Disclaimer: All characters/settings from the brilliant mind of JKR (Plot/Jocelyn Black belong to me, of course)

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Adhara Jocelyn Black was not one to be trifled with. All of Hogwarts knew this. It was the second rule you learned as a first year (the first was to watch out for Peeves). Say one word against Jocelyn’s friends, so much as glance in their direction in an unfriendly manner, and you would pay. It had been her way since her first day… which was why the situation between Lily and James had always been so confusing for her. Oh, she knew she was loyal to them. She knew what she would do if someone crossed either one. But she didn’t know what to do when the two had a go at each other. Sometimes she thought she should side with James. After all, she had met him first, got along swimmingly with him, had even spent summers at his house, and played with him on the Gryffindor house Quidditch team. But Lily was the only girl Jocelyn had ever really got close to, and Jocelyn knew that she didn’t want to lose that.

Jocelyn had met both Lily and James on her first train ride to Hogwarts. James had come first, wandering into the compartment she was sharing with her cousin, Sirius Black.

“Can I sit here,� he said, more as a statement than a question. “Everywhere else is full.�

Jocelyn looked at Sirius, who grinned and nodded. In less than thirty seconds the three were having a passionate debate about Quidditch teams, and Sirius and James had been inseparable ever since. Lily didn’t arrive for fully five minutes afterward, dragging her trunk and already changed into her school robes. Neither Jocelyn nor Sirius noticed her standing in the doorway until James broke off his explanation of a complicated Quidditch play mid-word.

“The Chaser reverse passes the Quaf – whoa!� he said in an awed voice.

Sirius and Jocelyn turned to see what he was looking at. Jocelyn decidedly did not know what was so special about this girl that was making James act like a complete fool. Her red hair was pulled back in a hasty ponytail, her robes had become slightly crooked, and her bright green eyes shone with a mixture of bewilderment and disapproval. She looked just like any other first year girl on the train. Jocelyn looked over at Sirius, and was relieved to see he wasn’t goggling at her like an idiot, the way the James was.

“I suppose I’ll have to sit with you three,� announced the girl, not sounding at all happy about this turn of events, “because this is the only compartment that has room.�

Sirius and Jocelyn exchanged looks.

“Who are you?� asked Sirius, rather rudely.

“Lily Evans,� the girl snapped. “Who are you?�

“Sirius Black. This is James Potter, and my cousin, Jocelyn.�

“Pleasure,� said Lily, not sounding pleased at all. “What’s up with Potter, anyway, why can’t he close his mouth? Did someone curse him? There are curses like that you know, I’ve read all about them, and I can do the countercurse if you –�

“There’s nothing wrong with him,� snapped Jocelyn. Who did this girl think she was anyway, bursting into their compartment like this? “And you can just keep your nose out of places it doesn’t belong!�

“Well,� said Lily, sounding offended, “there’s no need to take that tone with me, I was only trying to help. Potter-would-you-close-your-mouth!� she finished through gritted teeth.

With a great effort, James closed it.

It was evident from that first train-ride that Lily had major problem with James, and James had a major thing for Lily.

“Isn’t she beautiful?� he asked Jocelyn at the feast that night.

“Well, no,� replied Jocelyn bluntly. “I think she’s a bit of a snob.�

In the end, however, after a few weeks of being partnered with Lily in Charms (a class which Lily excelled in), Jocelyn found her more likable, and by the end of their first year, the two were fast friends.

But it was precisely this turn of events that made everything so confusing. Jocelyn couldn’t really blame Lily for disliking James, she found him rather annoying herself, when he was around Lily anyway. But she couldn’t not be friends with him. After all, he was best mates with Sirius, and Sirius was like her brother. Not hanging around with him simply couldn’t be done. She somehow managed to keep on friendly terms with all of them, but it was difficult, and awkward.

“Jocelyn, come into Hogsmeade with us,� Sirius begged their third year.

“Sirius, I can’t, you know that, I’m going with Lily!�

“But Jocelyn, you’re a Marauder!�

“Well, no, I’m not,� she’d tried to explain. “I’m your cousin.�

But neither Sirius nor the other three Marauders could understand this difference, and Jocelyn had often found herself in the middle of very tense and very awkward situations. Just like she was going to find herself in now. Oh what would Lily say when she found out James was Head Boy?

“Jocelyn, hurry up, Lily’ll have a fit if James is late!� Sirius shouted back at her, interrupting her thoughts, as she carefully navigated her overloaded trolley through King’s Cross Station.

“Just because I’m the only female Beater at Hogwarts doesn’t mean I’m some sort of reincarnation of Hercules!� she snapped. “This trolley’s heavy, if you’re that worried why don’t you give me a hand?�

“Don’t talk, walk!� Sirius ordered.

“Why doesn’t James go on ahead if it’s that important?� Jocelyn gasped as she finally arrived in front of the barrier that was the secret entrance to Platform 9 3/4.

“We’ve gone through the barrier together ever since first year!� said Sirius, looking at her as though she’d gone mad. “We couldn’t break the tradition our last year!�

Jocelyn rolled her eyes.

“You two are worse than girls!�

“Lovely,� said Sirius briskly, clearly not listening to her. “It’s clear, go!�

Jocelyn straightened her trolley and ran straight at the barrier, coming out on a platform full of chattering students, hovering parents, mewing cats, hooting owls, and a hissing scarlet steam-engine. A moment later Sirius and James came up behind her.

“Why in the name of Merlin did you wait for us?� said Sirius rudely. “Go on, move!�

“I think you’re an excellent friend too, Sirius,� Jocelyn said sarcastically.

“Of course you do,� Sirius smiled at her, completely missing the point. “Here, that looks heavy,� he added, noticing her trying to heave her trunk onto the train, and with a flick of his wand he levitated both their trunks and sent them floating ahead of him into the train.

“Oi, Padfoot!� James called at Sirius, who turned, but still managed to expertly control the two floating trunks and keep them from knocking over a couple of passing first years. “I’ve got to get to the Prefects’ Compartment! Try and find an empty compartment, Remus and I’ll meet you, Jocelyn and Peter when we’ve finished!�

“Try to get Lily to come along,� Jocelyn called at James’s retreating back.

He turned and flashed her his trademark grin.

“I’ll just use my irresistible school-boy charm!� he called back.

“Never mind, have Remus try to get her to come along,� she shouted, grinning back at him.

He winked at her and disappeared into the next car.

Please don’t make her angry, Prongs, she silently willed him.

“He’ll be fine,� Sirius said, smiling down at her.

“Yes, of course,� Jocelyn shook her head to clear away her thoughts. “Let’s find a compartment then.�

They began to walk down the length of the train, their trunks floating on ahead of them.

“Oi, watch –!� Sirius called out too late. The trunks slammed into a short, plump, blonde-haired boy, knocking him over.

“Oi!� Sirius muttered in an undertone to Jocelyn, rolling his eyes. “First year by the size of him. Stupid prat, why couldn’t he watch where he was going?�

He strode over to the boy.

“Oi, you all – Oh, hello Peter!� he greeted as he realized who it was. He was obviously fighting hard to keep from laughing. “Sorry about that! Had a nice summer?�

“All right. Yours?� Peter Pettigrew squeaked out as Sirius helped him to his feet and levitated his trunk as well.

“Excellent!� Sirius said happily, turning into an empty compartment and levitating the trunks into the luggage rack. He settled himself down on one of the seats. Jocelyn sat down beside him, Peter across from him.

“I’m bored,� Sirius declared after a few seconds.

Jocelyn laughed.

“Bored? We haven’t even pulled out of the station yet!�

“Exactly,� Sirius nodded. “Lucky full moon’s in four days, I don’t think I could stand to wait much longer!�

“Does Remus think it’s lucky?� Jocelyn asked quietly as, with a lurch, the train began to pull out of the station. She knew all about Remus’s “condition�, as they tactfully referred to it, and the way James, Sirius, and Peter had devised to help him. She was the only one the Marauders would ever have trusted with the secret.

“Oh,� Sirius’s eyes flickered with doubt, and he became much more subdued. “I wonder how his summer was….�

“I’m sure it was fine,� Jocelyn said, placing a reassuring hand on Sirius’s arm. She looked at Peter for support, but saw the same doubt reflected in his small, watery eyes.

As if on cue, Remus Lupin entered the compartment. Jocelyn bit her lip. He looked distinctly worse for wear.

“Hello Moony,� said Sirius cheerfully, but Jocelyn could tell that his heart wasn’t in his greeting. “Er – had a nice summer, did you?�

“Excellent,� said Remus briskly. Peter scooted over to the seat closest to the window, and Remus sat in his vacated seat. James also entered the compartment and sat on the other side of Sirius, across from Peter.

“Where’s Lily?� Jocelyn mouthed at him.

“Coming,� he mouthed back, but he looked scared.

She raised her eyebrows skeptically, trying to veil her foreboding.

“Really,� he mouthed, looking sincere.

She smiled and gave him a small thumbs-up, but still wasn’t convinced.

“So you had a nice summer?� she said conversationally, turning to Remus.

“Brilliant!� Remus reiterated. “When I wasn’t biting myself that is!� he added with a hearty laugh.

James, Sirius, Peter, and Jocelyn laughed as well, but it was very forced. Remus shot them an inquisitive look.

“What’s up with you four?�

“Er – Moony,� Sirius began awkwardly. “We’re really sorry, we should have taken you with one of us….�

“What for?� Remus questioned, looking genuinely puzzled.

“Well – er,� Sirius lowered his voice, shooting a nervous glance at the open compartment door. Jocelyn took the hint and shut it. “Are you sure you were all right when it was� – he lowered his voice so much the rest of them had to lean in to hear – “when it was – full moon?�

Remus laughed.

“Of course I was all right!� he said, looking astonished. “What, you don’t think I could get on without one of you around? It makes things considerably more pleasant when you’re there, I can assure you, but I can survive a couple of full moons without you three!�

Sirius and James exchanged looks.

“You – you sure?� James asked pensively.

“Of course I’m sure,� Remus assured them, still shaking his head in amazement. “I’d think you two� – he gestured at James and Sirius – “would be happy to have a couple months free of my bites!�

Sirius and James looked horrified.

“Kidding!� cried Remus, laughing. “Can’t you two take a joke?�

“That’s not something to joke about,� said James severely, looking shaken.

“What’s not something to joke about?� Lily questioned, entering the compartment. She seemed to be in a foul mood, much to Jocelyn’s unease.

“Nothing!� Sirius and James said together at once.

Lily’s eyebrows shot up.

“Tell me,� she demanded.

“It was nothing, Lily,� Jocelyn said soothingly, then mouthed so only Lily could see her, “Severus.�

Comprehension dawned across Lily’s pretty face, and she seated herself across from Jocelyn without saying any more, much to everyone’s surprise. The four boys shot Jocelyn a grateful look.

“So,� Sirius began pleasantly, “how was your summer, Ev – Lily,� he quickly corrected himself, wincing. Jocelyn had elbowed him hard in the ribs.

“All right,� Lily shrugged, frowning at him slightly. “I’m Head Girl you know.�

“Yes, Jocelyn told me,� said Sirius.

Jocelyn elbowed him again but the damage was already done. Lily’s eyes clouded.

“Oh, she mentioned that to you, did she?� she said dangerously. “Funny, she never mentioned Potter’s appointment to me!�

“Thanks,� Jocelyn hissed angrily in Sirius’s ear. She turned to Lily. “Lily, I’m really sorry, the thought just never occurred to me, and –�

“Oh, the thought ‘never occurred to you’, did it?� said Lily angrily. “And why, may I ask, would that be?�

“I think I’d better make sure no one’s getting into trouble,� Remus announced, standing. “Would anyone like to come with me?�

The other three Marauders leapt to their feet at once.

“See you girls later,� said Sirius as he shut the door behind them. Jocelyn could have cursed him.

“Lily, look, I –�

“Jocelyn,� Lily cut her off, but in a much more controlled voice. “Do you have any idea the kind of shock I got when James Potter walked into the Prefects’ compartment wearing the Head Boy badge?�

“Well, no,� Jocelyn admitted guiltily. “But –�

“I screamed,� Lily told her. “Which was a right bit embarrassing, as I’m sure I don’t need to tell you.�

Jocelyn owned to herself that she wouldn’t want to scream if a boy who declared his undying love to her everyday over lunch walked into the compartment just then.

“I’m sorry, Lily,� she said meekly, “I didn’t think –�

“That,� Lily observed dryly, “is obvious.�

“I just wanted you to have a nice summer,� Jocelyn justified. “And I thought, ‘Well, she’s so happy she’s Head Girl, and that’ll be poisoned if she knows James is Head Boy, so…’� she trailed away uncertainly.

“I’m sure you meant well,� Lily conceded. “I was just upset because of the shock, that’s all. It’s all right.�

“So… you’re not angry with me?� said Jocelyn pensively.

“No,� Lily smiled. “After all, who I would I talk to if I stopped being friends with you?�

“True,� Jocelyn grinned. “I’ll go tell the boys it’s safe now. If that’s all right with you,� she added quickly.

“It’s fine,� Lily shrugged. “I suppose I’ll have to get used to them.�

Jocelyn left the compartment smiling, and thinking that the year might not be so bad after all. She didn't - she couldn't - know just how wrong she was.

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A/N: I know, it starts off slow, all fics do... love it? hate it? then give a review to let me know!

“This is the year, m’boys,� James announced to the other three Marauders as they lounged on their beds after the feast. “This is the year –�

“That you will win Lily Evans’ heart,� the others recited in unison.

“Yep, heard that one before,� observed Sirius boredly. “When are you going to give up, Prongs? You’ve beaten that horse to death, and now you’re trying to ride it! Give it up, would you?�

“But this year I know I can do it!� James insisted, rolling on his side and rising on an elbow to look at Sirius in the next four-poster.

Sirius also raised himself on an elbow, facing James.

“Prongs, Lily Evans is a hopeless case. She despises you. She hates the very air you breathe! She’s –�

“Not like the other girls here, I know!� snapped James, sitting up in his anger. “That’s –�

“Why you like her,� sighed Sirius. He rose and sat down on James’s bed, beside him. “Look, maybe we’re both idiots. We both fancy girls that are hopeless cases. But do you want to know the difference between you and me?� he questioned.

“Tell me,� James demanded, one eyebrow cocked.

“I realize she’s a hopeless case, Prongs,� said Sirius quietly.

“But it’s different for you!� insisted James, getting angry again. He jumped to his feet and started pacing back and forth. “At least she talks to you! At least she doesn’t despise you! At least –!�

“She cares about me?� questioned Sirius, with a sad smile. “Yes, she does. And you know something, Prongs?�

James sat down beside him again and buried his face in his hands.

“What?� he muttered.

“That’s the most torturous thing about it. Knowing she loves me, and yet knowing that she’ll never love me the way I want her too.�

James took his face out of his hands and looked at Sirius.

“I know,� he whispered.

“I don’t understand women, Prongs,� said Sirius, standing up and placing a hand on James’s shoulder. “But I do understand rejection.�

James gave a wry smile.

“I guess we all do,� he sighed.

“But not all of us accept it,� Sirius observed. “Do you?�

“I guess I have to, at this point,� admitted James sadly. And with those depressing words, the Marauders bade each other goodnight.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“You know, Lily,� Jocelyn began as the two changed into their pajamas, “James –�

“Really isn’t so bad,� Lily finished, sighing. “Honestly Joce’, you have a whole year to come up with a new start of term speech, but you inevitably give the same one. Why can’t you come up with something new? Even the Sorting Hat comes up with a new song every year, and it’s – well, a hat,� she concluded lamely.

“Well that’s observant of you,� said Jocelyn sarcastically. “The Sorting Hat’s a hat, who would have guessed?�

Lily rolled her eyes.

“That wasn’t the point!�

“You’re right, the point was James Potter, but good effort at changing the subject,� said Jocelyn quickly.

“I don’t want to talk about James Potter, Jocelyn,� said Lily, annoyed.

“And why not?�

“Because when it comes to James Potter I have absolutely nothing to say,� said Lily loftily.

“Wrong!� shouted Jocelyn, making the other three girls in their dormitory jump. She quickly lowered her voice again, but continued with the same intensity. “You don’t want to talk about James Potter because you have everything to say, and that scares you!�

“That’s a lie!� said Lily quickly, her voice rising.

“Is it?� Jocelyn demanded. “Then why are you arguing about him with me? Why did you scream when you found out he was Head Boy? Why did you care that I didn’t tell you about his appointment? Seems odd behavior for a girl who claims she doesn’t care a jot about him!�

Lily snatched her wand off the bedside table and pointed it at Jocelyn.

“Take it back, Jocelyn!� she growled.

Jocelyn just smiled calmly. She’d seen Lily like this before.

“What are you going to do? Curse me? Do it, it’ll only prove my point!�

Lily slowly lowered the wand until it was pointing at the floor.

Jocelyn continued to smile, and gave Lily an I-told-you-so sort of look.

“Oh, shove off!� snapped Lily, sitting down on her four-poster, and angrily ripping her hangings shut.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“What classes do we have today, Moony?� Sirius questioned at breakfast the next morning.

“Transfiguration,� Remus told him, checking the schedule.

“Excellent,� said James happily.

“I have Muggle Studies first,� Peter observed sadly. Poor Peter had only got one O.W.L., an acceptable in Charms. He therefore had had to take all his classes from forth year again in his sixth year, and was taking fifth year classes this year.

“Well that should be easy enough,� said Lily, who was sitting across from him.

Peter looked at her as though she had suddenly sprouted antlers.

“It’s one of the hardest subjects there is!� he protested.

“Nonsense,� said Lily, dismissing his objections with a wave of her hand. “The problem with the wizarding community is that they make Muggles entirely too complicated. They’re not. They’re really quite simple!�

“Anything’s simple if you’re raised with it,� Remus pointed out, speaking to Lily over Jocelyn’s head, since she was sitting between them.

“Well, yes of course,� said Lily touchily. “But Muggles really aren’t that complicated –�

“And neither are the Dark Arts,� Sirius spoke up from next to Peter, not addressing Lily directly, but instead staring up at the enchanted ceiling, which was unusually clear and sunny that morning.

“Are you mad?� Lily demanded of Sirius. “Of course the Dark Arts are complicated, why do you think –?�

“They’re not complicated for me,� said Sirius stubbornly.

“Well that’s entirely different,� said Lily edgily.

“Why?� demanded Sirius. “There are things that Muggles do that we wizards find fascinating, but that are second-nature for you because you were raised with them. And there are Dark spells that are difficult for other wizards, but that I could do like that� – he snapped is fingers – “because I was raised watching them done.�

“No, it’s not the same thing,� Lily insisted.

“Suit yourself,� shrugged Sirius, and returned to his toast.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“N.E.W.T.s are the most important tests you will ever take at Hogwarts. They will affect your career opportunities, you’re salary, you’re – Black! Potter! Will you pay attention!� Professor McGonagall interrupted her lecture irritably.

Sirius and James looked up at her in bewilderment. They had been bent over a piece of parchment, and having a whispered discussion on their plans for the next full moon.

“Thank you! Now as I was saying, N.E.W. – Mr. Lupin, you were made Prefect for a reason, and you would do well to remember that that privilege could be revoked at any time, if you are not fulfilling your duties!�

Remus’s jaw dropped.

“But Professor, I wasn’t doing anything!�

“That is precisely my point. Your friends may not listen to me, but I would think they would listen to you! Can you not control them?�

“If you can’t stop us, Professor, I don’t think anyone can!� said Sirius, his mouth twitching insolently.

For a moment Sirius thought he had gone too far. Professor McGonagall looked as though she was about to explode.

“That’s probably true, Mr. Black,� she said finally, and Sirius distinctly saw the corners of her mouth twitch. “However, I would appreciate it if you and Potter would at least try to exercise a little respect in my class.�

“Right-o, mate,� said Sirius, sweeping the parchment he and James had been examining back into his bag, and leaning back in his chair. Professor McGonagall allowed herself a small smile at that, before turning back to the class to resume her lecture with her usual severity. Sirius looked back to grin at Jocelyn, only to be sent a disapproving look by Lily, which annoyed him. What business was it of hers? She was always getting involved in the Marauders’ affairs, he reflected bitterly. Just like that morning with Peter and Muggle Studies. What did it matter to her if Peter was doing poorly in Muggle Studies, or if he and James talked during Transfiguration, or if they occasionally tortured Snape? She was a right little nosy, know-it-all, goody-two-shoes, that’s what she was.

I don’t know what James sees in her, he thought to himself. I really don’t.

He didn’t know what Jocelyn saw in her as a friend, either.

Harasses her because she likes to hang around with us, that’s what she does, he thought angrily. What’s it to her if Jocelyn likes to spend time with us? Jocelyn was friends with us long before she was friends with her! She’s a jealous little git, that’s what she is! And she ruins all our lives because we all have to listen to James go off about how wonderful she is, the idiot! Wonderful! Ha! She’s an annoying prat!

But the bell rang before Sirius could continue his mental tirade against Lily Evans.

“It’s patrol duty, not a date!� snapped Lily irritably as she haphazardly crammed her feet into her shoes. She yanked quickly on her shoelace and it broke.

“I just think you could make an effort to at least look halfway decent,� commented Jocelyn in an offhanded tone. She was lying spread-eagled on her bed, studying the top of her four-poster instead of looking at Lily.

“James Potter would think I looked beautiful if I came to patrol duty in Severus Snape’s pants,� said Lily distractedly as she tried to repair her broken shoelace.

“That is probably the truest thing you’ve ever said,� Jocelyn agreed. She rolled on her side and noticed what Lily was doing. “Reparo,� she muttered, pointing her wand at Lily’s foot, and the shoelace became whole again.

“Why didn’t I think of that?� wondered Lily crossly, hurriedly tying it.

“Love does strange things to a person,� Jocelyn observed.

Lily glared at her as she yanked open the door.

“I do not fancy James Potter, Jocelyn,� she reminded her friend.

“Suit yourself,� Jocelyn shrugged, grinning.

“Thanks,� said Lily sarcastically. “See you later then.�

“Remember Lils,� Jocelyn called just before the door shut, and Lily paused. “The first stage is denial.�

The door slammed shut.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Padfoot!� James shouted angrily.

“Prongs!� Sirius jovially responded.

James gave a frustrated growl. He yanked on his shoelace and it broke off in his hand. He swore, loudly.

“Language, Potter,� said Sirius in mock solemnity. He was lying spread-eagled on his bed, staring at the ceiling. “What would your mother say?�

“She’d tell you to –� James began angrily, but he was cut off as Peter came bursting into the room.

“You’re late!� he snapped at James. “She’s waiting for you, and she’s really angry! You were supposed to have left five minutes ago!�

“I know that!� growled James, who was vainly trying to repair his broken shoelace. “Half a moment, all right?�

Sirius rolled over and noticed what James was doing.

“Reparo,� he muttered, fixing the shoelace with a wave of his wand.

“Why didn’t I think of that?� snapped James, instead of saying thank you.

“Because you’re a thick-headed git,� answered Sirius honestly.

James started angrily toward him.

“You really should be going, Prongs,� Remus reminded him, looking up from his Transfiguration book.

“Right,� said James sullenly, glaring at Sirius. “See you all later, then.�

“He’s disgustingly smitten, isn’t he?� Sirius commented after the door had shut behind James.

Remus and Peter both stared at him.

“If you’ve just figure that out,� Remus told him, “you don’t deserve to be a Marauder.�

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Er – so, where do we go?� asked James awkwardly, as soon as he and Lily had climbed out of the portrait hole.

Lily raised her eyebrows at him.

“You’ve never done this before, have you?� she questioned.

“No, I haven’t,� said James tightly, resenting her patronizing tone. “Generally those of us without Prefect’s badges don’t go patrolling.�

Lily rolled her eyes.

“How you ever got to be Head Boy is beyond my comprehension,� she muttered, shaking her head in disbelief.

James felt anger rise within him.

“How I ever got stuck with you as a patrolling partner is beyond mine!� he snapped. “All I said was ‘Where do we go’ and you laid into me! Can’t you just answer a simple question without cutting me down?�

Lily looked astonished.

“I didn’t lay into you!� she said, sounding surprised. “I just answered a question with a question.�

James felt his anger subside a bit.

“Oh, well –� he began embarrassedly, when Lily added in a self-righteous voice, “I didn’t know that was some sort of crime!�

“It’s not, of course,� said James, frustrated. “That wasn’t the point –!�

“And what was the point, James Potter?� she questioned angrily. “That you’re being a git?�

“No!� snarled James. “It was that you’re being an insufferable prat!�

Lily raised herself up to her full height – which wasn’t really all that tall.

“Don’t talk like that to me, James Potter!� she snapped angrily.

“I’ll talk whatever way I like!� James informed her. “And if you think I’m too big an idiot to learn patrol duty, you can do it by yourself! Billywig!�

The portrait of the Fat Lady swung open, and he climbed back into the common room without another glance at Lily Evans' furious face.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Scenario #1:� read Jocelyn to the two boys before her, Sirius and Remus. “Lily offered to give James the night off because he hasn’t finished his homework. Probability scale, 1 to 10, with 10 being the most probable, this scenario rates –�

“Negative one-hundred billion,� Sirius interrupted flatly, and Remus nodded in dejected agreement. The three were gathered around the fire in the common room, trying to figure out exactly why James had come back from patrol duty roughly ninety seconds after he had left. Sirius and Remus couldn’t get him to say, and Peter was too busy struggling through his Muggles Studies homework to care.

“All right, that’s a 1, then,� sighed Jocelyn defeatedly, marking it down on her parchment. “Scenario #2: Lily said something crushing and James got angry and came back. Probability scale…?� She looked questioningly at the boys, who shrugged.

“7?� Remus offered finally.

“9,� Jocelyn corrected dejectedly, marking it down. “All right, Scenario #3: James said something stupid, which caused Lily to get angry and send him back inside. Probabil –�

“9.99999,� said Sirius and Remus together.

“Fair enough,� Jocelyn agreed, making the appropriate notation. “Finally, Scenario #4: Lily made a patronizing comment, James took offense and said something stupid, they both got angry and James came storming back. P–�

“Ten!� the boys said together at once, and Jocelyn nodded in agreement.

“So now what?� she asked them, staring hopelessly down at Scenario #4, which she had circled.

“Now we work on a plan,� said Sirius obviously.

“Easier said then done, Padfoot,� sighed Remus, and Jocelyn nodded in agreement.

“Whatever happens, it’ll be easy for you two,� she explained, gesturing at them. “James doesn’t need to be convinced he loves Lily, he already knows.�

“As he daily reminds us,� muttered Sirius.

“But my job is Lily, and Lily is going to be difficult to convince,� Jocelyn finished, sighing.

“Maybe we could try to convince James to like someone else,� Sirius suggested hopefully.

Remus shook his head.

“That plan’s been failing for six years,� he reminded Sirius.

Sirius was crushed, but not for long.

“Yes, but so has the plan to convince Lily,� he pointed out, trying to remain optimistic.

“No, it hasn’t,� said Remus.

“Because the only person who’s tried to convince Lily she loves James, is James,� Jocelyn explained.

“And he’s been a right failure at it,� finished Remus.

“But none of us has tried it yet,� observed Jocelyn. “So we don’t know if we’ll be better or not.�

“Okay,� said Sirius. “Let’s say we’re better at it, right? And let’s say they get together.�

“Okay,� said Jocelyn, completely lost.

“Well then what?� Sirius asked her.

Jocelyn stared at him, comprehension dawning on her face.

“Sirius,� she said slowly, frowning at him.

“What?� he asked innocently.

“You don’t want Lily and James together, do you?� she said accusingly.

“Well…� he said awkwardly.

“Sirius,� she said warningly, eyebrows raised.

“Well, no!� he admitted. “Think about it! Padfoot and Prongs will have to make way for Lily and James! No more pranks! No more raiding the kitchens! No more sneaking to Hogsmeade! It’ll be the end of an era! And they’ll be… snogging all over the place! It’ll be weird!�

Jocelyn smiled at him sympathetically.

“No one said this was going to be easy, mate,� Remus reminded him. “And who knows, maybe you’ll find a girl.�

Jocelyn rolled her eyes.

“Maybe things won’t change that much,� she suggested. “I’m risking my best friend as well, you know.�

“Yes, but it’s not the same thing,� Sirius sighed. “We’ve always been the Marauders! We don’t have time for girls! We’re busy playing pranks! And that’ll all be over!�

Jocelyn patted his hand.

“You can’t spend the rest of your life playing pranks, Sirius,� she told him with a small smile.

“I know,� Sirius muttered.

“And James can’t spend the rest of his life alone,� she added.

Sirius gave a final, defeated sigh, and looked up at her.

“When do we start?� he questioned.

---

A/N: Review!

“He won’t go for it.�

“He agreed to help –�

“But he didn’t really mean it. Besides, this is crossing a line. Trust me, he won’t do it.�

“I’ve known him my whole life –�

“But I share a dormitory with him. You learn these things. He doesn’t like her. He won’t do it.�

“But this is our only shot –�

“No, it’s not.�

“It’s not?�

“No. I have a plan.�

“Really? What?�

He told her.

“Remus, that’s brilliant!�

“I know! Can you make it work?�

“I’m a Black. I can make anything work.�

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Quidditch practice tonight, Joce’,� James reminded her at dinner.

“I know, I know,� she replied impatiently. “But honestly James, what’s up with the night practices anyway, I can’t see a thing!�

“You’re not supposed to, that’s the point!� James insisted.

“What, you want us to play half-blind?�

“If you can play in the dark, you can play in any condition!� decreed James.

“Well, don’t blame me when I can’t see a Bludger and it goes soaring straight into your skull! Not that it’ll do much damage, your head’s so thick,� she added acidly.

“So there are advantages to being an idiot after all! Good news for you, Prongs!� said Sirius, clapping James on the back.

James glared at him.

“Excuse me for wanting to win the Cup –!�

“There are more important things in life than Quidditch,� said Jocelyn dismissively.

James gaped at her.

“If you think that, you shouldn’t be on the team!� he said severely.

“And if you don’t think that, you shouldn’t cut me,� she snapped back. “The team’s complete rubbish without me, as you bloody well know!�

“Can’t argue with that,� agreed Sirius.

“What?� James was outraged. “A team I’m on can’t be rubbish! The team’s complete rubbish without me!�

“And you wonder why Lily calls you arrogant,� Jocelyn muttered, and returned to her porridge.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The first Hogsmeade weekend had been announced to be at the beginning of October, just after the full moon. Due to several conflicting interests in the form of clubs, teams, and societies, it was announced to be on Sunday this month, instead of Saturday.

“So I suggest you all get your homework done before you go,� said Professor McGonagall, glaring at all of them, particularly the Marauders, severely.

“Are you going to ask someone to go with you?� Jocelyn asked James after Quidditch practice that evening.

“Yeah,� he answered. “Sirius, Remus, and Peter.�

Jocelyn rolled her eyes.

“No, I mean a date!�

“Why, you want to go with me?� he questioned.

Jocelyn inwardly rolled her eyes again, but answered, “Oh, well, all right then.�

“As friends,� James clarified, to be sure there was no misunderstanding.

“Well yes, of course,� said Jocelyn impatiently, rolling her eyes for the third time. James really was thick. No wonder Lily wouldn’t give him a chance! Jocelyn owned to herself that she wouldn’t want to be romantically involved with a boy like James. But, of course, she wasn’t Lily. Lily ought to be; it was right. They were all doing the right thing, she told herself firmly. Now if only she could get the other half of the plan to work….

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Lily!� cried Jocelyn happily as soon as her friend came in from patrol duty that night.

“Jocelyn,� Lily acknowledged, curtly and warily.

“How was patrol duty?� Jocelyn asked.

“You know better then to ask me that, Jocelyn Black!� snapped Lily tetchily. “I’m doing it with bloody James Potter, how do you think it was?�

“Well, seeing as how I happen to be rather fond of James –� Jocelyn began.

“Oh shove off! It’s different for you! He doesn’t fancy you!�

“Oh, and if he did I wouldn’t be fond of him? Honestly Lily, James Potter has been nothing but –�

“A bigheaded, arrogant, bullying git!� Lily finished angrily.

“No he hasn’t! He’s been nothing but a gentleman!�

“What?� shrieked Lily. “A gentleman? James Potter?�

“You heard me.�

“I always suspected you were mad, but now you just proved me right! I could see if you were talking about Remus, I could even see if you were talking about Sirius Black, but James Potter?!? Are you daft?�

Inwardly Jocelyn smiled. Outwardly she shrugged.

“You know what?� she told Lily. “You’re right. You are absolutely right.�

Lily blinked.

“I am?� she questioned, surprised.

“Yes,� Jocelyn said calmly. “I don’t know what I was thinking. James Potter, a gentleman! Ha! Now Sirius, that’s a gentleman! A really decent bloke, that.�

“That’s true…� Lily agreed slowly, frowning.

“Well, I’m really tired,� sighed Jocelyn. “Goodnight, Lils.�

“Goodnight,� Lily answered. She frowned, thinking about Jocelyn’s words, and it was a long time before she went to bed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Well, that was easy, eh Padfoot?� questioned James as they left Transfiguration class the Friday before Hogsmeade.

“Simplest thing I’ve ever done in my life,� said Sirius carelessly. “Turning chairs into dogs, what a stupid task, anyone could do it!�

Jocelyn snorted.

“Why were your dog’s legs all shiny?� she asked him slyly.

“They were supposed to be that way; part of his markings, and all that,� said Sirius, waving his hand impatiently. It annoyed him that Jocelyn had noticed that he hadn’t been able to transfigure the metal chair legs all the way. “I’m ready to take my N.E.W.T.s now, they’ll be a piece of cake!�

Lily rolled her eyes.

“You’re the only person here who rivals Potter in arrogance, Black,� she said nastily. “I hope you fail all of them!�

“The feeling’s mutual,� Sirius assured her in a low growl.

Jocelyn and James looked between them, clearly uncomfortable, as the four turned into the Charms corridor. Remus wasn’t there, as it was full moon. He would return to them the next morning.

“Ah, hello Peter,� James greeted as Peter came stumbling up to them. “Had a good Muggle Studies class, did you?�

“Dreadful!� squeaked Peter nervously. “I couldn’t remember a thing I’d read in the chapter on lektracey!�

“Probably because you never read the chapter,� muttered Sirius irritably. He was still angry, both at Jocelyn’s slight on his transfigured dog, and Lily’s comment.

Lily was frowning at Peter.

“What’s ‘lektracey’?� she asked curiously.

“I don’t know, that’s what I’ve been telling you!� said Peter touchily. “But it’s supposed to be really important to Muggles, at least, I think that’s what Professor –�

“Ohhh, you mean electricity!� exclaimed Lily, comprehension dawning across her face. “Yeah, that is really important, Muggles use it to light up rooms, and get news, and cool their houses, and heat up food and things. I know all about that. I’ll help you with your homework tonight, if you want.�

Peter beamed at her.

“Thanks, that’d be really nice.�

James scowled, obviously wishing, for once, that he was bad at something.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sirius sat alone in the common room that night, as James and Jocelyn were at Quidditch practice, and Peter had detention. He was bent over what appeared to be a map, and scribbling notes on a piece of parchment, when Lily came down from her dormitory. She walked up to him, her expression unreadable. He felt annoyed. Why couldn’t she leave him alone?

“Hello, Lily,� he said unenthusiastically.

Lily didn’t bother returning his greeting, but instead got right to the point.

“Sirius, d’you want to go to Hogsmeade with me?�

Sirius’s jaw dropped. What? Had Lily Evans really just asked him, Sirius Black, to go to Hogsmeade with her?

Wrong, wrong! he told himself. This is all wrong!

“Er –� he said awkwardly.

I don’t even like her! he thought. I can’t stand her!

“Er – don’t you think this is a bit sudden, Lily?� he managed finally.

She rolled her eyes, which normally would have annoyed him, but didn’t affect him at the moment because he was so numb from shock.

“Just as friends, of course,� she said obviously.

But we’re not friends! thought Sirius desperately.

“Er – all right, then,� he said, almost automatically. Horror immediately flooded his mind. What had he just said?

“Excellent! Meet you here Sunday, then?�

“All right,� he said again.

Lily went out the portrait hole, passing Jocelyn who was on her way in.

“Hello, Sirius,� greeted Jocelyn.

Sirius turned to her, his expression frozen in shock and horror.

“What’s up?� she questioned.

“I just agreed to go to Hogsmeade with Lily Evans,� he said numbly.

For a moment Jocelyn stared at him. Then, without warning, she burst into hysterical giggles.

---

A/N: Well, what do you think? Review!

Two days later Sirius sat nervously in the common room with James. He hadn’t told James he was going to Hogsmeade with Lily. If Jocelyn played her part well James would never have to know.

“Hello James, hello Sirius,� Jocelyn greeted, bounding down the girls’ staircase. “Ready to go?�

The boys nodded and began heading toward the portrait hole.

“Wait, I’ve forgotten something,� said Sirius suddenly, just as he and Jocelyn had planned. “You two go ahead, I’ll catch you up.�

“All right,� said Jocelyn, dragging James out the portrait hole.

“You reckon we should wait for him here?� James questioned as soon as they were out.

“No!� said Jocelyn quickly.

James frowned at her.

“I mean, no,� she laughed casually, trying to cover. “He’ll catch us up.�

“All right,� James shrugged. “We’re meeting Remus and Peter in the Three Broomsticks then?�

“That’s right,� said Jocelyn.

The two walked in silence to the entrance hall where Filch was checking everybody out.

“You know, I was thinking about our Quidditch match,� began Jocelyn, knowing this would distract James. “With Slytherin. Anyway, I’ve been watching their game and I’ve noticed a weakness with their Chasers.�

“Yes, I’ve noticed it as well,� said James, taking the bait without a second thought. “The way they aim at the goal hoops, isn’t it?�

“Yes, that’s right,� Jocelyn nodded. “D’you know any good moves for our Keeper?�

“Yes, I have one in mind,� James confirmed. “It’s a simple maneuver, but it’ll slaughter the Slytherins if the don’t fix their throws. You see…�

Jocelyn smiled quietly at her success.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Half an hour later Sirius and Lily were walking together down the same road but they were silent.

“D’you want to go to the Three Broomsticks, then?� questioned Lily as they passed the winged boars that guarded the Hogwarts gates.

“Er, no, not there,� said Sirius awkwardly. He wasn’t sure how much he could tell Lily about the situation with James. Lily seemed to understand, however, because she didn’t press the matter.

“Know anywhere where we won’t run into people?� she asked next.

“Yes, I do,� answered Sirius, relieved to finally be able to answer a question directly.

“Take me there,� she ordered.

“Your wish is my command,� he said grandly.

She laughed. Sirius smiled. It was the second Black success in one morning.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“What’s up?� he questioned as soon as they were walking along the deserted road that led away from the village.

“I want you to tell me everything you know about James Potter,� Lily informed him.

Sirius stared at her.

“Sorry?� he said, sure he had misheard.

Lily repeated her question.

“Why?� he asked suspiciously.

Lily rolled her eyes.

“If I’m going to ‘give this a shot’, as everyone keeps telling me I should do I need to know all I can about him. You’re his best mate, so you’re the one who’s going to tell me,� she explained.

Sirius frowned.

“Why not ask Jocelyn?� he wondered.

“Jocelyn’s a girl. It’s not the same,� she explained unhelpfully.

“Um… okay,� Sirius shrugged.

“So, let’s go, tell me everything,� Lily ordered. “I want your whole history, from the moment you met him.�

Sirius thought for a moment.

“If you want that,� he told her, “we’re going to have to start at my childhood. You won’t understand my relationship with James unless you first understand my relationship with everyone else.�

“Fair enough,� she nodded. “Now tell me.�

Sirius took a deep breath.

“The Blacks aren’t the nicest clan you’d want to associate with,� he began slowly. “They’re – er – purists is the term, I suppose. They’re not fond of people like… well, people like you.�

“Muggle-borns,� said Lily, nodding. “Continue.�

“There’s a lot of inbreeding because of that. You see, a Black doesn’t want to lower himself to marry anyone other than a Black. Well, no, that’s not true,� he added reflectively. “It’s just that the choices are pretty much limited to Blacks. We purebloods are dying out, and that’s the only kind of witch or wizard a Black is expected to marry. It’s disgusting, but they’re a warped set of people. It makes the family pretty tight-knit, and fairly large. There were dozens of cousins running around our house all the time. Our house was the base, you understand. It was the largest; it was where pretty much everyone had grown up. But in spite of, or maybe because of the fact that there were so many of us I only ever liked two of my cousins. Both were girls. The first was Andromeda. She’s a good eight years older than I am, but she was always nice to me when I was kid. She’d slip me candy, things like that.�

Sirius looked over at Lily, who was nodding slowly.

“The other, of course, was Jocelyn. Her family wasn’t like the rest of the clan. They’re not the purist type. They don’t care what kind of blood you’ve got, as long as you’re decent. Her mum and dad were kind of like parents to me when I was little. Really decent couple. And outcasts in the Black world because of it. They’re a trio of blood-traitors, you know.�

“I know,� murmured Lily.

“Well, anyway, aside from them, my family’s not what you’d call a really pleasant set to be around. I didn’t have – what’s the phrase? Oh yeah, a great ‘home life’. My parents weren’t too fond of Andromeda – she’s a blood-traitor too, after all – or Uncle Alphard, Aunt Vega, and Jocelyn. They weren’t exactly popular dinner guests at our house. My parents thought they were betraying the family by mingling with the likes of Muggle-borns. I hated them for that! And my soft, idiot of a little brother, who lapped up every word they said! Regulus, the perfect son! ‘Why can’t you be more like Regulus, Sirius?’� Sirius mocked in a high-pitched voice, then deepened it to add, “‘At least Regulus shows some loyalty to his family!’ As if cursing Muggle-borns in the halls was something to be proud of!� he concluded bitterly.

“Yes, your brother’s not exactly the most pleasant bloke, is he?� Lily observed quietly.

“No,� said Sirius cynically. He couldn’t quite believe he was having this conversation with Lily Evans, the girl his best mate fancied, and his cousin Jocelyn’s best friend. He wasn’t even sure how they had gotten on this subject. “Quite the opposite.�

“How did your family feel about you becoming a Gryffindor?� she questioned after a moment.

“Well, you can imagine that went over like a wingless owl!� said Sirius sarcastically. “Got a good week’s worth of Howlers over it, you probably remember.�

“Yes, I do,� agreed Lily slowly.

“After that… well, things got worse. Going home for holidays became pure torture. Two years later Regulus came to Hogwarts, and of course he landed in the right house –– Slytherin –– where every self-respecting, pureblooded wizard should be.� Sirius laughed without humor. “He got himself a nice group of friends too. Narcissa –– our cousin, though it pains me to admit it –– looked out for him, and brought him into the circle of some other high-ranking Slytherins: Avery and Rosier are the only two I think you’d know, but there were quite a few others. Powerful purebloods who all love the Dark Arts and hate Muggle-borns. Evil gits, so naturally my parents adore them. And what do I have for friends? Two blood-traitors, and a borderline Squib. Well, you can imagine how popular they are to bring home for holidays!� He laughed bitterly.

“So your parents don’t like the Potters?� asked Lily tentatively.

“That’s putting it nicely, Lils,� Sirius informed her with a harsh smile. “They hate the Potters. They’re not related to us – that is, I don’t think they are – but my parents wouldn’t admit it if they were. Blood-traitors, the lot of them, which isn’t exactly something my family’s very proud of.� He stopped and turned to her suddenly. “But do you know the worst crime they’ve committed, Lily?�

Lily shook her head, frowning.

“Their son’s fallen in love with a Muggle-born,� he said quietly.

Lily stopped dead, staring at him. Her breathing was heavy, and her nostrils flared. For a moment Sirius thought she was going to attack him. Then she threw her arms around him and burst into tears.

---

A/N: Okay, so last time I let the whole “ten reviews for an update� thing slide, mainly because I was so excited about this chapter. However I’m not going to be so easy this time, so give me a review (and this time from ten different people ;) )! Thanks.

A/N: We interrupt our regular program for a special announcement: Okay folks, one things you need to know before we continue: Okay, I know Sirius and Jocelyn are cousins! And yes, I agree with you all that it’s totally weird for cousins to like each other. I, personally, would never like my cousin. I mean, he was like my best friend growing up. Ew! However, I’ve read stories (and actually know one couple) where cousins ended up getting married. Weird, but true. Also, Sirius and Jocelyn are third or fourth cousins, not first cousins, which is obviously less weird. Plus, remember that the pureblood families are all interrelated… so for Sirius and Jocelyn it wouldn’t be as weird as it would be for you or me. Now you can all stop asking me about it in the reviews…We now return to our regular program. Thank you.

---

There was quite a stir in the Great Hall the next morning when Sirius Black entered with two of the most popular girls at Hogwarts, one on each side. He casually swung himself onto the bench at the Gryffindor table and the two girls sat down beside him, Jocelyn Black on his left, Lily Evans on his right. All three began helping themselves to porridge and toast, laughing and talking, seemingly unaware they were the cause of the unusual amount of whispers being exchanged at the four long tables. It was noted, however, that the trio had chosen seats a discreet distance away from the other three Marauders, all of whom were determinedly not looking at them. Peter Pettigrew was staring at his plate and James Potter was having a very forced conversation with Remus Lupin. Twenty minutes later Sirius rose and the girls followed suit. James’s feelings momentarily overcame his resolve. He looked up at the trio and for a moment his eyes locked with Sirius’s. Then Lily tapped Sirius’s shoulder, he turned away to engage her in conversation once more, and James returned to his breakfast, though his appetite did not.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sirius had, of course, not told James about the previous afternoon’s events. He somehow didn’t think James would be too pleased when he told him that he’d spent the entire afternoon walking down a deserted road with Lily Evans. Not that anything had happened. Well, he admitted to himself, something had happened. He had cried, that’s what had happened. He had cried in front of Lily Evans, his best mate’s long-time crush. First she had thrown her arms around him and started crying hysterically and rambling on about how her sister thought she was a freak, and her parents didn’t understand, and everyone at Hogwarts looked down on her because she was raised Muggle, and why couldn’t people look past their prejudices, and it just wasn’t fair! And he’d just held her and after she’d finished in a renewed fit of weeping he’d said softly, “I know.� And then his own vision had blurred, and the two of them had stood there, in the middle of the road, holding each other and crying.

And I’m sorry, thought Sirius angrily, but James can be as angry as he wants, because you just don’t have an experience like that with someone and then act like nothing happened! I am going to hang around Lily Evans now, and if James has a problem with it that’s his problem!

He was so angry he lost all concentration and the desk he was supposed to be levitating crashed to the floor. Several students jumped and looked around in alarm. Sirius swore. Out of the corner of his eye he could see James smirking, his desk still floating easily above his head, while he chatted lazily with Remus and Peter.

“Sirius, you have to focus,� said Lily gently.

“Oh, I’m focusing,� Sirius growled, his wand poised, ready for action.

“Yes, but you have to – Sirius, what are you doing?� she questioned in alarm.

Sirius had pointed his wand at James’s desk, which was now tipping dangerously over James’s head.

“Sirius!� squealed Lily apprehensively.

“Sirius!� said Jocelyn warningly. “Sirius, no!�

“Just a little further,� he muttered, heedless of both girls’ pleas. The desk was continuing it’s slow angling, James sitting below it completely oblivious.

“Sirius –!�

CRASH! The desk’s contents fell three meters to the floor. Several girls screamed. Bottles exploded around the Marauders, spraying them with ink. With a sickening crack! a bottle of scarlet ink broke on James’s head, painting his face and hair bright red.

“Nice look, Prongs. Go well with your Quidditch robes, that will,� said Sirius casually. He turned and strode quickly from the room, the rest of class staring after him in shocked silence.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sirius sat in the empty Gryffindor common room, staring at the fire. He didn’t know what had made him do it. He had had fights with James before, but never like this. That look he had given him at breakfast….

“Nothing happened!� Sirius growled angrily.

“Knock, knock,� said a voice from the portrait hole.

Sirius turned to see Jocelyn walking toward him. She smiled at him and sat down beside him.

“Look, Sirius,� she began slowly, “I’m sorry about what happened yesterday –�

“Don’t be,� he mumbled quickly.

“No, listen,� she insisted. “I don’t know what happened between you and Lily –�

“Nothing happened!� he shouted, leaping to his feet. “Why do you think something had to have happened?�

“I didn’t mean something inappropriate, Sirius,� said Jocelyn gently.

“Good, because nothing like that happened!� Sirius insisted, pacing up and down the common room. “Nothing at all! It was all very platonic, there was nothing going on –�

“I said I know, Sirius!� she said loudly.

He stopped pacing and looked at her.

“But something important did happen,� she continued softly. “I can see it between you two. Can you tell me about it?�

He sank down beside her, nodding slowly. Then he told her, carefully leaving out the part where his own cheeks had become wet.

“I understand,� she said when he was finished. “And I understand why you would want to hang around with her now. But Sirius –�

“I know, I know!� he angrily interrupted her. “James is important!�

“James is your best friend,� she said quietly. “And you can’t just stop hanging around with him. He doesn’t understand. You have to make things right with him. You have to –�

But just what he had to do, Sirius never found out. At that moment the portrait hole opened and James entered. Scarlet ink was still plastered in his hair. It looked horribly like dried blood. He stopped dead when he spotted Sirius.

“Not with your girlfriend, Padfoot?� he questioned angrily. “What happened, did she decide the Giant Squid was a better choice than a giant git?�

Before Sirius could reply James strode up the boys’ staircase and out of sight. Sirius turned back to Jocelyn, who was desperately shaking her head.

“Sirius, don’t!� she said desperately. “Go talk to him, make things right!�

“You know what?� said Sirius, looking her straight in the eye. “I just may not want to.�

And with that he climbed out of the portrait hole and out of sight.

“Great plan,� Jocelyn muttered angrily – and rather unfairly – to Remus the next morning. “That really made James and Lily one flaming item, didn’t it?�

“If I recall, you said it was brilliant,� retorted Remus bitterly. “And you put it all into motion, so it’s just as much your fault as mine.�

“You’re lucky the full moon’s not for another month,� she snapped. “There’s still hope.�

“Not much,� he responded dubiously.

“Curse James for being so thick!� said Jocelyn viciously, as James himself entered the Great Hall. “This is all his fault!�

“Peter,� said Remus, turning to his friend, “let’s play a game. How many people d’you think Jocelyn is going to blame about this before breakfast is over? She’s already at two. I’m going with an even dozen.�

“Nine for a Galleon,� Peter replied at once.

“You have a lot of faith in her honesty,� Remus remarked.

“Oh shut up, the pair of you!� snapped Jocelyn. “You know Peter, if you had helped us this whole thing probably would have turned out a lot better.�

“That’s three,� noted Remus, tallying it on a scrap of parchment. Jocelyn snatched it away from him.

“Stop being a prat and work on a new plan!� she instructed him.

“Are you sure you want me to?� he questioned. “After all, my last one was rubbish.�

“No, your last one was brilliant,� she corrected. “It’s just that Sirius and Lily didn’t play their parts well enough. Especially Sirius! What was he thinking, telling her his whole life story like that? The idiot!�

“Two more. We’re already to five and she hasn’t even started eating yet,� Remus observed, speaking to Peter in an undertone.

“I can hear you,� Jocelyn informed him, ladling porridge into her bowl, just as Sirius entered the Great Hall.

“Morning all!� he greeted, sitting beside Jocelyn and immediately helping himself to a stack of toast.

“Where’s Lily?� Jocelyn asked him warily.

“Coming, coming, not to worry,� he assured her.

Jocelyn and Remus exchanged a look.

“Who’s worried?� she muttered.

“I am,� Peter told her honestly.

Jocelyn rolled her eyes. Peter really didn’t understand sarcasm.

“You’re what?� questioned Sirius, frowning at Peter.

“Worried,� he replied.

Jocelyn groaned and buried her face in her hands.

“About what?� asked Sirius, clearly confused.

“Muggle Studies,� said Remus quickly, kicking Peter under the table. “Aren’t you, Wormtail?�

Peter was about to reply that no, he wasn’t worried about Muggle Studies just then, he was worried about the new James-Lily-Sirius triangle, but fortunately Lily’s arrival interrupted him.

“Hello! What’s for breakfast? I’m famished!� she announced, looking around at them with a smile, and seating herself on Sirius’s other side. She helped herself to a bowlful of porridge. “Sirius, will you be my partner in Potions this morning?� she requested, smiling sweetly up at him.

“Excellent,� Sirius responded, grinning down at her.

Jocelyn turned to Remus, who shook his head apologetically.

“I’m in Ancient Runes,� he reminded her ruefully. He had never been good at Potion making, and had consequently given it up after fifth year.

“I guess that means I’m with James, then,� said Jocelyn grimly. She pushed her bowl of half-eaten porridge away and stood. “If anyone has anything to say to me, do so now,� she told them sarcastically, swinging her bag over her shoulder. “I won’t be on speaking terms with you for the next two hours.�

“Good luck with your potion, then,� said Sirius cheerfully, completely missing the point.

“Thanks,� she said coldly, and made her way over to James.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“So,� said Jocelyn uncomfortably as she stirred their potion the appropriate number of times.

“So,� echoed James coldly. He threw their shrivelfig into the cauldron.

“So – er – we’re… almost done,� she observed awkwardly.

“You don’t have to make conversation with me, you know,� snapped James irritably.

“I know,� she answered.

“Then stop trying!� he growled, not looking at her, but staring at something on the other side of the classroom. She followed his gaze and understood.

Sirius and Lily were carefully yet cheerfully brewing their potion, which was the perfect shade of turquoise they were supposed to achieve. They were chatting casually and seemed unaware of anyone else in the room. Jocelyn gave a wry smile. It was all she could do not to hate them as well.

“It’s done,� James announced suddenly.

“Oh, right,� said Jocelyn, tearing her eyes from her two best friends. She took the flask James handed her, labeled it, and brought it to the front desk, where it would be graded. There she met Sirius.

“You seem to be having good fun,� she noted, unable to keep a note of resentment out of her voice. Sirius, however, was oblivious.

“I am,� he answered, shrugging. “She’s a good potions partner.�

“So is James,� she told him through gritted teeth.

Sirius flinched as though she had struck him.

“Jocelyn,� he said warningly. “Stay out of it.�

Jocelyn folded her arms across her chest.

“You always say that about everything,� she said bitterly.

“I always mean it,� he growled.

Jocelyn gave a cold smile.

“And I never listen,� she told him. She went back to her table then. She didn’t have to say anything more. He had understood her words for what they were. A challenge.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Ancient Runes is –�

“Complete rubbish!� Sirius interrupted Remus irritably.

“Actually, I was going to say, ‘A much better class than Potions,’ but I suppose that fits as well,� Remus replied mildly, his mouth twitching.

“Anything is a better class than Potions,� snapped James, addressing Remus and determinedly not looking at Sirius.

Sirius opened his mouth to contradict James and remind him that nothing was worse than History of Magic, but remembered just in time that they weren’t on speaking terms and shut it again. The Marauders were in their dormitory getting ready for bed, a task that was becoming increasingly awkward as the hostility level between James and Sirius became higher.

“Anyone want to play chess?� Peter questioned, entering the room.

“I will,� said Sirius and James at the same time. They looked at each other, realized what they were doing, and quickly looked away. Sirius began fussing with his bedclothes, while James polished his already spotless glasses. Peter looked uncomfortably between them.

“All right, then,� said Remus, breaking the tense silence. He and Peter left for the common room, leaving Sirius and James alone.

After another three minutes of busying himself with his bedclothes, Sirius, realizing he had to stop eventually, stopped and looked over at James, who was polishing the left lens of his glasses for the seventh time. Sirius opened his mouth to say something when something scarlet caught his eye. James’s ink-stained robes were spilling out of his open trunk. Sirius’s face hardened. He shut his mouth, climbed into his bed, and when James finally looked over at him, he appeared to be asleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“I’m not speaking to you, you know,� Jocelyn informed Lily as they readied for bed.

Lily looked over at her with an expression of mild surprise.

“Why not?� she questioned.

Jocelyn rolled her eyes. Not (as one would imagine) because Lily was impossibly clueless, but rather because she had missed an excellent opportunity to say something sarcastic and witty.

“‘Why not?’� she questioned incredulously. “‘Why not?’ Because you are responsible for the falling out of the two best mates in the school! That’s ‘Why not’!�

Lily gave an irritated sigh.

“You don’t seriously believe that’s my fault!� she said exasperatedly.

Jocelyn gaped at her.

“You don’t seriously believe it’s not!� she gasped.

“Of course I do!� said Lily briskly, waving her hand with an impatient air. “How could I be responsible for it? I mean, I barely hang around with the idiots!�

“Which is why you’ve hardly left Sirius’s side for the past three days,� said Jocelyn dryly.

“Oh honestly, Jocelyn, you’re being ridiculous!� snapped Lily impatiently. “Sirius and I are friends! You’re friends with him as well! Are you responsible for his and James’s falling out?�

“Of course not, but that’s entirely different!� growled Jocelyn angrily. “I’ve been friends with Sirius my whole life! You, on the other hand, became friends with him about fifty-four hours ago! Think if you’re James: One day, out of nowhere, you look up from your toast to see your best mate walking in with the girl you fancy! What are you –�

“Oh, don’t give me the ‘Put-yourself-in-Potter’s-place’ speech!� said Lily dismissively. “Besides, Sirius and I aren’t together! We’re just friends! And if Potter jumped to conclusions –�

“Wait, what?� Jocelyn interrupted suddenly.

Lily frowned at her.

“‘What’, what?� she questioned.

“What did you just say?�

“I said ‘If Potter jumps to con –’� Lily began, but Jocelyn cut her off again.

“No, before that.�

“I said ‘Sirius and I aren’t together’,� Lily repeated slowly, her frown deepening. “Why?�

But Jocelyn was staring at Lily with something close to wonder.

“So –� she said jerkily. “So – you’re not – he’s not – you’re not?!�

“No,� Lily answered, shaking her head.

Sirius had claimed that what had happened in Hogsmeade had been purely platonic, and Jocelyn had played along to pacify him, but she hadn’t really believed him. After the way he and Lily had been acting she didn’t see how she could believe him. But if what Lily said was true…. Jocelyn felt light. She wanted to scream, sing, jump up and down –

Suddenly she came to herself. She cleared her throat and tried to clear her mind.

“Well James doesn’t know that,� she said severely. “And this has been really confusing for him!�

“Well, like I said, if he can’t figure that out –� Lily tried to say for the third time.

“No!� said Jocelyn forcefully. “You don’t understand any of this! The way you and Sirius have been acting – but this will change everything!�
Lily stared at her friend, clearly concerned.

“You have officially cracked,� she told her honestly, and got into bed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next morning Jocelyn entered the Great Hall and walked purposely over to Remus.

“Hi,� he said, looking up from his Transfiguration book.

“Hi,� she said tensely, giving a very fake smile. She tried to move as close to his ear as possible without anyone noticing. “I need to talk to you,� she told him, without moving her lips.

He frowned at her.

“Now?�

“Yeah,� she said, her lips still frozen in an unnatural smile.

“But what about Trans –?�

“Remus,� she growled, “this is kind of important!�

“McGonagall’s not going to be happy,� he protested weakly.

“Are you going to be happy if you have to transform by yourself?� she muttered. The smile was becoming more and more frightening.

Remus got the point. With a resigned sigh he closed his book, grabbed a few pieces of toast, swung his bag over his shoulder, and followed her out of the Great Hall. She dragged him into a broom closet off the entrance hall just as the bell rang.

“What’s up?� he questioned, as soon as she had shut the door.

“Sirius and Lily aren’t together!� she told him excitedly.

He frowned at her, trying to make his eyes adjust to the darkness.

“I know,� he said.

It was so dark he didn’t see the look of shock on Jocelyn’s face. He heard it in her voice though.

“You did? How?� she demanded.

It was lucky for Remus that Jocelyn couldn’t see him smirking at her.

“How didn’t you?� he asked her, unable to keep a smug note out of his voice. “You’re a girl!�

Jocelyn kicked over a bucket and gave a frustrated scream just as the door of the broom closet opened. The scream became more high-pitched in surprise when she saw who it was.

“Well, well, my sweet,� said Filch to his cat, Mrs. Norris, with an evil grin. “What have we here?�

---

A/N: The eight reviews rule still applies!

“Sneaking around the corridors! Screaming in broom closets when you’re supposed to be in class! I am most seriously displeased!� said an outraged Professor McGonagall to the two students before her. Jocelyn and Remus had both been staring at the floor. However, at the mention of “sneaking around the corridors�, Jocelyn’s head snapped up.

“Professor, we weren’t sneaking around the corr –!�

“Silence Miss Black!� snapped McGonagall. “I should have expected such behavior from you! You’ve always spent too much time around Black and Potter for your own good! I would have hoped Miss Evans would have had a better influence on you, but it seems –� she stopped, her nostrils flaring, and turned on Remus. “I would have thought you, Mr. Lupin, would know better than to be hiding in broom closets during class times! You are, after all, a Prefect!�

Remus didn’t answer but continued to stare at the floor, apparently fascinated by the stonework.

“Fifteen points from Gryffindor, each!� McGonagall decreed. “And detention!�

She waved them out of her office. They walked silently towards the Charms corridor together.

Please don’t let him be angry, Jocelyn thought desperately. The last thing she needed was to be fighting with Remus. He was her last ally.

“I’m – er – sorry about that,� she said finally, just before the reached the classroom.

“It’s all right,� he shrugged. “I was long overdue for detention anyway. One of the disadvantages of not hanging around with Sirius and James so much.�

He smiled, but Jocelyn didn’t laugh. The joke somehow wasn’t very funny when you were looking at Sirius and James’s stony faces at opposite ends of the classroom. They were usually at the same desk, bent over a piece of parchment that had nothing to do with the class. To see them separated and taking notes was unnerving.

Jocelyn and Remus seated themselves at the empty desk between Lily and Sirius, and James and Peter. Lily tore off a corner of her parchment, scribbled something on it, handed it to Sirius and whispered something to him. He passed it to Jocelyn without looking at her. Jocelyn opened it to see a note in Lily’s neat handwriting.

Where were you in Transfiguration? ~ L.E.

Jocelyn sighed. She should have known Lily wouldn’t let that one slip. She quickly scrawled a cryptic reply.

Busy. ~ J.B.

She handed it to Sirius, who passed it to Lily. Lily opened it and gave Jocelyn an exasperated look before replying.

Well that was obvious! I meant, what were you doing?

I had to talk to Remus.

I don’t like the sound of that! About what?

Jocelyn frowned at the message and thought carefully before replying.

Certain situations in the Hogwarts population.

Seriously, Jocelyn!

I am being serious!

I heard a rumor you got caught.

Well, yes, but we only lost thirty points… and got detention.

Oh, that’s not bad at all!

Jocelyn looked up at Lily, who rolled her eyes at her. She gave a small grin.

It could have been worse. What did we miss in Transfiguration?

We’re still working on the chair-dogs. Sirius has gotten worse, though. His chair only sprouted ears and a tail.

Jocelyn looked quickly over at Sirius. He was getting worse in Transfiguration? She looked at James on Remus’s other side. Behind his stony countenance she definitely detected a glimmer of smug, self-satisfaction. Which meant that James most certainly was still quite fine in Transfiguration. More than fine, he was probably getting better. The situation was getting worse all the time. She quickly found another scrap of parchment and scribbled a note to Sirius.

What’s up in Transfiguration? ~ J.B.

Sirius shot her a hard look when he read it, then wrote a hasty reply.

I thought you weren’t speaking to me. ~ S.B.

I never said that!

I’m your cousin. You don’t have to for me to know. Besides, I’m not speaking to you.

Jocelyn gave an angry growl when she read that, and looked round at Sirius. He gave her a sorry-but-not-really kind of look, and shrugged. She angrily tore up the note and burned it with a wave of her wand.

“If this doesn’t clear up soon,� she muttered to Remus, “I’m going to go mad.�

He gave a humorless smile, and nodded.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

But things didn’t clear up soon. Two weeks after the infamous Hogsmeade weekend the Marauders were still divided. Sirius and James hadn’t spoken since the day Sirius had tipped James’s desk over. The two maintained a stony silence in each other’s presence, and it was noted by everyone that they discreetly chose seats at opposite ends of classrooms, the Gryffindor table, and the Gryffindor common room. Peter and Remus went awkwardly from one to the other, not so much trying to get them to make it up as trying to stay on friendly terms with both. Lily, of course, sided with Sirius, and either ignored or was truly unaware that she was the cause of this rift between the greatest mates of all time. Jocelyn sided with no one, but fought with everyone, except Remus, who had somehow managed to stay on her good side throughout the entire ordeal.

The biggest question in everyone’s mind (except Lily’s, and perhaps Peter’s) was what was going to happen at full moon. It was fortunate that it had occurred just a few days before that fateful Sunday as that gave them a lot of time, but it was still in two short weeks, and it didn’t look to anyone as if Sirius and James’s friendship was going to be repaired that quickly.

Sirius himself tried not to think about either the full moon or James. He had actually been rather relieved when Jocelyn gave him an excuse to fight with her as it gave him something else to focus on. Her attempts to make it up with him were unsuccessful, not because he was angry with her but because (unconsciously, anyway) he knew that if he were friends with her again he would have to think about his much more important damaged friendship: James.

Probably the most bizarre outcome of the whole situation was the three new pairs that had been developed. Before the six had been in three simple and obvious pairings: Lily and Jocelyn, James and Sirius, Remus and Peter. Now, however, they were split quite differently: Lily and Sirius, Remus and Jocelyn, and James and Peter. It was clear to everyone that these three pairings were not nearly as compatible as the old ones had been, and it was rumored throughout Hogwarts that Lily Evans had stolen her best mate’s boyfriend, though fortunately none of these whispers ever reached Lily, Jocelyn, or any of the Marauders.

All of them couldn’t help but notice, however, the teacher’s behavior toward them. Indeed, Professor McGonagall seemed unnerved that Sirius and James were no longer whispering but instead were taking notes.

“I’m glad to see you’re finally paying attention, Black!� she commended Sirius, but everyone could tell that her heart wasn’t in her compliment, and no one could blame her. The open hostility between Sirius Black and James Potter was indeed disturbing.

---

A/N: You know the drill: eight reviews = update!

Sirius looked up as Jocelyn entered the common room in her Quidditch robes, and quickly looked back down at his Transfiguration essay. He’d been assigned extra homework as he still hadn’t been able to transfigure his chair since the first time he’d tried with James.

Focus, Sirius! he told himself angrily. He didn’t need to be thinking about James when he was trying to do Transfiguration homework.

“What’s up?�

He looked up to see Jocelyn sitting beside him. Up close, he saw, she looked extremely tired. He wondered why he hadn’t noticed before, then realized with a twinge of guilt that he hadn’t looked at her up close for a long while. He had a momentary struggle with himself.

“Hey,� he said finally. Her worn face broke into a tired smile.

“Look, Sirius, I’m sorry about what I said in Potions. About James,� she said quickly, looking at her hands. “You’re right, I should stay out of it, it’s just –�

“It’s all right,� he said quickly, mostly because he couldn’t bear to hear any more about James.

She looked up at him, her smile broadening, but her eyes looked suspiciously shiny.

“Don’t you start crying,� he warned her, and she gave a shaky laugh. She looked down at what he was doing.

“Need any help with that essay?� she asked him.

He nodded.

“Help,� he said appreciatively, “would be fantastic!�

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“You could try to talk to him,� Jocelyn suggested tentatively in Transfiguration the next day. Now that she and Sirius were on speaking terms again she was anxious to smooth things over with him and James.

“No!� said Sirius stubbornly. “I didn’t do anything wrong! If he wants to make things up he knows where to find me!�

He tapped his desk, which he was supposed to be transfiguring into a pig. It sprouted a pair of pale pink pig ears and emitted a small grunt.

“I just think it must be awkward sharing a dormitory, that’s all,� noted Jocelyn, shrugging. She and Sirius both looked over at James, who was using his perfectly transfigured pig as a footrest.

“That’s his problem,� said Sirius bitterly.

Jocelyn looked up at him, and what she said next surprised him.

“There’s a war going on, Sirius,� she told him quietly. “And someday someone you love is going to die. What if, God forbid, it’s James? Who’s problem will it be then?�

“Bad luck for him, then,� said Sirius indifferently.

Jocelyn raised her eyebrows.

“Do you really think that?� she asked, her voice emotionless. “Do you think that’s what you’ll think if he’s dead?�

“He’s not dead, Jocelyn!� snapped Sirius, then added under his breath, “Unfortunately!�

He was starting to feel the old, familiar feeling of annoyance with her. He tapped his desk again and the wrought iron legs transformed into four short, spindly pig legs, which collapsed immediately.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Black, I want a word with you after practice!� James barked at Jocelyn that night.

“Big surprise,� she mumbled. She had been expecting this for over two weeks, but it didn’t make the prospect of a confrontation with James any more pleasant.

“You clearly aren’t paying enough attention during the games!� said James severely after the practice. “A Bludger practically knocked out Sylvia Long! If she hadn’t ducked when she did she would have been out cold in the hospital wing for a week!�

“There are two Beaters, Potter,� Jocelyn reminded him coolly. “And I was clear across the pitch when that Bludger went after Long. Why don’t you speak to Beavis, it was his responsibility.�

“You are a better Beater than Beavis, so I count on you to watch out for these things,� explained James, extremely unfairly.

Jocelyn wasn’t sure whether she should thank James or punch him in the face. She compromised by saying evenly, “I don’t have the ability to be in two places at once, Potter. And the reason I was clear across the pitch was because I was stopping the other Bludger from flying into your thick skull. However, if you’d rather I had sped across the pitch to aid Sylvia and let the other Bludger permanently imbed itself in your brain I will most certainly remember to do so at our next match. It should be rather satisfying, actually. Is that all, captain?�

“No, that’s not bloody all!� snapped James. “Tell Sirius –!�

“I’m not telling Sirius anything!� she interrupted loudly. “You share a dormitory with him, you see him every evening, tell him yourself! I won’t be the middleman in your petty squabble!�

“Petty squabble?!� gasped James indignantly. “Jocelyn, he and Lily –!�

“I KNOW WHAT HE AND LILY DID!� bellowed Jocelyn. “You don’t, because you won’t listen to him! If you can’t take the time to listen to your best mate that’s not my problem!�

She turned and began to stalk away.

“Doesn’t it bother you as well?� James questioned suddenly.

She froze.

“What?�

“Seeing them as a couple. Doesn’t it bother you to see your best mate and the person you fancy together?�

Jocelyn turned slowly, her eyes narrowed.

“Firstly, it wouldn’t bother me if they had a good reason for it,� she said, her voice deathly calm. “Secondly, they’re not a couple, so it’s irrelevant. And thirdly� – her voice rose angrily – “I do not fancy Sirius!�

She turned and stormed angrily away. James didn’t bother her during Quidditch practice after that. In fact, he hardly spoke to her at all. But every time Jocelyn saw him while they were practicing she would clutch her Beater’s club convulsively. It was all she could do to keep from flying straight at James and beating him with it.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Seven days,� Remus anxiously reminded Jocelyn Monday morning.

“I know,� she muttered back. “I wish I could go with you.�

Inwardly she cursed herself. She really should have become an Animagus when she’d had the chance. Sirius had offered to help her. Well, she supposed there was no use fretting about it now.

“It’s not your fault,� Remus assured her. “I’m just wondering who’ll end up coming with me. Pity that Peter transforms into such a small animal,� he observed as Peter took a seat opposite them.

“Quite,� agreed Jocelyn. “Still, maybe your transformation will be what brings them together.�

“You really think so?� Remus questioned skeptically.

“No,� she admitted. “But I can dream, can’t I?�

“No, that’s rubbish! Work on a plan,� he instructed her. The only problem was, she was running out of ideas.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Transfiguration that morning was probably the worst class they had had yet. Professor McGonagall wasn’t at all pleased by their pitiful pigs.

“Mr. Potter remains the only student who has successfully transformed his desk,� she reminded the class as soon as they were settled in their seats. “Some of you have only succeeded in breaking yours,� she added severely, glaring at Sirius over her spectacles.

If looks were lethal James would have died at that instant, for Sirius sent him a glare of pure hatred. James leaned back in his chair and whistled at the ceiling.

They spent the rest of the period attempting, once again, to fully transfigure their desks, but for Sirius, at least, it was no use. He simply couldn’t concentrate. He could see James out of the corner of his eye, feet propped on his plump pig’s back, chatting lazily with the students nearest him, seemingly oblivious to all that was going on around him. Sirius knew what was making him angry wasn’t James’s excellent spell work; no, what was really making him uncomfortable was that he should have been right next to James, in a similar pose, and that James should have been chatting with him. As it was –

“Mr. Black, pay attention!� Professor McGonagall reprimanded.

Sirius jumped, and looked up to see her towering above his desk.

“Try to do the spell!� she ordered.

Sirius tapped his desk. Nothing happened. He tapped it again. Again, nothing. He tapped it a third time. A feeble grunt, but no physical change. In his peripheral vision he could see James smirking at him. He slammed his wand angrily against the desk. A corner of the desk caught fire. Sirius quickly put it out with a wave of his wand. In the corner of the room he could hear James laughing at him.

---

A/N: Hello my faithful readers! As you have probably noticed I have been updating fairly quickly. However, due to certain circumstances in my life (such as the fact that I actually have a life), I will be unable to update again until Monday (June 27th) at the earliest, and possibly as late as next Friday (July 1st). I tell you this because a.) I don’t want you to all think I dropped off the face of the earth, and b.) because of the longer time frame I am upping the price of an update to twelve reviews (from different people, just so we’re clear ;)). So review, and see you all next week! ~ Trinsy

“So, I have an idea to celebrate the coming of the weekend,� Jocelyn announced to Sirius and Remus Thursday evening.

“What’s that?� asked Remus, because someone had to ask it and Sirius was in far too foul a mood (extra Transfiguration homework again) to do so.

“How about a little visit to Hogsmeade tomorrow?� she said quietly.

“Brilliant!� exclaimed Sirius, grinning for the first time in days.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When they arrived at The Three Broomsticks Sirius at once spotted just what he was trying to avoid: James. He was by himself in a corner, reading. Sirius ignored him, ordered their drinks, and sat as far from James as possible. Jocelyn and Remus made very forced conversation but Sirius didn’t pay attention. Instead he watched James.

Stupid prat. Well, it’s not my fault he’s too thick to realize things.

James stood and exited the pub without looking at Sirius.

Yes, go, Sirius thought bitterly. Go, and see if I care. Stupid git, can’t even wait for a simple explanation! Why can’t boys talk to each other the way girls do?

He saw a jet of red light outside the window and heard a yell.

I know it’s sappy, and Prongs would probably laugh at me if he could –
A hooded figure passed the window and it registered. The jet of light, the shout….

“James!� Sirius whispered, standing abruptly, suddenly alert.

Remus and Jocelyn looked at him, startled.

“What –?�

“Sorry –?�

“James, Death Eaters, help, fight!� Sirius was rambling. Jocelyn and Remus stared at him in confusion.

“James is a Death Eater?� asked Jocelyn perplexedly and rather stupidly.

“Help who?� questioned Remus, since that seemed a more urgent and less bizarre question.

“James!� Sirius shouted impatiently.

“Do what?� Remus asked, but apparently he understood even as he asked because his eyes got very big. “Aw, no!� he whispered disbelievingly.

“Boys,� said Jocelyn, looking from one frightened face to the other, “what’s going on?�

“James is being attacked by Death Eaters,� Remus explained calmly, never taking his eyes off Sirius.

“What?� said Jocelyn, looking at Sirius as well.

Sirius gave a frustrated snarl. Didn’t they understand? His best mate was being attacked! Why were they standing around talking about it?

“We need to help him!� he growled.

That seemed to be the cue Jocelyn and Remus had been waiting for. They followed him as he rushed outside. Tall, hooded figures were emerging from every shadow. James was standing alone in the middle of the street, blocking spells.

Sirius pushed Jocelyn behind him.

“Get her out of here!� he shouted at Remus.

“I can fight!� said Jocelyn indignantly.

“No!� yelled Sirius. They looked at each other for a moment that seemed to last an eternity. “This isn’t your battle,� Sirius whispered finally. “I love you too much to make you a part of it.�

Remus’s arm was around Jocelyn’s waist, he was pulling her away from Sirius.

“Sirius,� she whispered frantically. “Sirius, I love you!�

Sirius’s eyes snapped back onto hers.

“I know,� he mouthed.

A Death Eater lunged at Remus.

“Stupefy!� Remus shouted.

Two more came out of the darkness.

“Stupefy! Stupefy!�

Remus was jerking her along, they were almost to the door of Honeydukes. Jocelyn turned for a desperate last glance at Sirius, but a circle of Death Eaters had closed in around him and James, blocking them from her sight.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sirius and James stood back to back, their wands raised.

“What do we do now?� Sirius hissed.

“Dunno. Fight. Run. Get captured. Die,� James suggested. “Any last words, Padfoot?�

“I hate you,� Sirius muttered and lunged out at the nearest Death Eater. “Stupefy!�

The Death Eater hit the ground, but three more Death Eaters were still advancing toward him.

“Protego!� he shouted, and three spells rebounded onto their creators. Behind him he could hear James fighting off others, but he knew he couldn’t help him, there were too many. Why in the name of Merlin had he let Remus leave? Oh, it had all sounded very fine when he was talking to Jocelyn, saving her from certain wounds and almost certain death, playing the part of the hero, but now he wished he hadn’t declined her help. He was honest with himself enough to realize that he and James couldn’t hold out against the Death Eaters much longer without some kind of assistance. He fought his way over to James for an impromptu conference.

“We can’t hold out much longer,� gasped James as they passed each other, James dueling furiously with a Death Eater.

“I know,� muttered Sirius, dodging a jet of light. “We need help.�

“Good luck finding that around here,� snapped James, frustrated.

Sirius frowned. He was forgetting something, he knew. Something important. A signal? No, that would just make the Death Eaters more dangerous, everyone knew that. A maneuver, something to make him more difficult to hit? No, he’d never heard of anything like that. A spell? Probably, but there were thousands of spells, he couldn’t possibly remember them all, just like he couldn’t possibly disarm all these Death Eaters, and –

Sirius froze. James blocked the jet of red light that had been aimed at him, but Sirius didn’t even notice. Of course. How could he have been so stupid? The mass disarming spell. It was considered a mild form of Dark Magic, and consequently not taught at Hogwarts, due to the fact that it injured and/or maimed the disarmed. Sirius had learned it from his parents. He was surprised none of the Death Eaters had used it yet, but he had noticed that, ironically, many of them weren’t nearly as skilled in the Dark Arts as he was. At any rate, he ought to use it before one of them thought to.

“Get behind me, get behind me!� he shouted at James. The nice thing about James, Sirius reflected, was that he didn’t question Sirius on things like that. Whereas Jocelyn would have demanded to know why before submitting, James simply and immediately darted behind him.

“TOTRUNCO EXPELLIARMUS!� bellowed Sirius.

Whatever the Death Eaters had been expecting, they had not been expecting that. The force of the spell threw back their hoods to reveal looks of mingled shock and fear as they were thrown to the ground, their bodies contorting into painful, unnatural shapes. Over two dozen wands soared through the air, landing in a pile at Sirius’s feet.

“Incendio,� muttered Sirius, burning them with a wave of his wand.

James darted out from behind him, muttered something, then turned.

“That was bloody brilliant, Padfoot,� he said complimentarily.

“Thanks,� said Sirius modestly. “You put the Anti-Disapparation Jinx on them, then?�

James nodded.

“Excellent,� said Sirius briskly. “Remus and Jocelyn should have reached the castle by now, Dumbledore’ll be here any moment.�

“I am already here, Mr. Black,� said Dumbledore, striding into view. “Excellent work, both of you. The Ministry is on its way now and will be most pleased.�

“Thank you, Professor,� said Sirius and James together at once.

“Are either of you injured?� Dumbledore questioned.

Sirius shook his head.

“Just a small burn,� James shrugged. “Nothing serious.�

“Excellent.�

“Er – Professor,� said Sirius awkwardly. “We –�

“I have absolutely no desire to know how you came to be in Hogsmeade, Mr. Black,� said Dumbledore, smiling. “And I am sure the Ministry will overlook your offense when they see what a fine job you did. They will, in all likelihood, wish to speak to you about it and congratulate you personally, but I am sure the party your housemates are throwing for you will be much more fun. Therefore, I suggest you make your way back to the castle if you do not wish to be detained. I will call for you in the morning.�

“Yes sir,� they said together.

The two began the long trek back to the castle. There was a rather awkward silence.

“Er –� said James, when they reached the castle gate. “Thanks.�

“Don’t mention it,� Sirius muttered, staring down at his feet.

They continued on, neither looking at the other.

“Look, James,� said Sirius abruptly. “I’m sorry about –�

“It’s all right,� James interrupted. “I’m sorry I was –�

“It’s fine,� said Sirius.

They looked at each other, both grinning.

“I hope Jocelyn and Remus thought to grab some things from Honeydukes,� said Sirius.

“Probably not,� James reasoned. “And you know what that means, don’t you Padfoot?�

“It’s time to raid the kitchens?� Sirius questioned as they slipped into the entrance hall.

James nodded, and the two headed toward the bright corridor together.

---

A/N: Well, they’re friends again! Twelve reviews (from different people) = update!

“‘In a truly shocking act about twenty-five Death Eaters attacked two boys in Hogsmeade yesterday. Sirius Black and James Potter, both seventh-year students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, managed to subdue the Death Eaters and hold them hostage until the Ministry arrived to take control. Trials will be held next week. Although they did an excellent job it remains unclear why Black and Potter were out of bounds, and we are sure Professor Dumbledore will wish to look into this event more closely….’� Lily finished the article and looked around at all of them. “Well, I notice no one invited me to Hogsmeade,� she said in mock hurt. She had forgiven all of them for their illegal spree because, as she explained to Jocelyn, “Firstly, I’ve known about you all sneaking into Hogsmeade for years, I’m not stupid, you know. Secondly, it really was a cool bit of spell work, wasn’t it? Thirdly, the boys said Professor Dumbledore didn’t seem angry, so I suppose it was all right. And fourthly, I’m really just so bloody relieved to see you all alive!�

“No one invited me, either,� added Peter, taking real offence.

“And a good thing too,� decreed James. “We wouldn’t have wanted anyone getting hurt!�

“Absolutely not!� agreed Sirius, clapping James on the back.

Jocelyn and Remus exchanged grins. Lily rolled her eyes.

“I’m sure I could handle a couple dozen Death Eaters if you can, Potter,� she said in a crushing tone, but she grinned at him to show she was joking. “And if I couldn’t you could always rescue me.� She batted her eyes at him. “Oh, James!� she squealed in a high-pitched, overly girly voice. “My hero!�

Everyone laughed.

“Any time, oh lovely Lady Lily,� James replied grandly.

“No thanks,� answered Lily coolly.

“Actually, I didn’t do much,� James admitted after a moment. “It was all Sirius’s doing. If he hadn’t come when he did and disarmed all the Death Eaters…� he trailed away, unwilling to finish the sentence.

Sirius flushed.

“It was nothing,� he mumbled. “Those Death Eaters couldn’t have been too bright or very well trained to not know the mass disarming spell. That’s Dark Magic 101.�

“It frightens me that you know all this,� Lily told him frankly.

“Didn’t you listen to anything I told you about my family?� Sirius questioned. “We were Dark Arts University!�

“I know, I know,� said Lily, holding up her hands in surrender. “I’m just saying….�

The fluttering of wings suddenly filled the Great Hall.

“Mail’s here,� James announced obviously.

A black owl fluttered down next to Sirius. Sirius and Jocelyn stared at it for a moment, and then their eyes met.

“No!� Sirius whispered, paling.

“What’s up?� questioned James, looking concerned.

But Sirius didn’t answer. He had opened the letter and was reading it, his face going whiter with each line. When he reached the bottom of the letter he threw it down, swearing loudly. James picked it up and looked questioningly at Sirius, who nodded slowly. Jocelyn and James leaned together to read it.

My dearest cousin,
My master informed me early this morning of your little run-in with some of his servants. If you are feeling cocky about your victory, be warned! We are still more powerful than you could possibly imagine. Even inside your precious school with your Mudblood-loving fool of a headmaster you are not safe. Our spies are everywhere. Remember: when my master and I come for you there will be no escape. Say hello to Adhara for me.
~ Bellatrix

James swore. Jocelyn had gone as white as Sirius.

“What did she mean by ‘Say hello to Adhara for me’?� she asked shakily.

James, meanwhile, was mutilating his ham.

“This is –� he said jerkily, slashing the meat – “all my� – slash – “fault!� – slash – “If I hadn’t� – slash – “been there� – slash – “you wouldn’t� – slash – “have had to� – slash – “fight them� – slash – “and no one� – slash – “would be in this� – slash – “situation!� – slash. Remus, apparently afraid James might start attacking actual people, grabbed James’s wrist and gently removed his knife from his hand.

“Don’t be stupid!� growled Sirius. “How were you to know they were going to be there? How were any of us to know?�

Lily was looking around at all three of them, thoroughly perplexed.

“What’s going on?� she asked them.

Remus glanced down at the letter in front of James. He only had to read the signature to understand.

“Sirius got a letter from his cousin Bellatrix,� he explained.

Lily frowned.

“So?� she said. She didn’t understand what could possibly be so upsetting about getting a letter from one’s cousin.

“Didn’t you listen to anything I told you?� Sirius bellowed at her. “Bella’s not what you’d call a warm, friendly person to be around! This� – he waved the letter in her face – “isn’t just a nice little note to say hello!�

“It’s a threat,� Remus translated, because Lily still looked confused, “because of last night.�

“What about last night?�

Jocelyn groaned and buried her face hopelessly in her hands. James clenched his fists. He finally understood why Lily could frustrate Sirius.

“Bella’s not happy that we sent some of her murdering pals to Azkaban!� he shouted. “Is that clear enough for you?�

If the shocked expression on Lily’s face was any indication, it was.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sirius and James strolled around the grounds together after breakfast in silence. Sirius was thinking.

What were the Death Eaters doing in Hogsmeade last night? he asked himself. And why were they after James?

Sirius frowned as a thought suddenly occurred to him.

Or… were they after James?

Sirius thought back to the night before. The Death Eaters hadn’t come out of the shadows until James had gone outside. And yet…

What if it was a trap to lure me, Remus, and Jocelyn outside. They know we’re his best mates…. But then, why wouldn’t they have just attacked us as soon as we’d arrived?

Sirius’s frown deepened. He felt as though he were screwing up his whole brain in concentration.

Remus and Jocelyn made a fairly easy getaway, so they can’t have really been after either of them. It seems obvious they were after James because they attacked him. But they might have attacked him knowing I would come help him, and so it was really only to lure me outside. But why would they be after me? Actually, why would they be after either of us?

Sirius thought back to the letter he had gotten from Bellatrix that morning. It had been addressed to him and hadn’t even mentioned James, which probably meant –

“What are you going to do about Bellatrix?� asked James suddenly, interrupting Sirius’s thoughts.

“What can I do?� growled Sirius angrily. “I’m here and she’s – well, I don’t even know where she is,� he said hopelessly.

James gave a wry smile.

“Too close for comfort, and yet too far away to take care of,� James observed. “Bit ironic, wouldn’t you say?�

“Bit ironic, yeah,� agreed Sirius.

“We’ll need to work out a plan, then,� James reasoned. “Put our heads together. You know what they say: ‘Two Marauders are better than one!’�

And that, Sirius reflected, completely forgetting about the Death Eaters, was a fact that no one could dispute.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Transfiguration class on Monday was the best class Sirius had had since he’d come to Hogwarts. He wasn’t sure what made it so wonderful. Whether it was passing notes to Jocelyn, or transfiguring his desk perfectly on the first try, or goofing off with James. Probably it was all of those things combined. Mostly, though, it was simply the feeling that everything was back to normal. Professor McGonagall smiled for the first time in weeks when she saw Sirius and James were no longer taking notes.

“Black! Potter! Pay attention!� she reprimanded them, but everyone could tell she was actually quite pleased. In fact, she was so pleased with Sirius’s pig that she gave both him and James the night off homework.

“You have quite enough to be getting on with,� she said coldly, but they both caught the twinkle in her eyes, and the reason for it.

Wow, this fighting with James stuff really pays off for you! ~ J.B.

Sirius read the note Jocelyn had passed him, then looked over at James. He had too much pride to reply. At least, not with the answer he was thinking. Which was that he liked being on speaking terms with James far too much to risk their friendship again; not even for a reprieve from homework for the rest of his life and all Outstanding N.E.W.T.s.

“I am exhausted,� James declared at breakfast the next morning. The full moon had been the night before. “Staying up all night really does take its toll.�

“Why were you up all night?� asked Lily curiously.

“Oh, um,� said James awkwardly. He had forgotten that Lily didn’t know about Remus’s condition. “Er – stomachache.�

“Oh,� Lily shrugged. “I thought it might have been to finish your homework.�

James froze with his fork halfway to his lips. Sirius choked on his sausage mid-swallow.

“Homework?� asked James, his voice coming out much higher than he intended, while he pounded a coughing Sirius on the back. “Did we have homework last night?�

“Just a Defense Against the Dark Arts essay,� Lily answered, “and a star chart. But you did it, of course.�

There was an awkward silence, broken only by Sirius’s hacking coughs.

“Didn’t you?� said Lily finally.

“I finished my homework after dinner,� Peter informed them.

“Lucky you,� said James sarcastically. Sirius was beginning to turn blue.

“So you didn’t do it?� questioned Lily severely. “Ohhh, you’re going to be in so much trou –�

“Not now, Lily,� James quickly cut her off. He stood, and yanked the still choking Sirius to his feet as well. “I’ve got to get Sirius to the hospital wing before he stops breathing!�

“Very well, I’ll tell Professor Venenum where you’ve gone,� Lily told him. “Where is Jocelyn?� she wondered irritably, looking around for her friend.

“No idea,� James answered as he began half-dragging, half-carrying Sirius away. “I’d love to stay and chat, Lils, really, but –�

“Yes, yes, go!� snapped Lily, waving him away.

James had just made it into the entrance hall when Jocelyn came bounding down a stairwell, nearly colliding with him.

“There you two are!� she exclaimed. “I was afraid I wasn’t going to find you in ti – what’s the matter with Sirius?� she questioned, noticing his blue complexion.

“Oh, he’s just choking,� James answered impatiently, “and I’m just trying to get him to the hospital wing before he suffocates, but really, it can wait for whatever ‘important’ thing it is you need to tell me!�

“Oh,� Jocelyn paused. “Well I’ll come with you then and explain on the way,� she decided after a moment. She took Sirius’s other arm and began helping James drag him along. “Now last night, after you three left, I remembered that we had that Defense Against the Dark Arts essay due, and I knew you two hadn’t done it. So –�

“Yes, yes, I already know all about that,� snapped James, “and I am perfectly prepared to serve detention, and I’m sure Sirius will be too, once he’s started breathing again.�

“Would you shut up and listen to me!� Jocelyn growled. “I took those quills you two bewitched to write in your handwriting – because you kept getting writer’s cramp, do you remember?�

James nodded.

“All right, so I took those, and wrote your essays for you,� she finished.

“Oh,� said James, surprised at her generosity. “Thank you.�

“You’re welcome,� she answered crisply. “Ah, here we are.�

She and James turned into the hospital wing.

“Oh, it’s you three again, is it?� asked Madame Pomfrey irritably when she saw them. “Well, what is it this time? Been doing something dangerous again, I suppose.�

“Er, no, Sirius just choked on some sausage,� James told her, suddenly feeling very stupid.

“Well, at least it wasn’t another one of those stray curses he always seems to be getting hit with,� said Madame Pomfrey. “Let’s take a look at him.�

Five minutes later James, Jocelyn, and a now breathing Sirius walked into the third floor classroom they had Defense Against the Dark Arts in.

“Black!� snapped Professor Venenum as soon as they’d entered the room.

Sirius and Jocelyn stopped, looked at the Professor, and then at each other.

“You,� snarled Professor Venenum, pointing at Jocelyn, “are late! Explain yourself!�

“I had to take Sirius to the hospital wing,� said Jocelyn slowly.

“I was under the impression Mr. Potter was taking care of that,� said the Professor coldly.

“Well I was Professor,� James jumped in quickly. “But I needed help, because –�

“I am not interested in your excuses, Mr. Potter,� said Professor Venenum icily. “Ten points from Gryffindor for each of you, and detention for Miss Black.�

“But Professor –� Sirius began.

“For you as well, Mr. Black, for questioning me,� snarled Professor Venenum.

“Professor, that’s not –� James started to protest.

“And you, Mr. Potter!�

“But you can’t do that, Professor,� cried Lily, surprising everyone, including herself. Everyone stared at her. Professor Venenum’s cold eyes turned onto her. The whole class seemed to hold its breath.

“Perhaps you would like to serve detention with your classmates, Miss Evans?� Professor Venenum asked her, his voice quiet and deadly.

“You can’t give detentions to any of us, we haven’t done anything,� Lily told him firmly, “and the school rules clearly state that teachers can’t give detentions unless –�

“I will give detentions when and to whom I please, Miss Evans,� the Professor informed her. “And you will join your classmates in the Potions corridor at eight o’clock tonight!�

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“I’ve never gotten detention in my life!� Lily complained, as she, Jocelyn, Sirius, and James made their way down to the dungeons that evening.

“Cheer up, at least you’ve got company,� Sirius comforted. “The first time I got detention it was alone, and it was rather boring.�

“But I’m Head Girl,� Lily wailed. “This is really embarrassing.�

“I’m Head Boy, and this is the fifth time I’ve got it,� James reminded her.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, James, but that’s not exactly surprising,� Lily told him sarcastically.

“She’s got a point, you know,� Jocelyn noted.

“You know, the problem with you girls is that you’re always so negative!� James declared. “Why don’t you look on the bright side for a change?�

“James, we have detention,� said Lily. “What could possibly be bright in that?�

“Well, it’s not with Filch, for starters,� James noted.

“Yeah, we could be polishing the trophy room,� said Sirius, making a face. “That was the worst detention I’ve ever had!�

“Yeah, instead we’re with Venenum, and he’s not so bad,� James said cheerfully. “He’ll just make us pickle toad brains or something.�

Lily shuddered.

“I’d rather polish the trophies,� she muttered.

“You don’t mean that!� said Sirius in a horrified voice.

“I hate touching dead things,� Lily reminded him.

“Oh, yeah, you do, don’t you?� Sirius remembered glumly. “Okay, bad example.�

“Maybe he’ll just give us lines,� suggested Jocelyn hopefully.

Lily gave her a look.

“What?� Jocelyn asked.

“Oh, forgive me for not jumping for joy,� snapped Lily sarcastically.

“Detention is not meant to be a joyful experience,� James pointed out.

“Detention is not meant to be given to Head Girls who have homework to finish,� Lily retorted.

“You have homework to finish?� questioned Jocelyn incredulously. “Due when, next April?�

“Ha ha,� replied Lily dryly as they turned into the Potions corridor.

Professor Venenum did indeed make them pickle toad brains, just as James had predicted. Lily began with a very pinched expression on her face, and ended half-an-hour later by being violently sick in Venenum’s cauldron. The disgusted Professor instructed James to take her to the hospital wing, telling him they were both done for the night, which was lucky, as they both had patrol duty at nine. Jocelyn and Sirius were dismissed a quarter after ten. They were walking back to the common room, laughing about the look on Professor Venenum’s face when Lily had vomited into his top-of-the-line cauldron, when they came upon Narcissa.

“What’s she doing out at this hour?� Sirius questioned in an undertone. Before Jocelyn could answer, Narcissa spoke.

“Well, well, look what we have here: Sirius and Adhara, the two Blacks of Canis Majoris,� she sneered.

“Aw, Narcissa, I thought you failed Astronomy,� said Jocelyn sweetly. Canis Majoris was the constellation that contained Sirius and Adhara, the two stars Sirius and Jocelyn had been named after.

Narcissa didn’t even flinch.

“It’s so appropriate really,� she continued, as if she hadn’t even heard. “The two dogs of the family.�

Sirius’s reaction was almost imperceptible.

“I believe the term you’re looking for is ‘sheep’, isn’t it Narcissa?� he growled. “‘Black sheep.’�

Narcissa smiled sourly.

“How amusing,� she said smoothly. “But dog really is more appropriate, isn’t it? Especially for you, Sirius.�

Sirius gritted his teeth.

“Is there a reason you’re talking to us, Narcissa,� he growled.

“I have a message for you, from my sister,� she said, boredly examining her nails.

“Andromeda?� asked Sirius eagerly.

“Bella,� Narcissa smiled. “She says to watch your back. Next time you won’t be so lucky.�

“Next time we won’t be so lucky!� scoffed Sirius. “If she’d been there that night she’d be with her mad cronies, sharing a nice cup of tea with the dementors in Azkaban! Tell her to watch her own back, or that’s just where she’ll find herself!�

Narcissa raised her eyebrows. She seemed to be enjoying herself.

“Is that a threat, Sirius?� she asked him, with the hint of an amused smile.

“Yes, it’s a bloody –!� Sirius began angrily, but Jocelyn cut him off.

“Sirius, no!� she said warningly.

Sirius looked at her, and in the moment their eyes locked he hesitated.

“Yes, that’s right Sirius,� said Narcissa softly. “If you don’t care about yourself, at least think of Adhara… and her family. They’re not as respected as yours.�

“What’s that supposed to mean?� asked Jocelyn sharply.

“Merely that the Dark Lord has – how should I say it? Ah yes, little patience with blood-traitors like your parents, Adhara,� said Narcissa smoothly.

“You leave her parents out of this!� Sirius shouted.

“Oh, but I’m afraid that’s not possible, Sirius,� said Narcissa in mock distress. “They’re already in it. Much more than you realize. I’ll give Bella your message. See you later.� And with that she was gone.

Sirius and Jocelyn looked at each other for a long time.

“What did she mean by that?� Jocelyn finally asked shakily.

“She meant this is serious,� Sirius answered. “She meant – this is war.�

---

A/N: Just to give you all a heads up, the next few chapters are going to be kind of dark and angsty.

Professor Dumbledore had not called for Sirius and James “in the morning� as he had promised them Friday evening in Hogsmeade, nor did they see him at meals. Professor McGonagall informed them that he had been called away by the Ministry on urgent business, and when James attempted to question her further, she said coldly, “That is the Headmaster’s business, Mr. Potter,� and refused to tell him anything else. Sirius in particular was bitterly disappointed at Dumbledore’s absence, as there were nearly two dozen questions he wished he had thought to ask Dumbledore when they had first met him in Hogsmeade, the first one being why had the Death Eaters attacked James in the first place?

There was one question he would not have thought to ask in Hogsmeade, and he was not even sure he would ask Dumbledore when the headmaster finally returned. That particular question regarded the two threats he had received from Bellatrix less than seventy-two hours apart. Sirius and Jocelyn had not told the others about their meeting with Narcissa. Sirius wasn’t even sure why, except that he really didn’t think he could bear to make James feel guiltier than he already did, or to see Lily’s horrified expression.

Jocelyn, meanwhile, seemed to be in a state of dull shock. She still went to classes and took notes, still got excellent marks on her homework, was still the best player on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, but she laughed less now (and when she did, it usually seemed very forced), and the usual sparkle in her eyes had vanished. Sirius caught her anxiously scanning the mail owls every morning, as though she were expecting a letter containing very bad news and couldn’t decide whether or not she actually wanted it to come.

Only the excitement of the first Quidditch match of the season was finally able to take their minds off the Death Eaters. Gryffindor flattened Slytherin, 260 to 30, due mainly to the maneuver James had taught the Gryffindor Keeper, which kept the Slytherins from scoring.

“Best match we’ve played since I’ve been here,� declared James at breakfast the next morning, just as the mail began arriving. He, Sirius, Jocelyn, Lily, Remus, and Peter were eating breakfast together in the Great Hall, and discussing the Quidditch match. For once, Jocelyn wasn’t paying attention to the mail. “If we keep playing like that we’ve got the cup in the bag.�

“Can’t argue with that,� agreed Sirius, taking no notice of the brown owl that had fluttered down next to Jocelyn. “The whole team was brilliant! And Slytherin kept throwing the Quaffle the same way, even though that was clearly what the Keeper needed them to do in order to block it. Brilliant!� he declared again. He looked up to grin at Jocelyn, who was across from him, but she wasn’t paying attention. “What’s up with you, Joce’?� he asked her, noticing how pale she had become.

“This,� she said dully, waving a scrap of parchment at him.

He shrugged.

“What is it?�

“It’s a letter from my father,� she told him. “He writes� – she swallowed, hard – “he writes that my mother was attacked by Death Eaters last night.�

Sirius slowly lowered his fork. No, not Aunt Vega, no, it couldn’t be.

It’s not necessarily what you think, he told himself. She was just badly injured. She’ll be in St. Mungo’s for a few weeks, maybe a month. But she’s alive, she has to be alive!

Jocelyn wasn’t saying anything. She seemed numb, her expression was blank. Finally Sirius couldn’t stand it any longer.

“And?� he prompted, though he dreaded the answer.

“And that I should come home as soon as possible for the funeral,� she whispered, and burst into tears.

Sirius abruptly stood. So this was Bella’s revenge. She’d hit him where she’d known it would hurt most. She’d hurt Jocelyn.

“I’ll kill her,� he growled. “I’ll kill with my bare hands!�

“Sirius, no –� Jocelyn began, standing as well, wiping away her tears as she followed him out of the Great Hall.

“No? How can you say ‘no’? She murdered your mum!� Sirius shouted, his voice echoing off the stonewalls of the entrance hall. Inside the Great Hall everyone had become very quiet, staring at the door Sirius and Jocelyn had disappeared through, but Sirius didn’t care. He didn’t care if all of England knew what scum his cousin Bella was.

“We don’t know it was her –� Jocelyn tried again.

“Of course it was her!� said Sirius flatly. “She’s twisted, evil!�

“You-Know-Who’s evil –�

“Just say ‘Voldemort’!� Sirius bellowed as they burst out of the front doors and onto the lawn. Inside the Great Hall everyone flinched. Jocelyn did too, and it angered Sirius more. “Of course he’s evil, but she was the one who suggested it to him, and I’ll kill her for it!�

“Sirius, why would you think –?�

“Because James and I just sent some of her pals to Azkaban. So she decided to hit us where it hurt!�

“Sirius, think about what you’re saying,� said Jocelyn, adopting a reasoning tone of voice. “Bella’s only twenty-six, how could she possibly be high up enough to get You-Know –� she stopped at the look on Sirius’s face – “all right, V-Voldemort to attack –�

“Bella always knew how to manipulate people, Jocelyn!� Sirius snapped. “You know that as well as I do! And, in case you don’t remember, in that letter she sent us after the attack she said ‘her master’ informed her! That’s Voldemort himself! She’s high up, Joce’!�

Jocelyn was silent.

“I know it was Bella, Jocelyn,� said Sirius firmly. “And I swear to Merlin, I’m going to kill her because of it!�

“And what if she kills you?� Jocelyn snapped suddenly.

Sirius stopped walking and stared at her.

“What?�

“What if you’re the one who ends up dead?� she questioned. “You’re all I have left, what am I supposed to do then?�

Sirius stood contemplating his cousin. Finally he said, “I can’t let your fear allow her to do this to anyone. It’s not right.�

He turned and started walking again, but she didn’t follow him.

“Sirius, I love you!� she shouted at him.

He stopped abruptly.

She what?

He and Jocelyn hadn’t talked about the words they’d exchanged that night in Hogsmeade. Sirius assumed it had simply come out of the trauma of the moment. But now…

He slowly turned back around.

It’s not what you think, he told himself. You’re like her brother, it doesn’t mean what you think.

“What did you say?� he whispered.

“I said I love you,� she repeated. “And, I’m sorry, but I won’t let you throw away your life on Bellatrix Lestrange!�

I was right, he thought sadly. That’s just the mother in her, it wasn’t what I thought.

“If someone doesn’t stop her she’ll come after your father,� he told her, “and then she’ll come after me, and then she’ll –�

“So is that any reason to go find her, Sirius, make it that much easier for her?�

“If she’s going to kill me I’d rather have it be on my terms!�

“You don’t have to be killed!�

“And, what? You want me to live the rest of my life in hiding, afraid of my filthy excuse for a cousin? No!� Sirius shouted.

“I want you to be alive, Sirius!� Jocelyn cried. “I don’t care what else happens as long as you’re alive!�

Sirius shook his head.

“I can’t run,� he said quietly. “Not even for you.�

“Then you do not love me,� she whispered.

Something inside Sirius snapped.

“Love?� he shouted. “You don’t know the meaning of love! I’d die for you, isn’t that love?�

“Love isn’t being stupid, Sirius,� Jocelyn whispered, and turned and strode back up the lawn, into the castle, before Sirius could even think of a reply.

---

A/N: Review! {And in case you’re wondering, yes, it actually was what Sirius originally thought}

Lily and James had patrol duty that evening, as they did every evening. Things had gotten better between them since the day Sirius and James had been attacked in Hogsmeade. They didn’t fight as often as they once had, but instead chatted amicably about anything and everything. At first it had been about classes: which were boring, which were interesting, who were the best teachers, which classes they might actually use in life, etc. Of course, this subject got old after a couple of days (there was only so much you could say about History of Magic and how boring Professor Binns was, after all), so they moved on to talking about the people at Hogwarts: who was the smartest, whether Kimberly Rae really deserved to be the Hufflepuff prefect or did James think that position should have gone to Kelsey Andrews, were all the Slytherins really evil, were the Ravenclaws really the smartest, and didn’t Lily agree that the Hufflepuffs had more redeeming qualities than the Slytherins. While these subjects could never really be exhausted, they got boring after about a week, and it was then that the conversations became more personal.

It started just like most nights. The subject eventually turned to the Slytherins, and whether or not they might have redeeming qualities. Lily insisted they did, while James was convinced they didn’t.

“None of the Slytherins I’ve ever known have had any redeeming qualities,� he insisted as they headed up the Charms corridor.

“That’s because you’re too busy cursing them to get to know them well enough to find out,� Lily retorted.

“Well I don’t see you inviting any of them over for tea,� James rejoined, stung. “Besides, the only reason I attack them is because they attack me first!�

“Really?� Lily challenged, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Really?�

“Well, besides Snape, of course,� James admitted impatiently, reddening. “But that’s entirely different!�

“What Slytherins, besides Snape, have ever attacked you?� Lily demanded.

“Hm, let’s think,� said James sarcastically, counting off on his fingers, “Avery, Rosier, Narcissa Black, Regulus Black…� he paused, looking at her. “Shall I go on?�

Lily didn’t answer. She was frowning at him.

“The Blacks attack you?� she questioned, sounding surprised.

“Yeah,� James shrugged. “Of course.�

“But –� Lily was frowning, evidently trying to make sense of what she was being told. “But you’re Sirius’s best mate.�

“Yeah,� agreed James, looking at her as though she was mad. “That’s why.�

“But he’s their cousin!� said Lily, sounding shocked.

James sighed. He knew all about the conversation Lily and Sirius had had in Hogsmeade that day, and he consequently couldn’t understand why she didn’t understand about Bella, Narcissa, and Regulus. Hadn’t she listened to anything Sirius had told her? Didn’t she understand about Bella after the letter she’d written Sirius?

“Sirius is a blood-traitor,� he explained. “Just like I am. And my family. That’s why we’re not very popular with the Slytherin set.�

“Yes, but he’s still their family!� Lily pointed out.

“Which makes it all the worse, doesn’t it? I mean, someone you don’t know is one thing – it’s maddening – but when it’s your family it’s, well, personal. It’s unforgivable.�

Lily nodded slowly at the floor.

“I guess it’s kind of like my sister and the whole ‘I’m a witch’ thing,� she said with a wry smile. “It’s like it’d be one thing if I was some other girl from across the street – you know, if I was that girl I’d be weird. But since I’m her sister I’m now a total freak.� She looked up at him, and their eyes locked. “‘Freak’ is the only thing I’ve heard since I got my letter,� she told him quietly.

He smiled down at her, but he looked very serious.

“I don’t think you’re a freak, Lily Evans,� he told her honestly, and for once he didn’t sound like arrogant James Potter, but instead like the wonderful, kindhearted guy Jocelyn had always said he was.

It had been a small moment, but it had mattered. From that time forward, they felt safe around each other. They talked about their respective childhoods. Lily told James all about her sister Petunia’s boyfriend, Vernon – “Looks like a pig with a mustache, if you ask me!� – and had him rolling in the corridors with laughter when she mimicked him eating breakfast. James told Lily stories about pranks the Marauders had played, and holidays with Sirius, and instead of being disapproving, Lily would actually laugh.

Tonight, however, James was silent as they went up and down the corridors together.

“Hey,� said Lily quietly as they climbed the stairs the third floor. “You okay?�

James shook his head.

“I just can’t believe she’s gone,� he said dully.

“Jocelyn’s mum?� Lily questioned unnecessarily.

James nodded.

“You knew her?� she asked.

“I used to visit her on holidays sometimes,� James explained. “Really nice woman. Good cook too.� He laughed without humor. “Really decent people, the Alphard Blacks. You ever meet them?�

“Only at the train station sometimes,� Lily shrugged. “She was nice, though. Jocelyn’s mum, I mean.�

For a while they were silent again. Then James spoke.

“You know, Vega – Jocelyn’s mum – was an Auror. Really great witch. Jocelyn received more information about the attack this afternoon, did you hear?�

Lily shook her head.

“She took out three of Voldemort’s best before they managed to kill her,� James told her. “Yeah, she was a great witch.�

Silence, except for their steady footfalls echoing along the stone passageway.

“You know, I think what’s making me so upset isn’t really that I was very close to Vega,� James said abruptly. “I think it’s the fact that even with all her magical talent and Auror training they still managed to kill her. You know my� – his voice cracked, and he cleared his throat – “my parents are old. Really good at magic, but old. But somehow I always used to think that if they got attacked, they – they could fight them off, that they could survive. But now� – he swallowed, hard – “now I’m not so sure. I mean, if they could get Vega…. You don’t understand, you never really met her, but she was good, Lils! One of the best witches in the Auror office. And my parents are good, but nothing like Vega, and if they could kill her….� There was a pause while he tried to surreptitiously wipe the tears from his eyes. “It’s just hard,� he said finally, looking up at her, “when I think that I could get a letter tomorrow telling me I’ll never see them again.�

Lily nodded slowly.

“When I was a kid my cousin Jessica was one of my really good mates,� she said quietly. “We didn’t see each other often, but we used to write each other every week. The summer we were eight she came to visit me, and we had a glorious week together. I went with my parents to drop her off at the train station, and waved her train off, with her promises to visit the next summer ringing in my ears.� Lily gave a sad smile, and her voice suddenly became much harder. “Her parents called us that night. The train had derailed; everyone in Jessica’s carriage was dead.
“I didn’t want to believe it. For a year afterward I would rush to the mail slot every time something was pushed through it, looking for a letter that would never come.� She gave a hollow laugh. “My head knew she was dead, but my heart wouldn’t accept it. It wasn’t until she didn’t come the next summer that I finally understood that she would never write to me again.�

“And – and how did you deal with that?� James asked jerkily.

Lily looked up at him.

“I believed,� she said quietly, “that there was a reason for it, even if I couldn’t see it. That’s the only way to cope with that sort of thing, you know. And I appreciated life more. I owed Jessica that.�

There was silence for a moment.

“Vega did a very noble thing, James,� said Lily softly. “She died fighting for what she believed in. I’m sure your parents would do the same. I know I would.�

James looked up from the floor, and their eyes locked.

“So would I,� he said quietly and, without realizing it, started to cry.

---

A/N: Okay, so it’s not exactly romantic, but it’s a start…. Review!

Sirius, Jocelyn, James, Lily, Remus, and Peter left Hogwarts to attend Vega Black’s funeral the next day. Sirius and Jocelyn didn’t talk about the scene out on the grounds the day before. It was as though it had never happened; as though Sirius hadn’t threatened to kill Bellatrix or told Jocelyn he’d die for her, and Jocelyn hadn’t told Sirius he was stupid or that she loved him. James and Lily didn’t talk about their moment together either. James was trying very hard to pretend he hadn’t cried, and Lily knew it was best to let him.

They boarded the Knight Bus after breakfast, and were soon zooming around the countryside at breakneck speed. Peter kept getting bored and trying to talk to Sirius, whom he was closest to. Sirius wished he wouldn’t, because he felt as though he were about to be violently sick. He wasn’t sure which was making him feel worse: getting thrown around by the violent movement of the triple-decker bus, or the reason he was on the stupid thing in the first place.

Vega Black had been his favorite aunt. Sirius had looked upon her almost as a mother, since his own mother seemed completely devoid of maternal feelings (for Sirius, at least). When Sirius had run away from home the summer after fifth year, his first instinct had been to go straight to Jocelyn’s, where he knew Aunt Vega would welcome him with open arms. But as it had happened, Jocelyn’s family was on holiday in France, and so he had wound up at James’s instead. Sirius thought back to that day. It was the last time he’d ridden the Knight Bus. He remembered it as though it had been yesterday.

He had been home for merely a week when the storm hit. His mother had been fawning over Regulus, as usual, complementing him on his excellent marks, and generally being sickening.

“And next year, when the letter comes, I think we know who’ll be the new Slytherin Prefect,� she cooed, shooting a nasty look at Sirius.

Something inside Sirius had snapped.

“Yeah, Reg, that’ll be great,� he said loudly. “Give you even more opportunity to curse all those Muggle-borns.�

Regulus had flushed, but his mother’s face turned ugly.

“At least Regulus shows a little loyalty to his bloodline,� she snarled. “That’s more than can be said for you!�

“Yeah, that’s right,� Sirius shouted wildly. “The embarrassing family blood-traitor, that’s me!�

Mrs. Black looked as though she were about to explode.

“You have been the bane of my existence since you were born, boy!� she growled. “All we’ve had with you is problems! Problems with you at school, problems with your beliefs, problems with –!�

But exactly what other problems his mother had with him, Sirius didn’t wait around to find out.

“You know what?� he interrupted her loudly. “I’m going to fix all those problems for you. I’m leaving!�

“You can’t do that!� his mother shrieked in alarm.

Sirius had smiled coolly, acting much braver than he felt.

“I think I’ll try anyway,� he told her placidly. In five minutes time he’d had his things packed and was heading out the front door. The last glimpse he’d gotten of his mother was of her cursing his name off the tapestry of the family tree.

Once out on the streets he’d turned right, intending to walk the few blocks to Jocelyn’s. But then he’d remembered with a jolt that she was on holiday in France, and would not return for another six weeks. And that was how he’d ended up stumbling out of the Knight Bus onto James’s front porch. James had answered the door, taken one look at Sirius, standing there with all of his worldly belongings, and then his face had broken into a grin.

“Family troubles, Padfoot?�

Sirius had lived with the Potters ever since. As he was thrown against Peter for the hundredth time, Sirius reflected how much better that last trip had been. He’d been riding to freedom then. Now he was riding to death. As horrible as this ride was, Sirius wasn’t sure he wanted it to end. He didn’t think he could bear what was waiting for him at the end of it.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Alphard Black had been in his mid-fifties when he married Vega McKinnon, a very pretty witch in her early thirties. He had aged very well. A man thirty years younger might have looked older and been in worse physical condition. When Sirius greeted him after climbing off the Knight Bus however, he looked every bit his seventy-one years. His hair, which three months earlier had been a distinguished salt-and-pepper (lighter on salt), was now almost completely white; his once finely chiseled face seemed to suddenly consist of nothing but saggy wrinkles, and there was a definite stoop in his shoulders that Sirius had never noticed before.

“Well, young Sirius,� he said, his voice coming out in a thin, raspy quaver that was so unlike his former, commanding tone. “Good to see you.�

Sirius, not knowing if he ought to look happy or sad about this meeting, and unsure if he was supposed to say something like, “So kind of you to let us stay,� or something comforting, compromised by looking extremely sick and nodding slightly as his uncle grasped his shoulder.

Jocelyn was the last to come off the bus, and Sirius saw at once that she and her father needed privacy. He therefore herded James, Remus, Peter, and Lily up into the house, leaving Jocelyn and her father out in the garden to grieve together in peace.

“This is dead depressing,� Lily moaned, flopping onto one of the squashy sofas in the sitting room. “I’ve never felt worse in my whole life.�

“Yeah, and that Knight Bus didn’t exactly help things,� groaned James, flopping onto the other one, his face looking rather green.

“Isn’t it time for tea yet?� questioned Peter, examining the small clock on the mantel, which at the moment had its only hand pointing rather unhelpfully, in Sirius’s opinion, to the words You’re Late. “I’m starving.�

He, James, Lily, and Remus all looked expectantly at Sirius, as though waiting for him to do something.

“Er – right,� he said awkwardly. “I’ll go see what I can find.�

He wandered boredly across the hall, pulled open the kitchen door – and froze, horrified by the sight that met his eyes.

The room was in ruins. The two windows in front of the sink had been shattered; a cold wind was blowing through them, whipping at the shredded remains of the curtains. Smashed cups and cracked plates littered the floor. Cupboard doors had been ripped off, or were hanging from one hinge in splinters. Worst of all were the fiery letters that seemed to be written on everything: WARNING! UNDER MINISTRY SURVEILLANCE. DO NOT TOUCH! It was all too much for Sirius. Fighting the impulse to scream, he backed slowly out of the kitchen. Then he turned and ran, past Lily and the Marauders, (“Where are you going?� “Did you get that tea?�); past Jocelyn and her father, sitting together on a garden bench; past the group of Muggles walking down Jocelyn’s street; past a row of shops a few blocks over; past a lone Muggle waiting at a bus stop. He ran until his legs refused to run any longer, and when he finally stopped, he did not know where he was.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Lily Evans had never been in a wizard house before. Jocelyn was always promising to invite her during the summer holidays, but these plans were always being delayed due to Alphard and Vega’s fondness for holidaying abroad.

“Sorry Lils, next summer, I promise!� were always Jocelyn’s parting words as her parents ushered her from King’s Cross station.

Not that Lily hadn’t received other invitations to wizarding households; James Potter owled her invitations to his house at least once a week. But even with Petunia making everyone miserable, Lily didn’t think she’d ever be that desperate.

“Is that a letter from one of your school friends, dear?� her mother would ask over Petunia’s screeches that owls were “unsanitary�, and should not be allowed to swoop into houses, dropping letters on people’s heads during breakfast.

“No,� Lily would answer flatly, and that would be the end of it until the owl returned a week later.

So this was the first time Lily had ever been in a wizarding home, but she found she could not enjoy the experience properly. She had never felt more awkward in her life. She didn’t blame Sirius for running out; she had been fighting the instinct to bolt from the moment she’d stepped through the doorway. All the same, she wished he hadn’t, because she would have felt a lot more comfortable if he had been there.

“Anyone want to play chess?� Peter suggested tentatively. He had evidently given up on the idea of tea.

Lily opened her mouth to accept when she caught the expressions on James and Remus’s faces. They were both looking coldly at Peter, as though they didn’t think this was the moment for chess. Lily quickly shut her mouth again, just as her stomach gave a low rumble. She wanted to go see if she could find something to eat, but had gotten the impression from Sirius that there was something horrible in the kitchen, and therefore was not sure she actually wanted to go into it. She was beginning to suspect that that might have been where Vega was when she’d been attacked. Lily had finally decided to go lie down in her room, when she realized she didn’t know where her room was.

“You’ll be staying in the room next to Jocelyn’s. Up the stairs, second door on your left,� James directed her when she asked.

And so Lily found herself in a very neat, lavender bedroom, lying boredly on the comfortable bed. She had never been so depressed in her life.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The funeral was held the next day. Lily had never been to anything more depressing. Wizarding families from all over the country came to give their (in Lily’s opinion, useless) condolences. Even Professor Dumbledore had come. Lily met the families of several of her schoolmates she knew by sight, but had never spoken to. The McKinnons had all come, of course. Lily spotted Alice McKinnon, a round-faced, very pleasant Gryffindor sixth-year prefect, with her boyfriend, a seventh-year Ravenclaw prefect, Frank Longbottom. Lily recognized Fabian Prewett, who had been Head Boy the year before. Sirius pointed out Fabian’s sister, Molly, who was there with her husband, Arthur Weasley, and their two small sons, Bill and Charlie. Sirius also introduced her to his cousin Andromeda, her husband, Ted Tonks, and daughter, Nymphadora.

Jocelyn didn’t introduce her to anyone, but Lily wasn’t offended. Jocelyn hadn’t spoken to any of them since they had boarded the Knight Bus the day before. She sat throughout the entire service staring straight ahead, her expression blank. Her father sat beside her, hunched over in his chair, his face in his hands. Lily couldn’t recall ever seeing anything sadder. As the service ended and Alphard Black hobbled to his feet, Lily reflected that he looked ready to collapse. Which is perhaps why it should not have been such a great shock to her when, a moment later, he did so.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sirius sat miserably in the waiting room of St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. People surrounded him, but none of them were speaking to him. There had been an instant uproar when Alphard had collapsed. Jocelyn had screamed, several people had gasped, and Alice McKinnon had burst into tears. Then there had been a few minutes of general pandemonium as everybody began suggesting what to do at the same time. Andromeda Tonks and Molly Weasley got into a very nasty argument over whether or not he ought to be moved, and were only silenced when Dumbledore had made several loud firecrackers shoot out the end of his wand (which Andromeda muttered was very bad for Alphard in his current condition). Sirius wasn’t sure what had happened after that, because Dumbledore had forced all of the younger witches and wizards out of the room. And so he, the other Marauders, Jocelyn, Lily, Frank, Alice, and Fabian sat together in a miserable silence until they were called for and sent to St. Mungo’s half-an-hour later.

Sirius was now seated next to Jocelyn in a hard-backed chair, hearing, but not actually listening to the buzz of half a dozen conversations (Lily, the other Marauders, Alice, Frank, and Fabian had all gone off in search of tea). Andromeda and Molly were still arguing in low hisses, while Arthur was excitedly questioning Ted (whom he’d discovered was Muggle-born) about escalators. Dumbledore was conversing in low tones with two of the Healers. At long last he nodded once, and came over to Sirius and Jocelyn, looking very serious.

“If I may have a word, Mr. Black,� he said quietly to Sirius. Sirius nodded, and followed Dumbledore over to a corner. A few minutes later he returned to Jocelyn, his stomach churning.

“What was that about?� she questioned, speaking to him for the first time in nearly two days.

Sirius bit his lip.

“Your father.�

“What did he say?� she asked eagerly. “Do they know what’s wrong with him?�

Sirius nodded mutely, staring at her.

“Well,� she demanded, “what is it?�

Sirius didn’t want to tell her. He looked straight into her eyes, bracing himself for what he had to do. Finally he took a deep, shuddering breath.

“Jocelyn,� he said quietly, “he’s dying.�

---

A/N: I told you (or did I?) it was going to get depressing! But don’t worry, it’ll get better soon (although I’m not making any promises! ;))… Anyway, I’m going on vaca, so I won’t be able to update until next Saturday (August 13) at earliest! (no internet where I'm going :( ) In the meantime, keep up the excellent work you’ve all been doing by continuing to review! Peace out my homies! ~ Trinsy

Jocelyn stared at the floor.

“I didn’t want to believe it,� she whispered.

Sirius fought to keep his jaw from dropping.

“You knew? How?�

“Oh Sirius, how could I not?� she said impatiently. “I knew from the moment I stepped off the bus he wouldn’t be around much longer. Just look at him! It’s the shock that’s killing him, poor man.�

Yes, Sirius had known from the moment he’d stepped off the bus as well, but hearing these words come from Jocelyn’s mouth made it seem a thousand times more horrible… and more inevitable. Sirius hadn’t wanted to believe it either. Jocelyn looked as though she were trying very hard not to cry. Sirius didn’t know what else to say.

“I’m – I’m so sorry,� he said finally.

She nodded numbly.

“I’ll just – er – leave you alone, then,� he said awkwardly after another moment. “If that’s all right,� he added quickly.

She nodded without looking at him.

Sirius went in search of the others, leaving Jocelyn alone with her terrible thoughts, and the next morning they all returned to Hogwarts.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Life at Hogwarts had returned to normal, but it was a lot less fun for Jocelyn, Lily, and the Marauders. Lily and James had begun splitting up when they went patrolling, allegedly because they got it done sooner, but actually because things had become very awkward between them.

The full moon was fast approaching, but Sirius found he wasn’t even looking forward to it. What use was it to anyone if they could run around Hogsmeade without getting caught? How was that going to stop Voldemort? Unless he happened to be wandering around the village and they could get Remus to attack him, Sirius thought, grinning at the idea even though he knew it could never happen.

Jocelyn wasn’t speaking to any of them, and this began to annoy Sirius. But then, everything was beginning to annoy him. Even James.

“Would you put that thing away?� he snapped at James one evening, as they lounged in front of the fire. James had stolen a Snitch and kept releasing it and then catching it a moment later. Sirius snatched the Snitch out of the air half a second faster than James.

“Not bad, Padfoot,� James grinned. “Ever consider trying for Seeker?�

“No,� answered Sirius coldly, as though he didn’t think this was the time to compliment people on their Quidditch skills. He put the Snitch in his pocket, ending the discussion.

“I’m bored,� James declared about a minute later.

“That’s unfortunate,� said Sirius, without bothering to look at him.

“Want to play Exploding Snap?�

“No.�

“Gobstones?�

“No.�

“Chess?�

“For Merlin’s sake, James!� Sirius exploded. “Just because you’re bored doesn’t mean we all are!�

James gave him a hard look.

“What’s up with you?� he demanded.

“Nothing,� said Sirius guiltily, suddenly remembering their last fight. “I’m – er – hungry. Want to run to the kitchens?�

“Who’s going to the kitchens?� said a voice behind him. He turned and saw Jocelyn. For a moment Sirius was so stunned to see her somewhere other than class (the only thing she ever left her dormitory for now) that he simply stared at her, open-mouthed. Then he came to himself.

“Joce’!� he said, springing to his feet. “Er – how are – I mean, what’re you – I mean, er, want to come with us?�

Jocelyn gave a half smile, which was definitely progress.

“I’d love to,� she told him.

Five minutes later Sirius, James, and Jocelyn were heading down to the kitchens together. They were barely halfway there, however, when they came across one of the last people any of them wanted to see: Narcissa.

“Ah, Adhara,� she said pleasantly. “How are you? So sorry I missed the funeral, I heard it was lovely.� She had put on a very affected sorrowful face, but her mouth twitched as though she found the whole thing amusing.

“You!� Sirius snarled, lunging at her, but both James and Jocelyn grabbed his robes, holding him back.

“Sirius, no!� Jocelyn whispered. James, however, stepped in front of Sirius and addressed Narcissa.

“Why don’t you just clear off?� he said quietly, but his voice carried a definite threat in it, and his eyes had become very hard.

“Or what?� Narcissa challenged. “You’ll take points off Slytherin? Put me in detention?�

“I can do a lot worse to you than put you in detention, as you bloody well know,� said James in the same quiet, deadly tone. “Now clear off.�

“But I don’t really feel like leaving,� Narcissa answered, raising her eyebrows defiantly.

“Clear off, Black!� James repeated in a low growl.

“Temper, temper,� said Narcissa coolly. “I only wanted to console my poor, orphaned cous –� she broke off abruptly. James had drawn his wand from his sleeve and was pointing it at her.

“James!� Jocelyn hissed warningly, but James ignored her.

“Clear off, Black, or I will make you!� he snarled at Narcissa.

Jocelyn looked uncertainly between James and Sirius, as though trying to decide which one she ought to try to restrain. Narcissa’s eyes had gone very wide. For a moment she and James glared at each other. Then, without a word, she turned and walked away.

“You shouldn’t have let her go!� Sirius snarled, once she was out of sight and it was safe to release him. “You should have cursed her into the next dimension!�

“I fight against the Dark Side. I don’t use its tactics,� James replied coolly. “She wasn’t actually threatening us, after all.�

Sirius stared at him in disbelief.

“You’ve never given a damn before!�

“If I attacked her without reason I wouldn’t be any better than she is, would I?� James asked quietly.

Comprehension dawned across Sirius’s face.

“This is because of Lily, isn’t it?� he said accusingly.

“Sirius,� said James warningly, but Sirius didn’t seem to hear him.

“It’s about her, of course it is, she’s turned you into a self-righteous prat,� he muttered to himself. “All those patrol duties you used to do together, she used them to poison you –�

“Sirius!� James snarled. Sirius stopped muttering and looked up at him. “I thought you and Lily were friends,� said James quietly.

“Of course we are,� said Sirius impatiently. “But when it comes to the Slytherins she doesn’t know what she’s talking about!�

“Narcissa wasn’t threatening us,� James repeated firmly.

“Wait around for her to threaten you, and you’ll wind up like Vega,� Sirius snarled. “And do you think I give a damn if she was –�

“Of course not,� said James soothingly. “But that doesn’t mean you’re right.�

Sirius was about to tell James exactly what he thought about being right, when Remus came up to them.

“I thought I’d find you going this way,� he said, smiling around at them. “What’s up?� he questioned, when he saw their faces.

“Little family reunion,� growled Sirius, looking positively murderous.

“Narcissa,� James mouthed, and Remus nodded in understanding.

It was only then that any of them noticed Jocelyn. She was standing completely still, her face ghost-white and expressionless, her eyes blank and staring.

“Er – Jocelyn?� said James uncertainly.

Slowly, almost eerily, she turned her head toward him.

“I shouldn’t have left the common room,� she said dully.

The three boys looked at each other, frowning.

“Er – sorry?� said Remus.

“I shouldn’t have left the common room,� Jocelyn repeated, her voice void of all emotion. “Sirius is right. If I wait for them to threaten me, I’ll end up dead.�

Remus turned to Sirius, his face incredulous.

“You told her if the Slytherins threatened her she’d end up dead?� he said disbelievingly. “Good job, Padfoot, really brilliant!�

But Sirius wasn’t listening. He was staring at Jocelyn, his expression unreadable.

“Remus,� he said firmly, never taking his eyes off Jocelyn, “take Jocelyn back to Gryffindor Tower.�

Remus frowned at him.

“But –�

“Do it, Remus!� Sirius snarled, rounding on him.

Remus knew better than to argue. Holding up one hand in surrender, he took Jocelyn’s arm and led her away.

“You,� said Sirius, rounding on James now, “come with me.�

He turned and began walking swiftly up the brightly lit corridor.

“Where are you going?� James questioned, running to keep up, as Sirius climbed a staircase three stairs at a time.

“Where I should have gone long ago,� Sirius answered, turning up a final corridor and stopping in front of a very ugly stone gargoyle. “Dumbledore.�

---

A/N: Wow, I hate being away from Will (that’s the name of my comp, btw) for so long! I feel like I’ve missed a lot! Anyway, thank you all for reviewing, it was wonderful to come home and read all your wonderful comments! The FAQ of the last chapter was “When are James and Lily going to get together?� Okay, I promise, promise, promise it will happen within the next five chapters! Anyway, great to be home, I missed you all! *hugs all of you* ~ Trinsy

James skidded to a halt next to Sirius and stared at him.

“Hm, that’s a great idea Padfoot,� he said sarcastically. “There’s only one little problem: You don’t know how to get into his office!�

“Don’t be ridiculous,� said Sirius coldly. “Everyone knows Dumbledore is fond of sweets. And there are only so many sweets in the world, after all. So go on then, what’s your favorite sweet?�

“Er,� said James, thinking for a moment. He wasn’t prepared to rattle off a list of sweets. “Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans,� he said finally.

Nothing happened. Sirius rolled his eyes.

“Don’t be stupid, he hates those,� he growled. “Chocolate Frogs.�

Again, nothing. The gargoyle didn’t so much as blink.

“Squeaking Sugar Mice,� James tried. “Er – Peppermint Toad. Fizzing Whizbee.�

The gargoyle continued to stare at him.

“Wait a moment, I’ve got it!� Sirius cried. “Sugar Quill!�

To James’s immense surprise the gargoyle sprang to life, jumped aside, and the wall opened to reveal a moving spiral staircase. Sirius swept past James to step onto it, but James just stared.

“Come on then, we haven’t got all evening,� said Sirius, turning back.

James came to himself and followed him. A moment later they found themselves in front of a gleaming oak door with a brass knocker shaped like a griffin. Sirius knocked on it. There was silence, and the door remained closed. Sirius tried the handle. It was locked.

“He must not be back from London,� said James uncertainly, but Sirius wasn’t listening.

“Alohomora,� he said, tapping the door with his wand. He tried the handle again, but the door remained locked. Fuming, Sirius turned on his heel and stormed back down the stairs and into the corridor.

“Perfect,� he snarled, as he and James made their way back to Gryffindor tower. “My aunt is dead, my uncle is dying, one of my cousins is going� – he paused, searching for a word to describe exactly what his cousin was; at last he found it – “mental, another one keeps harassing me, a third one seems to be plotting my murder, and Dumbledore is in bloody London! You know what I think?� he questioned, rounding suddenly on James.

“No idea,� James answered honestly.

“I think Dumbledore is useless!� Sirius declared, resuming his march down the corridor. “Bloody useless! Because every time I could really use his help he’s nowhere to be found! In Hogsmeade he didn’t show up until after we’d gotten the situation under control! And then he disappeared on Ministry business before we could tell him about Bella! He showed up long enough to get Uncle Alphard to St. Mungo’s, and then disappeared again! And now Jocelyn is going mad and he’s in bloody London! I mean, don’t you think that’s ridiculous?�

“I have no idea,� said the Fat Lady irritably. Sirius and James had arrived at her portrait midway through Sirius’s rant. “But I think it is ridiculous that you haven’t given me the password yet!�

“Billywig,� said Sirius impatiently. “But that wasn’t the point –�

But at that moment the portrait hole swung open, and by the time Sirius had climbed through it he had forgotten what his point was, so he and James went up to bed without further discussion.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jocelyn, oddly enough, was perfectly fine the next day, and acted exactly as she had before the attack in Hogsmeade, though she was considerably paler. The Marauders were much too afraid to bring up Narcissa in front of her, and were astonished when Jocelyn herself brought her up a few days later in Transfiguration, as they once again attempted to conjure pigs, this time out of thin air.

“I just don’t understand why she keeps seeking us out!� she said abruptly. She waved her wand distractedly, and a trail of flies streamed out of it.

“Ugh, Jocelyn, pay attention!� said Lily, making a face. James quickly vanished the flies for them.

“Who?� questioned Sirius, who wasn’t paying any more attention to his spell work than Jocelyn to hers, and was absentmindedly flooding the floor with tadpoles.

“Narcissa!� Jocelyn hissed, and all the Marauders winced.

“It’s obvious, isn’t it?� said Sirius. “She’s trying to intimidate us, isn’t she? Trying to scare us!�

“I don’t think that’s true,� said Jocelyn thoughtfully. “I mean, if we’re not scared after – well, you know,� she said quickly. She jabbed her wand distractedly at the ceiling, and a shower of sparks fell onto her desk, blackening it.

“After they killed your mother?� Peter supplied helpfully.

Sirius, James, Remus, and Lily all glared at him. Jocelyn gave no sign she had heard, but the little color in her face drained out of it.

“Yes, well, Jocelyn’s got a point,� said James after an awkward pause. “I mean, if that didn’t intimidate us, I don’t see what Narcissa’s going to do.�

“Yes, exactly,� Jocelyn nodded. “That’s why it’s so strange. I mean, what does she hope to accomplish in all this?�

“She’s just evil,� said Sirius dismissively.

“You see, that is one of your greatest weaknesses,� said Lily suddenly.

“If you’re talking about not focusing enough when I do the spell, I was already aware of that,� snapped Sirius. Tadpoles were now wriggling all around his feet. He had already squashed two of them.

“No, I wasn’t talking about that at all,� said Lily impatiently. “Although that is a problem, of course. But I meant your conviction that Slytherins are purely evil! You underestimate them! They have other qualities besides evilness, you know!�

“All the Slytherins I know –� Sirius began angrily.

“We are all perfectly aware that you have some very nasty Slytherin relatives, Padfoot,� Remus cut in quietly. “But Slytherin house is not comprised entirely of Blacks, and to that point not all Blacks are evil.�

“Well if you’re talking about me and Jocelyn!� said Sirius hotly.

“But I’m not,� said Remus quietly.

“And anyway, that’s not the point!� said Jocelyn wearily.

“Then what was the point?� Sirius demanded.

“The point – oh, never mind!� Jocelyn sighed as the bell rang. “You’re all hopeless, really!�

And swinging her bag over her shoulder, she started to leave the classroom alone. In her hurry to get through the doorway she accidentally rammed into another student.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,� she started to say, looking up, but the words died in her throat. She was looking into the most interesting eyes she had ever seen, a deep hickory with flecks of gold.

“It’s all right, Adhara,� said a voice she recognized, and suddenly she realized the eyes belonged to Hector Freemonte, the Hufflepuff prefect and, really, a very ordinary person. Jocelyn knew him by sight, but she had never seen him up close before. She would have remembered those eyes if she had. He smiled at her, and Jocelyn felt a strange jolt in her stomach.

“You’re blocking the door, Joce’,� said Sirius’s voice from behind her.

Jocelyn jumped, feeling guilty, though she had no idea why.

“Sorry,� she said quickly, squeezing past Hector. She hurried away from the classroom too fast to hear the exchange that took place a moment later.

“That was my cousin, Freemonte,� Sirius snarled at Hector.

“I know, Black,� said Hector quietly.

“My cousin,� Sirius growled. “Not my sister. Understand, Freemonte?�

“Perfectly,� said Hector.

“Good,� said Sirius, and pushed past him to pursue Jocelyn.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Ready to go, James?� Lily questioned as they made to exit the portrait hole together.

“Yeah. Er – Lily?�

“Yes?�

“Do we – are we going to split up tonight?� he asked tentatively.

“Not if you don’t want to,� she answered hesitantly.

“Er – well, it just gets boring alone, that’s all,� he said quickly.

Lily gave a small smile, thinking she knew what he meant. A few months before she would never have allowed him to abuse his position to spend time with her, but for some reason she didn’t mind it so much anymore.

“Yeah,� she said quietly, “wicked boring, James.�
They patrolled in silence for a few minutes. Lily waited for James to say it, to ask her one more time, smiling quietly to herself when she thought of the answer she would give. Finally James spoke one word.

“Hector.�

Lily, who had been examining a suit of armor, looked around at James very quickly.

“What about him?� she said sharply.

“Well, nothing,� he shrugged, “except that Sirius doesn’t seem to like him much. He seems to think that Jocelyn –�

“Is that why you wanted to patrol with me tonight?� Lily snapped. “So we could discuss Jocelyn’s love interests?�

“No, of course not!� said James in frustration. “It’s just that –�

“Sirius is worried that he has competition!� finished Lily angrily. “Look, not that it’s any of your business, but Jocelyn doesn’t fancy Hector, all right! She hadn’t even looked at him properly before this afternoon. And don’t ask me about it again!�

James didn’t say anything. Disappointment was flooding through Lily, and anger at her disappointment.

“I would think you’d be more concerned with the object of other girls’ affections besides Jocelyn’s,� she muttered after a moment, without looking at him.

James frowned.

“What d’you mean?� he questioned.

Lily gave a frustrated scream and stomped her foot, glaring at him.

“That you’re being thick, James Potter!� she snarled, and stormed down the corridor, leaving him to patrol on his own.

---

A/N: Hey guys! Sorry about the wait for the last chapter, I got back from vacation and then… stuff happened. (Ha! Thought I’d forgotten about you, didn’t ya?) Anyway, hopefully that’s the longest you’ll ever have to wait for an update (though judging by the upsurge in submissions here, I'd guess not. The poor mods... {have you hugged your mod today?}). Please be sure to check out my LJ (link on my author page) for some important info about where this story is headed (If there's nothing of that nature when you first go to it, check back in a day or two. It's important you go there if you ever want to find this story on this site again). Until next time, folks… ~ Trinsy

“Black! Potter!� Professor McGonagall’s voice echoed across the entrance hall as they left lunch the next afternoon. Sirius, James, and Jocelyn all turned. So did Narcissa, and a dark-haired, hard-faced Slytherin boy. “Off you go, Narcissa! And you, Regulus!� McGonagall crisply dismissed the two Slytherins, who exchanged glares with Sirius and Jocelyn before heading to their respective classes. “And yes, you as well, Jocelyn,� added McGonagall in a gentler tone, looking over at Jocelyn. Shrugging, Jocelyn rejoined Lily and the two left for class together.

“What’s up, Professor?� Sirius asked McGonagall as the entrance hall emptied around them.

“The Headmaster wishes to speak to you both,� McGonagall explained, leading them toward Dumbledore’s office.

“It’s about time,� Sirius mumbled.

“About what?� James questioned, stepping on Sirius’s foot.

“That is the Headmaster’s business, Mr. Potter,� said McGonagall severely as they reached the stone gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster’s office. “I am sure you will find out in a moment. Sugar Quill.�

The gargoyle sprang to life and jumped aside.

“Bit of a sweet tooth Dumbledore has, doesn’t he?� Sirius asked of McGonagall, grinning.

“That is no business of yours, Mr. Black,� McGonagall answered coldly, and with that she left Sirius and James on their own.

Sirius and James stepped onto the moving spiral staircase and in a few moments they were in front of the gleaming oak door that opened into Dumbledore’s office. Sirius knocked, and this time it opened.

The first thing Sirius saw upon entering the room was… nothing. Oh, there were plenty of books on the bookshelves, and strange, shiny, whirring contraptions set up on spindly tables, as well as Dumbledore’s pet phoenix, Fawkes. But there was absolutely no trace of Dumbledore. Sirius reflected that only once had he ever been summoned to Dumbledore’s office to find Dumbledore actually there upon arrival. Which he found somewhat irritating, as he happened to be missing Defense Against the Dark Arts, a class which, in spite of Professor Venenum, he rather enjoyed. Sirius was just thinking bitterly of how much homework he’d have to make up when –

“Ah, Mr. Black and Mr. Potter,� said Dumbledore, appearing, seemingly, out of the thin air, as was he almost always did. It was a habit Sirius found rather disconcerting, and a bit rude. Dumbledore might be an extremely powerful wizard, but Sirius didn’t think that should excuse him from the elementary polite behavior of walking into a room like everyone else.

“Hello, Professor,� Sirius and James both replied.

“Please, sit down,� offered Dumbledore, waving them into chairs in front of his desk, which he had seated himself behind. “I apologize for not calling for you sooner. I was called away on unexpected business.�

Sirius and James nodded, the only possible response to this statement, although Sirius reflected bitterly that Dumbledore couldn’t be very sorry, or he would have called for them when he’d said he would.

“Now let us get down to business,� Dumbledore suggested. “This affair in Hogsmeade –�

Sirius’s jaw dropped. This was about that? That had been nearly two months ago! What about Uncle Alphard and Aunt Vega? What about Bella? Wasn’t Dumbledore a bit behind the times?

“Er, yeah, about that Professor,� said James, flushing. “It was all my fault we were there. You see –�

“Mr. Potter,� said Dumbledore very clearly, “I hold to what I told you that night: I have absolutely no desire to know how you came to be in Hogsmeade. The results of your presence there are of much greater interest to me.�

At these words Sirius, who had been gaping first at Dumbledore for his slowness, and then at James for declaring it was “all his fault� they were in Hogsmeade, now turned back to Dumbledore. All his senses were suddenly on high alert.

“What d’you mean?� he questioned warily.

“I have just received word,� began Dumbledore gravely, “from a most reliable source. It seems that after your exhibition that Friday night, Voldemort came to the conclusion that you are two Hogwarts students he should watch carefully. I believe he fears one of you in particular� – here Dumbledore paused, and for a moment his eyes rested on Sirius – “may attempt to overthrow him as Dark Lord.�

It took a moment for the full meaning of these words to sink in. When they did –

James swore, loudly.

“Sorry, Professor,� he apologized quickly.

Sirius didn’t say anything at all. He felt numb. The attack on James, Bellatrix’s letter, Aunt Vega’s death, Uncle Alphard’s illness, and now this. It was all too much for him to take in.

“He – he thinks I want to become the next Dark Lord?� he finally managed.

Dumbledore nodded gravely.

“But – I’d never –!� Sirius said jerkily. “I’m the only one in my family who wouldn’t love to be a Dark Lord!� he said violently.

“I understand that,� said Dumbledore quietly. “But Lord Voldemort does not. You will not join him. He therefore has concluded that you must wish to replace him. He cannot imagine that you would simply wish to abolish his rule. Lord Voldemort does not understand right and wrong. He only understands power, and he cannot imagine anyone being any different.�

“And – what does all this mean, exactly?� Sirius questioned.

“It means, Mr. Black,� Dumbledore replied heavily, “that you and Mr. Potter are in grave danger.�

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“What did he mean, ‘You and Mr. Potter are in grave danger’?� Sirius questioned angrily in their dormitory that night. “I knew that already! That was obvious after I had to fight off two-dozen Death Eaters in Hogsmeade! That was obvious after my cousin started sending me death threats! That was obvious after my aunt was killed!�

“I can’t believe he thinks you’re his rival,� said James numbly.

“I can’t either!� said Sirius violently. “Just because I happen to know the mass disarming spell? So what, I’m his ‘rival’ because he doesn’t train his Death Eaters? What sort of logic is that?�

“You know that’s not why he thinks that,� said Jocelyn quietly. She was sitting on Sirius’s bed, having been invited there by the Marauders to hear what James and Sirius had to say.

“What d’you mean?� questioned James.

Jocelyn’s eyes met Sirius’s and he knew exactly what she was thinking.

“Bella,� he said quietly. “Bella told him that.�

“But what could possibly be her logic for that?� James wondered.

“She doesn’t need logic!� Sirius snapped. “She just needs to give him an excuse to kill us!�

Jocelyn gave him a hard look.

“The Blacks are good wizards, James,� she said heavily. “We know how to perform Dark magic, and we know how to block it. Well, that’s a great asset for You-Know-Who� – Sirius growled; Jocelyn ignored him, and continued without missing a beat – “when he’s got one of them on his side. But when one is against him… well, that’s not a pleasant thought, is it?�

James opened his mouth to reply when a mournful howl broke the still night.

“Remus!� Sirius and James exclaimed together, remembering what night it was at exactly the same moment.

“Sorry Joce’,� said Sirius quickly, as James threw his Invisibility Cloak over himself, Sirius, and Peter. “See you tomorrow.�

“Right,� Jocelyn muttered as the door opened and shut, seemingly of its own accord. “Tomorrow.�

---

A/N: Okay, a lot of you wanted to know why “this Hector guy� matters. Trust me, he matters a great deal! And that's all I'm saying for now....

“But how can you be sure it was Bellatrix?� Lily questioned for the hundredth time two days later, as they sat together in Charms. She flicked her wand casually, and fine, powdery snow began to fall into the bucket in front of her desk.

“I’m not answering that question again, I’ve answered it a hundred times already,� snarled Sirius, jabbing at the ceiling with his own wand. Bludger-sized hailstones began raining down on his desk.

“A little less force, Mr. Black,� squeaked Professor Flitwick in alarm as students dove for cover, and Lily quickly stopped the hailstorm.

“I’m just saying –� Lily began as Professor Flitwick turned away, but she was interrupted.

“Lay off him,� said James quietly. Lily opened her mouth, saw the look on James’s face, and shut it again.

Jocelyn was absentmindedly flicking her wand at the ceiling, and instead of making it snow had produced a large flock of sparrows, which were fluttering restlessly around her head. She didn’t seem to notice, however. She was looking over her homework planner, a frown etching itself on her face.

“Another Defense Against the Dark Arts essay,� she complained, looking up at the rest of them. “Want to help me with that tonight, Lils?�

“I’d love to, but I have to go to that stupid Slug Club Christmas party,� said Lily, making a face.

“I thought you loved Slughorn,� said Sirius, waving his wand feebly as he looked over at her. A tiny, single snowflake fluttered down on his desk.

“Oh, he’s all right,� Lily agreed, “except for when he hints I ought to have been in Slytherin –�

“WHAT?� shouted James, leaping up at the exact same moment he waved his wand. Rain immediately poured down on him from the ceiling. Remus and Jocelyn, who had both just taken long draughts from goblets Remus had conjured for them under the table, choked mid-swallow; Jocelyn sprayed Sirius with pumpkin juice, and Remus spewed what appeared to be Butterbeer from his nose. Several students had jumped and looked around in alarm, but burst out laughing when they saw James standing at his desk, soaked and rigid with shock.

“Sorry, Professor,� said Lily casually, waving away the rain, and the sparrows for good measure. “It was my fault, it won’t happen again.� She turned back to James, who was drying his clothes with his wand. “It’s not like I agree with him that I should be in Slytherin,� she said, as if there had been no interruption.

“I would hope not,� said James coldly.

“Why don’t you come to the Slug Club, Sirius?� Lily questioned, turning to him, as he wiped pumpkin juice off his front. “Professor Slughorn is always wishing you would. I think he would have loved to have you in Slytherin as well as your brother.�

“You’ve just put your finger on it,� growled Sirius. “I’m not going to some stupid party so I can hear how much I’ve let my family down by landing in Gryffindor. Especially if Regulus is going to be there.�

“Regulus is actually very polite at the meetings,� said Lily fairly. “I’m sure if you just to got to know him –�

“If I couldn’t do that after living in the same house with him for nine years, I don’t think it’s worth any more of my time,� said Sirius coolly.

Lily turned scarlet.

“Sorry,� she mumbled, “I forgot.�

“Wish I could,� said Sirius coldly.

“Don’t go getting any ideas about Regulus Black,� said James warningly.

“As if I’d fancy a runty fifth year,� said Lily scornfully, giving James a withering look. “I only meant –�

“I know what you meant, and I’m still warning you,� said James angrily, “don’t go getting ideas about Regulus Black. He’s an arrogant little –�

“I don’t know why you’re all so fussed about him, really,� interrupted Jocelyn, seeming to take a true interest in the conversation for the first time. “It’s not like he ever does anything to any of us.�

“Except jinx us!� snapped James.

“Ah, the mark of a true Slytherin,� said Jocelyn boredly. “No, Lily, don’t bother defending them,� she added, for Lily had opened her mouth in protest. “They’re really not a pleasant lot. Sirius and I should know, we grew up with about half of them.�

“That’s all very well,� said Sirius. “But what is this sudden defense of my useless brother?�

“Oh, was I defending him?� asked Jocelyn, looking genuinely surprised. “I suppose I was too busy telling Lily to stop doing that to notice.�

“Ha ha,� snapped Sirius.

“Are we supposed to be able to follow this conversation?� asked Remus with a sort of detached curiosity.

“I don’t think so,� Lily answered, her mouth twitching. “I can’t.�

“Regulus might not be as useless as you think, you know,� Jocelyn insisted to Sirius, ignoring Remus and Lily. “You are a little biased.�

“You’d be if you’d lived with him for nine years,� Sirius snapped.

“Yes, yes, we all agree you had a horrible childhood,� said Jocelyn coldly. “But I happen to have had about half of the same childhood you did, and I don’t think you’re exactly the right person to declare Regulus useless or not useless. It’s common knowledge you hate him.�

“It wasn’t possible to live with Regulus and not hate him,� snarled Sirius, flaring up at once. “I’d like to’ve seen you try it!�

“I beg your pardon, I did try it!� said Jocelyn, becoming angry as well. “And I still think –�

Her words were drowned out as the bell rang, but neither she nor Sirius seemed to notice. Remus immediately escaped to use the library, while Peter squeezed out, muttering something about Care of Magical Creatures. James turned to Lily.

“Come on,� he said. “Let’s leave them at it.�

“Yes, please,� Lily agreed, and followed James out into the hall, leaving Sirius and Jocelyn still bickering in the classroom.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“I’d forgotten how much those two fight,� said James as he and Lily made their way down to the grounds. “They sort of laid off each other after – well, you know,� he said uncomfortably.

“After Jocelyn’s mother died,� Lily finished, nodding. “Yes, I’d noticed she was less confrontational. Mind you, I wasn’t complaining at first,� she laughed. “But it got weird after a while. I’m glad she’s getting back to normal.�

“And Sirius seems fine now,� sighed James as they passed through the front doors and onto the lawn. “He seems to be taking the idea of being Voldemort’s rival very well. Wish I could!� he added viciously, kicking a tuft of grass.

“Voldemort knows, and you know, that if you came face to face with him you’d be gone in one Avada Kedavra,� said Lily reasonably. “I don’t believe he thinks you’re any threat to him at all.�

“Gone in one Avada Kedavra?� said James incredulously. “Thanks Lils, that’s very comforting!�

Inwardly he was cursing himself. He’d been pondering her words for three days now, and finally come to the conclusion that he ought to try to ask her out. He’d left Charms with her with that intention, and was not quite sure how they had gotten onto the subject of Voldemort.

“Well, all you have to do is make sure you never come face to face with him and you’re golden,� said Lily brightly. “And you probably don’t want to meet up with that Bellatrix woman either,� she added thoughtfully.

“Yes, I think I’ll pass on that one,� James agreed sarcastically.

“Oh, James, this is stupid!� she snapped. “I thought we agreed we’d rather go down fighting for what we believed in, so who cares if Voldemort is after us or not? I don’t.�

“Voldemort’s not after us,� said James in frustration, “he’s after – hang on.� He stopped as the full meaning of her words hit him, and turned slowly to look at her. “What did you mean by that?� he asked quietly.

“Nothing,� said Lily quickly, turning scarlet.

“No, you didn’t,� said James in the same quiet voice.

Lily was now blushing so deeply James could feel the heat coming from her.

“It’s just that – that,� she muttered, avoiding his eyes, “I mean, we’ve been through a few things together – well, not really together,� she corrected quickly. “I mean, I know I wasn’t there in Hogsmeade, and I didn’t know Vega, or anything like that – But we were at that funeral together, and when we found out Alphard was dying, and – you know, after Vega died, there was that night when – but it’s stupid, I shouldn’t have brought it up, I shouldn’t have –�

But James wasn’t listening anymore. He bent down and caught Lily’s mouth with his own, cutting off her words. There was one horrible moment when he thought he’d misunderstood her. Then, very hesitantly, she began to kiss him back. James pulled back for a moment.

“Does this mean,� he said, very quietly, gazing into her astonishing green eyes, “that after six and a half years you want to give me a chance?�

A shy smile spread slowly over Lily’s face as she nodded. James grinned and kissed her again.

The news that James Potter had finally won the heart of Lily Evans had spread throughout the castle by dinner that night, but that didn’t stop the volume level from tripling when they entered the Great Hall together, hand in hand.

“It’s no more than I expected,� sighed Lily in resignation as heads turned to follow their progress to the Gryffindor table, but James didn’t seem to mind. He was positively strutting.

“It’s about time,� said Remus quietly with a faint smile as they passed him. Peter simply looked awestruck.

“Congratulations,� said Jocelyn, smirking, as they sat down opposite her.

Lily smiled sheepishly. James, however, was looking at Sirius, the only person in the Great Hall who wasn’t saying anything, and the only one whose opinion he cared about.

“Er – Sirius mate,� he said uncertainly, because suddenly he wasn’t sure Sirius was going to be happy that he, James, had finally achieved his dream of six and a half years, and was going out with Lily Evans. The atmosphere at the table changed instantly. Remus froze halfway through lowering his goblet, Peter’s eyes darted uncertainly between James and Sirius’s faces, and Jocelyn suddenly looked very tense.

There was a silence while Sirius and James looked at each other, but Sirius wasn’t really seeing James at all. Six and a half years of memories were assailing him; six and a half years of adventures, and pranks, and fights, and loyalty. Six and a half years that were drawing to a close. The end of an era. He took a deep breath.

“Well done, mate,� he said, smiling, and James grinned. The tension at the table broke. Everyone began laughing and talking, and they were just getting to the point of hysteria when Lily suddenly jumped up.

“What’s with you?� James questioned, frowning at her.

“I’ve forgotten!� she said anxiously. “I’m supposed to be at the Slug Club Christmas party!�

“Sit down,� yawned James, grabbing her hand and attempting to pull her back down. “Tell Slughorn you got sick or something.�

“No, he’ll be so disappointed, but –� Lily’s face suddenly lit up. “You can come with me!� she said with obvious delight.

“No I can’t,� replied James, bemused. “That’s by invitation only, and I didn’t get one. Sirius here did, though,� he added, nodding at Sirius, who glowered at him.

“Don’t be stupid, we’re allowed to bring guests!� said Lily brightly. “So come on, then!� She yanked on his hand.

“All right, all right,� sighed James, standing up, and making to follow her. “Wish me luck,� he added to the rest of them.

“Good luck!� beamed Jocelyn.

“See you!� said Lily brightly, and with that she and James disappeared.

“Sirius, are you okay?� Jocelyn questioned, for he had suddenly become very sober.

“Oh yeah,� he replied without looking at her, his voice sounding unnaturally hearty. “Yeah, I’m fine.�

“You sure?� she said tentatively.

“Yeah,� said Sirius, in that same horribly hearty voice. “Good about James and Lily, isn’t it?�

“Is it?� said Jocelyn, very quietly, and Sirius’s face fell.

“You told me once that I couldn’t spend the rest of my life playing pranks,� he said, looking up at her. “But I don’t think that’s the reason I’m not entirely happy about it.� There was a long pause while they looked at each other. “It’s just… hard,� he said finally, looking back down at his plate.

“I know,� she answered. “It’s like you can’t decide if you want it to work out or not, because if it does, you’ll be happy for them, but you’ll hate them, and if it doesn’t, you’ll be happy for yourself, but you’ll –�

“Hate yourself, yeah,� Sirius nodded, still staring at his plate. “And, you know, it’s not like things won’t go back to normal,� he muttered.

“But they’ll never be the same,� Jocelyn whispered.

“Yeah,� he said, looking up at her. “Yeah, exactly.�

Jocelyn looked at him contemplatingly.

“Lily never told you why she invited you to Hogsmeade, did she?� she asked quietly.

“Sure,� Sirius shrugged. “She said it was to find out about James. Why?�

Jocelyn shrugged.

“No reason. Just… wondering, I suppose.�

“Wondering what?� Sirius questioned.

“Lily’s funny, that’s all,� said Jocelyn vaguely.

“Well, that cleared that up,� said Sirius sarcastically. “I’m glad you explained, I was getting really confused.�

Jocelyn gave him a cold look.

“Give me a moment, all right,� she said impatiently. “I’m thinking.�

Sirius turned to Remus and Peter, looking incredulous.

“Can either of you follow this?� he asked them.

Peter shook his head. Remus smiled.

“I can rarely follow your conversations, Padfoot,� he said mildly, “so I wasn’t trying.�

“Well I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets confused,� said Sirius.

“Shut up, Sirius, you made me lose my train of thought,� snapped Jocelyn.

“Well maybe if you’d have said what it was!� Sirius snarled.

Sirius and Jocelyn bickered throughout the rest of dinner, and all the way to Gryffindor Tower, where they, Remus, and Peter settled down to do homework.

“Jocelyn, look over my Defense essay, will you?� Sirius requested after half an hour, yawning.

“Not that you deserve it!� snapped Jocelyn, sounding irritable, as she snatched it away from him. “Sirius!� she said angrily a moment later. “You’ve only written the introduction!�

“I’m not in the mood to write anything else,� he shrugged.

“Well I’m not writing it for you!� she told him, thrusting it back at him. “I’m still writing my own!�

“You wrote three Defense Against the Dark Arts essays last month!� he protested.

“Yes, and you still owe me for that!� she pointed out.

“It didn’t get me out of detention,� he said sulkily.

“That was not my fault,� she said shortly. “I’m not doing your homework for you, and that’s the end of it!�

“Would you two shut up?� sighed Remus. “I can’t think with you two going at each other.�

Sirius and Jocelyn fell silent, and contented themselves with sending each other dirty looks over their parchments. Slowly the common room emptied around them. Remus and Peter went off to bed after awhile. Soon only Sirius and Jocelyn remained, sitting together in silence, except for the scratching of their quills. It was past midnight before Sirius realized it.

“James and Lily never came back,� he said suddenly, looking up at Jocelyn. She giggled.

“I know,� she said, grinning. “I guess they’re making up for lost time.�

Sirius was not sure whether he wanted to laugh or be violently sick, and compromised by making a large blot on his parchment. He swore quietly, and Jocelyn looked up.

“Oh, give that here,� she sighed, holding out her hand. “I’ll clean it up and correct it for you.�

For a few minutes there was silence while she read over it, occasionally scratching out a sentence and writing a revision, and Sirius stared at the fire.

Tap, tap, tap.

Sirius’s head snapped up.

Tap, tap, tap.

“Sirius, would you stop that, I can’t concentrate,� snapped Jocelyn irritably, but Sirius wasn’t listening to her.

“Jocelyn,� he said in a strained voice.

“What?� she snapped, looking up at him.

He pointed across the room.

“What?� she said again, a bite of impatience in her voice.

“It’s here,� he said quietly.

Jocelyn followed his hand, and saw it. There, outside one of the windows, was a medium-sized brown owl. Jocelyn’s eyes widened in horror, and she rushed across the room to open the window. The owl fluttered in and dropped a letter on the table before swooping out again. Jocelyn opened it with trembling fingers. One glance confirmed her worst fears.

“Is it – is it –� said Sirius jerkily. She nodded.

“My father died this afternoon,� she said quietly. “We’re to go up to London on Saturday to sort out his possessions.�

---

A/N: Yay, James and Lily are together! So now Sirius and Jocelyn can be to! So said you in the reviews. Er, sorry to burst your bubble, but no… not quite…