A/N: Hope everyone had a great Christmas and a new year! Sorry the chapter took so long but I had a case of the writers block and since I started planning my wedding it took up a bit of my time…but behold….here is chapter eight! I still don't own Harry Potter only the characters in my own imagination…LOL. Enjoy!

Chapter Eight: Dating and its Dilemmas.

While on their way to meet their prospective dates at Hogsmeade both Ada and Claire spent their time having fun, while Lily nervously got ready for her date with Mark Johnson, Hogwarts' Head Boy. It wasn't that Claire and Ada didn't care much for their upcoming dates; Claire had always been a bit on the crazy side. Ada, was just plain happy. After hearing her brother's news about Christian Deleon, she felt like her old self again. Nothing could bring her down from the good mood she was in. In fact, for the last five minutes, both Claire and Ada were chasing each other across the Hogsmeade grounds while Lily kept changing her hairstyle with her wand.

"Leave it down Lily it looks nice like that." Ada said slightly out of breath as she stopped for a moment to gather her breath.

"Do you really think so? What about makeup?" It was obvious, Lily really liked Mark Johnson. Ada knew that they had been in contact all summer when Mark had asked her out last day of school.

"Simple. You don't want him to think you're trying too hard to impress him now do we? Claire replied. Both Ada and Lily proceeded to laugh as Claire tripped over a tree branch for not paying attention to where she was going.

It was so nice being with Lily and Claire like this, forgetting about the war, about the pact, about boys. Well at least stupid ones like Rowan Alden. Or Sirius Black in Claire's case. Lily finished fixing her hair, apparently satisfied with her look. But to her friends, she looked as stunning as she always did.

"Mark is going to be speechless when he sees you."

"You really think so Ada?" Lily smiled, as soon as Ada nodded her approval. Claire on the other hand, looked lost in thought for a moment. "Someone is being more quiet than usual." Lily added, watching her best friend.

"I wonder who Sirius is going with." Claire sighed; Both Ada and Lily shared a look that told them they were thinking the exact same thing. Had Claire finally fallen in love? With Sirius Black of all people?

"He's going alone. I asked him at detention" It didn't take long for Ada to feel a bit guilty for what she had wanted to do the other night. Another good reason for forgetting it ever happened. Besides, Sirius had been acting like nothing happened, why shouldn't she do the same?

"He's going alone? What else did you talk about? Did he say anything about me? YOU HAVE TO TELL ME!" Ada could be pretty sure this was the moment one of her best friends had completely gone insane.

"Claire. Listen to me." Lily replied calmly, grabbing her friend by the shoulders. "You could do so much better than him. You have everything going for you while he's annoying and immature. So I suggest you breathe deeply and enjoy your date while Ada and I will pretend we never heard what you said."

"But it's not that easy! There's just something about him that intrigues me. And it seems that no matter how much I try he won't even give me a second glance." Claire Maynard looked frustrated for once in her life. She had gotten every boy she had ever wanted, except him. "Ada, promise me you'll help me."

"I promise but to tell you the truth I really don't what to do. If I knew, I'd be going out with Rowan Alden." Ada replied, looking towards the ground. She sure knew how Claire felt at the moment.

"Look. Let's not think about this today alright? Claire, eventually you're going to forget all about Sirius and realize that he's not worth all your energy and as for you Ada, you'll find someone so amazing that it will make Rowan seem like a flobberworm compared to him." While Claire's excitement was always contagious, Lily always had the ability to make things seem so much simpler and better than they always thought.

Both Ada and Claire couldn't help but smile at their friend. "Merlin! I'm late for my date with Mark!" She added, running ahead of her friends.

"Here's to a new year of adventures!" Peter exclaimed, holding up his butterbeer in the air. "Fifth year is going to be our best one yet!"

"Right you are Peter. I would also like to add that this will be another great quidditch season in which we'll pummel Slytherin once more. And Evans will be my girl this year I promise!" James added, standing up from his chair. The boys had met up in the Three Broomsticks before James promised to meet up with his date later on. The rest of the boys had all decided to go alone and hang out together the rest of the day.

"To another great year in which we will receive perfect OWLS and hopefully we'll finish our special project, the one that has to do with my furry little problem." Remus Lupin added, while James and Sirius couldn't help but smile at his final comment.

"And as for me…" Sirius added, clearing his voice before continuing and standing up with his friends. "To a year where we will teach that git Snivellus not to mess with us for once for all and we will get into as much trouble as we can without getting expelled. We're going to be well on our way to becoming legends at Hogwarts!"

All four boys put their glasses together before drinking it. They had high hopes for their new year at Hogwarts, but no one more than Sirius Black. Every moment at Hogwarts seemed like heaven to him compared to Grimmauld Place. He had found the best friends he could ever ask for. They were able to look past his last name and see him as someone special. Deep down inside Sirius also knew that this would be an amazing year, he didn't know exactly how, but he couldn't shake off the feeling that this year would change his life. Now if only he had some firewhisky to celebrate with instead of butterbeer!

"Well I guess I should be going then. I'm supposed to meet Jennifer at Honeydukes. Wait a moment…is that Evans?" All three friends looked outside the window as a laughing Lily walked by, holding hands with the head boy.

"With Mark Johnson. I didn't know they were dating." Remus answered softly, attempting to gently cushion the blow that James had just received. Sirius looked at his best friend but it was hard to decipher what was going through his mind at the moment.

"It's not like I really care. See you later guys." James replied, leaving the Three Broomsticks in a considerably worse mood than when he had first walked in.

"Guess it's just the three of us now. Where should we do first?"

"Ruin Evans and Mark Johnson's date?" Sirius asked hoping Remus would agree with him. Of course, the look he was just giving him didn't look like he would agree anytime soon. Oh well, there must be something to do? He could always go bother Ada for a while. She was probably bored to death with Jeremy Sinclair anyway.

"I really think that this is something James has to deal with on his own. We can't interfere; besides, she'd probably think James sent us to ruin her date." Remus replied. "Although I wouldn't mind knocking some sense into her sometimes."

Just then, Sirius caught sight of Ada walking into the Three Broomsticks with Jeremy Sinclair. Now this wasn't right! Ada didn't seem bored out of her mind; she was actually having a good time. Ada was smiling as Jeremy pulled out a chair for her to sit down. It seemed that Jeremy did know a thing or two about dating a girl.

And what seemed as the perfect opportunity to have some fun didn't seem funny anymore. His excitement was replaced by a strange new feeling. For a moment, Sirius imagined himself sitting with Ada, making her smile just for him. All of the sudden, his desire for making fun of Jeremy Sinclair had turned into a strong desire to wipe that smirk of his face with a few well done hexes.

"Sirius are you ready to leave?" Peter asked, as he finished his butterbeer.

"You go ahead Peter I'll catch up with you."

"You're not going to do anything stupid are you?" Sirius glanced over at Remus, who was clearly observing him. Sometimes, Remus knew too much for his own good.

"Me? Of course not." Remus and Peter made their way outside but not before Remus glanced at Sirius once more, shook his head and left. Now that he was out of the picture Sirius could do whatever he wanted, and since he couldn't ruin Lily Evan's date for his friends sake he could do something far better.

Ada was surprised at how much fun she was having with Jeremy Sinclair as soon as she set her mind to it. Not only was he a nice boy but he was very intelligent and a complete gentleman. Well, after he stopped acting like a fool in front of her. For the last two hours they had talked about everything and even shared a joke or two before stopping for a drink at the Three Broomsticks. But as soon as Ada was about to begin telling a joke they were interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Three Butterbeers on the house." Sirius exclaimed, slamming the butterbeers in the middle of the table, and almost breaking the bottles. Both Ada and Jeremy looked at him in surprise.

"Hey Sirius." Jeremy said, happily drinking his butterbeer. Ada on the other hand didn't look quite too happy to see him.

"What are you doing here Sirius Black?"

"What? I can't stop and say hi to one of my friends during her date?" Sirius asked, while taking the seat right in between Ada and Jeremy.

"Yes. But are you planning on saying hello to us all day?" She whispered; making sure that Jeremy was other wise occupied at the moment. Sirius drank some more before whispering in her ear.

"If I have to. Who else is going to save you from your date?"

"I don't need saving from anything." Ada replied, politely taking a sip of her butterbeer. She didn't understand what Sirius was trying to play at by sitting with her but Ada wasn't about to find out.

"Fair enough. So, what can you tell me about Lily Evans and Mark Johnson?" Sirius asked, titling his chair slightly.

"Did James put you up to this? Because I don't plan on telling you anything!" Here she was thinking for a moment that Sirius might've been interested in talking to her, but it was about James…it was always about James.

"You wound me Kensington." He replied, putting a hand over his heart in a tragic manner. He could see the corners of her mouth twitching slightly. It was hard for her not to laugh at his jokes, no matter how dumb they were.

"Now if you'll excuse us…" she added, getting up from her seat. "Jeremy, can we talk a walk around Hogsmeade…privately

"Of course Ada. Guess we'll see you later Sirius." Jeremy smiled, as he walked Ada outside. "Thanks for the butterbeer!"

The nerve of her! Just leaving him stranded like that! Well is she wanted to play than Sirius was more than ready to beat her at her own game….Looking outside he could see they were walking towards Zonko's joke shop. He couldn't but smile at how much fun he would be having today.

"Ada? Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"Well I don't mean to pry into your personal life and it's alright if you don't answer me but do you have something going on with Sirius Black?"

"No! Definitely not! Why would you even think that?" Ada asked, appalled at Jeremy's question. Sure they were friends but dating? You have got to be kidding!

"Because he's following us."

"Well if is isn't the lovebirds again! What a coincidence finding the both of you here!" Sirius yelled, catching everyone's attention. As soon as he caught up to the both of them he began to walk to right in between Jeremy and Ada, an arm around each of them as they continued to walk towards Zonko's.

"What are you trying to do? Embarrass me?" Ada said, exasperatedly.

"Of course not kid. What kind of a person do you take me for?" Sirius had to pat himself on the back later. It was so easy to get her mad that it wasn't even fair.

"It's alright Ada calm down." Jeremy interrupted, just as they reached the entrance to Zonko's. He looked more worried about having Ada try to kill Sirius Black than anything else.

"So what's the problem then Black? Jealous that I have a date and you don't? Or maybe you're jealous because you'd rather be my date?" Ada smirked, ignoring the fact that Jeremy was there.

"Don't flatter yourself kid, I don't get jealous." Sirius replied. "Besides, you're like my little sister, why wouldn't I want to watch out for you." So this is reason he'd been following her all day? Not jealousy but because he saw her as some kind of helpless child? That was his answer after he tried to kiss her the other night? Or was it Ada that wanted to kiss him? She honestly didn't know, but that didn't matter at the moment.

"I'm going to tell you this once so make sure it sticks. I already have a brother so I don't need you! LEAVE ME ALONE YOU ATTENTION SEEKING GIT!" Ada yelled, before storming off in the opposite direction.

Sirius watched her leave for a moment. He didn't expect her to get that mad. But as always, his feelings of guilt were soon replaced by laughter; Ada was always a good laugh when she got angry.

"Girls…I swear. It's probably that time of the month." Sirius shrugged as he looked at Ada's date . Jeremy just sat there shaking his head. Maybe it was time to give up on Ada. He was now absolutely positive something was going on between them.

"The both are you are mental." Jeremy sighed before walking away.

Ada continued to mutter as she walked away from both boys. Why did he have to get on her nerves like that today? She should've known he was just trying to have some fun at her expense. In fact, Ada was so distracted by her own thoughts that she didn't notice a familiar face right in front of her.

"Be careful." A voice said grabbing Ada before she could bump into him.

"I'm so sorry, See I was just thinking about something and I didn't notice you…" Ada paused, as she was now at a loss for words. It was Rowan Alden whom she had just crossed paths with. Not only that but he was talking to her! Like a normal human being!

"Don't worry about it Ada. Maybe I'll see you around sometime?" Rowan asked as he continued to walk away. His date was no where to be found. Hopefully things had turned for the worst with whoever it was.

"Sure. I'll be around!" She replied, waving goodbye at his retreating figure. All her thoughts about Sirius black and the kiss that never happened disappeared from her mind as she continued to watch Rowan, the boy she had liked since her first year at Hogwarts.

"I'll be around? I'm such an idiot." Ada said to herself as she began to look to Lily and Claire. Although half of her wished she would've said something smart or funny it didn't matter. She was right! As soon as she found herself another date Rowan would be sure to talk to her! It had finally happened…

Next Chapter: Besides reviewing their clues for what happened the night their parents died, Ada begins her training. Will they discover something new? Will Ada and S'rendi kill each other or will Alex get them to work together before that happens? Please Review…How else am I going to know if anyone is interested in this story?