Lily Evans twirled and spun about in the glittering green dress robes she was trying on in Madam Malkin's. She scrutinized her appearance from all angles in the huge mirrors, smiling and playing with her hair. Her best friend, Mira, was beside her, grinning at her reflection as she also tried on new robes.

"Mira, look, it's gorgeous! Oh, I love it, I couldn't live without it!" Lily exclaimed, toying with the brilliant green fabric.

"You look great, love." Mira said absently. Her attention wasn't focused on her friend, but rather the beautiful young girl staring at her in the mirror. Mira decided that she had never looked so beautiful. The light blue of her dress brought out the sensational color in her eyes, and complimented her fair skin. There was no way Sirius Black would turn her down when she was wearing this dress.

"Oh, I've got to get these robes, love! I don't care if I have to empty my Gringotts vault!" Lily smiled. "Look, here comes Madam Malkin now!"

Mira nodded, still examining herself. It was required that seventh years own dress robes. Certainly her dad wouldn't let her down when they saw how gorgeous she looked!

"Oh, Madam, these robes are lovely!" Lily chirped in the background to the young seamstress. "How much are they?"

"Ten galleons, dear."

"Done! Here, let me get my purse!"

Mira turned away from her reflection to face Madam Malkin. "And these? How much are these robes?" she asked timidly.

"Oh, those are very nice robes. The finest materials, from Italy. They would be fifteen galleons (Mira gulped), but since you look so lovely in them, I'll only charge you eight." Madam Malkin smiled widely.

Mira frowned slightly. That was a lot for dress robes. "Let me ask my mum and get back to you on that."

"Why did you tell Madam Malkin that? That you would ask your mum?" Lily inquired later as they nibbled on ice cream cones.

"Well... it's just easier that way. And I don't like being pitied."

"Whatever. I just think, if you talked to more people about it, it'd help."

"Lily, stop it. There is nothing to be said."

"Again, whatever... Oh GOD! Mira, quick, in this shop!" Lily exclaimed, dragging her friend through the closest door.

"WHAT THE FUCK, LILY!" Mira exclaimed. Her ice cream was now drippling down her front.

"Oh! Mira, I'm sorry. Here – scorchify!"

"Care to explain?"

"Yes. Five words: James. Sirius. Peter. Remus. Hell."

"Oh..." Mira blushed at hearing Sirius's name.

Lily eyes her friend quizzically. "Well, I wonder what store we're in," she said after a moment, looking around. "Oh, shit..."

"Oh, very smooth Lily. Hiding from the Mauderurs in Quidditch World."

"Shut up and hide."

As the two girls ducked under a display of broomsticks, a small bell tingled, and in walked James Potter, followed by his three retarded best friends.

"Padfoot, you said you wanted a new broom?" he inquired.

"Yeah, mines a bit bent out of shape." Sirius Black glared at Remus.

"I'm sorry, mate. It was that time of the month, you know." Remus blushed.

The two girls under the table turned to look at each other, trying to suppress giggles.

"It doesn't matter, Moony. Padfoot needed an update anyway," came James' voice again.

"Look, the new Cleansweep 7!" Sirius exclaimed, rushing over to the table the two girls were hiding under.

"Wow, mate, that's the best broom around!"

"Prongs, grab me one of them from under the table. I'm buying one."

Lily's eyes widened. She flinched and squealed a bit as James' face appeared inches from her own.

James looked thoroughly surprised, but quickly turned his face into a suave grin.

"Evans! Fancy seeing you here," he drawled, reaching out for her clenched hand and pulling her out from under the table. Mira still sat there, forgotten.

"Let go of me, Potter!" Lily squealed, but could not break away.

"No, you're not getting away so easily this time, Evans. It's payback time, love."

"James Harry Potter, if you kiss me, you're a dead man!" Lily gasped, pulling away.

"Oh, I don't want to kiss you."