Chapter 3 – Fights and Misunderstanding

Jen woke up early the next morning to find she was still in Sirius bed. She quickly sat up and noticed he was still fast asleep. She began to panic, 'this is beyond wrong!' she thought to herself. She listened to the room for a minute and discovered everyone must still be asleep. It was still dark and the room and silent. She peered out the curtains and saw the other three beds with their curtains drawn shut. She quickly stepped of the bed and quietly made her way to the door. She closed the door behind her and, anxious to get away without being seen, ran down the stairs. Once in the common room, she noticed the fire had not yet died all the way out, the embers were still glowing. She took a seat on the sofa by the fire and starred at the embers. She decided she would stay downstairs as to not chance waking any of the girls up so they could have the chance of noticing she was gone most the night. Then a voice came from behind her.

"So? That's where you were huh? With Black?" Jen jumped and turned quickly to see Kate sitting in the corner at one of the table with a book, obviously studying.

"No." Jen said instinctively. "Well, yes actually, but no! It's not what you think! Really, nothing happen, we didn't plan it. And get that smirk off your face." Jen sat back down on the sofa and inwardly groaned. She was busted.

"Oh, sure, ok, I'm sure it wasn't." Kate said sarcastically and came to sit next to Jen on the sofa. "Well, I noticed you were gone earlier. See, I couldn't sleep at all tonight because I have this problem." Jen gave a curious but anxious look. "Just hold on, I will get back to that. Anyway, I went to wake you around, oh, it had to be something like 2am, but you were not in your bed. So I thought maybe you were down here, so I came down and yet, still no you. So I decided to study since I couldn't find you or sleep."

"Oh. Sorry. So uh, what is this problem?" Jen asked, hoping that her and Sirius hadn't done all that for nothing,

"Ok, so last night I go up to the room and find this letter on my bed." She handed Jen the letter Jen had written for her and signed 'Remus'. "And well, he really likes me, as you can see. But I just don't know. I mean I have never looked at Remus in that way. But I don't think I can ever see us being more than friends. And…"

"Well, did you meet him?" Jen asked pointed to the time in the letter.

"No. I couldn't. I didn't know what I thought of it at the time and even if I had, how would I have told him that I liked him as my friend and really didn't see us dating? How am I to just crush him like that! I don't know what to do Jen!" Kate threw her arms in the air and slumped back into the sofa.

"Oh. Wow. Um. I really don't know." Jen was in shock. She couldn't believe it. She had not only misread Kate, but maybe even really hurt Remus. And if she had hurt Remus, Sirius would be blamed and he would never forgive her. "I guess all I can tell you is that all will work out ok in the end. Just, um. Think on all of it a little more, and well, maybe it would be best if you just acted as if you never got this letter." Jen said hoping Kate would take her advice and never bring it up to Remus.

"Maybe. I don't know." Kate just sat the looking even more confused and guilty.

"Um. Listen, I am going to go up and get some sleep now. I'll see you at breakfast." With that Jen got up and left Kate in the common room.

Upstairs a boy was awake and sitting up with this odd feeling in his stomach he had never felt before and could not place for the life of him. Maybe it was guilt? No he had nothing to be guilty of. Maybe he was getting sick? No, he feels fine. He felt a certain… disappointment. He slowly realized Jen was gone. He knew she was asleep next to him earlier. He remembered waking up and noticing her on his bed a few inches away from him, and he noticed she looked cold. He didn't feel like getting up to get under the covers, and plus, temptation of a girl in his bed is easy to succumb to. He remembers reaching over and pulling her close and falling back asleep with her there. But still, Sirius, the 'with a new girl every time you see me' Black couldn't understand why he kind of wished she hadn't left. Sirius decided he was being mental, and laid back down and soon was fast asleep once more.

Jen was sitting in the common room waiting for Kate so they could go down to the great hall for breakfast when Sirius came down. Jen glanced at him and caught his eye, but quickly looked away. She cant believe she stayed there next to him last night, she was trying to make herself not like the man anymore, but then all of a sudden he is everywhere. And she was with him in his bed, well, that certainly did not help matters at all.

"Hey Jen." Sirius said as he plopped down on the sofa next to her.

"Hello Sirius." Jen said trying to act as if his presence didn't even matter.
"So, when did you leave last night? I just woke up and you were gone."

"Oh, well. I had been there too long. I'm sorry by the way. I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"No, its ok. I didn't mind. So, any hints yet on what happen last night?" Sirius said dropping his voice to a whisper and looking around for Remus or Kate.

"Uh, well, about that…" and Jen quickly told Sirius about her conversation with Kate. Sirius looked shocked and even slightly angry.

"But I thought you told me she fancied him!" He said through gritted teeth.

"I was sure she did, but obviously I was wrong. I'm sorry Sirius I didn't know." Jen spat back.

"How could you not know? I can't believe this! What if Remus finds out what I did and stops being my friend because of it? This is all your fault Jen!" Sirius said with a slightly louder voice.

"My fault! Who's idea was all this in the first place, I do not think…"

"SIRIUS!" Sirius and Jen both jumped and turned to see Remus standing by the bottom of the boy's staircase looking really angry.

"You better hope he doesn't know Jen." Sirius whispered as he went over to Remus.

But before he was out of ear shot Jen spat back, "PISS OFF BLACK!" and stormed out of the common room without waiting for Kate.

Sirius turned and watched her leave. Again that funny feeling in his stomach came back, it was weird, I wasn't like it hurt, but he knew it wasn't good, whatever it was. He turned and went over to Remus. "Hey moony, awake at last I see?" Sirius said with a smile.

"Save it Sirius. First you trick me, and make me tell you something I didn't want you to know because I know how you meddle. And you better not be meddling because so help me if I find out you have been Sirius. Then you get me up in the dead of night last night, take me downstairs because it's so urgent, and you leave me waiting for you and don't come back! So I finally come back upstairs at almost 1am to find you sleeping with Jen!" Remus said really fast and really loud. There were a few gasps heard throughout the common room, and Sirius noticed how quiet it was and turned around to see a load of Gryffindors looking at him.

"Thanks. Now the school's going to think she is just like the rest. We didn't have sex you know. Don't go giving Jen that reputation, she doesn't deserve that!" Sirius said in retaliation. "And secondly, I am sorry I tricked you, but I couldn't help that I was nosy. And also, last night, I am sorry I didn't come back down. I was going to, but…"Sirius did some quick, on his feet thinking right here. "I had Jen up there because she was upset that day, so when I went back upstairs she was still upset and I sat there with her for a minute, and I fell asleep. Honest, I was coming back down after a couple minutes but I stopped to help her and I forgot and fell asleep. That all." Sirius said, although it was not very convincing of a tone.

"Right, that's your story? I doubt it. Lying does you no good. I don't know what has gotten into you lately, but let me know when my real friend returns and you leave would you 'Black'!" With that Remus pushed past him and left through the portrait hole.

'BLACK!' Sirius thought. 'Oh bloody hell. I really did it this time' Sirius the followed suit and went down to breakfast. He figured he had to talk to Jen. Together, they had to find a way to fix this.

Sirius entered the great hall and looked around for Jen. He found her sitting at the far end with her friends. He quickly made his way down to her and put a hand on her shoulder as he leaned close to her. "Jen, we have to talk."

Jen looked up at Sirius, apparently intrigued that he had the guts to come and talk to her right now. She rolled her eyes. "What do you want Black?" Jen said with a bit of annoyance detectable.

'Why does everyone call me Black today' Sirius thought. "We have to talk, I just told you, now would you come on." Sirius told her while straightening up and stepping back waiting for her to get up.

"No. I don't think I want to, now would you go away and leave me alone?" Jen said while turning back around and getting back to her breakfast. Sirius looked shocked.

"Why not? Ok, Jen, I don't know what has gotten into you this morning, but we have some 'issues' here, and I really need you to stop being such a prat and come on already!" Sirius said, a little louder than he meant to.

"Oh! So now I'm a prat too am I! Well, you know what Black! I have had it with you! Everything is just as much your fault as it is mine! If you hadn't wanted to meddle in the first place, none of this would have happened! Don't go blaming your mistake on me! You're nothing but a pigheaded, over conceited, whining, bloody nuisance!" Jen yelled at him while she stood up to face him. "And you would do well to leave me alone now!" And with that, with the whole of Gryffindor and even some of the other houses watching her, she left the great hall. Sirius was there alone now looking like a fool.

'Where the hell did all that come from!' Sirius asked himself. He made to also leave the great hall 'Why the hell are people so bloody angry all of a sudden?' He was so caught up trying to think of why she was so pissed when he didn't notice Remus trying to stop him. Remus resulted to pulling him back and causing Sirius to nearly loose his balance.

"Meddling in what I said!" Remus asked, hoping that his thoughts of Sirius wanting to meddle in what he tricked out of him were not about to prove true.

Sirius stood there in shock, he was in for it now and he wondered if he should lie to Remus, but he knew Remus would only see right through it. "Well, Uh, you see mate, I just wanted to help you and so me and Jen were trying to set you and Kate up. But our plan backfired and we messed it up." Sirius said in a low whisper so no one else could hear.

"So, you knew I would be pissed if you meddled, but you did anyways. SIRIUS! HOW THE BLOODY HELL COULD YOU DO THAT! I FINALLY RESOLVED TO TRUSTING YOU AFTER YOU TRICKED IT OUT OF ME, AND YOU EXPOSED IT ANYWAYS!" Remus dropped his voice back down. He couldn't believe how angry he let himself get. "What did you do?" Remus asked in a voice so low and so calm is was even more threatening than the yell. By now the whole of the great hall was watching with excitement and trying to crane their necks to hear what was being said.

Sirius knew he couldn't change is story now, and he knew lying and the inevitability of getting caught would only make it worse, no once again, he confessed. "Well, you see, Jen and I thought she really liked you too, or we never would have tried this mate. But we wrote her a letter from you and asked her to meet you last night. That's why I left you down there. But I found out she never showed and it backfired. She told Jen she didn't think she liked you like that. I'm really sorry mate. I know I really fucked up this time." Sirius said in a hurried and very low whisper.

Sirius looked up to meet Remus's eyes and saw so much anger, but at the same time, so much hurt, he didn't know what to do. Sirius actually became scarred. He was sure he was about to loose one of his best friends. Remus spoke, in a voice Sirius had never heard. It was so low and so off, Sirius knew Remus was hurt and angry and disappointed all at once. "I-I can't believe you." Remus's head dropped for a minute then came back up to look at Sirius. He could see Sirius was sorry but that didn't help, he had gone too far this time. He embarrassed him, betrayed him, hurt him and tricked him all at once. "I-I've had enough Sirius. Goodbye." And with that Remus left Sirius standing there with the realization that Remus may never be his friend again.

This wasn't the first time Sirius fucked up with Remus, he had once told Snape how to get into the Womping Willow in hopes he would get a glimpse of Remus and he scarred shitless, and maybe also part of him hoped Snape wouldn't come out alive. Sirius realized then how wrong that all was, and again he still found another way to betray Remus. Sirius was sure Remus wouldn't be so forgiving this time.

Remus walked the grounds around the lake. He just couldn't believe this, how could Sirius go that far? Did he even know how much he had not only made a fool of him, but also completely betrayed any trust he may have had in Sirius. How could he be friends with someone who wont think of their actions toward you first? Remus continued around the lake and to his surprise, he saw Jen sitting under a tree. Apparently still fuming about Sirius. Remus decided he would talk to her, he didn't know why, but he really wanted to know why she had joined Sirius stupid attempt. "Hey Jen, can I speak with you?" Remus asked as he sat down next to her.

"Uh, sure, what's up?" Jen asked sounding a little scarred.

"Look, I know everything ok. Sirius told me just now. I can't believe he would do that, and I can't believe you would join him. Why did you do it? Did either of you think of the consequence first?" Remus asked with a slightly more aggressive tone than he intended.

Jen immediately broke down into tears. "I'm so sorry Remus! I-I though for sure Kate like you, I-I messed everything up. W-with you and Kate, a-and even with S-Sirius and me!" Jen didn't know why she told Remus the Sirius part. She just had to get it out with the other.

Remus didn't know what to do. He put a hand on Jen's shoulder and tried to calm her down. He really didn't feel like being angry with her anymore, at least she was genuinely sorry. "It's ok I guess. I mean hey, she probably would have found out sooner or later. I just hope she wont be all weird around me after I tell her the letter was never from me. Listen, don't cry ok?" Remus said lifting her chin. Then curiosity of some other topic took over. "So, Sirius? You're upset about your fight with him? Why? I mean, every one did think there was something going on between you two. Was there?" Remus asked her.

"WHAT? NO!" Jen said jumping a little bit away from Remus. "I-I mean, no, there was nothing going on. It's just… oh Remus. I have liked him for so many years now and never told a soul. And just when I tell myself I have to get over this dream of him, he starts to get a buddy buddy and lets hang out and try to set up our friends. I think I only agreed because well, not only did I think you two really would be cute together, but I also liked the idea of being around Sirius." Jen didn't know why she just told Remus, but she had to tell someone and he seemed like the right person to trust at the time.

"Wow. I guess I can understand that. Well, I guess a thank you is in order for trying to get me the girl I want. But it didn't work. So I think we should all move on from it." He told her while pulling her into a hug so she could stop crying. They sat there by the lake for some time.

What Remus didn't know is that Sirius had come outside to find Jen when he saw Remus holding her. He didn't know why. But this huge urge ran through him to go and hit Remus for being so close to her. He couldn't believe Remus could forgive her before he could forgive him. But he also couldn't believe he would be there with her right now. 'So that's what it is? Remus likes her too?' Sirius asked himself. He didn't know why but the idea of that answer being yes really bugged him.

Later that night. In the common room Sirius sat by the fir trying to ward off all thoughts of everything that happen today when he saw James come in with Lily. They both came and sat next to him. "Hey padfoot old mate. Have I introduced you to my girlfriend lately?" James asked with a stupid grin on his face? Lily only blushed.

"That's great mate it really is, I am happy after six years of chasing you finally land Evans here. Really I am." Sirius said in such a monotone voice he sounded as if he really didn't care. But that was the truth really; I didn't care. He looked up and saws that they really didn't care if he didn't care. They were too into each other. "Maybe that's my problem mate." Sirius said all of a sudden causing Lily and James to turn back to him.

"Maybe what's your problem mate? I mean, come on, don't beat yourself up over Moony, you know he will come around. You just have to give him time to cool down and whatever you do, don't do anything so stupid again." James said as if it was so obvious and so easy to do.

"No, well, yes, I know. But maybe my problem is I just need to grow up. Look at you and Lily. James, even you have gone and grown up on me. I suppose it is time I do too. And I realize sitting here looking at you two, that I kinda want what you have Prongs. I think it would be nice to find a girl I really like and actually be with her for a long time instead of a day or two. But yet, I am Sirius Black. What girl would want me, and even if she did who says she would be for real? Plus, how the hell does a person change?" Sirius asked exasperated at the idea of it all.

"Wow Sirius, I think you might just be salvageable yet." Lily said with s slight smile. "If you really want to change and find a girl I think you should. I think its what you need. And if you want Sirius and you are really sure about this. I can help you if you would like." Lily told him.

"Really?" Sirius asked sitting up to get a better look at Lily to be sure she was serious. "You would help me learn how to change?"

"Of course, James will to, won't you James?" Lily said looking at James.

"I-I What? Man, do I have to?" James whined to Lily.

"Yes, he is your best friend not mine, you have to help too." Lily said with a tone that made it all final.

Just then the portrait hole opened and Remus and Jen came in laughing. Sirius felt that feeling in his stomach again and didn't know what came over him but walked right up to Remus and pushed him away from Jen.

"What the hell Sirius? What has gotten into you?" Remus asked regaining his balance.

"What has gotten into me! What the hell has gotten into you! You want Kate first. But wait now you want Jen too!" Sirius accused rather loudly.

"WHAT? I don't know what's wrong with you man, but I never said I wanted Jen." Remus said putting his hands up understanding that Sirius was jealous.

"Oh. But I don't hear you denying it!" Sirius accused again.

"Fine, I don't want Jen. No offence Jen." Remus added looking over at Jen.

"Whatever mate." Sirius said turning to leave.

"And if you weren't so pig headed you would realize how stupid and blind you are right now!" Remus said with is temper flaring up.

Sirius turned back around. "What?" Sirius asked completely confused.

"Just admit is Sirius. You are pissed at me because you think there is something going on between Jen and me, when there is not, so you are jealous! You just can't see past your own self to realize that for once, you might actually like a girl for more than a minute!" Remus said with his temper up to match Sirius's.

"What! No. There is nothing going on between me and Jen." And with that, Sirius went up the boy's staircase and disappeared out of sight.

Remus looked over at Jen to see complete horror and plain on her eyes. He realized he went to far to accuse Sirius of that because it may have really hurt Jen for him to claim there was nothing. He walked over to Jen, "Look Jen. Sorry that all just kinda came out. And well I…"

"Forget it Remus." Jen cut him off in mid sentence. "He said there is nothing, and he's right. There is nothing." Jen said with tears clearly wanting to come through. With that Jen ran up the girl's staircase to her dorm where she flopped down on her bed and pulled the curtains. She didn't want to talk to anybody at the moment.

Downstairs. Remus had just found Kate. "Kate, could I have a quick word please?" he asked her. He knew was exactly was in that letter now, Jen had told him while they talked for hours down by the lake.

Kate looked scarred, "Uh. Sure Remus." She said as she followed him off to another corner of the common room.

"Listen, about that letter you got last night…"Remus started.

"Remus, I'm I really wanted to talk to you about that…" But Remus stopped her by putting a hand over her mouth.

"No, hold on please. Now I did not write that. Jen did. Her and Sirius wanted to try and set us up. So they wrote the letter and gave it to you and tricked me into going to the common room last night so I would be there in case you showed. I am sorry they did that. Please ignore the letter. It means nothing and I am sorry they did this. I really hope we can just go back to being the friends we were and not be awkward because of this." Remus told her in a hurried speech. He really liked her, but he had to do his best to make it seem like he didn't so that she wouldn't have to reject him. He just hoped she caught his drift.

"Oh. Wow. Why? I mean; do you know why they would do this? Is this what your fight with Sirius was about today?" Kate asked. She looked almost pained now.

"Yes. But I sorted them all out and set them both straight, so I am really sorry. And I am even kind of embarrassed by this. Um. There little stunt wont change things between us right? I mean I really like you as my friend."

"Oh, of course. Nothing will change Remus. Well, I guess I should go get back to my homework then?" Kate asked almost sounding unsure of herself now. Remus couldn't help but noticed that she looked sad right then.

"Are you ok Kate?" Remus asked.

"W-what? Oh, yes I am fine. No worries. So. See you later Remus." Kate said while turning and walking away really quickly. Remus noted the hurried way she spoke and left but told himself not to think much of it. Kate had told Jen only last night after all that she didn't like him in that way.