Kate quickly became friends with her roommates and by the end of September it felt like she'd always been a part of their group. The only time that her status as a transfer student was obvious was in her attention span. When she'd been homeschooled, it had only been her and Aunt Grace. She had never been in a classroom setting with other students. There had been no distractions. About once an hour, someone would have to prod her in the side to bring her attention back to the class. Lily caught her staring blankly out the window or at a spot on the floor a few times. Lily wondered what she was thinking about.

"Why can't classes just be practical application?" Kate groaned and laid her head on her arms. The sixth year girls were in the common room doing homework. Kate had trouble taking notes in class so she was having trouble with her Transfiguration essay.

"I know how to do the spell, why do I care about the theory behind it?"

"Knowing the theory is important," said Lily without looking up from her essay. They'd been working for the same amount of time but Lily's was double the length of Kate's.

Kate grumbled. "I've gotten on fine without theory so far."

"Yes, but these are sixth year classes. You'll need to know theory to pass your N.E.W.T. exams next year."

Kate got up and stretched. "I'm going for a walk," she announced.

"Where?" Lily asked without looking up.

"I don't know. Outside probably," Kate looked out the window. "Care to join me? It's such a nice day. I feel like we should enjoy it."

Lilly shook her head. "Maybe later. I'm on a roll with this."

Kate walked off alone. The castle was so big that it alarmed her somewhat. Her classes had always just been in her house, mostly at the kitchen table. Having a separate room for each class was new to her.

She heard footsteps behind her. They were matching her speed. Whenever she slowed, they slowed and the same if she sped up. Someone was following her and didn't want to be noticed.

Kate sighed and turned around. Sirius Black was reading an announcement board that Kate knew hadn't been updated in weeks.

"Come on, then," she called. He looked at her with exaggerated surprise.

"Kate! Fancy running into you here," he grinned as he approached her.

She raised an eyebrow at his obvious lie but didn't call him on it.

"I was about to go outside for a walk," she said.

"Ah yes," Sirius said. "Enjoying the last days of warmth before Old Man Winter gets us in his claws."

"Exactly."

"Of course, there are many ways to occupy oneself indoors too," he grinned again. "Especially when it's cold outside."

Then Kate did something that he didn't expect at all. She laughed. Not a hard laugh, just a small scoff. It hurt though.

"Really?" she asked. "Did you really just use that line?"

Sirius's face fell a little. "What? It was charming. Girls like that."

"Maybe girls who are already planning to snog you in a broom closet. Which I'm not."

Kate started to walk away. Sirius caught up easily.

"I never said anything of the sort," he said with exaggerated haughtiness. Then he grinned. "But now that you mention it..."

"I'm going for a walk outside," Kate said. "If you'd like to join me, leave the obnoxious innuendo here."

"I can do that."

As Kate turned towards the door, Sirius leaned down over the back of her neck and whispered in her ear.

"You laughed, though."

His breath touched her neck and she gave an involuntary shudder. Goosebumps raised on her neck and shoulders.

She swallowed and blinked before turning to him.

"That wasn't a real laugh," she said as she mastered herself. "A pity laugh, nothing else."

"Doesn't matter. A laugh is a laugh."

The two Gryffindors walked in silence out of the front doors and down the steps.

Their friendship over the last month confused Kate. He was almost insufferably flirtatious with her. Usually she liked it. It was nice to know that someone thought she was worth all that trouble.

But he was Sirius Black. Kate's roommates had warned her about him. He was Hogwarts' notorious womanizer and had been since the beginning of fifth year. Marlene had even had a brief fling with him. Though according to her, it had only lasted two weeks. Kate had no desire to add a notch to his bedpost.

And sometimes... sometimes she would be struck with apprehension. Sometimes when he flirted with her she felt afraid. She couldn't explain why.

"So, tell me about yourself," Sirius said as they walked.

"What?"

"I'm trying to get to know you. It's what I do with girls I'm not snogging in broom closets."

Kate smiled. "What do you want to know?"

"Well, what was your life like before you came to us?"

"I lived in London with my aunt and uncle. My aunt homeschooled me."

"What about your parents?"

"My mother died when I was young and my father... isn't around."

Sirius's eyes widened but he tried not to let the surprise show on his face. Kate wasn't looking at him though. She was staring out at the lake with unfocused eyes.

"I'm sorry," he said lamely.

Kate shrugged. "I was so young I barely remember my mother. I see my father every few years but it's so awkward I'd almost rather not. My aunt and uncle are the best parents I could ask for." Her words were dismissive but her voice was just a little too flat to be natural. She was forcing whatever emotions she was feeling down.

Suddenly, she blinked and looked back at him. "What about you? What's your family like?"

Sirius scoffed. "I try not to think about them."

"Why?"

"We don't get along," he said. "We have differences of opinion."

"Yes," Kate smirked. "I've met your brother."

"What did he say?" demanded Sirius, all humour suddenly gone.

Kate was startled. "Nothing to me. I overheard him bullying some Hufflepuff second years."

"Hmm, well I guess I can still beat him up for that," Sirius smiled to himself. Kate laughed.

"Now imagine a whole family like him: Mother, Father, aunts, uncles, cousins; the whole lot save for a few. And those few get disowned."

"Sounds dreadful."

"It is. But it's fun making them angry with me," he laughed. "My room at the house is all crimson and gold of Gryffindor and I like reminding them that one of my best mates is a half blood."

"Hmm, I never would have pegged you for the sadistic type."

"Sadistic?" he faked outrage which quickly turned into a grin. "Maybe a little. I also have an open invitation at the Potters' if things get too unbearable with my parents. The past few years, I've ended up at their house for the last few weeks of the summer."

"That explains a lot."

"What?"

"You and James are practically joined at the hip."

Sirius shrugged. "We're mates."

"You're brothers," Kate said. Sirius was taken aback but she went on. "I've gathered that he's an only child and you don't get on with your actual brother. You two have become surrogate brothers."

Sirius thought about it for a moment and smiled. It wasn't the sexy grin that he'd been giving Kate all along, but a real smile.

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

They had finished the circuit of the lake and had arrived back at the castle doors. Kate started for the stairs to Gryffindor Tower and Sirius followed her.

"I should get back to work," she said. "I have to finish my Charms essay."

"All right. I have to, um... pretend to be doing something, I suppose."

Kate laughed. They stopped in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady. Neither gave the password.

"This was nice," Kate said. "I needed the distraction."

"I, surprisingly, have to agree," answered Sirius. "Best time I've had with a girl not snogging."

Kate rolled her eyes. She gave the password and went to sit back with Lily who had been joined by Marlene.

Lily had long since finished her Transfiguration essay and she and Marlene had their Ancient Runes translation on the table in front of them. Neither of them was working on it though. They were both staring at Kate.

"What?" Kate asked.

Lily bit her lip and went back to her homework. Marlene, always the less subtle of the two, spoke. "You were out with Sirius?" she demanded.

"We went for a walk, sure." Kate shrugged. Marlene was still staring at her with wide eyes.

Kate sighed. "What, Marlene? Spit it out."

"That's all?" Marlene sounded like she didn't believe Kate. "Sirius Black does not go for 'just walks' with girls. Especially not with pretty girls like you."

"I try." Kate primped at the compliment. Lily laughed but Marlene clearly wanted more details.

"It was just a walk. We talked. That's all."

"I'm inclined to believe her, Mar," Lily chimed in. "I mean does it look like she was mauled by a bear?" Kate and Marlene burst out laughing.

"What?" Lily said. "That's what the girls look like when they come back from snogging Sirius Black. Kate does not look like that, so I'd say you can rule it out."

"Who'd have thought?" Marlene smiled at Kate and shook her head. "The notorious Mr. Black finally tamed. I feel like we should give you a statue."

Kate hit Marlene with a pillow.

"I have an essay to write. Kindly shut up."