Dedicated to Arabella, who helped me through all the writer's drought, who never stopped encouraging me, and never stopped praising my very first story.

Thank you for your endless words of wisdom, your editing skills, and most of all, the fact that you too love Remus and Sirius.

This is for you, Bella. You are my Padfoot. Only not gay.

I sat in History of Magic, letting the words wash over me but not taking them in. I knew I would regret this later come the O.W.L.s, but it was too warm in the classroom, and having truly had no interest in goblin legislation, I began to doodle on my blank piece of parchment.

I sketched the eye I knew so well, of which I had memorized every detail, without meaning to.

I concentrated on perfecting the black irises, so dark in colour yet smiling - as if laughing at a joke.

I almost felt as if it was Sirius watching me from the parchment.

A voice from my left interrupted me. "What are you doing, Moony?" Peter asked.

My head shot up, hand instinctively covering the drawing. "Nothing. …Shh," I hastily added as I saw Sirius glance towards us.

"Why aren't you taking notes?"

Now feeling distinctly ruffled I shot at him. "Would it kill you to take your own notes for once, Peter?" I hissed.

Peter, looking momentarily stunned, looked towards Professor Binns, his eyes immediately unfocusing as the monotonous speech continued.

As I resumed my drawing, a familiar calm fell over me – a calm only associated with my indulgence of the love I felt for Sirius – and yet so often ignored, pushed to the back of my mind. I examined the eye, and feeling I'd finished, set to work neatly writing 'R.B.' in my best handwriting, when a voice whispered in my ear, sending cold shivers down my spine, despite the warm breath.

"Whatcha got there, Moony?" Sirius spoke quietly, sensing my stiffening pose.

"N- Nothing," I managed to stammer, but the parchment was seized from under my hand. I tried to snatch it back, but Sirius was too quick.

He stared appraisingly at the drawing. "That's pretty good, Moony," he whispered.

I didn't say anything, but twisted my hands in my lap. Any moment now, Sirius would realise his best friend was in love with him. His friend, werewolf, Prefect, complete and utter loser, was in love with him.

"R.B.?" My heart quickened its pace. Sirius raised an eyebrow. "You're in love with my brother?"

I played for time. Not Regulus Black. Remus Black. "No, no, no, just… I was trying to work –"

"Bagshot. Ronan Bagshot," interrupted James, "You know, the chick who wrote A History of Magic's father," he said, pointing at the textbook lying on Sirius' desk.

I jumped at the chance to talk my way out of this mess. "Yes, yes, that's right. Something I had to ask Professor Binns about," I whispered.

Sirius seemed momentarily mollified, "Sounds like you, Moony." As he slid the parchment back to me, I turned my gaze towards Professor Binns. I felt Sirius' eyes on my face, but I refused to acknowledge his stare.

My heart was still beating a tattoo against my chest, and I felt sick. Of all the things I could be, I chose a gay werewolf.

Good choosing, Moony.