It was half past five when we finally emerged from the Whomping Willow. The cold morning wind hit my face and I inhaled deeply. The cool air smelled like wet grass. It was hard to stay tired on a morning like this.

I rubbed my eyes, realizing I'd have bags later. "Merlin, I need to get more sleep." I muttered as we trudged up the hill towards the school. Sirius laughed (which sounded more like a bark) and flashed that smile I love, sending my heart into a frenzy. He was saying something about my "beauty sleep" but I could pay attention. He was too beautiful for words.

We walked up the stairs to the common room and I pitch his bum while Peter wasn't looking, causing him to burst into a fit of giggles. "What's so bloody funny?" Peter asked, crankily. He really didn't like our little midnight escapades but seeing as we're his only friends he couldn't really complain.

"Oh nothing. Why don't you go to bed? James and I are headed to the library." Sirius said.

Peter raised an eyebrow and I turned away, stifling a laugh. Sirius stomped on my foot.

"Slughorn's essay, remember?" he said.

"Oh yeah. Gods, you're lazy, I finished that ages ago." He turned and walked away and I nearly passed out from holding in giggles. Merlin, he was thick. Why in the hell would the library be open at five in the morning. And furthermore why would the schools biggest troublemakers be concerned enough to care about a stupid essay. Honestly, sometimes I wondered how he managed to walk and breathe at the same time. We waited until his footsteps faded before walking to Remus' room. Lucky for us Remus was Head Boy which meant a private bedroom. Of course, he didn't know about his little meeting but what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him.

We walked quickly, our footsteps sounding enormous in the quiet hallway. Weak morning light crept through the window. It painted the hallways in a strangely innocent aura. Suddenly the thought of getting caught was the last thing on my mind.

"Seriously though, fancy I might borrow your test?" Sirius asked, as we reached the door to Remus' room.

"Sure, love." I threw him my best good boy smile, as I said the password. He smiled back, but he didn't mean it. His dark eyes were cold. Guess we wouldn't be sleeping together after all.

I held the door and he slipped inside briskly, ignoring my new attempt at flirtation. He unloaded his bag and promptly sat at Remus' desk.

"Not coming to join me?" I sighed removing my robes. No answer. I removed my shirt. "Hmm..?" He ignored me.

He pulled my essay out and began to read intensely. He hunched over his work as if hiding himself from me. He was still angry from this morning. His hair was a black curtain around his face. It reminded me a bit of Snape but it was so much more adorable.

"Look if this is about Lily, I-"

His fist slammed the mahogany desk. His fingers were clenched so tight they were white. "I don't care about you and that red headed whore. Do whatever you want."

"It's only a dance." I yelled defensively. How many times did we have to talk about this?

"That's right. It is only a dance. A dance that you couldn't possibly bring me to"

That hurt. I could tell from his voice he was frowning and….and crying. But it was more than that. My stomach was a hot mound of cement at the bottom of my gut. My mouth was dry. It was the way he spat it out at me…it just sounded so mean.

What was I supposed to do? I couldn't bring him to the dance. I mean, sure he could come…attend. He'd be there…but not as my date. It just couldn't happen. Things were going great. My marks were perfect in every class (for once). And my Quidditch career. Well it wasn't a career yet….but it could be. Right? I can risk it over something as.... juvenile as a dance. Couldn't Sirius understand that?

I felt a tear slide down my hot cheek. "Fine." I turned over, pulling the covers over my head. The heat was nearly unbearable but this way he couldn't see my tears. Or hear me struggle to keep from sobbing.

Sssssssssssssssssssssssss

"You really are a great dancer. But then again that's to be expected from the school's best seeker." Lily's arms, already dangling gracefully around my neck, tightened pulling me closer.

Looking down at her I could see the many tiny red hairs that made up her eyebrows. I inhaled, enjoying a faint whiff of perfume. It was Lavender. Though the ballroom was crowded, it felt as though it was just her and I."

"Thanks. You're pretty good yourself." The comment seemed pretty lame but she laughed anyway. I glanced down at her and felt my cheeks burn. Her eyes were great green pools. She was easily the prettiest girl in school.

As if she'd read my mind, she drew closer. I felt her head lay against my shoulder and my heart sped up. "I know I haven't always been nice but you really aren't so bad, James. In fact I think I like you."

I smirked in spite of my nervousness. "Like me?"

"Mmm-hm…"she giggled. I felt her chest vibrate against mine. "What I mean to say is: Would you like to come to my room tonight?"

My voice hitched in my throat. I liked Sirius maybe even loved him, but I wasn't completely blind to pretty girls. This was Lily Potter. And here she was inviting me to her room.

"Of course, I wil-"

"So it's true. You do fancy Sirius. And here I thought it was just my imagination."

I looked up. Lucius was standing there. He leered greedily, his hands on his hips. Everyone was staring at me. Some were even whispering behind their hands.

"Eternal fairies: Potter and black!" some yells. The room burst with laughter. I looked down. Lily's red hair had been replaced by a shaggy mass of black curls. Her silky smooth arms, though still around his neck, were robed. He was dancing with Sirius.

Horrified he pushed Sirius away. He stumbled into Lucius, who snarled nastily and pushed him back. Now I could feel the whole room staring. I spotted Dumbledore whispering to Slughorn. He both laughed, heartily. "What's wrong?" Sirius whined. "Don't you love me anymore?" The air exploded with laughter.

"No, no it's not true….

Sssssssssssssssssssssssss

Someone was shaking me. "Wake up" Slowly my vision returned. It was Sirius standing over me.

I recoiled sharply. Sirius didn't seem to notice or if he did he didn't care. He tossed me my shirt. "Come on. We have to bring Moony his uniform. He ripped through his pretty good last night."

I nodded. I pulled on my clothes, grabbed my books and we left.

The walk to the Whomping Willow was miserable. Neither of us met the others eye; neither of us wanted to. It felt as if everyone was staring at us with secret little smiles, each telling their own secrets. My cheeks were burning with embarrassment. Relief washed over me when I finally reach the room we left him in. My hand closed around door handle by Sirius stopped me.

We could hear Remus talking to someone. And not just anyone. It was Snape. I glanced at Sirius. His mouth hung open in dumb surprise. I pulled out my wand and he followed suit. I pushed the door ajar quietly.

They were naked. And in a bed. But the real problem was Remus. The way he was looking at Snape was more than shocking. The adoration there was….unreal. I'd never seen that look on anyone except…except on Sirius.

"-I think I love you. No, I do love you." My stomach dropped.

"Like hell you do!" My heart pulsed angrily and I threw the door open. The door slammed against the door. They both jumped up in bed. Snape's pale arm lay across Remus' chest protectively. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears.

"Get away from him, Snivellous." I spat.

I saw his fingers tighten around his wand but Remus stopped him. Sirius lowered his wand a little bit but I kept mine trained on Severus.

"Look, I can explain…." Remus stuttered.

"You don't need to explain anything!" Snape spat.

I laughed. "Explain what? How you let this greasy mutt trick you into bed with him?"

"He didn't trick me into anything! I ….this is my decision." His voice faltered. I looked over at Sirius. His wand was down at his side. In fact he didn't even look mad anymore.

"Don't have something to say!" I yelled. He just stared at me. I looked at Remus. "Have you lost it? I can't even explain how disgusted I am."

Anger flashed across his hazel eyes. It was a bit scary. I'd never seen him look that way before. Snape tried to caress his arm but he pulled away. He jumped out of the bed angrily. As it turned out he wasn't naked after all. He was wearing a pair of Slytherin pajama bottoms. I felt like vomiting. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know what I mean." I said, coldly.

"And what about you and Sirius, hmm?" My mouth fell open. "Yeah I know about you two. I found out last month, after I walked in on the two of you…in my bed."

I was frozen. Everything was. Sirius peered shamefully through his lashes. Snape just stared shocked at the both of us, his black eyes wide with surprise.

Before I knew it. I was shaking my head, backing towards the door. I could feel their stares closing in on me. Blood was pulsing in my ears; suddenly everything felts so far away. "There's nothing going on between us." I heard myself say. My voice sounded scared….so weak. I didn't like it. Sirius looked at me. I caught his gaze and my cheeks burned with shame. He was crying. "There's never been anything between us." I lied. And before anyone could answer I turned and left.