AN: Hey! Welcome to my new story, Tough Love. I've recently fixed up this chapter, and I should be doing the same to the others soon. Please leave me a quick review to let me know what you think (: I appreciate any and all feedback, even if it's harsh! Thanks for reading :D

EDIT

Holy mother of crap I read through this again and noticed how COMPLETELY CRAPPY it was, so I've fixed it again. I'm now off to do the same to the other chapters, and finish the few more I have on my computer. Farewell for now my lovely readers! (If anyone actually reads this, that is...)

I'd barely taken a puff before a screeching call came rushing outside, along with a gust of warm air flung out with the door.

"Alex, get in here!" Gigi had yelled. I sighed and stood, pushing myself off the scungy brick wall and stomping out my cigarette on the pavement.

I strode back inside the diner, or 'Hell' as Lyn and I had nick-named it, and couldn't help but sigh a little. Lyn went to the same school as me, and we'd somehow managed to get jobs at the same Diner. Completely by chance, which was the strange thing, but we'd swiftly become close friends and it had stayed that way since we'd met in fifth year.

So, back to hell I went.

To be completely honest, I actually didn't mind it too much… Not that I'd ever admit that in front of... Well, anyone. The attention did wonders for my ego, sometimes but like any normal person, I usually hated it. There were always men leering and groping me, and it was only our huge chef that stopped things getting out of hand.

Entering the diner from the back alley is like discovering a whole new world – but not a fresh, clean, 'Little Mermaid' world, mind. It's bustling and smelly and loud. People are constantly talking over one another, voices fighting for dominance. Two years, I'd worked there, so despite the distractions, I quickly spotted why Gigi had called me back in early. A rowdy group of boys had just sat in one of Lyn's tables, but she had her hands full with a group of seven. This place wasn't exactly famous for its service, but I needed the tips, so I gestured to her that I was on it and hurried over, pen tucked behind my ear and pad in hand.

"What can I get you fine gentlemen this evening?" I purred, retrieving my pen.

Though I only worked in school breaks, I knew that a flirty attitude and a short skirt brought in larger tips, I wasn't stupid. There was no doubt that I could pull off both, and Gigi was one of the rare employers that lets you keep all your tips. Some take a certain percentage, but Gigi understands that we work hard.

Looking up from my order pad, my playful smile faltered as I stared down into the faces of the Marauders. The four most popular boys in my school. Hogwarts. Why they were visiting a muggle diner in the middle of London, I had no idea.

What a way to start the night.

"I'll have – wait, do I know you?"

I mentally groaned as James Potter, their ringleader squinted at me. I flicked my eyes towards the shape half hidden behind him, and quickly looked back down at my feet; which were clad in ridiculous red heels to match the cherry-red uniform I wore. (I only had a two hour shift that night, and they weren't that high.)

"I-I don't think so, sir. May I suggest the specials of the day? Our beef and cheddar-"

"No, I know you; you tried out for Quidditch, right? You go to our school?" Another voice pitched in.

I felt myself melt a little- it was Sirius Black that had spoken. His voice was divine. He flung an arm over the edge of the booth and stretched a jean encased leg out under the table royaly. He looked like he barely fit, being the tallest of the four. I was practically drooling already, but I decided to get it over with and not give them the satisfaction of seeing me too flustered. Sighing, I looked him in the eye.

"Yeah, I do. I'm in your house, actually." Actually, come to think of it I was a tad offended that they hadn't recognised me earlier… But at the same time I wished they hadn't at all. "But right now I'm working," I continued, "so can I take your orders?" I could see James open his mouth to speak – to order, hopefully – but to my displeasure it was Remus that cut in, leaning out from behind James.

"Alex?" Yes, this was the moment I had been dreading.

Remus and I had dated briefly last year, and… It hadn't ended particularly well.

"Merlin, I didn't even recognise you!" Surprised by his almost happy tone of voice, I briefly smiled at him. I had to admit that I wasn't very recognisable; my hair was pulled up into a high bun, tendrils curling around my face. I even wore makeup. Quite a lot, truth be told. It was a far-cry from the Alex they would've seen at school; blonde hair loose and hiding my face, minimal make up, if any, and a proper sized skirt to boot. But more importantly, why was he even acknowledging me?

"Wait, you hexed Professor McGonagall, didn't you?" Black asked, curiosity (and amusement) colouring his tone. I lost the smile. That was a painful topic with me. Well, the detentions I'd had for two months after that were painful.

"Yeah, you're in the same year as us! You're Lily's friend, aren't you?"

I couldn't help but smile genuinely at Potters innocent query. He was so painfully in love with Lily, it was adorable. But Gigi was calling me, and I needed to rush them along a little.

"Yeah, we're close. But honestly, are you going to order?" They looked at each other guiltily as I looked them over, carefully avoiding Remus's eyes.

"Uh, actually we weren't planning on having to pay" Black said, somewhat sheepishly. That was a new sound for him.

"Well, you're out of luck, then. Sadly you can't charm me into giving away food."

I'd heard that wizards had been doing that, using the confundus charm on muggles unnecessarily, but I'd never really thought how it might affect them. I gave the boys a withering look, and again, they looked guiltily at each other. I couldn't help but notice that Remus rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. Knowing him, he'd probably tried to talk them out of it. He was a good person, really. It seemed I just brought out the worst in him, or something. Who knows.

"Never mind," I deadpanned. "How much money you got?" They emptied their pockets, but Sirius was the only one who actually had anywhere near a helpful amount of muggle money. I bit my lip, trying to think of what they could get with that little... "Do you all like pie?" They all nodded, Peter looking comically enthusiastic.

"We're guys," James said jovially. "We'll eat anything!" I laughed lightly, stumbling over quick calculations in my head.

"Ok," I said. "You can get four pieces of pie and two drinks. I can nick the other two without anyone noticing. That sound good?"

"Perfect!" James said, looking almost as enthusiastic as Peter.

"But you better pay me back," I cautioned, waving a finger at them.

"We will, I promise," James said. I smiled brightly at him and twirled my pen between my fingers.

"Ok, then! I'll be right back with your food!" There was a chorus of 'Thanks' and I lazily wriggled my fingers at them in way of acknowledgement as I walked away.

Reaching the hole in the wall through to the kitchen, I stuck their order on the little carousel and grinned at our African cook, Azaan. He'd only been working here for a few months, but he'd become a favourite with everyone. There may have been a few racist comments floating around when Az first started, but his calm and steady presence soon dispelled any nonsense.

"The dark haired one was staring at your backside," Az said, deed voice sounding amused. I turned and looked, but they were talking animatedly, and neither James nor Sirius were looking my way.

"With or without glasses?" I asked curiously.

"Without," he replied. I felt a sudden surge of something like pride that someone like Sirius had admired my bum. Without saying a thing, Az turned around and headed back into the kitchen to cook, but I spotted a twinkle in his eyes. Suddenly I was barrelled into by a very excited looking Lyn.

"Are they who I think they are?" She squeaked. I giggled at her and nodded. "No way!" I risked a look over at the Marauders table, thinking that they'd probably heard thanks to how close they were seated, and I was right. Or at least, partly. Sirius was looking our way curiously, but the other three were still talking. I waved at him, a slightly embarrassed look on my face.

"Shush, Lyn!" I chided her. "They-"

"Come on you two!" Gigi suddenly cried. Lyn and I snapped back into action, bustling away to serve more customers. I quickly began wiping down a table, and looked up to see Lyn staring at the Marauders. Sensing me looking, she returned my glance and giggled, wiggling her eyebrows at me. I shook my head at her, rolling my eyes, but I gave another little giggle, too.