Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize.
A/N: For all of my readers out there, who were pissed off with my extremely short last chapter, be angry no longer. I hope this chapter is long enough to keep you happy. Oh, and the end is coming quickly. When I post it, I will ask if you think it is a good ending or if I should keep going.
As Sirius and Emma walked back to Gryffindor Tower after the Prom ended, she turned to him and asked, 'where's James?'
'I don't know and I don't care!' Sirius said bitterly.
'Sirius, that's not nice,' Emma admonished.
'What?'
'He deserves to be treated better.'
'Excuse me? Did you not hear what he said to Lily?'
'Yes, I did. But she hurt him too.'
'Yeah, she did. And I feel bad about that. But there's no excuse for how he treated her. He not only broke her heart but he publicly humiliated her as well. Do you not care about that?'
'Of course I do!' Emma snapped. 'Lily's my best friend for God's sake. I love her to death. I'm just trying to get James' perspective on this, okay? Let's not wreck the end of a good night.'
***~~~***
Sirius and Emma got to the Portrait Hole just as Lily was saying goodbye to Graeme and the three then went in to meet the rest of their friends in the Common Room.
'Well, that was fun!' Lily said as she flopped down on a couch.
'What?' The group turned to look at her as if she was crazy.
'Oh come on, you guys had a great time, admit it.'
'Yeah, we had a great time. And thanks for organizing a great Prom. We just don't know how you had fun.'
'Well, omitting that horrible part, it was great. The music was good, so was the food, I looked great and I was Prom Queen. I think all of that constitutes a good time.'
'Very true. I wish I could look at it like that if it happened to me,' Summer said. She crossed over to Lily and hugged her. 'That's why we love you.'
'Oh, thanks. I love you guys too.' As if on cue the rest of the group came over and joined the hug.
James had been moping in his room when he heard his friends come through the Portrait Hole. He came out to the stairs just in time to witness the homey little scene below. Lily was facing him and suddenly opened her eyes. James had enough time to see the pain and sadness he'd given her in her eyes before he swiftly turned and ran back to his room.
Feeling Lily stiffen, the group pulled back. Lily yawned and stretched. 'Well, as much as I want to sit here and hash over the details of tonight, the few recent hours have completely exhausted me. I'm going to bed. See you lot tomorrow.' Lily got up and walked up to her room.
Emma got up and gestured to Summer who stood up as well. 'We'd better go with her. As strong as she looks and pretends to be, she'll be needing some hardcore consolation soon.'
'Oh, and some chocolate,' Summer added.
'Yes, the chocolate. Can't forget the chocolate.' The two turned and walked away.
'Hey!' Sirius and Remus called at the same time.
Summer and Emma turned back, grinning slyly. 'May we help you?'
Sirius opened up his arms and gestured to Emma while Remus got up and walked over to Summer. Emma rushed to Sirius while Remus wrapped his arms around Summer's waist.
'I had a really good time tonight,' Remus whispered.
'Me too,' Summer whispered back. Remus pulled her tighter and smelled her silky hair.
'May I kiss you?'
'Ever the polite romantic, aren't you Remus?'
'Well, I try.'
'Then yes. You may kiss me.'
Remus leaned in and their lips met. Meanwhile, Emma and Sirius were over on the couch doing the same thing.
Lily and James watched the loving scene below from where they had crept out of their rooms. There was nothing either wanted more than to be doing the same thing with each other.
While turning back to go into her room, Lily accidentally walked into the wall. The noise broke the couples apart and made everyone aware of her position, including James.
Lily's face started to flush as she started backing up. 'I…umm…I was thirsty and I…umm…well, okay…I…umm…goodnight!' Feeling so embarrassed, Lily ran back into her room before she could rise to new heights of shame.
Summer and Emma cracked amused smiles at their respective boyfriends before heading off after Lily.
Feeling the other boys' gaze on him, James sighed and went back to bed. Sirius and Remus glanced at each other and followed James, not knowing what would happen.
***~~~***
When Remus and Sirius entered their room, James was lying on his bed, still in his prom outfit. Not knowing what to, Sirius crossed over to his bed and tried to figure out the ever-confusing problem that was his tie. After struggling for a few moments, Sirius broke the awkward silence.
'Remus, how do you undo a tie?'
'Well, you pick at the knot until it comes undone.'
'I've done that and it's not coming loose!'
'Then I guess you will be stuck wearing that tie for the rest of your life.'
'Very funny. But seriously, help me untie this tie.'
'I'll do it.' James sighed and got off his bed. A few seconds later the tie was undone and Sirius was free.
'I'm sorry,' James said quietly.
'What are you apologizing to us for?' Remus asked.
'I don't know, but will you forgive me?'
Sirius sighed. 'James, you're my best friend, but I'm not going to fully forgive you until you grovel at Lily's feet.'
'You want me to grovel?'
'Yes, I do.'
'I really don't think groveling is going to work. I have no idea how I am going to make this work. I screwed it up really badly.' James sank down onto his bed.
Sirius and Remus crossed over and sat down beside him. Remus put a hand on his shoulder and said, 'yeah, you really did screw it up. And I think that the only answer will be to speak from the heart, like she did."
'I don't think I can do that.'
'Well, you just have to try.'
