Author's Note: Remember how I said each chapter would be kind of different? Well, this one pretty much follows the first. You will understand later on. Enjoy. :) I'd like some more reviiiiews. :( And—yes, I'm aware unspecial is not a word. It was necessary in the chapter.

Sirius couldn't believe it, even as he walked to the Gryffindor common room with his housemates. He was still in awe. A Gryffindor? It was enough to make his heart beat more quickly, but he was not certain if he was happy…or not.

"You look dumb," said James jokingly, watching Sirius stare at almost every passing object in utter amazement. "It isn't as if you have never seen magic before, right?"

James seemed to come to a realization, a look of understanding on his face. "Are you muggle-born?" He didn't look as if that would make him unhappy at all. In fact, he looked fascinated.

"Umm…" said Sirius, taking a moment to think. "Yeah."

"Are you serious?"

James rolled his eyes, but turned to face Remus Lupin. "About?" he asked.

"The name Black is infamous. It's probably the most known pureblood family in the world," he said, shaking his head.

"It's a common name," said Sirius, "in the muggle world."

Sirius was not sure why he was lying. James was sure to find out soon enough, and when he did, everything would probably be worse. It seemed pointless to hide it.

"Personally, I would rather stay away from such people. I mean, if you aren't from that family, you should know to be aware of them," said Remus. "Very dark people, they are."

Then, Sirius realized why he wasn't telling James. He bit his lip while Remus was talking, not caring that he was drawing blood. James looked at him suspiciously, but he said nothing.

"And this is the Fat Lady," said the Prefect. "Palindrome. See? Simple."

James rolled his eyes. "I am sorry, but my sister has turned me against prefects and heads."

Sirius laughed.

Sirius watched James talk briefly with the other students, admiring how easily he did it. He didn't get too personal, but he gave enough information to let them know he was willing to be open about things. Sirius shook his head enviously.

"Upstairs and to the right, you will find the boys' dormitories, and the girls are to the left," said the prefect, pointing to the staircase. "You will find your belongings have already been brought up to your assigned rooms, and—" The prefect turned to the girl behind him, and she nodded in return. "That's about it."

"Any questions?" asked the girl who had nodded. No one said a word. "I suggest getting to bed as soon as possible. You'll have to be up early for class in the morning."

Most students did go upstairs. The eagerness to see where they would be sleeping combined with the exhaustion from the day drew the first years to their beds.

James and Sirius rushed upstairs, laughing, and they were happy to find that they were together. "Thank God," said James, sitting down cross-legged on the bed his trunk had been placed on. "Now, I know I'll have someone interesting to talk to."

Interesting? Was he? Sirius smiled. He actually felt wanted.

"Hey, Peter," said James.

Sirius turned around to see both Peter and Remus standing in the doorway.

"Peter, tell me that's not mine," said Remus desperately, pointing to the trunk on the bed by the window."

Peter slowly walked over to it, not wanting to be the one to break the bad news. Sure enough, R.J. Lupin was clearly printed on the side.

Remus groaned. "You've GOT to be kidding me."

James laughed. He didn't seem to be bothered by Remus' unhappiness with the room assignment.

"That's not very nice, Mr. Lupin."

"Stop," said Remus, aggravated. Sirius did not understand how Remus could hate James so much, especially when he had only known him for a little while.

Peter cleared his throat to prevent any further conflict. "Well, it looks as if this is my bed," he said, getting into the one closest to Remus'.

"Who you think the other one belongs to?"

"Obviously, it's Frank Longbottom."

James raised an eyebrow. "Obviously!" he said sarcastically.

Remus rolled his eyes. "Can't you read?

No matter how hard he tried, Remus could not manage to upset James in any way.

"Oh, I can," said James, pretending he hadn't noticed the sarcasm. Without wasting anymore time, Frank decided to show up. He was greeted pleasantly by three boys, and Remus pretended to be too absorbed in his reading to notice his entrance.

"Heeeeeeey, Lupin!" said James obnoxiously. "Say hi to Frank here. Don't be rude."

Remus took a deep breath and lowered his book. "Hello, Frank."

The poor boy was clearly uncomfortable, but he smiled at Remus. "Hey," he said.

James, though still very awake, noticed that his companions were looking drowsy. "Lights?" he asked.

"Out," said Sirius, yawning.

James smiled, which really wasn't surprising anymore. "Night."

Sirius smiled back. His face muscles were beginning to like the exercise.

Then, suddenly, he felt this weird feeling. His stomach sort of…dropped. It was strange, and at first, he was scared due to its unfamiliarity, but then he relaxed because it didn't really hurt. He shook his head. It was kind of…a good feeling.

"I'm not very tired," said James loudly, not caring much if he disturbed the others.

"Me neither," said Sirius. It was a total lie, of course, but he wanted to talk to James some more.

"Remus falls asleep so fast," said James. "Hey, Remus!"

"Yes, he's out," said Sirius, hoping to calm James.

"He slept most of the time on the train," said James. "How can he be so tired?"

"James?"

James turned when he heard his name. "Yes?"

"Shut-up," said Frank.

"Why, Frank, since you asked so nicely, I'd be happy to oblige," said James. Sirius couldn't see him, but he knew he was smiling.

"I'm sorry, but the idea of pouring things into a pot sounds agonizingly like cooking," said James.

"No," said Sirius. "I'm kind of looking forward to it."

"I hate cooking," said James. "Pass the salt."

Sirius chuckled. "So you've said." He handed James the salt container and watched as he poured a generous amount on his pancakes. "You're disgusting," he said, crinkling his nose.

James only smiled.

"So," said James, taking a bite of his salted pancakes, "you see that girl down by the redhead…talking to that guy?" Sirius gave him a questioning look, but James shrugged. "Her evil boyfriend. Anyway, you see her?"

Sirius looked at where James was pointing. "Blondish hair in braids?"

James nodded. "That's Ciara, my sister. Then, over there, by…well, she's got brown hair."

"Yes…though there are many."

James glared. "That's Mercedes."

"The one who made you fall?" asked Sirius.

James looked confused for a moment. "Oh, you saw that? Wow. Well, yes, that's the one. Little devil."

Sirius laughed, but he didn't say anything more. He looked towards the Slytherin table.

When he caught Bellatrix's eye, she mouthed, "I wrote."

Sirius had no idea what she meant. She wrote? Had she finally developed a normal skill?

"Oh," he said to himself. She had written the family.

"Hmm?" said James, assuming Sirius had been talking to him. "What are you looking at?"

Sirius shook his head. "Just thinking."

After they were done, Sirius and James walked to Potions together. Sirius was quiet, trapped by his many thoughts. James did not seem to mind. He kept talking, and he seemed satisfied with Sirius' nods and occasional 'mhmms.'

"Hey, Sirius."

"Ignore her," said Sirius.

"Why? What's up?" asked James, slowing down because the girl who had spoken was catching up.

"Please keep walking," Sirius pleaded, looking straight ahead.

"Oh, Siiiiiirius."

Sirius had no choice but to turn around and face his cousin.

"Hello," he said reluctantly.

Bellatrix turned to James. She stared at him with unhidden contempt. Sirius could not believe James kept his composure under her glare. He seemed unaware of her dislike.

"Hi," he said cheerfully.

Bellatrix, like Sirius, seemed unsure of what to do when she spoke with his happy child. Sirius shrugged. Bellatrix was more shocked than impressd.

"Bellatrix Black," she said.

"Ohh," said James, understanding then why Sirius had wanted to avoid her. "I've heard about you."

"Have you?" she asked, surprised.

"Indeed."

Still, he smiled. "I'm James Potter."

Realization seemed to come to her. "Oh, good Lord," she said. "I guess I'll have more to tell your mother. Don't be surprised if she arrives in a few days to take you back home."

Sirius sighed. "Thanks for the warning. We have to get to Potions."

Without another word, Sirius pulled James away from his cousin, and she did not follow.

His mother wouldn't really take him home, would she? He hadn't been in school for a day yet, but he already committed an unforgivable sin. Two. Gryffindor and James. Hell, three, if he counted all the damn laughing and smiling.

No. His mother would surely rather her disappointment of a son stay far away from her than be back with her in the house, right?

Sirius looked uneasily at James. James looked at him at almost the same moment.

"Common name, huh?"

Sirius felt very stupid. How in the hell did he think he was going to be able to hide it for long?

"She's my cousin."

"Remus was right, then?" asked James.

Sirius nodded. "Are you angry?" he asked hesitantly.

James shook his head, smiling again. "Why would I be?"

James Potter. This boy was certainly a mystery.

"Umm…because I lied to you."

"Did you? I must have been very stupid to believe you then. My fault, really."

Sirius felt he should have said something else, but he was just so happy that he hadn't lost his new friend. He didn't want to risk ruining that.

Apparently, Professor Slughorn liked to keep the room cold. James and Sirius had to wrap their arms around themselves as soon as they walked in.

"Are we assigned seats?" whispered Sirius, shivering.

James shrugged. "I don't think so. Let's just sit behind redhead over here."

Sirius and James sat at the table behind 'redhead,' also known as Lily, and a boy with long, greasy, black hair.

"Good morning!" said Professor Slughorn. "Let's just take attendance, shall we? Easy morning we have."

No student made a noise when his or her name was called. Only shy hands were raised. The first years were clearly intimidated by the teacher and each other.

"Remus Lupin?"

James raised an eyebrow at Sirius. "Where is he?"

Sirius shrugged. "I don't think he ever got up."

"Didn't you wake him?"

"I did," said Sirius. "He told me he was getting up."

"Weird," said James.

"Potter?"

James raised his hand, and Slughorn smiled at him before continuing with the roll call.

"He is such a strange kid. He was quiet, but still relatively nice to me, but then you came in, and he just hated you…and me by association."

"I have that affect on some people."

"I'm sure no one else dislikes you," said Sirius confidently.

James didn't answer. He was too busy staring at the back of Lily's head.

"Potions," began Slughorn, "is an exact art, which is why it will be difficult for many of you. One mistake: it's ruined."

James sighed. "Cooking…" he mumbled.

Sirius tried not to laugh. It wasn't that difficult, considering he was still rather upset about what Bellatrix had said to him. Would his mother come get him? It was not fair! He had finally found something—someone—no, something worth his time, and it was going to be taken away from him.

Evidently, Sirius had been lost in thought for a while because he had missed Slughorn's entire speech. He blinked. Everyone was suddenly talking.

"What happened?" asked Sirius stupidly.

James chuckled. "I thought you were a bit out of it. We're picking partners for the project tomorrow."

"Oh," said Sirius. "Do you—"

"Of course," said James.

Only a moment passed before James looked back at the two in front of him.

"You cold?" Sirius heard the boy ask Lily.

She nodded. Well, of course she was. Everyone in the bloody class was freezing.

"I'm afraid I don't have anything to give you, but—"

Then, out of absolutely nowhere, James kicked the leg of the girl's chair.

The redhead turned around, looking confused and a bit threatening. "Sorry!" said James. Sirius almost believed it had been merely an accident; James looked so apologetic.

Lily smiled slightly. "No problem," she said, turning back around.

James ran his hand through his hair, making it into even more of an awful mess.

The door opened noisily. Remus, looking pale and embarrassed, walked across the room to Slughorn's desk, out of breath. There were dark circles under his eyes, making it look as if he hadn't slept in weeks.

"Mr. Lupin," Sirius heard Slughorn say when Remus got to his desk. The rest of their brief conversation was too quiet for any of them to hear. Remus didn't seem to be in any kind of trouble for his lateness, and he took the empty desk next to a brunette named Alice.

James seemed restless for some reason. He kicked Lily's chair again, and this time, she did not turn around. Obviously needing her attention or, possible just wanting to see her face again, James kicked the chair for a third time.

"Do you have a problem?"

It wasn't Lily that turned around, however, but the greasy haired boy.

"No," said James. "I have long legs."

The boy studied James for a while. He was on the verge of arguing, but then he decided it wasn't worth it.

"Just leave her alone," he said, turning back around.

"Today was just meant to be kind of an introduction," said Professor Slughorn.

"This man is about as happy as you," Sirius muttered. James laughed.

"Now, we're all satisfied with our partners?"

The class nodded. "Well, spend this time getting to know each other. Goodness knows you'll be spending a lot of time with the other students in this room."

Sirius noticed James was still staring at the back of Lily. There was something odd in his expression. He was still smiling, but he looked partly annoyed.

"Are you trying to make enemies?" asked Sirius. "What are you kicking her chair for?"

"Doesn't he irritate you?" whispered James, looking away from them. Sirius hated when people answered questions with questions, but he didn't bother to tell him that.

"Not really," said Sirius. "You mean…do I hate his robes?"

James rolled his eyes. "I'm being serious. He just kept talking to her every chance he got."

Sirius snorted. "He's going to hell, for sure!"

Finally, they heard the bell. James accidentally bumped into Lily on the way out, with Sirius mouthing an apology to her from behind him.

James and Sirius walked to Transfiguration together. Sirius tried not to think too much about it, but he was quickly realizing that James was going to be a difficult person to figure out. Every piece of information he had was proved useless.

James was a kind-hearted, happy—that deserves to be mentioned a second time—happy person. He never got angry, and he forgave easily. Yet, he glared pointedly at the greasy-haired boy. He smiled at Lily, kicked her chair, apologized, and smiled again. Then, he kicked the chair again, and he tried to get them angry. His personality didn't seem to match the way he had treated those two in the Potions room. There had to be something up.

James was stubborn. He never let Remus be, wanting to know exactly what was wrong with him. He also tried to get him to speak, even when he didn't want to, but with Sirius, he let him be quiet whenever Sirius showed he wanted silence. Why didn't he give the same courtesy to Remus? What made Sirius so special or…unspecial? Perhaps James just didn't care about his unhappiness…

Nothing put a damper on his day. It sort of made Sirius happy, but it also made Sirius want to hold him down and tell him about all the terrible, horrible, disgusting things in the world in order to possibly make him cry. Okay. Maybe that wasn't a good thing to do to your new—and first—best friend.

He seemed to think Sirius was interesting, and Sirius certainly was not the interesting one. Not at all.

"Sirius?"

Sirius recognized that he had become distracted again by his thoughts and worries. "Yeah?" he asked.

Before James could say anything, a broom closet door was slammed in Sirius' face. It didn't necessarily hurt, but the force of it shocked him enough to stumble and drop his books.

Mr. Filch walked by them, mop in hand, sneering.

"I appreciate the apology," said Sirius, rolling his eyes as he bent down to pick up his many books.

"You should really get a bag or something," said James, getting down to help him.

"Mhmm," said Sirius, avoiding his eyes. James was just too close, and he desperately needed his personal space.

Sirius stood up, finally risking a look at James. James smiled at first, but then his eyes widened. "Shit, what is that?"

"Where?" asked Sirius, almost dropping his books again, surprised by James' tone.

"On your neck…"

James moved even closer, adjusting the bag on his shoulder. Before Sirius knew what was happening, James had his finger on the scar on his neck. Sirius supposed they had never been close enough for James to see it.

It was a completely innocent touch, and James looked so concerned about the cut that Sirius tried to calm himself, but he backed away, as if he had been shocked.

James tried not to look hurt. "Don't like to be touched; that's fine, especially if it hurts…does it?"

"No," said Sirius. "It's from forever ago."

James nodded, and he, too, began to look uncomfortable with how little space was between them. He increased the distance between them, but Sirius was sure it was for a different reason.

Sirius wasn't even sure what his own reason was. A part of him told him that he was afraid of James, but the rational side of his brain quickly took over. It was stupid to be afraid of James, and he wasn't. In fact, if he wasn't afraid of his family, a group of people that had certainly given him much reason to be, why would he be afraid of a boy who showed him nothing but kindness? True, it was slightly overwhelming and different, but it was a nice different.

Whatever it was…Sirius didn't think he liked it. It was almost like the feeling from the night before when he and James were talking, but something in him warned him that this feeling would not be good in the future.

He subconsciously rubbed his scar with his free hand. It tingled where James had touched it. Sirius swallowed painfully.

Perhaps, he was going to have to figure out what was going on with himself before he tried to figure out James.

Author's Note: Please please review! I'm having company this weekend, and I have midterms coming up on Tuesday, but I have Monday off, so I'm going to do my best to get the next chapter of All You Wanted up very soon. Sooner, if you review this. :)