Sirius walked into the Great Hall, followed by Remus, for Breakfast the next morning. He and his friends had arrived at the Hogsmead station on time the previous night, and had proceeded through the dark to the castle. At the welcome feast they watched many minute first-years be sorted into their respective houses. Students had muttered when seeing their new Head Boy and Girl, questioning their ability to work together, complaining about the fact that they were both Gryffindors. Meanwhile, James was sitting with Peter, talking animatedly about the mechanics of catching a Snitch.

"James, we know how to roll the wrist whist trying to catch the Snitch form the side, okay", said Remus.

"I think we could probably be better Seekers than Andrea by now", agreed Sirius, "With all those lengthy tips you've been giving us."

A few minutes into his porridge, Sirius spotted McGonagall moving down the Gryffindor table, handing out timetables. After she gave his to him, as well as handed one to each of his friends, they all left the Great Hall for lessons. Sirius was crossing the Entrance Hall, expecting his three friends to follow, when James pulled him aside.

"Before we start lessons and everything..." said James rather seriously, "I want to make something clear. I'm- well, I'm Head Boy now, and- and I want to start acting like it".

"James, I want to make something clear as well", Sirius said slowly, "You are acting like an idiot".

"No, I just mean, I want to be a bit more responsible from now on", James explained, "I love joking around and stuff, but I've realised that sometimes you need to be a bit more serious".

"Excuse me, I am as Sirius as they come", Sirius cracked a very well repeated joke.

"Now isn't the time, I'm trying to explain this to you", James seemed frustrated.

"I know what you mean", said Sirius coldly, "I just can't believe that it's you who is saying it".

"Personally, I'm not surprised", said Remus smugly from behind them, "After all, James acting more responsible as Head Boy would be something Lily approves of".

"Oh, that makes more sense", agreed Sirius, "But James, really, I have been through some crazy stuff to try and help you win over Evans. Last year, the whole thing with me distracting them at the lake, which ended up failing, and you and Lily half drowned. But this? I can't just change my whole lifestyle. I am a natural prankster".

"Please", James half begged.

"No, I think its complete- let me get back to you on that", Sirius turned his head to see Ariella walking across the Entrance Hall to her friend, Kass.

Sirius was not sure why, but certainly wanted to talk to Ariella. Not about anything in particular, but he wanted to see how her holidays had gone, and he wanted to catch her before she reached her friend; Kass did not have a very high opinion of Sirius.

"Hey", he smiled as she stopped to talk.

"Hey Sirius", Ariella greeted him, "What lesson do you have first?"

"Potions", sighed Sirius glumly, "Hopefully we'll be doing something interesting."

"I've got astronomy", Ariella stated, "With Remus, I think."

"Ah, yes, well you can't look at too many stars right now can you?" Sirius smirked, "I keep trying to tell dear Remus the same thing, but alas, he is deaf to me."

"Whatever you say", Ariella chuckled, "But we do other things beside looking at stars."

"Like what?" Sirius asked her.

"Like studying the movement of planets, the moon too", Ariella explained.

"Yes, Remus is quite interested in the moon, you know", Sirius laughed internally, but was careful not to arouse suspicion on his friend's part.

"I know", Ariella agreed, "He did an essay on it last year, got the best mark in the class."

"Well, that's him", Sirius said, "Always an over-achiever. Something which James is sadly looking at becoming..."

"What are you on about?" Ariella questioned him.

"He wants to take take up responsibility and be a better person", Sirius said, "All to do with being Head Boy."

"That's not too bad", said Ariella, "I think he can do it- and be the same James too."

"I know he's going to be the same, I just mean- I want to be able to joke around with my best mate too", Sirius elaborated.

"You will be able to", Ariella assured him, "And besides, you know who Head Girl is."

"I know, and that's what worries me", Sirius began.

"It wouldn't be so bad, Sirius, for James and Lily to be together", Ariella told him, somewhat firmly, "I personally think you'd like having a new friend around, with Lily, you know. And besides, she'd be able to keep James away from any real trouble, so you can keep doing whatever mad things you do without worrying over James and whether he's going to break his neck."

"I'm the clumsy one, you know", Sirius reminded her.

"Not really, just spatially unaware", Ariella looked at him for a moment, before turning, "I have to go and look at the currently invisible stars, so I'll see you around."

"See you", Sirius watched as Ariella walked away, he felt a strange pang in his chest.

Sirius returned to find only James waiting for him. Remus disappeared around the same corner Ariella had just gone behind, and Peter had headed off for the library, having a free lesson yet again.

"James", Sirius started, "I understand it, okay. Go and be responsible or whatever."

"Thanks mate", James said as they began down the stairs for the dungeons, "Besides, I have to stay cool too. Otherwise I'd end up being a bookish sod like Moony."

"And Evans might warm up to you too, hey", Sirius nudged his friend.

"Maybe", James sighed, "But I actually do owe these people something, now that I'm a leader. I want to do good for them."

"Well, I'll help you James", Sirius agreed, "Even if I die of boredom."