"Lily?" I stumbled around, throwing things in and out of my trunk. No response. "Lily!" She stomped into the room, her face cross. "What is it you've lost now?"

"Er..." I started apologetically. "I don't suppose you've seen my broom, have you?" She smiled coolly and glanced at my broom- which was barely visible from the underside of my bed. "You know, I really hate it when you do that."

She rolled her eyes. "No you don't. You'd be completely and utterly lost without me. Besides, You've really lost it, you know that? Looking for a broom in a trunk? Completely bonkers. You may very well be the most daft Ravenclaw I know." She grinned, folding her arms over her chest.

I scowled. "And you may very well be A LOT more like Potter than you're willing to admit." She rolled her eyes and put her hands up in mock surrender. "You know I'm only joking. You're one of the brightest witches I know. Aside from myself, of course..." I tossed a pillow at her as we broke out in laughter. I stretched out on the floor around me, pushing aside my potions book to make room for my best friend on the floor. "I don't see why you won't give him a chance, Lily."

She rolled her eyes, settling on the floor next to me and pulling her knees to her chest. "Enough about Potter, yeah? Let me enjoy these few remaining days of peace." She let out a sigh, sprawling out next to me. "You're one to talk, you know."

I propped myself up on my elbows and narrowed my eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She laughed from her place on the floor. "Well those Marauder's do tend to leave a lasting impression."

I tossed my potions book at her stomach before helping her to her feet. "Now help me find my robes, will you?"

"Bottom drawer on the left." She smirked. "Like I don't know, Lennox. I'm your best friend."

"Know what?" I demanded, becoming very interested in some stitching that had come undone in my robes.

She softened her look, taking on a more sympathetic tone. "That our very own Lennox Cordle is not immune to the charms of Sirius Black." She looked exasperated. "It's happened to the best of us, Len."

"You're right, Lily."

"I am?" She looked shocked.

"You're right- we really should enjoy these last few days of peace."

"Ugh!" She threw her arms in the air, making her way toward the door. "When are you going to learn to cope with your emotions?"

I smirked. "When you wise up already and snog James Potter like you know you want to."

"I want to do no such thing!"

"Of course not." I smiled. "Now, Can you help me find my-" She levitated my scarf in front of me with that striking 'I told you so' look that only Lily Evans could muster. "Give me that." I snatched the scarf from the air and hid a smile.

"And you've remembered to pack snacks for the ride there?" My mother straightened my collar and pushed a strand of sandy colored hair behind my ear. Her face was wrought with worry like it always is this time.

"Yes, mum. I've got everything. Promise." I gave her a reassuring smile and brought her hands down from my face, holding them in mine. "Besides. I've got Lily to hound me." She laughed and we both looked toward the red-head. She was saying her goodbyes as well. My mother sighed, turning back to face me. "I know that. I do... You really do have great friends, Lennox. I'm so proud of the choices you've made, do you know that? I'm so proud." I laughed trying to pull from her a bit. "I know, mum."

"You know what would make us all the more happy?"

"What's that, mum?"

She looked around, placing her hands on my shoulders. "Well, your father and I have noticed that you haven't dated much, not since that last boy-" I groaned. "Now, Lennox. Just hear me out. We didn't like your last boyfriend all that much- that Slytherin boy. What was his name?" I groaned a little louder this time. "Oh, well that doesn't really matter now, does it? Your father and I both think that it would suit you to find someone. How about that lovely boy you're always around? The one with-"

"Sirius Black, at your service, Mrs. Cordle." The familiar boy sauntered toward my mother, he took her outstretched hand. Instead of shaking it, he bent down to kiss it one grand gesture.

I faked gagging noises, my eyes pleading with Lily to come to my rescue.

My mother giggled. "Oh, Sirius! How has your summer been, dear?"

"Much better now that I've seen your daughter." He shot me a wink and then continued to wow my mother with the adventures he and James had been on just weeks earlier. He had an arm slung over both of us now. I was trying hard not to punch him in the side. My mother would be mortified by my 'lack of lady-like grace.' "We even invited Lennox a few times." he chimed in, pulling me into his side.

"You did not!" I said pointedly.

"Don't be silly, Len! Of course we did! I take it you didn't receive my owls?"

My heart skipped a beat. Had he owled me over the summer? How on earth had I missed something like that.

"Can't say we did, Len." He whispered in my hair, lips brushing my ear. "But you wished we had, now didn't you?" I could almost hear the smirk in his voice.

"You...you... toe-rag!" I shouted, breaking myself from his arm. Toe-rag? That was the best I could come up with? Merlin, was I lame.

"Lennox!" My mother looked mortified. "You'll have to excuse her, Sirius."

He let out a barking laugh. "No need, Mrs. Cordle. Lennox and I have a... complicated relationship." I stood there like an idiot, my mouth wide open while he jogged to catch up with James, who was currently trying to show Lily something he had cupped in his hands. She had her back to him.

I let out a long sigh before turning to face my mother one last time. She arched an eyebrow at me and smiled. "A complicated relat-" I cut her off with a peck on the cheek. "Bye, mum! I'll owl as soon as I can!" I lugged my things over to where Lily was. She was impatiently waving me toward the train.

"All the good compartments will be taken if we don't get a move on, Lennox!" I rolled my eyes and shoved past her. "Goodbye, Mrs. Cordle! I'll take good care of her, Promise!" She waved to my mother before slinging one of my bags over her shoulder.

"But where are your things?" I protested.

We pushed past some first years and I smiled at some Ravenclaws I knew. "They're already on the train! If you hadn't spent so much time flirting with Sirius, you'd know that."

"Flirting!" I scoffed, "Are you kidding? I hardly made it out of there before my mother proposed to him on my behalf." I rolled my eyes and readjusted my bag on my shoulder. I was prepared for Lily to retort when she stopped in front of a compartment filled with 4th years.

"I could've sworn I put my things in this one..." she trailed off looking confused. James Potter poked that legendary mop of hair out of a compartment a little ways down.

"Lily! I've taken the liberty of moving your things into our compartment!" Sirius poked his own head out of the compartment. He seemed to be putting all of his weight on James. "And bring that quiet Ravenclaw who follows you around, will you?" He winked.

I rolled my eyes. "You know my name, Black."

James winced a little under his best friend's weight. "Is that you, Lennox?"

"I've missed you too, James!" I laughed. Lily hoisted one of my bags back onto her shoulder. "I haven't" she muttered. I grabbed her wrist before letting her head to the compartment. "Wait... uh... You wouldn't..." I stumbled over myself a bit. "You wouldn't tell him, would you?" Lily looked confused before a letting a smile creep over her features. "Of course not."

"Well, good."

"Good."

"We can head to the compartment now." I groaned. She laughed and slung an arm around me, squeezing my middle reassuringly.

"Ouch! Get off me, Prongs!"

"You're one to talk, Pads! Whose foot is that?" James growled from the floor.

Lily and I came up on the compartment to see a mess of tangled limbs. It seems Peter had joined in for the heck of it. Remus hardly looked up from his paper, but you could see an amused smile on his face. Lily shoved past the boys, putting my things on the overhead rack next to her own. I followed suit and plopped down next to Remus.

"Whatchya reading, Moony?" I beamed.

"Well, thanks to these two..." He gestured to James and Sirius (who were currently struggling to bring themselves to their feet) "absolutely nothing."

"Oh come on now, mate. Think how boring life would be without us." Sirius flashed him a grin.

James poked him in the side with his wand. "He's right, you know. Without us you'd be left with Peter." He pulled a face and rubbed Pettigrew on the head lovingly.

"What's wrong with that!" The smaller boy demanded. I sometimes felt bad for Peter. He wasn't exactly... well, Sirius. Or James for that matter. Those two were borderline adored by the entire female population. Especially Sirius. It was quite annoying, actually. Especially when the time came for a quick game of chess with James or a fly with Sirius. If I had a nickel for every time some Hufflepuff shot me a dirty look...

"Lennox?" Remus asked, snapping his fingers in front of my face.

I shook myself out of thought. "Hmm?" I asked.

He merely smiled. "Thinking of ways to overthrow the Ministry again, are we?" He smiled.

"Oh please, Remus." I rolled my eyes. "I haven't done that since tuesday." I stressed the last word with a smile.

"Of course not." he chuckled. "Well I asked how your summer had been."

"Oh, it was wonderful! I didn't receive a single owl from you, however. I mean, I'd expect that from those two" I nodded "but from my dearest friend Remus?" I sighed and playfully slugged him in the shoulder.

James stood up suddenly. "If you two are done fliiiirting..." he winked, "I've got a proposition for you all." he bowed dramatically. Both Remus and I blushed. I stole a quick glance at Sirius only to find him completely unfazed, feet propped up, reading a quidditch magazine. Balls.

Lily crossed her arms and looked up expectantly at James. He caught her eyes for a moment and seemed a bit flustered. "I uhm..."

Sirius let out a bored yawn and leaned his head back on his hands. "Would you two just save us all the anticipation and snog already?"

"Thank you." I muttered.

"What was that, Cordle?" Sirius arched an eyebrow my way.

"Nothing." I settled in a little closer to Remus and addressed James, "Now, what was this proposition, Potter?"

"Right! My proposition! Well, Ladies...gentleman...Peter. I've taken it upon myself to do a little brainstorming."

"You? Brainstorming?" Peter snickered.

James shot him a look. "Yes, Peter. Brainstorming. I was thinking a lot about... well, you know... what's been going on." He waved his hand around the compartment. "And I want to do something about it."

Sirius scratched his head. "Now, I may be devilishly good looking, mate... but that sure doesn't mean I'm daft. And I still have no idea what you're talking about."

I looked at my hands folded in my lap. "I don't know what we could possibly do, James. I mean, we're hardly of age." He frowned at me.

"Leave it to the Ravenclaw to actually understand what's going on." Sirius said. He was growing increasingly fidgety.

Lily frowned, pushing a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. She handed Sirius the copy of The Prophet Remus had been reading earlier. In all bold, the headline read "DEATH TOLL RISES, SUSPECT AT LARGE"

"...'suspect'..." Sirius scowled. "Who do those gits at the prophet think they're kidding. We all know very well who-"

"Sirius," Remus piped in. "Perhaps it wise to lower your voice." His eyes darted around the compartment.

"I don't care who hears me." Sirius growled to no one in particular. My heart broke a little watching him. I wondered about Regulus- about his whole family. I wanted to ask what had really happened two summers ago. The same time he moved in with the Potters.

"Lennox!" James waved a wand in front of my face. I'd done it again? What's gotten in to me? I really had to get out of my head sooner or later.

"Yes? I'm listening! What was it?" I looked up at him guiltily.

"I want to write a paper." He repeated, seriously. He snatched The Prophet from his mate. "Like this."

Lily smiled at him sadly. "Don't get me wrong, James. I want to help- more than anything, really. You know that... but what exactly is a paper going to do? I mean, we all keep up with The Prophet..."

"Well, I know that. It's just... I think this our chance, you know? If it's coming from us, people are going to listen aren't they? Especially impressionable females." He winked at Sirius before turning solemn again. "If we're able to let them know what's really going on... and even how they can defend themselves against it- well, it's something, isn't it? It's more than we're doing now." His eyes pleaded with Lily before he continued. "Just think. Moony is constantly reading up on what's happening. And Pads!" He turned to face Sirius. "Well, you're the only one of us whose got real experience with dark magic. Not to mention your marks last year in Defense against the Dark Arts were outstanding." He turned to face me, almost begging now. "And Lennox- you're bloody brilliant when it comes to anything involving strategy. Of course, we'll need people to read this." He said, turning to Peter. "That's where you come in, mate. We'll need to keep it light. Humor and whatnot." Lastly, He turned to face Lily. I'd never seen James Potter look so much like a puppy dog in my entire life. "And Lily. Well, that's just simple. You're the most brilliant witch I've ever met."

We all stayed silent for a moment, taking in everything James had just said. Sirius was the first to speak. "I think you're a bloody genius, mate. I'm in."

Remus looked at each of us before addressing James directly. "You can always count on me, Prongs."

"What will you do, James?" Peter squeaked.

James let out a laugh. "Well, I haven't thought that far ahead, mate. Perhaps I'll write a column on quidditch or something." He smiled, rubbing the back of his head.

Lily stood up, looking James dead in the eye. "He's being humble. We wouldn't have even come up with the idea if it weren't for him." James gave her the biggest, brightest grin I'd ever seen. We all looked back and forth from Lily to James in anticipation. No one dared move. Hell, no one blinked. Lily suddenly realized who she was standing in front of and quickly flipped her hair in his face. She sat back down and tried to hide the blush creeping its way onto her cheeks by smoothing out the wrinkles in her robes.

James spun around to face me, still beaming. "That just leaves you, Lennox." I looked quickly toward Sirius to see him smirking at me. Merlin. That boy was always a step ahead of me. I quickly looked up at James. "Well, I am 'bloody brilliant when it comes to anything involving strategy'." He rolled his eyes and plopped down on the seat next to me. "You never could take a compliment, could you?" He sighed.

"Of course I'm in, Potter." I looked around the compartment. Mum was definitely right about one thing. I really did have great friends. After a long train ride listening to Sirius and James (and even an occasional Remus) compare the backsides of Hufflepuff vs. Ravenclaw females, Lily and I were more than relieved when the train came to a screeching hault at the place we'd all called home for what would be our 7th year.

"Puh-Lease, James. Ravenclaw doesn't stand a chance. I give you exhibit A." Sirius gestured to me.

"Hey!" I began angrily. "Even if I did give any thought to what you two said about my bum, it wouldn't make any bit of difference. You couldn't have it if you tried, Sirius Black." I scowled at him and made a point to keep my rear-end out of view when exiting the trolley.

Lily rolled her eyes. "Here we go again."

"Not so fast, Cordle." Sirius leaned against the frame of the compartment. "Is that a challenge?"

My heart sunk a little. What did he mean? "A Challenge? Of course not. You are Sirius Black, after all." I mocked his own words and stuck my tongue out before walking (a little faster than normal) down the train.

"Ah, Alice!" I yelped, thankful to see anyone other than Black. "How are you!"

"Lennox, I'm wonderful! It's so nice to see you. I have to tell you everything that's happened this summer! You won't believe who-" She was cut off by Frank Longbottom. Frank swooped in beside Alice and grabbed a bag from her shoulder. "Lennox, how are you?"

I laughed knowingly. "It's about time, you two! Alice, we'll have to catch up after the festivities tonight, yeah?" As happy as I was to see Alice, I was looking for any excuse to get away from couples at the moment. My mothers words were still ringing in my ears.

"Of course." She smiled. "Oh, Wait! Lennox, will you be at the party tonight?"

"Party?" I asked.

"Yes! Rumor has it they're throwing a massive one in the Gryffindor common room tonight."

I looked back down the train. James was fighting Lily for one of her bags to carry and Sirius was long gone- probably off to flirt with some Hufflepuff with a great backside. Yuck. "Well, I spend more time there than I do in my own common room- So I suppose I will."

"We'll see you there!" She beamed. I waved to both Frank and Alice.