James was concerned. Actually he was downright petrified. Lily's mind was obviously elsewhere as they strolled through Hogsmeade. No amount of joking or buffoonery could get her to crack a smile. It was almost like she was running on autopilot as they finalized all of the details for their last school event. However, James knew it was only a matter of time before she snapped and her true feelings surged forth, and unfortunately for him he would be on the receiving end of her fury.

"James," He cringed. He was prepared to Accio his broom and flee to parts unknown when his little spitfire stopped short, almost causing him to run into her. "Because of you, and yes I know you're involved in this, I am meddling in the whole Severus-Kagome-Sirius love triangle thing." She threw her hands up, exasperated by the whole scenario she has been going over and over in her mind.

"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about." Lily didn't buy his innocent act for a minute. James and the lot were good, but not that good. She could see right through their choir boy act after years of study. The small tells that each boy gave spoke volumes when their actions and mannerisms said the opposite. However, Lily was certain they had concocted some plan in an attempt to change Kagome's opinion of Sirius. They didn't give up without a fight, and Sirius definitely wanted Kagome. Lily knew Sirius far too well and knew he would at least put his best effort forward even if it ended badly.

"You cannot convince me otherwise. I know you four are plotting something." Her tone left no room for argument. She waited for him to show his tell.

He chuckled, rubbing her shoulders in an attempt to distract her. "What makes you think that?" He schooled his features into one of innocence with practiced ease.

She whirled around to pin him with a hard glare. "Sirius said the same thing the other night." She screeched, her face taking on a lovely pink. "I don't know what it is, but I know you lot well enough to know that you have something up your sleeves." She accented each word with a sharp jab to his chest. Lily knew it wouldn't deflate his ego but knowing it would leave a nice bruise helped some of her anger dissipate.

"Well we are best mates. It is not uncommon for friends to use similar phrases." He replied cheekily, but as soon as the words left his lips, he wished he could have taken them back.

"I'm being serious." She stated, her shoulders sagging, her anger leaving as quickly as it had come. "You're not the one who is going to have to tell Sirius that no matter how much he likes Kagome, she'll never reciprocate; that she said she has more in common with Peter of all people." Lily closed her eyes and took a deep breath to try to maintain her calm herself before she continued.

"I knew it was going to end badly for Sirius, which is why I told him I didn't want to meddle."

"Wait, what did she say about Peter?" He had been completely caught off guard by the bit about Peter. Maybe Sirius' affections were misplaced, and they may have to rethink their entire plan if she was interested in Peter second to Snivelly.

Lily didn't even bother to reign in her anger as she was at her wits end, so she cocked her fist back and punched James in the arm. "Bloody hell! What was that for?" He yelped, rubbing his hurt appendage with a pitiful expression on his face. She simply glared at him in response. She knew he had taken more than his fair share of beatings during Quidditch and knew her punch couldn't have hurt that much.

"Out of all the things I said the part about Peter is what you focused on?" Lily knew James could be a prat, but he was walking a very dangerous line. She would have hexed him if she thought it would help, but from previous experiences she found it only served to add fuel to the fire, so she stormed away angry and hurt.

"Lils," James really did feel bad for her. However, he couldn't tell her what they had planned. She wouldn't approve, and tell Kagome, and then he'd be in trouble with both Lily and Sirius and he feared Lily way more than he did Sirius. "I'm sorry. I know you're caught in the middle, and I you're right I have absolutely no idea how that feels." She stopped to hear what he had to say but didn't turn around.

"Of course I'm rooting for Sirius. He's my best mate. I just want him to be happy. If that means helping him for the next two weeks in an attempt to reverse his reputation. get the girl, and see Snivelly suffer, then I'll help him to the best of my ability."

Lil might have smiled under different circumstances. It was his absolute loyalty to his friends and loved ones that she really admired about James. She slowly turned around once she was able to compose herself enough to resist clawing or hexing his eyes out.

"James, I really wish it were that simple, but it isn't. Kagome's heart has been broken. She has been duped on more than one occasion by a wolf in sheep's clothing, so she doesn't trust guys easily. Especially one's like Sirius."

James was about to interrupt, but Lily knew what he was going argue so she hurried on finish her thought. "I know Sirius isn't going to be like her exes. I see the way he looks at her. He looks at her the same way you look at me, but some small part of me can't help wanting Kagome to end up with Severus."

The look of absolute disgust on James' face was priceless. Never in a million years would he have expected Lily to say that. "But why? Why are you showing that git preferential treatment after the way he treated you? After what he called you?" James couldn't help the anger that rushed through his veins at the memory.

Lily's mouth opened and closed in an attempt to find the right words, but she found it difficult to articulate. "I don't know." She ran her hands through her hair and tugged.

"I'm torn between being a friend to Sirius and remembering the person Severus was when we were growing up. Also part of me knows there is the potential for Sirius to find love again, but Severus has never known love and will likely never experience it because he closes himself off to the world." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "I think Kagome might be the one person who can show him what it means to love and be loved."

James sighed heavily. He knew they were at an impasse. No amount of sweet talking or valid points would sway Lily from her opinion on the matter. He also knew it was loyalty to Lily's friend that prevented her from truly seeing his position.

"I'm not so sure about Sirius." James knew Sirius all too well. Sirius fooled around with girls because he hadn't found someone who didn't care about his pureblood status and wealth. James knew deep down inside Sirius just wanted what Lily and he had. Sirius wanted to know true love. "She's always held his attention. He might not know how to genuinely express it, but I know she holds a special place in his heart."

Lily nodded, snaking her left arm through his. "Then it is going to be quite difficult to tell him the truth." And with that they continued through Hogsmeade. Avoiding the obvious elephant that awaited them at the castle.