Burning Love

•In The Moonlight•

As winter melted into spring at Hogwarts, the castle transformed into a vibrant landscape, the icy chill giving way to blooming flowers and the sweet scent of new beginnings. The change in season brought with it a sense of rejuvenation and excitement among the students, especially among our group.

The boys, ever the troublemakers, took full advantage of the warmer weather. Sirius and James seemed to be in constant competition over who could pull the best prank. One sunny afternoon, they devised a plan to enchant a few of Filch's old cleaning supplies, causing them to chase him around the castle. Laughter echoed through the corridors as we watched, hidden behind a tapestry, when Filch finally managed to capture a rogue mop, only for it to spring to life and squirt him with soapy water.

"Classic," Sirius chuckled, leaning closer to me. The warmth of the sun shone on us, and I could feel the excitement in the air.

Between the pranks, there were plenty of moments filled with kisses and stolen glances. Sirius had grown more confident, his flirty nature now laced with genuine affection. In the midst of studying for our upcoming exams, he'd lean over and press a soft kiss to my cheek or whisper something silly that made me giggle.

One afternoon, while we were all sprawled out in the common room surrounded by textbooks and parchment, James leaned over to Lily, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Dare you to kiss me," he said dramatically.

"Oh, really?" Lily replied, a teasing smile on her lips. "How about I just throw this book at you instead?" She grabbed a nearby textbook, and in a playful moment, tossed it at him.

Sirius laughed, his arm sliding around my shoulders as he watched the banter unfold. "Careful, James! You might scare her away with all that charm."

I elbowed Sirius gently, a grin on my face. "Don't think you're any better, Black. You're just as cheesy."

He feigned offense, placing a hand dramatically over his heart. "Me? Never!"

As we resumed studying, I caught a glimpse of Alice across the room, sharing a quiet moment with Frank. It was sweet to see them together, lost in their own little world, while the rest of us joked and teased one another.

The springtime air felt alive with energy, and on weekends, we would head outside to enjoy the sunshine. One afternoon, we sprawled out on the grass, soaking up the sun. Sirius and I found ourselves lying side by side, his fingers intertwined with mine. We shared whispers and laughter, the intimacy of the moment deepening with each passing second.

"Grace," he said, turning on his side to face me. "I think we should do more of this."

"What? Lying in the grass?" I teased.

"Yeah, but also—" he leaned in closer, our faces inches apart, "—kissing in the sun."

I laughed, feeling my cheeks warm as I leaned in to steal a kiss. It was sweet and soft, and I could feel the laughter bubbling inside me. "I suppose that can be arranged."

As the weeks passed, the rhythm of school life continued, filled with studying and planning for our future. Sirius, James, and I often gathered in the library, attempting to focus on our textbooks while dodging the occasional playful jab from Remus or Peter.

"Honestly, it's a miracle we ever get any studying done," Remus remarked one day, watching as Sirius tried to distract me with silly faces.

"Hey, studying is important," James said, though he promptly added, "but not as important as knowing how to pull off the perfect prank!"

With spring in full swing, our friendships deepened, and the bonds we shared became more significant. Late-night conversations in the common room turned into whispered secrets, while sunny afternoons became filled with laughter and affection. As the days grew longer and the weather warmer, it felt like anything was possible, and we were all ready to embrace whatever adventures awaited us.