Gryffindor Tower

Sirius shrugged. "James insisted on trying a new prank spell, and it turned the bag of the boy in front of him into a frog. It was quite amusing, though, the frog still had the pattern of the satchel on it."

Lucretia couldn't help but chuckle. "That does sound like it's worth detention."

The atmosphere lightened slightly, and Sirius took the opportunity to change the subject. "How have your classes been lately? Have you gotten through Transfiguration?"

Lucretia sighed, then her expression suddenly brightened. "Barely. Professor McGonagall gives me extra tutoring every Wednesday. But today, Professor Sheffield kept Sophia and me after class and invited us to a special defense training on Thursday."

Sirius raised an eyebrow, clearly interested. "Sheffield's special training? That's not common. What did she teach today?"

Lucretia smiled at him, her words coming out faster than usual. "Tactical Environment Assessment. And how to quickly identify and utilize your surroundings in dangerous situations. She said my... perceptive abilities might have special applications."

Sirius's expression softened. "Do you like Defense Against the Dark Arts class?"

Lucretia nodded. "Very much! It doesn't conflict with me like Transfiguration does. And Professor Sheffield's teaching style is very practical; it's not just theory and memorization in class."

Sirius's voice held a hint of pride. "I'm pretty good at Defense. The sixth-year curriculum is much more practical, with a lot of dueling content."

Lucretia's eyes lit up. "Really? I'm still having some trouble with basic Shield Charms and a few protection charms... Maybe, when you have time, could you explain them to me?"

"Of course," Sirius replied immediately. He cleared his throat, trying to make his tone sound less eager.

"Anytime you need it."

Just then, the castle's great clock chimed seven times, the sound echoing through the corridor.

Lucretia gasped. "Oh, it's seven already! Barty must be waiting at the library. He's very punctual and doesn't like it when I'm late."

Sirius nodded, lifting the box in his hand. "Go ahead. I'll give this to Evans."

Lucretia smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Sirius. Say hello to Lily for me and tell her I added extra apples. I remember she likes this flavor."

Sirius's response was brief, his expression turning somewhat somber. "I will."

Lucretia said, taking a step towards the stairs, "Well, goodnight, Sirius."

Sirius responded softly, his eyes following her. "Goodnight, Lucretia."

He didn't leave immediately, watching Lucretia's retreating figure disappear around the corner.

The box in his hand was light, but it felt heavier than a History of Magic textbook.

The aroma of cinnamon apple tart wafted from the box, its sweetness reminding him of her focused expression as she cooked in the kitchen.

Cooking for someone else.

Sirius turned and strode towards Gryffindor Tower, the sound of his footsteps unusually clear in the empty corridor.

The title "Brother Regulus" echoed in his mind, making him more annoyed than usual.

"Barty doesn't like things too sweet."

She remembered even those small details so clearly.

She knew Lily liked thick apple slices, knew Little Barty's preferences.

But she didn't know what he liked.

Sirius's lips twisted, more like a self-mocking grimace.

It had taken him so long to get her to say his name, and Regulus and Crouch always managed to get custom-made desserts from her so easily.

He gripped his wand tightly in one hand, carefully supporting the box with the other, as if it were a precious yet ironic spoil of war.

A dessert meant for someone else.

"Password?" the Fat Lady asked.

Sirius's voice was impatient. "Lion's courage."

The portrait hole opened, and the warmth and noise of the Gryffindor common room washed over him.

The fireplace flickered, and laughter erupted from various corners.

Sirius stood at the entrance, holding the box of cinnamon apple tart, and scanned the room.

Now he had to deliver this damned dessert to Lily, and pretend he was happy to do so.

James and Lupin were sitting on a sofa in a corner, books and parchment scattered on the table between them.

He looked towards the window seat.

Lily was sitting there with a few friends, several girls chatting and laughing.

Judging by their expressions, they were all in good spirits, which annoyed him further.

Sirius took a deep breath, his jaw tightening, and strode over.

Each step felt like fulfilling an unpleasant obligation.

"Evans."

His voice was harsher than he intended, and the girls around him looked up.

The lively circle quieted down slightly.

Lily looked up, annoyance in her green eyes. "What is it, Black?"

Sirius placed the box in front of her with the precision of a military operation. "This. Lucretia made it. A cinnamon apple tart. She said she added extra apples for you."

Every word was enunciated clearly, but it sounded like he was reciting reluctant lines.

Lily's expression changed instantly, a smile blooming on her face.

She carefully opened the box, and the aroma immediately wafted out.

"Lucretia made it? Wonderful! She always knows what I like!"

The girls around them crowded closer to look.

Sirius stood there, watching everyone praise Lucretia's baking, each word a needle piercing his heart.

Yes, she always knew what others liked.

Except him.

Lily suddenly remembered something and looked up at Sirius. "Quick, tell her I'm so grateful! Ah, is she still nearby? I'll go find her for a chat now!"

Sirius said coldly, hands in his pockets, "We won't be seeing her again. She's going to the library to meet Crouch."

"What did you say?"

Lily frowned at his attitude but was quickly distracted by the dessert.

She cut off a small piece and tasted it, closing her eyes in satisfaction.

"This is delicious! She's always so thoughtful... Oh, who wants a taste?"

Soon, the dessert was shared among her friends, and the girls' laughter filled the air.

James's voice came from the sofa area, "Sirius! Come look at this!"

Sirius forced himself to adjust his expression and walked over to his friend.

He sank heavily into the armchair next to James, tossing his wand casually onto the table.

James deliberately raised an eyebrow and asked, playing with a Niffler ball in his hand, "Why the face like you're about to eat someone? Lily refused to go to Hogsmeade with me again, but I look happier than you. You know, your face right now is as sour as if you drank a whole bottle of skunk juice."

Lupin looked up, closing the book in his hands. "What's wrong? I saw you give Evans something."

Sirius gritted out the word, "Dessert. Not mine."

James laughed, glancing dramatically towards Lily, "We all saw it was dessert, dear Lily's face lit up like she won the lottery, whose masterpiece was it?"

"Lucretia."

Sirius replied, his voice louder than he intended, causing a few younger students to look over curiously. He immediately lowered his voice.

"I ran into her on my way to Gryffindor Tower, and she asked me to give it to Evans."

"Aha."

James's eyes lit up. He put down the Niffler ball and put on a look of sudden realization.

He slapped his thigh dramatically. "So it's our Unicorn Princess's handiwork? No wonder he looks like he swallowed a slug. Moony, should we get a notebook and write this down? Heir of the Black family throwing a tantrum over dessert, this courtship progress is too important."

James even pretended to take out a quill pen to record.

"First point: Sirius turns into an angry Padfoot when he doesn't receive dessert."

Sirius's voice was low, but his tone was dangerous. "Shut up, Prongs."

But the threat had no effect.

James not only didn't back down but laughed even harder.

He even winked at Lupin. "See? Now even his threats are unconvincing. How adorable."

Sirius's fingers tapped on the armrest of the armchair, the rhythm betraying his inner turmoil.