It was Friday afternoon before Sirius had a chance to speak to James again.

Sirius had initially thought it was going to be easy to approach James and just pick up where they left off after spending their first day together. Instead, it proved to be much more difficult that Sirius had imagined.

First, there was the problem that he never really saw James. At mealtimes they were on opposite sides of the Great Hall. Breakfast and lunch were always followed by classes which took the boys in different directions. At dinner, Sirius had attempted to leave the hall right after James, but by the time Sirius reached the Entrance Hall, the other boy was already out of sight. Given the size of Hogwarts, there was a number of different routes James could have taken, making it near impossible for Sirius to attempt to follow him.

Another problem was Minerva McGonagall. Ever since Sirius had shared his time-travelling experience with her, she had become very suspicious of him. One early morning Sirius had the bright idea to wait in the corridor on the seventh floor near the Gryffindor tower, with the intention of casually bumping into James on his way down to breakfast. Unfortunately, McGonagall had come along and caught him before James did. She lectured him about skulking around parts of the castle that he didn't need to be in and told him to return to his own common room.

So much for inter-house unity, Sirius thought bitterly as he trudged away from the area.

Though he was becoming discouraged, Sirius had finally discovered the perfect opportunity to spend some time with James. When he looked at his timetable for Friday, he saw that his last class of the week was Potions, and it was a shared class with the Gryffindors. Which meant that Sirius would have two-and-a-half hours to solidify his friendship with James – and Remus too, of course. Sirius hadn't forgotten about him, but he felt like his friendship with Remus was hinged on his friendship with James. He remembered how guarded young Remus had been; the boy was terrified that someone would discover his secret and he would be forced out of the school.

That afternoon, Sirius arrived in the Potions classroom early, grabbing a spot at the table that he and his friends had sat at in his previous life. He kept his eyes on the door while his foot tapped impatiently against the leg of his stool.

Eventually students started filing into the room. Avery, Mulciber and Lestrange all took seats at the table Sirius was sitting at. At first, he was tempted to tell them to find somewhere else to sit, but decided that rather than cause a fuss, it would be easier for him to go sit at whatever table James chose.

Finally, just before the bell rang, James walked into the room with Remus and Peter tagging along behind him and they sat at the only remaining table. Ignoring the feeling of butterflies in his stomach, Sirius picked up his bag and cauldron, and walked over to their table, ignoring Avery's question of where he was going.

"Mind if I sit here?" Sirius asked, standing at the table, grinning into the stunned faces of James, Peter and Remus.

"Er…" James glanced back at the table that Sirius just vacated. "I guess… if you want to."

"Of course, I want to."

Sirius sat down on the remaining stool, next to James and across from Remus, and started pulling his potions book and ingredients kit out of his bag. He didn't have a chance to start any sort of conversation, though, because at that moment Slughorn entered the room, with a sulky-looking Severus Snape traipsing in behind him. Snape glared at Sirius as he walked by, then took a seat at the table that Lily was sitting at with Mary MacDonald and Marlene MacKinnon. Sirius watched as Lily gave him a warm smile, while the other two girls shared looks of displeasure at his joining their table.

"Good afternoon, class!" Slughorn said brightly, as he strutted toward the front of the room. When he reached his desk, he turned, with his hands clasped in front of him, a large smile on his pudgy face. "I hope you're all excited to start Potions! Amongst you might be the next Blossom Degrasse - an excellent potioneer, and I taught her everything she knows," he added, with a wink.

Slughorn started the class by taking the register, a task that took much longer than it should have, since the man stopped every time that he found a name that he recognized.

"Remus Lupin?"

"Here," Remus said quietly, raising his hand.

"Are you Lyall's son?" Slughorn inquired. Remus nodded and Slughorn smiled at him. "Your father helped me out a couple years ago with a poltergeist that refused to leave my summer home. Very talented man, he is."

"Good one," James said to Remus with a wink, after Slughorn moved on to the next student. "Getting in good with the teacher already."

Remus just smiled nervously and shrugged.

"Peter Pettigrew?" Slughorn called out when he had finished praising Marlene MacKinnon's family.

"Here," Peter squeaked, in a small voice. Slughorn looked the boy over for a moment, then simply nodded and continued.

"James Potter?"

There was another few minutes of their time used up while Slughorn commended James' father, Fleamont, on his invention and the small fortune he made off of it.

"Look who the new favourite is," Remus teased James, who grinned back at him.

When Slughorn finished the Gryffindor list, he moved onto the Slytherins.

"Mr. Avery, I know you are here," Slughorn nodded toward the boy with a pleased expression, while adding a checkmark next to his name on the parchment. "And Mr. Black too, of course."

To Sirius' horror, Slughorn walked over to him and patted him on the shoulder, as if they were long-time friends.

"Sirius' grandfather is great friend of mine," Slughorn announced to the room. "I spent some time at their family cottage down near Brighton, this past summer. The Black family has a long-standing tradition of being sorted into Slytherin. I'm always pleased when a new one joins my house."

Sirius felt his face burning as Slughorn walked away to pay tribute to the next student on his list. He glanced at James, planning to joke about receiving the extra attention, like James had with Remus. But James wasn't smiling at all; instead, he just rolled his eyes and Sirius swore he heard him mutter "teacher's pet" under his breath.

When they finally got through the tedious attendance-taking, Slughorn began describing their first assignment – a Pepper-Up Potion. Sirius knew there would be a lot of potions that he would have to re-learn how to make. Potion-making wasn't something he did a lot of after leaving school, and especially not when many of those years were spent in a dark cell in Azkaban. He knew he could manage to make a Pepper-Up Potion, though; it was a fairly simple concoction. This would give him the time he needed to reconnect with James and Remus.

"So, James, I heard that Pride of Portree completely slammed Tutshill the other day," Sirius said, with a mischievous grin, as he crushed some dry nettle and added it to his cauldron.

James looked over at him with an eyebrow raised.

"On the train, you said you were a Tornados fan…" Sirius explained.

"The Tornados were using two reserve Chasers, since the others were hurt after the Kenmare game. It's obvious they weren't playing their usual best," James replied coldly.

The smile slid off Sirius' face as he replied, "Yeah, you're right; that Kenmare game was rough. I heard that Bowman was suspended for a couple games for it, though."

James offered a noncommitted hum in response.

Sirius felt confused. James loved to talk about Quidditch to anyone. In fact, he used to talk about it so much that Sirius would threaten to stuff a snitch in his mouth if he didn't shut up.

They all worked in silence for a few minutes, then Sirius tried another approach.

"So, how has your first week been? Do you like the classes and professors?"

James just shrugged, but Peter's eyes lit up as he answered instead. "It's so great here! I've never been to anywhere that's as big as this castle before—I've gotten lost almost everyday! The classes are great, though. I actually managed the Mending Charm on the first day!"

"I should hope so, seeing as how its an immensely simple spell, Wormtail," Sirius retorted.

Peter's expression faltered at the harshness of Sirius' voice and James looked up finally giving Sirius his full attention, but it was a hardened expression that Sirius rarely ever saw aimed in his direction from his best friend.

"Wormtail? What is that supposed to be—some kind of insult?" James demanded.

"No, no," Sirius said, not realizing until then that he had even used the old nickname. "Just a name, I guess. I didn't mean anything by it."

James added his last ingredients to his potion and then stepped back to let it simmer. "Why are you sitting with us, anyway?" he asked, looking at him again. "What do you want?"

Sirius was taken aback by this. "I just wanted to be friends," he replied slowly.

"Why?"

"Well, we got along so well on the train, I just thought—"

"We hadn't been sorted when we were on the train," James said, cutting him off. "Gryffindors and Slytherins are never friends. It would be too weird."

"I'm not like other Slytherins, though", Sirius said earnestly. "Honestly! I think I should have been in Gryffindor. The hat was wrong."

"I imagine you fit in quite well there," James said lightly. "After all, it's where your whole family have gone, isn't it?"

Sirius opened his mouth to reply but couldn't think of anything to say. They spent the remainder of their class working in silence. Sirius didn't want to risk annoying James even more and he wasn't sure what approach to try next with him.

When the bell finally rang, James was quick to pack up his stuff. "You guys coming?" he asked Remus and Peter, avoiding eye contact with Sirius.

"Yes, James!" Peter said, quickly shoving his stuff into his bag and running out the door behind him.

Remus hung back, as he packed his bag more slowly. "Sorry about James," he said, glancing up at Sirius. "He can be a bit…" Lupin shrugged helplessly, obviously unable to describe what James was.

"Its fine, don't worry about it," Sirius said, smiling sadly at Remus.

Remus waved goodbye to him as he walked away, following his friends back to the Gryffindor tower and leaving Sirius sitting alone.

*.*.*

After snubbing his roommates in Potions class, Sirius had expected them to be angry or, at the very least, annoyed with him. Instead, it seemed like the Slytherins were trying even harder to be his friend. Avery and Mulciber began offering to do anything for Sirius from carrying his books to class to jumping out of their chairs when he entered a room, so they could offer him their seat. It was extremely annoying.

Thankfully Lestrange didn't act like that, and Sirius knew it would take more than a member of the Black family to have a Lestrange stoop to a level of servitude. He did, however, seem determined to keep Sirius as a friend, always speaking cordially to him and never using the condescending tone of voice that he inflicted on everyone else.

Meanwhile, these boys continued to mirror Sirius' derision toward Snape. As the days went by, Sirius saw less and less of the greasy-haired, hook-nosed boy. Severus was never in their common room and always came into the dormitory late at night after the others were asleep.

"He's got a girlfriend in Gryffindor," Mulciber said one day, a few weeks into their term. "Some mudblood girl… I think her name is Ekins."

"Evans," Sirius replied without thinking. They were lounging in the common room, working on a Transfiguration essay that was due the next day. Sirius had already finished his report and was now reading it over to make sure there weren't any errors.

"Yeah, that's it," Mulciber said, from his place on the floor, where he lay on his stomach, his parchment laid out in front of him, completely ignored by its owner. "He's with her all the time. Probably wishing he got sorted into that house instead."

"Yeah, well, I heard Snape went to Slughorn about us," Avery said, stretching his arms above his head, obviously more interested in gossip than doing his homework.

"About us?" inquired Lestrange, as he looked up from his own essay. "Why?"

"Apparently we are bullying him," Avery sneered. "But you know Slughorn. Do you really expect him to tell off a bunch Purebloods because a half-blood is whining?"

Mulciber and Lestrange laughed along with Avery, but Sirius didn't say anything. As much as he loathed Snape, this situation troubled him a bit. Snape was supposed to be really good friends with these boys, so what would happen now if they didn't remain friends? Would Snape be less inclined to join Voldemort when he left school? Not that Sirius wanted anyone to join the dark side, but he was cautious about doing anything to significantly alter the future. If Snape was destined to become a Death Eater, Sirius wasn't going to stand in the way of it.

*.*.*

As the autumn months passed by and snow began to fall, Sirius was able to fall into a pattern with his new life. He had gotten used to sleeping in the dungeon, though he still didn't like it as much as the Gryffindor tower. For the most part, he got along fine with the other Slytherins, which was necessary for living amongst them. Sirius would never go as far as considering any of them friends, but it would be a long seven years if he was constantly at odds with his housemates.

Classes were extremely easy, as he expected they would be, having already taken them twenty-five years ago. Most of his teachers were impressed at his magical ability and he soon got the reputation of bring an exceptionally bright student.

However, despite all of this, Sirius wasn't content with this new life, because James Potter was still not his friend.

Sirius had tried a different tactic each week, during Potions class, to try to get James to open up to him; but the other boy continued to be completely indifferent towards Sirius' offer of friendship. Eventually, Sirius decided to give up on James for the time being and focus on Remus instead, who actually seemed to like him, despite James' attitude. Sirius had hoped that James would eventually warm up to him if he and Remus were friends. However, so far all he managed to do was annoy James even more by being friendly with Remus.

On the last Potions class before winter holidays, Sirius was about to walk into the classroom when he heard James say his name. Taking a couple steps back, Sirius stayed out of sight and listened at the door.

"He seems a nice guy," Remus was saying. "I don't know why you dislike him so much."

"Because he's a Slytherin, Remus!" James said exasperatedly. "Mark my words, Black is up to something. Why is trying so hard to be our friend? He can make friends in his own house. Its bloody suspicious!"

"Maybe he doesn't get along with the others in his house," Remus suggested. "All I'm saying is that you should give him a chance before you decide you don't like him."

Sirius waited a moment to make sure they were done speaking, then entered the room, sitting at the table next to James.

"Good afternoon, Sirius," Remus said warmly.

"Hello, Remus," Sirius replied, then glanced around the table. "Peter, James."

Peter glanced at James, as if looking for permission to speak to Sirius. Not receiving any sort of response, the small boy lowered his head and busied himself with his Potions book.

"Hello, Black," James said, with forced politeness in his voice. "All ready for the holidays?"

Sirius smiled at him, pleased by this new development. "I guess so. Could definitely use a break from the homework. You?"

"It will be nice to get home," James said, a genuine smile crossing his face. "I'm sure my mother will be fussing over me, cooking me all kinds of sweets to make up for being away for so long."

Sirius laughed, remembering fondly how happy Mrs. Potter was whenever James came home from school. And he was right – she always had something delicious made and ready to eat. Thinking of his adopted-mother made Sirius feel homesick for his real family, and he wished that he were going home with James, instead of returning to gloomy Grimmauld Place.

The rest of the class went smoothly, with James beginning to act more like his old self and including Sirius in conversations he had with the other boys. As class ended, Sirius felt elated that things were finally looking up.

That is, until it all came crashing down a few hours later. And it was all Severus Snape's fault.

*.*.*

Sirius was on his way to the Great Hall to have his last dinner at Hogwarts before leaving on the train tomorrow morning. As he reached the landing in the Entrance Hall, he saw Snape sitting alone on the marble staircase, looking depressed.

"What's wrong with you?" Sirius asked, as he walked toward him. "Why aren't you in the Great Hall?"

Snape looked up. A deep hatred was evident in his eyes, as he glared at Sirius.

"What do you care?" Snape shot back angrily, getting to his feet and walking over to Sirius, meeting him in the middle of the hall, with his hand on his wand.

"Hey, I was just asking!" Sirius said, putting his hands up in defense. "Sorry for bothering you. Go back to moping around, if that's what you want to do."

"It isn't what I want to do," Snape hissed at him. "But you have made my life here miserable!"

"Me?" Sirius exclaimed. "What did I do? I've barely even spoke to you since our first month here!"

"Exactly! You and your little gang of friends treat me like dirt. Everyone in Slytherin acts like they hate me, and they only do it to impress you!"

"What are you talking about? No one is trying to impress me!"

"Don't act so dense!" Snape's eyes were beginning to bulge slightly, giving the look of someone gone mad. "You know how popular you are and you use it to turn everyone against me!"

"Look, I can't control what anyone else does or thinks. Just because I don't like you, doesn't mean I told other people not to."

"You don't like me?" Snape scoffed. "You don't even know me, Black!"

"Yes, I do! I can't explain it to you, but I do know you and we can never be friends, Snape."

"As if I would want to be your friend," Snape shot back. "But I promise you this: things will be different next term. I am not taking anymore rubbish off of you or your friends."

Snape pointed his wand at Sirius to prove his point and Sirius couldn't help but laugh. Around them, people were coming into the Entrance Hall, lured in by their loud voices. Sirius barely noticed them, feeling his temper rising as the ingrained hatred he held for Snape was surfacing.

"You tried that before, remember?" Sirius taunted. "Didn't work so well for you, Snivellus."

"You are nothing but a spoiled, stuck-up prat!" Snape spat at him.

"Better that than a greasy-haired mudblood lover!" Sirius shot back.

He was so angry that he didn't immediately register the words that came out of his mouth. Around him, the Entrance Hall filled gasps from startled students. Sirius suddenly felt alarmed as he repeated the words inside his head and realized what he said.

"Mr. Black!" shouted Professor McGonagall from behind him. "That sort of language is not permitted inside this school! To my office, immediately!"

"But.. I didn't…. I didn't mean to…" Sirius stuttered, horrified by what he had said. He couldn't believe that word came out of his mouth. He never used that slur, but weeks of hearing the others use the word so casually in the common room, must have placed it in his subconscious.

Sirius spun around and took in the crowd around him. There was Mulciber and Lestrange, grinning proudly at him. Lily was there, glaring at him with hurt in her eyes. Not far from Lily, stood James, Remus and Peter.

"Now, Black!" McGonagall said, pointing up the stairs in the direction of her office.

Sirius walked slowly toward the staircase, and glanced to his right where James, Remus and Peter were standing, fierce looks of resentment on their faces.

"I didn't mean it…" Sirius said, looking pleadingly at James. "It just slipped out."

"Told you he wasn't worth your time, Remus," James said, still glaring at Sirius, but addressing Lupin. "You can't trust a snake."

Sirius looked at Remus pleadingly. "Remus, I…"

But Remus shook his head and turned away as McGonagall came up behind them and steered Sirius up the steps toward her office.

"I do not permit that type of language in this school," she said angrily as they walked toward her office.

"I know!" Sirius said as he entered her office. "I didn't mean to say it! I don't have anything against muggleborns. I have plenty of friends who are muggleborns." Or, at least I used to, he thought to himself.

"Sit down, Black," McGonagall said, pulling out her chair behind her desk as Sirius sat down across from her. "Are you aware that the Wizarding Community is currently at war?"

"Yes, of course," Sirius said.

"Many students aren't aware of what this war actually is. They aren't aware of the depths of hatred over blood status, which is the basis for the attacks and fighting."

"I am aware, Professor. I know the Death Eaters are trying to get rid of muggleborns and take over the muggle community."

McGonagall peered over her glasses at him, looking suspicious. He knew that, at this point in time, most students were very ignorant about the war. They heard about it in passing from their parents, or maybe read it in the newspaper if they bothered to look at such a thing, but for the most part, the youth of Hogwarts were more concerned about an upcoming Quidditch match or next week's test, than what was happening in the outside world. It would be a couple years before news of the deaths and disappearances would add up and start having a greater effect on the students.

"I promise you Professor, that I normally never use that word. In fact, I hate that word! I was arguing with Snape and it sort of slipped out. Others use it a lot and I guess it just…"

"I don't need excuses, Black. I simply want to impress upon you that that sort of language is not tolerated here. You certainly aren't the first student to come from a Pureblood family background that had to learn that lesson the hard way."

"It isn't like that!" Sirius said exasperatedly. "I know it's a bad word – I never use it!"

"Except for today you did," she replied. "But I trust that will be first and last time?"

Sirius nodded. "Definitely."

"Consider this a warning. The next time I hear such vulgar language, you will receive detention at the very least. Do you understand?"

"Yes, professor. I understand."

McGonagall then dismissed him from her office and Sirius returned to his dungeon dormitory. Suddenly feeling exhausted, he collapsed on his bed and closed his eyes. Visions of an angry-looking James and a disappointed Remus swam through his mind.

Sirius felt extremely bitter about the whole situation. After months of trying, he had finally managed to break the ice with James. And now, thanks to Snape starting a stupid argument with him, Sirius was now worse off than he was to begin with and would have to try ten times harder to win James and Remus back. Sighing in frustration, Sirius wondered where to go from here.