AN: As promised, another chapter! Since it is now summer, you'll get them much more frequently. Also, thank you to jayknewc for the review, because reading reviews literally makes my day. Anyways, here it is!

The morning after Operation Emerald, James awoke to the sound of Sirius singing "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning."

"Dude," he moaned, opening his eyes. "You and music do not mix."

Sirius grinned. "Sorry, mate. Don't you ever get random urges to burst into song?"

"In order to maintain public decency, I usually suppress said urges," said James, sitting up and hitting his head. "Ow. Jeez." And then he remembered. "Operation Emerald! How did it go?"

"I can't believe you didn't ask sooner," said Sirius.

Remus sat up, rubbing his eyes. "How long did you get in detention this time?"

"Tsk, tsk," said Sirius. "It's bad to make assumptions, Moony-boy."

"Oh, please," said Remus, getting out of bed and pulling on his robes. "They'll know it was you."

"Come on, man!" begged James. "How did it go?"

"Why don't you come see for yourself?" he said, grinning. "Come on, the Great Hall awaits you! I'll take you on the safe route… probably." He reached for the door and yanked it open.

Immediately, a flurry of pink sparkles poured in his head. There was a brightly colored flash of magic, and suddenly, Sirius's hair was a bright, lurid pink.

James and Remus burst out laughing.

Sirius rounded on them, furious. "Was this you guys?"

They stopped laughing. "This wasn't you?"

At that moment, Frank burst in. "Sirius!" he gasped. "Someone sabotaged our prank!"

"What?" exclaimed Sirius.

"Pink stuff everywhere!" said Frank, looking horrified. "McGonagall got some of it. She's going to kill us. It's like a Valentine's day explosion!"

"Who did this?" said Sirius, grinding his teeth.

"Well, let's see," said a voice from the doorway. "Who do you know who's pretty smart, reasonably good at magic, and hates you?"

James's head jerked up so fast it cramped his neck.

Lily Evans was standing in the doorway.

"You did this?" he said in disbelief. "But you…

"Maybe I should dye my hair pink," she said reflectively. "Maybe you just have a thing for redheads and I'm the only one available."

"Since when do you do pranks?" demanded James.

Lily grinned. "What, you don't? Oh, right—you're too mature and goody-goody for that."

James narrowed his eyes. "You're playing games with me."

Lily made her eyes all wide and innocent. "Who, me?"

She looks really cute and evil when she does that, thought James. Out loud, he said "Maybe I should dye my hair pink. Maybe you just have an aversion to hot, dark-haired guys."

She raised her eyebrows. "Or maybe I just have an aversion to vain, bigheaded idiots." She tossed him a crumpled-up piece of paper. He caught it without looking away from her face. "Consider this the warning shot, Potter. That's the countercharm. I suggest you go give that to McGonagall, and leave me alone."

She spun around and walked away. Without looking back, she said "Your move, Potter."

And then she was gone.

"Damn," said Sirius, scratching at his pink hair.

"My sentiments exactly," said James.