It seemed as if all of Hogwarts cared of nothing but the Valentine's Day Ball, and there were only 4 days left. Sirius had not yet said anything to Remus about it, and even though it caused him a small amount of worry, (which he pushed to the back of his mind) Remus continued to believe that the school would know about their relationship come the 14th of February.

After his Ancient Runes class, he headed up to the Gryffindor tower with every intention of bringing up the subject of the ball with his boyfriend.

"Gumdrop." He said to the portrait of the fat lady. The portrait swung forward and he climbed into the common room. The first sound that greeted his ears was Alice's shrill laugh. He found her sitting on the couch next to Sirius. He was leaning back, clearly relaxed, his arm resting over the top of the couch, and he was talking to her while she laughed and giggled, and sat facing him, leaning ever so slightly toward him.

Anger rose up in his chest and he felt as if a creature was clawing at his insides, trying to tear its way out. He crossed the room in a matter of seconds and stood in front of the couch staring at the two of them. Sirius looked up first.

"Hey Remus. Come join us."

"Don't mind if I do." He said curtly as he squeezed himself between Sirius and a disgruntled Alice.

Alice had to slide down the couch a few inches to allow the comfortable space between them.

"So what's so funny?" He asked staring at Sirius.

Sirius gave him an odd look as he cleared his throat and said, "Oh, Alice and I were just joking about the professors and such."

"Yeah, like what?"

"Like how if Professor Flitwick ever had a girlfriend, he would have to stand on a stool to kiss her or else she'd have to bend down."

Alice laughed again. "Oh Sirius, you're so funny." He grinned at her and Remus felt the creature clawing even harder.

"I've got one. What if Professor Flitwick had a girlfriend and whenever she was not with him, she flirted shamelessly with another professor? That would be really funny, wouldn't it?" He said.

Sirius and Alice stared at him with expressions of confusion on their faces.

"Err…no I don't think that would be funny." Sirius said quietly.

"Yeah, me either," said Alice.

"Well, then that makes three of us."

"Umm, Remus, can I speak to you alone for a minute?"

"Why, what is there to talk about?" he said crossly.

"Excuse me Alice, "he said to her as he pulled Remus to his feet, and led him over to a deserted corner.

"What's the matter with you?" Sirius whispered.

"What's the matter with me? I'll tell you what's-" he was cut short when James bounded over to them.

"Oi! You guys aren't going to believe what just happened!"

Sirius and Remus were forced to end their conversation as James proceeded to tell his news.

"I took your advice, Sirius, and I told Lily that I really like her and I told her why. I told her that she was beautiful, clever, and witty. I said she had a mind like a diamond, and that she was simply stunning."

"What did she say?" Sirius asked.

"She said I was a git, but she laughed when she said it. You know, one of those girly laughs?"

Remus wanted to point out Alice for example, but he managed to keep quiet.

"So I asked her if she'd go to the Ball with me, and she said maybe, if I manage to keep my big head deflated that is, but she said maybe!" He said, exhilarated.

Sirius smiled. "I knew it would work!"

Remus made every effort to hide the anger he was feeling and mask it with happiness.

"That's great Prongs!" he mustered up as much enthusiasm as he could.

"Yeah, I can't wait until that damn ball now! Say, have either of you found dates yet?" James inquired of them.

Remus remained silent but watched as Sirius hesitated and shook his head.

"Well, you better start asking, before all of the good ones are taken!" James told them.

"But ah…Padfoot," he said, looking over his shoulder towards the couch where Alice was still sitting, waiting for Sirius to return. He looked back at Sirius and winked. "I think there's a certain someone who would just love to go with you."

Remus glared at him, however, James did not seem to notice as he departed from the corner, leaving the two boys in an awkward silence.

"So, are you going to tell me what's going on?" Sirius started their discussion again.

"Why don't you tell me?" Remus was seething.

"What are you talking about?"

"You and her! All you have been doing lately is flirting with Alice, even right in front of me!" Remus blurted, he wasn't going to hold this anger in any longer.

"I have not been flirting with her!" Sirius said indignantly.

"HA!" Remus scoffed. "Yeah right!"

"Listen, I don't know how you came up with that idea, but she's just a friend."

"Yeah, I was just a friend too."

"You are different, you're my boyfriend." Annoyance was showing in Sirius' voice.

"Well, who knew!? Oh wait, nobody does." Remus said sardonically.

"Moony, I just don't want people to think of us like that." Sirius tried to explain.

"Why not? Are you ashamed of us? Are you ashamed of me?"

"Of course not, I just…I...I'm not ready for us to go public yet."

"Let me ask you something. Do you love me? I mean truly love me?" Remus searched his eyes for an answer.

"I…I…Well, of course." Sirius stammered.

"Then say it. Say you love me."

For a fleeting moment, Remus thought he might actually say it, but he was let down when Sirius failed to utter even a word.

"Were you even planning on taking me to the Valentine's Ball?" Remus asked and was at once sorry he asked.

"Err…well…I…" Was all that Sirius could say.

At this point the anger subsided and Remus was left with despair.

"How could you, Sirius? How could you do this to me?"

With tears brimming in his eyes, he turned away from the raven-haired boy.

"Wait, Remus…" Sirius put a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

"Don't. Don't touch me."

Sirius' hand fell listlessly at his side as he watched Remus sulk out of the common room.