Chapter 2

For the following week, Sirius would not rest until he had extracted every single detail about Edwina out of James. No matter how incredibly reluctant James was to let slip anything remotely interesting. Their conversations during classes were never very productive but Sirius wasn't going to give up.

"So, who suggested the idea of sneaking away during the campfire?"

"She did." James replied

"And then what happened?"

"We walked for a bit and talked for a bit."

"What did you talk about?"

"The usual stuff."

"Like?"

"Like where we grew up, who was our favourite Quiddich team…that kind of stuff."

"So what moves did you pull on her? Did you do the famous yawn and stretch or the 'did you just fall from heaven? cos I just tripped over an angel' line?"

"Neither." James went on writing his Transfiguration exercise. Attempting to ignore a persisting Sirius.

Remus noticed his friends' hopeless plight and offered him some advice, "I'd give up now if I were you mate. He's not going to crack."

Sirius replied growling, "I am not giving in! I need to know what happened! It's a matter of life and death!"

Meanwhile, McGonagall had overheard Sirius' growling. "It will be a matter of life and death if you fail this part of the exam Mr Black!"

"Sorry Professor."

Their conversation continued in the Great Hall over lunch.

"So, you kissed her right?" Sirius asked, ignoring his full plate of food.

"Maybe. Maybe not." James replied.

"I know you did!"

"How? Were you there when it happened?"

Sirius was beginning to show his frustration, "When are you going to give up?" he hissed.

"Never." James laughed.

"Can't you just admit that you kept this dirty little secret hidden from me, Sirius Black your best friend…"he paused for effect on the last three words.

"Look, Padfoot…I'm sure there's plenty of stuff that you've kept hidden from me over the years."

Sirius put on a look of falsified shock, "I've told you everything! Everything that I've ever said or done, you have been privy to. There are absolutely no skeletons in my closet!"

James raised an eyebrow quizzically, "Are you sure Padfoot? I seem to remember a certain skeleton named Hildegard, the foreign exchange student that you were allegedly 'dating' in our second year?"

"Who told you about that?" Sirius was shocked.

Remus sighed, "It was all over the school within an hour. Which is a remarkably slow time for a Hogwarts rumour to spread in."

James couldn't believe Sirius could be so naïve. "The teachers even had bets going to see how long you and Hildee would last." James placed his knife and fork together on his empty plate before half standing up, "And remarkably, I was one of the last to find out!"

As James made his way out of the Great Hall, Sirius' stammering voice could be heard yelling after him, "Well…that's beside the point!"

Sirius stood up out of his seat to make sure that his voice was projected enough for James to hear before he reached the doors, "I wouldn't be pursuing this James Ignatius Potter if I didn't suspect you. I know you're keeping something from me!"

James smiled to himself as he left his befuddled friend in the wake of an entire body of gawking students starring and giggling at his public defeat.