Separate Universe (HP/MCU)

Chapter Five

        A couple of weeks had passed since Halloween, and James seemed to be getting closer to Nanala more than he had been before. Everyone could see it, especially the ones who knew the relationship wasn't real. It almost made them wonder if the relationship was still fake, or if it had turned real without anyone really knowing. Nanala really liked how James was treating her, which made her heart hurt the more she thought about the fact that James would soon leave her for Lily. Nanala didn't have a thing against Lily, but she was still hurt that she wasn't anyone's first choice; except maybe Remus's.

"What do you want for your birthday?" James asked, as he laid down in his bed with Nanala.

"I don't know. I haven't really put much thought into to it," Nanala replied, and James sighed.

"You're supposed to think about it. You're turning seventeen on the twentieth, meaning we only have about a week and a half to buy gifts. You're supposed to get the best gifts for your seventeen birthday, Nala," James said, using the new nickname he had started using over the last week or so.

"Just bring Remus with you when you go shopping. He knows everything about me, so he should be able to find something I want," Nanala answered, causing James to nod reluctantly.

        Sirius's eighteenth birthday had been on the third, meaning Nanala's was next. She and Sirius shared the same birth month, which they found ironic, but Sirius was just barely a year older than her and the others. He was one of the very few people that turned eighteen during their Hogwarts years.

"We're having a party for your birthday, Kitty!" Sirius exclaimed, as he ran into the dorm room.

"I didn't agree to a party, Padfoot," Nanala retorted, causing the boy to scoff.

"Not my problem, Kitty. Honestly, you should know by now that if there's a reason to party, we'll be partying," Sirius replied, as if it was the most obvious thing he ever said.

"Fine, but this time make sure the cake isn't red velvet. Last time you got red velvet and I was sick for a week," Nanala commented, and the boy quickly nodded.

"Moony has already began a list. I'll just make sure he adds that to the list," Sirius said, before he turned around and left the room.

        With a groan, Nanala turned in the bed and laid her head on James's chest. James wrapped his arms tighter around the girl, holding her close as he kissed the top of her head. James and Nanala had become more comfortable with each other, meaning they often cuddled and touched when they could. Sirius believed it was adorable, but Remus was just waiting for the inevitable heartbreak of his best friend. He wasn't ready for the tears and sadness the girl would be giving him soon enough, making his stomach fill with dread. He just hoped James had the right mind to not ruin Nanala's heart completely. If James was smart, he'd end things in a secluded area, and he wouldn't practically embarrass her in front of the entire school.

       James often embarrassed Lily in front of the entire school, and he felt awful when Lily would turn him down in front of the entire school. Remus didn't want James to do the same thing to Nanala, but he didn't know if James was smart enough to keep everything more calm than he did before. Yes, James seemed more calm and understanding, but that didn't mean finally getting Lily wouldn't change the way he acted once again.

"Moony, Kitty said she wants red velvet cake for the party," Sirius said, as he sat down next to Remus.

"No, Pads, I think she probably told you she didn't want red velvet cake for the party," Remus replied, causing Sirius to shake his head.

"You weren't in there, so you don't know what she said. I'm putting red velvet cake on the list," Sirius retorted, but Remus quickly grabbed the list and kept it from Sirius.

"Padfoot, we're not putting red velvet cake on the list," Remus stated,"I'll make you a deal," Remus began,"We'll make her carrot cake, and if she doesn't like it and wanted red velvet cake, than you'll have bragging rights for the next year," He said, and Sirius nodded.

"Works for me," Sirius replied,"I just hope you're ready to lose, and I hope you're ready to feel like a terrible friend when you don't know your best friend's favorite cake," He added, causing Remus to roll his eyes once again.

      Remus knew Nanala like the back of his hand, so he knew he wasn't going to be wrong. He was never really wrong before anyway, so why should he even remotely worry about ever being wrong about his best friend. Even though James was her fake boyfriend, she told him quite a lot, but he still would never know as much as Remus did. Remus was like the brother she always wanted, and he was perfect in the position; even telling the girl when she was wrong, no matter how hard it hurt for her to hear.

"I'm taking a nap before dinner," Nanala murmured, and James nodded.

       James pulled his blanket over the both of them, before using his wand to close his curtains. Once it was pretty dark in the room, Nanala and James were able to close their eyes and slowly drift off to sleep. They could still hear Sirius and Remus arguing in the common room, and they could hear the random times Peter tried to diffuse the arguments. Honestly, this moment had put a smile on James and Nanala's faces.

"I think this relationship is more real than it was when it started," Sirius commented, causing Remus and Peter to nod.

"They'll figure it out themselves soon enough," Remus replied, making Peter frown.

"I hope so, otherwise it'll be really bad when it ends," He said, causing the other two to frown as well.

       They could only hope their two friends wouldn't have a falling out over the inevitable...