Tension consumed the shrieking shack.

They stood quietly as they looked back and forth with apprehension.

“You love her.”

“I ALREADY TOLD YOU THE TRUTH!”

“BUT YOU NEVER ANSWERED MY QUESTION!”

“WHAT?”

“DO YOU LOVE HER? ARE YOU IN LOVE WITH LILY?”

Sirius paced around the room rubbing the side of his face that James had struck. “I have FEELINGS for her! Damn, James, is it a crime to have FEELINGS? Hell most of the guys at school have these feelings!! Even some of the Professors!”

James gave an exasperated moan , “THERE YOU GO AGAIN AVOIDING THE QUESTION!”

“IT’S THE TRUTH!”

“ITS NOT THE POINT, SIRIUS!” James finally corned him while the other two, Remus and Peter, tried holding him back. “Don’t you think I know what the other guys think? Don’t you think I’m aware?”

“SO WHATS YOUR FUCKING POINT?”

“THE FUCKING POINT IS YOU! You and these FEELINGS - AND DON’T PASS THEM OFF TO ME LIKE THERE NOTHING! The poem, your words, everything! HOW COULD I’VE BEEN SO BLIND?”

More silence as the tension mounted.

“James, you’re like a brother to me. And that’s saying a lot considering the brother I have.”

“Don’t-“

“It’s true! I have feelings for her, yes, but who doesn’t? The point is I would never let those feelings come to hurt our friendship…our brotherhood.”

“Then answer me.”

“What?”

“Do…you…love…her?”

Sirius looked nervous as he tried to reply to his friend, “There just feelings, James. Nothing more.”

James looked at him, determined to get to the root of those feelings. He reached into his pocket then threw Sirius a small green bottle. “Take this.”

Sirius examined the bottle, “What’s this?”

“Veritiserum,” James replied coldly. Remus and Peter exchanged surprised looks.

“Where did you get this?” asked Sirius.

“We’re Marauders. It’s not like we’ve never snuck around and took things before.”

“But this? Did you want me to drink this?"

“I need a DIRECT answer to my question. How else can I trust you unless you are honest with me?”

They stared at each other for a few long moments. Finally, Sirius took a swig from the bottle. He felt he had no choice. He couldn’t lose his best friend and he couldn’t avoid the situation.

His stomach curled as the potion settled. He didn’t know if it was because he was fighting the truth or fighting James, but he felt a disturburbing sensation at his core.

“Do you love her?”

He sweated as he answered, “I fancy her, she gorgeous. But love is something too deep right now.”

“But is it deep enough for you to feel it?”

More sweat fell. His mind raced as he fought the answer that threatened to escape him. His stomach twisted in knots, “Not as deep as your feelings for her. Not as deep as our friendship, James.”

Sirius fell to his knees as his stomach spasm. He clenched his sides as he moaned in pain. Remus and Peter rushed to his side as James stood dumbfounded by his words.

“Isn’t this enough! He’s told you what you needed to the know!” Remus protested.

James looked as if he snapped out of dream as Remus shouted at him. James helped them bring Sirius to his feet.

“Let’s take him to the clinic. Madam Pompfrey will set him right.”

“But the potion?” Remus replied nervously.

James gave a remorseful smile, “I gave him castor oil.”