Disclaimer: I don't own the Marauders, but I sure wouldn't mind if I did. ;P They belong to J.K. Rowling. I do, however, own Leah Matthews and the other OCs. Don't steal, please!

Girl of His Dreams

Chapter Nineteen: NEWTS

NEWTs.

Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests, as most students referred to them at Hogwarts. Leah, however, had come up with her own clever meaning for it.

"New and Exciting Ways to Torture Students," Leah grumbled from behind a heavy History of Magic textbook. Sirius scribbled furiously at a piece of parchment, dipping his quill so haphazardly Leah had to charm it to the table top so it wouldn't topple over.

He stopped for a moment to give her a smile. "Did you think of that on your own, love?"

"Yes, I did. And it's ridiculous how much work those teachers are giving us."

"I heartily agree," James piped up from beside the fire. It was already the start of March, and the weather had been surprisingly dreadful. Despite the warmth of the castle, the five of them- including Peter- were keeping as close to the fire as they could.

"James," called Lily from the entry hole, "we have to make rounds before supper."

"I'm a tad busy," he called back, practicing his charms on the various furniture pieces. Leah was staring at him suspiciously; the second he pointed that wand at her couch, she was going to be on her feet.

The prank was in his eyes, but before he could go through with it, Lily had stepped up beside him and grabbed his ear.

"Let's go, James."

"Ow! Mercy, Lily, mercy! I thought mothers were the only ones who could do this?!"

"Apparently not! Now move it!"

"Sirius! Sirius, save me!!"

Sirius tossed his parchment and quill aside and reached out to James over the back of the couch. "No! Lily, spare him! He's precious to me!" When she made no move as if to stop, he sobbed. "I WILL AVENGE YOU, PRONGS!!"

"Sit down, Sirius," Leah said through her laughter. "You're making people stare."

He gave one last longing look toward the back of the portrait before plopping unceremoniously on top of her.

"Well, at least I've got you, love."

"That reminds me…" She tried unsuccessfully to shove him away. "We need to talk."

He froze. "Despite the meaning of that statement, it doesn't really seem like a good way to start a conversation. Could you try something else?"

Realizing that he thought she was breaking up with him or something of the sort, Leah leaned up and snogged him quite passionately for a few minutes before pulling away. He blinked down at her with a grin.

"See… I like that start much better. You should do that from now on."

"It's nothing serious… Sirius." She smiled and pecked him on the lips.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course."

Sirius was staring into her eyes intensely. No longer smiling, he leaned down and brushed his lips against her jaw. "I love you," he breathed against her skin. With a grin, Leah pulled his face back to hers for another steamy snogging session. His lips were soft and not too thin; he was an excellent kisser, though she supposed that was from years of practice. She knew quite well the playboy antics he had once performed before they met.

"Ahem," Remus said softly. He tapped his quill on the table top to get their attention. "Now that he's gone, I was hoping to ask if you'd planned anything for James' birthday next week."

"Of course I have," Sirius said, sounding hurt. "He's my best friend, Mooney, how could I forget?"

"I haven't figured out what to get him yet," Leah murmured. "All I could think of is a gift-wrapped bottle of firewhiskey."

"Which he'll love," Sirius assured her. He turned to Remus. "What did you get him?"

"It's a surprise."

Leah tapped her chin in thought. "If James' party is anything like Lily's party…"

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"Oh man," Leah groaned, sitting up and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "That was a crazy dream… Sirius?"

He snored softly beside her, and Leah looked down to see him cuddling some fabric in his hands. It looked an awful lot like… She gasped and covered her somehow bare chest with the blanket with one hand, using the other to repeatedly slap Sirius about the head and neck.

"SIRIUS BLACK!! WHY IS MY SHIRT OFF?!"

"Ouch, bloody hell, Leah, my head is pounding…" He tossed her the shirt and covered his head with a pillow. "How should I know? I don't even know where I am right now…" He sat up. "Did you say you were shirtless?"

SMACK!

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Leah shook her head. She still couldn't remember what had happened that night, but it was impossible for James and Remus to keep from laughing whenever she asked, so she just assumed she'd rather not know. Sirius frowned.

"Yeah, Mooney, you never did tell us what happened at Lily's party."

He burst into loud, uncontrollable laughter.

"Alrighty then," Sirius grumbled. "Better off not knowing. Though," he added, "I do remember some things."

"Like what?"

"Like you…" He kissed her lips, "taking off," he kissed her jaw, "your shirt." He nipped her neck, and she giggled despite her bright blush.

"I did no such thing!"

"Then why did I end up with it, eh?"

"Actually," Peter piped up. "She went to sleep in her own dorm with her shirt still on." He chuckled as Leah stopped giggling abruptly and started glaring daggers up at Sirius, who was staring back at her with wide, innocent eyes.

"L-Leah, I didn't- OW!" He scrambled to his feet as she tossed him off of her and began screaming obscenities, throwing any objects she could get her hands on.

"PERVERT!"

"I thought she took it off in the dorm room because she was too hot?" Remus asked, leaning over towards Peter. "Sirius was already out cold, don't you remember?"

"Yes, but they don't," Peter snickered. "That's why it's so funny."

Remus shook his head, laughing internally at his best friend's misfortune.

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A/N: Is this a filler episode!? Yes, yes it is. Just something to keep you occupied until I finish the next chapter, I'm SO sorry it's taken me so long… ;w; I'm trying to juggle work, college, and World of Warcraft all at once. Yes, I said World of Warcraft… If you play, PM ME!!! xD