Author's Note: Written for the MY FIRST KISS challenge by thenewkait on the HPFC forum.

Matchmaker

They're an unlikely couple. Lily Evans: Gryffindor fifth year; prefect; top of her class in History of Magic, Transfiguration, and Charms. Regulus Black: Slytherin fourth year; Quidditch Seeker; top of his class in Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Actually, 'couple' may be too generous a term.

They sit in the library, both stiff-backed and tight-lipped as they observe each other from either side of the table. Regulus, who was there first and has yet to find out why Lily is sitting with him, has his Defense textbook open in front of him, quill still poised above a piece of parchment. Lily is holding her bag in her lap, her hands clenched over the top of it.

"I'm concerned about your brother," Lily says at last.

"I'm not," says Regulus.

There is a long moment of silence as Lily tries to work out what to say next.

"He's – he's got a crush on Severus," she reveals.

Regulus blinks. He carefully sets down his quill and then leans forward almost imperceptibly, eyes narrowing. "What?"

"Sirius has a crush on Severus."

"I see." Regulus pauses. "Why are you telling me?"

Lily twists her hands around her bag, eyes not leaving Regulus's face. "Because I don't know Sirius very well," she admits. "I know Sev, and I think it would be good for him to… to have a relationship, I suppose. And I don't think he would be as horrified about its being Sirius as he'd like to pretend. But I don't know how to go about getting them together."

Regulus rests his elbows on the table and steeples his fingers, his expression turning pensive. He taps his fingers together a few times as Lily stills her hands and tries not to appear so nervous.

"I'll talk to Sirius," says Regulus finally. "I can't guarantee he'll listen, but I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you," says Lily. She stands up and slings her bag over her shoulder. "Let me know what happens?"

One corner of Regulus's mouth twitches upward. "Matchmaker."

Lily allows herself a small smile as she nods to him and walks out of the library.