A/N: As promised, a light, cheerful chapter with no one getting cursed, yet. Sometimes I wonder if anyone actually reads these author's notes. If you do then let me know.

To the reviewers: Your species are extinct or in hiding.

Disclaimer: Who here wishes they owned harry potter? Yeah, keep wishing.

4. Dates, Dates, Dates.

"He'd written me up a proposal of why dating him was a sound decision. It had included things like "I'll give up cigarettes unless I really, really need one" and "I'll unleash romantic surprises every week, such as: an impromptu picnic, roses, or a trip to Paris—but not actually any of those things because now they're not surprises." - Richelle Mead,Spirit Bound

Quidditch Trials

Quidditch trials for Gryffindor Quidditch team take place on 27th of September from 10:30. One chaser and one keeper required. ONLY Gryffindors.

"Oi, Melina, be at the Quidditch pitch on 27th at 10 and tell others too. I want the entire team down for trials." James potter called out one morning across the Gryffindor table to Melina.

"Yes sir." She quipped raising her hand in a salute. "About time, potter, practicing with 5 players is pathetic."

James nodded and grinned and continued his breakfast.

"Quidditch trials, which positions are free?" asked Alissa who was sitting with Melina, listening to her conversation.

"We need one chaser and a keeper. Our previous keeper finished Hogwarts last year and the chaser quit the team. Merlin knows why. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I am a pretty darn good chaser. I was thinking of trying out."

"That's good. Were you on a team back at Durmstrang?"

"Nah! Durmstrang players are pretty damn good. I was just average there but I think I will be fine here."

Melina raised her eyes but said nothing.

"What are you talking about?" asked Emily as she took a seat beside them.

"Quidditch trials." said Alissa.

"I think I'll attend them" she replied

"You're going to try?" asked Alissa.

"Oh Al, you make me laugh. Don't be silly. I just want to spend some time with Sirius. Speaking of which, here he comes." She said, grabbing a toast, giving them a wink and sauntering of towards Sirius.

"She's obsessed with him." muttered Melina.

(Sirius gets a date, and he didn't even ask for one)

"She's obsessed with him" muttered Peter under his breath as he watched Emily come up behind Sirius and kiss him on the back of his neck. "PDA much guys" he said aloud.

"Oh hush Peter." said Emily and added, "You three better get yourself dates for Hogsmeade because Sirius is going to be with me."

Remus snorted in his pumpkin juice while Sirius said, "You know Em that it is nearly a month away."

"Oh, I know. But I wanted to make sure you boys don't make other plans. Now I am sure James and Remus will find themselves dates but don't worry Peter, I'll help you."

"Ex-excuse me." Peter stuttered in indignation. "I am perfectly capable of finding a date on my own."

Emily gave a laugh before smiling at Peter and saying, "Oh, you are really adorable."

Peter gave her furious glare before standing up and storming away. As she looked at him in surprise, James looked at her crossly before saying, rather harshly, "Apologize to him."

Emily stared at him in confusion before asking, "What on the earth for?"

"Emily, you as good as told him that no one would want to date him. That was rude." said Remus in a firm but polite tone.

"Oh come on Remus." She scoffed before turning to Sirius, "Tell them they're being absurd Sirius."

"Emily, they're right. You have to apologize to Peter." said Sirius playing with his fork.

"I can't believe you. And I was just trying to help him." She said getting up angrily.

(Peter gets a date, and on his own)

Meanwhile Peter was in the courtyard, muttering profanities and cursing Emily. "What does she bloody think she is? Can't find a date. Fuck her."

He was still muttering to himself when he sat down under the beech tree near the black lake. He was so lost in his thoughts; he didn't notice a younger girl sitting next to him, skipping stones into the lake. Upon his arrival she stopped doing so and looked at him. She seemed to be going through some internal struggle before she finally spoke," You're Peter Pettigrew, aren't you?"

Peter stopped his rants and nodded at her.

"Oh, I have been trying to muster the courage to talk to you or any one the marauders since a long time. You guys are my idols. The pranks you come up with are amazing. I wanted to ask you lot for tips but I was scared. I was sure you would shoo me away. I play pranks of my own too but most of them are on a small scale and only my house mates know about it. You wouldn't know, I am a hufflepuff you see. But – oh I am rambling." She said and instantly shut herself up.

Peter looked at her in amusement, having caught only a few words of her speech. "What's your name?"

"Oh! Elladora, sir. Elladora Guffy." She said quietly, not meeting his eye.

"Well, Elladora Guffy, will you go to Hogsmeade with me?" asked Peter.

"Err… oh! I- um…" she started stuttering when Peter promptly began speaking again. "I am going to be late for my defense lecture but I would love to listen to your pranks and" lowering his voice he continued, "I may even spill a couple of secrets." Then getting up, he winked at her and asked again, "So Hogsmeade or not?"

"Sure, I would love too." She beamed at him.

"It's a date." He said before walking back towards the castle.

On 27th of September, 9:45 in the morning, James potter stood on the Quidditch pitch with a piece of toast and his broomstick in his hand. 15 minutes later, the rest of his team arrived, which mainly consisted of Sirius Black and Barnabas Cuffe as beaters. Melina Braithwhite was a chaser along with James. Nikki Deverill was the seeker for the team.

"Alright people. Nikki, you are the best with people. So when the tryouts begin, you will have to break it to the hufflepuffs and Ravens that we want only Gryffindors. And if they call it discrimination, don't tell me or I'll hex someone." began James wearily while Nikki gave him a wry smile.

"Merlin James, you'll shatter their hopes." She replied.

James snorted before turning to Sirius, "You and Cuffe are supposed to beat but I swear to Merlin Sirius, if you send one bludger my way, I will murder you in your sleep."

As Sirius made a face, James put on an even more stern expression. "We are supposed to check their skills not mine Sirius."

"Alright."

And so James continued instructing the team before the tryouts began.

(Mary bumps into a date)

The last few weeks of September had been relatively drama free and soon the students were ready to march into October, or in Richard Grunt's case, into Mary Mcdonald. On the day of Quidditch trials, Mary was in the sixth year dorm watching a rather frantic Saffi and Alissa get dressed for Quidditch trials. Lily and Emily had already gone down to breakfast.

"Come on guys, hurry up." She called to them as she stood on the doorway.

"Go ahead mare, we will be down soon." said Alissa as she fished inside her trunk for her gloves.

"No I'd rather wait."

"Don't bother mare, we might probably skip breakfast. We're late as it is and I would prefer to catch potter in a good mood in the very beginning rather than in a bad mood towards the end of the day." said Saffi combing her hair to keep them out of her face.

Mary sighed but went down anyways. She lingered around in the common room, which was nearly empty and was toying with the idea of going down when someone came down the stairs leading to boys' dorm and bumped right into her. Sure enough, it was Richard Grunt.

"Hey Richard" she said as he held her by the shoulder to straighten himself.

"Oh! Hey Mary."

"Going down?"

"Yeah, What about you?"

"I was just about to. Come on, we'll go together" she said smiling and falling in step with him. They talked about random things like Quidditch and homework and soon enough they reached the entrance hall.

"Say Mary, Will you go to Hogsmeade with me? I know the trip is nearly a month away but with you, asking a little bit later might be too late." said Richard smiling and not showing a sign of nervousness.

"Oh, okay sure." She replied surprised but pleased all the same.

"I'll see you around." He grinned at her before walking away.

"Bye."

"Saffi, you did fine. Don't worry about it" said Alissa throwing a comforting arm around her friend. Saffi shrugged her off and stood up from the benches.

"Easy for you to say, you were splendid." She said as she paced a spot on the Quidditch pitch.

"Saffi, you were pretty good too." insisted Alissa.

"I let Melina score 3 times out of 8"

"Which is not bad."

"Did you see Darren O'hare or were you temporarily blind?" she replied and no one could blame her. He had blocked every single shot and even James Potter; supposedly the god of Quidditch couldn't put a quaffle past him.

"Saffi, I- You gave your best shot. There's nothing else you could've have done."

"Alissa, leave me alone."

As Alissa opened her mouth, probably to say that Saffi could screw herself but she was not leaving, when James called her.

"Alissa c'mere"

With one last look at Saffi she trudged over.

"Congratulations. You're our new chaser and Darren you're our new keeper. Team practice every Tuesday and Friday evening at 6 and Sunday morning at 7. Be on time.

And with that they were dismissed.

(Lily confirms her date, and James is not pleased)

Soon September turned into October and school year was in full swing. The first month had been extremely long and in contrast October was pretty short. Nearly three weeks into October, James was humming to himself as he went down for Quidditch practice. As he turned around a corner, he noticed Lily. He was about to call out when he saw that she was not alone. She was talking to Caradoc Dearborn. Stepping closer he strained his ears to listen carefully.

"So lils, I will see you in the great hall. I look forward to our date."

"Me too. 8 will be fine."

"Good, so where are you headed now?"

"My common room; got some work to finish" she replied sweetly holding up her books.

"Come on, I'll drop you."

"Oh, no need. Thank you but it will be out of the way for you. I wouldn't want to trouble you."

"It is no trouble lilykins."

"Caradoc, no. Sides', I can't tell you password and you probably won't be able to figure out the way back. Go on then, I will see you around." said Lily and gave him a push for good measure.

As he left, James turned the corner and whistled softly.

"That your date, Halo?"

Lily turned around and narrowed her eyes at him.

"Were you eavesdropping?"

"Don't flatter yourself halo. I was just going down for Quidditch when I saw you."

"Right."

"Come on halo; give me company on the way down."

"Can't potter, have to finish some work today."

"Alright then, unlike some people I could name, I don't force my company on others." smirked James. "See you around halo."

"Bye James." said Lily, rolling her eyes.

(Mary confides in Lily, and Snape snoops)

As she walked up to the common room, she was still debating on which essay to finish. However on entering the common room, she knew she had no choice. Mary was standing near the doorway.

"Lily, thank hippogriffs. I need to go to the library." She announced as soon as Lily stepped inside.

"Alright."

"I need you to come with me."

"But I don't need to visit the library."

"Lily, please come with me. It is annoying to go down four floors all alone."

"Mary Mcdonald, I have work to do and I refuse to be your entertainer of the evening. Honestly, it is going to take you 10 minutes."

"Lily, please." Mary said her eyes wide and a charm in her pout.

"Go convince some boy mare. They are probably dying to escort you." Scoffed Lily but at this Mary narrowed her eyes.

"Lily Evans" she began threateningly but continued in a pleading whisper, "You know boys will not even let me study. Do you want your friend to fail?" she added in a melodramatically.

"Alright mare, but you're going to giving me a good reason for this."

"Thank you Love." beamed Mary and soon the two girls were on their way to the library.

"So Lily, what were you up to?"

"Tell me why you dragged me here?"

"Oh come on, it is no big deal. Like I told y- .."

"Mary." Lily cut her off sharply.

"Fine, I'm just afraid to travel alone. I mean after I was cursed, I am afraid. I know I know, I am shame to Gryffindor and all that stuff but I can't help it lils. Please you have to understand." said Mary, her voice choking.

"Oh Mary, You will be alright. Come one love. It is okay. It is natural to be afraid." said Lily throwing an arm around her friend trying to console her.

And as the two girls walked they didn't notice a certain slytherin following them, listening to their conversation. Some would say eavesdropping would be a more appropriate word. Snape had just left the library when he shuffled into a corner as he noticed two girls walking in his direction. They were so immersed in their conversation that they didn't even notice him. No normal 16 year old boy with teenage hormones would try to make themselves scarce in front of two pretty girls. In fact, most normal boys would do the opposite, but then again, Severus Snape was hardly normal. And seeing the two girls were his ex-best friend and the person he had attacked, you couldn't blame him for trying to hide. And to add fuel to the fire, they were talking about the attack itself. You really can't blame him.

"Mare, it is natural to be afraid but you needn't worry. Dumbledore's here and he is going to be more cautious than before. Don't worry mare."

"But Lily, haven't you noticed Dumbledore's not around as much." said Mary softly while massaging her temple. Lily was taken aback for a moment but continued nevertheless, "But mare I am sure he would have taken some precaution. Teachers are more alert. He would never leave the school unprotected."

"But I was still cursed, wasn't I?"

To this Lily had no response and as she thought about it, Mary spoke once again. "I heard McGonagall telling Flitwick that Dumbledore would be gone during our Hogsmeade weekend too. She was talking about increased protection. You're right. I doubt he leaves the students unguarded but I'm still scared."

As Lily proceeded to comfort her friend, Snape shuffled away. He didn't want to be caught snooping and he had heard enough.

(James asks Alissa on a date)

(Paul makes use of his friendship)

Alissa arrived at the sixth year Gryffindor girls dormitory dripping with sweat, her mind on a long shower and James potter, though not about James potter in a shower. Instead she got a long wait because Melina had beaten her to it. Damn James potter for it. Err, right. How is James responsible? I'll let Alissa explain but before that she has an appointment with that long shower. As she stepped out of the shower, her towel in her hand, the first words she heard were, "I hate James bloody Potter."

"Why the sudden love?" Alissa asked as she settled in her bed.

"Mel darling has been cursing James for the past fifteen minutes. I have never heard such colorful vocabulary from her." said Saffi from her bed with a smirk.

Melina gave her a glare before sitting down her bed which was already occupied by Mary. Lily and Emily were also settled in their own beds.

"What is wrong, Mel?" asked Lily more calmly.

"Stupid Prat. He was really mad today for some reason only Merlin knows and he always, al-bloody-ways takes it out on Quidditch." said Melina.

"He scheduled practice for almost every day this week and when Cuffe said he had a gobstones club meeting, he was so angry. I swear to Merlin I would've died by that look. I just hope he doesn't make us practice on Hogsmeade weekend." said Melina still grumbling.

"He won't." said Alissa now using her wand to dry her hair.

"How do you know? He is a madman." said Melina scowling viciously.

"Because he is taking me to Hogsmeade." answered Alissa simply.

"He what?" exclaimed Mary from beside Melina.

"After Quidditch practice, he asked me to go to Hogsmeade with him and I said yes." answered Alissa not recognizing the reason behind her friends stunned expressions. "That's why I was late" she added.

"Al, that is amazing. I was feeling so damned guilty about leaving you all alone. I mean I should've shown you around Hogsmeade and stuff but now James can do that." beamed Emily.

"Thanks Em. But why are you both looking at me like I've sprouted a third head." She said, indicating towards Mel and Mary.

"Because James doesn't go around asking girls on dates much." said Lily.

"Correction. James doesn't ask girls out unless they are named Lily Evans." said Mary with a hint of a smugness.

"Wait, I don't understand anything. Emily said James and Lily fight all the time. I didn't know they were going out."

"We're not." exclaimed Lily.

"Let me explain." said Melina which caused Saffi to roll her eyes. "James had a huge crush on Lily since forever and every time he asked her out, she rejected him. So it didn't seem likely that he would ask someone else out, especially her friend."

"Right okay, don't worry Lily, we're just friends." said Alissa smirking slightly.

Lily threw a pillow at her and Alissa laughed. And soon others joined in.

"Stop laughing at me you all. Anyways, when I saw him today, just before your practice, he seemed normal, or as normal as you can get with him. I wonder why he was so angry?" she mused.

"Wait, you talked to James. No wonder. You must've fought again and so he was angry." said Melina laughing shamelessly at her friend.

"No, actually Caradoc was confirming our date when he came around and he was teasing me about it." Lily said huffily.

"So maybe he was angry because you're going with Caradoc and not him." quipped Emily.

"Alright. Shut up." said Lily, her tone annoyed and she drew the curtains of her bed around her.

"Goodnight lils." muttered Saffi and everyone chuckled. Then Emily resumed talking with Alissa, possibly about Hogsmeade and Mary went to the lavatory. Melina was on her bed debating between two music records when an owl swooshed in and dropped a note on her bed.

Melina, oh friend of mine.

I need your help. Remember how you said I could count on you. Well, here I am doing that. Will you go to Hogsmeade with me? As friends of course. I have no one to go with. Please. I'll even buy you butterbeer. Reply.

Your pal
Paul.

Melina grinned as she read the letter and poked through her bag for a quill and scribbled out a quick reply. She was going to show Paul how to make friends and have fun.

Paul my pal,

How can I say no to free butterbeer. I had no one to go with too. Good for us, eh.

Melina oh friend of yours

And with that each of the girls fell asleep anticipating the Hogsmeade weekend, eager to get out of the castle and away from the piling school work.

A/N : So, how was this chapter? I don't know why but i'm really worried about it. Btw, i started working on the last chapter of this fanfiction even though it is ages away. i think you all will throttle me when i'm done with it. There now keep wondering in suspense.

Reviews are better being spies.

Writer.