Sirius

We walked from Transfiguration to Potions, and I couldn't help but remember the feeling I got when I was helping Sam. When I touched her, it felt like an electric shock went through my body. It wasn't a bad feeling, in fact, it felt good. I didn't understand where it had come from. I almost always had to help Sam in that class, but this time was different. Wen she finished the spell, I noticed the whole room watching us, but I didn't care. Her blue eyes shining with delight made it impossible for me not to smile.

All this went through my head over and over as we walked into potions. The look she got in her eyes when she was frustrated, the feel of her soft hand, the way her hair whipped around her face when she turned. What was happening to me? The more I thought about it the more I realized the truth, but I found it harder and harder to believe.

"Padfoot!" James' loud voice interrupted my thoughts and I noticed the whole class staring at me. I stood by Slughorn's desk alone while everyone else had gotten into the pairs Slughorn had prepared.

"What?" I asked confused.

"You're partner is Kaelin, Mr. Black," Slughorn said obviously annoyed. I shook my head slightly before joining Kaelin at our cauldron. She looked at me quizzically, but didn't ask as Slughorn still talked. "Today, we will be making Draught of Living Death-"

I didn't hear the rest as my mind had started to wander again. I couldn't get my mind off Sam. I knew exactly what had happened, but i couldn't admit it to myself. Kaelin slapped me . . . hard. "Ow!" I cried rubbing my cheek where I was sure there was a red handprint.

"Sorry. You were off in your own little world again," she said though she didn't look the least bit sorry. "What's up with you?" I debated on telling her, but decided to wait until I was sure myself.

"Nothing. Just tired,' I said unconvincingly. I knew she didn't believe me, but she didn't say a word as she turned back to our potion. This was going to be a long day.

Sam

The walk to potions was uneventful. James watched Lily walk in front of us while Peter tried to get Remus to run into something. Amazingly, Remus could read a book and walk at the same time managing to avoid every trap Peter set for him. Kaelin watched this amused. Nothing was different from usual. Except for Sirius. He walked slowly hardly paying attention to anything going on around him, and he seemed deep in thought. That was strange for him. Sirius was the kind of guy who constantly seemed to be on sugar-high, always laughing at something or messing with us. He had never been quiet for as long as I'd known him. What could be so amazing as to silence him for the entire walk?

When we reached the dungeons, Professor Slughorn called us over to his desk. "I have your partners for today chosen already," he said causing everyone to groan. I had expected it. Ever since James and Sirius had managed to ruin his precious crystalized pineapple, Slughorn had been too scared to let them work together again. He proceeded to call names off a long list in his hands. "Mr. Potter with Lily."

"YES!" James jumped in the air looking happier than I'd ever seen him. Lily looked furious, but moved her stuff over to where James had sat down.

Slughorn acted as though James hadn't spoken. " Samantha and Remus. Peter and Severus," he droned on and on. I took my seat next to Remus relieved to be able to work with one of my friends. "Mr. Black and Kaelin," Slughorn said finally. Sirius didn't seem to notice he'd been called and still stood there with that concentrating look on his face oblivious to the world.

"Padfoot!" James' yell seemed to startle Sirius, and he seemed confused for a moment. Once he realized where he was, Slughorn firmly told him to go sit with Kaelin. He did without hesitation.

Slughorn began telling us what we were supposed to brewing, but Sirius seemed to have blanked out again. What was bothering him? I made a mental note to ask him after class. I turned back to Remus and was about to ask him what we were supposed to be doing as I hadn't been listening when I head a loud slap and Sirius' yell. I spun around to see a small handprint on the side of his face from where Kaelin had smacked him. She was apologizing, but she didn't look very convincing.

"What's up with Padfoot?" Remus asked.

"I don't know. I was going to ask you the same thing," I said then remembered my question. "What are we supposed to be doing?"

"Draught of Living Death," he said pointing to the page in his textbook. The potion looked extremely complicated.

A laugh from across he room turned everyone's head, and I was shocked to see it was lily. Lily Evans was laughing with James. What had the world come to? I knew I'd never hear the end of it from James tonight.

I picked up the large brown nut we were supposed to cut, and put it under the blade of my knife. I'd barely touched it when the nut shot out hitting the ceiling before dropping back down and hitting me in the head.

I expected Remus to laugh but noticed he wasn't paying attention. He had a look similar to Sirius' on his face. "Moony?" I asked. He snapped his head up.

"What?" he asked innocently. Ok something was definitely on his mind, and I intended to find out what.

"You were out of it. What's on your mind?" I asked.

"Nothing," he said unconvincingly.

"Remus Lupin don't you lie to me!" I said. He knew I was serious as I never used any of my friends' real names unless it was important.

"Promise you won't tell?" he said. I nodded.

"Promise!"

"Ok fine. I told James and Sirius, so I might as well tell you," he said. "It's-" he cut off.

"You can tell me," I said encouraging him to keep talking.

"Ok fine. I like Kaelin. As more than a friend," he said. I grinned at him. I knew this already of course, but now he had officially told me.

"That's great! Are you gonna ask her out? Please tell me you are!" I screeched trying to keep my voice down.

"No!" he cried louder than he had meant to, but not attracting any attention.

"Why not? I know she likes you too!" I said. He stopped.

"What?" he said disbelievingly.

"She likes you. I can see it in her eyes whenever she's around you. Her whole face lights up!" I explained.

"Really?" he asked. I could tell how happy this made him, and I knew I was getting through. I could only hope he'd actually take the words to heart. He could be really shy sometimes even around us.

"Yes really! You have to ask her out!" I said.

"I-I don't know," he stammered. This was not the Remus I knew. Remus was usually confident and the one telling the rest of us what to do. I didn't blame him though. Kaelin had a knack for charming boys and making them into totally different people. If she wasn't muggle born, I'd swear she was a veela.

"Moony. Trust me," I said turning back to our potion. he didn't answer, and when I looked up he was watching Kaelin intently as if trying to decide. I smiled knowing i'd gotten through. He may or may not ask her anytime soon, but he was thinking about it now, and that was a start.