After that day, it was quite clear that Lily would be joining the boys on their excursion to Diagon Alley beginning six days later. Both she and James had been on some cloud for the days following Petunia and Vernon's wedding. Sirius had to jostle James out of his dream world too many times than he cared to count. He was eager to get to Diagon Alley and see someone besides this love-struck James. Sirius was restless for another reason. He hadn't seen Dorcas in four weeks despite the countless attacks since then. James told him that he missed her. James' brain was damaged by an unhealthy amount of day-dreaming about Lily Evans.

The day before they were to depart the Potter Mansion, a large tawny owl brought two letters bearing a H.

"Those will be your Hogwarts letters boys," Geraldine Potter said, as the four were sitting at the long table in the dining room for breakfast.

Sirius opened his in between bites of poached eggs. It was exactly what he had expected: a letter, a book list. There was, however, another notice about the Leaver's Ball at the end of the year and a pamphlet about why an of-age wizard should finish school. Sirius threw the papers to the side of his plate and kept eating.

"Is that what I think it is, son?" Douglas Potter said excitedly.

Sirius looked up. Mr. and Mrs. Potter were both glancing expectantly over their glasses. James looked dumbfounded. His jaw had dropped. In one hand were the same papers Sirius had received. In his left hand was a shiny badge. James was staring at it.

"Alright James?" Sirius asked.

"I'm Head Boy," James said; still staring at the badge. "I was sure it would be Moony or Bradley."

The Potters both burst up and hurried around the table so they could hug James from both sides. James looked at Sirius. Sirius smiled. "Good week, huh Potter?"

James smiled hugely and nodded.

The first few days at Diagon Alley were blissful for the five friends. James and Lily had burst into a snogging session in front of the rest of them when they saw each other; exclaiming about how wonderful it was they were Head Boy and Girl. Remus had cleared his throat loudly three times before they stopped. Sirius and James told everyone about their summer adventures, especially Sirius' discovery of a new brand of firewiskey. Remus told them about his trip to Madagascar; where werewolves are everywhere. Peter had spent the summer pranking his little sister and told them of his successes and failures. He would never try a shocking spell in the bathroom again.

On their six day, in between shopping and playing tricks on shopkeepers, Sirius, Remus, and Peter were sitting in front of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor enjoying the sun and the free sundaes that Sirius was able to get from the girl at the counter.

"7th year," Remus said. "Sure went by fast, didn't it?"

Sirius smiled, basking in the pale English sun. "Yeah, it did."

"Depressing really," Peter frowned at the remains of his ice cream.

"Relax Wormtail," Sirius rolled his eyes. "We've still got one more year, and it'll be the best one yet. With James as Head Boy, can you imagine all the things we'll be able to get away with?"

"With James snogging Lily, do you think they'll even notice?" Remus laughed.

Sirius laughed, leaning back in his chair, stretching his legs and crossing his ankles. Suddenly a figure caught his eye. He sat up suddenly, like a dog who had just smelled something.

She was walking out of Flourish and Blotts carrying a parcel. He immediately knew that walk: her shoulders back so far it was almost ridiculous, her head held a little too high, her strides just a bit too long. And the expression on her face: a mysterious half-smile.

Sirius stood and almost ran to Dorcas. When he reached her, he couldn't help but smile hugely. "Where have you been?" he asked, throwing his arms around her.

"Hello Sirius," she said; smiling a little and ducking out of his embrace as quickly as possible.

"Hello," he said; his face betraying his confusion at this greeting. "Well, where have you been?"

"How's the end of your summer been?" she asked, intent on changing the subject.

"Fine," he said, shrugging. "Lily and James are finally dating."

"That's nice," she said quickly and a little nervously. "I'm glad."

Sirius stuck his tongue between his teeth and narrowed his eyes.

"And how are Remus and Peter?" she asked when she saw this reaction; glancing at the table Sirius had popped up from.

"Fine," he shrugged, disregarding the question. Then he tried again, "I wondered why you never came back."

Her eyes flickered away from the table to the side of the building they were standing next to. "I…I…" she threw her shoulders back farther and tossed her head, shaking hair off of her shoulders."I didn't need to see you."

Sirius felt as if someone had just shouted "Avada Kedavra" at him. All the air left him. Out of pure resolve, he managed to get the words out.

"Oh good, me neither. Just wondering."

She smiled desperately and nodded. "Good. I'm glad to hear it."

The last thing Sirius expected to happen happened. Cade Bradley walked out of Flourish and Blotts and stood behind Dorcas. Then he put his hands on her shoulders. She turned her head and looked at him.

"I got the book," he smiled at her. "They had a little difficulty finding Pride and Prejudice, but one of the clerks has a muggle cousin."

"Thanks," she murmured, as he leaned down and kissed her on the lips. Sirius' fists suddenly became so tightly clenched that his knuckles were white.

"Bradley," he said through his teeth; nodding.

"Hi Black," Cade flashed an insincere smile.

Sirius was now so angry that he knew it was only a matter of time before he punched Cade Bradley right in the mouth that had just kissed Dorcas.

"Sirius," Remus came up behind him and placed a calming hand on Sirius' shoulder. "We've got to go. We're meeting Lily and James in five minutes."

Sirius took a deep breath. "It was nice to see you Dorcas," he said; walking away as Remus led. A few steps later, he turned his head to look back at them. Bradley was at Dorcas' side as they walked to the Leaky Cauldron. As he watched them, she looked up at him. Her eyes were unreadable, but he held them for a few seconds before Remus told him to hurry up.

The Marauders' last train ride to Hogwarts was nothing like any of the previous six. First of all, James wasn't there. He was up in the front of the train in the Head Boy and Girl's private compartment. And although he promised he'd come sit with them, he didn't. Lily Evans' charms far trumped anything Sirius, Remus, or Peter could, or for that matter would, do for James. They weren't bitter really. James had been after this girl for years. But the whole thing was just strange; a quarter of them missing. Sirius felt as if he'd lost his right arm.

On the way to the loo, he met Dorcas. She avoided his gaze and passed him, but he had turned on his heel and shouted after her. "Why would you get back together with him?"

She turned around slowly; her body straightening and tightening. "I like him."

"But you've been shagging me for months."

"I told you what that was," she said calmly. "It was just sex."

"Of all people, Dorcas," he shook his head and walked closer to her. "Why him?"

She was suddenly very interested in the door of the compartment nearest them. "I don't know. I guess I wanted a real, mature relationship and he was there."

Sirius scowled and pushed past her.

How dare Dorcas Meadowes insinuate that he, Sirius Black, couldn't have a mature relationship. Sirius Black could do anything. He was nearly growling when someone ran into him a little way down the train. He looked up.

"Sorry," Emily Flagg smiled broadly at him and laughed in a self-deprecating way. "I'm a klutz; I never see where I'm going."

He smiled as she bumbled. "It's alright. I wasn't looking either. How was your summer?"

"Very nice," she said in a chipper way. "My entire family visited Portugal. It was beautiful."

"Sounds very nice."

Emily smiled and went on, rather enthusiastically, about Portugal. Sirius sized her up as she spoke. She was a little on the short side, but she did have glorious long strait blonde hair and relatively large breasts (larger than Dorcas' anyway). Her face was nice enough: big, excited honey eyes and a brilliant complexion. The rest of her features were rather non-descript, but by no means unattractive. And she had a very charming smile. She would do.

"Has anyone ever told you how beautiful your eyes are?" he asked, walking closer to her.

She immediately looked at her shoes; blushing. "I've heard about your lines, Sirius, and I won't fall for them."

It was quite obvious, however, that the lines were working.

"Can we duck into these empty compartments to finish this talk? We might be blocking traffic."

She looked around for a second and then, shyly, nodded.

The minute they were inside the compartment, Sirius was kissing her. It took all of ten minutes before the whole thing was over. Emily certainly seemed to enjoy herself, but Sirius had felt awful the minute it was over. Really awful. His stubborn streak, however, forced him to go on with the plan he had hatched the minute he'd realized it was Emily Flagg he'd bumped into.

"Emily," he said as he handed her back her yellow and black striped tie. "I was thinking that maybe you could be my girlfriend."

The minute Sirius said this, it felt completely wrong. Emily, however, didn't think it sounded wrong. She jumped up into Sirius' arms kissing him sloppily on the mouth. "I'd love to be your girlfriend," she giggled.

Sirius nodded. "Good."

She jumped down, exclaiming that she had to go tell her friends. Sirius was glad to hear it and hoped it wouldn't be too long before Dorcas Meadowes found out that he, Sirius Black, was now in a committed, mature relationship. Sirius ignored the fact that this whole thing felt completely immature.