The Transfer

When they reached Hogwarts, the sun had fully disappeared and the moon and a couple of stars were glowing brightly in the black mass above them. Jade sat slouched in the saddle, staring straight between her mounts ears. Sirius had shot her a couple of nervous glances but she had taken no notice.

They stopped at the front doors.

"Out for a stroll were we?" asked a voice.

Sirius' head snapped up. Albus Dumbledore was standing in the doorway to the Entrance Hall. His mouth was a straight line and his face was quite expressionless but his blue eyes burned with a furious anger as they lay on Jade, who was feebly dismounting.

"Jade Anderson," he said through gritted teeth,

She looked at him almost lazily.

"What were you thinking going out tonight?" he asked. His tone sounded like he was asking her an innocent, 'How's your life going?' kind of question, but Sirius saw in his eyes that he was fuming.

Jade didn't answer. She had one elegant hand on her horse's neck and the other on her hip. She raised her head and sighed out of tiredness.

"I was doing my job," she replied, simply

"You almost got yourself and these boys killed!" Dumbledore half shouted gesturing to the four Marauders who standing side by side behind her.

"I....I just...." Jade's voice had started to waver,

"Just what?" Dumbledore spat,

"Nothing sir," Jade muttered looking at the ground,

"Now, I suggest you four boys go up to bed," Dumbledore said, "I will deal with you tomorrow for this reckless escapade.....Jade, come with me to the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey can sort out your injuries,"

Sirius looked at Jade. Injuries? Jade didn't have any injuries. But he hadn't noticed the strange way she held her leg or the deep gash down her arm.

* * * * *

James led the way back to Gryffindor Tower. They walked silently up the staircase and as one, flopped noiselessly onto their four-poster beds.

"What a night eh?" James muttered looking up at them.

"Yeah," Peter replied, "Did you see her though? The way she killed it just like that?"

"Peter, lets not talk about that ok?" Sirius said, "We're in deep dog shit now alright,"

"Dumbledore is going to flip his lid," James said, groaning slightly,

"Poor Jade though," Sirius sat up, "I mean it's not like it's her fault she was there, she was only there to....to, well...."

"Protect us," Remus prompted quietly,

"Exactly," Sirius stood up and began to pace,

"Sirius, would you stop that?" James asked after a minute, "You're giving me a headache,"

"Jade only went 'cause we were stupid enough not to take her advice, if we had listened to her in the first place and not gone on this thing, Jade wouldn't be in the Hospital Wing and we wouldn't be worrying about having our asses kicked by the headmaster tomorrow," Sirius said

"Too true too true," James said

"So...." Sirius flopped down on his bed again, "What are we going to do?"

"Leave it until morning," Remus said already in his pyjamas, " We can tell Lily, Cathy and Amanda tomorrow and go and see Jade,"

"Yeah that's a good idea Moony," James said, yawning, "Well ok then, goodnight guys,"

* * * *

"You did what?" Lily spluttered,

The Marauders had just finished telling the girls the story. Lily, Cathy and Amanda had been put off their food completely.

"We just told you, weren't you listening?" James snapped impatiently. He hadn't slept very well last night as Peter kept screaming and yelling in his sleep. Sirius and Remus hadn't had the best of sleeps either.

"The Tree of the Dead though?" Cathy exclaimed, "Jesus Christ your stupider than I thought you were,"

"Yeah ok, we know," Sirius said, "Anyway as today's Saturday we thought we'd go and see how Jade's getting on after breakfast,"

"Was she alright last night?" Lily asked anxiously

The Marauders looked at each other and shrugged.

"I didn't notice anything," Remus shrugged

"She held her leg differently, that's all I saw," James said through a large piece of toast.

Lily bit her lip.

"God, I hope she's ok," Amanda said

"Yeah so do I," Cathy agreed

"Excuse me....isn't anyone going to worry about us at all today?" James exclaimed angrily

They all went to the Hospital Wing once they had finished breakfast as Sirius had planned. Madam Pomfrey looked reluctant to let them in ("There's too many of you, Miss Anderson needs to rest,") but she let them in anyway.

Jade was sitting up looking out of the window as they approached, her knees tucked up to her chest. She looked up as Lily called her name.

"Oh hi guys," she said

"How are you feeling?" Cathy asked, drawing up a chair. The others drew up chairs as well.

"Fine, my ankle still hurts from when I sprained it though,"

They all stayed silent for a minute then Sirius burst out, unable to contain himself any longer:

"Jade, we were stupid to take you with us, and if we'd listened to you in the first place...."

"It doesn't matter ok?" Jade interrupted, "All that matters is that we all got away safe and sound,"

The Marauders raised their eyebrows in unison.

"Well ok, I admit my mistake" Jade shrugged

"Tell us what happened last night," Cathy leaned forward eagerly,

"We already told you," James muttered irritably

"Yeah but I want to hear her side of the story too," Cathy replied

Jade smiled grimly, and looked at Cathy.

"Do you really want to know?" she asked

"Yes," Cathy answered firmly,

"Right ok,"

Jade began to tell them. Lily, Cathy and Amanda were concentrating hard on her words and once Jade had finished reliving the night before, Amanda let out a low, whistle.

"You were busy last night," she said,

Jade smiled, but her eyes weren't shining like they usually were. Lily was the first to notice this.

"Jade what's wrong?" Lily asked

"Huh? Nothing," Jade shook her head

"You're hiding something," Lily narrowed her eyes,

"No I am not," Jade exclaimed

Lily raised an eyebrow,

"Ok, ok, I wasn't planning on telling you this," Jade said, her voice barely over a whisper,

"What?" They all leaned in closer,

"Dumbledore's sending me to Beaxbatons after Christmas," Jade muttered

"WHAT?!!" every one of them shouted

When they each regained control over themselves, Sirius spluttered:

"But...why? What the hell is he doing that for?"

"Because the vampires know I'm here and that their master is here as well, Dumbledore wants me to go to France so they'll lose me again,"

"That sucks," Amanda said, with a chuckle of nervous shock, "He can't send you away, Jade. I mean what about us?" She gestured to everyone sitting around Jade's bed,

"I know it's total bull shit," Jade replied slumping back into the pillows, "I think the same as you Mands, but there's nothing I can do, he's already told Madam what's her name that I'm coming after Christmas. I've argued and pleaded but he won't change his mind,"

They sat in stunned silence. Sirius was in shock. Jade leaving? It was disgraceful, he hadn't even asked her out yet. And now he only had three weeks to do it.

"Well....are you staying for the Christmas ball?" he asked

"Yeah, he said I could stay for that if I wanted,"

"That's good," Lily said happily, "I'm glad you can stay for that Jade,"

"I'm leaving the day after," Jade muttered

"Oh," Lily slumped back into her chair.

"Come on now, go back to your common room, Miss Anderson needs her rest!"

Madam Pomfrey came round the screens and chivvied them away.

Jade came out of the Hospital Wing the next day. But hardly anyone in the group rejoiced her coming out. All of them were still in shock.

Jade tried to be cheerful but Sirius couldn't help noticing the way her eyes never glittered anymore. They had picked up a sad, deadened look. They all tired to cheer themselves up too, especially as it had begun to snow and the corridors carried the sweet scent of roast turkey and cranberry sauce.

On Christmas morning, Sirius woke up with the familiar excited feeling in his stomach. He threw his pillow at James as usual and James sat up sharply, grabbing his glasses as he went. They talked and laughed happily as they opened their presents.

James and Sirius were happily exchanging Chocolate Frog cards when Peter yelled in shock. Remus, Sirius and James looked at him sharply. A nasty smelling substance had splattered all over Peter's face. In his hands was a half opened box. James and Sirius burst out laughing hysterically.

"I told you...." James said in between peals of laughter,

"I know....I know," Sirius howled, tears of mirth leaking out of his eyes

Remus looked at them smiling at the picture of Sirius and James rolling around in fits of unstoppable laughter. Peter didn't know that James and Sirius had put remains of a Body Odour potion in his present box then put a leaping spell on it.

As Peter made his way over to them, looking furious, a knock sounded at the door. Remus got up and opened the door. It Lily, Jade, Cathy and Amanda.

Sirius regained control over himself and asked:

"What are you doing here?"

"We thought, as it's my last day here," Jade replied looking down at the floor momentarily, "That we would spend the day as a group, then after lunch have a snowball fight,"

"That sounds good," Sirius smiled

"Yeah, that would be wicked," James said, wiping his eyes on the back of his hand

They all sat in a circle on the floor and started to talk while eating their way through packets of chocolate frogs, Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans, and Fudge Flies, which Peter had a manic liking for.

After about an hour Jade suggested a pillow fight.

"Right the rules are," she said, once everyone had retrieved a pillow or a cushion, "Your not allowed to touch the floor you have to get around by jumping form bed to bed. You can challenge anyone you want and if you fall on the floor your out and we have to think of a forfeit for whoever gets out, right ready?"

They all ran to one of the beds. Jade leapt up in an Olympic fashion next to Sirius.

"Ready?" James called,

"Yep!" they all shouted back

"GO!" James yelled immediately attacking Remus.

Jade whacked Sirius around the head with her pillow. He retaliated instantly; he hit her so hard though that her pillow flew out of her hands and onto Remus' bed. She looked at him, looking sarcastically frightened. He jogged across the space between them but just as he reached her she had jumped onto Remus' bed and retrieved her pillow. Jade leaned on one of the wooden pillars that held up the canvas of the bed and stuck her tongue, and at the same time going cross-eyed. Sirius smirked evilly and chased after her. Her was held up however; as she leapt onto the next bed, Peter attacked Sirius. After a few minutes Peter, fell dramatically onto the floor.

Everyone cheered, laughing. Peter got up rubbing his backside, looking scornfully at Sirius.

"Sirius you big bully," Jade said sarcastically, hands on hips,

"It's my job," Sirius imitated,

Jade's eyes narrowed and she jumped over to him and started to hit him with her pillow. He started to hit her in return. Everyone else stood still watching. Sirius yet again, knocked the pillow out of Jade's hands, but she swung round and kicked his out of his hands. They looked at each other, daring the other to come forward first. Jade smirked and started to walk towards him but as she advanced speed, he spun out of her way. Jade looked at him, looking mildly impressed.

"Ooh, you're going to pay for that," she said

She went towards him again but this time he tripped her up; she went flying going headlong into the end of the bed.

There was a loud "Ooooooh," from their spectators.

Sirius made towards her looking concerned.

"Are you ok?" he asked laughing slightly,

She was laughing hysterically, one hand on her forehead. He went around to behind her and put his hands under her arms to help her up.

"Watch it will you? I'm ticklish ok?" she chuckled

"Oh, you are?"

Sirius started to tickle her under the arms; she started to laugh hysterically again. She rolled over so they're faces were directly above each other's. She stopped laughing and he stopped tickling. Her hazel eyes searched his. Sirius suddenly became very aware of his heart, which was probably beating faster than the healthy limit. He then became very aware of everyone watching them.

"Lets go down to lunch," James said in a very amused voice, "Unless you want to stay here you two? I'm sure you'd like some time alone...."

Sirius climbed up off the bed and started to follow the others down to lunch. Jade pushed herself up onto her elbows. She definitely felt something for Sirius Black.

* * * *

The food on the tables was as spectacularly tasty as it always had been. All eight of them ate as much as they could, and then moved onto dessert. Sirius had heard millions corny jokes by the end of the first course and had groaned particularly loudly as he realised that the desserts came with crackers too.

After lunch, everyone went to get cloaks, scarves, and gloves for the furious snow fight. And it was furious. Jade, it seemed had extremely good aim. She had hit all of them in the face a large number of times until they were all soaking and had decided to call it a day. They had cleverly spared an hour to warm up a bit and try off, before the girls insisted that because of 'something' they needed two hours to get ready.

The Marauders stayed by the fire. Each of them had their feet sticking directly in front of the dancing flames.

"Sirius what the hell were you doing earlier?" James piped up suddenly.

"What? When?" Sirius replied, stretching

"With Jade, you know,"

Sirius sighed impatiently,

"Nothing happened, it was just....forget it,"

"Something did happen, I have never seen her look at you like that. You have looked at her like that ever since she arrived," Remus interrupted, chewing on a chocolate frog,

"Exactly," James said triumphantly, "I wouldn't be surprised if she snogs you tonight after the ball,"

"Stop talking crap," Sirius replied, but he secretly hoped James was right.

"Look shouldn't we be getting ready for the ball now," Peter said

"Peter, we've still got two hours, I think your turning into one of the girls," James exclaimed, horrified

* * * *

With half an hour to go to the ball, The Marauders went up to the dormitory and changed into their dress robes.

Once he was changed, Sirius studied himself in the long mirror in the corner. His mother had said he looked incredibly handsome in his dress robes, which were the colour of the sky in late dusk, a sort of blue purple, but he thought he looked like a bloody idiot.

"Sirius you look wicked," Peter moaned. He hadn't so much luck with his dress robes. His mother had bought pale red robes in the first place but as she washed them continually to get rid of a stubborn stain they had slowly turned pink. Pink did not suit Peter at all.

Once they had all got dressed and were ready, they made their way down to the entrance hall, to wait for the Great Hall to open at eight o'clock. They leaned against the wall, talking calmly until Peter nudged Sirius hard in the ribs.

"What the hell...?"

Sirius followed his gaze. Lily, Cathy, Amanda and Jade were coming down the marble staircase. Lily and Jade were slightly ahead, talking animatedly. Jade looked stunning. She was wearing dark blue dress robes, which framed the elegant curves of her body perfectly. The collar didn't start at her neck, it started on her shoulders, which meant they got a lovely view of the top of her chest. A knee high split was in the skirt of the dress and around her neck was a sparkling silver necklace, shaped like crawling ivy vines with small ivy leaves hanging off it. Her hair had been styled beautifully. The top layer had been scraped back loosely to form a small bun, which looked like a spinning Catherine wheel because some of the hair forming it spiked off and because of the looseness of the hair, thin graceful wisps framed her pretty face.

As she approached them, many of the other boy's heads swivelled and turned at look at her, making their dates look angry and jealous.

"What are you looking at?" she asked, laughing obviously embarrassed, "I just threw it together,"

"With our help of course," Amanda nudged her, smiling

"Yeah, hopefully it won't get ruined by anybody," Cathy said meaningfully, winking mischievously,

"Shut up," Jade warned. "I told you, nothing is going to happen,"

"Oh yeah?" Lily said, taking James' arm as he started to walk towards the now open doors.

They all left gradually until Jade and Sirius were left in the slowly emptying Entrance Hall.

"What can I say?" Sirius said smiling, "Bugger me seems appropriate,"

"You too," Jade replied, also smiling, "I never could see you wearing dress robes but you proved me wrong,"

They looked at each other a few minutes. Sirius suddenly had a mad desire to make her laugh. He put on a very posh English accent and held out his arm.

"May I take thee into the hall?"

Jade laughed.

"Well you may take me into the hall and even up to the table if you wish,"

"Oooh, it must be my lucky day," Sirius said

Jade hooked her arm through his and they walked happily into the hall. They happy moods were cut short quickly though as Severus Snape sidled in behind them.

"Good God Black, you found someone, I think I may have a heart attack,"

Jade turned around and snapped:

"Well I'm surprised you got anyone at all. Now back to that heart attack, I hope you've had it. No? well get a move on then, I don't want to put up with you for much longer,"

Sirius snorted. Snape turned angrily and sat down at the Slytherin table. Jade laughed quietly.

"Sounding sweet tonight pussy cat," Sirius said,

"Oh meow," Jade replied laughing

They sat down next to James and Lily. They had just started talking when Professor Dumbledore stood up.

"Welcome, welcome, to this years Christmas ball!"

Everyone applauded and cheered.

"Unfortunately, for some of you, it is the last Christmas you will spend here at Hogwarts," he carried on,

"It's my first and last," Jade whispered in Sirius' ear,

"So because of this, I have hired a group of musicians who were personally recommended by some of the seventh years for the ball two years ago,"

"Oh my God," James said, "He hasn't...."

"I have great pleasure to announce that the music at our ball this year will be provided by none other than...."

"He has..."Sirius muttered hoarsely, his eyes on the stage behind Dumbledore

"The one, the only..."

"Please God please...it has to be...."

"All the way from America..."

"For bloody hell's sake tell us who..."

"I am pleased to welcome...BLACKADDER!"

"YES!" James and Sirius yelled in unison,

"I knew it, I knew it!" Sirius exclaimed excitedly

"The clever bugger he remembered!" James shouted over the happy din, "We told him, we told him and he actually got them!"

The curtains covering the stage suddenly drew apart to show three men dressed in muggle baggy jeans and t-shirts but Sirius knew they wizards through and through. He had devoted himself to this band ever since he heard their first single back when he was 11.

"Give us a shout Hogwarts!" the lead singer yelled

The students all shouted obediently and a few whistled.

"Right this first song we're going to play is from our new album International Superhits,"" the lead singer sorted his fingers on the strings of his guitar and nodded to the man on the drums.

"And it's called Maria!"

The band took up their positions.

"Oh shit, this sounds like a sappy romance song," James muttered in Sirius' ear

"No not from Blackadder!" Sirius said

And he was right. Immediately the sound of folk rock and heavy metal mixed came to their ears.

Every single person in the hall got up and moved onto the dance floor. Even some of the teachers (including Dumbledore) got up and danced. Once that song had ended, the lead singer decided to make a change.

"This dress code is too formal Hogwarts," he said, "Right get ready for a change,"

He whipped out his wand and quick as a flash everyone was wearing baggy jeans and t-shirts. Sirius found himself in the clothes he had worn during the snowball fight. Luckily they were dry. He looked at Jade. She looked stunning still in a tight black t-shirt, which showed some of her stomach and hipster jeans, which covered up her shoes they were so baggy. Her hair had been drawn back into a ponytail.

"The next song is...one of your favourites I hope...is Basket Case!" the lead singer shouted, obviously now satisfied

Sirius yelled his approval. He loved this song. Jade came up next to him and started to dance. She was incredibly good at it. Sirius' temperature soared as she performed sexier moves. Her face came close to his.

"Have you seen Dumbledore since that new change?" she asked,

"No,"

She pointed. Dumbledore looked like a hippy from the 1960's. He was wearing blue, wide flares and a flowery shirt. Around his neck was a chain with a silver peace symbol hanging off it. On his feet were high platforms and he was wearing circular sunglasses.

"Oh my God," Sirius laughed, "He looks bloody ridiculous,"

"I know,"

They danced a bit more and were just getting to the bit where thy stared into each other's eyes when James bounded up, his arm around Lily.

"Bodacious par-tey," Sirius said, joining in with James' high five.

"It is just rad," James replied

"You seen our headmaster yet?" Lily asked

"Yeah, he's hard to bloody miss," Jade said, laughing, "I mean he's wearing something that came out of hell surely,"

"Don't say that dude," Sirius said,

"Yeah peace man," James said nodding

They all laughed.

The night went by quickly. As Blackadder started to play their last songs, Sirius decided it was time for the romance operation to begin.

"Want to go for a walk?" Sirius asked Jade, who was dancing with Amanda, "This music is killing my ears,"

"Ok then sure," Jade said,

They walked side by side out into the snowy grounds. A small sheltered area with benches and concealing rose bushes had been set up earlier that day. Jade hugged her slender form and looked out over the lake.

They sat down on a nearby bench. Sirius shot a glance in her direction. Their gazes met for a second. They both turned away, smiling in an embarrassed sort of way. Sirius could feel the mad urge to kiss her building up insanely inside him.

"It's strange," Jade said, suddenly

"What?"

"Well, this morning I expected to spend today like some old codger looking for his false denchers, basically grumpy," Jade replied, "But I don't, I enjoyed myself, oh God, here comes the tears and then the mad depression will finally begin,"

She looked up at the starry sky, the moonlight playing across her face, making her look even more beautiful.

"You can't leave," Sirius said, desperately trying to think of something romantic to say,

"Oh yeah? Stand back and watch him work his spell. It's my fault anyway,"

"Oh yeah? Look, it's not your fault...."

"Yes it is actually, if I had stayed still instead of fighting those vampires, I wouldn't have got myself into trouble and you wouldn't be pleading me not to leave,"

Sirius stayed silent. She was quite right.

"So logically, it's my fault," Jade finished, her arm's folded

"Logically, it is," Sirius argued, "But in my heart it isn't,"

"What?" Jade turned to look at him frowning slightly

'Curse my gob, curse my gob' Sirius thought angrily

"You think I'm gorgeous," Jade smiled, a slight tune playing round her lips, "You want to hold me, you want to kiss me...."

"Maybe I do," Sirius said,

Jade smirked,

"You do," Jade exclaimed

"Well, it's like this...you're hot,"

Jade's head went back in surprise.

"I'm loveable," Sirius continued, "Clearly there's a vibe going on between us sweetheart and I want it sorted out before it transforms into manic sexual energy,"

"So what your saying is...." Jade said slowly, "Is that if I make out with you now...you won't try and seduce me tomorrow before I leave,"

"Um....basically yeah,"

"No,"

"What?"

"No,"

"Why not?"

"Sirius use what's left of your brain," she snapped, "I'm leaving the country tomorrow...maybe for the rest of my life. One kiss is not going to seal a relationship so solidly that if I meet another guy or if you meet another girl, we're not going to make out with them!"

"But...Jade please..."

"No, Sirius. You may be alright with getting hurt but I am not ok with being the one that hurts you...that's why I can't be your girlfriend,"

There was a pause in which Sirius felt like the stupidest man living on the face of the earth.

"Well..." his voice broke. He cleared his throat, "If that's what you want then ok,"

"Ok," Jade whispered, "Goodbye Sirius,"

She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek but he caught her as she made to leave and pushed his lips onto hers. It was only a short kiss but Sirius enjoyed it.

As they broke apart, Sirius opened his eyes again. Jade's were still closed and she was wearing a slightly dazed expression.

"Look I'm sorry it didn't work out but..." he started

"Just shut up for a second," Jade had opened her eyes again and was holding up her hands to stem the flow of apologies, "And let me see something..."

She quickly gave him a soft, affectionate kiss.

"Oh wow," she laughed when they had finished. She pulled him into another kiss. This one was more passionate and deep though.

For Sirius, the next few moments went past as a blur. All he knew, was that he was getting what he had wanted; an enjoyable snog from an American beauty.

"So what happened?" James asked immediately, when they arrived back in their dormitory,

Sirius smirked and sat down on his bed,

"Yeah, cough up," Remus leaned forward eagerly

"Well..." Sirius said slowly. And he began to tell them.

"And then I kissed her," he finished,

"Tongue?" James asked

"Yeah,"

"Cool..."

"Any you know singular details...marks out of ten perhaps?" Remus said, chucking him a chocolate frog.

"20 defiantly...her tongue must be in England's Olympic Gymnastics Team, shit it was amazing..."

"Were her hands like on your neck or what?" Peter asked

"Yeah they kind of started off like loosely around my shoulders then they moved up to my neck,"

"God I would die for someone to snog me like that," Peter slumped back onto the pillow behind him

"Yeah I can see why you feel that way..." Sirius said, his gaze wandering to the window. The grounds were still and silent, the moonlight dappled in long beams of light across the grass.

"It'll probably never happen to me again," Sirius whispered

"W-w-what?" James said yawning

"Nothing," Sirius sighed.

He pulled on his pyjamas and slid into bed. He put his hands underneath his head and stared up at the canvas. She would be gone tomorrow...and he would never get kissed like that again.

The next morning, every one of the group woke up early. They all walked Jade down to the grounds where a carriage was waiting to take her down to Hogsmeade Station. All the girls were crying silently as Jade hugged all of them goodbye, giving each of them her address and saying she would write as often as she could.

When she reached Sirius, Jade's tears grew steady and bit her lip trying to stem the flow. He sighed, trying to hide his own tears.

"I guess this is goodbye," she muttered

"No, we'll see each other again..." Sirius shrugged,

"Once I've graduated from Beaxbatons I'm going back to America to see my Dad again and I'll probably have to stay there to take care of Flint for a bit and my Mum's other horses,"

"Oh right,"

"Look, here's my address," she handed him a folded up piece of parchment, "Write whenever you want to, because I'll be writing to you..."

"Do you want my address?" he asked

"That would be useful,"

Sirius quickly scribbled his address down on her hand.

"I'm going to miss you like hell," she said putting her arms around his neck and giving him a hug.

"Not as much as I'm going to miss you," he replied, putting his arms around her and kissing her cheek,

"I'll never forget you," she muttered in his ear,

"It'll be impossible to forget you," he said,

She broke away and kissed him the lips. Her grip on his neck tightened. Sirius felt her damp cheek against his and pulled her closer. They separated and she looked tearfully into his eyes.

"Good bye then," she whispered, squeezing his hand briefly. She then turned and climbed into the carriage.

Lily waved, and then turned as the carriage moved away. James put his arm around her shoulders and looked at Sirius. Sirius followed him into the castle. James then left Lily and asked him:

"Are you going to be alright?"

"Yeah," Sirius replied in a strangely quiet voice "Yeah I'll be fine,"

James looked at him doubtfully.

"She will come back to see us one day," James said trying to sound optimistic, "'Cause you can't stay that long without your friends,"

Sirius nodded dispiritedly hoping, praying that he was right.