'Geminio.' Sirius waved at his cup. 'Gêminio' He shouted again.

But the cup just stood there.

'Have any success?' Sirius asked.

'Yeah, I spotted her. There she is.' James said looking at Brenda and some other girl's at the other end of the room.

'Who's she? I was talking about the cup.'

'She's the girl I have been talking to you about.'

'The infamous Brenda, huh?'

James smirked, hoping to catch her glance.

'Seems like she has duplicated her cup.' said Sirius.

'So have many.' said Remus, pointing at his two cups.

'Its juh-min-ee-oh not jay-min-ee-oh' Said Remus. 'That's the trick.'

'How do you keep up with all this, Remy?'

'I listen to Professor Mcgonagall rather than chat with you guys.'

'Guys, she's coming towards us.'

Brenda passed a smile and walked over to him.

'So, what's new?' Brenda asked flicking her wand and duplicating the cups with two gentle words.
***
'Who's that girl with James?' Lily asked.

'Oh, James finally got a girlfriend.' said Dorcas.

'Good for him.' said Mary.

'Back to what I was, saying.' Marlene interrupted.
***
'Remus.' Sirius pulled him aside.

'What?' He asked.
'Listen, man. I have no idea how big first dates should be.'

'Okay.' Remus said.

'Okay? Help me.' Sirius said.

'Well, do you have reservations?'
'Yes.'

'To some nice place?'
'Yeah, I guess. Go on.'

'Hartz.' Sirius said when Remus didn't say further.

'That's like way expensive. Listen, did you check your gringotts account lately. Your father could be trying to check into it. You never know.'

'I will check it out during the vacations.' Sirius said as the bell rung and they walked out.

James and Brenda were making out in the corridor.

'Young love.' Remus said to Sirius.
'I can't believe he really moved on over Lily.' Sirius said.

'Wait and watch, maybe he didn't.' Remus said.
'Then again, maybe he did.' Sirius said eyeing towards where Lily was walking alongside Ian Kerkovich.
***
'I have tickets. We could catch a concert this weekend.' James said.

'I don't know.' She said unsurely.

'Why not? It's perfect. It won't affect your studies, I promise.'
'It's not that. Listen, James I must come clean here. Before this I was in a long term relationship which didn't work out. So I am on the verge of moving on but not quite moved on.'

'He used to love concerts.' Brenda said.

'I get what you say. I spend a millennium chasing a girl who I managed to become friends with. Nothing more.'

'But we found each other didn't we?' James smiled. 'And boy, was it a cliché. Two strangers in a room.'

'Never really thought about that. Listen, I am getting late for potions. See you, later.' She kissed him on the cheek, then went away to attend her class.

'See you.' James said.

***
'Hey.' Remus said.
'What's up?' Asked Dorcas.

'Nothing much, actually. James and Sirius both ditched me with their plans. Just homework, I guess.'

'Oh, um I wanted to clear things between us. We are taking a break, right?'

'I would guess so. You called it.' Remus said.

'Yeah, it would be alright with you if we see other people, then?'
'Do I have a choice?'

'Yeah it's fine.' Remus said with a faint smile. 'Who's the lucky guy?'
'Maybe nobody.'

'Definitely somebody.'
***
'No date, huh?' Mary asked.
'Why do you end up everywhere I go again?' Remus asked.

'Maybe it's you who ends up everywhere I go around.'
'Yeah. No wonder I am drinking Irish whiskey in a school night.'

'The year's almost ending. Chill out a little.'

'Yeah. Thanks for keeping me company, this essay on vampire bats is killing me.'

'Don't thank me, I am only here to copy your essay.' Mary grinned.

***
'This was really nice of you. The food here is delish.' Marlene complimented.

'I would hope so. I spent all my earnings in this date.' Sirius said.

'No, you didn't.'
'Of course I didn't. But I do have a surprise for you after this.'

'Close your eyes.' Sirius smiled.

'Okay.' Marlene said closing her eyes shut, a grin on her face.
'Marls, hold my hand.' Sirius said.

She reached out for his hand.

And within two seconds everything had changed.

'You can open your eyes now.' Sirius said.
'We are in a building? A balcony?' Marlene asked. 'What? How?'

'Not just any building. Top deck of the Empire State Building. Marlene, we are in New York.' Sirius grinned.

'This is the most beautiful surprise you could have thrown.' Marlene smiled.

'Let's just watch the view together.' Smiled Sirius.
'Yeah, let's do that.'
***
'I am feeling woozy.' Remus said.

'Maybe we should be get going back to the dorms.' Mary said.

'No, I am fine. Let's just hit a stop on the drinks, okay? Let's not end up doing something we both regret.'

'Remus do you think, there could have been an us?'

'Where's this coming from?' Remus asked tensed.

'I don't know. Forget I said anything.'
***