RP Hogwarts Gazebo (Near t'lake)

S: Haven't you heard? She was telling everybody she had a thing for the Hufflepuff chaser. What's his name?

He looked at Peter.

P: Barnabus Jacobsen.

James visibly drooped, not comically, but rather pathetically. His features wilted and his shoulders slumped.

J: Oh.

S: I'm kidding! You have a problem.

J: Yeah, it's called being in love! How would you feel if I told you Evangeline was making eyes at Lockwood Hemp?

Sirius laughed.

S: She never would.

J: Oh yeah?

James asked challengingly, pointing over Sirius' shoulder. Indeed, Evangeline, dressed in bootcut jeans and a figure-hugging purple jumper, was coming towards them, arm-in-arm with Lockwood Hemp. He was the star of the choir, a bass-pitched angel. His low, melting voice had attracted many a girl to his side. He was no Quidditch star, but he was slim and lean, with piano fingers and a quiet, studious look. The year above Evangeline and two heads taller at least, he towered above Sirius. His strawberry blonde hair was delightfully soft-looking, but never seemed to wisp out of place, except when it fell into his kind, dark blue eyes when he was bent over a musical score or helping a troubled young soprano with her vibrato. Now, he had his yellow and black Hufflepuff tie done in a double-Windsor knot, his shirt was crisp and his robes creased in all the right places. His easy smile and lilting voice stopped when Evangelone nudged him in the ribs and nodded to James and Sirius.

Lock: Evening, gentleman. How go the decorations?

E: Everything looks lovely.

Sirius instinctively stood up a little taller, and took a few steps forward, in front of James. He gave Lockwood a look, one that scanned his entire persona in a way that couldn't have been pleasant. Tilting his head a little he locked his eyes on his girlfriend and talked to her as though the taller boy wasn't there.

S: Thank you.

Evangeline frowned, continuing to stand by Lockwood, who blushed slightly and nodded to James, whom he knew through a mutual friend (Pippa Lee, captain of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team). James nodded back politely, standing and putting his hand on Sirius' shoulder and growling 'Down, boy' into his ear.

Lock: Looking forward to then party later?

Sirius didn't reply at first, dragging his eyes from Evangeline slowly.

S: Yes.

He didn't say anything else but his voice was full of enough venom to convey much more meaning than the single word suggested.

Lockwood respectfully removed his arm from Evangeline's link as she narrowed her eyes at Sirius and discreetly shook her head.

J: So umm... Lockwood, what's with the uniform? Thought this was a casual shindig.

L: As the undertaker said to the Borgia.

He chuckled to himself, and Evangeline's laugh tinkled like a bell as she lightly hit Lockwood on the arm.

E: You are awful!

Once they'd managed to contain themselves, Lockwood cleared his throat and settled his clear, relaxed gaze on James.

L: It is, however the choir are singing at midnight so, until then, it's uniform for me.

Sirius' eye roll physically hurt his face and stood awkwardly watching as evangeline laughed at another man's jokes. He could feel his face reddening.

S: I didn't know you and Evangeline were such good friends.

L: Oh, yes, we often talk in the common room, and we've been especially busy lately with-

E: Shh, it's a secret, Lockwood, remember?

L: Of course, my lips are sealed, O dainty duck.

With that, they both began to chuckle and snigger together as if they alone knew the greatest and most fascinating secret in the world.

Sirius made a low growling sound and took another step towards the two.

S: What's the secret?

E: Well it's hardly a secret if we tell you, is it?

She laughed daintily and smiled at Sirius, seemingly sweet with an edge of steel that told him to watch his tone.

Sirius gave her a look that meant 'who is this massive nobjockey' but he didn't say it.

S: But you can still tell me.

E: You'll find out eventually!

She promised in a sing-song voice, half-glaring despite her tone. Lockwood sensed the tension growing stale and rising in the air, so he cleared his throat again and put on a grin.

L: Well, I ought to go and rally the troops for a final practice. Speak later, love.

He and Evangeline kissed cheeks twice, very European and sophisticated, then he was off, waving to James and Sirius. Evangeline turned on Sirius with her hands on her hips.

E: Explain.

Sirius opened his eyes wide and pointed after Lockwood.

S: Me explain? Who was that iron pressed gnome?!

E: Well that's Lockwood Hemp, of course. I've recently joined the choir and we got talking, and now we're planning something for the school. It has to remain a secret for now. Explain why you were acting like a petulant child.

J: He is one.

Sirius ignored James, too busy being mad in Evangelines direction.

S: He was all over you!

E: If Lockwood was a girl would you have had the same problem with the way we were touching? Because it's the same principle. He's just a friend, Sirius. We linked arms and kissed on the cheek. That's all.

She was very close to rolling her eyes, but tried to keep herself under control. If she could just pacify him, get him off the subject, they could avoid a fight.

S: Would you be fine if I showed up with a girl, with... with...

He looked at Peter for help.

P: Marlene.

S: Marlene McKinnon!

Evangeline raised her eyebrows at him, arms folded.

E: Yes, why wouldn't I be? She's lovely. We're very close.

S: And if she kissed me on the cheek?

E: She kisses me on the cheek all the time. It's no different with you.

Evangeline was fairly sure her eyes were turning greener by the minute, though her vice was steady and cool. Okay, maybe she would be a little bothered by Marlene kissing Sirius on the cheek, but she would not act as Sirius had towards Lockwood.

S: Evangeline, I saw how he looked at you! He was just about ready to... to..

P: Give her a good snog-

S: Yes, ok, Peter I get it!