It had been a week since Barbara and Sirius kissed, a week since Barbara and Sirius talked, and a week of James having to give Sirius pep talks.

Many students were questioning the behavior of Sirius and Barbara, but others paid no attention to it. To them, they just got into another fight; like they did when they weren't friends.

Barbara was in the a Room of Requirement with Alex. She had learned that he needed help with potions and was trying to tutor him, until he brought up a question.

"So, does James and your family know about Vampires?" Barbara shrugged nonchalantly, "Yeah, that's why he's doing really well in D.A.D.A."

Alex laughed. "I was starting to wonder..."

That made Barbara laugh.

Suddenly, door opened and James Potter, along with the rest of the Marauders, came in. Sirius and Barbara started to intentionally ignore each other, until Sirius noticed Alex.

"What's he doing here?" He asked in an agitated tone.

"I was going to ask you four the same question. What are you guys doing here? This is none of your business."

James stepped in, "We came in to hang out in our room. Now please, just tell him what you two are doing."

Barbara rolled her eyes. "We both know I was the one who found this room. Plus, it's my office."

The quartet frowned. "Barb, what's Alex doing here?" Remus asked kindly. Knowing her soft spot for him wouldn't allow her to not answer, Barbara answered.

"We're just studying and talking. Nothing to lose your head over. You guys know I do this, what has you so flustered?"

Instead of answering her question directly, Peter turned to Sirius with a nervous glare. "See? I told you she wasn't going to shag anyone! Merlin, Sirius! He's a Second Year and you should know her by now! Stop being so over dramatic!"

"You thought I was shagging now, let alone a Second Year?" Betrayal was seeping through the sentence. Alex looked between the Fifth Years, clearly surprised the thought that he was shagging Barbara.

Sirius felt awful, but he knew that James felt worse. "Well, I mean-"

"Save it. I don't care. I'm out of here. Bye Alex, bye Remus and Peter." With that, Barbara packed up her belongings, and walked out of the Room.

James watched his sister angrily leave the room, guilt written all over his face. He should've approached her about everything privately, he always forgot how being betrayed was her biggest fear.

"Come on, mate," Sirius said to James, ignoring his pain for him, "I know someone who can cheer you up."

Barbara was in Gryffindor Tower on one of the chairs by the fire. She needed to study for her last exam: Arithmacy. Alex was in the middle of taking his Potions exam; and she hoped that her help was enough to earn him the highest grade.

Suddenly, she heard the Fat Lady yell at whoever had slammed her portrait open. Barbara's head shot up to see that three out of four of the Marauders were racing upstairs. Barbara decided to ignore them and continue reading.

A few moments later she heard the portrait door open again, this time to reveal Lily, who had tears falling from her face.

Barbara left her chair immediately and followed Lily upstairs. "Lils, what's wrong?!"

The ginger took a seat on her bed, eyes glued to the ground as she relayed what just happened.

James and Sirius had been cruelly ridiculing Snape again; but this time they went too far. They humiliated him as Remus watched from the sidelines, Peter the only one encouraging them. Lily explained that after she intervened on Snape's behalf, James tried to ask her out and Snape called her...

"He called you that?!"

Lily nodded her head, another year rolling down her cheek.

"Lily," her best friend began, "please tell me you'll end your friendship with him now. He's chosen his path. Granted, you showed him the path which he should've taken; but look at the people he hangs out with! Mulciber, Avery, the nastier Slytherins, they already have him in a trap. He listens to them blindly and completely disregards your friendship. He always hangs out with those who wouldn't mind if your kind turned to dust, Lily!"

The muggle-born seemed taken aback with the hatred suddenly present in Barbara's voice. She nodded her head slowly, "Relax, Barbara. There's no contact between us anymore. I'll make sure of it."

"Speaking of contact, where's James? I need to give him my two-cents."

Lily looked at Barbara, her eyes holding an emotion the Potter couldn't read. "He's in the Hospital Wing."

"What?!" As soon as Barbara heard that her brother was with Madam Pomfrey, she forgot her anger and ran to the Wing.

When she was closing the door to their room she heard Lily yell, "He's fine!"

Barbara saw James at one of the ends of the bed, no Marauder in sight. They'll be here soon. I have to make this quick if I'm avoiding Sirius until I can't at home.

James heard his sister's footsteps, and turned her way to see a very angry Vampire.

"James Potter," he sank further into the pillow, fearing his sister's wrath, "what were you thinking?!"

"I- I was trying to-"

"-Trying to what? Have fun? Are you an idi- wait, don't answer that because we already know the answer. I can't believe you would do that to him. You fall down to his level the more you taunt him, James. When will you realise that Lily won't even think about you as a friend until you act like one! Going after people that don't like her or her kind won't do anything, more will just pop up. Have fun recovering. I'll see you back at home, otherwise don't bother talking with me. I'll be comforting Lily because of you and your gang's stupidity."

Without another word exchanged, Barbara turned on her heel and walked out of the Hospital Wing.