{tension is rising}

[Nemesis Nyx]

Nemesis really had had enough with Regulus, and he was pissing her off. Why was he so intent on drifting back to the subject of girls and sex? Obviously it really didn't bother Sirius, though it did bother her a little bit to think of Sirius sleeping with other women, after all she was his girlfriend, and she was always a little wary of all the attention he received from the opposite sex, but it really didn't matter when it came down to it. Those were private issues that she and Sirius needed to sort out by themselves. Regulus had no business there.

She was so tempted to concuss him or hex him or just beat him to a bloody pulp with her bare hands that she was afraid she was actually going to do it. But that would have been stupid and hypocritical, exactly what she was trying to keep Sirius from doing. At this point, she was more obliged to let him go and kill his brother. As such, her grip on Sirius's arm loosened slightly as she looked up at him, her expression a little troubled.

[James Potter]

(ack sorry..had rehearsal and stuff and needed to go before i could really respond)

James' wand was still out, quite infuriated at Regulus' immature stupidity. How could he possibly assume anything about he and Sirius? Especially when he didn't even know them that well except for hatred on poor Sirius' part. Imagine being related to such an ass. He was almost growling at this point, pushing up his sleeves in annoyance. No way was he going to let him get away with this.

But wait..wasn't Sirius..with...hang on why were he and Nemesis suddenly all nummy and lovey like they were? He almost made a face at the realization. Ugh...no wonder he hadn't been her "taste" if there was such a thing in women really. She had apparently fallen head over heels with Sirius. He almost felt sorry for Sirius but it was his own neck and he was more concerned with the devilish Regulus attempting to bother them.

"Boyfriend? Oooh I'm sorry I thought you were upset about HER." He waved his wand towards with Nemesis with an added roll of the eyes. "Why don't you shut up, Regulus and get out of here? We don't need the likes of you and I'm certainly not goign to stand for you bothering my friend. My BEST friend."

[Sirius Black]

Sirius laughed at his brother's pathetic whining, "You really think I wouldn't? If you're that confident that why don't you try me? Your supposed friends would probably never speak to you again if they found out. I mean, who would want to assoiatate with a person like that? They'd drop you like a tonne of bricks! And then who would you leech off?" He could be just as horrible as Regulus at times though when it was aimed at a Black he felt no guilt whatsoever.

"I never said anything about love. I don't stoop as low as Malfoy and the rest of those prats! I've never told those girls I love them if I don't, I won't lead them on. Like the rest of the school they know my reputation and don't expect much more than a one night stand." Sirius snorted, 'manwhore' wasn't exactly an original name. He'd been called that and worse plenty of times and still it was like water off a duck's back to him. "That's about the gist of it, yes. I'm happy, the girls I sleep with are happy but the only one complaining about it is you. Why is that? Why can't you just accept that like everyone else?"

He sighed lightly as he saw Nemesis looking up at him warily. He just couldn't bring himself to look her in the eye, not after what he'd just admitted to. Sure, most people knew it but to face up and acknowlege it? His playboy status usually just hung over him like a cloud waiting to descend, everyone sensed its presence but they didn't have to think about it. Now it was staring them all in the face and he was nervous to see Nemesis' reaction to it.

[Regulus Black]

Regulus' face began to lose its colour again when Sirius added to his previous words about his... secret. He was surprised Sirius knew. He thought he had done so well keeping it a secret, pretending those damn things didn't bother him. Maybe he wasn't as good an actor as he had originally thought....

The fire was back in his eyes as soon as Sirius admitted to how he felt about his... 'experiences' and then saw the look on Nemesis' face. Perfect. The best way to get to them both would be to ruin their relationship. Sirius would be annoyed and Nemesis would probably feel like her heart was ripped out then come crying back to him and then he'd be there to comfort her for his brother's misdeeds. Oh, this was all too perfect. He could see it now...

He smirked, nearly laughing. "So, what're you saying, bro?" His smirk widened when he noticed Sirius' inability to look at Nemesis directly and continued, "You don't love her, either? She's just like the other ones? You get cosy for a little while and as soon as she undresses and you do your thing, you're done? Just like that?"

[Nemesis Nyx]

Up until now, Nemesis had ignored most of the conversation. She didn't know what Regulus' 'secret' was, and she didn't much care to know, either. It didn't concern her at all and whatever it was, since it involved Regulus, it was undoubtedly stupid. She could care about that later. There were more pressing matters bothering her.

She listened to what Sirius said about all the other girls, and this made her face pale a bit, but she wasn't sure why. She should have expected that. She heard stories about Sirius, and while she wasn't sure how many or which ones were true, she had told herself that she should expect it, and shouldn't care. What was in the past was in the past. But now...?

Somehow, she thought the situation would be different. Sirius wouldn't have spent so much time listening to her and comforting her about things she'd never told anyone else in her entire life. He'd made her do things, feel things she wouldn't do under any circumstances. But Regulus' words hit her hard and made her realise she was selfish and almost stupid to think it would be different.

She looked up at Sirius, a very hurt expression on her face, not by his words, but by Regulus' words and her own thoughts, wondering what Sirius' reply would be. She wouldn't be angry with him if he affirmed her fears. After all, he never told her he loved her or he meant anything more than just something momentary or purely physical. Those were her words. She couldn't let herself be angry with him for that. But, somehow, she wasn't sure she could live with it if she was just another one night stand to him.

[Sirius Black]

"Really it has nothing to do with you but if it will shut you up then I'll explain some things, shall I?" he folded his arms across his chest and scowled at Regulus. He'd been put in a really tight spot and if he said one thing wrong everything would all come tumbling down on top of him. "Firstly, I refuse to tell you how I feel about Nemesis because you simply don't need to know and I don't want you to either. Next, it's obvious that she's not like the other ones. For starters if this was one of my flings then I would have already have 'done my thing' as you so subtlely put it. For another I don't tend to date or shag Slytherins. And if you must know, she hasn't undressed me yet though I am full of hope as I'm sure it will be an amazingly pleasurable experience."

He smirked and sent Nemesis a wink. He licked his lips before he staring hard into Regulus' eyes, "To feel her fingers run down my bare chest. Hold her so close I can feel her heart beat. Explore every inch of her body with my tongue and then she does the same to mine." Sirius could see the effect his words were having in his younger brother. He reached down and held onto her hand, smiling softly he gave it a squeeze then added, "And just Reggie, how many times we'll be doing that becuase this is anything but a one night stand."

[Regulus Black]

Surely enough, that had Regulus extremely bother. The look on Sirius' face was enough... but to hear those words... and to think those thoughts, just imagining Sirius doing all the things with Nemesis he'd wanted to do... well, that was enough. His face turned very red and he forgot all about the previous thoughts of his stupid fear.

"You're revolting," he spat at his brother, clenching both fists so hard they began to tremble and turn white. When Sirius reached down to take hold of Nemesis' hand, the jealousy flashed across his face again. That was it. He moved closer.

More out of blind fury and jealousy than anything, Regulus didn't stop himself. He didn't care of Sirius was too quick to receive his blow, or even if he had aimed correctly at all. Before he could stop himself, his fist swung, and he anticipated the connection it was supposed to make with Sirius' jaw. He hadn't taken into account that Nemesis was standing right next to Sirius; the punch never hit its intended target.

[Nemesis Nyx]

As soon as Sirius spoke, every suspicion, every doubt, every thought that Nemesis had completely vanished. She could have killed herself for thinking that. And she felt like doing just that, seeing Sirius smile, feeling his hand holding hers, wondering how she ever could have doubted him.

She knew it was coming even before Regulus' fist was flying towards Sirius. Somehow, she knew that Regulus was going to hit Sirius. Then, it would get physical, past the point of being stoppable. And honestly, she just wanted it to stop. As much as she hated the git, she didn't want Regulus hurt, and she certainly didn't want to see Sirius hurt either.

Without thinking, though still knowing what she was doing more out of instinct than anything, with her back to Regulus, Nemesis stepped in front of Sirius, holding herself to him tightly with her arms around his waist to brace herself for the blow that was to come. It hit her shoulder, but she felt the tingling sensation travel down to her fingertips, dull at first, but then searing like a fire. For a puny little thing, Regulus could hit hard.

She let out a soft cry, muted by her head buried in Sirius's shoulder, and tensed up completely, waiting, just waiting for Sirius to react. If anything would stop Regulus, it would be that.

[Sirius Black]

Sirius readied him for the punch he could see closing in on him. He knew that it was too late to react, even he couldn't move that fast. But it didn't come. He felt her arms suddenly wrap around his waist and then saw the fist colided with her shoulder. All he could do was watch it happen in slow motion. The thing that brought him back to reality was her grip loosen and the cry. The cry echoed through his mind. For a split second he looked into Regulus' eyes with pure hatred.

He pushed Nemesis off him as gently as he could but given his anger and speed it wasn't very gentle at all. Sirius jumped on Regulus with all his weight sending them both toppling to the ground. His punches came fast and in great number all of which intended for his face. He stayed straddled across the boy for a while after his rage had died down, just looking at him in disgust. Getting up he made sure to give him a quick kick in the side. Sirius pulled his brother up by the scruff of his neck "Never hit women!" he spat. He pushed him in front of Nemesis and growled, "Now appologise before I have time to get my wand out and do some real damage!"

[Regulus Black]

Regulus had anticipated this response from Sirius as soon as he realised it was Nemesis he was hitting. He didn't need the pain of Sirius' blows to remind him that what he had done was wrong. Just hearing the hurt in Nemesis' voice and the way her body stiffened was enough. He certainly never wanted to hurt her.

He didn't react when his brother jumped on him, but instead, let himself be knocked over. He didn't even fight back when Sirius began throwing punches. It was what he deserved. He groaned loudly when he was pulled to his feet, vertigo almost knocking him back over.

He must have looked pitiful, standing there, barely able to stand at all, a black eye, bruised face, bloody nose, swollen lip. He was almost sniffling. Even his voice betrayed him, showing how weak he really was. "I'm sorry," he said softly, unable to really look at Nemesis. "I... didn't mean to.... it was supposed to be him," he said icily, glaring at Sirius venemously.

[Nemesis Nyx]

As Sirius pushed her away, all Nemesis could do was stand and watch as he pummeled his brother. She wasn't going to stop him. Regulus was finally getting what he deserved. She just hoped Sirius wasn't going to be the one to give it to him. But it was already over now, and all she could do was glare at Regulus.

"I don't give a damn, Regulus! I don't. I know you're only sorry because it was me you hit. If it were Sirius, you wouldn't be sorry. You'd have enjoyed every minute of it until he'd beat your sorry arse in the end anyway," Nemesis began. She made to cross her arms over her chest, but abandoned her intentions, feeling the pain shoot up her arm whenever she moved it. "I don't care what you have against your brother, I don't care how you feel about me... I don't care. I just want you to leave me the hell alone. You're all that's standing between me and complete happiness."

She was glaring at him with the same intensity Sirius had moments before. "And believe me, pissing Sirius off is one thing, but pissing me off... Well, that would be the stupidest thing you could ever do. And I swear to god if you so much as speak... no... if you so much as look at Sirius or me again, your gonads--assuming you have any--will be shoved so far down your throat you won't even be able to breathe."

At the end of her tirade, she inhaled deeply, closing her eyes, her lips pursed tightly. "Take your apology, and shove it up your arse."

[James Potter]

(Aaah..hello?I'm still sorta here.. )

James growled. He couldn't believe the bastard had just hit her. Sure he didn't like her but that was no way to treat anyone especially not a girl who for some reason Sirius seemed to be quite taken with. He listened to the long spiels and shook his head in disbelief. "You git! You lanky git! How dare you! Don't ever call Sirius those things and don't you dare hit her again! or anyone else for that matter!"he shot back, dashing in front of him inches from the other Black's face.

He'd love to give Regulus a taste of his own medicine. In fact he didn't mind not holding himself back at all as his fist soared into Regulus' nose. "That's how it feels, you ass. Don't you touch her again. And don't come near her either. I catch you near either of them your ass is mine." He glared, cracking his knuckles in anticipation of having to defend himself the next time.

[Regulus Black]

(Sorry about that... got a little carried away. ;...)

Again, Regulus let himself be hit, this time by James instead of his brother. Of course he had been expecting that. James would defend Sirius, probably to the death. But he wasn't expecting him to defend Nemesis. That surprised him a great deal, and he almost had respect for Potter. Almost.

Instead of crying out or whining pathetically, he lay on the ground for a few moments, his breathing laboured and hard. His chest heaved up and down, and as he wiped the blood off his face with the back of his hand, he turned his head, shaking his hair out of his face to look up at James. He smirked cruelly. "Defending your boyfriend again, are we?" He laughed softly. "Should have known you would.... Always knew you were like that." Then, his steely gaze turned from James to move over Sirius, then swing to Nemesis. "A little ménage à trois, have we? That's pleasant..."

He pushed himself up slightly onto his elbows so he could glare at James. "I always knew that obsessing over Evans was a cover-up." He nearly grinned. "If you wanted I disagree, you could have just asked, you know."

[James Potter]

Now he was really pissed off. How dare he even bring Lily into this situation! She didn't deserve such a bastard talking about her like that. He gripped the wand firmly, almost breaking it in half to try and hold his anger back. Though it had felt good to let it out on the other Black's face. And Sirius.....what had he gotten James into now? He'd owe him big time for this one if they managed out of it all right that is. And Nemesis...sure he didn't really like her that much but if Sirius did that must mean she was worth something to him and what was worth to Sirius was worth to him.

He kept his wand in hand but stood in front of Regulus, arms folded across his chest. "Shut up, Black. You don't know what you're talking about. And don't you dare bring Evans into this. Your mouth doesn't even deserve to SPEAK her name let alone insult her. And the only thing I'd ever do to YOUR ass is kick it." He shot back, ready to punch him or hex him again if he had to. THe brute was getting on his nerves and fast.

[Sirius Black]

Sirius laughed as Regulus was hit again but this time by James. He clapped his best friend's shoulder and grinned, "Nice one." Rounding on the younger boy he smirked, "And what if he is? Are you that pathetic that you think its absolutely hilarious to call someone gay? And even if we were dating I'd be proud to call James my boyfriend. He's twice the man you'll ever be and he's a much better brother by far. Plus, he doesn't let a stupid thing like blood make him delusional enough to think he's something he isn't. How many purebloods can say that, hmm?"

He whipped his wand out faster than a bullet out of a gun and dug it into Regulus' neck. As much as he and Evans didn't get along, Sirius sort of respected her for having caught James' heart as much as she had. He let James finish before adding, "Yeah, you say her name one more time and I'll take great pleasure in tearing out your tongue...and not with a spell either!" No one insulted his best friend and got away with it!