Authors note: Hello! Thanks to everyone whose been reading this and I hope you're enjoying it. Please review, this is my first fic and feedback would be appreciated. I intended to make this chapter less angsty than the other 2 but I can't seem to myself! I know you all love the angsting secretly.

Chapter 3

The following morning at breakfast one half of the marauders stared into their breakfasts with dark shadows under their red eyes. Peter remained ignorant of the awkward situation since his sausages had his undivided attention. James, being a bit more perceptive of the unresolved problems at the table, attempted to rouse them from their glum silence with a cheery promises of a trip to Zonkos tomorrow. He was met with a sigh from Remus, a grunt from Sirius and what sounded like "Frrnghhphsh" from a large piece of bacon with a small boy attached to it.

James Potter frowned to himself. This day was not getting off to a good start, his cheek was stinging and bore a pink, decidedly Lily's hand-shaped mark, her latest rejection still ringing in his ears, and now this. James knew Sirius better than anyone and could read him like a book but this was something he'd never seen before, a mood he didn't recognize, which was odd, James knew Sirius's moods almost off by heart but this was one he could not interpret and it troubled him. This new facet of Sirius's personality was alien to him and it was as though he was having breakfast with a stranger.

He caught Sirius's eye and raised one eyebrow in question: what's wrong? Sirius frowned and shook his head, then tilted it to one side and lowered his chin: don't ask. I'll tell you later. James was comforted to know that although he wasn't sure what was wrong he and Sirius still had that easy connection which meant they could communicate through facial expressions alone.

Their first lesson was History of Magic which meant Sirius spent the entire lesson gazing longingly at the back of Remus's head. He admired the way the tawny locks twisted around each other and shone golden as they caught the autumn sun. Sirius glanced at the clock, he had spent half an hour appreciating Remus's hair. An hour to go. He moved onto Remus's neck.

After an hour of appreciating the sinew-y goodness that was Remus's neck and shoulders the bell went and the class emitted a huge sigh of relief and began to make their way to the door. Sirius felt a little edgy after that particular Inspection-of-Whichever-Angle-of-Remus-Was-Presented-to-Him (as he so catchily called it). Remus's stiff, hunched shoulders had practically radiated tension as he scribbled notes furiously. Sirius had always rolled his eyes at this note taking and jokingly suggested that Moony was trying his hardest write energetically enough to make up for the fact that everyone else was sleeping. Sirius grinned as he remembered the way Remus had flashed him a smile and punched him softly on the arm when he said that.

They had a free period next and Remus trotted off in the direction of the library mumbling rune translations under his breath. Peter, James and Sirius set off towards the Gryffindor common room. They dislodged some second years from their favourite spot next to the fireplace and sank heavily into the comfy armchairs. James turned his gaze to Sirius who groaned ever so quietly to himself because he knew what was coming.

"So, are you going to tell me what's going on?"

He let out a deep sigh, "Do I have to?"

"Yes."

"It's just… with Moony, I dunno. I feel like. Well I don't know what I feel like. I worry about him that's all."

James pondered this information for a few minutes, considering how to handle the situation. He reckoned pointing out Sirius's obvious feelings for moony in front of the whole of Gryffindor was probably not a smart move so he settled for "He does seem a but stressed"

Sirius involuntarily leaned forward slightly at this and although he tried to pass it off as stretching James knew. "Has he said anything to you?" Sirius asked, feigning indifference.

"Nah, I'm sure he'll be fine, nearly 'that time of the month' after all" said James, sniggering, "Just act normal and he will, if you act weird around him he'll be more weird" he added wisely.

Sirius grinned at his best friend, he made it sound so simple. Right, act normal, thought Sirius to himself, that could be a problem. Normal will not involve fantasizing about Moony. Definitely not. With this thought Sirius cast his gaze around the room, he spotted his little fan club of giggling girls a few feet away and picked out a tall girl with golden hair. He caught her eye and shot her a roguish wink trying to recall her name, Helena? Melissa? Bethany? She sauntered over to him, her eyes not leaving his face.

"Mind if I sit down?" she asked as she sunk into Remus's chair, the one next to Sirius. Sirius gave her one of his patented looks and said suggestively "That chair, looks a little lonely, why don't you come sit here with me". She giggled and perched on the arm of Sirius's chair, they exchanged flirtatious looks and whispers until Sirius snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her into his lap.

Remus clambered through the portrait hole, his arms full of books, to the sight of Sirius with a girl sprawled all over him, whispering suggestively in her ear. Remus turned bright red and a book slipped from his pile, he rushed up to the dormitory, not stopping to pick it up.