*Sirius POV*

"Okay," I started, waltzing back to our table, flipping the pages of the Muggle Studies textbook. "Muggles drive contraptions called cars to get to places instead of using the Floo network or apparating! Did you know that?"

"I'm a half-blood, Siri," She cocks an eyebrow at me, the sound of her chiming laughter arousing an odd feeling in my stomach.

"Right," I scratched the back of my neck sheepishly, forgetting that not everyone was brought up in the wizarding world.

"Anything else exciting in that book?" She smiled softly as I leant on the table beside her parchment, my leg slightly knocking the skin of her exposed thigh.

"Of course there is, Angel," I attempted to downplay my excitement, however, I knew that she saw right through me. "Muggles also use devices that are called pencils. They are quite similar to our quills and some even have a second device at the end that erases the marking! Isn't that cool?"

*James POV*

"Isn't that cool?" I mocked in a high voice, glaring at the pair a few tables over.

"Jealousy does not befit you, Prongs," Remus stated, his cheeky smirk a tell-tale sign that he was well aware of my feelings for his cousin.

"Whatever," I grumbled, resting my head on the wooden table with a sigh. "Wait!" I exclaimed, shooting up from the study table. "Oh get over it," I rolled my eyes at the annoyed students.

"Sit down and shut up before Madam Pince kicks us out," Remus whispered harshly. "Now what is it?"

I sat back down, leaning against the cushioned seat, extremely pleased with my epiphany. "You're Lilah's cousin, Moony! Who better to get her to forgive me if not you?"

"Yeah no," He replied, not looking up from his copy of some muggle book.

"And why not?" I whined, leaning across the table.

"Because we already have enough issues as it is let alone with yours," He explained, "plus have you even tried apologising to her?"

"No," I mumbled, glancing over Remus' shoulder to find my best friend with my girl. Fucking traitor. "You're one to talk, though, why don't you take your own fucking advice if it's that easy!" I spat, regretting the harsh words as soon as they left my mouth.

"Whenever you're off your monthly maybe come give me a find," Remus growled, his pale skin and dark bags a reminder that his, in fact, is coming up, him being a werewolf and all.

"Moony-"

"Save it," he snapped, shoving his chair back roughly before making his way towards Lilah and Sirius.

"Hey Li, I would like to apologise for my actions these past few months. I was an idiot and an awful cousin, is there any chance that you could forgive me?" I heard him say, smiling hesitantly down at her.

"Of course Remus!" She beamed, knocking over her seat in her rush to hug him.

"Thank Merlin," he muttered, clutching at her tightly.

Remus once again continued to exit the library, pausing once more to turn around.

What was he doing?

"Fuck you," he mouthed, walking backwards with his two middle fingers in the air.

I shrugged, not bothering to uncover the meaning behind his gesture.

It's probably a muggle thing.

*Remus POV*

My feet shuffled slowly as I walked down the corridor, my copy of Alice Through the Looking Glass hanging loosely from my hand.

"Weren't you listening to them Thursday morning? Her dad died not too long ago and you can't just ask her about it, we weren't even supposed to know!" Lily berated a sheepish looking Marlene McKinnon.

Her long red hair fell down her back in soft waves, emerald connecting with chocolate as she smiled shyly at me. "Hi Remus," She mumbled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Hey," I greeted warmly, a light blush colouring my cheeks.

"Yeah well Lilah needs our support right now," Marlene continued, oblivious to our exchange.

"Is everything alright with Lilah?" I questioned, worried for my cousin.

"Oh! Hey, Remus!" Marlene grinned up at me, the blonde spitfire full of energy.

I nodded my head in greeting, desperately wanting to continue their conversation.

"She's just been having a few nightmares lately," Lily explained.

"More like night terrors," Marlene interjected, grunting loudly when Lily elbowed her sharply in her side. "What? He's her cousin, he deserves to know!"

Lily sighed heavily, glancing angrily over at Marlene before returning her attention to the conversation at hand. "She's honestly fine, Sirius has been helping her through it, it's nothing to worry about. I'm sorry about your uncle, by the way," She smiled sympathetically, gripping my hand comfortingly in her much smaller one.

Sirius has been helping her through it? No wonder they've gotten so close in the past week.

Wait – my uncle?

"What about my uncle?" I asked confusedly, not understanding what she was talking about.

"Lilah's father? He was your uncle yes?" She waited for my nod to continue. "I'm honestly so sorry for your loss, I couldn't imagine losing my mother and then losing my father right before I was to start a new school. I would be devastated!"

"Oh, um, right, that." I bobbed my head, knowing for a fact that Uncle Alfred was not dead. "Thanks so much, Lily."

"It's no worries! If you ever need a friend, come find me," She squeezed my hand once more before letting go, Marlene tugging her down the hall enthusiastically.

My uncle wasn't dead so why had they thought that he was?

Something wasn't right and I was determined to figure it out and I knew exactly where to start.

Lilah.