A/N: Written for the The Quidditch League Fanfiction Competition, Round 3 : What's Your Name, Man? Alexander Hamilton. His name is Alexander Hamilton.

Many thanks to my wonderful teammates CaptainScorose, TolkienScholar, and VivacePhoenix27 for Beta-reading!

Team: Falmouth Falcons

Position: Keeper

Prompt: A lyric from "Satisfied", write about unrequited feelings.

Lyric: So this is what it feels like to match wits with someone at your level?

Word Count: 2952

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

It was a relief for Sirius that his choice of restaurant wasn't a disaster. It was actually the perfect place to celebrate a wedding. He wished Lily and James had given him more than a day to set everything up; he didn't even know where to start. Sirius had asked a random, posh-looking Muggle for the best restaurant in London which would host a small gathering, and this was what they had come up with. All things considered, it was a beautiful church wedding and dinner party.

"It's time for the toasts." Sirius interrupted the light chatter after everyone had finished their dessert. Peter gave him a confused look; it wasn't like Sirius to be so solemn. Do you expect me to make jokes? "Traditionally, wedding toasts are done by the best man, the maid of honour, and family...There is a huge admiring crowd listening to them tell stories of the happy couple's life and love. But in these sobering circumstances, a lot of people who would have loved to be here couldn't make it."

Sirius looked around at the newlyweds and the other three attendants of the wedding party: Peter, Remus and the maid of honour, Marlene McKinnon. Everyone looked subdued at the mention of the friends and family who were either in hiding, lost, dead, or presumed dead. Moreover, trust was at an all-time low, and fear of unwitting guests leading Death-Eaters to their location was an undeniable possibility. Neither set of parents was in attendance, as the Evanses were killed two weeks ago in a car-crash and the old Potters sent their happy wishes from their sick bed as they battled a severe case of Dragon Pox. They insisted that the young couple should no longer wait for the possibility of a happier time for their union and should, instead, provide everyone with a reason for hope and celebration. And celebrate they will, I'll make sure of it.

Sirius watched Lily lean into her new husband's embrace. He knew that she was ready for whatever the future held for them. As her bright emerald eyes met Sirius's, he promised himself to never forget that moment. There was a lot Lily said with her eyes. She was telling him that they were family. She was telling him how happy she was, how hopeful. Even though the world was burning around them, even though Lily had just married his best friend, Sirius felt satisfied. Because for that moment, it was them, Lily and Sirius, a moment that they only shared.

Rewind. Rewind

1971, Hogwarts Library

"Black?"

"Evans? What are you doing at Hogwarts?" His question wouldn't be answered until years later when her sister married her despicable boyfriend. Lily would rather miss Christmas with her family than be in the same room as Vernon Dursley.

"What are you doing in the library, Black?" she countered with a smirk. "Didn't know you knew the way."

"I need a good sticking charm," he answered honestly. "Care to help me find one?"

Sirius watched as Lily struggled with her impulses; everyone knew she had a 'helping people thing'. "No way, Black! I am not going to be an accessory to your stupid pranks!"

"But Evans, there isn't anyone at Hogwarts I'd like to prank at the moment," Sirius told her with a laugh.

She knew exactly who he was talking about, but decided to not rise to the bait. Lily folded her hands and returned his easy smile."Maybe if you tell me what you need it for, I would know which one would work best."

"Huh?"

"I said, if you tell me what —"

"No no, I heard you the first time, " he interrupted. "I mean, you would really help me? I was just joking!"

Lily gave an annoyed huff and started to leave.

"Wait, it's for my brother."

"Really?" Her voice was dripping with disbelief, but she allowed him to continue.

"He likes stars," Sirius explained "I'm making him a globe of a starry night. I need a charm to make the stars stay put and not fly around…" Why are you telling this to Evans, Sirius?

"How about I show it to you?"

And thus began a beautiful friendship. With Lily's help, the globe became an accurate representation of all the stars in the sky that could be rotated with the touch of a hand. The stars not only stayed put, but sparkled. Previous animosity forgotten, the two Gryffindors had a wonderful Christmas. So this is what it feels like to match wits with someone at your level? They talked everyday. Sirius was fascinated with everything the Muggles had achieved. They have even been to the moon!

In turn, Sirius amused Lily with impressions of his crazy relatives. Lily laughed and giggled at what Sirius had to say about the topsy-turvy pureblood wizarding society. It was like finding your soulmate. Sirius couldn't wait for his friends to come back to Hogwarts! They would love Lily!

If Sirius was smart, he would have realised that his little friendship would become a half-forgotten memory when classes resumed.

Because James and Snape returned to Hogwarts.

1974, History of Magic classroom

"This one is mine," James declared.

Sirius rolled his eyes without looking up from his transfiguration essay; there was no question who he was talking about. Lily Evans. "Just as long as I get every other bird in our class, deal?" he joked in response.

James paid no mind. "I think I'm in love with her," he proclaimed reverently.

"Hate to tell you this mate, but Evans hates us." Sirius feigned indifference, but it hurt that things had turned out this way.

"I will change her mind," James declared. "So, as I was saying…"

"Yes, James," Sirius allowed, "you hold supreme right to be her worst nightmare."

Even if the deal between James and Sirius was made lightly, the two friends held true to it. In the coming years, Sirius would date almost every girl in Hogwarts (not Slytherin!), while James would find creative ways to ask Lily out thrice a month. Soon everyone noticed that James seemed to hold no delusion of ever getting accepted. "She deserves to be told every once in a while that she is the most perfect, beautiful and brave creature on this planet, even if she wouldn't have me," James sadly confided in his friends one day. It was only Sirius who noticed that Lily's rejections grew halfhearted day by day.

1975, The Great Hall

"Still staring creepily at Evans, Prongs?" Sirius asked as he settled beside his best friend for breakfast. James had left the dormitory half an hour before the rest of the Marauders. Stalker. Is it such a surprise she despises him?

James paid him no mind.

"Alright, James?" Peter asked. Receiving no response from his despondent friend, he followed his gaze toward the Gryffindor prefect at the other end of the table.

"This is ridiculous!" Sirius exclaimed. "It's time to be smart about this, James!"

"Yes, James. Give it up, please." Remus added tiredly. "It's difficult to work with her on Prefect duties. She hardly talks to me because she hates you."

Sirius sighed as James grew more melancholious at Remus's words. "She doesn't hate you, James," said Sirius. "Have you given it any thought about what she sees when she looks at you?" I know she doesn't even see me. And who is to blame for that more than myself and my inaction?

"She doesn't think I look good enough?" James asked self-consciously. "Is it the hair?" That earned him a smack on his head from Sirius. Beside them, Peter facepalmed while Remus studiously ignored his friends in favour of his breakfast.

"She sees a bully, who picks fights for no reason. A student who has the brains, but refuses to study and is, above all, a show-off." Sirius answered his own question. "Now tell me why you love her."

"She's perfect!" James replied immediately.

"What makes her perfect?" Sirius pushed on. Remus and Peter shared a look that said, 'Where is he going with this?'

"She's fierce." Lily always does the right thing. "She is beautiful, strong, smart!"You could drown in her eyes. "Remember how nonchalantly she accepted Moony's furry little problem?" She didn't even bat an eye.

"She needs to see you're all those things too, James." Sirius told him.

As Sirius helped James woo a woman properly, he knew that this was the point where he made the cowardly decision to let his friend have the girl. He could justify it all night with how James had a better shot, but deep down, Sirius couldn't lie, he took the easier route.

1976, Hogsmeade

Hogsmeade wasn't as packed as it usually was, due to upcoming exams and the ever-present danger of riot and unrest. Remus had decided to spend his evening in the Library while Peter had a date. Hence, the four remaining fifth-year Gryffindors decided to stick together. Lily's newfound tolerance of the Marauders and her friendship with Marlene made them an extended part of the group. Remember how you thought this was a great idea back in first year?

Sirius kept a watchful eye on the girls walking a few steps ahead of him and James. He could feel James move closer to them as the crowd around them thinned.

"Girls, I think we must turn around now," James suggested.

"Look, Lily." Marlene laughed. "Your boyfriend is getting nervous."

"I'm not her boyfriend!" James protested before Lily could find a comeback. "I—I need to buy some things for Remus which are that way!"

"Now you have a problem with being her boyfriend, after all the embarrassing effort you put into asking her out."

"We are friends now," he told Marlene testily. "That was the deal."

"I don't remember making that deal, Potter," Lily interrupted before the two could start a full-blown spat. She turned to Sirius. "You can buy Remus's things, right?"

"Sure, yeah, Remus gave us a list," Sirius replied.

"Okay then," Lily said, rubbing her hands together gleefully. "Take Marlene with you."

"What?"

"I just have to go to that ice cream parlor we found last time. Potter, would you come with me?"

Did she ask him out? It was evident James hadn't figured it out either. "Evans is asking you out, Prongs, answer her!" Sirius slapped him on the back to break him from his trance. Before he could do anything more, Marlene grabbed him by the arm and started leading Sirius away. "Let's go this way."

They walked arm in arm for some distance. "Did you know?"

"I encouraged her," Marlene admitted. " You aren't the only one who's a good friend you know," she added softly. "But I would have never set a friend up with a guy I like. That is not me."

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb, remember our disastrous date in August, was it? I've known about it since then—"

"Who else knows? Does Lily?" Sirius asked her urgently.

"No." Marlene left it at that simple reply and walked ahead. Sirius could think of nothing more to say. His mind took him to scenarios of 'what could have been'.

"Now tell me this, Sirius Black," Marlene asked, looking at him over her shoulder. "Is he good enough for her?"

Sirius gave her a hard look. There was no question. "Yes, Marlene. He is."

1977, Gryffindor Common Room

The conversation died down in the boys' dormitory as the fight in the common room grew in intensity and volume. No one knew if they should interrupt. How dare he. Before any of the Marauders could decide what to do, they heard the common room door swing violently. Sirius nodded to his friends and started downstairs. If it was Lily who left, James was due to get a pasting. And if it was Lily who was left behind, Sirius would be there for her in any way she needed.

"Want me to go punch him?"

Lily looked up from her seat near the fireplace and gave him a sad smile. "You must know, Sirius, I do my own punching," she joked.

For all her bravado, Sirius didn't miss the fact that she was barely holding a whirlpool of emotions at bay. He sighed. Whatever could have happened between those two? Did they breakup?

"C'mere, kid," Sirius said with a grin as he stood in front of her spreading his arms. "You are in dire need of a Sirius hug."

Lily didn't need to be told twice. She returned her friend's easy grin and readily jumped into his arms. A warm hug was all it took for the dam to break. A hundred questions flooded Sirius's mind, but he knew that right now, Lily just needed to be held.

It was a long time before the sobbing subsided. "What happened, Lily? What did James do?" He whispered into her hair.

"Why do you assume it was him?" she asked him. He could hear the amusement in her voice. It reassured him that she would be alright.

"We both know he's a git, right?" he answered. "Now tell me what happened. What was it all about?"

Lily made an incomprehensible sound into his shirt. Answering Sirius's questions didn't seem to be her top priority. Sirius hugged her tighter and kissed her hair. Having her so close flooded him with the memories of attraction he had suppressed over the years. Sirius could feel all those long forgotten emotions returning. He didn't want her to ever let go. She's upset, you jerk!

"I love you."

"I love you too, Sirius," Lily replied almost instantly.

Sirius stiffened. Wait, did I say that aloud?

"You've always been there for me, Sirius." She held his gaze affectionately and touched his cheek. She has no idea what she means to me. "I love Marlene, don't get me wrong. But sometimes, all I need is you. You are the only one who understands me… Sees the parts of me I'll never share with James." Family troubles… he could picture James's blind rage if either of them told him how tough it was at home for them. Lily only told Sirius about Petunia when he opened up about his turbulent relationship with his little brother. He didn't dare tell any of his friends about his mentally unstable mother who Crucio-ed her own children.

"And I know you love him almost as much as I do," Lily added with a laugh. Ah, James! Of course.

"More," he said with as much firmness as he could muster. He meant it and didn't at the same time.

She laughed. He loved it when Lily laughed. He loved it more when he was the cause of her melodious laughter.

"Maybe," she conceded. "He's a lucky guy to have you, Sirius. And he knows it." Does he know how lucky he is to have you?

"So you kids aren't breaking up or something, I'm guessing." He diverted the topic back gently to the issue at hand.

"Merlin, no!" Lily looked shocked that Sirius even mentioned it. "It's just Lily being Lily and James being James. Dumbledore wants to train me for first-aid and have me sit back and research while you all are fighting on the front lines! And guess who just loves the idea?"

"James."

"Yes! As if I'm going to let that idiot go into danger without me!" Lily told him passionately. Sirius knew exactly which side of the argument he was on. If there was a way Lily could be safe…"I'll be there with him, Lily. I'll protect him."

"As if you're any better!" she retorted. "You two are drawn to danger."

Sirius shook his head, "This is not fun and games for us, Lily. No one's blind to the danger. That's why James would like to have you safe. It's not so that he can have some fun without you stopping him!"

"That is not what I was implying." Sirius could sense she was about to lose her temper. He decided to not put his stakes in a fight James already seemed to have lost. It would be better if everyone slept on it.

"Just know this, kid," he said as he got off the couch. "If it ever comes to me or him, I'll make sure that it is James who comes home."

1979, Godric's Hollow Church

Sirius could count close to twenty attendees, strangers. The residents of Godric's Hollow were very accommodating. The pastor was moved by the young couple who were to wed without the presence of any family they could speak of. "That simply won't do," he told his parishioners. "If these children are to marry in our church, we will give them a proper wedding!"

The ladies made short work of procuring dresses from the village seamstress, and there were four flower girls. Someone played a beautiful tune on a mouth organ. It was a stranger who walked the recently-orphaned bride down the aisle. The old man sat in the front row with tears streaming down his face as Lily and James exchanged their wedding vows. Sirius wondered what his story was. Did he have a daughter that he missed dearly?

It was a bittersweet moment for Sirius to watch his best friend share his first kiss with his wife. He thought he had moved on years ago, but there was no end to being in love with Lily. Sirius pushed down the feelings of resentment and regret and immersed himself in the uplifting moment in front of him. If any situation ever felt hopeless, Sirius would remind himself of this moment, when kind strangers cheered as Lily left the church with her husband, James.