The minute that Carys Potter walked into the kitchen to get her self a drink was the very minute she wanted to turn and walk straight back out again. Not only was the room already occupied by her older brother and his three friends but he also had a look on his face that she recognised instantly, the look that indicated he was thinking intently about something, normally a pranks and since it was directed at her she felt distinctly uneasy.

She didn’t show that though, instead she merely smiled slightly at them and gave them a half hearted wave and went about her business listening to their conversation about girls in their school with vague interest. She leaned against the counter by the sink, absently sipping at her orange juice every now and then, her mind drifting over several different topics.

She supposed in a way she was lucky to be James Potters sister, after all it did mean that several people at school who could have caused her potential trouble left her alone but at this one moment in time she was cursing her luck rather than blessing it. Her eyes drifted to Remus Lupin who was smiling widely at something Sirius Black was saying about a girl in their class. She had, had a crush on the older boy for about half a year now and she was beginning to get annoyed with herself over it. In her mind it was high time to get over him. After all he was her brother’s best friend.

Of course it didn’t work that way and instead she found herself staring at him yet again. In her eyes he was lovely with blond hair, a friendly smile and lovely green-blue eyes that always appeared a different shade every time she looked at them. He just looked so kind.

“You ok Carys?” James suddenly demanded making her jump and spill her drink

“Shit” she swore slightly, putting the drink down and grabbing a towel wiping the liquid off her hand. She glanced at them in embarrassment as she felt herself redden under their gazes.

“Fine” she muttered, looking to the left of her and pretending that she was extremely interested in the fridge. Now Remus was going to think her some kind of idiot.

“Why are you so red? It’s December for god sake and freezing” James sounded amused, Carys shrugged cursing herself for turning redder still

“Am I?” she said “How very interesting” she made her voice sound bored and disinterested a trait she had learnt from her older sister Sophie. Normally it worked but this time it didn’t.

“Yep” his eyes lingered on her a second longer then he spoke “Can we have a word in private” he asked, Carys frowned in response then nodded

“I suppose” James smiled and turned to his friends “I’ll be back in a sec” he said “Try and plan my surprise party so it’s actually good this year” he ignored their good natured remarks and led Carys out of the door and into their Dad’s study which he knew would be empty because he was at work.

“What is it?” she asked shifting from one foot to another, a trait they both shared when they were nervous

“Nothing much” he replied “I just want to know what is wrong up you? You seem… weird” he said hesitating a moment over the word

“Up?” she replied “there’s nothing up but the sky” she said, giggling as James smacked his head at her bad pun

“I know I taught you better then that, you’ve been paying far too much attention to Sophie and her ways. Seriously Rys you can tell me” Carys nodded pulling her features into an innocent expression. Normally she could tell her brother anything but somehow she didn’t think he’d react so well to this. He had a tendency of being slightly over protective over both his sisters, something which they both found extremely annoying.

“I know but Jamie there’s nothing to tell, I have no problems at the moment just a moment of school work to do which isn’t really anything new is it”

“So what was up in the kitchen?” Carys decided to go for dramatics

“You got me James I’m in love with Professor Douglas; I can’t live without him and his hard potion work. Save me from myself dear brother” James grinned before controlling it.

“Well he is a decent bloke” he said “Slightly too old though” Carys shook her head

“Really James I’m fine, now go back to your friends, Sirius has probably burned a whole into the wood by now and there’s only Remus to stop him” she felt her face heat up again. James nodded slowly, understanding blossoming in his eyes

“Alright, see you later” he remarked and walked back into the kitchen, closing the door behind him. He sat down and stared thoughtfully at the table.

“Who died?” Sirius demanded noticing his gaze. James looked up tracing a pattern on the table.

“No one but unfortunately I think Carys has lost her mind” the other three all looked at each other

“Why?” Peter said finally once the silence had gotten a bit too oppressive. James sighed dramatically

“It would appear she’s developed a bit of a crush on Padfoot of all people”

“Padfoot” Remus said in shock “Carys fancies Sirius” he repeated for good measure obviously trying to get his head around it “Did she tell you that?” James looked slightly awkward.

“Well not in so many words” he admitted “but she mentioned his name and she began going red again and she wouldn’t tell me what’s wrong so…” he shrugged “Not that I’m best pleased about it” Peter rolled his eyes as he noticed Sirius’s smug face

“Good job Prongs” he said using his head to point to Sirius. Sirius spoke for the first time.

“It’s really not surprising is it” he announced, stretching “Every girl fancies me it’s the charm and the good looks.  It was only a matter of time before Carys did as well after all I’m just a cute lovable pup”

“Yeah a puppy who is long overdue for a good bath” Remus commented waving a hand in front of his nose as he grinned. He laughed as Sirius stuck his finger up at him.

“Shut it Lupin, Need I remind you the reaction I do get when I am Padfoot? The females can’t stay away…”

“Probably because they don’t know its you” James remarked raising his eyebrow. Sirius raised both of him and went to speak when the door opened and Carys walked in looking annoyed over something.