A/N: This chapter was a bit hard to write, i had writer's block fo a bit and i think that affected the story because i kept stopping and starting. Anyway, i'd like to thank Rabbi for being my beta :) and TML for helping me get over my writer's block and teaching me to write an outline and helping me with the Snape scene.

Chapter Four: Changes

Reports of muggle-baiting, a horrific sport involving the use of magic to terrorise muggles, increased rapidly as the year progressed. The name You-Know-Who was whispered fervently in corners, and speculation of future Death-Eaters became a favoured conversation topic. However, the terror of an impending war was shadowed for many Hogwarts students by the knowledge that Dumbledore was amongst them and at school, at least, they were safe. Many students had 'more important' things to worry about like up-coming NEWT's. By February, many of the seventh years were panicking and all studying hard.

Well maybe not all of them

"Padfoot, would you please stop whining?" Remus moaned rubbing his forehead tiredly. "Some of us are trying to study for NEWTs, you probably should too."

"They're months away! No one except you studies, Moony. You're a freak of nature!" Sirius complained.

Remus rolled his eyes and replied with, "I'm well aware of what I am, Padfoot, but look around. Everyone except you is studying."

Pouting, Sirius looked around their corner of the Common Room - Remus was right. There were textbooks and parchment scattered everywhere. Alice was curled up in an armchair scribbling furiously. Emily was practicing an obscure charm under her breath; every now and then sparks would fly out of her wand. Mary was perched on the arm of Alice's chair also writing. Peter seemed absorbed in a Transfiguration book and Lily was leaning against James' legs reading her Potions book and jotting down notes. Desperately, Sirius turned to his best mate and was glad to find him staring into space, absent-mindedly stroking Lily's hair.

"HA!" he cried triumphantly, "Prongs isn't!" Everyone looked up at his outburst.

"What aren't I doing?" James asked.

"Studying. Moony said everyone was studying but you aren't."

James look sheepish, "Sorry Pads, but I was going over stuff in my head."

Sirius looked devested.

"Don't worry Sirius," Alice laughed, "I wasn't studying. I was writing a letter to Frank."

"And I was trying to read it over her shoulder," Mary added.

Peter emitted a loud snore and his book slipped down to reveal he was, in fact, fast asleep.

Remus rolled his eyes. "Well I was studying. So please can you just –"

But his plea fell on deaf ears. Sirius had succeeded in distracting everyone. The girls were now chatting animatedly, about something which involved wild gesturing and lots of giggles, and Peter was now snoring loudly. James and Sirius were talking quietly on the couch; a mischievous glint in their eyes and Remus knew they were planning something. He sighed and put away his book.

"If you can't beat 'em…" he thought and went to join his friends in their plans.

To the girls of Hogwarts, Valentines Day meant only one thing: competition. Who got the nicest card, who got the best chocolates, who got the longest lasting flowers, who got the best date.

It was well known that this was the only day in the school year you could find every Maurauder on a date – because, for reasons known only to themselves, the Marauders rarely dated anyone. Valentines Day was a major event and every year four girls were chosen with hope they might become the girlfriend of a Maurauder.

And every year the girls' hopes were dashed.

James would spend the day interrogating his date on her knowledge of Lily Evans. Sirius would drag his to Zonko's for hours. Remus would avoid all topics that could eventually lead to where he went every month which, due to his paranoia, left them talking about things such as a flobberworm's feeding habits. Peter would be so nervous he would sweat the entire time and stammer whenever he tried to speak. His date would usually leave first, followed by the rest, and the boys would meet for butterbeer around noon and laugh about their day. This year would be different. They all knew it. This year James was with Lily.

"Maybe we should just hang out together this year," Sirius suggested. "Do something different."

"You want me to spend Valentines Day with you guys and not my girlfriend?" James asked incredulously.

"Well Petals can come too," Sirius consented using his nickname for Lily to show he meant it.

James didn't think much of this idea, and against his friends wishes spent his day with Lily. The other Maurauders defied tradition and went to The Three Broomsticks and drank butterbeer all day, bemoaning the fact they 'could not love'.

None of them were drunk, but that much butterbeer has rather dizzying affects on teenage boys. This is how they were found by Lily and James several hours later:

"It's my families fault!" Sirius declared, waving his tankard around. "Never taught to love. Not like Jamie here, he loves a lot."

"At least you're not a werewolf. How am I ever supposed to find someone to love me?" Remus rested his head on his arms.

"Well at least girls like you!" Peter hiccupped. "Girls only like me because I'm friends with you."

Remus and Sirius stared at him. "Poor Petie," Sirius whispered, blinking several times to focus.

"Oh Merlin," James muttered, "I shouldn't have left them alone."

"Come on now, "Lily said encouragingly to them, "let's go back to the castle, get some food in you."

"No-one loves me," Sirius wailed.

The next day, at breakfast, Lily could feel eyes boring into her. She looked up into Snape's deep reproachful stare. She shivered; there was a hint something in his eyes that was frightening, a fierce anger that was almost possessive.

"Something wrong?" Remus asked, following her gaze, his eyes narrowed. "Is he bothering you?"

"I just wish he'd stop looking at me like it's my fault," she sighed.

"That's not the only way he's looking at you," Sirius said dryly, licking his fingers as he finished off the entire plate of bacon.

Lily turned to him, her green eyes filled with confusion. "What do you mean?"

James hastily intervened, seeing the look in his best mate's eye. "Don't worry Lils. Padfoot is just teasing." He patted her soothingly on the back.

"Yeah, we'll take care of old Snivelly," Sirius 'reassured' her, a grin spreading across his face. Lily groaned at the thought, tuning her face into James' chest for comfort. His arms wrapped tightly around her. As he held her, James looked over at the Slytherin table. He exchanged worried glances with Sirius. Understanding passed between them and when Snape rose from his table, they did too. Bidding goodbye to the girls, Remus hurriedly followed them - hoping to do some damage control.

Snape was heading toward the Slytherin Common Room when James called out across the Entrance Hall.

"Hey, Snivellus!"

Snape spun around reaching for his wand, to find Sirius' already trained on him.

"Quit looking at my girlfriend," James hissed as he strolled up to him angrily.

"Oh, don't flatter yourself, Potter," Snape spat back with equal venom, "I can assure you that I…I have no interest…" The last part was murmured uncertainly.

Sirius snorted. "No interest in the ladies, eh, Snivellus?"

Snape glared at him. "No interest in... -" He caught sight of Lily walking towards them and gulped nervously. "- in her…"

"Eyes off her, Slime Ball!" Sirius barked.

Lily slipped her arm through James' when she arrived. "What are you two doing?" she asked, a hint of anger edged into her voice.

"What about Moony? He's here too!" Sirius protested.

"I wasn't doing anything!" Remus exclaimed.

"Guilty by association," James said.

As the Maurauders bickered, Snape turned to Lily, "You said you'd never love him," he accused breathlessly.

"You said blood doesn't matter." she countered coldly, "I guess we both changed our minds." She turned to leave.

"But…," Snape spluttered, "But I…" He trailed off as people approached.

"Yes, Severus?" Lily asked, her voice completely calm.

His eyes met with Avery's as the group of Slytherins moved to stand behind Lily.

"Nothing," he muttered bitterly and hurried away. Only James saw the dismay that clouded her face.

A/N: please review. please, please, please.