Hogsmeade

Two and a half hours ago.

The Three Broomsticks pub in Hogsmeade.

James and Sirius were talking in low voices at a table in the corner.

The Marauder's Map was spread between them. James turned it in a different direction every few minutes, ensuring that other patrons couldn't see the moving dots on it.

James poked a small dot on the map with his finger and grinned, "Slughorn is still in his office. I bet he's rummaging through his cabinets looking for his missing treasures. For your Miss Lucretia, I almost emptied his storage closet."

Sirius nodded, his gaze always drifting towards the pub entrance.

James noticed his distraction and the corners of his mouth curved up, "I say... if you keep staring at the door, Rosmerta will think you're waiting for a date."

Sirius retorted instinctively, but without much heat, "Shut up, you git. I'm not waiting for anyone."

James put down the Butterbeer in his hand and put on an exaggerated expression of sudden realization, "Of course, of course. You've just suddenly developed a keen interest in the Hogsmeade door frame. Want to buy it and carry it back to give to her?"

Just as Sirius was about to retort, there was a faint sound of Apparition from a corner of the pub.

Kreacher appeared in the dim corner, hunched over, his bulging eyes fixed on Sirius.

He held a simply wrapped small box in his hands, taking each step very slowly, his footsteps dragging on the floor with a harsh scraping sound.

He slammed the box onto the table, "What the Young Master wanted."

James's Butterbeer jumped.

Then Kreacher began his accusations, his voice not loud, but in the quiet corner, every word clearly reached their ears.

"Traitorous young master... a disgrace to the bloodline... how sad the mistress will be..."

Sirius's hands tightened on the tabletop, and his expression immediately fell.

"Stole family treasures... precious items from the Black old mansion taken by him to outsiders... poor Kreacher... what will I tell the mistress..."

Sirius pointed at Kreacher, "Enough, you can go back! Remember my orders, do not tell anyone."

Kreacher bowed reluctantly, his body almost folding at a right angle, and then vanished with a pop.

But his voice still echoed in the air.

"A disgrace to the bloodline... tarnished the noble family's reputation..."

James raised an eyebrow, "Oh, is the atmosphere between you Black family members always this friendly?"

"Family tradition, you get used to it."

Sirius's voice was flat, but his hand lingered on the edge of the box for a long time.

A long time.

Then he took a deep breath and opened the box.

The ancient Silver Compass lay on deep blue velvet, each star inlaid with the smallest diamonds.

The lines connecting the constellations were as fine as hair, still glittering in the dim light of the pub.

Sirius touched the central mechanism with his index finger.

The Star Chart began to spin, emitting a faint hum.

Silver light emanated from within, casting moving shadows on his face.

He stared at the spinning Star Chart for a long time.

James leaned over, but was stunned by the exquisite craftsmanship. "Merlin's beard... how many Galleons must this be worth? Got your gift speech ready?"

Sirius's finger stopped on the Star Chart, making it cease its rotation.

Then he closed the box and remained silent for a long time before speaking.

"I hope she doesn't find it too precious to accept. This isn't just an ordinary ornament."

James's tone lost some of its teasing. "Of course not! This is a treasure from the Black family's collection."

Sirius placed the Compass Box into the inner pocket of his robes, pressing his hand against the fabric. "I'm going to get something, you keep an eye on the map."

James nodded, turning his attention to the Marauder's Map. "Wormtail is still in the Hospital Wing, but we'd better hurry. Slughorn seems to have given up, but there are two Prefects patrolling the fourth floor."

Sirius walked through the pub towards the bar.

Madam Rosmerta was pouring a drink for a customer and, seeing him approach, skillfully took out a clean mug.

"A glass of whiskey, Mr. Black?"

Sirius shook his head and paused. "No, a Butterbeer, to go." "Could you add some frosting to the rim?"

Madam Rosmerta's hand froze in mid-air, her eyebrows raised.

This young man from the Black family had never made such a request before.

She poured the Butterbeer into the mug, the foam reaching just to the brim.

Then she raised her wand, and the tip drew a perfect circle along the rim of the mug.

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The frosting slowly solidified, twice as thick as usual, like white lace under the light.

"Special occasion?"

She asked, casting a Warming Charm on the cup as she tapped the side a few times with her wand.

Sirius picked up the cup, the frosting glittering in his hand.

He looked, confirmed the frosting was thick enough, then placed several Sickles on the counter.

"Just an arrangement."

Returning to his seat, James glanced at the drink. "Yo, frosting on the rim, since when did you notice details like that? Did you stare at Crouch's cup while you were holding me down when I got beaten up?"

Sirius didn't answer directly, placing the drink on the table and checking the temperature of the Butterbeer.

Silence fell between them for a moment before James checked his Pocket Watch. "Twenty minutes left, enough time for you to reconsider how to start."

Sirius feigned ignorance. "Start what?"

James gave a knowing smile. "About our Miss Lucretia's baking skills? Your favorite Little Pastry Chef? The big deal that had you throwing a tantrum in the dorm for ages."

Sirius snorted. "If there's an opportunity, I'll consider it."

"Don't be nervous. It's like how I usually ask Lily about her Charms Homework. Just stand there."

Sirius gave James a sideways glance and shook his head, feigning pity.

"At least my plan is better than your lousy ideas for pursuing Evans, Prongs. Remember those dancing Snowflake Sprites you conjured in the Great Hall that year? They were supposed to spell out Lily Evans, 'Date me,' but they spelled out 'Evans and I want to eat,' and then they all fell into her Pumpkin Juice, splashing her. Our Headmaster almost turned you into a deer and hung you on the wall."

James seemed to recall that incident too, laughing heartily and slapping the table.

"Hey, I was only in third year then. Conjuring Snowflake Sprites was pretty good, okay? Besides, I could feel Lily's Burning Gaze that week. At least it was better than being ignored."

Sirius rolled his eyes, and then they exchanged a knowing smile.

James raised his Goblet. "Good luck, Padfoot. Hope you get to taste pastries better than those from the Hogwarts kitchens."

Sirius added, "Most importantly, don't get caught by Crouch. I don't think he went all out during the Disarming Charm incident. After all, we both used basic spells she could understand."

James grinned. "Then I'll definitely be watching from a safe distance the moment it happens. I can't miss the scene where our brave Padfoot gets lectured by the little princess's knight! Maybe I can even rush her to Madam Pomfrey for some emergency treatment."

Sirius waved a dismissive hand, but a smile played on his lips. "Just you wait and see. We'll see who's crying the hardest then. I'll definitely make you take the fall with me."

James burst out laughing and folded the Marauder's Map, tucking it into his pocket. "Plan's the same. I'll head back to the tower and keep an eye on the map. You go to the East Tower. Moony will find an excuse to leave at 8:30."

Sirius nodded, taking out his Two-way Mirror from his pocket and confirming it was working. "Keep in touch. Use the Code if anything comes up."

They left The Three Broomsticks and walked onto the streets of Hogsmeade.

The night air was crisp and cool, with distant lights twinkling from Hogwarts Castle.

James clapped Sirius heavily on the shoulder, "Relax, Padfoot. Just be yourself."

Sirius's hand slipped into his pocket, brushing against the edge of the Two-way Mirror, and he unconsciously spun it. "Yeah, because being myself is always so successful. I thought you'd learned that lesson from our Foolish House-elf."

James chuckled, hooking an arm around Sirius's neck and pulling him closer.

"This is different. Don't forget, I want a full report when you get back tonight. Details, Padfoot, I want all the details. Especially after seeing that subtle expression you made when you swapped names with Miss Lucretia within three sentences. Save the 'it just happened naturally' excuses."

Sirius responded with a cold snort.

They bumped fists in understanding and then parted ways at the edge of the village.

James headed for the main path leading to Gryffindor Tower, while Sirius chose a less-traveled path.

This was one of the shortcuts back to the castle.

Sirius dodged a few patrolling Prefects and quickly moved through a secret passage they knew well at a turn in the seventh-floor corridor.

Upon reaching the East Tower staircase, he stopped on the final step, leaning against the cold stone wall.

Sirius's hand unconsciously smoothed the wrinkles on his robes, then he pressed the inner pocket.

The Compass Box was still there, its shape neat.

The Butterbeer was in his other hand, the mug still warm, the frosting intact.

Normally, he wouldn't care about these things.

Messy hair was fine, wrinkled robes were fine, mud splattered on his boots was also fine.

Gryffindor's boldness didn't require a perfect appearance.

But tonight, he had tidied his hair.

Checked his robes.

Cleaned his boots.

He even checked again before the door.

Sirius's hand rose, lingering for a long time in front of the door.

Then he took a deep breath and gently knocked.