Disclaimer: Anything that doesn't belong to me isn't mine

A/N: Well at least this chapter didn't take me as long to post as the last one. Though I do want to try to post more regularly…we'll see. Happy Reading!

James glanced over the cards in his hand to a group of Prefects watching their game very closely. Remus had just taught them a Muggle card game that he had learned from his Muggle-born mother. Remus insisted that their playing cards shouldn't be talking to each other, but all his attempts to silence them had failed. Things like that about Muggles still mystified James; part of the fun of playing with a magical deck of cards was to hear them banter with another or spout random bits of knowledge.

'There are only 12 uses of dragon's blood' his Queen of Hearts told him in a flirtatious voice.

"Prefect," James mouthed in warning when he saw Frank Longbottom approach them. Not that they were doing anything wrong at the moment and as far as Prefects were concerned, Frank was the most likable and agreeable.

"Hello, Longbottom," Remus greeted politely. Frank gave a friendly, but guarded nod.

"I'm afraid this isn't a social call…" The four boys' grins instantly disappeared.

"In what way?" implored James placing his cards facedown.

"It's about the prank pulled on the Slytherins," Frank began uneasily.

"We were cleared of all involvement," James replied indignantly.

"That's right!" Peter added in support.

"It is true that Professor Slughorn cleared you, but I'm not here on behalf of the teachers." Frank stopped for a moment and took a breath. "I'm here on behalf of the Prefects."

"What do they want with us?" Sirius asked. His gaze toward Frank suggested he wasn't impressed at all about anything involving Prefects.

"Come on…we all know you were involved. And this is not to get you in trouble. T-this is…well…this is for the good for the school."

"Good of the school?" James echoed. This sounded very similar to a conversation he had with Frederick and Vanessa Dekker, Victoria's older sister. The Prefect and Head girl had grabbed James as had been walking back from Quidditch practice with Gideon Prewett and Darien Robertson. Needless to say, he wasn't thrilled to see, let along speak to either of them. That conversation was also supposed to be for his own good.

"Your parents expect me to look after you," his cousin had reasoned. Apparently in Frederick's mind, the mere fact they shared a drop of blood meant he could involve himself in all aspects of James' life.

Vanessa had added her own twisted wisdom. "I'm doing this as a favor for your Grandparents." At least Frederick was sincere in a way. James knew Vanessa disliked him. So it was obvious to him that Vanessa only involved herself only because she knew how much it irked James. Also as a bonus, it would appear to adults that she was looking after family friend's grandson.

"You need to stop hanging around with those boys. They are nothing but trouble. Not the right sort at all," Vanessa proceeded to lecture. Since she was Head Girl, she had more to access to certain things than the average student, such as a copy of his detention record she had in her hand.

"First of all, I am perfectly capable of choosing the right sort of friends," James had angrily insisted. "I can take care of myself. You needn't worry."

"And you've demonstrated your ability in that by associating with Sirius Black? His record is worse than yours. That boy's an outcast even in his own kind."

After Sirius had been brought up, James had simply just walked away. He was sick and tired of having to justify being friends with a Black. He still sometimes had to convince himself that he had chosen right in believing in Sirius and that friendship could cross any boundaries. Most importantly, he needed to rectify the problem of Sirius having more detentions than he had!

Was it a coincidence that in the group of Prefects Frank had just left included Frederick? James would bet more than a few galleons that coincidences like that didn't exist. It sounded suspiciously like something his cousin, the perfect Prefect, would insist upon.

James rolled his eyes and turned to Frank. "So the Prefects are worried we'll start targeting other Houses and not just the Slytherins?"

"Something like that. I was against it all. If anything this might give you ideas to start targeting Prefects."

"Only some Prefects," Sirius answered mysteriously.

"You're lucky we like you Frank," James agreed and than scowled in the direction of his cousin, "This talk wasn't Frederick's idea by any chance?"

Frank laughed. "It wasn't only his idea, but he was forcefully for it."

"Did you draw the short straw then?" Remus asked.

"I was – what's the word – volunteered. Let's see, what did they want me to tell you? Oh yes, remind you there is to be no magic in the hallway. Respect all students in all Houses. Oh and my favorite – solve disagreements with words and not spells."

"Right because the Slytherins will politely stand idly while we talk through our feud," Sirius replied pointedly.

"Don't tell anyone, but I know a lot of the Prefects thought the prank was brilliant," Frank winked, "Well I've done my duty. Behave yourselves now..and could you do me a favor and look remorseful as I walk away?"

"Sure," Remus promised.

"And we'll behave ourselves," James began.

"For a few days," finished Sirius.

Frank shook his head trying not to laugh so it appeared he had left them sternly as he returned to his fellow Prefects.

"I won!" Peter cried triumphantly showing his winning hand. And he had indeed beaten them all. James groaned pushing over to Peter the rest of his collection of sweets. Remus and Sirius followed with their piles. Who would have thought that Peter had a knack for strange Muggle card games?

Defense Against the Dark Arts was by far Snape's favorite class. Admittedly he would have preferred to be studying the Dark Arts themselves, but he wasn't really in a situation to be picky. He was lucky to be at Hogwarts at all; Snape knew his mother had been close to not sending him for magical training at all. One of his roommates, Evan Rosier had explained to him there were schools such as Durmstrang that did teach that sort of thing. Again that fact mattered little in his case. At least in order to defend yourself you needed to understand a certain element and level of Dark Magic and this information was enough for Snape to do his own studying.

Currently Professor Adair was going over a chapter on Dark Creatures, and at the moment was telling the class how to defend themselves against Cornish Pixies. This was a topic Snape didn't find particularly worth his time, so he let his eyes wander around the room.

As usual his eyes immediately went to the Gryffindor side and he felt a slight smile tug at his lips from the memory of last night. Bellatrix accompanied by her usual group had attacked a specific group of down-right annoying Gryffindors. As Snape had predicted, they had gotten caught and lost Slytherin more points than the revenge was worth.

At least they were all still sporting the after effects of the attack: Potter's right hand was still bandaged in white cloth, Lupin's hair was still tinged blue, and you could still make out faint green spots on Pettigrew's arms and face. Only Black appeared unscathed, but Snape knew Sirius had been on the receiving end of some nasty jinxes and hexes.

"Mr. Potter and Mr. Black!" Adair's tone of annoyance caused every student to sit up a little straighter in their chairs and look brightly eyed as if this was the most fascinating lesson in the world; trying to clearly and deliberately separate themselves of all connection to the boys' names she had just uttered.

Perhaps Potter and Black had death wishes and wanted to upset the teacher. Well off course, Snape thought, they probably thought they were above the rules.

What did they whisper to each other about all the time? Snape only spoke to his companions when it was absolutely necessary.

"Do I need to cast a silencing charm on you two to get you to stop talking in my class?"

Snape eagerly watched how Potter and Black would handle this. He hoped they would dig their whole deeper with a smart remark. He enjoyed seeing the fear in their eyes, smugness wiped off their faces, and cocky grins vanish; a feat only Professor Adair had managed out of all the professors at Hogwarts.

Upsettingly neither boy looked the least bit alarmed. James cleared his throat. "I was only asking Sirius to clear something up for me, Professor. I wasn't sure if you stated that a darker or lighter skinned Cornish Pixie was more dangerous."

Adair narrowed her eyes and placed her hands firmly on her desk A web of words such as that may have saved them in any other classroom from punishment, but not Adair's.

"See me after class." From the finality in her tone, Snape knew she would take no further step in correcting the Gryffindors in class.

"You never answered my question, Professor," James said cheekily just as Adair had turned to the chalk board; right at the moment she would have forgotten about him until class was over.

"Twenty points off Gryffindor," Adair hissed, "And since you were not listening, I suggest you look up the answer in the library. I forbid anyone in this class to tell Mr. Potter the answer."

Adair continued to teaching as if nothing had gone amiss, but Snape's mind had started forming an idea. He turned to Rabastan, who was sharing a table with.

"Lestrange," Snape muttered and added, "After class."

"Today?" Lestrange mouthed his gaze lingering hungrily at the unsuspecting victims. Snape nodded with a grim smile and endured the rest of the lecture by going through the list in his head of all the hexes, jinxes and curses he knew.

When class was over, everyone rushed out except for Lestrange, Snape and the Gryffindor duo. Severus had heard Black tell Lupin not to wait for them and they would meet up with him and Pettigrew in study hall.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Snape?" Professor Adair questioned distractedly.

"You said you would have that book for me, ma'am," Snape answered smoothly. James and Sirius were scowling at him or maybe it was at the Professor. Not that it mattered, Snape was glad how clearly unhappy they looked.

"Ah, yes," Adair paused a moment to stare at James and Sirius causing them both to squirm in their seats, satisfied she continued, "I'll deal with you two when I return."

Snape watched Adair's retreating figure tensely and made sure she was fully through the back entrance of the classroom which everyone assumed connected in some way to her office, before turning back to his targets.

Rabastan had a different strategy and didn't waste a moment from when Adair had opened the back door. In retrospect Snape supposed a surprise attack was the best way.

Lestrange shouted a disarming spell so enthusiastically that not only did it disarm Black, but the spell slammed into Sirius with enough force that he toppled off his chair.

The moment the spell hit Sirius, Potter was on his feet diving for his bag so he could get to his wand. Almost grasping it, James' wand clattered onto the floor in front of him. In a valiant attempt to retrieve it back, James began crawling toward it, but it was useless because Snape was armed and ready. He hit Potter with a Jelly-leg jinx and taking his time he strode forward. Then he deliberately stepped forcefully on Potter's injured hand, causing James to cry out in pain. Snape positioned his wand so that it was pointed directly under Potter's chin.

Snape saw James' eyes widen and his breath increase rapidly. Potter was practically the poster child for Gryffindor and here he was defenseless and scared. Snape wished all the Gryffindor could see him now.

Snape was in complete control and Potter could sense that. He could fire any spell, curse or hex at Potter; the possibilities were only limited by Snape's knowledge. And Potter had no idea what Snape was capable of and with his reputation of knowing more Dark curses then most seventh years, James was in the right to worry.

Was it so wrong for Snape to enjoy the intoxicating power flowing through his very veins? He embraced the feeling. It warmed him, this power over another individual. Magic truly was remarkable.

It was the same feeling he had felt when he had first held a wand and again when he cast his first spell. Severus had gone through the first six years of his life thinking there was no such thing as magic. After overhearing an argument between his mother and father, the secret was out. His mother was a witch and he might be a wizard. That was that.

Besides a few strange occurrences in primary school this new knowledge meant little and life went on normally. Then when he was nine and a half and he began the secret visits to the Prince Manor. It was in this place he was fitted with a wand and where he began learning about the Magic World. His lessons were nothing like at Hogwarts and he was taught it seemed everything but the benign spells first taught to first years. There were lectures about potions that could 'enrich the mind and ensnare the senses'. Endless books about curses that could give you complete control over another human and ones that could cause excruciating pain without leaving a mark.

At home, in his Muggle neighborhood, Snape had little control over his life. He had been forced to watch his father hit his mother and hide from the neighborhood bullies. And he hated doing that. He hated anything that questioned his pride.

Then something glorious changed. He was no longer defenseless. You can imagine how upset Snape was when he learned there were strict laws against using magic against muggles. On top of that his mother had promised her that he would never lay a wand on his father, no matter what. It was a ridiculous promise, yet so far he had kept his word.

However, Potter was not a Muggle and even though it wasn't honorable or virtuous to attack a wandless wizard; it wasn't against the law. And Snape wasn't about to give up the chance to release all his pent up anger.

Snape allowed himself to glance quickly at Rabastan to see how he was dealing with Black. It appeared that Lestrange had him in a full body bind and Black was choking on soap bubbles. The latter spell was something that Snape was unfamiliar with. Snape was just thinking about having to ask Lestrange about it later when the room suddenly inverted.

James had ceased the few seconds that Severus had been distracted and rolled his whole body to the right. Since Snape still had his foot on Potter's arm this sudden movement had caused him to loose balance. With reflexes quick enough that even Snape would admit was impressive, James had grabbed his wand, was on his feet, and running toward the door.

James had taken time to push over some desks in his haste to get to the door, but it was a useless action. Potters should have taken the time to send a spell that would immobilize Snape. It was a mistake that would cost the boy because lazily Snape aimed his wand at Potter's feet. James was maybe two strides from the door when he was hit by a trip jinx. The boy came crashing to the floor and –

"A-hem!"

That sound stilled them all and Snape whirled toward the front of the room to see Adair glaring. Snape supposed the room looked incriminating. Forgetting the fact that Potter was sprawled on the ground and Black had soap bubbles coming out of his mouth, there was still the fact there were books, paper, desks and chairs strewn all over the room.

Snape placed his wand discreetly back in his robe pocketing. He knew what he had to say.

"Professor, they attacked us."

Black and Potter immediately began to protest but Adair silenced them with her hand. It didn't matter what the Gryffindors said anyway. What could they really offer in their defense? Feeble words about the Slytherins being the first to attack them? None of that would save them now.

Adair cleared her throat. "Pick yourself up off the floor, Mr. Potter."

James complied hastily, though he stood defiantly with his arms crossed silently daring the teacher to punish him.

"Mr. Lestrange if you could kindly give Mr. Black his wand and step away." Rabastan obliged with a small mock dip in Black's direction.

"Attacking Slytherins, eh? It seems to be a hobby of yours. A hobby that you will find has some nasty consequences."

Potter and Black wore identical expression of anger, though they didn't retort.

"What went on here?" the Professor continued turning to Snape.

Lestrange answered with a greedy grin, "No idea ma'am. We were minding our own business, waiting for your return, when they attacked us from behind, ma'am."

Gryffindors hated nothing more than being questioned about their bravery and in their eyes nothing showed cowardliness like attacking someone from behind.

"If we attacked them, than how come James and I were the ones who were disarmed?" Black asked loudly. His face livid and jaw clenched.

"Silence! You will only speak when I ask you to. Perhaps Mr. Snape or Mr. Lestrange could explain that."

"As if you'll get the truth from them…" murmured Potter.

"Did you not hear me the first time, Mr. Potter!" roared Adair. Her patience was at the last tether.

Snape smiled. "It's obliviously because of all the valuable defensive techniques you have taught us, Professor."

Professor Adair accepted this explanation with a nod. "Well that's hardly surprising, since it seems Mr. Black and Mr. Potter hardly find need to pay attention in my class that they you would be so easily able to disarm them. Well done, five points each to Slytherin. As for you Mr. Potter and Mr. Black, you will be serving detention at six o'clock tomorrow night and before you leave you will straighten out this mess. No magic!"

"Yes, Professor," they answered sullenly in unison. Adair stared long and hard at the two of them as if deciding if the boys would act on the mutinous looks they were shooting her. It was highly improbable Potter and Black would disobey a direct order.

Adair then motioned for Lestrange and Snape to get on to where they needed to go. As Snape passed near Potter, he saw a look, a glint in his enemy's eyes. A glint that promised that this wasn't the end of it by far. Snape may have won this particular round, but there was more to come. Snape knew he would always have to be vigilant.

Sirius sensed someone take the seat next to him. He was sitting on the bottom bench of the Quidditch stands. It was a chilly night and Sirius wished he had taken his heavier cloak, even though that one had a large Black family crest sewed on the front.

Sirius didn't have to pick his head up to know it was James. Sirius had come outside to think, but so far his thoughts were either blank or so jumbled that he didn't even want to try sorting them out. A few hours before, James and Sirius had completed Adair's detention. In general serving a detention mattered little to Sirius, but the fact this one was unwarranted and because of Snape and Lestrange getting the best of them, had made it harder to endure.

The vile Professor had been waiting calmly as a snake waiting to strike its prey. She had offered them a drink claiming it was her own homemade pumpkin juice. Sirius' first instinct was to refuse it, but when Adair settled her cold gleaming eyes on them, it suddenly seemed like an impossible rude action. Sirius accepted a cup and James shrugged as they both took a few sips of the strange substance. It was immediately evident that pumpkin was not on the ingredient list as the liquid burned Sirius' throat. A sudden onslaught of nausea attacked Sirius and he noticed James looked peaky. The room began to spin, his head hurt, and he groped at the nearest desk to support himself.

So what would have been an ordinary detention of scrubbing clean desks, turned out to be a torturous endless two hours. They had felt so miserable that neither of them bothered to talk to each other to make the time pass. Asking Adair to go to the nurse would only give the teacher more satisfaction. Strangely the effects of the drink mysteriously vanished the moment Adair dismissed them.

The silence between James and him was starting to annoy Sirius, but he couldn't think of a thing to say.

James apparently had something on his mind. "My parents wrote me…" He paused as if to gauge Sirius' reaction and continued. "And they want you to stay with us a few days over Christmas break."

Sirius picked his head up. It had gotten dark and only the dim light of the stars and the moon illuminated the area.

"Your parents invited me over?" Sirius asked in astonishment. He had never expected the Potters to accept him as a friend of James. He knew his family never would.

"Yes. We have plenty of room. You can have your pick of the guest rooms."

"What made them change their mind?"

"About what?" James shot him a puzzled look.

"Me. And you. A Black and Potter mates."

"I don't know if they exactly changed their mind, but- "

"I don't think it's a good idea," Sirius said quietly not meeting his friend's worried eyes.

"It was just a suggestion," James responded stiffly, "If you don't want to come just say so."

"It doesn't matter what I want. My parents would never let me near your house. There's nothing to discuss."

James frowned squinting in the distance. "How about coming over for afternoon tea?"

Sirius shook his head. "I don't think they'd let me spend one unnecessary minute with you. After all they only have a few weeks to undo all the damage that has been inflicted from being surrounded by unworthy blood for half the year."

James who was staring at some fire flies looked at him as if he wasn't sure if he was being sarcastic. Sirius hated having these conversations, especially dealing with parents. It had been alright for awhile when it appeared James' parents were being as prejudiced against the Black's as Sirius' family was against the Potters. Now these invitations for staying over and tea were messing it all up.

"I want to visit. Just right now it's too complicated…I'm skating on thin ice as it is."

"What if I come over your house?"

"That won't work either."

Sirius decided it was best to change topics as quickly as possible. "Did you notice the cut on Remus' face?"

"Off course," scoffed James, "Hard not to."

"Very suspicious. It was as if he was attacked by something with claws…"

"Which doesn't make any sense. Unless his sick mother has claws, which I guess isn't completely improbable because he never told us what disease she had."

"If she is even sick…"

"Maybe they live somewhere rural and Remus tripped and fell on rocks…"

"That would mean every time he visits his mother he trips on the same rocks? Even Peter wouldn't be that clumsy."

"Don't forget that the cut looked as if it was taken care off. Someone gave him fast-acting healing paste."

"Not fast-acting enough. We still noticed it."

"Which means the paste was put on his cut at Hogwarts, not too long after he came back to the common room, otherwise the cut would have been much less noticeable."

"So that means…"

"Absolutely nothing. It still doesn't get us anywhere."

"Should we ask him about it?"

"No. We can't let Remus know we're suspicious."

With that settled and still numerous questions on their minds, James and Sirius sat in companionable silence. Eventually they grew tired and they slipped back into Hogwarts under the cover of a very handy Invisibility cloak.

Quidditch game days were always exciting. It was rare indeed to find a student who did not get caught in the excitement. James who up to now had been very excited about the upcoming game had grown very quiet.

This had been a surprise to everyone especially since James had been boosting all along about his flying and he had been holding a verbal day to day countdown for the past two weeks. James was not only picking at his food but ruffling his hair, which were sure signs of his nervousness.

Gryffindor was playing Ravenclaw, who had won the Cup the past year. All the players from last year's team were returning, so the rumors circulating were that Ravenclaw would be just as good this year as last year.

"Team to the pitch," Robert McCoy ordered to the scattered players along the Gryffindor Table.

"Good luck," Sirius said encouragingly because James had turned deathly pale. James only managed a weak smile before joining his teammates, who were all also subdued.

A little later, Sirius, Remus and Peter joined the throng of students heading to get the best seats on the Quidditch stadium. They had gotten there early enough so that they were on top. The side they were seated on was a swarm of red and gold color – from hats, scarves, gloves to handmade signs and flags.

Peter had made a poster with gold letters outlined in red that read 'Go Go Gryffindor'. He was now holding it up and his face was red and shiny from a mixture of excitement and wind. Peter had also drawn a stick figure on a broomstick that even for its lack of detail resembled James because it had messy brown hair. Remus had charmed the stick figure to dart around the poster.

A group that consisted of all the second year girls in Gryffindor sat near the boys. Though Sirius had been in class with these girls for some time he realized most of them he barely knew and rarely interacted with.

As usual Grace Landon, Ellie Aston, and Mattie Carter were huddled in laughter. One could only guess what they were gossiping at the moment about. Each girl had painted two gold stars on their right cheek. Grace who was known for painting her nails in bright colors on a regular basis had picked the brightest, most obnoxious red possible.

Near those girls, Lily was sitting between Adrianna who was staring longingly at the field (most likely wishing she was playing, though that meant someone was seriously injured) and Cory who was scowling at the pitch. Though their relationship with Cory Connor hadn't really improved, it at least hadn't gotten worse. He tolerated them and they mostly ignored each other.

Mattie Carter stood up; her rosy cheeks against her pale skin brought out her blue eyes. Mattie greeted another pretty girl who Sirius recognized as Darien's friend; the girl who had asked about him. Sirius searched his memory for her name – Ally.

Ally had apparently felt his eyes because she turned to look at him, dipping her head slightly to the side and gave him a shy smile. Ally had also embraced the Gryffindor pride having intertwined red and gold string in her braids. Sirius felt butterflies fill his stomach, feeling a strange sense of nervousness. He had no experience with girls liking him. Should he go talk to her? He wasn't sure, so he pretended to be very interested in the sky.

Giving him sometime to plan his strategy, the student announcer from Hufflepuff began talking as the teams flew in.

"Here comes the new Gryffindor team. Returning as chaser and now Captain, is Robert McCoy! Joining him as chasers are newcomers, James Potter and Darien Robertson. Returning from last year are the Prewett brothers as beaters, Clara Topper as keeper and last, but not least Camille Heron as seeker."

A deafening cheer erupted on the Gryffindor side and the game hadn't even started yet. Emotion and excitement had been running high all week and finally today it could be released.

"Although there is a lot of speculation that this years Gryffindor team will be the best the House has seen in ages, it has not been overshadowed the controversy over Captain McCoy's choices for chasers. Instead of choosing older, larger more experienced players (some of them his own roommates), he opted this year to go with younger, smaller, less experienced ones. Today we will see if he regrets his choice."

Professor Sprout, Herbology teacher and Head of Hufflepuff, gave the lad a hard look and he hastily began talking about a different topic.

"Controversy? I didn't know about his," Sirius said looking questionably at his friends. Remus shrugged, but Peter looked pleased. "I did." His round eyes did not conceal his excitement about knowing something Sirius and Remus had no knowledge of.

"Two of his friends tried out, they're sixth years so basically this is one of their last years left to try out for the team. They felt they flew just as good if not better than James and Darien. They've been giving McCoy the cold shoulder for a few weeks. Haven't you noticed Robert has been sitting at meals with different people?"

Sirius obviously hadn't noticed and he was concerned that Peter had. Having been the bud of many rumors, Sirius supposed he'd been tuning them out. He wondered if James had known and if that was part of the reason he had been so uncharacteristically nervous.

"It's all rubbish," Remus voiced, "People would be complaining if he picked his friends too."

Their conversation quickly ended with the start of the game. The Captains shook hands and the balls were released. One of the Ravenclaw chasers got a hold of the quaffle and while he was passing it to a teammate, James cut in from below gaining possession of the ball. He zipped by and threw the quaffle to Darien, who threw it to Robert, who scored the first goal. After that the announcer made no more comments about McCoy's picks nor did anyone else.

Sirius hadn't quite realized how spectacular a flyer James was. The times they had practiced or played around with the quaffle, James must have toned down his skill. Now finally in a game setting, it was as if all his talent was being released, gushing out to win them the game.

It wasn't an easy win. The teams were well matched. The scoring went back and forth. Both Darien and James were able to score, but their Keeper was having a tough time today. Camille, out of the blue, made a strange loop in mid air and was speeding straight toward the stands. She caught the snitch having to make a sharp, impossible turn to stop herself from crashing into the crowd. The Gryffindor side roared in excitement and in a way it felt as if they had already won the cup.

Peter was bouncing up and down, dropping his sign to join all the clapping. As the Gryffindor team landed, everyone in their part of the stands swarmed the field wanting to congratulate their Housemates.

Sirius, Remus and Peter began navigating the crowd in search of James. When they spotted him, James was flanked by Ellie Aston and Grace Landon. It looked like the girls had claimed James as their own and were beaming as if they had just won a coveted prize. James looked uncomfortable and gratefully smiled when his friends' presence gave him a polite excuse to extract himself from his admirers.

"You were greeeeat!" squealed Peter.

"Excellent," agreed Sirius patting his mate on the back.

"That dive…and that swerve and that goal," Peter gushed gazing at James in the similar star-gazed look Grace and Ellie had.

"Thanks!" James didn't seem to mind the praise so much now that it came from a friend.

"Glad you didn't disappoint me," boomed McCoy, "Worried there for a bit – I'll admit."

Robert's friends, who where now apparently speaking to him were anxiously waving for him to join them and McCoy told them he'd see them in the Common Room for the celebration.

Last year there hadn't been many games to celebrate, so Sirius was excited to finally be part of a full celebration. It took them awhile to get to the common room and the party was in full swing by the time they entered. Someone had taken the sign Peter had dropped in the stands and hung it up. Gryffindors, bottles of butterbeer, cups of cherry punch and snacks were scattered every where and on every piece of furniture.

"Potter! Over here!" Fabien Prewett called, "We're going to do a team toast."

James strode over to his teammates while Sirius motioned Remus and Peter over to the snack table. After a plateful of honey cake, a few butterbeers and many cups of punch which had a bitter taste to it, Sirius was starting to feel dizzy and unlike himself. It was then off course that he should bump into Ally.

"Hi," Ally said giving him a smile that made his heart beat madly. No smile had ever done that to him before. "I'm Ally Water."

"Sirius Black." He grinned hoping to look alluring. He suspected he looked quite foolish to her.

"I know," she giggled glancing back to her friends and blurted out, 'I think you're cute."

Sirius felt his face redden. It must be from the heat in the room, he reasoned.

"Y-you're – umm – you're…" His brain had decided his mouth could handle this conversation on its own.

"Pretty?" she offered.

"Pretty," he agreed, too glad for the suggestion to try to understand the implications of the words. He did think she was pretty, but then again with the room spinning he wasn't sure if he could rely on his senses. Someone had obliviously spiked the punch.

He felt Ally's hand in his and she was leading him through the crowd, outside to the hallway, to the passageway behind the tapestry of the nun which behind it had the quickest passage to the Astronomy tower.

She was slightly taller than him and smelled like cinnamon. He was so close to Ally that he could see light sprinkle of freckles on her face. Before Sirius could begin to sort what was or might be going on, Ally was bending toward him, eyes closed, lips slightly apart. Pushing all care and worry out of his mind, he closed his eyes too and leaned in to meet her…

A/N: Enjoyed the chapter? Well now is the perfect time to let me know your thoughts in a Review!

Thanks to everyone who reviewed my last chapter. All those reviewers who did not sign-in, I have your response in my profile.

I'm working on two different one-shots, which I also hope to post soon.