Ain't Love a Kick in the Head?

The heavy oak door to the library creaked open for Hannah, as she slipped inside. She quickly turned around and shut it gently behind her, hoping that no one had heard the ancient door.

Hannah crept along the dark and deserted aisles of the library. It had been 10:59 when Hannah had snuck of out of her dorm. Hannah had wanted to arrive fashionably late at 11:01.

Something in the corner of Hannah's eye caught her attention. There was a small light flickering in the far end of the library. Hannah held her breath and walked towards the light. Indeed, there was a person standing there, but they had her back to her. Hannah exhaled and said, "Are you....him?"

"I am."

Hannah took a deep breath and stepped backwards as her secret admirer turned around. Her secret admirer was none other than Remus Lupin.

"Hello, Hannah," said Remus, smiling softly.

"H-hello," Hannah said, trying very hard to not look disappointed.

"Surprised?" asked Remus, setting the lantern, the source of the light, on a nearby table.

"Just a little," Hannah squeaked.

"I wanted to tell you in person. I thought it would be too impersonal in writing," explained Remus rather shyly.

Hannah's mouth hung open. Her brain seemed unable to process speech.

"Well, now you know that it was me....Would you like to go out sometime? Together, I mean."

"Sure?" said Hannah, though it was more of a question than an answer.

Remus smiled. "Do you want to walk back together?"

"O-okay."

As they passed through the giant oak door, Remus took Hannah's hand. Hannah didn't notice at all, she felt sick to her stomach. Oh, god. What have I gotten myself into?

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Within the next few days, Lily found herself looking at James differently. She watched the way he would take out his homework, or watch him walk down the hallway. Since they had gone on that walk, things seemed to change between them.

Yet Lily felt as if she was leading Sirius on. I've got to tell him. It just isn't fair. Lily thought to herself, searching around the corridors for Sirius. Lily finally spotted him on his way to the Great Hall. She caught him by his sleeve and pulled him back.

"We need to talk," said Lily immediately, ignoring the Sirius's surprise.

"Er...All right." Sirius allowed himself to be pulled down the hall by Lily.

Lily brought Sirius to a vacant classroom. She took a deep breath. "I know how you feel about me, Sirius, but I just can't see our relationship going anywhere. I'm sorry."

Sirius simply looked at her for a moment, and then he shook his head, smiling. "You certainly get right to the point."

"Yes, well, I didn't exactly want to drag this out."

Sirius shrugged. "Okay, then. All right."

"So...You're okay with this?" asked Lily tentatively.

"Sure. I'll be fine. I bounce back quick." Sirius walked over to the door. The paused for a moment before saying to Lily over his shoulder, "Give James my regards."

Lily smiled slightly as Sirius practically strode out of the room. So. He knows.

The door closed behind Lily as she walked down the hall.

But Sirius wasn't the only one who had caught on to Lily and James's blossoming relationship. Someone had been listening in on Sirius and Lily, and they were not too happy.

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"Moony, who's that girl you just got done talking to?" James asked.

The two were heading out of the school to go to Hogsmeade. It was a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, and the leaves were just starting to change clors to make way for fall.

"Hannah Underwood. I was asking her if she would like to accompany me to Hogsmeade-"

"Ah, Remus! You sly dog!" James elbowed Remus, grinning.

"It's not like that," said Remus, almost starting to blush. "I've liked her for a while now."

"Yeah, sure, sure."

"And what's this I hear about you and Lily Evans?" Remus asked, trying to change the subject.

James looked up at the sky as they walked. "That's....Different."

"Is your relationship 'at that fragile stage'?"

James looked back at Remus, grinning. "So the boy can make a joke!"

The two friends laughed their way into Hogsmeade, where the familiar sights surrounded them.

"Hey, let's see if we can get some firewiskey down at the Hog's Head." James started to make his way down there.

"I think I'm going to hit up Honeyduke's, then."

"Aw, don't get scared, Moony! It will be fun. I promise." James made a cross over his heart.

Remus shook his head. "I'll meet you at Zonko's later."

James kicked a nearby trash bin and started walking to the Hog's Head.

"That's certainly not a good habit."

James looked up to see Lily sitting on a bench next to the trash can. "Oh. Sorry."

Lily smiled. "You can sit down, if you like."

"Now what's a pretty girl like you doing all alone on a day like this?" James sat down beside her.

"Waiting for things to mend themselves, I suppose."

"I've got a better idea. How about we go down to the Three Broomsticks and get something to drink? My treat," said James, looking Lily square on.

"How could I say no to such an offer?" Lily stood up, laughing.

"I'll escort you down, m'lady."

Lily laughed again as James linked arms with her and they made their way back down into the heart of the village.

".......Lily, would you consider this a date?"

"Yes, I would James. Yes I would."

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Hannah sat by herself in the library, trying to finish up some last minute homework, and failing. She couldn't stop thinking about five days ago, when Remus Lupin had confessed his love for her.

Remus had tried to make plans with her everyday since then, and Hannah kept coming up with excuses. But she couldn't play this game for much longer. It wasn't fair to her, and certainly not to Remus.

Hannah moaned and held her head in her hands. What to do, what to do?

"Maybe I can help you."

Hannah looked up, startled to find Cassandra Connell sitting across from her. Hannah narrowed her eyes. "What do you want?"

"I heard about your fight with Lily. It must've been though, huh?" Connell said, giving Hannah a sympathizing look.

"That's really not your business, is it?" muttered Hannah, gathering her books to leave.

"What'd you say?" hissed Connell.

"N-nothing!" squeaked Hannah, flying up from her chair.

"I could help you, Hannah. We could get Lily back."

"N-no thanks!" Hannah hastily made her way toward the door.

"Don't you want to get even?" Connell kept up her pursuit of Hannah.

Hannah turned around and pulled herself up to full height. "Look, Connell, Lily and I have not stopped being friends! We are just fighting! Friends do that, sometimes. Oh, wait, I guess you wouldn't know."

Hannah turned on her heel and marched triumphantly out of the library.

Cassandra Connell scowled and waved a hand. "Whatever."