It's Nice To Have A Friend

37 - If I Could Fly

Mallory sat in the library studying with Sirius leaning up against her as he tried to sleep. He had only come because she had promised they could walk around afterward. Mallory was positive it was his first time in the library, even though he denied it. However, she noticed him looking around in confusion and seemed startled when the librarian hissed at him for talking too loud.

Marlene was across from Mallory, writing an essay. Marlene's head shot up as someone walked past the table the three teenagers were sitting at. Mallory glanced over at the seventh-year boy. It was Conner Byrne, a chaser for the Gryffindor quidditch team. He had a brown shag and very bright blue eyes that honestly creeped Mallory out if she looked at them for too long.

Mallory smiled at Conner to be polite as he stood beside the table. "Hey, Schmidt," Conner said with a small smile.

"Hey, Conner," Mallory replied softly.

"Are you cleared to play yet?"

"I'm going to practice tomorrow," Mallory admitted, smiling nervously at the thought. "Almost there."

"Damn... We've needed you," Conner admitted in response. Mallory softly laughed as Marlene scoffed. Conner's eyes widened as if he had just realized that Marlene was there. He quickly rushed off.

"Is it Conner?" Marlene asked after several seconds.

Mallory turned back to see Marlene's face contorted in disgust. "No!" Mallory said with a laugh.

"Good," Marlene grumbled.

"Is it Conner for what?" Sirius asked, sitting up straight and looking between the two girls.

"I'm trying to guess who Mallory fancies," Marlene informed Sirius.

"It's clearly me," Sirius said with an arrogant smirk.

Mallory laughed it off, hoping the two teenagers didn't notice her cheeks turning red.

"Mallory wouldn't stoop that low," Marlene stated.

"Oi!" Sirius hissed before looking over at Mallory as if he were studying her face. "Who have you guessed, Marls?"

"Literally everyone!" Marlene complained.

"What about Snivellus? Everyone falls for him at some point. That long greasy hair... Oh! And that nose!" Sirius exclaimed quietly so the librarian wouldn't hear.

"Is it that obvious?" Mallory joked back with a smile.

Sirius grinned back at her. "I didn't know you were moving on yet," he stated softly, "I could set you up with some people."

Mallory shrugged slightly at him as she thought of everything that could go wrong if Sirius set her up with some random dude. It could be awkward, he could be a jerk, he might only want to get in her pants, he could be really nice but not in any way attractive, etcetera.

Not to mention, he wouldn't be Sirius.

"Nevermind," Sirius mumbled, "You're making that face again."

"Just because I like someone, doesn't mean I'm ready to move on. I can't help it," Mallory softly admitted, avoiding looking at him as she stared at the textbook in front of her.

"Hm..." Sirius hummed softly. "Has it been an hour yet?"

"It's been twenty minutes," Marlene muttered as she glanced up at the clock quickly. Sirius groaned and rested his back on Mallory's side once more so he could sleep.

.

Mallory wiggled her shoulders under Sirius's back. He groaned slightly and sat up. "We can go now," she told him as she tucked her textbook into her bag. She was quickly pulled away from the table before she had a chance to grab her bag. "Sirius, my bag," she hissed.