It was one of those rainy Saturday evenings where time seemed to stretch forever inside the Gryffindor common room. The windows were fogged from the warmth inside, thunder rumbling softly in the distance, and the fire cast a golden glow over the haphazard sprawl of students avoiding homework together.

James was balancing Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans on his wand tip like it was a sport. Lily was perched on the arm of an armchair, brushing through Marlene’s hair with one hand and flipping pages of her textbook with the other. Mary sat sideways in an armchair with her legs over the armrest, flipping through a Witch Weekly and humming. Peter sat on the floor in front of the coffee table near the fire with Remus, the two of them playing an uneven game of wizard chess—Remus clearly winning, but being polite about it.

You were tucked near the corner of the couch, parchment in your lap, trying to focus on your Potions notes.

Sirius Black was stretched out on the floor, one arm behind his head and the other lazily tossing a cushion up and down. His hair was a mess in that effortless way, shirt untucked, tie loose—every inch of him looking like he hadn’t tried and still managed to look perfect.

“So, are we all pretending to study, or is this just a performance?” he asked lazily, eyes flicking to the parchment in your lap.

You ducked your head, cheeks warming. “I am studying.”

“Of course you are,” he said. “Such a good girl.”

You choked on absolutely nothing and immediately pretended to reread the same line of your notes.

Remus glanced up from the chessboard and raised an eyebrow. “Merlin, Sirius.”

Sirius raised both hands in mock innocence. “What? She is!”

James snorted, flicking a bean at Sirius’s shoulder. “Oi, if you’re so interested, why don’t you help her?”

But Sirius was already on his feet, brushing off his trousers. “You know what? That’s a bloody brilliant idea.”

He dropped down beside you with exaggerated ease. “Want help then, sweetheart?”

You blinked up at him, startled. “With… Potions?”

“Unless you need help with something else?” he said with a smirk—then, catching Lily’s glare, added quickly, “Studying. Obviously.”

He leaned over slightly, shoulder brushing yours as his eyes skimmed your notes.

“Amortentia, huh?” he said, grin spreading. “How romantic.”

You gave a small shrug. “It’s just homework.”

“Sure it is,” he said smoothly. “So, what do you smell?”

Your fingers fidgeted with the corner of your parchment. “Right now?”

He huffed a laugh, that lazy grin tugging at his lips. “From the potion, love.”

You glanced down, avoiding his eyes.“Parchment. I think.”

He tilted his head, squinting slightly. “Only that? No other smell? No person?”

You shook your head. “Not really.”

Sirius tilted his head, something knowing sparking in his expression. “You’ve never been in love, have you?”

Your mouth opened, but no sound came out. Heat crept up your neck

“Knew it,” he said, voice low with satisfaction. “You’ve got the look.”

You stared at him, caught somewhere between embarrassment and disbelief.

“What look?” you asked, barely above a whisper.

“The never-been-kissed, too-sweet-for-this-world, completely innocent look.” he said, grinning.

“Oh, for Merlin’s sake,” Lily groaned.

“Sirius!” Mary warned, sitting up straighter.

“I am helping,” he said with mock innocence, a soft laugh escaping him. “Call it… expanding her education.”