It's been a couple days since I animated the Marauder's Map. There were still a few kinks to work on but overall it's been functioning to a satisfactory level….that maybe an understatement to the two pranksters however. Blue fizz, Whizz poppers, Itching powder and a thousand other tricks have been played since that day and hence their game of tag with Filch has been in record breaking action.

A drunken laughter could be heard echoing from down the hall.

"Oh no" before I could cast a locking spell a certain messy haired individual busted into my '2 week prison cell' slamming the door with the tail of his broom.

"Cover me?" although that seemed more like a demand than a plea.

He zipped up to the rafters.

"WHERE IS HE!" the caretaker demanded breaking down the door.

"I'm sorry but who?" I feigned innocence.

"Don't play dumb with me girl. I know your little boyfriend is in here, otherwise why did the door slam shut?" he grinned at his detective skills showing rows of uneven yellow teeth. I stopped myself from reeling at the odour that followed.

"Oh that must have been the wind. This place seemed like it needed airing so I took the liberty of opening some windows. I gestured to the absence of glass.

He grumbled, eyeing me for a tell tale sign of a lie before cursing in defeat. "Well you better close 'em up before the snowstorm or you'll be getting an extra month of detention."

"Yes sir" I saluted before he hobbled off to find his perpetrators.

When all was silent again Sirius glided down bringing with him a hail of dust. "SIIRUS" I hissed.

"Looks like you missed a spot" he floated over to the side a couple feet before landing, as not to touch the filth he suddenly became allergic to.

"Get out" I pointed and shoved "I'm not going to risk an extension on my sentence. Now leave"

"But honey I can explain~" he whined, dropping heavily against me.

"Honey?!" I let go and he collapsed like a poorly constructed building

"Yes~" he fluttered his eyes from where he lay.

"Since when?" I interrogated.

"Since Filch called us out."

"HAH you wish. I've got more class than that."

"Aww but who else could fill those shoes but dear ol me?"

"Oh I dunno a well read, model student who doesn't drag me into his problems and certainly not some ridiculous messy miscreant" I answered airily.

"Okay well now I'm hurt" He placed a hand daintily on his chest and gave a pout…."wait you're serious?!"

"About the whole miscreant thing? Yes" I stretched out on the table I had perched upon, realising my shoulders and legs have become stiff from the hours of dusting.

"No you actually like someone?!" he rushed over slamming both hands on either side of my head a glimmer in his eyes.

"wha- no- Where did you get that idea?" I stuttered, my face blowing up full force.

"Oh blimey you do. You have to tell me. Is it Arnie Blackswell? Leon Snyde? OH oh it's Maverick Pend isn't it. I know you've been eyeing him in potions class" he listed, but there was definitely someone he knew very well in fact, that fit my description.

"Sirius get off!"

"Not until you tell me" he sulked like a spoiled child slowly applying more weight.

"Sirius you're crushing my ribs" I gasped

"Well that's your fault."

"That doesn't even make any sense. Now get off me before I Confringo your balls" and with that last threat he straightened himself up.

"My, what colourful language. I don't believe the gentlemen you speak of would appreciate such a crass nature"

"Ugh only you would be able to get me to say such things" I huffed still red but now he couldn't tell if that was from anger, suffocation or embarrassment. "Now get out before I grab Filch myself."

"But I have something important to tell yoooou"

"I am not going to help you with yet another prank. I have assignments to study for and these two weeks punishment is enough already"

"No it's not that."

"Nope, I don't want to hear anymore out of you."

"I swear it's not a prank."

"Ouuuut!"

"It's about Remus"

"Please don't drag him into your messes" I stopped poking him towards the door and he immediately made a beeline back to the table.

"Look, see here," he unfolded the unholy parchment and pointed to a set of names "Remus Lupin" and "Lily Evans". The pair of footprints were making steady progress towards the Gryffindor Common Room.

"Yeah, what's your point exactly?" I raised an irritated eyebrow.

"What? Can't you see?" he indicated desperately tapping his finger on the page.

"What I SEE is a stalker who is spying on his friends."

"Hey I'm no stalker. I just keep tabs on where they go, where they hang who they hang out with the- Oh"

"Uh huh."

"Well I'm doing it for their own good."

"Aaaand that's supposed to justify everything?"

"Of course," he grinned, "what kind of friend would I be if I didn't?"

"A respectful one?"

"Not the point. You see Remus has a crippling condition where he keeps all his feelings to himself and as a GOOD friend I'm going to help him, and as MYY GOOD-" I glared at him still vexed. He sighed internally at his renounced title. A lot of bribery will be needed to win back my good side. "Okay as HIS good friend you're also going to help him."

"Nope. Nuh Uh. Not happening. I'm not about to help you make Remus a victim to your schemes."

"But what about the Marauder's pact?" He gave me the puppy dog eyes.

"We never made a pact. James just appointed us friends on the train."

"But you want Remus to be happy don't you? He's such a recluse."

It was true. Most of the time the boy spent his days in the library studying up for the next exam or in the common room with his head buried in a book. I should know, he's my prime study partner.

"So you're saying that he's in love with Lily?"

The messy miscreant nodded his head vigorously.

I sighed…It would be nice if Remus actually conversed with the rest of us and not just give Sirius and James tips on the explosive power of Fizzpoppers or dish out facts to give Peter a heart attack for the prior's amusement.

"Fiiine" I agreed after much deliberation.

"You mean it!" he lit up like a child on Christmas.

"Don't make me regret it" I warned.

"Of course not. Now first up on our agenda is the amortentia potion."

"Wait! What! You're going to drug our friends?!"

"…I mean that's an idea..."

"SIRIUS!"

"I'm joking, we're only going to make them smell it. Then they'll realise just how much they like each other."

"…It's still going to take me a couple days to research-"

He whipped out a sheet of parchment with some scrawls on it.

"I already got the ingredients covered."

"Wait, how did you?"

"Snuck into the restricted section a couple nights ago" he shrugged.

"I shouldn't have asked. Actually I should be more surprised that you read a book."

"It was gruesome work. Painstakingly hard in fact. I think my brain was going to give out and Filch would find me on the floor the next day" he dramatised "but it's my duty as his best friend to give him the best shot at a once in a lifetime love….You know If you tell me-"

"No"

"Oh come on I'll be a great wingman!"