, you shouldn't let that evil boy get to you! He only provokes you, because he knows you'll get upset." Ellie said with a sigh. She was sitting on her bed flipping through one of Lily's muggle magazines.

"She's right, Lily. You need to relax and ignore him. That's the safest way to go. Besides, this is our last year. You wont have to deal with him again!" Cait and Lily were sitting on Lily's bed.

"But it's only October!" Lily said through gritted teeth.

Ellie looked over at Cait and shrugged. "She's got a point you know."

Cait grumbled and turned back towards Lily. "Ignore her." Cait got up off the bed and went over to her trunk. "I know just the cure!"

"Firewhisky?" Ellie asked hopefully, tossing the magazine on the floor.

"No." Cait said sending a glare towards Ellie over her shoulder. "Chocolate!" Cait grinned and held up two large bars of Honeyduke's chocolate.

"I still think that if Lily had a little alcohol in her system, she'd feel a lot better." Ellie commented, twirling her hair around her finger.

Cait looked over towards Lily and frowned. She motioned towards Ellie behind her. "She's mental."

Lily laughed, walked up to Cait, and relieved her of one of the chocolate bars. "Thanks!"

Ellie walked up and took the remaining bar. "Thanks, Cait!" She hugged her and went back to her bed.

Cait glared. "Your welcome."

"How long do you reckon?"

"Hmm…I don't know. He has to leave at some point."

"Smashing! He's getting up."

"Excellent. We're in the clear. Let's go."

Sirius and Remus had been sitting in chairs in front of the fire. Since they'd begun the potion yesterday, they really hadn't found a good time to clue Peter in. James had been helping Peter with his Transfiguration homework, at a small table in the common room. They'd waited over an hour to finally get Peter alone. They'd have to be quick and informative. You never knew when James would pop up.

"Hey, Wormtail!" Sirius and Remus sat down quickly and looked around. They explained their plan to Peter and asked if he would like to be a part of it. He agreed and promised that he wouldn't tell anyone else.

"It should be done in the next 48 hours." Remus muttered quietly. "We'll plant the potion in their goblets at dinner. That way the potion will begin to take effect by morning."

Peter grinned. "Sounds like a plan to me."

Ellie was desperately trying to reach a book on an upper shelf. She grunted and extended her arm as far as it would go. With a sigh she lowered her arm and brushed the hair out of her eyes. She was about to go for a second attempt when an arm reached over her head and picked up the book she had been trying to reach. She turned around and found herself pinned between a body and a shelf of books. She looked up and saw Sirius thumbing through it lazily.

"I'll just take that." Ellie went to reach for it, but Sirius raised it higher into the air.

"What are you doing, Sirius?"

Sirius smirked. "Stretching."

Ellie rolled her eyes. "Can I have the book?" She reached up and swatted at the book, missing it by inches.

"What's the magic word?"

"Please?"

"No, but nice try. Thanks for playing!" Sirius raised his arm a little higher.

"What do I have to do in order to get the book?"

"I want a kiss."

"Excuse me?"

"You know what I mean." Sirius lowered his arm and dangled the book and inch from her head.

"Fine." Ellie reached up and grabbed it, holding onto it with both hands. She began to walk down the isle.

"What about my kiss?" Sirius called out.

Ellie turned around and smiled. "Silly me." With a smirk, she blew him a kiss.

"Cheater." Sirius said grinning.

Ellie winked at him before exiting the row.

Sirius slumped against the shelf and smiled. "I think I'm in love."

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