Disclaimer: I did not create the universe this fiction is based on; J. K. Rowling did.

A/N: Slash, and just slightly AU. If this doesn't seem like your thing, it might be better to turn around before being utterly disgusted. To those who have read the previous chapter and came back, my everlasting thanks; To those who have come to read this fic for the first time, a very warm welcome. And to everyone who has made me lucky to have my fic read, a strong hope that you would enjoy.

So let's begin the story, shall we?

The Way the Wheel Turns

Hogwarts' grounds. The chilly yet dazzling winter sunshine was falling down unto earth. Four students, who called themselves the Marauders, were gathered as always by the lake.

"What are you thinking about, Sirius?" James asked, as he gave his friend a playful shove on the shoulder.

Sirius's eyes, which usually sparkled with mischief, were now vacantly staring off into the horizon. James had always been envious of Sirius' hair which was always carelessly, yet stylishly set in place. However, the disheveled hair in the back of his head today was clear evidence that he had sex with someone during lunch period. Sirius Black was indeed a competent fellow. James couldn't help but feel admiration and a twinge of jealousy at the thought.

"Hey, I asked you a question. What are you thinking about?"

As James punched him again, Sirius turned to look at him. His mind finally seemed to have come back down to earth.

"Oh, it's...nothing."

"Nothing?" James repeated. "I think you have something on your mind. Why, are you trying to pick someone to have sex with tonight?"

James grinned as he folded his arms. A wrinkle appeared between Sirius' eyebrows for a moment and then the creases unfolded. However, the lips that were tightly closed still indicated his worried state of mind.

"Stop teasing him," said Remus, as his lips quirked in amusement. "I know this because I sleep in the bed next to his, but I think our Don Juan Sirius Black is finally in love."

He seemed to be repressing his laughter. Looking at Remus say this speech, Sirius playfully held up a clenched fist, pretending to box him. Still, even though his actions seemed to state denial, there was a tell-tale blush that spread across his chiseled features.

"Who is it? Who's the lucky girl?"

James and Peter, with their eyes round as they could possibly get, looked from Remus to Sirius. Sirius falling in love was something neither of them and approximately 99 of the Hogwarts' student body had ever thought about. Unlike Sirius' tightly clamped mouth, Lupin's lips moved about lightly, pushing outs words ever so easily.

"Lucy something. He seemed to be moaning and calling for 'Lucy' all night."

"I never did that!"

Relieved that he hadn't called out his lover's full name even in his unconscious state, Sirius laughed as he expressed denial. James was laughing and grinning, but inwardly was going through all the Lucys that went to Hogwarts. And the name that popped up in his head –

Lucius Malfoy.

Just by thinking of the seniors name and face, James' pulse became quicker, his heartbeat gathering speed. A complex emotion hard to distinguish between wrath and obsession was aroused in him. It was hard to define the odd emotions he felt, and maybe because of this particular reason, thinking of Lucius filled up a big part of his day. Well, more like, most of his day. Since he thought about Malfoy about a hundred times a day, he wasn't much surprised when Lucius appeared on the grounds with four other Slytherins. A hateful, yet welcoming smoke of emotion erupted in his heart.

While talking to his friends, Lucius' grey eyes met James' hazel. Those grey eyes were lazily open, half-closed, and an eyebrow made a perfect arch. James could not perfect that eyebrow technique even though he had put many hours in front of the mirror to do so. Lucius' crimson lips parted. James put on his defense mode, waiting for the 7th year's attack.

"Have enough time to play, Potter?"

His voice was dripping with heavily coated sarcasm.

Last night, this was the voice he had imagined while touching himself; it had actually stimulated him so much that he had come faster than he ever had his whole life. Now, with last night's memory engraved in his body, and having the object of his masturbation standing before his own eyes, a thrilling exhilaration seemed to be coming out of every cell consisting his body.

"Why don't you just mind your own business?" said James, pulling on a face of disgust.

Lucius was the Head Boy. Last year, he was a prefect. This invisible wall of authority always drove him into frustration. No, no, not frustration but...Damn. While James was getting bewildered with these thoughts, Lucius had walked up to face James; their noses were less than an inch apart. James was embarrassingly startled to see the delicate features that seemed to be carved out and sculpted with tremendous care up so close.

"I was given notice that you were failing in Potions? I wonder if you're confident enough to spend your precious minutes blabbering with your friends."

"That's' not your concern. Like I said, why don't you mind your own bloody business?"

"Maybe you haven't noticed, but I'm Head Boy. As such, I find it my duty to look after a junior who can't even follow instructions in the classroom."

"Don't consider it your duty to look after a Gryffindor."

It suddenly occurred to James that Sirius, Remus, Peter, and the four Slytherins surrounding Lucius were all staring at them. The Slytherins were frowning and glaring horribly at the younger group of Gryffindors. A bad-tempered one was clenching and unclenching his fists, while two Slytherin girls were twisting their voluptuous bodies while emitting an intimidating aura. Another, who looked immensely bored by this repetitive routine, was driving his pinkie into his ear.

"The professor actually asked me himself to help you out. Have a quick dinner and come to the library at eight."

"I don't need your bloody help."

"If you want to graduate with your friends, Potter, you'd better."

Smirking, Lucius went on his way. The other Slytherins rolled their eyes and resumed their gossip, following Lucius' footsteps.

"Wow-- a special session with Malfoy?" Peter commented as he bit down on his thumbnail. His eyes were alight with jealousy. Being the fool that he was, he wasn't apt to hiding his apparent admiration for Lucius even though he pretended to hate the Slytherins.

"James, oh, how I envy you!" said Remus dramatically, leaning on a tree while stifling a laugh. James was confused with how to react to what had just happened, for considering Remus' tone that implied hidden pity he was supposed to be angry, devastated, annoyed, or even maybe crestfallen. But in reality, he was feeling none of the above.

"If you do," said James, with the expression of a martyr. "Please feel welcome to go in my place."

Pretending to complain, James was making disgusted faces, but deep inside, he was thankful that this occasion to be with Lucius alone was given to him. It was a chance to show Malfoy how strong and firm a sixth year could be.

Even among Remus' teasing tones and Peter's jealousy, Sirius was the only one to keep silent, staring on at the sky. Thinking that his friend was pondering over his own love affairs, James decided to let him be. The lake-side was soon filled with James' heightened laughter as he defended himself from his other two friends.

x x x x x x x

"Potter, shouldn't you be at least punctual?"

"It's just five minutes. Do you have to be so childish?"

"Time is gold, especially to certain idiots who fail in their classes."

"Malfoy, I haven't actually failed as of yet."

"Shut up and just open your book."

Lucius pulled up a chair next to his and gestured him to sit down. James, who had thought of sitting across from the Slytherin, pondered for a moment and then dropped down next to him. Madam Pince came by with a finger on her lips when he purposely dropped the thick volume of Most Potent Potions with a heavy THUD on the desk.

"Stingy."

When James complained, Lucius grinned unexpectedly and agreed.

"She's getting hysteric, since she's not getting laid any time soon."

Although this may have been considered nothing of a conversation to some people, it was the first time James had had a civil conversation with Lucius. Slightly bewildered at first, James soon got back his calm.

"What do you find difficult?"

The sharp chill needles that had always seemed to be sticking out of Lucius' voice were gone, or at least had toned down. It was as if James were now talking to a 7th year Gryffindor, but the wall of ice still existed between them. And because of this transparent wall, he had started to respect the Slytherin. He could now comprehend why so many people had supported Malfoy's becoming Head Boy.

"Er, here, from this chapter..."

One hourˇ two hours...

James was getting hazy as one chapter after another was skimmed through. The only thing he could see was Lucius' jaw from the side, a perfect nose, sensuous lips that moved without stopping, long eyelashes that drew a shadow across his cheekbones, and longish, sophisticated silver-blonde hair.

"Potter, are you listening?"

Lucius turned to look at James with a sigh. Before thoughts, before words, James' body was the first to move.

"Potter...MMmph...!"

James' lips had covered Lucius' with a sizzling passion.

A/N: Did you have a good time? I sure hope so.

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The next chapter will be up by tomorrow at the latest.

Ciao!