"You complete - ARSE!" Mary said shoving Sirius against the wall. "You attack Snape for no good reason."

Sirius stared at her. "You hate Snape," He said.

"That gives you no right – no right – to threaten to curse him!" Mary almost shrieked. "Lily's in tears because of you!"

"Did she not tell you that he was the one who cursed Frank?" Sirius asked.

Mary's face twitched. "He did what?" She asked.

"He cursed Frank," Sirius said. "He put him in the hospital wing."

Mary relinquished her hold on Sirius' robes, staring at him. "Sorry," She said. "I just thought…"

"You honestly thought I was that terrible that I would hex someone for no good reason?" Asked Sirius. "Jeez, thanks a lot."

"No," Mary said, folding her arms. "I just…"

"Never mind," Sirius said.

"Sorry," Mary said.

"I said never mind," Sirius said.

Mary sighed. "How is he?"

"Who?" Sirius asked.

Mary rolled her eyes. "Frank!"

"Oh…" Sirius plonked himself down on one of the Gryffindor armchairs. Mary sat beside him. "He's still unconscious, Madame Pomfrey will be able to get him through, god knows what kind of curse Snape put on him, but it's taking longer to heal."

"Heal?" Mary asked.

"I don't know, according to Remus, when they brought Frank in, he was covered in head to toe with blood, a lot of scratches and such. Remus got quite the shock, he thought that Frank had been involved in a werewolf attack."

Mary let out a laugh. "How could he be so silly?" She asked. "There are no werewolves at Hogwarts. Yes there might be a few roaming around in the Forbidden Forest…"

"Trust me, werewolves aren't half as scary as what you find in those trees," Sirius said.

"How the hell would you know?" Mary asked.

Sirius leaned back, looking relaxed and calm. "I just do."

"Seriously though," Mary said. "How do you know?"

"I told you," Sirius said. "I just do."

"No one can just know everything," Mary challenged.

"You obviously haven't met Moony," Sirius replied.

"Moony?"

"Sorry, Remus."

"Why on earth do you call him that?" Mary asked.

"Because," Sirius said. "Remus likes his bum. He likes to flash it. Hence the name; Moony. Isn't that right?"

Remus lowered his book and looked over from the armchair where he sat, his knees scrunched up high against his chin.

"What?" He asked wearily.

"Isn't that why you got your nickname?" Sirius said flashing him a wink.

"Oh yeah…" Remus said. "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention… You were saying…?"

"Too busy reading up on the vampire wars?" Sirius asked.

"Yes," Remus said.

"Gotten to the part where the goblins, Nymphs and werewolves try to take their power back?" Mary asked.

"Surpassed that chapter a week ago," Remus said.

"We were only supposed to read up to there!"

"It got interesting," Remus shrugged.

Mary turned back to Sirius. "Your friend is weird."

"Tell me something I don't know."

"I really like you,"

"Who doesn't?" Sirius asked.

"Me," Remus said, placidly.

"No one asked you," Sirius said. "Why don't you go find Sarah?"

"Oh, she and him aren't speaking," Mary interjected.

"Oh, why?" Sirius asked.

Remus slammed the book shut and got up from his chair. "None of your business. I'm going to the library." With that he left.

"What's got him in a twist?" Mary asked.

"His time of the month," Sirius shrugged. "He's really a girl."

Mary gave him a slap on the chest. "Be nice." Sirius laughed and she grinned. Their eyes caught and they blushed slightly, looking away. Mary let her fingers find Sirius' and in moments, their hands were tightly clasped together. Their laughter faded away.

"What are you doing?" Sirius asked.

"Holding your hand," Mary winked. "Do you not like it?"

"I love it," Sirius said, raising her hand and kissing it gently. Mary laughed.

"Always the gentleman," She said.

"Does this mean we're going out?" Sirius asked.

"I should hope so," Mary said. "Or what you did was vastly inappropriate. Thing is, you haven't asked."

"I need to ask?"

"I find it's common courtesy to do so," Mary said.

"O…kay…" Sirius said. "Should I get down on one knee or something?"

"Sirius I want to go out with you, I think spending the rest of my life with you is a bit much," Mary said.

"Right," Sirius said. "Er… Mary McDonald, will you go out with me?"

"Yes," She said sweetly.

Sirius' face broke out into a smile. "So does that mean we're boyfriend and girlfriend?"

"I guess," Mary said.

"Well it's good that one of us knows," Sirius said slumping deeper into the chair. Mary wrapped her fingers around his long hair.

"SIRIUS!" Bellowed a voice marching into the common room. Sirius looked around to see James and Peter walk in. James threw something at Sirius, who caught easily. "Get your knickers on, we're going out!"

"Where?" Sirius asked.

"I'll tell you when you stop being such a wet pussy," James said. "Now hurry up!"

Sirius turned to Mary who sighed. "What are you, a man or a mouse? Go join your friends, you don't need to ask my permission for everything!"

Sirius grinned and gave her a kiss on the cheek before getting up and following James.

"Ready?" Peter asked. "Knickers on? Pussy dry? Cool, let's go."

Sirius grinned and followed them out of the common room and into the corridor.

"Do you have any idea where Moony is?" James asked.

"Library I would assume," Sirius replied. "He stormed out after we mentioned Sarah's name."

"You never mention Sarah's name," Peter said.

"Why not?" Sirius asked.

"Long story," James replied. "Probably not one we should tell you about."

"Oh come on!" Sirius said. "I hate not being in the loop!"

James and Peter stared at each other. "Alright, but don't interrupt – "

"Interrupt? I never interrupt."

James raised his eyebrow.

"Right, sorry, continue." Sirius said,

"So we're on the Hogwarts express and Caitlin and Sarah come in. You leave to smooch the decency out of Mary and we're left in a pickle." James said.

"Remus is really quiet and unresponsive to Sarah, so she starts getting annoyed," Peter said.

"She begins to shout at Remus and tell him off for being such a prat."

"To which Caitlin agrees,"

"A thing that might make her a potential girlfriend," James said, his eyes twinkling behind his glasses.

"Anyway," Peter said. "Remus and her get into a fighting match,"

"Caitlin or Sarah?" Asked Sirius.

"Sarah," James replied. "She tells him that he's an idiot and a fool and all this other stuff. She stalks off and we're left feeling quite… What's the word…?"

"Intimidated." Peter said.

"Right," James said. "And then Caitlin stands up and she tells us… Damn… I can't remember."

"You can't remember?" Sirius asked.

"Well no, but it was incredibly witty and intelligent. We laughed so much at that." Peter said.

"I was actually surprised Peter understood the joke." James remarked.

"Ha, ha, ha," Peter said in a bored voice. "Very funny Prongs,"

"I thought so too," James said. He put his arm around Sirius's shoulders. "So, are you and Mary an official couple yet?"

"Yes," Sirius replied.

"OH THANK YOU!" James said, dramatically falling to his knees and raising his hands in a bizarre attempt to worship the ceiling. A few onlookers stared at him and Peter shrugged when Sirius looked over confused.

"Made a bet with Moony did you?" Peter asked.

"Just a little one," James said standing up and motioning how little it was with his finger and thumb.

"How little?" Sirius asked.

"About 12 galleons," James said.

"Remus doesn't have 12 galleons that he can spend willy-nilly," Sirius said.

"Sure he does!" James replied.

"He really doesn't." said a voice.

"Ah, the last marauder," James said. "Finally, our four is complete once more." He stopped. "Have I made a rhyme?"

Sirius rolled his eyes. "We were just coming to find you."

"Oh, well you were looking in the wrong place," Remus replied, tucking the book back into his bag.

"Where were you?" Sirius asked.

"Nowhere interesting," Remus replied. "So, you and Mary are finally official? Pay up James."

James looked confused. "No, I made the bet that they would become official before Christmas,"

"And I made the bet that they would be official by Halloween," Remus replied.

"Dammnit," James muttered reaching into his pocket and pulling out 12 galleons. He handed them to Remus who pocketed them safely. "Degenerate gambler."

"Brilliant strategist," Remus argued.

"On what basis?"

"I just managed to get 12 galleons off you," Remus replied. "I'd say that was an excellent basis."

James just grumbled.

…

The students were lined up outside the Great Hall as members of Professor Sanctus' family arrived. Sadly, he had no wife to claim of, and no father or mother, but his daughter and his grandchildren sat at the front. The four tables had been taken out and replaced with lines of chairs in which several rows at the front were already filled. Dumbledore was speaking with McGonagall and a stout man, with one whizzing electric blue eye and one wooden leg.

"Bloody hell," Sirius whispered, as he, James, Remus and Peter all made their way to one of the front rows. "It's Mad-Eye!"

James looked around. "Then Ariyamna must be here too." He said.

"Over there," Remus said, nodding towards a crowd that had gathered at the far side of the room. He sat down and Sirius and Peter followed suit.

"Oi!" Sirius said. "Prongs? Are you going to go over and talk to her or are you just going to stand there looking like a knob?"

James cleared his throat and sat down. The Great Hall filled up steadily. James looked around some more and saw that Lily was sitting with Mary, Marlene and Alice. Alice was holding Frank's hand, and he looked a little confused, only having been discharged from the hospital wing about an hour ago. A few rows behind Snape sat, staring at Lily. Beside him was Sirius' brother, Regulus, MacNair and the sandy-haired boy that always seemed to be following them. They all looked equally bored to be there and sort of lonely without Malfoy and Narcissa there to tell them what to do.

Once the hall had filled, McGonagall stepped out and looked at them. "Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words. Please remember that respect must be kept at all times, no talking - that means you Perkins!" She shot a look at a small boy near the front. Some of the students laughed a little.

McGonagall cleared her throat and swept off sitting down beside a tired looking Hagrid. Dumbledore stepped out and looked at them carefully. All eyes were focused on his piercing blue eyes.

"A friend of mine once said; 'Death is the grievous misfortune, that everyone can see coming.'" He said. "'But love is the surprise everyone wishes for.' As you all know, Professor Sanctus was an intelligent man, and gifted. He and I worked for a considerable number of years and though we had no real care for our chosen subjects, I seeing Divination as a waste and he being unable to see the use of Transfiguration, we respected and prized each other for our fierce spirits.

"Professor Sanctus, though would never admit it, he always saw the goodness of the students he taught. Including the one student that in the end, murdered him.

"I tell you this for your own protection, though this castle, though its grounds and teachers and students are safe from Voldemort, we must be adamant that nothing of this sort happens again. And we can do that, if we remember to take a stand and fight this threat that invades our world and attempts to purge it of all those who make it a truly magical place to be."

Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling madly over his half-moon specs. "I urge each and every one of you, to take a stand, to take the stand, against those who would do us harm. And if we fight like our dear friend Professor Sanctus, we may be able to survive."

He smiled. "Now, off too class. Toodle-pip, speed zip."

Sirius and James looked at each other. Sirius made a crazy motion before getting up from his chair and grabbing his bag. Together they made their way from their seats and began to follow the other students out of the Great Hall.

"JAMES!" Shouted an eager voice. James turned to see Vidal, Ariyamna's husband stumbling towards them, his face bright and smile stretched. Behind him, grasping his hand was Ariyamna, looking tired and teary.

"Hey… Vidal," James said.

"How are you?"

"Wonderful," James said. "Er… How are you guys?" He shifted aside to let a few students pass.

"Oh, y'know," Vidal shrugged. "Same as ever, eh, Ariya?" Ariyamna didn't say a word, she wiped a few tears from her eyes with the sleeves of her black robes. Vidal sighed, looking at her. "Ariyamna's favourite subject was Divination," He said. "Isn't that right?" He looked down at his feet, then back at her. "Come on, honey," He said kissing her hand. "It's okay." He pulled her forward and put his arms around her. She buried her face into his shoulder and let out a sob. As she pressed against her husband, James saw that her stomach was more pronounced, larger even, but hidden well under her robes.

"Ariyamna," He asked, almost shocked. "Are you pregnant?"

"Keep your voice down!" Vidal hissed.

"Sorry," James said.

Ariyamna nodded, looking up, her face strewn with tears. "We're not telling anyone yet."

"Why not?" Sirius asked, interrupting.

"Fear," She replied. "What's more vulnerable than a pregnant auror and her free-loving photographer for the Daily Prophet husband?"

James stared at her. He shuffled uncomfortably. "Listen, I'm sorry about accusing you of being… A… Y'know… Last Christmas…"

"Doesn't matter," Ariyamna said.

"Yeah, it does, I shouldn't have-"

"James, really, it doesn't matter." Ariyamna said.

"No but-"

"James, please!" Ariyamna said.

"We'll see you later boys," Vidal said. "Sorry we can't stay,"

James nodded and watched as Vidal and Ariyamna moved slowly out of the hall. They realised that they were the only students remaining. Quietly, they moved through the older mourners and out onto the landing where Remus and Peter waited patiently. They looked around, apparently in deep conversation.

"How is she?" Remus asked.

"Upset," James shrugged. "Tired, I would suspect too."

"Mm." Remus pursed his lips.

"She's pregnant," Sirius said.

"Really?" Peter asked.

"Yeah,"

"Damn," Remus muttered. "We have to get to potions before Slughorn blows his nut."

"That blew a long time ago," Sirius said, hauling his bag further up his shoulder. Together they made their way down to the dungeons They were silent and slightly uneasy, lost in their own thoughts. Sirius tugged at his hair, pulling it back and tying it up, he put his hands in his pockets and kicked his feet.

"You had every right to be suspicious, man," He said.

"No, I didn't."

"Stop beating yourself about," Remus said.

"No, I stopped trusting her because of that stupid bloody letter," James said, angrily.

"You were protecting Moony," Sirius said.

"That's not the point," James said.

"It is," Sirius said. "Stop beating yourself up. Just get over it."

"How can I?" James asked.

"James," Remus said, opening the large door. "I respect you and love you like my brother, but if you don't stop, I will shove Sirius' wand up your arse and bellow Expelliarmus."

"Why Sirius' wand?" James frowned.

"So that nothing disgusting and perverted could be construed from what I said." Remus said.

"Didn't work," James said.

"Sadly, no it didn't," Remus admitted.

…

"Hey James,"

James looked up from his book, Caitlin stood in front of him, looking beautiful, she had a few books in her arms. Sirius looked over and grinned slightly, before looking back at the book, his head resting on his arms and his eyes closed. Peter and Remus were sitting trying to finish a particularly difficult potions essay that Slughorn had set.

"Hey, Caitlin," James smiled.

"Can I join you?" She asked. "Sarah is missing, again-"

"Missing?" Sirius asked, sleepily.

"Well, I say missing, I suspect she's in the girl's toilets crying," She shot a dirty look at Remus who didn't see it. "I looked for Lily but I saw her with Snape a few minutes ago…" James' fist tightened into a ball. "So… Can I join you?"

"Yeah, sure," Sirius said, pushing a chair forward with his foot. It made a loud screech as it moved across the floor. Madame Pince did not look happy. "Sorry," He muttered.

"You won't get much done," Peter said closing his book and looking helplessly over at Remus, who sighed and took the essay from him and began to mark it carefully.

"How not?" Caitlin asked.

"Because we're pranksters and misfits and…. Lazy as hell." James grinned.

"All of which could be rectified if you actually paid attention to me." Remus said.

"Shut up Moony," Sirius said, kicking his leg. Remus looked over annoyed.

"It's this charms essay I really can't do." Caitlin said ignoring them.

"I thought you were good at charms," James said teasingly.

"Urgh god," Sirius said. "I'm off, Moony, Wormtail? You coming?"

"Yes," Remus said getting up.

"Wait, what, were are you going?" James asked.

"You guys should have time alone without us interrupting," Peter said. "I'm afraid if we interrupt when you're talking you might hex us to the ceiling and stuff Snivellus' underwear into our mouths."

"How is that possible?" Sirius wondered. "I thought he had only one pair of underwear."

"Sirius, are you just going to stand there or are you going to sit and watch James and Caitlin… Er… Start a wonderful journey together?" Remus asked, smiling.

"Wonderful journey?" James frowned. "What the bloody hell are you – oh…"

Remus grinned. "Come on," He grabbed his bag and book.

"Yeah, maybe we could get a few butterbeers-"

"Nah, I want to go down to the kitchens,"

"Sirius, you always want to go down to the kitchens,"

"Shut up, Moony,"

"Where are you going?" James asked.

"To see Aberforth," Sirius said as Remus and Peter disappeared around the corridor. "Maybe have a chat about what Dumbledore likes doing in his spare time."

James shuddered. "Alright, I'll see you at the common room later."

"Bye!"

James turned back to look at Caitlin who had leaned forward, her lips pursed. Their heads knocked.

"Ow!" James cried.

"Sorry," Caitlin said.

"It's alright," James grinned. They stared at each other for a moment before James cleared his throat. "So, what are you stuck on."

"I just – "

James interrupted her with a sweet kiss on the lips. He drew back.

"Sorry," He said. "Your lips looked so beautiful."

Caitlin smiled and tugged at his robes, pulling him back into the kiss.

A/n

Hope you enjoyed that! This will probably be the last chapter for two weeks, but no fear, I'll be back. Mwhahahaha...

Maybe that's the wrong sentiment...

Mm...