A/N: so, this is chapter nine or cheptar neni if you reverse the vowels…moving on: I hope you like. Tomorrow is Guy Fawkes day (explodes building while listening to 1812 Overture). Haha, I watched V for Vendetta so I'm in a very good mood right now. Everyone should watch that movie—after reading this chapter anyway.

Chapter 9: Just Listen Already

It was probably the most unenjoyable History of Magic class Remus had ever suffered through. He'd walked in with a miserable Sirius, and headed for his usual spot next to Adielle. A fuming Alantra, however, filled his seat. Lily and James, of course, sat together. Sirius and Sophilia were sitting as far away from each other as possible, alone. He flopped down miserably next to Sirius. Both of them glared at Alantra, but for different reasons. Adielle looked over at him, gave him a sympathetic look, then went back to listening to Alantra rant.

"Why does she have to like me?" snarled Sirius as Professor Binns came through the black board "I mean, she's the most annoying person on the planet. She must know I don't like her. I mean, even if Sophilia doesn't like me, she should be able to fancy who she wants. She shouldn't be limited to certain blokes, just because little miss territorial decided to claim me as her own." He paused seething.

Remus sighed and glanced up from his parchment. "Well, look at it this way. Say—this is purely hypothetical, because you know I don't—I fancied Sophilia, and I knew you fancied her too. If you thought she fancied me, and I fancied her, would you be very happy with me?"

It took Sirius a moment to wrap this around his mind. "No, I wouldn't be happy, but I'd get over myself until there was actual proof. And if it turned out to be true, I'd let you be happy together."

"No you wouldn't," Remus shook his head, "You'd be pissed for a while, then you'd get over yourself. That's what Alantra's doing. She'll get over herself in a little while."

"Perhaps, but not after she's milked it for all it's worth."

"Maybe not. But let her alone, and don't give her any more reason to hate you or Sophilia more than she already does."

"I don't know why Sophilia wants her as a friend. She's better off without her."

Remus shook her head and went back to his notes.

Feeling thoroughly dispirited Sirius did the same.

Adielle didn't know when she'd felt more annoyed at one of her friends. She had decided not to gripe about Alantra taking Remus' seat, but when Alantra started ragging about Sophilia she found it hard to keep from screaming in frustration. All she did was say quietly, "I know you're upset and all, but don't you think you should hear Sophilia out? I mean, according to her and Sirius nothing happened. You should just lay off Sophilia a bit."

"Why?" demanded Alantra, apparently not really listening "What's to hear? I already know she's a lying slut, what's to prove?"

"Weren't you listening to anything I just said?" Adielle said in exasperation.

"Yes." Lied Alantra. Adielle rolled her eyes.

"You know, if your going to be so stuck in your own woe I don't think I'm going to be hanging around you much."

"What did I do? I don't think you're being very sympathetic."

Adielle continued with her very bad notes and said nothing. Alantra looked as though she were holding back tears. Adielle considered apologizing, but decided against it. It was Alantra's battle and she wasn't going to drag Adielle down too. She was relieved when class ended and she headed out to the green houses with Lily, James, and Remus. Sirius said a bitter goodbye to them and sullenly followed Alantra to Defense Against the Dark Arts.

She leaned on Lily's shoulder in mock exhaustion.

"This continues much longer and I'm going home for the Holidays." She said lightly as they entered the green house.

"You didn't have a good class either?" smiled Remus.

"We didn't like it much ourselves," said Lily quietly "The room was buzzing with tension. Really, I hope they sort this thing out soon. Then things can just go back to normal."

James slipped an arm around her waist, "I don't think Sirius will like that very much. He really likes Sophilia, and really doesn't like Alantra. If Alantra goes back sitting with him, he'll probably hex her."

There was silence while the other three considered this. "Yeah, Alantra should definitely just get over it, and Sirius and Sophilia should just go out." Adielle said glancing at Remus casually.

"Yeah, that'd make things easier." He said.

"I doubt Alantra's going down without a fight." Lily cautioned.

Professor Sprout started talking and they set to work silently.

The Christmas Holidays came, but the atmosphere was hardly pleasant. Both Sophilia and Alantra were flatly refusing to speak to each other. Alantra didn't want to listen to Sophilia, and Sophilia saw no point in talking to deaf ears. She began talking to Sirius again just to spite her. Alantra would always look close to tears when this happened. Everyone else was simply exasperated that this was taking so long. Adielle took to hanging around with the Marauders. Remus, Sirius and Peter to be exact. She was amazed when she realized that she and Lily were the most envied girls in the school. Lily because she had James, and Adielle because the other three clung to her to make up for James' absence. James was there…but he was preoccupied some of the time.

The seventh years were recruited to decorate the school for the holidays. Many of them grumbled about having the extra work to go along with the mountains of homework the teachers had given them, but Adielle enjoyed making the school Christmassy. She sang muggle carols up and down the corridors with little regard over who heard her.

"…Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!" she sang happily as they went down the main staircase after a long day of decorating. She slid down the banister, landing in a heap at the bottom. She jumped to her feet and put a hand on her hip as she waiting for the rest to reach her.

"Am I the only one with an ounce of Christmas spirit?" she demanded. Remus looked around at the others. Sophilia and Alantra were on opposite ends of the group and glaring sourly at each other. Lily and Sirius were throwing nasty looks at the pair of them. Peter was, as always, oblivious and James was looking for some mistletoe to drag Lily under.

"It would appear so." He said almost apologetically.

She turned on her heal and began stalking away. "You people are no fun at all. I should go make some better friends." She said it mockingly.

The eight seventh years trudged outside into a winter wonderland. Snow fell listlessly around them. Some fourth years ice-skating around the frozen lake shouted to each other.

"Anyone up for a snowball fight?" asked Sirius, though there really was no question in the matter.

"But of course." James said.

"I don't feel like it," said Lily. Alantra and Sophilia didn't want to either. Peter said wistfully, "I'd like to but I have something I need to do." He wandered off. They watched him suspiciously for a moment.

"But then we have an odd number of people." Complained Sirius.

"Eh hem!" coughed Adielle, "I'll play guys. How dare you forget me."

She scampered down the steps screaming, "I'm on Remus' team." She pelted a handful of snow at James' head before he had a chance to think.

They catapulted snowballs at each other so furiously that any innocent bystander would likely have their head ripped off. The boys were surprised at what a good aim Adielle had and quickly decided to show her no mercy.

Adielle and the Marauders (excepting Peter) entered the Great Hall in high spirits and wet clothes. Sophilia, Alantra, Lily and Peter were already seated and heaping food onto their plates.

"I'm starved." Adielle said matter of factly.

"You're dripping in my food." Peter whined as Sirius sat beside. Sirius responded by ringing out his scarf over Peter's plate. Peter's eyes blazed.

"You know what! I'm not putting up with this shit anymore. I'll be in the Common Room." Peter grabbed a couple rolls and stormed off. The others were silent for a moment.

"Well, that was unexpected." James said.

"I wonder what's up with him," Sophilia commented, "He's been acting really weird lately."

Everyone agreed but soon all thoughts of Peter were forgotten as the delicious food settled in their stomachs.

After dinner Sophilia returned to her common room, Lily and James went off somewhere to snog, and Sirius—after glancing from Remus to Adielle back to Remus—simply turned and ran away.

"That wasn't odd at all." Adielle said sarcastically.

"Funny how everyone always leaves us." Remus said mildly.

Adielle frowned, "Yeah, they do that a lot don't they?" she paused, "You know, I don't really want to go back to the common room, do you?"

"Nope."

They began wandering around the corridors. They made idle conversation or walked in companionable silence. It was during one of these silences that Adielle realized how much she liked Remus. He was quiet and kind, but also very loyal and strong. Not to mention really really good looking. She blushed and was glad it was dark. She suddenly had the urge to take his hand. To distract herself she looked around.

"How did we end up on the Astronomy Tower?" she asked.

"Dunno. I guess neither of us were paying much attention to where we were going."

Adielle laughed and looked up at the sky, "Stars are amazing things, don't you think."

"Yeah, amazing."

"And beautiful."

"Beautiful." Remus' voice was soft. Adielle looked at him. Their eyes met.

"You weren't talking about the stars, were you." Adielle said. It wasn't a question. Remus shook his head just a fraction. Adielle suddenly became very aware of how close they were standing. Remus hesitated for a moment then leaned toward her. Their lips were barely an inch apart when they heard footsteps.

"Filch!" whispered Remus. They looked around frantically for a place to hide, but there were none on the tower. All they could do was stand there and wait for the inevitable. But it wasn't Filch; it was Peter.

"There you are, Remus!" he panted "Sirius and James want you. Something about a Holiday Surprise."

"Oh, thanks Peter." Remus sounded anything but thankful. He glanced at Adielle before following Peter down the stairs.

Adielle sighed in frustration and looked back up at the sky.

A/N: ooooo, Adielle und Remus! Poor Adielle. So close yet so far. Sigh. I don't think I'm very good at the sappy romantic things so constructive criticism would be awesome. Anyway, I hope you liked and will review!! I LOVE reviews. They make me happy sings Happy Talk from South Pacific while doing interpretive dance