CHAPTER FOUR

Since the night they had overheard Kaia's conversation with the headmaster, Sirius felt a newfound confidence surging within him. The knowledge that someone as resilient and level-headed as Kaia believed in his goodness had lit a fire of determination within him.

Determined to prove himself and earn her respect, Sirius resolved to work on becoming a better person. He wanted to show her that beneath the pranks and misdeeds, there was indeed a good person inside.

For some time now, Sirius had been eyeing Kaia McKinnon, intrigued by her aloof and mysterious nature. He found her independence and strength captivating, and he couldn't help but wonder what lay beneath her cool exterior.

As he continued to watch her from afar, a glimmer of determination sparked in his eyes. He was not about to lose her to anyone elsez

"Ain't that good news for you, Padfoot?" Peter exclaimed, grinning widely. "She knows you exist!"

James, who had been silently listening, couldn't hold back a snort of amusement. "Yeah, she does. Now maybe you'll have a chance with her, Padfoot."

Sirius huffed and chucked a pillow at James, hitting him squarely in the face. "Sod off, Prongs!"

"She's always known about you," Remus interjected, attracting the boys' attention.

Sirius perked up at Remus's words, a hopeful expression on his face. "Really?"

A mischievous smirk tugged at the corners of Remus's lips. "Certainly, as Regulus' older brother."

Sirius' face dropped, and he pouted at Remus's response. "That's just... offensive, Moony."

"To be fair, you've hardly spoken to her," Remus pointed out, a sly smile playing on his lips. "So, can you blame me for assuming she knows you only through Regulus?"

Sirius groaned and flopped down onto his bed, burying his face in the sheets. "You don't think she'll pity me, right?" he mumbled, a hint of vulnerability in his voice.

James shook his head confidently, "Absolutely not. She may have the expression of an ice queen, but trust me, she wouldn't pity you."

Peter chimed in, nodding at Sirius. "I thought you knew her, Pads. I recall you saying you could see the emotions behind her aloof facade."

"It's not about that, Wormy," Sirius sighed, his tone tinged with a hint of frustration. "You've seen how most people have been treating me since I left home."

James nodded in agreement, adding, "Yeah, people have been looking at you like you're some kind of social pariah. It sucks, mate."

Peter chimed in, "But according to the way Marlene describes her sister, Kaia cares a lot, despite her aloof facade. Like the time she stood up for Snape, remember?"

"Snivellus," Sirius spat, his voice laced with bitterness.

Remus let out a sigh, shaking his head. "Pads, that's the first thing you need to be careful about. Kaia tends to get defensive when it comes to her housemates."

Sirius huffed in frustration, pouting like a child. "But he's Snivellus!"

James spoke with a firm yet understanding tone. "Well, if you really have feelings for Kaia, you know what not to do."

Sirius crossed his arms petulantly, his bottom lip jutted out in a pout. "I'm not going to be nice to Snivellus" he declared, his voice filled with stubborn defiance.

James settled into his own bed, fixing Sirius with a stern gaze. "You don't need to be nice, just ignore him. That's what I did."

The boys continued to tease Sirius, who grumbled in response.

"Oh, I have no problem ignoring him," he muttered, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "It's just that... never mind"

James and Remus exchanged knowing glances, sensing that there was more to Sirius's statement.

"But...?" Remus prompted, his curiosity piqued.

Sirius let out a huff, realizing that his friends had caught on to his unfinished thought. He paused for a moment, his pouty demeanour giving way to a hint of vulnerability.

"But... it's Kaia," he admitted, his voice dropping to a soft, almost reluctant murmur. "It's the way she gets all defensive about her housemates. Especially Snivellus. And I know I should respect that, but..."

James and Remus listened intently, their expressions softening as they began to understand Sirius's predicament. They knew that his feelings for Kaia were genuine, and it pained him to see her take the side of someone he despised.

Remus placed a comforting hand on Sirius's shoulder, his voice gentle. "We understand, Pads. It's not easy when the person you like defends the people you can't stand."

James nodded in agreement, his expression sympathetic. "Yeah, mate, we get it. It's tough when the person you fancy takes a different stance than yours."

Sirius let out a defeated sigh, his shoulders slumping in resignation. "I know," he muttered. "It's just... I don't get why she cares about him. He's such a slimy git."

Remus squeezed Sirius's shoulder gently, offering a reassuring smile. "There's a lot about Kaia that we don't know, Pads. Maybe there's a reason why she defends him."

James chuckled softly, adding, "The mystery of the ice queen continues."

With a determined expression, Sirius turned to James and flashed a cocky grin. "Fine, then, Operation win, Kaia McKinnon is going to start as soon as possible," he declared confidently.

James chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Now we're talking, Pads. That's the spirit!"

The two boys exchanged sly grins, the room filled with a sense of anticipation and determination.

James clapped his hands together, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, then, let's start scheming. What's your game plan, mate?"

Sirius leaned back, a sly look in his eye. "First things first, I need to get her attention. Make her notice me. Any ideas, lads?"

Remus, the ever-clever one, tilted his head thoughtfully. "Hmm, perhaps you could try being a bit more subtle about it?"

James, always the one for grand gestures, let out a snort. "More subtle? That's not the Pads way, Moony"

Remus chuckled at James' comment, shaking his head. "True, but sometimes subtlety can go a long way, especially with someone like Kaia."

James crossed his arms, a playful smirk on his face. "Alright, I'll let you have that one. But what's your alternative, then, Mr. Subtle?"

Remus smirked back at James. "How about starting with simple conversations? Get to know her better, and show an interest in her. Treat her like a person, not just an attractive girl you want to win over."

"Okaay got it. I'll ask her on a date." Sirius said with confidence

Remus shook his head in mock despair, his words dripping with sarcasm. "Brilliant plan, Pads. Asking her out right off the bat, what could possibly go wrong?"

James snickered, clearly amused by the banter between Remus and Sirius. "Yeah, Pads, that's going to work like a charm. Nothing gets a girl more interested than a blunt and unexpected invitation."

Sirius huffed, a pout forming on his lips. "You guys are no fun. What's wrong with being direct?"

James chuckled, patting Sirius on the back. "Sometimes, the direct approach can be too much too soon. You gotta ease into it, mate."

"Hearing that from you isn't helping," Sirius replied to James, "Do we need to talk about Evans?"

Sirius grumbled in frustration as James shot back, "Listen, I'm not saying my approach with Lily was perfect, but at least it was all for one girl. I didn't have the reputation of being a notorious playboy or a 'paramour'—"

Sirius couldn't help but interject, "I have no idea how that became a thing."

James and Remus couldn't help but chuckle at Sirius's comment. James replied, "Probably because you kept flirting with every girl you came across, mate. "

Sirius sulked slightly, knowing that James had a point. "Hey, I can't help it if girls find me irresistible," he defended himself.

James rolled his eyes, a smirk on his face. "Right, because the 'Sirius Black' charm is just impossible to resist, isn't it?"

Remus snickered, playing along with the banter. "Oh yes, I can already picture the legions of lovestruck girls lining up for a chance with the infamous Sirius Black charm."

The boys burst into laughter as Sirius released his frustration by throwing the remaining pillows straight at their faces. They couldn't help but find the situation amusing, laughing heartily at the display of childish pouting.

James and Remus doubled over with laughter, clutching their stomachs as if they were struggling to breathe. "Oh, please, Pads," James managed to say between guffaws. "Spare us the pillow onslaught!"

Remus, still chuckling, held up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, we surrender! Just put down the pillows before you start a pillow fight war, will you?"

Sirius pouted, lowering the pillow in his hand reluctantly. "Fine, spoilsports," he muttered, sulking like a child. "You guys are no fun at all."