She really was annoyingly overdramatic. She didn't know why she had been so spooked about receiving her inheritance, (part of it anyway.) She knew her mother would say that it was just a cry for attention and maybe it was but she could deny the pit that had been in her stomach, nor the way her hands simply refused to cut the tape. She should have known that having these things would bring her comfort. Before it was simply she once had a father and now she didn't. Like losing her father had created some sort of rift in her life, there was only a before and an after but now, with every picture she explained to her friends, every note in the margin of her father's old textbook, it was like she was sewing her before life and her after life back together.

She didn't have a father anymore and that fact still cut like a dull, rusty, serrated knife through her heart but she did once have a father, he was real and wonderful, and funny, and smart, and nothing, not a million Death Eaters, or a dozen Delaney Nicnevins could take that away from her. She was so happy at that moment that her hands were shaking and her eyes brimmed with tears as she sat around the slightly banged up cardboard box with a million little stamps on it, telling the story of the camping trip she and her family took the summer after first year. They all laughed at the appropriate places and listened attentively; they probably didn't care as much as they pretended to but she didn't care because in this very moment Eilidh felt warm, and whole, and like Eilidh again for the first time in a long time.

Sirius sat right next to her, with his arm around her shoulder, occasionally kissing her cheek. Remus sat beside him wearing his crooked smile, a healthy colour in his cheeks for once. Peter was beside him, awkwardly trying not to look at Mary but had done so a few times anyway. He busied his hands by twisting his shoelaces around his fingers. Marlene sat beside him with a knitted blanket draped around her shoulders. Then Mary laid out on her stomach, absentmindedly playing with her braided hair. James sat next to her, his back incredibly straight, his hair an absolute mess, as he bounced his crossed knees unable to hold in his excitement. Lily was next to him and for Eilidh's sake had been civil, friendly even with him. Josie had skipped class to join them, she stretched out with her feet crossed in front of her and head resting on Peter's bed.

"What's wrong, love?" Sirius asked. He had no doubt noticed the tears that had formed in her eyes and had assumed sadness and she had been just laughing a second ago. He couldn't understand just how happy she was then. She couldn't understand it herself.

Eilidh shook her head and closed the photo album. "Nothing," she said, the tears in her eye blurring their images. "I just love you guys. A lot. And I appreciate you all being there for me all the time."

They all made a varying expression of 'aw.' Lily reached forward and took her hand.

"You'd do the same for us. We all love you too," she said with a warm smile.

Eilidh laughed because she couldn't do anything else. They all looked at each other with gushing, embarrassingly emotional smiles.

"Just to be clear, Sirius loves you way more than the rest of us do," James said.

Most of them laughed, Sirius made an extremely rude hand gesture, and Lily sighed a disapproving, "James!"

"What? I have a reputation to uphold," was James's defence.

Lily rolled her eyes but said nothing.

"We all know you're a ponce," Sirius said, with more vehemence than was needed.

"Bite me," James returned, equally. Their tension cut through the warmth in the room like a knife through warmed butter.

Eilidh poked Sirius's side to interrupt his rebuttal and said, "we should be getting to class. McGonagall's not going to allow the whole day."

"We've only missed charms," Josie protested.

"Damn, Archer," Sirius said, with a quirked brow, "you should have a psychotic break more often."

"Shut up, Black," Josie returned, but she was smiling when she looked away.

"Yeah, mate, psychotic breaks aren't funny," James said.

"James!" Sirius said, threateningly.

The room was filled with a heavy uncomfortable silence as the two boys started each other down. Something had to be done about this.

"Okay," Eilidh swung her leg so she was straddling Sirius and placed her hands firmly on his shoulders to force him to break eye contact with James. The two were no different than dogs. "You have been way too stressed recently and need a break," she told him. "Everything is getting put on hold. No more investigating, no more fights, no more personal problems from anyone, including yourself."

He didn't agree but he wasn't going to argue either.

"James, start planning a meaningless prank with a random target," Eilidh ordered. "Remus, find some event or something nearby that we can go to. Peter, get the camera ready."

"I can do more than get the camera," Peter protested, bitterly.

"I know but right now the camera is very important. This weekend is going to be epic," Eilidh said. Sirius swallowed, looking like he had a thousand things to say but wasn't going to say a word. She brushed the hair out of his eyes. "I promise."

Sirius nodded, sighed a long sigh, and allowed the corners of his mouth to twitch into a half smile.

"Well, I'd love to be a part of the fun but I've got to study. Sorry, love," Lily said.

"Falling behind in class are we, Evans?" James asked, looking rather arrogant in his attempt to be sympathetic.

"You wish, Potter," Lily glowered at him then bent to kiss Eilidh's cheek before leaving.

"I'll go buy film for the camera," Peter said lamely and followed Lily out.

"We really should get to class," Marlene said reluctantly. She stretched and Josie and Mary made to follow.

"Actually, Mary would you mind walking with me?" Remus asked, "I have some things I'd like to discuss with you."

James's jaw dropped off its hinge and Sirius went suspiciously still. Eilidh could only conclude that they knew about Mary and Peter. But of course they knew, they were best friends, and Peter had been acting strangely recently, and they weren't the type to let that slide. It was probably the reason behind all their secrecy. A guard she wasn't consciously holding against them dropped the moment the thought occurred to her.

Mary nodded, looked at Eilidh to see if she knew anything, and allowed Remus to guide her out before Marlene and Josie. Sirius attempt to get up to follow Marlene but Eilidh wouldn't let him. Finally, the room was empty apart from herself, Sirius, and James.

"What is it?" she asked Sirius.

James turned away from whatever he was fiddling with in his bedside table and started to stride out.

"James, please stay," Eilidh requested.

James froze, nodded, and turned back to his bedside table, his tension palpable. "Okay but, you've got to get off him," James said, attempting to joke and ease the tension. "I'm not seeing what I saw in the do-"

"Shut up, James," Sirius growled.

Eilidh pushed him. "He's only teasing," she said, trying hard not to raise her voice. If she was going to actually help them, she needed to stay calm or she'd only escalate the situation. Eilidh got up and sat at the desk chair again. She took deep breaths as she watched them purposefully not look at each other and not talk to each other.

"I thought we settled this that day in the shack," Eilidh said. Sirius shrugged. James didn't acknowledge this comment at all. "James, will you sit down please?"

James did she asked and sat on the side of his bed with his back to her and Sirius. Sirius rolled his eyes and jutted his jaw.

"Okay, since James doesn't want to talk, Sirius you go first," Eilidh prompted.

Sirius shrugged like he didn't know why she thought there was a problem or something to discuss. "Every time we plan something big, we come back and something terrible happens. If we're going to take the night off, I'd rather just have a quiet night in."

"When's the last time something terrible happened? Hell, when's the last time we planned something big?"James demanded.

"Do you not remember being in the hospital? I suppose you wouldn't because you were a vegetable," Sirius said.

"Wow, that fight really fucked you up. Surprising considering you weren't in it!" James shouted so loudly he was pushed to his feet.

Eilidh pulled her sleeves over her hands. Maybe this wasn't a good idea.

Sirius scoffed, shook his head, and looked away. He was cold and was presenting a seamless indifferent air. It was terrifying to watch, like everything she knew and held dear could be ripped apart at any second. James, on the other hand, continued to pace around the room, his anger hardening his shoulders, his jaw muscles pulsing. She wished she had asked Remus to stay. If things got physical between them she didn't know if she could stop it.

"I just don't want anyone getting hurt. I'm sorry, Eilidh, it was a nice sentiment -"

"You know, some of us could do with a bit of fun for a change!" James said.

"Fine," Sirius said, coldly.

"Yeah, maybe Eilidh and I will go and you can stay and have your night in," James said, leaning against the desk and crossing his arms. Eilidh moved subtly lest her head make contact with his elbow, his movements were unpredictable at the moment.

"Have fun," Sirius said, truly sounding as if he didn't care either way. Eilidh started biting her nails, a nervous and 'disgusting' habit she tried to keep under control.

"We will," James said.

"Fuck you," Sirius muttered. It was the first emotional thing he had said to James all day and, however rude, it was enough to untether her knotted stomach.

"What happened to you two?" she said quietly. She was afraid she hadn't been heard but James's mouth shut audibly. "You two are best friends. Sirius, you told me you didn't know where you'd be without him. James, I know you love him. He's like your brother. So what the hell happened?"

"He blames you," Sirius said. Eilidh went cold. She felt all the blood drain from her. James blamed her for coming between them? What else could have meant? But why?

"That's not - he - I don't blame you," James told her, calmly but sternly.

"Bull shit, " Sirius muttered.

"I really don't, " James said, earnestly, then, turning to Sirius, "what I do blame is your inability to let things go!" He sighed heavily and mumbled, "and my doing something stupid, of course."

The air had changed again. It had become thick with awkward contrition radiating off all parties. Eilidh didn't know what to think, she just knew that she couldn't come between Sirius and James; that was possibly the worst outcome that she hadn't even imagined. What she had done to disturb this peace, she didn't know, nor did it matter.

"Sirius, I don't know what you want me to do. You don't want me to fess up, there's no way to undo it. I've been trying. I don't know what you want, " James said, his voice cracking a little. Sirius pursed his lips and leaned against Peter's bed, his cold indifference back again. "Please." The word escaped James's lips softly yet so ardently that Eilidh was embarrassed to have heard it.

It was enough for Sirius to nod in a way that only a boy could, the simple gesture conveying so many words and emotions it was equivalent to her and Lily's soul-baring midnight conversations.

"I really don't know what's wrong with me, " Sirius said quietly, almost like he was embarrassed to admit it.

"Maybe Eilidh's right, maybe it's the stress of everything. I know I'd be freaked if I saw you like that…. And, you know, Haas and everything, " James added reluctantly. He was still willing to do anything if it meant Sirius would welcome him back into his good graces, even if it meant accepting Sirius's wild theory about Professor Haas.

"Yeah, maybe, " Sirius shrugged.

"It doesn't have to be anything big, " Eilidh said, her voice sounding weaker than she had intended. She cleared her throat and added, "just as long as it's fun."

"Yeah. We could all use some fun, " Sirius nodded, decidedly.

"Exactly! And, erm, " she smiled brightly, "I could use some girl time. So, as long as no one gets concussed, you lot can get into as much trouble as you want -"

This sent both of them into an unintelligible uproar. It startled her enough to make her jump.

"You two need to spend some quality time together and you can't do that if I'm in the way, " Eilidh said, sternly.

"You're not in the way, " Sirius said furiously. "I was just angry and lashing out. Rule number one, don't listen to Sirius when he's being an arse."

"Some time apart will be good for us. It's not healthy to spend every waking moment together, " Eilidh argued.

"You're our friend, " James said. "I don't know how many times I have to say that!" He threw his hands up in the air then rested them on his hips.

"And I'm still your friend. We're going to see each other but for now just at meals and in class, " Eilidh said, firmly but gently.

"You're being ridiculous, Eilidh, " Sirius said. "Look, I'm sorry I told you. I didn't mean to involve you at all. I was just taking a cheap shot at James."

"So, he does feel like I'm coming between you two?" Eilidh clarified. "If you're not sorry for lying, only sorry for telling me, then it's true."

Sirius huffed. "That's not what I said."

"You literally did though, " Eilidh returned.

"Eilidh, " James sighed.

"James, " Sirius said warningly.

"Relax mate. Listen, a long time ago, I did or said something stupid at your expense and Sirius rightfully defended you. I, being the stupid bloke that I am, took offence and accused Sirius of choosing you over me, " James explained. "Then Sirius helped clear my head and see that I was just being an idiot because of the shit that had happened unrelated to you or him. And like he said he was just taking a cheap shot at me because I feel guilty about what I said. So, really you having to give us time without you is ridiculous."

Eilidh took such a long time before responding that Sirius felt compelled to speak.

"Everything he said was true. You really shouldn't listen to me when I'm upset. I say stupid shit all the time, " Sirius said.

"Okay. I'm going to say something and I don't want either of you to get angry or hurt about it, okay?" Eilidh waited to receive their nervous nods of reluctant assent. She primarily addressed Sirius; it was unfair to James to feel left out regardless of what was going on and this needed to be fixed above all else. "We need to respect James's feelings, no matter what. If he feels like I'm coming between you two, it's only fair and decent to set aside some time for him. I don't care what was going on, " she said quickly to dispel any argument his opened mouth was going to make. "I need to spend time with my friends. You boys need alone time to be boys. No one needs to feel hurt about it, no one needs to feel left out. We're still good. We're still friends, " Eilidh added for James's sake.

There was a moment of silence as Eilidh's word seeped in. Sirius wrestled with wanting to argue and Eilidh not giving him room to argue. James watched Sirius nervously chewing his bottom lip.

"If we're going to do this, we need to organize actual dates for you two, " James declared.

"That sounds nice, " Eilidh smiled.

"Great, " Sirius said, not sounding at all great. "We should get to class, " Sirius grumbled and led the way out.

It didn't feel like she had reconciled any friendship. She felt more like she did when her mother dragged her to her meetings with the Ministry; there were back and forth debates, 'compromises, ' and someone was always left unsatisfied. 'Great' was exactly the way to describe it.

***Son of Whitebeard, I'm glad you liked it :)

Love Fiction 2018, thank you :D

***I'm not going to have time to post this tonight. Sorry if I disturbed you in class or something. Hope you enjoyed :)

Thanks for reading.

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Until next time,

XO.