A/N: Okay, finally finals for this semester are over! I can write a bit more on this. :3

Sorry for such a late update. I'm having trouble writing out the things that I wanted to include in the story. *Sigh* I'll try my best! O:

THE STAR AND HIS MOON

Chapter 4

Sirius found -to his relief- that the pain at seeing Remus acting more than friendly with another boy aside from himself was starting to lighten. It was probably because the Marauders were getting used to the fifth presence around them. Sirius was just starting to get used of the fact that Remus would probably be forever out of his reach when an incident between him and his werewolf friend caused a chaos within their close knit of group.

It was during one of their pranks. The Marauders had been planning to carry out this plan for awhile. They were going to sneak out past the curfew time and fill their potions classroom with dung-bombs. This would make the class unable to be carried out the next morning and if they were lucky, they would get a free period due to this.

Jennings had asked them earlier during the week as to whether he could be also take part in carrying out the prank. The four friends had agreed to this after making him promise them that this was the only time he would come along, and after all of their plans were laid out; it was time for the action.

Sirius found himself paired with Remus in placing the bombs in the classroom because they all knew that he was quick with his hands and Remus was silent in his movement. He was going to unlock the door while his partner was going to place the dung-bombs around the classroom. Peter was there to watch out for the patrols with Jennings while James was going to be the distraction should someone spot them.

They successfully carried out their plans and were going to walk back towards the others when the pair spotted a prefect walking from the opposite direction. Quickly ducking away into the nearest alcove, they slid themselves into the shadows. They were staying as close as possible in fear of being discovered and it was as they breathed a sigh of relief upon the disappearing sounds of footsteps that they came to realise their current compromising situation.

Remus was standing, leaning against the wall, while Sirius was quite literally leaning against him. They didn't realise their close proximity until now and it froze both of them as their eyes met.

It was as if a strange force stopped them from jumping away from one another. On the contrary, they found themselves leaning closer towards the other unconsciously. It was as if an invisible force was pulling them together; unable to be ignored and fought against. Sirius was so sure that they were probably going to be kissing each other if the sudden presence of almost-silent footsteps reached their ears along with the familiar voice that called for Remus.

That voice jarred whatever moment that they were going to have and they jumped away from each other in surprise. The pair turned to find Jennings standing at the opening of the alcove. Sirius had a feeling that the other boy had seen a bit more than he should have for the eyes that met Sirius' were filled with sudden dislike.

It did look like Remus and I were probably making out, hidden in the alcove.

Sirius was tempted to explain the situation, to say that it really wasn't as it looked like to the other boy; feeling more than a bit guilty even though he knew he wasn't the only one at fault here, but Jennings didn't give him a chance to. The blond boy simply walked straight towards Remus and clung onto his arms before telling the werewolf that he was so worried when the two of them didn't come to the meeting place on time.

Sirius knew all the signs when someone was telling him to back off from what would be considered theirs.

What would I say anyway? Sorry, but Remus and I really weren't doing anything inappropriate? That really would end up sounding more suspicious since nothing really did happen.

He felt a strong surge of jealousy and dislike towards the Ravenclaw boy for the first time since the time he met him. He already knew that Remus wasn't his. He wouldn't be consciously making a move on him if he was someone else's boyfriend; he wasn't that shallow. The fact that Jennings had act all possessive over someone he'd loved for years made an almost-foreign bitter feeling to rise up within him. He instantly fought it down and squashed it into a tiny presence that he could pretend to not be there.

Acting as if nothing was out of the order, Sirius grinned at his best friend and the said boyfriend before walking towards their meeting place with James and Peter.

"Pssst! Padfoot! Hey!"

Sirius slowly turned towards James who was walking next to him during their careful walk back towards Gryffindor Tower.

"What?"

James had the decency to look uncomfortable before slowly continuing,

"Well, I was just wondering, what happened between you and Jennings? The boy looked rather wary of you. I'm sure the other two didn't realise it, but I can clearly see the tense look he shot towards your direction whenever you got close."

Sirius sighed. He really didn't want to tell his pseudo brother about it now, but he also knew that James could be annoyingly stubborn when he wanted to.

Damn him and his observant nature. Anyone would think that he'd be oblivious, with the idiotic way he acted around Lily.

"It's nothing, Prongs. You don't have to worry. Just...a little misunderstanding," Sirius replied, hoping against futile hope that the other boy would drop the matter.

He should've known that the futile hope would stay the way it was.

"You know better than anyone I would never drop any problem that involves my best friend. You should give up now rather than wasting your time."

The voice that spoke to him was soft but stern. It was James' don't-mess-with-me voice without all its malice.

"Just- drop it for today, will you, James?"

"But, Sirius-"

"James Potter, I'll tell you tomorrow. Just not – not today."

James knew when to shut up -when Evans wasn't in the equation, that is- and this time was no different. He fell silent. Sirius' use of his last name was as common as the amount of time Evans acted civil towards him. Which was slim to none.

"You're not running away from it. I'll get the truth out of you tomorrow whatever happens. Deal?"

Sirius nodded exhaustedly.

"Deal."

Nothing more was said that night.

To say that sleep came slowly to Sirius that night was an understatement. He found thoughts whirling around his mind every time he closed his eyes. He was that close to kissing Remus. Kissing Moony;his best friend and his long-time crush. He wasn't even sure anymore as to whether his crush was staying as just that and not something...more.

Cutting off that particular train of thought, not wanting to open up more possibilities for him to break his heart; he found his mind concentrating on the event of that night.

If Moony wasn't the least attracted to him, he wouldn't have shifted closer, would he? But was he really moving closer to their almost-kiss or was Sirius' feeling making him imagining things?

What if Moony wasn't actually moving closer and it was only me? He would find out about my feelings and be disgusted then! Sirius thought in horror.

But logically thinking, Remus was not acting any differently towards him that night. He was acting like nothing was out of the ordinary; like everything was just like the way they were before. Sirius calmed himself and was feeling somewhat comforted before the biggest problem voiced itself in his head.

Jennings.

Jennings had seen what had not happened and seemed to be determined in making Sirius his new rival in keeping Remus' attention to himself. It wasn't even a competition because if it was, Sirius was going to be the absolute loser in this particular one. It wasn't fair. He was probably the one who liked Remus first. He was the one who'd been with Remus longer, and yet Jennings got to have him.

Maybe it's because he was brave enough to do what you never dared to.

He was too scared; simple and easy. He; the most notorious prank-carrier and rebellious son in the history of the Noble House of Black was scared from rejection. He had been the rejected son as soon as he was sorted into Gryffindor, and he didn't want to be the rejected best friend of Remus'. His friends, the Marauders had always been more of a family for him than his own family could ever be.

Remus and James were especially special. They accepted him they way he was, treated him as one would to a best friend and a brother in James' case. He didn't want to lose any of them. There weren't many things that he could consider precious in his life, but these two people especially were his reasons of existence. For the umpteenth time that night, Sirius sighed.

I wasn't even supposed to be the worry-wart, dammit! He was supposed to be the carefree one, the strong and somewhat arrogant one from their little group.

It was only when the sky was sporting a lighter hue that he was able to finally fall into an exhausted slumber.

Sirius opened his eyes and snapped it back shut, hoping that the other occupant of the room didn't see that tiny movement. His hope was proven futile.

"Sirius, I saw that. I know you're awake."

"Go away, James," Sirius groaned, turning away from the other boy who was sitting on Remus' empty bed, previously facing his front.

"Get up, you lazy git!"

A pillow was thrown in his direction, hitting him squarely on the back of the head. He turned his head to protest only to fall silent when his nose caught a whiff of his most favourite scent in the world. Remus.

The pillow that James had thrown must've been from Remus' bed. Without realising it, Sirius moved to hug the pillow into his face, inhaling the familiar loved scent. It was only when he heard James' words that he realised just how out of character he must've been acting.

"Padfoot, are you sniffing that pillow?"

Moving the white pillow quickly aside, he moved to sit down and glared at the boy who was disturbing his plan to sleep in.

"I was using it to hide myself from seeing your annoying face, you berk."

"Hey, no need for so much malice in such a wonderful morning. Your mood would worsen everyone else's," the bespectacled boy replied in a light tone; not feeling the slightest bit angry at Sirius' words. If their positions were reversed, he knew that he would react in pretty much the same way as Sirius was doing now.

"I wouldn't be if you didn't interrupt me in my wonderful rest," Sirius replied while moving into a more comfortable sitting position on his bed. He knew what James was there for and he saw no reason for the delay anymore than necessary. It was better to get it over and done with.

"So? What do you want to know?"

James looked somewhat taken aback at the sudden change of conversation before quickly recovering. They were somewhat used to this messed-up talking pattern after spending the last five years together.

"What I wanted to know is what happened last night. Why was Jennings looking like he wanted you as far away from him as possible?"

"I didn't do anything to him, if you must know." More like what I almost did to his boyfriend.

James nodded, "Okay, then it must've been something to do with Remus?"

Sirius almost gaped at his best friend's easy acceptance and quick thinking. James had never been this quick at solving feelings related things. He must've anticipated it.

"Well, yeah... Except it wasn't really because I did anything towards Moony either."

"Sirius, stop talking in riddles and just answer my damn question!"

Sighing, the raven-haired boy finally relented, "Fine. He came looking for Remus and me and found us in a compromising position, okay?"

James paused, as if thinking and dumbly replied, "Compromising position? Were you two kissing? Oh god, I didn't need to put that image in my head!"

Deciding to stop his over-dramatic dorm mate before he went too far, Sirius denied the statement quickly and clearly. He didn't need James to misunderstand about what happened last night either.

"No. Moony and I was simply sitting in a close position because we were hiding away from a prefect in their night duty, alright? Now will you stop your stupid acting?"

James paused mid-step.

"Hey! My acting is not stupid! And it can't be considered acting if I was genuinely distressed about my mental scarring!"

Sirius rolled his eyes, "Yeah, yeah, whatever, Mr. Drama. Now that you've got what you wanted, I'm gonna go take a long, hot shower."

As soon as Sirius stepped into the bathroom and closed the door behind him, James' expression turned amused. It seemed like his pseudo brother really was smitten with their mutual best friend if the way he reacted -sniffing that pillow- was any indication. He felt somewhat responsible. After all, he'd promised himself to ensure all of his three friend's happiness. If Remus was the one person that could bring happiness to Sirius, he had to do something to make it possible.

The only problem was the fact that their werewolf best friend was already dating someone. He couldn't exactly try to break the new couple up because that would only cause unhappiness for Remus and it would undeniably lead to sadness for Sirius too. He realised early on how all of their moods were interconnected. If any one of the Marauders was in a low mood, the rest of them could be found moping along with their fellow prankster even if they didn't know the reason for the discontentment.

Their bond was deep and James believed it to be unbreakable. Shakeable; yes -if what happened last year was any indication- but breakable; no.

Mulling over the complicated circumstances given to him, he decided to do the first thing that could be done. He has to find out as to whether it would be possible for Remus to return Sirius' feelings. If the feelings have a possibility of being mutual, he could think up of another plan then. When Lily had told the three Marauders about Remus' interest on lads instead of lasses; Sirius was hardly surprised while it took James and Peter a minute or so to digest, before promptly accepting the fact.

Remus' lack of interest in girls since they were small had been questionable and this possibility that was pointed out by the red-haired girl gave a logical answer as to why.

When James thought over this bit of news, a thought about Sirius being Remus' object of interest crossed his mind. After all, Remus had always been almost unnaturally soft towards the raven-haired Marauder. Despite the stupid and brash things that Sirius had done throughout the years, aside from the month of silence after the incident with Snivellus; it had never taken Remus more than a day to forgive him.

Between Remus and Sirius, there had always been an undercurrent of something that James could never figure out. Maybe it was attraction and affection of the non-platonic kind. Knowing the answer wouldn't come out of thin air, James decided to do some more observing work on his two best friends.

In the mean time...he should go and disturb Sirius' shower time.

TBC

Okay, the fourth chapter is finally complete!

I tried to write a longer chapter because I feel guilty about the lateness of the update. :"D

The next chapter might take at least another three weeks because I just heard about the possibility of my internet connection to be disconnected and changed into another. This would mean a nightmare of two weeks without internet. D':

Review, please? It'll comfort me!

Well, until next chapter! [: