"Those utter twats," Sirius huffs, hurrying through the snow covered streets of Hogsmeade.

The promises of warmth and sweets from the trolley cart looms closer with every step he takes, the billowing clouds of steam growing larger from where the Hogwarts Express sits waiting for the last of its passengers.

His stomach growls at the thought of food. Between a particularly rough full moon, oversleeping and missing breakfast, as well as having to walk all the way to the train station since the carriages had already departed, he is absolutely ravenous.

James, who is exactly like Euphemia when it comes to caring for those he loves, usually makes sure all of the boys are awake, fed, and on time for everything, but Sirius supposes it is his own fault for being left out of the routine this morning.

Having left Emaline in such a hurry and more than likely blowing his only real chance with her last night, he was hardly in the best mood. Instead of playing with Moony, Padfoot would snarl and agitate him further, making the other animagis' task of keeping the werewolf safe all the more difficult.

"Are you ill?"

Sirius comes to a halt so fast, his feet slide on the icy pavement and cause him to topple face first into the snow. A laugh he's missed far more than he'll ever admit echoes throughout the empty street and gloved hands tug on the sleeves of his leather jacket to help him back up.

He turns around, wanting to laugh and make a joke, but memories that he'd rather forget are all that comes to mind when he looks at his younger brother.

"Are you asking because you care or because Mother is still trying to convince the world an undiagnosed sickness is to blame for the dishonor I bring by merely existing?"

Regulus takes a step back, his laughter immediately disappearing. "I was asking because you're wearing green," he mutters, staring at the scarf wrapped around his neck instead of making eye contact. "It was only a joke."

Regret hits Sirius like a slap in the face.

While their different House sortings put a tremendous strain on their relationship, Regulus still continues to be the only member of their family who doesn't entirely despise him, and was even his best friend once. He may undoubtedly be the favorite son, and far too concerned with staying in line with their parents' opinions, but Sirius still loves the boy.

He takes a step forward, wanting to pull the boy into a hug and to apologize for his remark and so much more. He freezes when Regulus flinches at the fast advance.

Unable to form the words, Sirius offers an apologetic shrug of his shoulders instead and Regulus nods, understanding exactly what he's trying to convey.

In unison, the brothers start walking towards the train again. Sirius doesn't expect another word to be spoken between them, but Regulus surprises him yet again.

"Will you be home for Christmas?"

"What makes you think Mother will extend an invitation to me?"

"I know she's not going to," the younger boy admits. "That's why I'm asking. I want you there."

A firm 'no' is on the tip of his tongue, not even wanting to entertain the incredulous idea.

"At least consider it," Regulus adds before he has the chance to decline. "Please."

Not waiting on his answer, he hurries ahead to get on the train before anyone can see the brothers together. Sirius follows slowly, pondering what good could possibly come out of him returning to his wretched family home for an evening.

He's so caught up in his own thoughts that he doesn't even realize he's passed the compartment his fellow marauders are in as he walks down the narrow corridor, barely avoiding the rambunctious students bouncing in and out of compartments before the Hogwarts Express begins it's journey.

One compartment door slides open as he walks by and a hand reaches out, latching onto his sleeve and yanking him inside before shutting the door again.

"I can't believe-" Sirius's complaints and barrage of insults he had prepared on his long walk disappear entirely when he sees a certain girl instead of his three best friends. "Oh."

Emaline mistakes his surprise for disappointment and all of the courage she had gathered up again nearly disappears entirely.

"Sorry," she mutters, picking at her nails instead of looking up at him. "I'm sure you'd like to go find your friends."

"You're far better company," he reassures her. Having to endure the freezing elements is suddenly worth it as he watches her fail to hide a smile at the compliment.

Finally glancing up, her smile only grows as she sees him wearing the scarf she had lent him the night before. While any normal person would avoid someone who hurried away when she asked for a kiss not even twenty-fours prior, Emaline could not find it within herself to simply leave it be.

The logical thing would be to accept that he has lost feelings for her and move on. But the fact that he had followed her out is what confused her, leading her to grasp onto the tiniest shred of hope that he truly needed to be somewhere else at the time she asked for the kiss.

Sirius opens his mouth to ask if Peter had forgotten to pack something, for she only ever seeks one of the Marauders out when it has something to do with her younger brother, but he cuts himself off as she takes a brazen step forward.

"Do you still fancy me?" Though her voice is barely a whisper, she's close enough for every breath to tickle his jaw.

"What?" He understands the question, but not why she's asking. The answer is obvious; even the blind can see how completely infatuated Sirius is with the girl.

"Do you," she repeats slowly, now so close their lips are almost brushing. Sirius can hardly hear her over his heart pounding and he freezes completely when she moves one hand to carefully caress his cheek. "Still fancy me?"

"Of course," he murmurs, not daring to speak any louder for fear of ruining this tantalizing moment.

"Then kiss me."

"Have you been drinking?"

She shakes her head and Sirius briefly wonders if he's dreaming. A nagging voice in the back of his head tells him this is far too good to be reality but, even if the voice is right, he could care less.

He carefully leans into her touch, giving her plenty of time to change her mind and kick him out of the compartment. Instead, her smile only grows, and the small gesture changes both of their lives forever.

In the blink of an eye, Sirius Black is kissing Emaline Pettigrew senseless.