In that split second it felt like Moony had gone through the rafters, experiencing a sense of vertigo comparable to falling several feet to the ground. It made his grip tighten around the ladder poles, suddenly feeling off balance.<br/>"Oh, yeah?" he choked, trying to come across as interested. In reality, it had made his heart drop. Sirius was brilliant and funny, and Moony had always known this part-time friendship could hardly entertin the boy for the entirety of the school year. He didn't doubt that Sirius made new friends with ease, and it knotted up Moony's throat with jealousy.<br/>Not able to linger at the steps any longer, Moony climbed the ladder far enough so that the could turn and sit on the lip of the platform. Without looking at Sirius, he shoved a few fingers down his shoe, pretended to palm around for a pestering pebble.<br/>"Is he new?" The questions were verging on curt, even despite the efforts Moony put into sounding happy on Sirius' behalf.<br/>Not being able to attend Sirius' school had always been Moony's greatest jealousy, having often cried bitter, frustrated tears when his mother brushed the idea off as being so impossible that it didn't even merit a proper conversation. He felt that same pressure building in his chest, knowing this could very well be the moment Sirius simply outgrew their friendship.