LIBRARY -- Fratenizing wiht the Enemy? -- December 1976

"I guess they see me as young... but why is age an issue?" I countered. "It shouldn't be. And they'd never use me... they're not like Adam, Tobi. I'm sorry that happened... but they're not him." I said that last part softly and put my hand on hers to show that I wasn't trying ot be mean, just honest.

I shrugged. "I don't know why guys think age is an issue," I said, taking my hand back to turn the page in my book. "But it just is... they're boys. They're less mature than girls. Simple as that>"

Ugh. I laid my head on the desk kind of roughly... and lloud enough for someone to 'shhh' us. "Tobi.... I hate life," I said finally raising my head.

That had been the longest she had been silent. I could acutally finish my paper -- there were like four paragraphs that had needed to be finished. "Em... why don't you just talk to Sirius or Remus?" I offered slowly. "Not telling them your feelings... but actually carrying on conversations wtih them more than you do now. Let them know the real you -- not the James' sister part."

Well, tha was a good idea. "Oh wow, Tobi, I never thought of that. Maybe we could try to get the Marauders and us together just to chat... so it wouldn't look as odd wiht just me talking to Sirius... he may get a little suspicious," I explained.

"Yeah, I doubt they'd want me to be in on that conversation. Ember, I'm a Slytherin. I'm even friends with Regulus," I added. "None of them would want to be friends with me. So it would be horrible if I ended up over there with Sirius or any of them."

I was instantly downtrodden. "Oh... yeah, that's true. Dang it," I said sadly.

I shrugged. "I guess it was a good idea while it lasted... wasn't it?" I finished lamely. She should just give up... but I knew how much she liked Sirius.

"Yeah I guess it was... I just don't know if they know or not... I mean... I don't remmeber if I've let somethign slip or if James has told them or what," I continued worriedly.

"Em, not to be mean," I said, "but I'm pretty sure eeryone knows you are obsessed with Remus and Sirius. Just chill out with it... I mean, dont' be so obvious. You already hang with them... don't make it awkward. Just be yourself and then maybe they'll do something about it."

"You think that would work, though?" I asked, getting excited a little bit. "You know I'd do anything... and I don't mean for it to be obvious, Tobi."

I laughed. "I know you don't mean it to be obvious... but it is, girl. Settle down... it'll show them you're not insane," I said, lookign at her and smiling so she knew I didn't think she was insane. Just in love.

"Oh shut up," I said, punching her lightly on her arm. "You're so mean to me. I'm not insane... just in love. With both of them."

I started picking up my things. "Em... you need to chose one. And fast. Even if they don't like you that way, no one likes to know they have compitition -- especially oen of their best friends."

I sighed. "I know... I just don't know if I can," I admitted, shaking my head.