Author's Note: This is a story I wrote back in my earliest days of fanfic writing (2007!). It was published on Mugglenet. Since that site is basically dead, and the 2007 version of the story is a bit of a travesty, I decided to take some time to edit it/improve it and post it here. There are approximately 21 chapters – all are written and the first four are already revised. I'll try to post new chapters regularly. Hope you enjoy!

CHAPTER 1

Sirius was casually winding his way through the corridors of Hogwarts, tossing an apple that was leftover from his lunch in the air and catching it as he walked. James was out at Quidditch tryouts; though he had been asked to try out, Sirius didn't really want to play on the team. He was a fair flyer, but just didn't have the motivation for the constant practicing. James had been made Quidditch captain and Head Boy in their final year at Hogwarts, a considerable surprise since Remus had been the only one in their foursome to be made Prefect. Sirius had come to the conclusion that, while Dumbledore considered Remus Lupin to be the most respectable of the four, it might not be appropriate to have a werewolf for Head Boy at Hogwarts.

If Sirius was asked who his best friend was, he wouldn't be able to answer. The four boys that had grown up together at Hogwarts were inseparable, and there was no one he could single one out above the others. He had lived with James and his family after leaving the Black home, which had never seemed like much of a home anyway, and James had been like his brother since then. Sirius had an unwavering respect for Remus, who had to go through the most horrible transformation he had ever witnessed once every month. Sirius and his friends had made the decision to become Animagi, and through months of practice and study, had been able to learn to transfigure themselves in order to be with their friend each full moon. Sirius's own Animagus form brought him particularly close to Remus, as the black, shaggy dog was not only the most similar to the werewolf, but also the only one who could overpower one in the event that something went wrong. Sirius was always the one to bring Remus his meals on the day prior to and directly following the full moon, when Remus could hardly stand from his bed, and that had brought them closer together as well.

Finally, there was Peter Pettigrew. He had introduced himself on the first day of Hogwarts, on the train to the school, and had been a part of their group since that day. He wasn't quite as handsome or talented as the other three, but he had been a loyal friend nonetheless. From the outside, it would certainly seem as if Peter merely tagged along with the other three to gain popularity and, perhaps, protection, but the truth was that Sirius held him in equal standing with the other two. Peter was a good friend.

But, he was alone this afternoon, enjoying a bit of solitude to give him a chance to relax and think for a while. He wanted to escape the drama that inevitably came with James; between Quidditch, Head Boy duties, and Lily Evans, the girl James had swooned over their entire Hogwarts career and that he had finally ensnared over the summer, James always had something going on. And, as much as Sirius loved the pranks and games and excitement, he enjoyed a rare afternoon, calm and alone.

However, he was not going to get it.

A piercing scream filled the hallway when he rounded the corner. Sirius let out a yelp and jumped back, falling backwards in shock, and scrambled to his feet, fumbling for his wand. The girl in front of him was still screaming mercilessly, making it nearly impossible for his trembling hands to grip his wand properly. She backed all the way against the wall of the corridor, and he did the same, leaning against the wall opposite her and staring at her. She finally stopped screaming and looked at him with wide eyes.

"What the bloody hell was that?" Sirius asked, panting heavily.

"I . . . I . . . I . . ." the girl stammered.

"Who are you, anyway?" he asked, standing up straight and inspecting the girl's features. She did not look familiar at all, and he knew most of the students at Hogwarts.

The girl didn't answer, just stood there incapable of speech.

"What year are you in? I've never seen you before," he said, narrowing his eyes at her. "Are you a Slytherin?"

"No . . . I'm . . . I'm a Gryffindor . . ." the girl managed to choke out, her eyes still wide and locked with his.

"No you're not," he scoffed, letting out a barking laugh. "There's no way I couldn't have known you after all these years."

It was true; it would be impossible for this girl to have slipped his notice. She appeared to be about his age and had hair that would certainly stand out in a crowd. It was long and curly, and it seemed to lay against its will on her shoulders. She had fair skin with a smattering of freckles and beautiful, big, brown eyes. He couldn't help but notice her eyes, as they were wide as saucers and still staring at him.

"Who are you, really?" he inquired.

"I . . . I . . . I've got to see the Headmistress!" the girl shrieked, scampering down the hall and disappearing.

"What a strange girl," he muttered to himself, scratching the back of his head with the tip of his wand. He accidentally set off a small spark, making him wince as it burned a bit of his scalp, and headed to the Gryffindor Common Room.