Sirius Black had never met Rae Johnson until that fateful day in November when Severus Snape had spiked his potion, causing messy gunk to splatter the walls and floors of the potions room. Slughorn hadn't believed him of course and Sirius had been held back for an hour cleaning up the mess he was supposed to have made.

Sirius, tired and aching from all the scrubbing, threw the brush back into the bucket of soapy water and trudged back to Slughorn's office.

"I'm done professor…" He groaned, leaning heavily against the large wooden door, not bothering to stand up properly.

"Oh ho! Jolly good Sirius m'boy!" Slughorn said happily, heaving his podgy body out of his chair, "I was just thinking to myself, before you walked through that door in fact, just how much you'd benefit from extra potions lessons you know…"
Sirius groaned, "I'm fine with potions professor. It was Snivell-Severus who put the dragon scales in-"

"Sirius, my boy, will this confrontation with young Severus ever end?" Slughorn said shaking his head.

"But professor-"

"Now now Sirius I know that you and Severus have differences but that does not escape the fact that you need help with potions my boy…"
"But I'm fine! Honestly I am!"
"Mr Potter is quite a distraction Sirius. It would make me feel much better if you let me pair you up with someone else."

"But-"

"Sirius your NEWT's are coming up soon. How do you ever expect to be an auror with a low grade in potions?"
"I…"
Slughorn stared Sirius down and Sirius could fight the issue no longer.

"Yes sir…" He said sulkily.

"That's my boy…" He said, slamming a podgy hand against Sirius' shoulder in some form of friendly gesture. Slughorn moved back to his desk and took a seat, rummaging through all sorts of folders until he came across a rather crumpled piece of paper. He gestured to the seat opposite his desk and Sirius took it less than willingly.

"Righto…I have three outstanding students in my potions class for you to choose form Mr Black…hmmm…it seems as though you have made quite an impression on two of them already my boy," Slughorn chuckled, "But don't fret, I wont have you with young Miss Evans or Severus, I want you to be able to concentrate…"
"Oh please don't put me with Frank Longbottom…" Sirius whispered under his breath.

"Oh good heavens no! I want you to be alive to do you're NEWT's," Slughorn chuckled, "Ahh here we are. How well do you know Miss Johnson?"
"Johnson? I don't know a Johnson…are you sure you've got the right seating plan?" Sirius asked.

"No, no my boy, Miss Johnson has been in our class ever since first year!"
"What's her first name?"
"Rae…Rae Johnson…quite pleasant wouldn't you say?"
"I guess…" Sirius shrugged, "It would be even more pleasant if I knew who she was…"
"You honestly haven't met Miss Johnson? Sweet girl, extremely quiet though…"
"Well there you have it," Sirius grinned, "The people I get along with are nowhere near quiet."
"Well then she will be a perfect example for you," Slughorn beamed, filing away the seating plan.

Sirius sighed and leant over Slughorn's desk in an effort to make one last attempt.

"Look sir, I really don't need extra lessons or a new partner. I'm fine the way I am. I can study in my own time. All it takes is for Snivell-Severus to be moved and there will be no more mistakes-"

"Sirius my boy Severus Snape is one of my best students! Why should I want to move him? Like I have said before I understand that you have your differences but I expect you to put them behind you for your NEWT's…can you do that for me Sirius?"
"Yes Professor…" Sirius grumbled.

"Now then, I understand that I have deprived you of your dinner for quite enough. I'm sure you must be ravenous!" Slughorn beamed, "Off you go now Sirius! The new arrangement will start tomorrow…oh and tell Miss Evans that you are very sorry for stealing her lab partner and tell her that she has now been assigned to James Potter…"
Sirius stood with a smile.

"Sure…night professor…"
"Good night my boy…"
Sirius left the potions room and the dungeons with a wide grin on his face.

Even if this Rae Johnson turned out to be a real drag it would be worth it just to watch Lily and James every lesson.

Authors note: Ok so I just randomly got this idea in my head and thought I'd write it to see how well it turns out. I'd LOVE to know what you think so PLEASE review. This is just the intro so the chapters will hopefully be longer next time XD xxxx