"That cocky son of -"

"Language, Evans!" Kelsey stopped Lily from finishing that sentence.

"Right, sorry," Lily ran a hand through her hair as the girls all made their way to the Gryffindor Common Room. All five girls had readied themselves in the Hufflepuff dorms earlier that evening.

"Shouldn't you be happy that Gryffindor won?" Astrid asked as the redhead gave her an exasperated look.

"Of course I am!" Her riled-up tone did not reflect her words. "It's just- does he have to get his way all the time?"

"Well, he was made Captain for a reason. Clearly, he deserves it," Mary pointed out.

"I mean.." Marlene fanned herself. "..those moves. That match today was magic of a different kind." She pretended to swoon.

"Careful McKinnon. You might give us her impression that you're into Potter," Kelsey teased.

Lily sent Marlene a quick unsure look that went missed by the rest of the girls.

"You're one to talk! Don't think we didn't see you cosying up with Sirius Snog-me-now Black, on the field," Marlene replied to redirect the attention.

Naturally, Kelsey snorted at the adjective choice. "You must be imagining things now," she waved it off. As they walked on, approaching the party, Kelsey wished that her stomach would settle down. After all, what did she have to be nervous about?

True to his word, Potter had ensured that Gryffindor won their first match of the season against Ravenclaw. As with tradition, the students had all rushed down to the pitch once it was over to congratulate the players.

Kelsey and Astrid being two lost Hufflepuffs in the sea of cheering Gryffindors. Why their Gryffindor friends felt the need to pull them along, was something they didn't know. Kelsey had watched from a distance as Potter shot Evans a shit-eating, smug look while mouthing 'I told you'. Evans had smiled along in that moment, mouthing back her congratulations as Mary and Marlene jumped around her.

"You came," Kelsey heard someone whisper in her ear. She had turned to see Sirius Black standing too close to her.

"That was a fun game." She meant every word of it. It hadn't been the first time seeing him in action on the field. It was certainly the first time she had seen him since Hogsmeade a few days ago. She had been surprised at the weird flip her tummy had done as she saw him walk onto the pitch earlier that day.

"Did you see that mid-air spin I did with the last Bludger?" he sounded excited. His hit had come just in time to sway the Ravenclaw Seeker away from the Snitch. Kids around them thumped his back but he was only focused on her.

"That I did," she grinned back. "You're certainly something Black."

As the crowd celebrated, a swarm of disorganisation, someone accidentally pushed him into her. He fell forward, grasping onto Jones' waist as she too did her best to keep him upright.

"Are you coming to the party later?" His grey eyes bore into her ocean blues. Unable to form words thanks to his hand still steady on her person, she nodded.

Recalling the memory, Kelsey gulped now. She was sure her palms were a little clammy. Was it too hot in the corridor? Whatever happened to the cool late October breeze?

"Jones!" Mary snapped her out of her stupor. They were standing outside the portrait of the Fat Lady. Muffled shouts could be heard on the other side.

"Are you feeling alright?" Marlene eyed her.

"You look a bit peaky," Astrid put a hand to her forehead. Kelsey gently swatted it away assuring them that she was fine. She wasn't jumpy about this party. No way.

Certainly not edgy about the fact that a certain Marauder would be there and the fact that he had specifically asked for her.

"Okay girls! This is it. The first party of our last year," Marlene started in her most serious tone. "Outfit check," she demanded, making them all line up for one last look.

Kelsey in her suede skirt, plain black t-shirt, and light cardigan, gently smoothed her skirt. Looking around, she saw her friends making similar last-minute adjustments.

"Just saying. If I wasn't into dudes, I'd have a hard time picking between you four," Marlene playfully winked at Mary who poked her tongue out.

"Am I dreaming? Or did you actually say that Mckinnon?" they heard the familiar voice of the Gryffindor Quidditch captain call out. The girls saw James Potter and Peter Pettigrew walking up to the portrait as well.

Arms tucked behind, Kelsey gave him a once over. Like many times before she saw something silvery shimmer behind him. Noticing her gaze, Potter discretely adjusted it but not before she raised a curious eyebrow at him as if to say 'I'm onto you'.

"You wish, Potter," Kelsey replied.

"Me and many boys indeed," he said airily. He faced Lily who was skittishly looking at the door.

"Shouldn't you be inside?" Marlene asked.

On cue, Potter nudged Pettigrew who held up a large tray of cupcakes. The top few had candles on them. It had been charmed to stack high without toppling over.

"We were just get something extra for our birthday boy," he explained.

"His birthday is still a few days out," Kelsey said.

"Aha! You remember his birthday!" Potter sounded smug.

"It's hard to forget when you spend every year watching your back as the target," she groaned recalling it. Sirius' birthday pranks were one of Kelsey's dreaded days.

"We're all about the environment you see. We figured two parties so close to each would be..."

"Awful," Kelsey finished.

Potter clicked his tongue. "..wasteful." He sent an award-winning smile Lily's way.

"Ladies please, let us escort you in," he said smoothly to which Mary and Astrid giggled. Going with the group they entered as Potter dramatically announced their arrival, walking into the Common Room. Although the effort was wasted because other than Lupin, no one looked their way. It was indeed as rowdy as one could expect.

ϟ

"Moony moony moony." A tipsy Padfoot made his way to his mate. Remus was currently standing in a corner of the Common Room with a shy Astrid. They had been in the middle of a conversation.

"Padfoot," Remus replied lazily.

"Are yuh havin fuun?" his friend slurred a little. "I'm havi-" He paused to hiccup. "-ving fun." He sat down on the arm of the loveseat on the verge of sprawling over him.

"Astrid, my love," he smiled at her. "Looking lovely as ever I see," he winked mischievously.

"Did you ever find out what a V-Card was?" Remus asked. Astrid accidentally shot some Butterbeer out her nose in a snort.

"What?!" she held back a smile.

"Don't even ask," Remus sighed.

"Did you see her?" Sirius asked.

"Who- Jones?"

Another hiccup.

"Yeah," Sirius scanned the room for her, finally settling on her. "Who's that bloke she's talking to?" he wondered.

"It's that sixth year who was at tryouts I think," Astrid piped up.

Sirius grunted in response. "Oi Wormtail. Be a darling and get me another Firewhisky, mate!" The mousy boy squeaked incoherently and scuttled off.

"Shouldn't you go er..talk to her?" Remus eyed Wormtail returning just as quickly with another filled glass.

"Nah," Sirius took the glass. "She just got here. It'd look desperate." He took a large swig.

"Right," Remus snickered into his drink. "Desperate," he sent Astrid a knowing look.

Moony had a point. He should probably walk over and talk to her right? But how soon was too desperate Sirius pondered, swirling the drink in his hand, lost in thought.

Turns out he wouldn't need to find out because soon enough he saw another seventh-year Gryffindor walk to and start chatting up Jones.

Not that he cared. It was a free country. She could talk to whomever she pleased.

From the corner of his eye, he saw him taking a few steps closer to her, while she instinctively took a few back. Her tight-lipped expression and flicker of disdain were enough for him. Like a lightbulb going off in his head, he marched over.

"Kelpi- err- Kelsey, love, there you are!" he smoothly wrapped his hand around her waist. Almost instantly he could smell her citrusy shampoo. He decided that he liked it.

"I-I am?" Even though he could feel her freeze, she didn't push him away she looked up at him with relief.

He grinned back sending her a quick wink and she took the hint.

"Right! I am. Obvi!" she said in her most Duh! Tone. By now the other guy was confused.

"Americans," Black said as if it was the most obvious explanation for her actions.

"Sorry- didn't realise you were with him," he mumbled. "Oh and Happy Birthday in advanced, mate."

That's right. Walk away. Sirius was pleased to see him retreat back to his friends.

"Black."

"Jones."

"Your arm," her eyes quickly flicked down to his arm that was still holding on to her. Suddenly, he pulled himself away.

"I always knew you were secretly dying to get in my arms Black," she chirped.

"You should be thanking me-"

"Yeah, because I need you to play superhero, birthday boy," she said.

"Please I did you a favour," Sirius rolled his eyes.

She hummed in response with a playful glint in her eyes. She quite enjoyed the few moments of peaceful banter with him.

"I've heard from a good few of my regular snogs.." he began but he saw her face drop a little. "..that he's just a two-pump chump-" Kelsey who was in the middle of sipping her drink spat it out, all over Sirius, turning his perfectly dry shirt and face and hair mostly wet.

"Ew that went up my nose!" She wheezed a bit on the feeling of it constricting her throat. Like when saltwater enters your system at a beach.

"Jones!" In shock, Sirius had jumped away from her. That whole scene earned them a lot of looks from around them. "What have I told you about the hair?!" He ran a hand over his face, wiping off the few droplets.

Kelsey realised that this would have been a great moment to have the superpowers of Kitty from XMen. So she could slink back into the wall and disappear.

Real smooth, Kelsey. This is why you haven't had a proper boyfriend till date.

"I'll be back," he muttered under his breath heading upstairs to the cleanup. He held his shirt away from his skin lest it stick. At least there was never a dull moment with her.

ϟ

Sirius was walking down the stairs of the Boys Dorm Rooms when he heard a set of familiar voices at the connecting balcony. It was a little after 9. Peeking around the corner, he saw Jones and Astrid, sitting on the ground, chatting away.

"Have you seen him yet?" he heard Astrid ask Jones. He wondered if they were talking about him.

"Yeah for a bit. I think he went off to the loo for a bit," Jones said.

"Right. I heard someone spilled their drink on him," Astrid turned to look towards the boys' dorm staircase making Sirius promptly hide himself. He heard Jones reply a shrill Mhmm.

"Speaking of..what happened to your plan?" she further asked.

This had him intrigued. He saw Kelsey shrug.

"I ditched it. I think it did its trick. Oh My Merlin, Tatty! You should have seen him at The Three Broomsticks a few days back!"

Okay, now he knew for a fact that they were talking about him.

"I still think it was a little mean you know," her friend sounded unsure.

"Oh please!" Jones scoffed. "As if he doesn't go around playing with girls' hearts. Plus, it's all in good fun. I think he knows it.." her voice trailed off.

All in good fun. The words rang in his ear. He didn't know if it was because he had had a little too much Firewhisky or if it was because he thought a small part of him had hoped that it hadn't been all in good fun-

"He hasn't done that to you has he, though?" Astrid told her. "Besides what made you stop anyway?"

"Like you said. It was a little too mean. Plus his eyes did this weird thing when he looked at me - and then I think my heart would beat crazy- it was weird," she sounded a little remorseful. A look came over her but Sirius being too tipsy to see the truth behind it couldn't understand it.

Pissed off, he stormed back downstairs and hung about Remus for the next hour avoiding her in a sulk.

He had lost count of how many drinks he had when he saw her disappearing behind Prongs.

ϟ

From her vantage point, Kelsey saw Potter whispering to Remus. With a slight nod, Potter smirked. Giving a quick look around the room, he missed Kelsey's watchful eye and brought out an old-looking cloak. At last, Kelsey was on to him.

She didn't know where Sirius had disappeared off to but she figured that she had probably scared him off for good after her snort-spit combo of Magic Mead that drenched him. Not that it mattered if she scared him off.

She had started off as innocent flirting because his reactions had been too good to miss out on. But experiencing her own fluster hadn't been part of it and frankly she had no idea where it came from. Which is why she had pretended to break it off under false pretences with Astrid. It was like the Spiderman principle: With great power, comes great responsibility. Uncle Ben had really been on to something.

Potter tucked it under his arms and quietly walked towards the exit. Silently, Kelsey followed hoping the other boys hadn't seen her.

She stayed a few feet behind Potter, creeping softly without making a noise. Just as the door creaked open, she saw him pull out the cloak. She ran after him before he could disappear on her. She almost knew what it was. She just needed to confirm it.

"Aha! I knew it!" she exclaimed. James Potter who had been in the middle of throwing on the cloak over his shoulders froze.

"It's not what it looks like," he looked at her shocked.

"You have an invisibility cloak!" she cried out animatedly.

"Ssh!" Potter shushed her, looking worried that someone else might hear. With a huff, he grabbed her by the arm as she started asking him questions and tried to pull it from him to examine him. He swatted her hand away and proceeded to drag her to a smaller empty corridor a little further away.

Standing her in front of him, Potter looked around to make sure the coast was clear. He took her in, eyes gleaming, bursting to ask questions no doubt.

"Speak," he finally sighed.

"You have a cloak."

"What about it?"

"How?"

"Long story."

"That's how you keep doing all your weird shenanigans!" she gasped.

Potter looked at her. "Depends on who's asking," he replied calmly. He was clutching on to the cloak for dear life. Looking at him she considered her next move. "And I'll have you know what we do is art-"

"I want in on this," she decided.

"Absolutely not!"

"What?! Why?" Although Kelsey wasn't the least bit surprised. She figured it would take more convincing.

"You seem to be doing fine on your own. You got into our dorm room to mess with Padfoot's shampoo didn't you?" he stated.

"Or I mean.." she spoke again. There was almost only one guaranteed way to get one's way with James Potter. "..I could always tell Lily how you've been going about doing all these things "

"What do you need it for anyway?"

"To get even with Black. Duh!" she said as if it was the most obvious thing. "He has a weird thing for full moons, you know? I used to catch him out a lot. And the git would even make a whole thing of pointing it out," she went on.

"Like two peas in a pod," he grumbled just loud enough for her to hear. She ignored it and ran her hand over the smooth texture.

"Fine. But you have to promise me you can't go following him on a full moon," he warned. He felt a little sick hoping that he wasn't selling Moony out. He held it out to her.

"Yes, because that isn't suspicious at all." She was about to reach for it when he pulled it back giving her a 'Are you serious' look. "Fine. I'll behave. Scouts honour."

He gave her a confused look but handed it over for examination anyway.

By now they were sitting on one of the windowsills, that overlooked the Scottish landscape.

"Wicked," she grinned examining it closer. She looked up to see Potter's face looking at her in good fun. He seemed happy that she was just as thrilled about this piece of cloth as him.

A light breeze blew through, making Jones shiver. Potter sighed. Fleamont and Euphemia Potter had raised him to be a gentleman. Even if it was being polite towards Lady Satan herself.

"That cardigan's too thin," he pointed out.

"It's fine. I like it like this," she said.

If he hadn't been wearing a jumper beneath, he wouldn't be doing this. Begrudgingly he took off his own light jacket and scooted closer in order to drape it over her.

"So.." he began. "..about Evans"

"Relax Potter. I won't tell her nothing," she grinned back. "Wasn't going to in the first place."

"Why- you-"

"No backsies!" she giggled and tugged the jacket a little closer.

Loud steps interrupted them. A madly blushing and giggling girl appeared, pulling on a hand that turned out to belong to Sirius Orion Black.

Sirius Black froze at the scene. James had still been adjusting his jacket over Jones' shoulder. Jones herself was in the middle of laughing. The very same smile that for some reason seemed to flutter Sirius' own heart. He saw her sharing that look with Potter. He felt a stab of pain in his chest.

A shrill giggle distracted his attention to the hand he was holding. He saw the blonde looking up at him with shining eyes.

"Sirius!" she slurred a bit. "Here?" She tried to make a face, hoping he'd get the hint that they should probably take the show somewhere else.

Determined, Sirius wasn't one to back down from a show. With a smirk, he wrapped his arm around her waist, making her sigh in content.

"Don't mind if I do," he tipped his head forward.

"Happy Birthday Sirius," she said sultrily, batting her eyelashes.

"Indeed," he grinned wickedly. Directly looking at Jones, he captured the sixth-year's lips in a full kiss.

Kelsey realised that she hadn't been drinking enough water that night despite Lily's repeated reminders to hydrate. Her throat suddenly felt dry as she stared at Black locking lips with the blonde, not understanding why his challenging gaze unsettled her. She felt a heavy thud in her heart.

"I think we should go," Potter nudged her, drawing her out of her trance. He gave her a small smile looking at her with sympathy.