A/N: Ok readers. I owe you all a huge apology. :-/ I've been putting off writing on this story for a long time now. I don't even know WHY I put it off for so long, I just did. Regardless, apology over, this update is a bit short. But let me know what you think in the reviews! :) Thanks for reading!

"It took you forever, slowpoke!" James teased me as I re-joined my friends.

I smiled. "That doesn't sound like someone who wants to know who Lily's hanging out with today."

James hesitated, obviously curious. "It's Snivellus isn't it?"

I chuckled and gave a nod.

"Man! I can't stand that guy!" He replied, looking seriously ticked off.

"Are we going into Knockturn Alley or are we going to stand around and listen to you whine?" Sirius asked.

James gave him a shove and Sirius responded by laughing.

We walked a little ways down the grounds until we got to the secret passageway on the side of the castle.

"All right, you go first." James nudged Sirius.

"Chicken." Sirius teased and jumped out of reach as James swatted at him.

Sirius jumped through the secret passage way and slid down a long time before we heard him hit the bottom of the tunnel.

"All right, I'll go next. I need to kick his ass for calling me chicken." James said and jumped through the tunnel.

Peter was next and I followed after him.

The tunnel is long, dark and winding. To be honest, I actually love this secret passageway. It feels like you're never going to stop falling.

It's scary but at the same time relaxing.

I actually closed my eyes as I slid down.

All too soon though, I smelled earth and knew that I was close to the end.

I shifted my weight to the right side, where the tunnel is less curved. It slowed down my sliding.

I came to an easy stop at the end of the tunnel and jumped off, landing on the dirt next to Sirius.

"Speaking of taking forever." He said.

I gave him a shove and looked around. "Where are the others?"

Sirius had his wand out and the tip of it was glowing, spreading a bit of light throughout the small underground passageway.

"They're up ahead. They didn't feel like waiting."

"Sorry." I replied.

He shook his head. "Don't be. I don't mind. I've heard about as much as I can take of James complaining about Snape."

I smiled. "He's got to let that go."

Sirius grinned. "I know."

"Does he ever stop complaining about Snape?" I asked.

"I have no clue." Sirius responded.

I continued to walk forward but after a few minutes, I realized that Sirius was no longer beside me.

I stopped and turned around. "Sirius?"

He was waiting for me.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Listen, I wanted to apologize for verbally attacking you earlier." He shook his head. "I'm not exactly sure what got into me. I guess, I'm just worried about you. You've been so quiet lately. I suppose I let it get to me."

I swallowed. So he had noticed…

"Sirius, I promise you, I'm fine. Now can we catch up with our friends before they start making jokes at our expense?" I asked.

Sirius laughed and gave me a shove. "Sure. Race you."

He put out his wand and raced down the underground hallway. I tore after him and soon ran past him.

I could hear Sirius' laughter as I raced ahead of him.

A smile spread across from my face as I ran faster and faster.

Today might actually turn out to be a good day.