"So that's it huh?"

"Yep. That's where I go every month. A bit lonely really"

"It won't be lonely for long, Moony. Jade here has found one of the first steps to becoming animagi" Sirius put a hand on my shoulder grinning.

"Really?" Remus asked surprised.

"Yep. Mandrake leaf on the tongue for a month. I don't recommend doing it yet since I haven't done a lot of research about it" I shrugged and looked at Remus. "Just a while more Moony. Think you can handle it?"

"I've dealt with it since I was about four. A few more months or years won't kill me, Jade." We all laughed.

"Well let's leave this depressing place and go to Zonko's. I hear they have more color bombs and more things that explode." James said jumping up and down like a kid.

"Lead the way, James"

...

"Think about all the amazing things we'll do now with this!" We walked back to school after raiding Zonko's joke shop for the last two hours on Hogsmeade.

"We will create masterpieces, James." Sirius said inspecting the color bombs and fireworks.

"You're helping us, right Jade?" Peter asked.

"Of course! Wouldn't dream of doing anything else" that made the boys smile big.

"Even if it means pranking the Snakes?" Remus raised and eyebrow at me.

"As long as nothing gets out of hand and nothing is traced back to me, I'm all for it."

"Of course. Nobody would suspect the star student doing anything bad." James rolled his eyes. "How is it that you barely sleep but get good grades?"

"Sleep? What's that? I run on pure pumpkin juice and adrenaline my dear brother." I smirked and put an arm around his shoulder. "And besides, your pranks would mean nothing without me. I am the most cunning and ambitious of the group."

"More pranks, Potter?" Lily rolled her eyes as she walked right past us with Severus next to her.

"You know me Evans. Maybe you'll join me in a few of them" James smirked at the girl and she flipped him off. I started laughing hysterically.

"See you later Jade. Don't forget we have that Herbology homework due Tuesday" and with that she left.

"What the hell just happened?"

"You got rejected, James. Again" Sirius started to laugh also and suddenly, Peter and Remus joined in.

"Wait. Again?" Sirius nodded. "When was the first time?"

"When term started. He asked Evans if she wanted to watch him practice" Sirius said in between laughters. "She called him a toe rag again."

"Honestly James, give it up. She's not going to love you" I rolled my eyes still laughing.

"Oh, like you and Sirius love each other." He smirked and all laughter died.

"W-what?" Sirius and I choked on air and looked at each other.

"I don't love him. Look at the idiot. Sirius you should get a haircut"

"How could I love a Slytherin? I mean, she's a snake for Merlin's sake." Remus looked at Sirius wide eyed and Peter tensed up. "I would never love a snake. She's friends with Snivelus Trout too. Talk about deal breaker."

"Watch what you're saying Sirius." James told him calmly. I stood next to Remus and Peter with my jaw clenched.

"When the hell did it matter in what house I am, Sirius?"

"No offense Jade, but look at the facts. You're a Slytherin, I'm a Gryffindor. Snakes only hang with snakes. It's only a matter of time before you choose Snivelus over us." Sirius shrugged.

"So that's what you see her as? A temporary friend? May I remind you that she was the first person I told about my 'condition' , she's the one who comes up with the most amazing pranks, she tutors Peter and willingly gives me her homework after a transformation. She also encouraged James to be Seeker and helps him in Potions. She has always been there for you whenever you get another letter from home and is the first one to cheer you up. Do you really think she'll leave us for Snape? After everything she's done for us?" Remus pulled me to his side and held my waist protectively. "She may not be in the same house, but that doesn't matter. It never mattered."

"Maybe it mattered to me" Sirius mumbled. James and Peter said nothing and glared at him.

"When the hell did it matter, Sirius? I don't care that you guys are Gryffindors. I don't care about Moony's 'condition' . I don't care that James is the most popular twin and takes all of the glory and praise while I stick to the shadows. I don't care that Peter sometimes takes a second or two to understand things. And most of all, I don't care that you're a Black. Your family has called my family blood traitors since the beginning of the Sacred 28. Do I care? No. Why? Because that's not you, Sirius. I only care about my friends. Nothing else." I had slight tears in my eyes. After three years of helping him and this is what happens?

"You're a Slytherin, Jade. You people shed your skins so many times, I don't even know what you truly are. Can you blame me?"

"No, I don't blame you. I just wish you would stop with this foolishness. I look the other way when you prank my house. I-"

"But you don't look the other way when we prank Snivelus" Sirius spat back.

"BECAUSE HES MY FRIEND, SIRIUS. HES THE ONLY FRIEND I HAVE IN SLYTHERIN. The boys won't talk to be because I'm James sister. The girls don't even look at me because I hang with you."

"You have Evans as a friend" Sirius shrugged.

"She's a Gryffindor. She doesn't want to enter the dungeons because of who she is. She doesn't want to be targeted." I trailed off and looked at him with a tear leaving my eye. "You know what? If it matters so much, maybe I'll stop hanging out with you then. Good luck with your pranks now boys." I grabbed my bag from James and left for the Great Hall.

...

I sat in the Slytherin table probably for the first time in three years, not counting the first and last feasts of the school year. The boys entered the Hall with Sirius right behind them. He looked as if nothing has happened but Remus' eyes tell a different story. They sat down and they were silent for the first time, not even James was talking.

"You're better off without them" Severus shrugged.

"They're still my friends, Sev. And James is my brother"

"Don't remind me" he rolled his eyes. I decided to say nothing and eat my chicken in silence.

...

"Hand me the potions book, Moony" Remus and I were in the library cramming for finals.

"Here you go. Pass me the Herbology notes" I sighed and handed him the notes.

"How's James?"

"Struggling with Charms, but he's going to help us later with Transfiguration." I nodded. "You know Sirius-"

"Moony" I warned him.

"Jade, it's been two months and you haven't joined in on any pranks. Even Peeves misses you. You're with us when we go to the Willow on the full moon. That's it. James is miserable and Peter isn't any better"

"He said what he said, Moony. If he wanted to apologize, he had two months to do so. It's too late now" I trailed off and looked at the book.

"You have to understand why he said that Jade. He comes from a whole family of Slytherins."

"Yeah? And I'm the first Slytherin in a family of Gryffindors. Things happen, Remus." I rolled my eyes and leaned back on my chair. "Christmas is coming up. You staying here?"

He nodded.

"Yeah, I am. And so are the guys. Are you?"

"I don't know anymore. If I go home, it'll be my first Christmas without James and I don't want to leave you on a full moon."

"You're seriously thinking about going home because of what Sirius said?" I said nothing. "Merlin, Jade. Just talk to him"

"No. And either you drop the subject or I'm going to the dungeons." I rolled my eyes and he sighed.

"Fine. Here, James wanted to give you this" he handed me the invisibility cloak and I raised my eyebrow. "I'll be by the portrait. I'm giving you 20 minutes to get your act together and join me." And with that he packed up his stuff and left.

I sat and thought about it for a while. I am getting pretty lonely and I miss my brother and Peter. Maybe I should go.

After about 10 minutes, I packed my stuff,grabbed the cloak and left the library.

...

"Jade are you here?" I kicked Remus shin. "Ow! You don't have to be violent about it."

"Shut up and let's go. I don't have all night" he rolled his eyes and said the password.

We entered the common room and I saw Sirius on the sofa looking depressed.

"Still won't talk?" Remus sat down on the floor in front of Sirius. "Merlín Sirius, just talk to the girl"

"She hates me. I've had two months and she hates me."

Remus rolled his eyes and nudged James to my direction. He walked around blindly until I hit his ankle and he winced. He sat on the floor next to me and sighed.

"He wants to apologize" i shushed him.

"Sirius, you should really talk to her. She looked miserable at the library until I sat with her." Remus said.

"Like I'm any better. I miss my partner in crime."

"What about me!?" James yelled.

"James shut it." Peter said. "We're serious, Sirius. Just talk to her."

There was a silence and I almost gasped. He always has a comeback for that.

"I know. Screw it, I'm going to the dungeons. James where is the cloak?" Sirius stood up. Remus, James and I tensed slightly.

"I lent it to Jade last night because she wanted to get a book on animagi after curfew. It's probably with her. But I'll check in our dorm just in case" Sirius nodded thinking.

"Screw it. I'll risk the detention with Filch" and with that he left. I sighed and took off the cloak.

"AHHH!" Peter yelled. "You've been here the whole time?"

I nodded.

"He's been like this for two months. It's driving me insane." James took the cloak. "We have to get you to the dungeons before he shows up"

"It'll take him a while and he'll probably wait for a while. She can just make an excuse" Remus sat down next to me.

"Partner in crime, huh?" I smiled faintly.

"Jade, he wasn't kidding. You two are always together. I'm jealous" James said and I punched his arm lightly.

"Both of you are so blind" Peter rolled his eyes smiling. "You two need each other to function."

"It's disgusting really" Remus joined in. "But we're not kidding. You should head to the dungeons before Filch catches him and gives Sirius yet another detention"

The three boys escorted me out of the common room and to the entrance of the dungeons.

"We'll see you tomorrow. Take the cloak just in case. If it's past curfew, give it to Sirius" James kissed my cheek and left. Remus handed me a book and smiled waking away. Peter gave me a thumbs up and followed the two boys.

I walked down the steps and saw Sirius on the floor in front of the Potions classroom.

"What are you doing, Sirius? Love potions so much you can't have enough?" He chuckled lightly and looked at me.

"Quite the opposite. Thinking of how to set dung bombs without Slughorn noticing." I sat down next to him and he noticed the book and the cloak. "Just come back from the library Huh?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Studying for exams and Herbology is kicking my ass."

"Jade, that's a Transfiguration book"

"Well, shit. That class is also kicking my ass" he laughed.

"The star student is struggling with a class? What's next? The end of the world."

"Probably" I laughed along with him. There was silence for a while and boy was it awkward.

"I'm sorry" he muttered.

"Huh?" I smirked.

"I'm sorry"

"I couldn't hear you sorry. Can you say that a little louder, Sirius?"

"IM SORRY" Sirius yelled and I started laughing hysterically. "Happy?"

"Yes."

"I really am though. I shouldn't have said what I said. I was just so angry at mother that I took it out on you" he looked down at his feet.

"That still doesn't justify your actions, Sirius." I rolled my eyes slightly and leaned on his shoulder. "But I forgive you."

"You do?"

"Yeah, I do. I miss pranking people with you. And I miss Peeves also." He out an arm around me and smiled.

"So I got my partner in crime back?"

"Yes you do, Sirius." I laughed slightly and hugged him tight. He hugged me back and kissed my forehead.

"You know, you're brother said something to me last night"

"Oh yeah? What was it?" I questioned.

"That we're going to end up together before fifth year." We both laughed at this.

"As if. He's delusional. Lily doesn't love him back and he's losing his mind." Out of the corner of my eye I saw a cat with red eyes and immediately tensed up. "Sirius, it's Mrs. Norris"

"Oh shit run!" I grabbed the cloak and transfigured it to a book. Sirius grabbed the other book and we started to make a run for it until Filch appeared in front of us.

"What do we have here? Potter and Black, I should've known. Detention, both of you. Follow me" Filch said and we followed him without saying a word.

"You know, we should a map that shows everybody at Hogwarts. Where they are, every minute of everyday." I whispered to him.

"That's brilliant, Jade! I'll tell the guys if we make it out alive this time." I held a laugh and smiled at him grabbing his hand.

"Silence you two" Filch yelled glaring at us. Suddenly Peeves appeared out of nowhere and threw a trophy at Filch and almost hit the damn cat. Peeves went the other direction and Filch ran behind him. "YOU TWO DON'T MOVE"

"YOU'RE WELCOME!" Peeves yelled out and we laughed.

"Merlin, I love Peeves so much." Isaid still laughing and Sirius nodded in agreement.

"Shall we move, my lady?"

"Why yes, kind sir. But where shall we go?"

"Why the Gryffindor common room of course. There's no way I'm going to enter the snake pit." I laughed. Sirius grabbed my hand again and we made a run to the Gryffindor common room.

I wouldn't have this any other way.