Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed! And I'm sorry for getting James's position mixed up. I could have sworn that he was chaser in the books, but seeker in the movies. I'm so confused! Also, I'm trying to work on the Sue tendencies that Loraina and Delilah are developing. Hopefully the next few chapters will clear up any doubts. Another thing, I'm trying my best to keep from rushing things, but I want them to have a strong friendship as soon as possible. That's why I made Delilah be injured, so it would form a bond kind of thing.

Lily had never felt more terrified in her life then that instant, when she was watching her best friend plummet over three hundred feet to the ground. She was unable to move, unable to think, and it all happened so fast. Loraina had let out the most blood curdling, heart wrenching scream ever heard, and several people had raced to her side. Delicate hands covered her mouth, and tears were slowly filling her jade eyes.

"NO!" Lily screamed as she watched Delilah.

Sirius was sprinting down the pitch, where he was positive she would land. He probably wouldn't be able to catch her, but Goddamn it he was going to try. His lungs were burning as he ran, but saving the girl he had come to have some sort of confusing affection for was the only thing on his mind. When he finally reached the spot where she was going to fall, he wasn't able to catch her in time. He fired a mediocre softening charm at the grass at the last minute. She hit the ground with a sickening crack, and Sirius fell to his knees beside her.

"DELILAH!" Loraine yelled, running down the stands and dashing to her friend's side, sitting beside Sirius. She pulled her friend's head into her lap, swallowing the lump in her throat as the warm, sticky blood absorbed into her jeans.

Lily was right behind her, dropping to the ground and grabbing at her Delilah's hand desperately. James was soon there as well, Remus next to him, and the blonde leviated Delilah onto a stretcher that he conjured.

"We've got to get her to Madam Gavioti," Remus said in a rushed tone.

As soon as they brought her up, they were kicked out of the wing and told to sit outside. The nurse was contacting her parents and working urgently on Delilah. Sirius sunk against the wall outside the wing, his head in his hands. Whatever he'd been feeling for Delilah was intensified by hundreds in that moment of watching her fall. His heart had twisted like a pretzel, his mind had stopped forming any sort of tangible thought, and his entire soul was on fire.

"Sirius?" Lily asked gently, sitting in front of him and lightly pulling his hands away from his face. "It's gonna be all right."

"No," he said, his voice gruff. "It's not."

"C'mon now," she said, trying her hardest to put a smile on. "I've gotten to know you rather well these past couple of weeks, and you're never one to be a pessemist."

"Not this time," he grumbled, banging the back of his head on the stone wall.

"I can't believe this is happening," Loraina said, sitting beside him. Lily sat on his other side, and Remus and James sat in front of them.

"I know," Remus said gravely. He looked paler then normal, but he'd looked like that all day long.

"Remus, are you all right?" Loraina asked in concern. "You look a bit peaky."

"I'm fine," he said unconvincingly. She shrugged it off and pretended like she believed him, but deep down was not going to let it go that easily. Loraina wasn't quite sure what it was, but there was something about Remus Lupin that drew her in.

Two nights later, Loraina snuck down into the Gryffindor common room, in a pair of plaid flannel pajama pants and a black T-shirt. Her platinum hair was thrown over one shoulder, falling in its natural, loose waves. Her eyes were rimmed lightly with red from crying, and she sniffled slightly as she collapsed into an armchair.

When she heard a quiet cough from the other end of the room, she gasped in surprise. At two in the morning on a Sunday night, she didn't expect anyone else to be in the common room. When Remus made his way over to her cautiously, she smiled shakily. He pulled her up by the hands, hugging her to him without a word. She snuggled into the crook of his neck, breathing in his musky, comforting scent.

"I knew you'd be down here," he mumbled into her hair, which, he noted, smelled like oranges. She pulled up, looking at him with an amused expression.

"That isn't creepy at all," she teased, sitting down on the couch, allowing him to sit beside her. She surprised him by leaning into him, cuddling up into his side.

"You doing all right?" he mumbled, stroking her platinum locks.

"Good as expected," she murmured back. "Better then Sirius, at any rate."

"He's a right mess, isn't he?"

"Yeah," Loraina said. "I didn't know they were that close."

"They weren't, is the thing," Remus said. "I mean sure, they were friends, we all are, but let's face it, we've only really known each other for a couple of weeks."

"Yeah," Loraina said, her tone slightly sad. "I'm gonna go back to bed. Goodnight, Remus."

And, as if it took all of her courage, she turned back to him, a determined look on her face. Loraina took in a shaky breath and kissed him lightly on the cheek before dashing back up the stairs. The electricity that flowed through Remus was undeniable as his face heated up.

They were able to visit Delilah two days after that; Sirius was the first one in. He sat beside her eagerly, his hand immediately holding hers. She raised her eyebrows at him in confusion. She looked to be fully healed, and judging by her restlessness, she was.

"I hate this place," Delilah complained.

"Don't we all," Lily agreed, sitting at her feet on the bed.

"Did anyone ever figure out where those bludgers came from?" Delilah asked, rubbing her head in memory.

"I never really thought about it," James said in confusion. "We were all so worried about you..."

"You forgot the fact that both your beaters and the bludgers that belong to Gryffindor were safely on the ground," Delilah drawled, giving him a look. He shrugged with a small wince, and Delilah laughed.

"I'm just glad you're all right," Sirius said sappily. Delilah gave him a weird look and shook her head, as if clearing her thoughts.

"Hey, guess what?" Delilah said eagerly. "Madam Gavioti said that I'm allowed to play Quidditch!"

"Thank Merlin!" James said, slumping back in relief. "I was hoping she'd give you the okay."

"Yeah, she said something about there being a cushioning charm when I hit the ground," Delilah said with a faraway look on her face.

"We should let you rest if you're gonna be up for classes and the like tomorrow," Lily said.

"No!" Delilah half-shouted. "You can't leave me on my own! My parents are coming!"

"And that's so bad, why?" James asked in confusion. She gave him an annoyed look before ignoring him.

"Oh boy," Lily said. "Fine, we'll stay. Maybe the boys should leave, though."

"Yeah. Guys, leave," Loraina snapped. They all looked at her, surprised at her snippy reaction. The guys said their goodbyes and then left, while the girls awaited the apparently dreaded arrival of Delilah's parents.

"You guys ready for this?" Delilah said dramatically before giggling slightly.

"Born ready," Loraina said in mock seriousness.

"You've been watching one too many of those muggle cowvies," Delilah said smugly, proud of her use of muggle terminology. Lily burst into laughter.

"That would be a movie, Delilah," Lily said, rolling her eyes. "You witches. Can't get your facts straight."

"And you mudbloods," came a sneering voice. "Dirtying up our world."

"Shut up, Dad," growled Delilah.

"Don't speak unless spoken to," her father replied coldly, rapping the ground with his walking stick.

"You don't seem injured," her mother sniffed. "Why we had to come here, I don't understand."

"Appearances, Eleanor, appearances are everything," her father said, waving off his wife with one hand.

"But William, I'm missing the luncheon!" Eleanor Monroe whined.

"Oh would you both just shut up!" Loraina snapped, standing up and placing her hands on the bed. "Your daughter just went through one hell of an accident, and all you can do is complain about being here!"

"And who might you be?" William Monroe asked through gritted teeth.

Loraina laughed, half way to hysterical. "Oh, yes, because no one can ever fucking remember me! For your effing information, my name is Loraina Parker. I believe you and my father are dear friends!"

Delilah had a furious expression on her face while Lily looked terrified. William turned upon Loraina, his eyes alight with fury. Eleanor simply looked bored, examining her nails and checking her diamond encrusted watch.

"Your father is Blake Parker, then?"

"Yes," Loraina hissed.

"You had better watch what you say," William sneered. "And whom you say it to. Goodbye, Daisy."

"Her name is Delilah," Lily said, puzzled.

"Shut up, mudblood," William snapped. Lily drew back. "Come, Eleanor."

"Goodbye, Father," Delilah said, her eyes focused on her bedspread. As soon as the door closed, Delilah reeled on Loraina, who was breathing heavily. "LORAINA, YOU ARE THE BIGGEST IDIOT I HAVE EVER MET! AND THAT INCLUDES SIRIUS! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? MY FATHER IS AN EVIL MAN, AND YOU'VE JUST GOTTEN YOURSELF AND EVERYONE YOU CARE ABOUT INVOLVED!"

"I WAS STICKING UP FOR YOU!" Loraina screamed back.

"I DON'T NEED YOUR HELP! I DON'T NEED ANYONE'S HELP!"

"Of course you don't," Loraina said, her voice hollow. "I'm leaving."

"Loraina, wait..." Delilah said.

"No," Loraina said, shaking her head with a humorless laugh. "I've heard apologies like this too many times. I'm gone."

Lily stood between her two friends, one pale hand over her mouth. This was the first time Loraina had ever fought with them. Sure, Lily and Delilah had fought several times; both of them were known to be extremely bitchy when the moment accounted for it, but never Loraina.

"What just happened?" Lily said to no one in particular.

"I have no idea," Delilah said. "But I don't like it."