A/N: This will probably be the last chapter that I can post for a little while, since school's starting soon and all. Hope you all enjoy it!

This chapter is dedicated to Emerald707, the author of another lovely Remus x Sirius fic entitled Siriusly Misunderstood, which this chapter is named after. Remus and Sirius have become a relatively recent new obsession of mine, so reading other Remus x Sirius fics not only satisfies my craving for slashy goodness, but inspires me to write more for Shining Star too! Know of a good Remus x Sirius fic? Feel free to recommend it to me!

Shining Star

Chapter 9: Siriusly Misunderstood

It was not long before news of Remus's and Erica's new relationship spread throughout Hogwarts. While Mary and her group were very excited for Erica, the Marauders on the other hand sported rather mixed feelings among them regarding Remus's new girlfriend.

"Congrats, Moony!" Peter cheered, patting Remus on the back as his friend entered the Gryffindor common room.

"Yeah, congrats," James said somewhat less enthusiastically, before whispering to Remus under his breath as they passed, "We need to talk. Later."

"Where's Sirius?" Remus asked.

"Don't know!" Peter shrugged. "He never returned to the common room after class today."

Sirius Black was, in fact, walking around the school grounds when he ran into Brenda Hall, who gushed to him excitedly about Remus and Erica getting together. Sirius simply nodded to her nonchalantly and was about to head back to Gryffindor until he decided that, on second thought, he would rather avoid Remus and the other Marauders for the time being and spend some time on his own to reflect. He wandered through the halls of Hogwarts aimlessly until he happened upon a certain window-a familiar window that led out onto the roof where he and Remus had spent Valentine's Day night together stargazing just over a month prior. Without thinking, Sirius slid the window open, climbed out onto the roof, and made himself comfortable beneath the grey, overcast sky.

'Ack. . .what is this hollow aching I feel in my chest?'

Sighing heavily, Sirius lay back with his arms behind his head and gazed straight ahead as a flurry of thoughts clouded his mind. He thought of Remus-his enchanting smile, his graceful figure, the lovely sound of his voice. . .he was indeed a wonderful person, deserving of a kind, beautiful girlfriend like Erica. Then he thought of his own relationship experiences, or rather, lack thereof. He chuckled when he recalled how everyone, including his closest friends, seemed to believe him to be so experienced with girls when in fact, he had never been in a real relationship before. He smiled when he thought of Remus again.

'He's really so kind, polite and sincere. . .argghh. . .why can't I stop thinking about him?'

Sirius shook his head and sighed yet again, then sat up as he clutched his aching chest. That's when it began to rain. The raven-haired boy tilted his upward and let the tiny droplets of water wash over his face. He shivered as a chilly gust of wind blew across the roof. The cold rain started to fall heavier, so Sirius decided to head back inside. Being already drenched from head to toe, nobody he passed by, and not even Sirius himself realized the silent tears that fell from the corners of his eyes.

'Why can't I just be happy for him? Remus. . .'

Remus closed the door behind him as he entered the Marauders' shared room in the boys' dormitories. James eyed his friend up and down curiously. He had been waiting for him. Remus sighed.

"Yes, yes, I know EXACTLY what you're going to tell me. . .I KNOW I should have said no to her, but. . ."

"Oh no, not at all," James replied, adjusting his glasses. "This could actually be a good thing."

"Huh?" Remus's eyes widened in surprise.

"I mean, this could be a good opportunity for us to see whether Sirius has feelings for you or not!"

"It is?"

"Yeah!" James grinned. "Just leave it to me, Moony. . .you keep up the act with Erica and I'll keep my eye on our one and only Sirius Black."

"I don't know, James. . ." Remus spoke in a downtrodden tone. "It's just. . .this isn't fair to Erica now, is it?"

At this question, James's face fell. Remus looked to his friend expectantly, but he knew that even James probably would not be able to prevent the inevitable-that being, Erica getting hurt in the end.

"I'll. . .have to think about that one, Moony," James said carefully. "For now, let's head to dinner, shall we?"

Sirius and Peter were already in the middle of dinner by the time Remus and James arrived at the Great Hall. Erica and Ivy were there too, and they waved to Remus, motioning for him to sit with them. Immediately, Remus felt torn. . .he had always sat together with the other Marauders at dinnertime in the past. He looked to James, who nodded at him reassuringly before going to sit with Peter and Sirius. Sighing, Remus knew what he had to do. With one last longing glance towards his three best friends, he turned and walked over to where Ivy and Erica sat.

End chapter 9