The moods of the Hogwarts seventh years stuck out like a sore thumb amidst the excitement that overcame the younger students. They knew it would be the last time that they'd walk into the Great Hall on September first as students.

Lily Evans seemed more depressed than anyone else she had other problems other than it being her last year at Hogwarts:

1. Her sister hated her because she wasn't 'normal'.

2. James Potter the notorious prankster was her fellow Head.

3. She had recently developed a crush on James Potter.

Over her first six years at Hogwarts James had been the bane of her existence. He was arrogant and had been relentlessly asking her to go on a date with him since their first month at school. Also he had no right to be Head Boy. He is a MARAUDER after all. Unfortunately, the summer Lily began to think he was somewhat attractive.

Soon enough Marlene was snapping in her face because she had gone into a trance while processing her thoughts. The sorting had just ended, and Dumbledore was introducing the new Head Boy and Girl for year so Lily quickly stood up. She looked at James, but instantly regretted it because he had winked at her causing Lily to blush profusely as she began to sit down.

The rest of the fest went quickly. Dumbledore alerted the students about Voldemort's rise to power and sent them to their dorms.

Over the years, Marlene, Grace, Alice, and Lily had created the tradition of staying up late gossiping on their first night back at Hogwarts. So Lily decided to stay in Grryfindor Tower that night instead of the heads dorm. The girls quickly got ready for bed and then got to chatting.

"So guys anything new," Grace began.

"Nothing really," Marlene replied.

"Meaning your still in love with Sirius," Lily said.

Marlene glared at her and said, "How about you, Alice."

Alice looked like she was about to talk, but she thought better of it and held out her hand. The girls gasped at the gold ring on her finger that had a diamond in the center and was encrusted with rubies.

"You and Frank-" Grace began. Alice nodded excitedly

"That's wonderful," Marlene exclaimed.

"When's the wedding?" Lily questioned.

" Sometime in the summer," Alice replied, "Do you guys want to be my bridesmaids?"

"Of course," they exclaimed in unison.

"Unfortunately I have bad news," Lily began.

"What is it," Grace asked.

"I have a crush on James Potter," Lily stated quietly.

"Are you serious," Alice questioned wide-eyed. Grace just stared with her eyes and mouth wide-open.

"That's wonderful," Marlene exclaimed.

"Wonderful! How is that wonderful?" Lily screamed.

"Well, he obviously likes you. By this point he probably loves you," Marlene explained.

"That's not the point. He's arrogant and immature, and I don't even know why like him," Lily said.

"Oh stop complaining," Marlene began. "At least you like someone who likes you back."

"Marlene, you never know, Sirius could like you," Grace added.

"Then why has he dated every seventh year girl at Hogwarts other than the four of us." Marlene said. "Well that's nothing new. So how about you, Grace."

"Nothing," Grace muttered and blushed. Her friends gave her suspicious looks, but decided to drop the subject and go to sleep.

Meanwhile the Marauders where having a similar conversation while camping out in the Heads common room.

"I have a different approach to getting Lily to go out with me this year," James began.

"Uh-oh," Sirius added.

"What is it?" Remus asked.

"I was thinking of just trying to become her friend first."

"Well, that's planned out better than your other attempts," Peter added.

"Five times a day all you would here was, 'Lily will you go out with me'," Sirius said making sure to say James' part in a dopey voice.

"Ya, I'm surprised she hasn't actually killed him by now," Remus added.

"Okay, enough guys. How about you guys?" James asked.

"I'm thinking of asking McKinnon out," Sirius said.

"I don't think calling her by her surname is gonna help your case. You may want to free yourself of the habit, Quidditch can help you practice that," Remus said.

"And if you treat her like any of the other girls you've dated, she'll definitely aim a bludger at your-."

"Ok, I get it, I get it." Sirius interrupted James.

"How about you, Pete?" Sirius asked. Peter just shook his head.

"Remy?" Sirius asked.

"You guys know I'm too dangerous," Remus said.

"Whatever you say," James said.

"Let's go to bed, I'm exhausted, and apparently so is Peter," Sirius added as he glanced over at Peter who was already snoring.

"Okay," James agreed.

"G'night," Remus said.