"What are you working on that's got you so frazzled?" he asked after she let out a particularly disgruntled noise.

"Nothing," she said sharply, pulling her paperwork closer so he couldn't get a peek. She had hundreds of books piled around her, and had been working at a frantic pace all day.

"Lily, oh love of mine, it's Saturday," he said meaningfully.

"If you're bored with me, the go spend it with Sirius. I really have to work on this, James," she said.

He sighed loudly. "I'm going to see nothing but Sirius for the entire Christmas break. I'm not going to see you for two weeks. Anyway, it's the last weekend before break. What can you possibly be working on so hard?"

"I told you it was nothing. Can't you drop it?" she said sharply, not even looking up from her work. "I thought you'd like to spend some time with your friends a bit. You've been neglecting them lately."

"I have not. And if it really is nothing, then why does it take precedence over me? If you'd just explain why then maybe I wouldn't feel so rejected," he mumbled. She always made him feel like he had to beg her for her attention when he lavished his upon her. She looked up at him, and though he tried to school his expression into polite exasperation, he could not help how pitiful he probably looked.

"Oh James, I'm sorry. It isn't you," she said regretfully, putting her papers down and coming over to him. He pulled her against him from his seated position, burying his face in her stomach as her hand came to stroke through his hair. She kissed the top of his head, and hated how comfortable he felt there. It always felt comfortable when he was touching her, and she always felt so terrified when she touched him. "It's not fair," she whispered.

"What's not fair?" he asked against her skin. She started, and he realized she had not meant for him to hear her. He looked up at her before pulling her down next to him. "What's going on Lily? And I won't have any of this 'nothing' business," he said, suddenly very serious.

She tried to control her frustration, but it was so hard. "Oh," she said, before sighing. "I'm just acting like an idiot, that's all."

He gave her a look that clearly said she wasn't getting off that easily.

"You're always so sure about everything you do. You're always so confident. I'm not like that. I don't know what it means when I touch you. I don't know how to make you feel like you make me feel. I want you to respect me and respect the choices that I make, but I want you to know that I care so much it hurts, and I want…I want you to want me. It's unfair because I want you to know where there are boundaries between us, but I have no clue where they are myself. I wish I could be certain that I wasn't losing you every time I push you away or tell you to stop, because I don't want to stop, but we can't just keep going. I want to wait until I'm married for that. I'm a good girl and a prude. I know that, and I know that you know that, but it's so much harder being with you than I thought it would be. Part of me knows that you've never been one to regard rules as rules before, and part of me knows that you're man of moral character who would wait if I asked you to. It's just that I'm so much more terrified that I'm going to screw this up somehow and it isn't going to work out. I'm so terrified that you're going to look at me, and finally see me, and realize that this whole time you were just under a spell, that you didn't really mean or want any of it. Because that's what it feels like."

He pulled her to his chest, and even though there was still more that she needed to say, she buried herself under his chin and his hand stroked her hair. It wasn't fair that she needed him so much when he was so incredibly perfect without her.

"It not your fault I haven't been clear with you. I just didn't want to scare you away. You're really rather like Sirius when it comes to commitment: you have to ease him into the idea of it, or better yet make him think it was his idea, if you want a snowball's chance in hell. I just figured that explaining to you that we're getting married was going to take more than a few months to settle in."

He braced his body for impact from assault, but only felt her bury into him tighter. He wasn't sure what that meant, so he continued on. "And I don't mind waiting until then. I expected it actually, until you suggested otherwise. I don't want there to be pressure on you from me in that regard. It's taken me forever to be able to say that you're my girl, and yes, I want to kiss you, and yes, I want to touch you, and yes, I think about what it would be like. It's frustrating when you say stop, but don't think for a minute that I wouldn't, or that I want too much too fast. I don't want you to be afraid to express what you want. If you want me to do something, or if you want to do something, then tell me. After all this, there's no possible way I could think you're easy," he teased, and he felt as she kissed his neck. His eyes slipped closed at the gesture.

"As for how I make you feel, you make me feel the same way. I get so excited I feel like I must look like an idiot. Sometimes you look at me, just look at me, and heart contracts so painfully I'd swear I was dying. I'm so nervous when I'm with you; I've never been this nervous about anything. I'm so afraid you're finally going to say that it's just some prank to get me back for all these years, and it's going to kill me. I wish I could say I have absolute faith in you, that you mean it when you say you love me, but I think that not ever completely knowing it for sure is part of being in a relationship."

"I don't like the idea of it all James. I can't live like this: complete trust, but lingering doubt," she whispered. He bit his lip, and slid his hand down into hers. They stared at their fingers that played with one another's.

"What are you saying?" he whispered, not sure he really wanted to ask that. She pushed herself away from him so she could look him in the eye, and braced her arms against his chest. He looked nervous. As nervous as she felt. She smiled, remembering when she once believed he didn't get nervous. She watched as he seemed to relax under her gaze and smile. She marveled at that, as she always did. She wondered if that would ever go away.

"I'm saying that I love you. I don't ever want you to think that I would intentionally hurt you. I want you to have complete trust in me, without any doubts. I don't want you to think that any other boy has ever or will ever have my attention and devotion the way you do. I want to have complete trust in you, that you mean it when you say you love me and you mean it when you say you're going to marry me. What I'm saying is that I want to promise myself to you James, and I want…"

"You want me to promise myself to you?"

"You don't have to. You have so much more reason to doubt me, and I don't want you to anymore. It's selfish, but I'll do whatever it takes to prove it to you," she said. "If you want it. If you want me."

He kissed her, his haze of want that always hung in the back of his mind rushing forward like a tidal wave. She could feel the need in his grip on her arm, and for once wasn't afraid of what was happening. She kissed him back, her full attention on the way his lips savored hers. She twisted her fingers into her favorite part of his hair as she fell on top of him, unafraid for the first time of what exactly she was doing, and reveling in how it made him groan beneath her.

He was the first to pull away from her, their breath ragged. His dark eyes burrowed its way deep inside of her and there were no secrets between them. "I promise Lily. You. Always you. Only you."

"I promise James. Only you. Always you. Always." His eyes, if possible, darkened. His hand came to her face.

"Tell me you love me," he demanded, his eyes sliding down to her lips.

"I love you," she said, meaning it with every particle of her being. She expected him to kiss her again, eager and sure, but he didn't. He sighed as his fingers caressed her cheek and his eyes ravaged her features, remembering his promise of gentlemanly behavior.

"Is all this why you've been avoiding me then?" he said, trying to steer his thoughts away.

"I haven't been avoiding you," she said evasively.

He frowned. "Then what is it you've been working on?"

"I'm so embarrassed to have to say this, but…I'm working on my Auror application."

"What?" he asked surprised. "But I finished that ages ago."

She glared and sat up. "Well you were raised in this world, weren't you? So you know when your first magic was and you know if you're a Manjingal. I don't even know what half of these things are let alone whether or not I am one. And now I've put everything off to the last minute because you've been such a distraction –a wonderful, wonderful distraction – but I can't, it's just that I, I don't want this to be how things are. I don't want to sacrifice my future for…for…"

"For a distraction," he said in an amused voice.

"You know that's not what I meant!" she said defensively.

"Why didn't you just ask me for help?" he asked, and then felt stupid. It was Lily. His stubborn, know-it-all, independent, Lily. She never would have asked him for help, especially not on something she was working so hard on doing for herself. He sighed.

"You're going to let me help you and you don't have a choice in the matter."

She was about to protest when suddenly, the portrait hole swung open and Sirius casually walked through. He walked over and flung himself onto a chair.

"'Lo," he said.

"What are you doing in here?" Lily asked, though she was surprised to find that she was more curious than upset at the intrusion.

He looked over at her with a mild expression. "Well since you and James aren't going to be getting any action while you're in here, I figured that not only was it safe, it was damn well selfish of you to not invite me around. I was just on my way to the kitchens and thought I'd stop by and see if either of you wanted anything."

"Sirius," James said sternly, casting glances between the two of them, half-terrified, half-imposing.

"You told Sirius about that?" she asked James, and he gaped at her amused tone.

"Didn't mean to let it slip to be sure. I was razzing him about your sleeping quarters and all that," Sirius said, grinning roguishly. Lily rolled her eyes.

"Well I'd love a cup of tea and some scones if you don't mind terribly," she said.

"Right-o," Sirius said. "Anything for you mate?"

The expression on James's face was priceless. "Hold up! How did you figure out the password? Since when have you two been on speaking terms with one another? And what do you mean it was selfish? It's our room!"

She couldn't help it. Her eyes caught with Sirius's, and seeing the merry amusement that lit up his whole face in the same way as it did James, she began to giggle. James glared at her, which only made her laugh outright and Sirius join in.

"This isn't funny," James said, trying to retain his severe features, but failed as he began laughing too.

"Lily and I just realized that it wasn't fair making you choose between us. And I've known the password for ages; I just didn't want to be impolite. This has been the most coveted room by the Marauder's for years, based on sheer difficulty and isolation alone. Bollocks to that whole privacy thing. Since when has there been any such thought of that between us?"

"I, well, never, but this is different!" James said. He was incredibly happy the two of them were getting on because they knew how much it would mean to him, but he needed Sirius to realize that Lily was also his roommate and that changed things. He hoped Sirius would realize this before Lily had the opportunity to comment on it herself. He rather liked the décor without bloodstains.

"Why? Because a bird lives here too? Listen, James, you've been after Lily for so long that it's not even possible for me to see her as female, so don't worry about that." He stood up. "The usual then?"

"What?" James asked, confused as to the change of topic.

"From the kitchens? Try to pay attention James," Sirius teased.

"Yes, fine," James said, but before he could turn the conversation back to the problem, Sirius had exited the portrait hole. "Lily," James said, wearily turning to her.

She smiled. "It's okay James. I don't mind if Sirius has access to our common room. It's not as though I leave my door open, and for as much as he's lewd, he wouldn't walk in on me using the lavatory or some other nonsense."

"You're…" James said, unable to encompass everything he wanted to say in just a word. She raised an eyebrow. He pulled her into his arms, pillowing her against him, sighing softly. "You have no idea how much this means to me."

She snuggled into his embrace, closing her eyes. "I told you I wanted to help. I care about you, and though Sirius and I may not have gotten on too well in the past, it isn't fair of us to force you to divide your time between us. Besides, I'm beginning to realize that he's different from what I thought he was."

"Lily," he whispered. "Thank you."

She smiled, and hid her trepidations about their tentative attempts at camaraderie.

…

When Sirius walked in on them still cuddling a bit later, she was glad he didn't make any comments nor show any outward sign of disgust or revulsion. Sirius just lay his bundles on one of the tables before sprawling himself over a chair and beginning to dig in.

"They were out of the chocolate custards, Prongs, but the blueberry scones, Lily, are divine," he said. They sat down and Lily poured tea from the kettle he had somehow managed to carry, into a couple cups, adding sugar and milk where requested.

"Listen Sirius, don't think that you can just drop by any time you want," James said as Lily passed him a cup, and Sirius raised an eyebrow at him as he devoured a biscuit.

"You're just lucky I haven't decided to take up permanent residence here with the way the others have been."

"Is Remus feeling better?" Lily asked concerned. Sirius seemed surprised at her inquiry, but answered casually.

"Yeah. He's usually off for a few days afterwards, but he's fine now," he said. James continued to watch the two of them, waiting for a break in their façade where he would have to intervene.

"No, I know that. I mean, well, James mentioned that Remus has been a bit reclusive lately, and I just wondered…" Lily said, unsure of how welcome her curiosity and concern would be. Sirius eyed her for a long moment, before finally speaking carefully.

"The thing about Remus is that this year for him is different than it is for us. At the end of this year, we get to go out into the world and make something of ourselves. All of this year is just preparation for that. You filled out your Auror application right?" Sirius asked. Startled that he would know she was applying at all, she nodded. She wondered if he was applying as well.

"Sort of. I'm still working on a few parts," she said embarrassed. Sirius quirked a smile at the fact that she had slacked off on it, but wisely didn't comment.

"Well have you answered question number 17?" He said, grimacing. Lily frowned, trying to remember. Sirius recited, "'Are you a werewolf? If so, were you bitten or were you born as such? Are you registered with the Ministry of Magic of Britain? If not, please request the appropriate forms before continuing.'"

"If he lies about it and is found out," James explained, "then it's worse for him than if he just admits it right out. But if he admits it right out, he won't get the job and then he'll be on file with the Ministry, which means that any job he does apply for, his employer is going to be notified."

"But that's discrimination!" Lily said angrily.

"That's the real world," Sirius said harshly. "So no, Remus isn't doing much better, because the closer the end of the year comes, the closer he is to having no where to go."

"I had no idea it was that terrible for him. I knew that the magical world was close-minded on the subject of half-breeds and unfortunate diseases, but I never thought that they could actually stop them from employment. Why isn't there anyone standing up against this?"

Sirius looked at James for a moment with a dark look, before speaking carefully. "There is someone."

"Really, that's wonderful." Lily was surprised at the look on Sirius's face as she said this. "What? Who is it?"

"Lily," James said softly, unsure of quite how to broach the subject, especially because he knew how tetchy Sirius was about it.

"No, James, she should know. If she's going to be an Auror, she should know," Sirius said, and James looked at him in surprise, but nodded.

"What are you talking about? What does equal rights have to do with me becoming an Auror?" she asked.

"Voldemort," he let the name hang in the air between the three of them.

"But I thought…I thought he would be against something like that," Lily said.

James let out a frustrated sigh. "What you have to understand is this: he may believe in the supposed purification of the wizarding world, but he knows that he can't just storm the Ministry with a handful of wizards and declare his dictatorship. He'll do it slowly, and he'll do it in such a way that many people won't know what he's really after until it's too late."

"He'll make grand promises," Sirius said, "to the kind of people and creatures that have been neglected by our society so they'll become his allies. Giants and goblins, sure, but it won't just be the really dangerous ones. It will be the half-breeds, it will be the vampires, it will be the werewolves that will be the hardest to fight because they'll be so sure that you're against them and their equality, and not him, not his sick and twisted ideals."

"I had no idea…"

"Still so sure about becoming an Auror? It's not as black and white as they try to make it seem, is it? You won't just be fighting evil out there. You'll be fighting people who genuinely believe they're right, just like you do," Sirius said darkly. Lily's face became stern.

"Yes," she said. "Because I can't allow others to be hurt because of misconceptions and unjust actions."

"Well that I believe," Sirius said, grinning and stretching his back.

"But if what you're saying is true, then the hardest fighting won't be ours. It will be in the hearts of people like Remus, who have to be able look past those temporary promises of a better life. I don't know that I would be strong enough, if put in the same place," Lily said softly.

A look passed between James and Sirius. "I'm not worried about Remus," James said after a moment. "He's on our side and he always will be."

"How many times do I have to tell you not to use the word 'always'?" Sirius said angrily.

"Why?" Lily said sharply, reminded of her earlier promise with James.

"Because you can't promise forever. You never know how people are going to change, how situations make people change. You shouldn't promise things you can't guarantee," he said.

"Maybe you just haven't found something you can have total faith in," Lily said. For a moment, James was tense, and without realizing it, his hand wrapped around his wand in preemptive action.

"That's easy for you to say," Sirius said. "You're in love."

"What is that supposed to mean?" she asked confused.

"Everyone who is in love," he said, his eyes deepening in the same way James's did when she saw an infinite abyss in them, "everyone who is truly happy wants to believe in forever."

"And you don't?" she asked surprised.

"I'm just like you," he said, and glanced at James with an amused grin, "I know that I have something to lose, and the only guarantee I have is that it's inevitable."

"But the thing about eternity is you have time to get it back," she said. "I believe in forever because it's too painful to think that this moment of happiness is the only time I'll ever know it."

Sirius looked startled. He looked at James for a long moment, where words flew between them without anything spoken aloud. Lily marveled as she watched this exchange, having no clue what it was about. Finally, Sirius looked back at her. "You know what, I think you're right. Maybe you can promise forever."

…

"I hear you beat Sirius," Remus said. Lily looked at him in confusion as she gathered her things to leave Charms.

"What do you mean?" she asked, pushing some hair from her face. Though it annoyed her to no end growing it out longer, James seemed to like it, and so she did not mind quite so much.

"I've argued with Sirius for seven years, and though often times I will have a plethora of information on the topic, I never win. The only person that Sirius will ever listen to with any amount of interest or respect is James. On a rare occasion he'll also listen to Dumbledore. Over the years, I've come to accept this as one of his quirks, and though I might be slightly jealous, I've come to offer you my congratulations," Remus said wryly, walking with her to Transfiguration.

"Thank you," Lily said softly, after a moment to digest the announcement.

"I'm impressed. If I beat Sirius, I'd probably loudly and obnoxiously laugh and dance in his face," Remus said.

Lily laughed. "I can't imagine you dancing around, let alone in a loud and obnoxious manner."

Remus grimaced in agreement as they walked into the classroom to see Sirius and James already seated and flicking miniature firecrackers at one another with their fingers, using their textbooks as walls of defense, and occasionally singeing some of their hair when they did not duck an attack in time. "It's amazing the qualities immature friends bring out in a person."

Lily smiled, and looked over to see a serious expression on his face.

"It's strange to think that who I am has probably only encouraged their behavior," he said frowning. Lily placed a hand on his arm, startling him.

"Probably," she said. "But I don't think that it's done anything but good."

"Lily," he said, grinning in a decidedly wolfish manner, "thanks. I know you don't meant a single word of it, but thanks."

…

"Hey," Sirius said, cutting off her conversation with Dorcus and Marlene. Lily looked to him and smiled.

"Hey," she said. Dorcus tried not to look entirely floored that they had just spoken two words to each other that were not hexes of destruction. She was not succeeding very well.

"Listen, Emmeline Vance is going to come down the hall behind me in a minute, and I really don't want to talk to her right now. Do you mind if I hang with you? I was just on my way to the Great Hall," he said.

"Sure. We were just about to head that way ourselves. Why are you hiding from Emmeline?" Lily asked teasingly.

Sirius grinned guiltily. "No reason really," he tried to pass off.

Lily suddenly remembered that day outside Charms when James was speaking with her. "I thought she fancied James anyway," she said, trying to sound casual herself.

Sirius laughed. "Nah, she was talking to him to get information about me. Girls do that sometimes. Pisses James right off. He thinks they're interested in him or they're just being friendly or some other rubbish. 'Suppose it doesn't really matter seeing as he's always been head over arse for you, but it's really frustrating for him. It's a real turn off for me too. What kind of person uses someone like that? It's just low. If she wanted to know whatever it was about me, then why didn't she just come to me to find out?" he said.

"I'm sure she wasn't thinking about it like that. She's probably shy. So that's why you don't want to talk with her? I'm surprised you're avoiding her just for that. She's very pretty and obviously interested. Why don't you at least spend some time with her, and you know, have some…fun?"

Sirius gaped, and turned to Dorcus. "Did you just hear the Head Girl tell me to go off and senselessly snog with someone?"

Lily laughed, and Dorcus shook her head. "You know, I think you did," Dorcus said in amazement. Sirius pointedly ignored the evil look Marlene was sending his way.

"Well, I'll have you know Miss Evans, that I wouldn't want to get involved with her because she'd want it to be some whole big affair. She'd want to be a couple, like you and James," Sirius said dismissively.

"What's wrong with that? James did mention you were afraid of commitment, but I didn't realize it was such a serious affliction," Lily said teasingly.

Sirius glared over at her out of the corner of his eye. "You're one to talk," he quipped back, and she grinned. "It's not commitment really. I was just born a male. I don't have to wait around, hoping some Prince Charming will come along and whisk me away. I don't need to be in a relationship to validate my existence, like so many girls are taught to believe. Don't get me wrong; I'm always up for a little harmless snogging here and there with the right partner who knows it's nothing more than that. But I'm not going to play around with some girl's heart. That's just sick," he said.

Lily was suddenly reminded of that night when Sirius had called her a cruel tease for her (what he believed to be false) interest in James, and she realized that Sirius was a lot more noble than she had given him credit for. He honestly believed in living his life based on the principles he saw as right. Though sometimes his standards were a bit skewed, she felt a kinship with that, and smiled at him.

When they reached the Gryffindor table, Sirius waved and settled down next to Remus, while the girls seated themselves a bit further up.

"What was that all about?" Marlene asked. "Since when have you been on friendly terms with Sirius Black?"

Lily shrugged and looked away, beginning to fill up her plate. She really didn't feel like having to explain herself to Marlene right then. Alice came by, still reviewing some notes in her hand, before sitting next to Lily.

"I really didn't appreciate his macho little speech about why he thinks its okay to use girls. I can't believe you didn't say anything. Were you just trying to be polite?" Marlene pressed.

"What are we talking about?" Alice interrupted confused.

"Lily and Sirius Black's newfound friendship," Marlene said tightly.

"Oh," said Alice. "I'm glad you're making an effort Lily. I think it's really mature of you, and I'm sure James appreciates it."

"Thanks Alice," Lily said quietly, not needing to look in Marlene's direction to know there was a scowl on her features.

"Of course," Marlene said through clenched teeth. "What do I know? I'm only your best friend. It makes sense that I'm the only person whose looking at you as though you've completely changed because I'm the only one who knows you well enough to know that you have!"

"You're right!" Lily said exasperated. "I have changed. I'm in a relationship, and part of that means that I have to compromise who I am for the happiness of the person I care about! I thought that being my best friend meant that you would understand that!"

Marlene looked like she had been slapped across the face. For a moment she opened her mouth as if to say something, before she shook her head. "You're right. I'm sorry."

Lily sighed and reached across the table to squeeze Marlene's hand. "I don't expect you to change your opinions of him just because I might. I just want you to see that it's okay for my perspectives of people to change."

"I do," Marlene said and sighed. "I do understand that."

…

"Lily, just let me help you with it," James said determinedly.

"No," she replied, not looking up from her game of chess with Sirius. It was late and they were lounged around the blazing fire. Sirius had been begun to regularly come by, and Lily was pleased to find that not only was he much more pleasant company than she ever could have imagined, he also seemed to balance out the awkwardness of being with James all of the time. It took her focus away from their relationship, and brought to the forefront the things she got together with James for. They laughed and talked, played games and read, entertained one another and in turn were entertained.

"James, if she wants to do it herself, let her do it herself," Sirius said, moving his rook. She also was delighted to find that he had no problem taking her side in an argument if he believed she had a valid point.

"You haven't seen the hordes of books she's got! She's hidden the damn things in her room so I can't help! She'd be done in under an hour if she'd just let me go over the questions with her, but she's being stubborn," James said frustrated.

"I'm not being stubborn," Lily replied, to which both boys snorted with amusement. She tilted her head slightly, a habit she had picked up from the both of them, before she took her Queen's side castle and slid it across the board. "Check."

"Why won't you let me help you then? I'd love to hear one good reason," James said.

"Because this is something I need to do for myself," she said as Sirius moved his Queen to block her attack.

"It's not that you won't be doing this for yourself, but I can explain things to you so it will go faster. I promise I won't influence your answers beyond that," James said, his frustration seeping through.

"You don't understand," she said, frowning as she looked at the board. "You didn't have any help with yours."

"Yes he did," Sirius said, and startled, Lily looked up at his face, concentrated on the match.

"What do you mean he had help?" Lily asked. Sirius looked up at her.

"Hmm? Oh, well I helped him, and we had to ask Remus a bunch of things like what in the hell a Manjingal was because we were too lazy to go look it up ourselves. It really pays to have an encyclopedia for a friend. And then of course James asked Dumbledore about a couple of things we had to fudge," Sirius said casually.

"Oh," Lily said. "Check."

"Listen Lily, it's really not that big of a deal," Sirius said. "Why don't you give it a couple days thought?"

"Because break starts in a couple of days," James said, glaring at Sirius, "and by then I won't be able to help her anymore."

Sirius looked at him like he was an idiot. "Why exactly can't you apparate to her house?"

Both James and Lily looked shocked at this idea, and he rolled his eyes. "Oh please, don't look at me like that. You'll have to meet her parents sometime, and the sooner you get it over with, the less stress will be on you come end of the school year. It's not like we've got any other pressing engagements over holiday, though I do think your mum's going to try to drag us to one of those Ministry parties. That'll be fun," Sirius drawled sarcastically.

"Well I suppose I always could, umm, apparate over, if you were free and your parents wouldn't mind," James said softly, and Sirius grinned as James put his hand behind his head and clenched at his hair, trying desperately not to run his hand through it.

Lily, blushing a beautiful shade of magenta, said, "I suppose I could owl my parents and see if they wouldn't mind. They close the shop on Sundays. You could come by for afternoon tea to meet them, and we could work on the application afterwards."

James grinned widely. "Okay," he said, trying to sound casual. For some reason, he was filled with the overwhelming urge to kiss her, and the overwhelming nauseous feeling of nervousness.

"Okay," she said.

"Checkmate," Sirius said. Lily, surprised, looked down at the board.

"You cheated!" she said. Sirius clucked his tongue.

Smirking obnoxiously, he said, "You can't prove anything."

"You rearranged my pieces!" she said. Sirius sighed dramatically.

"Fine. I'll concede just this once, but only because you're taking him for a day over break. That way I won't have to listen to him wank about not seeing you for two weeks. Merlin knows he talks about you enough as it is. I thought it was bad before when you wouldn't give him the time of day, but now that you actually encourage his advances, I've barely been able to get through half a sentence without him blathering on about how wonderful you are," Sirius said, rolling his eyes and setting up the board for another match.

Lily grinned as she looked over at a slightly bashful, slightly angry James. "Sod off," James mumbled, and Lily pulled him over into her chair. He rearranged them so he sat behind her and she snuggled into him, but could still reach the board to play. "And everyone knows that if you take your eyes off the board its fair game to rearrange."

Lily rolled her eyes. "I forgot that Marauder's rules are different from the normal ethical ones."

"Of course," Sirius said. "That's the fun of it."

…

AN: okay, so after some confusion last chapter I feel I should clarify a few things. First, the 1970s in England was not the same as the 1970s in the United States. There was a sexual revolution occurring in both countries, however, it was not nearly as mainstream and commonplace in England as I think some people believe. Austin Powers is an extreme exaggeration of a typical lifestyle, just for the record, if that is your only gauge of historic perspective. This is because Britain is a much more culturally polite and reserved country because it is based on the foundations of tradition, something not generally admired by the United States. 

To this day, the family you are born into and their class matters in a way it doesn't in the United States. A large part of what JK Rowling writes about with Muggleborns and Purebloods is a reflection of the similar segregation of class and status in Britain. Also, the magical world does come across as more traditional than the muggle world. Given the fact that they are all teenagers at this point, I highly doubt that anyone is actually shagging, let alone getting to third base. The fact that I address this at all is because I believe that it needed to be addressed since so much fanfiction is saturated with it, and because I believe that Lily and James were passionate people, especially about one another.

How Petunia lives in the future, to me anyway, seems to reflect that she came from a middle class family, because rarely (and this does occur in the United States as well) do people change from the economic status their parents maintained. This means that Lily's family is middle class. Her last name is also Evans, which is typically (though not always) an Irish name. In the 1970s, the IRA was very active and very violent in trying to unite the six counties of Ireland. To this day, there is rivalry throughout the countries of Britain, but the Irish, it seems to be agreed, are always the lowest on the totem pole. James, however, is very rich and comes from a very distinguished family in the wizarding world. While I don't believe much of this mattered to James (because of his stance on Muggleborns), this will be a dynamic of their relationship I will explore in the next couple of chapters.

Moving on to this chapter's comments: I wanted to have a part with Remus explaining a lot about what I think happened, but it was hard because a lot of what I think happened takes place after seventh year and I'm not writing that far. I don't think that any of the Marauders or Lily face Voldemort before the three years of Auror training because I don't think they pose as any sort of threat until then. This is also partly because I don't think they get married or conceive Harry (therefore resulting in the prophecy) straight out of Hogwarts. However, it's hard not to expand on possible beginnings when I know the outcome. I always thought it was strange that they thought Remus was the traitor (as addressed in PoA), and I wanted to give hints as to why that was. I think that the reason they don't suspect Peter is because they underestimate him. I don't think they believe he has the talent or prowess to be a double agent. This will also be addressed with subtle hints later. 

…

ps. I heart reviews!