The Darker the Moon the Brighter the Star -DISCINTINUED

Chapter 4

James Potter stood, waiting for Sirius and 'listening' to Peter.

"... And-James! Are you listening to me?" Peter demanded, snapping his fingers in front of James' face.

"What? Oh, sorry, what did you say?" James said, smiling sheepishly at Peter.

"I said I think Marlene has a crush on Sirius!" Peter said.

"What? Marlene?" James said, scratching his head.

"Yeah-she was watching him all through dinner." Peter said, shrugging. "But I don't think he noticed."

"He never notices." James pointed out. "But why are you telling me this?"

"Well, Marlene is Evans' best friend. If she and your best friend, who happens to be Sirius, started dating, you and Evans would have to spend time together, wouldn't you?" Peter said.

James gaped at him. "You-you're a genius, Petey!" he exclaimed.

"Why do you sound so surprised?" Peter asked.

James laughed. "I'm not that surprised." he said, clapping Peter on the shoulder.

"Oy! James!" Sirius's voice called. James glanced back and grinned at Sirius.

"Password?" the fat lady asked. "These two have just been standing here, chatting away as though I don't exist-I hope you're not going to waste my time."

"Lion," Sirius said quickly. The portrait swung open.

"Anyway, Sirius, you won't believe it-Peter thinks Marlene-"

"What about me?" Marlene's voice interrupted whatever James had been about to say. James turned bright red and smiled sheepishly at Marlene.

"Nothing, McKinnon. Don't worry." James said after a moment of tense silence.

"Uh huh. Sure." Marlene said, glancing at Sirius before turning her attention back to James. "I see you guys got the password."

"Mhmm," James said.

"No thanks to Remus, mind you," Sirius added. "He didn't even know what it was! I had to recruit a first year."

"What?" Marlene asked, furrowing her eyebrows.

"Long story." Sirius said. "Do you need anything?"

"Yes." Marlene said, smiling at Sirius. "So, Alice and Frank-you know they started dating right?"

"Yeah," Sirius, James, and Peter said together.

"Okay, good. So basically they had this idea that we should learn more about each other, so we-the fifth years-get together and ask each other questions that you either answer or you do a dare of some sort if you don't want to." Marlene said, shrugging. "I was recruited by the love-birds to tell you this, because they're too busy snogging to do it themselves."

"Oh." James said. "Sure, let's do it! I'll tell Remus and Evans about it."

"Nope," Sirius said happily, pulling James away from the portrait hole. "Trust me, she is not in the mood for you, mate."

"Some friend you are." James muttered under his breath.

"Yeah, I care about your well being!" Sirius said, grinning at James. "Now, where are we going to play this game?"

"Couches? Where else?" Marlene said, blinking a few times in disbelief.

"Oh yeah, good point." Sirius said, scratching the back of his head and brushing his hair away from his face. "Now I will be right back, I need to go change."