A/N: I'm trying to update this story asap! [: I hope this isn't too slow. Most chapters would probably take me around three weeks to write up. I don't want to rush it and make the whole thing messed up. I'm a naturally slow person, you see. xP

I hope you enjoy it!

Warning: This chapter do contain some self-pleasing act *snickers*, so read at your own discretion. I know its rated M, but I'm so used at keeping this story light and fluffy that I just felt the need to warn my dear readers about it. It's nothing much, but just in case. [":

Disclaimer: As always, Harry Potter and its characters are the property of the greatly creative and much loved J.K. Rowling and I do not own anything aside from this story plot that I'm writing up for fun.

THE STAR AND HIS MOON

Chapter 6

Sirius still couldn't believe that someone as innocent looking as Jennings could be someone whom one would call unhealthily possessive. Last night, when no one aside from him had seen it, Jennings' kiss had become something that wasn't a simple goodnight kiss; it had become a message. A message towards Sirius to get away from something that Jennings himself saw as his.

As soon as he'd finished locking his lips to Remus', there was a split second reaction that Sirius was sure only meant to be seen by him. It was a flick of the eye in his direction accompanied by a smirk. A smirk that read 'I won and he's mine.' It froze Sirius on spot for a few seconds until James' words had brought him back.

He couldn't believe what had actually happen. He couldn't see it as fair. He wasn't trying to steal Remus, he wanted to shout that fact to the Ravenclaw's face, but he was afraid that if the two of them were left alone together, the whole thing would blow out of proportion. And this was something that he'd been trying to avoid for the sake of Remus.

He knew that if push comes to shove, he would shove back. He wasn't someone who was calm like Remus and he wouldn't stay neutral about this whole mess; he was too heart-broken, jealous and in love for that.

But if this happened, the whole drama would drag Remus into it, as it was definitely unavoidable, and Remus was someone who hated to be put into the limelight. He preferred to stay in the shadow, living his life peacefully without any major life dramas that he'd seem to attract ever since he was small. A werewolf bite, three-pranksters as best friends and an incident that'd changed his sense of trust forever.

They were standing in front of the Fat Lady with James calling out the password when they heard a familiar voice calling for Sirius.

"Black! You're here!"

Lily Evans, face red and breath heavy from running, came to a halt in front of them. It wasn't unusual for her to ask for Sirius. They were clearly close enough to be considered friends, but they had never got out of the habit of calling each other by their last names for reasons unknown to anyone aside from the two. For Lily to be openly showing her need for Sirius, however, was something unusual.

"Evans? What is it? I thought you're busy doing your project?"

"I need your help! I just realised that a crucial part of my potion need to be brewed by someone- by someone exactly like you. It needs two people. Come with me?"

"And what do I get from doing this for you?" Sirius asked playfully. Despite his words, he was already starting to move towards the direction that Lily steered him to.

"You think of something! I'll do a request of yours as a return of favour," Lily replied quickly and easily. It wasn't long before the pair of them disappears at a turn in the corridor. But it wasn't before Sirius managed to pause in his walk and gestured towards his three friends to go in the tower without him.

"What was that all about?" James asked after a few seconds of silence following the departure of the two potions students.

Remus shrugged as his answer. Potions had never been his forte and he doubted that he'd understand what that pair was going to engage in. Something complicated no doubt, knowing Lily's love for a challenge.

"I think it would be better if we don't know," Peter answered.

"Wise answer, Pete." Remus grinned.

James seemed to shake himself out of his reverie and the trio entered the tower to hide away for the night. The fire in the common room's fireplace was already blazing, creating a comfortable cocoon of warmth all around. They decided to lounge around in front of the fireplace instead of climbing up into their dorm room straight away.

While James and Peter were involved in a chess match, Remus brought his books and quill over and started on his DADA essay. It was a peaceful night with no pranks or detention to be carried out. It was on nights like these that Sirius' presence could be felt strongly. His lively nature made even quiet evening like this become somewhat exciting.

It made the fact of his absence even more pronounced than usual.

Remus cursed his mind for wandering; and he felt somewhat embarrassed in realising just how much he relied on Sirius to keep him from being a quiet recluse over the years. James and Peter knew how to be quiet when needed, but Sirius had always failed at that. In most days Remus found this aspect of his best friend somewhat annoying -if not adorable; not that he'd ever admit thinking it- but he was somewhat thankful of it.

This ability of Sirius forced him to open up; to become close to the other three Marauders and made them what they were: four pranksters who could read each other like books despite having individualities as different as the sky and the earth.

James maybe seen as the charismatic leader out of the four of them, but Sirius was the source of laughter and giddiness that made them them. Marauders.

"So, you need someone who's, not only a virgin, but also have never kissed anyone before. Can't you ask anyone else, Evans? I'm sure there surely are girls who haven't snog anyone yet," Sirius complained upon learning about Lily's reason.

"Well, yeah, but none of them would be as skilled in potion as you. I need someone who knew what they're required to do. This is a complex potion and I don't want to muck it up," replied Lily in a straight tone while unlocking the door to a potion classroom.

Sirius 'harrumphed' and crossed his arms, but all the while continued to follow the red-haired girl inside. He knew just how important this potions assignment was and he was secretly glad that the other girl trust him above all others.

"Okay, but you're listening and doing whatever request I feel like giving you. Okay?"

"Yes, yes," Lily answered distractedly, having most of the attention taken by her potion.

"What kind of potion are you making anyway? The specificity of its brewer must mean that it's something...don't tell me, are you making unicorn-perfume?"

Lily grinned.

"Why, you tricky girl!" Exclaimed Sirius with a grin before continuing, "What are you planning to do with it? Aside from the obvious, that is."

"Oh, I don't really have anything specific in mind when I chose it. I just knew that it'll give me the top mark. And I'll end up with a valuable potion."

"Hmmm."

"What about you, Black? What potion did you make?"

"You'll see on the day," Sirius replied with a smirk. Lily rolled her eyes and went back to her potion; knowing clearly that she'll never get the answer out of him when he was being his secretive self.

It wasn't until fifteen minutes later that Sirius' aid was required; and he was pleased to be able to say that the potion was finished perfectly. Lily smiled widely, clearly giddy with her success that'll earn her one of the top marks. Knowing that his job there was done, he was just going to excuse himself when the red-haired girl's question cut off his train of thought.

"So? What help do you need from me?"

Sirius shook his head. He honestly had been joking when he'd said that. There was nothing that he wanted that could be achieved through sheer will and help alone. Because the one thing he wanted more than anything in the world was something that had been taken by someone else.

"Oh, come on, Black. Don't tell me you were helping me simply from the goodness of your heart?"

Even though he knew that the words were uttered in a jest, it didn't fail to cause a stab into his heart. Too late, his face had shown this feeling before he could hide it away like usual. These past few days of hiding away his feelings seem to have been taken their toll on him.

Lily paused in her speech, her eyes widening at seeing the undisguised hurt that appeared in those grey orbs. This was something that had never happened before; Sirius wasn't someone who would let emotions other than giddiness and anger show in his face. Hurt had never been in the equation when they were together.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean it Sirius. I-"

Lily's half-formed apology was waved aside by the raven-haired boy. He knew about it already; and even if he didn't, her use of his given name would have given it away. The pair of them hardly calls each other by anything other than their respective family names and a breach of this unspoken rule was a rarity that accompanied honest and serious words.

He put on his smile and waved away her frown. He pretended not to have realise the unspoken Is there something wrong? that was present in the worried green gaze boring into his.

"Okay, it's getting late and we should be heading back. Pack up your precious potion away, Evans. Was there anything in there that'll throw havoc if reacted with magical cleaning?" Lily shook her head in negative and with a swish and a flick of Sirius' wand; the whole room that had previously been messy cleaned itself. There was no sign of any potion brewing aside from the last lingering odour of unicorn potion.

They walked up the stairs towards the dorms with a comfortable pace despite the elephant that was present between them. Stepping past the portrait, they saw the other three Marauders sitting in a circle with a few other students enjoying themselves in a game of exploding snap; Remus having been tempted away from his essay by his other two friends.

"Well, if you feel like you need someone to talk to, just know that I'll always be here, Sirius," Lily whispered; the tone of her words surprisingly fond.

"Thanks, Lils," Sirius replied in his most sincere tone despite the ever-present teasing smile on his face. Lily simply rolled her eyes and stepped past the students making a circle on the dormitory rug with a greeting and a smile; before walking up the stairs towards her room.

Grinning down at the circle of people engrossed in their cards, Sirius decided to head in for the night. Unlike usual, he really wasn't in the mood for any socialising or joking around tonight. The incident with Lily was a close call and he didn't want anybody else seeing his unguarded expression by accident. He was just lucky Lily was the type that could bring a secret to her grave. She was one of the few people that Sirius could trust with a secret; if and when he decided to reveal any of his.

"Oi, Padfoot, you're not joining in?"

James' voice reached his ears as he started to climb up the stairs. He turned to find most of the people had paused in their game and looked at him with identical expression of curiosity; after all, it had never been known for Sirius to turn down a game of snap.

"Nah, I think I'll tuck in for the night. I'm feeling sleepy. I'll see you guys tomorrow morning," he replied with a fake yawn and a smile.

He didn't feel the worried, amber gaze that followed his figure up the stairs.

Waking up the next morning, Sirius felt more refreshed than he'd felt for the past few weeks. He opened his bed-curtains to find the others still dozing in, no doubt sleeping late from the game last night. Grinning at this rare occasion of having long bathroom time for himself this morning, he tip-toed his way into the showers. He hardly ever has time for a nice, long hot shower in the morning and he took the outmost advantage of it this morning.

Stroking himself into full hardness, he let his imagination roam free; safe and secure in the knowledge of the locked bathroom door and the noise of the water to drown any of the questionable sounds that he might've emitted. Unquestionably, it was Remus' image that appeared in his mind. It was his smile and his surprisingly fit body that Sirius could secretly peek at during their showers together that made him moan. He let his guilty pleasure consume him; imagining his best friend standing there behind him, holding him close and trailing those piano fingers all over his body; stroking him, fondling his balls and trailing even lower. It was this phantom touch towards his sensitive skin that brought him into a sudden climax.

But it was Sirius' own mind that turned that pleasing after-glow into a cold reality of having lost the possible chance of ever turning those phantom touches into reality. He cursed his rational mind on the time when he didn't want it to be so. Sighing at the loss of having this morning turning even better; he scrubbed himself clean from any evidence of what he'd gotten up to that morning and dried himself brusquely before donning on his uniform.

He stepped out of the steaming bathroom and breathed a silent sigh of relief at finding his other three friends still deep within the land of comfortable pillows and restful sleep. Knowing that Remus will most definitely woke the three of them up on time, Sirius decided to walk down towards breakfast by himself.

To his uncomfortable surprise, he could see Jennings between the few early-risers that had already seated themselves on the Great Hall's dining tables. He didn't know as to whether he should approach the other boy at all; not wanting to seem rude, but also not wanting to come into a confrontation with Remus' boyfriend. He decided against it, choosing to sit himself on the Marauders' usual spot. He was just lucky that Jennings was sitting on the Ravenclaw table, giving him a reason not to join the other boy if questioned.

He was helping himself to that morning's breakfast of French toast and scrambled eggs when he felt a sudden presence to his left. His gut feeling knew who it was, but he was hoping he would be wrong. But luck didn't seem to be on his side that morning because he found himself coming face to face with the new addition to their group.

He forced himself to smile before greeting the other boy, "Morning, Jennings. Lovely weather this morning, isn't it?"

However, it wasn't the usual smile that replied to his question that morning, but rather a cold scowl that looked so foreign on the usually soft boy's face. Sirius knew it was coming. It was inevitable, really, he shouldn't have expected anything different. He sent a quick prayer and hope for the best. Merlin help me.

"Okay, Black, I'm not going to twiddle my words around here. I'm going to go straight to the point. I'm here to warn you that Remus already has a boyfriend, which is me, and I would appreciate it if you would stop trying to put your moves on him."

Sirius gaped in surprise. He expected lots of things from this confrontation; from angry whispers to hateful shouts, but in a hundred years, he'd never expected Jennings to accuse him of putting his moves on Remus. The idea was preposterous!

"Are you kidding me? Who told you that I'm trying to put any move on Remus? The idea had never even crossed my mind! I knew he was dating you from the first day that you guys had been together, why would I do such a thing?"

Jennings rolled his eyes, "Don't play coy with me, Black. It's obvious that you want him and you are probably jealous of me. So the idea isn't so ridiculous when you put it in that light, is it?"

Sirius barked out a short, dry laugh, "I'm jealous of you and so I decided to put my move on Remy now of all times? If I wanted to, I could've done it for the past six years we've been best friends! Give me some credit; even I'm not that much of a bastard!"

"But you didn't deny the fact that you're clearly in love with him? That you harbour feelings for him? Don't you feel ashamed, Black? Having secret, perverted feelings for your best friend who trusted you the most?"

Sirius felt his patience thinning, "Okay, you listen here, Jennings. I'll be blunt with you. I don't care about whatever the hell could happen to you or your feelings. But I care a hell of a lot about Remus', alright? He chose you, and if you make him happy, I'm happy with whatever he chose, because his happiness is mine. Got it? So get over your bouts of insecurities, it's unbecoming. I'll tell you straight and clear that yes, I do fancy Moony, but I would not try to break the two of you up. I hope I make myself clear."

Jennings seemed affronted at Sirius' words and he opened his mouth for another retort, but Sirius cut him off before the words was formed. "And if you felt like telling Remus about your finding or whatever today, just remember that I wasn't the one who started this. And if the worst scenario happened, just think; who'll Moony trust more? Me, his best friend who'd been with him for nearly half of his life; or you, his boyfriend of a few months? Think it clearly, Jennings. You're smart, I'm sure you'll figure it out in no time."

Sirius stood up from the bench, his appetite gone for the time being. "Now if you'll excuse me. I have some friends to go back to."

With a tightly reined anger, Sirius walked back up towards the dorm in a brisk pace. Even though he had a feeling that this forced truce wouldn't last for long, it felt good to let go some of his irritation towards the other boy for once.

TBC

Yay! I managed to finish this today! Which means I updated this story before I got swept away by my mid-sem studying. ;D
Please tell me what you think! It'll make my bleak, studying days that stretched ahead of me much more bearable! c:
Till next chapter! :"D