Sirius's Furry Little Problem

Chapter 2

Lily Evans ambled into the library, her arms laden with Potions books. James strolled beside her, chatting animatedly as he carried his own pile of books and parchment. When James had approached Lily a few months prior, requesting help with his Potions N.E.W.T.s, she had initially thought that it was another lame attempt on his part to get her attention and affections. Perhaps it had been a little, but over time he had proven himself to be hardworking, conscientious and funny. Yes, the same James Potter who she had dismissed as little more than an attention-seeking toe-rag had come back to Hogwarts that year with a Head Boy badge and a newfound maturity that had finally won her affections. She couldn't deny that he was easy on the eyes, either. Lily glanced at James and smiled at him, for no other reason than because she was happy to be in his company, but as her gaze drifted towards a table in the far corner of the room, she stopped dead in her tracks and stared.

"Is...is that Sirius over there?"

James scoffed, "Don't be daft! In all my years, I don't think I've ever seen him in here."

"Well, then who's that over there?" she asked. James followed Lily's line of sight and gaped. Sure enough, there was Sirius hunched over a table with several sheets of parchment in front of him, scribbling furiously.

"Merlin's beard," James whispered. "Is he studying?"

They both hurried over to Sirius's table to see what on earth he was doing. Lily dropped her pile of books onto the table with a loud thud, causing Sirius to jump in fright. He looked up with an expression of mild panic, then immediately relaxed when he saw who it was.

"Oh, it's just you two," he sighed. "I was worried there for a moment that you were Moony."

"What are you doing in the library?" asked James, slipping into the empty seat next to Sirius. "Get lost on your way to the kitchens?"

"Oh, haha," he replied sarcastically, tossing his quill onto the table. "I'll have you know that I'm taking on board what you said about making an effort for Valentine's Day and writing Moony a poem."

Lily and James glanced at each other in surprise. As if finding Sirius in the library wasn't strange enough, he was now attempting to write poetry professing his love for Remus. Next thing, he'd be saying he was best mates with Snivellus.

"A poem?" asked Lily interestedly. She gave Sirius an expectant look. "Well, give us a look, then."

Sirius hesitated. "I've not finished it yet, it's still a little rough..."

"I don't mind. Go on, let me read it," she pleaded. Sirius relented and slid the parchment across the table towards Lily, who picked it up and began to read aloud.

"To my dearest Moony, Every day I wake up feeling like I've drunk Felix Felicis. I'm the luckiest man in the world to have you in my life..." she looked up from the parchment and gave Sirius an appraising look. "Oh Sirius, this is lovely! I solemnly swear to love you until the end of time. No joke, I'm dead Sirius about that. You are my fantastic beast, my moon and stars. I want to Slytherin between your legs and..." she fell silent and her eyes widened with shock as she read the next line. Screwing up her nose in disgust, she tossed the parchment back at him. "Sirius Black, that is disgusting!"

"What?" he replied innocently. "He loves it when I do that!"

"Too much information!" Lily protested. James snatched up the parchment and read aloud the next line of the lewd poem.

"You're so hot that you don't need Accio to make me come. Wow, Percival Pratt, eat your heart out," he smirked.

"Yes, I thought that line was particularly inspired," Sirius preened, pleased with himself. Lily, however, looked unamused.