A/n: Here's Chapter Ten….thought I'd update real quick before I leave for four days to start planning my wedding. Hope you enjoy this chapter as much I enjoyed writing it!

Chapter Ten: Conversations on Love and Quidditch.

"These etiquette classes are a complete joke. But Alexander insists that they're necessary." Ada explained over breakfast. It was a matter of time before she had to let her two friends in on what was going on, or at least half of it.

"Taking classes from Dayaneria S'rendi is the joke." Lily remarked casually, leaving Ada and Claire a bit surprised with her. This was Lily Evans, defender of less fortunate at Hogwarts, including Severus Snape.

"Hear, Hear." Both girls replied loudly,before putting their goblets together before drinking their juice.

"Well, it's obvious they're having some sort of effect on you. You have changed Ada." Claire continued, while helping herself to some toast. In the weeks that passed since her first lesson, people were bound to notice some differences in Ada. Even professors were commenting on her new attitude.

"Yes. I just wish we knew a bit more about your uncle, doesn't it seem kind of odd that he'd finally want to see you after almost five years?" Lily interrupted while sharing a look with Claire. It was obvious that both of them had their doubts and probably discussed it many times before.

Ada shrugged at her friends comment. She had promised them that there would be no more secrets between them but she had also promised her brother that she'd never say a word about what they were planning. Anyways, Ada wanted nothing more than to protect her two closest friends, the less they knew, the better.

"We're happy for you regardless of the fact. But I was hoping you'd come stay with me for the holidays, my parents would love to meet you. And we'd have loads of fun torturing my sister." Lily added, smiling widely. That did sound like a great idea.

"I was going to ask you the same thing but the important thing is that you're not going back to that awful orphanage. And now that this subject is final, I think we should talk about you being in love with Rowan Alden."

"Boys. Is that all you think about Claire?"

"The majority of the time. I'm young, single and beautiful so why shouldn't I?"

"Not to mention big headed and conceited." Ada teased, while Lily snorted into her juice. Claire looked at both of her friends in shock, but it was soon replaced by a smile.

"Anyways, we're not talking about me. We're talking about Ada's love life. So tell me, how many snogging sessions have you have with Rowan?' Claire continued. In the past weeks, there had been a growing friendship between Ada and Rowan but nothing had grown from that. And although Claire had some weird theory involving the fact that Rowan had fallen head over heels in love with her magically, Ada couldn't help but wonder if he was being nice to her because of Alexander.

Well, since Ada won't admit to anything than maybe it won't matter that Rowan was just looking right at us." Both girls couldn't help but laugh as Ada had just betrayed her feelings by spilling her juice all over the table while trying to look over at him.

"HA HA very funny Lily. Nothing's happened at the moment. But he does look gorgeous in his quidditch uniform doesn't he?" Ada asked, while cleaning her spill. Both Claire and Lily nodding in agreement. Rowan was very popular at Hogwarts, not only was he very attractive but he was also smart and in Lily's words…"apparently" perfect.

"I have to admit he does look attractive, almost as cute as Mark…I don't believe it; he's walking right towards us."

"Sure he is. I'm not falling for this joke again." Ada replied, but this time Claire interrupted her.

"Lily's not joking this time. He's walking right toward us."

"HE IS? What do I do? What do I do?"

"Calm down. You have to act like you haven't noticed yet."

"Do I look alright?"

"Of course you do, now act uninterested." Lily said, as Rowan finally made his way to where the girls were sitting.

"Hi Rowan." Both girls said at the same time, while he took a seat next to Ada.

"Hi girls. Hi Ada." He replied, while looking at Ada, who had pretended to have just noticed him.

"Oh hi Rowan. Ready for the big game today? Today was the first quidditch match of they year. All the students had been anticipating the big match between Slytherin and Gryffindor.

"Of course. I've been waiting for this game for a long time now. You're going aren't you?"

"Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Great. I'd feel a lot better knowing that you're there. "I'll make sure to do my best my best today…just for you." Rowan added, in a whisper. Ada had to make sure she had just heard what she did. Or had she just made it up in her head?

"I'm sure you'll do fine." Ada replied, looking towards him. Rowan pulled a strand of hair behind her ear before replying…

"Well, I do want to impress you." For a moment it felt like it was just them and there was no one else around them. Ada felt like she was on cloud nine. Looking into his eyes, she had become oblivious to the fact that they were in the Great Hall, that Lily and Claire were sitting right in front of them and that a certain group of boys were headed right their way.

"What are you doing here Alden? This is our side of the Great Hall."

"Really Potter? Since when do you own the school?" Rowan stood from his seat, waking Ada from her daydream. And as always, it had to be James and Sirius who ruined it for her.

"You're right. I may not own the school, but I will own the game today." James replied, arrogantly. Ada noticed that both Rowan and James were pretty similar. They were roughly the same height and build, and both had the same amount of arrogance when it came to Quidditch. Sports always seem to bring the worst out of men.

"We'll see about that Potter." Rowan sneered before turning towards Ada once more, "I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to talk later Ada, especially over Christmas."

"Of course Rowan. Bye." Rowan began to make his way back to his own table but not before turning towards James one last time.

"Let's see how well you can back up that mouth on the quidditch field Potter. Seeing as you won't have your friends with you." Rowan added before leaving.

"I can still win without my friends, Alden. But I'd like to see beat me without cheating this time." James added, before taking a seat between Claire and Lily, who was pretending to be highly interested in her eggs and toast.

"Was that necessary James?' Ada replied, a bit put off with his attitude. At least Sirius didn't take part in the argument or it might've turned out worse. Speaking of him, Sirius hadn't said a word the whole time, which was completely out of character for him. Sulking, he took the seat next to Ada without saying a word.

"Of course it was. This is quidditch by the way I wouldn't expect you ladies to understand how it works. But I'd much rather like to talk about why Alden was sitting here." James replied; while Claire smacked him over the head for his previous comment.

"He stopped to say hello to Ada. There's nothing wrong with that Potter." Lily added, angrily, While James ruffled his hair obviously trying to impress her.

"So who are you supporting today Ada? You're not going to turn into a traitor are you?"

"Of course not Peter Pettigrew. I'm supporting James all the way." Ada replied, just because she liked Rowan Alden didn't mean she was going to betray her own house. Boys were so stupid sometimes. "But I really wish you boys would keep the animosity to yourselves while I'm around. Because the next time you embarrass me there'll be hell to pay."

"And who are you supporting miss "I'm dating a Ravenclaw who happens to be Head Boy?" James snapped, obviously annoyed by the memory of Lily and her new boyfriend.

"What kind of stupid question is that? Of course I'm supporting Gryffindor." Lily retorted, while everyone shared a look, wondering when the bickering would begin again. The best thing to do would be to change the subject before either one of them lost their temper.

"Is your mother feeling better Remus?' Ada asked smiling towards her right, where Remus was sitting. For a moment she had wondered if she should talk to Sirius first but he didn't seem talkative today, more along of the lines of biting someone's head off if they even looked at him.

"She's doing loads better. Thank you for asking." Remus replied, stealing her last piece of bacon. Not that it mattered. After a brief silence, Ada noticed that despite the fact that he looked worn out and tired, Remus had that familiar twinkle in his eye that meant he probably knew something she didn't.

"So when did the both of you start dating?"

"We're not dating." Ada answered, surprised at how quickly the words came out of her mouth. It also didn't help that Sirius had finally shown signs that he was still alive and breathing. But it wasn't just Sirius who was intently paying attention to her. Everyone had stopped, curious to find out her answer.

"Aww…come on Ada…don't be so modest." Claire laughed, attempting to break the silence.

"There's nothing to be modest about. He hasn't asked me out so that means we aren't dating. We're just friends." For years, Ada had dreamed about telling the world that she was with Rowan Alden. But not today. It didn't feel right mentioning it in front of the boys. But the funny thing was; why did she even care? It's not like they didn't know how she felt about Rowan; they had teased her for years about it. But it was different now.

"Well, the slimy git obviously has some sort of plan with you. Unless he wants to get some information to sabotage our game today. What do you think boys?" James asked thoughtfully.

"Is there anything else you ever talk about besides Quidditch, you're giving me a headache already."

"Sure I do Evans." James laughed, turning towards Lily. "I talk about you." He added, blowing her a kiss. Everyone laughed, while Lily rolled her eyes.

"What about you grumpy? You're awfully quiet today." Ada asked turning towards, Sirius. His attitude was starting to worry her. Yesterday they were having some good laughs at Snivelly's expense in the common room and today he wouldn't even look at her. Ada was absolutely positive she didn't do anything to annoy him.

"Why don't you stop beating around the bush and tell me what the hell is going on with Alden?" Everything turned tense as everyone looked at Sirius and Ada in shock. But no one was as surprised as Ada at the moment.

"We're just friends Sirius. What's it to you anyway?" She replied. She was both annoyed and confused at his attitude. First he tells her he's not jealous and then he snaps at her like she owes him an explanation! She didn't own him any explanations, especially after he ruined her last date. But before he could say anything, it was Claire who answered his question.

"They're friends now. But it's only a matter of time before they're officially dating."

The sound of a fist hitting the table interrupted the short silence that followed Claire's reply. Sirius rose from his seat angrily…

"You better win today James. Because if you don't I'm killing him." He growled, leaving the Great Hall without another word.

"What is it with him?" She asked partly to herself as her eyes followed him until she couldn't see him anymore. Finally turning towards the rest of her friends, Ada noticed that James, Remus and Peter were obviously worried at his reaction while Lily looked indifferent. Claire however, looked beside herself in anger…or was it sadness?

Did Claire know something they didn't? Or was she angry at the fact that Sirius had ignored her once more? Honestly Ada didn't know. But she was sure she'd find out soon enough. Both Claire and Sirius were horrible at hiding their emotions and one of them was bound to explain themselves first. Her bet was on Claire.

"Is he mad at me James?" Ada couldn't help but wonder deep down inside if she did something wrong without noticing. Deep down, Ada knew how much it hurt her to see him angry. Because despite all the bickering, he had always been there for her. Ada felt lucky to consider him her friend.

"I don't know. But I'm sure he'll be back to his old self soon. Wish me luck at the game?"

"Like you need it. But promise me you won't kill Rowan today at the game?"

"Well, I can't really guarantee anything Ada…"

"JAMES!"

"Alright, Alright I promise."

"You'll be there too right Maynard? Evans?" James asked before leaving, his eyes fixed on Lily and her reaction.

"We'll be there." Lily replied, while Claire, simply shrugged; now looking sad after Sirius's reaction earlier. As the boys made their way outside, Remus lingered behind for a bit.

"James is right Ada. Don't worry about Sirius. I'd be more worried about Claire if I were you." Remus said, leaning towards Ada. Nothing ever seemed to get by him. Sometimes it seemed as if he knew everything.

"Alright, but Claire will be fine too. I'm sure of it"

Next Chapter: So what the hell is Sirius' problem? We'll find out next time just as he discovers something new…Please Review!