"Hey boys," Lily said sweetly, as she slipped into the couch position beside James.

Remus's eyes were as wide as saucers, Peter was too dumbstruck for words, and Sirius just smirked with a defiant look on his features. Lily looked at the boy sitting next to her, and saw him in awe of her.

"I...uh...I was uh...eh...Iwasworriedyoudidntreallylikemeafterallandonlyaccidentallyaccepted," he finally said in one breath.

Lily giggled, and brushed a hair out of his eyes. "Well, yes, if I hadn't been dead to the world I probably would have declined, again, but I did accept, even if I wasn't really there at the time. So I'm going to be just as good a girlfriend to you as I would be to any boy." She smiled.

James's eyes were wide behind his glasses, and he uneasily smiled back at her. "Right. Of course. Well."

Sirius coughed, with a meaningful glare at James.

James jumped at his cough and then seemed to remember something. "Oh yeah, um, Sirius wanted me to ask you if you wanted him and Wormtail and Moony to also bring dates. You know, to uh, make it not as uncomfortable?"

Lily shook her head at his nervousness. "Whatever you want, James, I don't mind. But Sirius," she said, with a hint of a smile, "One of my friends would love to be in your company..."

Sirius grinned. "Oh yeah? Well, I'd be glad to show your lady friend around, Lils. You're an Honorary Marauder now, so your wish is our command." He bowed, and gave another of his charming smiles.

"So," Lily started, "How about we all get ready, and meet back down here in thirty minutes? Sirius, I'll bring my friend with me."

The four Marauders nodded, and Lily swept off to the upstairs girls dormitory to prepare.

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Lily burst into her dormitory, and ran to her friend's bed. She yanked back the curtains and shook the poor girl awake. "Charlotte! CHARLOTTE! WAKE UP! CHARLOTTE!"

"Nnnnnnn, Lil, too early," the girl murmured sleepily.

"You and I have double dates with Sirius Black and James Potter today," Lily said with a smile on her face. "Are you going to get ready or will you be going to Hogsmeade with Sirius in your pajamas?"

Charlotte sat bolt upright in her bed. "You're joking," she breathed. "Sirius Black?"

"Yep. You better be glad I accidentally accepted to go with James."

"Accidentally? Lily, I've told you for weeks, and weeks, and weeks that you should go out with him! This will be so much fun! He worships you, Lils, it'll be great."

"Yeah, it'll be great watching you walk around in your pajamas with Sirius," Lily retorted. "James and Co. will be downstairs waiting in approximately-" she checked her watch "-25 minutes time."

Charlotte let out a shriek and rushed off to the shower, yelling as she went, "I HAVE A DATE WITH SIRIUS BLACK AND YOU GIVE ME ONLY 25-MINUTE'S NOTICE! I NEED MORE LIKE 3 HOURS!"

Lily chuckled, and began reapplying makeup.

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"Charlotte, time to go," Lily called, as she smoothed her skirt and blouse.

"Right, I'm ready," Charlotte said breathlessly as she hurried in. "Do I look Sirius Black-worthy?"

Lily snickered. "Yep. Blonde hair perfectly flat-ironed, long eyelashes, low-cut blouse...definitely ready for Sirius."

Charlotte blushed, and Lily smiled. "You look great too, Lil, but it doesn't really matter, James would worship you anyway," she said.

Lily opened the door and the two girls shuffled down the steps and smiled when she saw the two boys stood by the Common Room entrance, talking casually to each other. Sirius looked up and nudged James. He looked up, and smiled proudly when he saw Lily.

"Hello, fair lady, Sirius Black at your service," he flirted with a bow.

Charlotte smiled, and Lily stifled her giggles.

"And what would be your name?" He smiled charmingly.

"Charlotte. Charlotte Cranworthy."

"Pleasure to be of your acquaintance, Lady Charlotte," he murmured, taking her hand and lightly kissing it.

Lily jumped when she heard a voice in her ear. "Padfoot's crazy," James murmured. "He's the biggest flirt but he doesn't get attached to any girl he meets. I hope you don't expect me to act like that idiot," he said nervously.

"Of course not, James," she said matter-of-factly. "I don't date idiots. Well, not on purpose at least. That's why I'm not one of Black's fan girls."

James snickered. "And I wouldn't have you any other way."

Lily was taken aback by his careful flattery and sincerity, and she hurried to mask her surprise. "So, shall we go?"

James nodded, and the four set off for Hogsmeade.

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