A/N: I have been busy this week, but I am going to try really hard to update this story more often. At least once every two weeks is my plan. Maybe more. I actually wrote the chapter AFTER this one before I wrote this one. This is an important chapter as Sirius and Luna each think seriously about each other and they each ask themselves how they feel about the other. It's also important as James steps up his game with Lily! So excited for this story, hope you all are as well!

Yours,

MofDA

….

Avoiding Sirius Black while trying to get close to James Potter, Remus Lupin, and Lily Evans proved to be a difficult task indeed. Every time Luna turned around, Sirius was there trying to engage her in conversation, attempting to impress her, or flirting with her incessantly.

When he wasn't doing one of those things, she was watching him. Taking note of where he was, what he was doing, almost constantly. She hated herself for it and yet she couldn't stop. Almost four weeks she had been there now. Such a short amount of time, yet she was certain she was falling in love. To her, 'falling' was the key word there. She had not yet fallen, nor would she let herself.

He was just so…so…perfect! She loved the way his dark brown hair fell perfectly in place on top of his head. The way his storm-cloud-coloured eyes would spark with mischief at random moments and she ached to know what he was thinking. Mostly, she loved how fiercely loyal and brave he was.

Lily Luna Potter was not accustomed to this feeling. Normally, people felt that way about her. How many times had blokes at Hogwarts approached her, professing love, telling her how beautiful and wonderful she was? Like Sirius Black, she was used to being adored, but not used to being the one to do the adoring.

One time during Potions class, she accidentally blew up her cauldron because she watched some Ravenclaw bint flirt with Sirius and stroke his arm. Slughorn had laughed off the incident and extended her an invitation to join him and 'a few other promising students' for dinner a night that week. She had politely declined the invitation.

Ever since the incident in the deserted corridor, Severus Snape had avoided her like Dragonpox. Whenever she attempted to engage him in a conversation, he turned very nasty very fast. One time he went so far as to threaten throwing her off of the top of the Astronomy Tower.

Unfortunately for Snape, he happened to say that with Sirius Black and James Potter listening close by. They received two weeks worth of detentions for the jinxes they performed on him. "The professors know us a bit too well," James grumbled after returning from his third night of detention, "they've separated us so we have different detentions."

James was stuck helping the House Elves in the kitchens while Sirius was polishing all of the suits of armor in the Charms Corridor. Luna noticed that Lily Evans was becoming increasingly aware of James Potter; her gorgeous almond shaped eyes following him around a room whenever he moved. James, however, was oblivious to this as Lily was crafty about it.

As James Potter departed for his fourth night of detention, Luna thought up a brilliant scheme. "Luna," Remus Lupin said politely, "would you please pass me that ink well beside you? I want to get started on my Charms essay."

Luna leapt to her feet, completely ignoring him, and raced up the girls staircase. "Well that was rude," commented Peter.

"You know women," said Remus, "barking mad, all of them."

….

"Lily Evans," said Luna as she came into the dorm room. Lily looked up from her homework. "We're going to get a late night snack."

"No, we're not. For the billionth time, I am Head Girl. Just because those prats in the common room think they run the school doesn't mean you can do anything you want. We're not supposed to be in the kitchens without special permission."

"Oh, quit being such a princess." Luna grabbed the Head Girl's arm and dragged her out of the dorm. For all of her talk, Lily Evans didn't put up much of a fight as she was dragged all the way down to the portrait of the fruit bowl. Luna tickled the pear and they entered.

"Oi! No one is supposed to – oh. It's you two." James had started to scold them, but then realized who it was. He was standing at the sink, with an apron on, washing dishes.

A house elf at his elbow was saying, "That's not clean enough, Sir. Professor Dumbledore said you is to really put effort into it. Make the plates shine, Master Potter."

Lily sniggered, "Being bossed around by a House Elf now, Potter?"

James smirked, "I can be submissive when I want to be. Want to boss me around sometime, Evans?"

Lily flushed, wondering how the hell he turned her insult around on her. But that was just part of the allure of James Potter. "Actually," Luna intervened, "we're a bit hungry. We want you to dig us up some food, James. What have you got?"

James wiped off his hands on the apron that was tied around his waist, causing Lily to snigger but not comment. He made his way over to a giant pantry, opened the door and stepped in. "Looks like we have all sorts of stuff, Luna. What were you in the mood for? There's cocoa here, do you fancy a hot chocolate? Oh, look, we have soup, too. Blimey, there's all kinds of soup-"

"Oi!" Luna had very forcefully pushed Lily Evans into the pantry. Then she slammed the door shut and flicked her wand to lock it magically. No, 'Alohomora' would be able to get them out. "Open the door, Granger, or Merlin help me, I will make sure you have detention every night for the rest of the year!"

"What was that, Evans? Sorry, I couldn't hear you. Did you say you want me to leave you locked in there with Potter for the rest of the year? Alright then, I'll just go on back to the dormitory. You two have fun now!" and she skipped, humming to herself all the way back to Gryffindor Tower. When she arrived, however, she realized that it wasn't where she wanted to be. Without entering the common room, she turned and skipped off in the opposite direction.

…

"Damn it, she charmed that door! No matter what spell I use, it won't come unlocked." Lily Evans was practically climbing the walls. James, however, had made himself at home, sitting on a box in the corner of the pantry.

"She'll come back eventually," he stretched himself out casually.

"Why don't we tell the House Elves to get us out?"

"They don't take orders from us, just from the professors."

Lily clucked her tongue and paced around the small room. "At least we won't starve," she joked.

James chuckled, "I knew you had a sense of humor somewhere."

"Bugger off," she said but her tone was playful. Sensing a small weakness in her, James brought his wand up and with a graceful flourish and swirly motion, he conjured a beautiful bouquet of snapdragons out of midair. Her eyes betrayed her, showing joy at the sight of the gorgeous blossoms. "Snapdragons," she said in astonishment, "they're my favorite…how did you know?"

"I pay much more attention to you than you realize," he answered honestly. He offered them to her and after just a moment of hesitation, a broad smile graced her beautiful face, and she scooped them out of his arms.

"Where am I going to put them in here?" she asked.

James didn't waste a moment. He leapt to his feet and magically conjured up a vase large enough to hold them. "There," he said proudly.

"You're astounding, did you know that? James Potter, you're something else," she teased.

"That's what I've been trying to get you to realize for years now, Evans. Honestly." He teased as sat back down on the unoccupied box. Lily wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed her arms. "Cold?" he asked.

"A bit," she grumbled and began pacing again. James sighed.

"Here, take this," he shrugged out of his school robes, leaving him in a pair of muggle trousers and a plain black t-shirt.

"Thanks," she said shortly and pulled it on over her own. It was much too big for her, but it was warm. She couldn't help but take just a light whiff of it. It smelled like James Potter always smelled; of broomstick polish and the smell of sparks and something that was…uniquely James. The broomstick polish, of course, was from his broomstick that he was always handling and caring for. The spark scent she attributed to all of the magic he was constantly performing. However, the scent that was uniquely his own…that was what truly made Lily Evans weak at the knees. It was a tad spicy, all manly, with just hints of soap and it was wonderful.

"We'll probably be here for a while," he said eventually, "you might as well sit down."

Lily considered, huffed, then dropped down onto a barrel next to James's box. "I'm going to give her detention every night from now until Christmas!"

"Why do you reckon she locked us in here?" The question was slightly rhetorical and James raised his eyebrows at her as he awaited her response.

"A prank," said Lily with a wave of her hand, "she must have thought it would be laugh to lock us in here because of how much we argue."

"Huh," said James, "I was thinking something entirely different."

Lily wanted to ask, but she was also afraid. When James Potter asked her out in front of crowds of students it was so easy to say no. So easy to watch the people nearby laugh and see the spark in James's eyes that said he would keep trying. She often wondered if he only asked her out because of the attention.

However, here, with just the two of them, locked in a pantry, it would feel so intimate. Lily didn't think she could turn him down. She didn't think she would want to. Fancying James Potter was something she promised herself she would never do. Then, toward the end of sixth year, her mind was starting to change. Now, two months into seventh year, she was certain she wanted him.

Lily wondered if perhaps he liked her only for the chase. It seemed like every time she shot him down, he was more determined to win her over. As she watched, James yawned, stretched, and propped his hands behind his head leaning against the wall. Her eyes raked over his body and the shiver she felt wasn't entirely from the coolness of the pantry. His trousers were slung low on his hips and when he had his hands stretched up like that, it pulled his shirt up enough that she could see just a bit of his stomach.

James had seen her shiver. If it were any other girl in this blasted castle, he would have assumed it was because he did look roguishly handsome this evening, if he did say so himself. But this was Evans. He knew her shiver was brought on by the chilly air, not his stunningly attractive good looks. "Come here," he sighed and scooted over.

Lily's eyes widened, "What?"

"Don't be a prude, Evans, get your arse over here and let me try to warm you up. Not," he said quickly, catching the expression on her face, "like that. In an entirely platonic way, I assure you. Just…pretend I'm Remus or something. You wouldn't hesitate to cuddle up with him," this was said grudgingly.

"Yes, well that's because I trust Remus to keep his hands in appropriate places."

James rolled his eyes, "I wouldn't touch any part of you that you didn't want me to touch," he promised, "although I'm sure there are several parts of you that you do want me to touch, you just won't admit it."

Lily gazed warily at the portion of the box that was open for her to sit on. Next to James. He offered to cuddle with her. Maybe it would make it easier if she pretended he was Remus. She wouldn't feel this awkward at least. Very slowly, she inched to the edge of her barrel then slid over to James's box. Careful to not make any quick movements, James deliberately (but cautiously) lifted an arm and draped it around her. "Not so bad, is it?" he said the words softly.

"No, it's not," she whispered. She was looking up at him, her head resting on his shoulder. She really did feel cold, James noted. But he wasn't looking at her. He was staring at the ceiling and Lily wondered what he was thinking about. Abruptly his face turned downward and she found her eyes locked with his. They were a wonderful hazel colour. Like the color of caramel with flecks of forest green thrown in. For a moment she felt hypnotized, unable to even blink. James must have sensed it. His eyes darkened, the pupils dilated. She couldn't help it. She tilted her face up just a bit. James's hand came up, resting just under her chin. Lily's tongue swept over her lower lip and James watched it. Gently, he brought his face down to hers.

…..

Sirius Black came into the common room whistling, twirling his wand between his fingers. His eyes immediately sought for his best mate. "Oi! Remus," Sirius flicked his wand, ruffling the pages of the book Remus was reading across the room. "Where's Prongs?"

"Detention still," said Remus, not looking up from his book.

"He's normally back before me," Sirius noted. "Where's Luna then?"

"She and Lily went to the kitchens for a snack. They must still be down there."

Sirius snorted, "Well, that explains why James isn't back yet. I'll see you later, mate."

Half-heartedly, Remus called after him, "Be back before curfew!"

Sirius made his way to the kitchens lithely. Strutting around the corners with a fitting grace. His parents would say it was his "pureblood" status that made him come off so regal, but Sirius knew better. It had nothing to do with his parentage or his surname. It was his own unique confidence and arrogance that made him the way he was. Take Regulus for example. He walked with slightly hunched shoulders and a sneer always on his face. Sirius chortled at the thought.

When he entered the kitchens, he was surprised that it was empty except for a few remaining house elves who were cleaning up the last few things before retiring to bed for the night. "Master Black, Sir," squeaked an elf bobbing beside him, "What is you looking for?"

"James," he said absently, "he had detention here didn't he?"

"Oh, yes, Sir, he did. He and Miss Evans is in the pantry, Sir."

"Well well well," said Sirius while waggling his eyebrows. "Perhaps I should just leave them alone then." If it were any of his other friends, Sirius would have wrenched the door open and caught them snogging, but this was James. His best mate. Not to mention he had been after Evans forever. He couldn't bring himself to disturb whatever risqué activities were going on in there.

"Miss Granger locked them in there, Sir," said the House Elf, "They is not happy to be in the pantry."

"Oh?" Sirius inquired. "Why didn't you let them out?"

"Miss Granger locked it with a spell, Sir, and we is not to be doing magic unless it is necessary for our work. We is only to be doing magic if we must."

"Ah, damn," Sirius muttered. Now he was in quite the dilemma. Let them out? Perhaps that would be the better thing here after all. He made his way to the pantry and tapped the handle with his wand. He heard the lock click. He grinned. Luna Granger may be good, but he was better. There are other ways to unlock doors, sweetie, he thought, other than Alohamora.

At the sight before him, Sirius nearly dropped his wand. James and Lily were snuggled up together in the back corner of the pantry. Sitting on what appeared to be a box. Their faces were less than an inch apart and he realized instantly that if he had waited another moment before opening the door, he would have caught them snogging.

As it was, they jumped away from each other when Sirius opened the door, and Lily was furiously straightening her robes as her face turned bright red. James on the other hand looked entirely unaffected. A bit annoyed, perhaps, that Sirius had prevented their kiss, but he wasn't embarrassed in the slightest, as Lily obviously was.

"I'll, uh," Sirius Black was never at a loss for words. This simply didn't happen. Clearing his throat, he said crisply, "I'll leave you two alone, shall I?" and left.

Shaking his head, he began to wonder where Luna was. His mind wandered to her more often than he would like to admit. James was the only one who knew how deeply his feelings were for the girl. Remus and Peter knew he liked her. Hell, he was sure most of the school knew he fancied her, but James alone knew to what extent.

Sirius had never felt anything like this. He had never dated anyone before. At least, not seriously. He had taken a few birds out to lunch on Hogsmeade weekends, but that was only to get them to snog him. Although during the summer holidays he had been known to date a couple of muggle girls, but that was only to piss off his parents.

He never imagined himself with a girl before. Whenever he and James had an honest chat about their futures, James was always the one who saw himself married (to Lily, of course) with kids and a house with a white picket fence. The whole shebang. If there hadn't been a war going on, Sirius would have wanted to be a curse breaker for Gringotts. Traveling, adventure, battling a few not-so-dead mummies in Egyptian tombs. Yes, that would have been his ideal life. But because of the war that had changed. He had so much gold he didn't know what to do with it.

He didn't need a job at all. The money in his account at Gringotts would easily sustain him the rest of his life. He now saw himself living in a flat. Alone. He knew that Remus or Peter would be willing to be roommates with him, but he didn't want that. His free time would spent doing whatever he could to help the Order of the Phoenix. James, Peter, Remus, and himself had all already agreed that they would join the moment they graduated.

Now, however, he began to think what it would be like if he was in love. If he and Luna Granger fell in love, what would his course of action be? He felt his stomach twist into knots at the thought of her joining the Order. James had to. If he loved Lily Evans and they ended up together, James would have to join the Order to protect his muggle-born wife. But Luna wasn't muggle-born. She had told him she was half-blood. They could stay safely out of the way. His stomach twisted at that thought as well. He couldn't let his friends risk their lives in battle on a daily basis and not be willing to do the same.

Merlin, this girl was going to be the death of him. Then again, maybe they wouldn't fall in love at all. Too bad he was certain he already had. He had asked James a few nights previously how he had known he was in love with Lily Evans. James had scrunched up his face and replied, "I just knew. I looked at her one day, and I realized I never wanted to spend a single day without her. It was like she had me under Imperio, because I would have done absolutely anything for her. If she asked me to do something, I'd do it. I'd die for her, I'd kill for her, if she needed me I would be there. I have a hard time putting it into words mate, but I just knew."

That was how Sirius knew as well. All of those things James had said applied to Sirius's feelings about Luna. He couldn't put his emotions into words either. Whenever he saw her, his heart constricted and his breath caught in his chest, and he thought that if he didn't get to hold her in his arms soon he would positively die. "Aw fuck," he swore. Why did this have to happen? His life had been so damn carefree before this bint. The worst part was that he didn't even care. He didn't care that she had turned his whole life upside down. Because she and her happiness were the only things that mattered to him now.

It was without any conscious thoughts of going there that he found himself climbing the spiraling staircase to the Astronomy Tower. He just wanted some fresh air. When he emerged into the room, he groaned. The silhouette of a petite dark haired girl was outlined with a quarter moon behind her and he knew instantly who it was. At the sound of his approach, she turned her head and gave him a reluctant smile. Her radiant grin hit him like a freight train. He hated feeling so weak and submissive, but he loved it at the same time.

"Hi," was his super-cool greeting.

Her smirk broadened, "Fancy running into you here, Black. Just out for a stroll or were you purposefully looking for me?"

"Just out for a stroll. I actually just came from the kitchens. Caught James and Lily looking awfully cozy in a pantry. But you wouldn't know anything about that, would you, Babe?" his confidence was back. He wondered if his charm worked on her the way it seemed to work on other girls. Without any real emotion he reached forward and tugged on a lock of her hair.

She batted his hand away impatiently, "Don't call me 'Babe.'"

"Do you prefer something else? I could call you Sweetie, Honey, Cutie, or if you're into it, I know a few more that I wouldn't use around professors. Like Hot Lips, Sexy Arse, or-"

"No pet names," she put a finger over his lips to shush him. Luna would never tell him what it did to her when he talked like that. Like she belonged to him. As if he had the right to make up pet names for her. Not to mention, she had a feeling he knew much dirtier things to call her than the innocent ones he had mentioned.

"I'll just stick with Lu-Lu then," he had reached up to take hold of her wrist to pull her hand away from his mouth, and as he did so he kept his hand around hers. How long would it take before she threw it off? Why was she always spurning his advances anyway? He sometimes got the impression that she was interested him. That she might even fancy him. But then she would run even further away from him. Was she playing hard to get?

"My name is Luna," she said, "Not Lu-Lu! I don't know why you and James insist on calling me something so ridiculous!"

He couldn't help the grin that crept onto his face. She was just so adorable when she was angry. Before he could reply, they heard scuffling. Someone was heading their way. Their eyes widened in alarm as they gazed at each other. Was it past curfew? Merlin, neither one of them wanted another detention. "Come on," he hissed and pulled her into a nearby storage cupboard that was filled with telescopes and astronomy charts.

To their shock, a giggling James and Lily appeared. They were holding hands. "Ah-ha!" whispered Luna excitedly, "my plan worked!" The door of the storage cupboard was cracked open just enough for them to see out of it.

"As happy as I am for you, Love, you're stepping on my foot," said Sirius.

"Oops!"

"Shh, don't let them hear us! I don't want to interrupt anything. It looks like they're having a good time."

"Oh no! You don't think they'd just start shagging right there, do you?" She sounded faint.

Sirius laughed quietly, "I certainly hope not, but I guess we'll find out."

As carefully as she could, Luna took hold of the handle and pulled the door all the way closed. "We'll just wait in here until they go back to the dorms," she advised.

"Merlin that could be all night," he groaned.

"Shut up, Black!" Luna had her ear pressed against the door. They could just hear the conversation their friends were having.

"What do you want to do, Evans? After we graduate I mean." They were sitting across from each other talking quietly.

"I wanted to open an Apothecary. I'm good with potions and I enjoy it very much."

"Wanted? Why the past tense?"

"Well, I can't exactly go around opening up a business now, can I? Not in the Wizard World. Not if I want to stay alive. You know as well as I do that Death Eaters target muggle borns who are in the public eye. So," she continued quickly, "I've been considering asking Professor Dumbledore for a job at Hogwarts. I would like to teach Charms, but Flitwick will probably stick around for a while. I heard Slughorn might be retiring soon…" she trailed off.

"Ah," said James with a laugh, "That explains everything."

"What?"

"I always wondered why a smart bird like you would put up with going to those daft Slug Club meetings," he said with an airy wave of his hand.

She gave a light chuckle, "You caught me."

Sirius cracked the door open just a hair so that he and Luna could watch their friends. James gave Lily a smug grin, "I think I would kind of like to be a Healer," his tone was thoughtful, and it caught Lily by surprise. She had never heard James Potter talk like this. Whenever she heard him speak, it was always with arrogance, smugness, or a sappy sweet tone that he used when asking her out in front of people. This was different.

"Why?" she asked.

"I feel like that's where my amazing amount of magical talent would do the most good," he said in a teasing way that had Lily rolling her eyes. But then his voice was thoughtful again, "Also, with the war going on, St. Mungo's is going to need all of the help they can get. If I can help save people who are hurt by Death Eaters, that's important to me."

"I would have thought that you would have wanted to be an Auror. Facing Death Eaters head on."

He snorted, "Maybe. Yeah, I wouldn't mind handing those bastards their arses in a fight, but I want a lot more than that. I want a family. Catching Dark Wizards isn't something I'd want to do forever. Just until the war was over. Until I knew you were safe from Voldemort and his followers. Then I wouldn't want to fight anymore. How could I leave you and our future children if something were to happen to me? No, a Healer is a job much better suited to me."

Lily was so startled it took her a moment before she could speak, "Normally I would be angry with you for being so presumptuous, but you didn't sound cocky that time, Potter, you just sounded sincere. You really know what you want."

"Yeah," he smirked, "I do," then he kissed her. Luna pushed herself very inappropriately against Sirius to get a better look. Sirius looked away from the scene before him, however, and was distractedly looking down at his own body instead, as Luna was so intimately pressed against it.

The kiss only lasted a few moments before Lily pulled away from James and slapped him right across the face. "Now that, you arrogant toe rag, was presumptuous!" she said just before storming off.

"Aw damn," James groaned, covering his face with his hands and then falling back to lie down on the Astronomy Tower floor. He had been so close. Maybe if he had just waited a bit longer before kissing her, it would have gone over well. Luna had been right though, he registered the thought dimly, when he talked to Evans one-on-one and really opened up to her on a personal level, she was much more open to him.

It was the first time he had ever kissed Lily Evans and he hadn't been disappointed. She tasted so much sweeter than he had imagined. He had loved the way she gasped a bit when he kissed her. The best part was that for a moment, she had kissed him back. Not yet wanting to return to Gryffindor Tower, he opened his eyes and gazed up at the beams above him, just thinking.

Luna reached for the door, but Sirius grabbed her hand and pulled her back, "Muffliato," he whispered, then said louder, "We can't go out there, Luna. If James spots us sneaking away, he'll be upset and the last thing I would ever do is embarrass or upset my best mate. He just really put himself out there with Evans and basically got shut down. He won't be happy if he knows we saw it all."

"Merlin, how long is he going to stay up here?"

Sirius grimaced, "Probably all night. Whenever he's upset he stays up here all night."

"Better make ourselves comfortable then," Luna plopped down to the floor. There wasn't much room in the cupboard, but there was enough. Luna and Sirius sat side by side, their shoulders touching. Whenever Sirius tried making conversation, she would give a curt answer but that was it. Slightly discouraged, but not to be dismayed, he fell asleep not a long while later.

Luna couldn't help but watch him. He was so innocent looking when he slept. She snorted at the thought of anyone calling Sirius Black 'innocent.' Without really knowing why, she reached her hand out and brushed his hair back so she could see his face better. "I wish," she whispered, "that you were meant for me and me for you. Sirius Black, I wish that I could take you home with me when I leave and we could live happily ever after. You are so wonderful. I had no idea just how wonderful. Your devotion to James and doing the right thing. The way you always try to be there for me even when I push you away. Merlin, boy, you've gotten under my skin in a way I never thought would be possible for anyone to do. Please, whoever's listening out there," she looked up at the ceiling, not sure who she was addressing her prayer to, "please don't let me fall in love with him. I wouldn't be able to leave." A few tears leaked out of her eyes just before she fell asleep, too.

….

When Sirius woke up the next morning, Luna was wrapped around him. They had somehow half fallen over, against the door of the storage cupboard, Sirius had an arm around her back and she had a leg thrown over both of his. Her face was on his shoulder and he woke up to her sweet breath caressing his neck every time she exhaled.

Smiling, Sirius got up, lifting her with him. He somehow managed to not wake her all the way back to Gryffindor Tower. It was very early in the morning, the sun hadn't even risen yet. He laid her out gently on the couch, conjured a blanket from his bed to cover her, then clambered up the stairs to his own bed and went back to sleep.