Chapter: Bounce Back To Me

Shalan's Say: So I hope you like that last chapter… but how am I supposed to know that if you don't review me? Time to start chapter 10 w00t!

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The next few months passed quickly for all of them, from the Quidditch matches to the N.E.W.T. reviews they were all running around doing something or other. It was rare to see everyone all together, they had a couple of times, Hogsmeade trips and the birthday parties that James and Sirius threw for everyone, where they actually spoke to one another directly, however they were few and far between. In classes even James and Sirius were paying rapt attention to the professors as their exams drew nearer.

For James his Quidditch practices were the only time that he got a breather, and even then, with the final match against Ravenclaw fast approaching he couldn't slack off. Mariette had been out for their first match against Ravenclaw so he hadn't seen her play since the year before but he was sure that she was just as good as she usually was, so he pushed his team harder, he wasn't going to lose just because he was playing against another talented Seeker.

"Sirius…" he heard his best friend's name as he walked through the castle, his interest piqued. "Sirius I said, no." Mariette's voice sounded upset.

"Mari, it's not that big of a deal!" Sirius sounded half exasperated, half annoyed. "Why go this far and stop?"

"Why are you such a man?" She snapped. James peered around the corner. Mariette stood with her back to the wall, his best friend was standing about 6 inches from her, his arms folded over his chest.

"I don't know, maybe because I have a penis, generally that designates a male," he retorted, his frown deepening.

"Exactly, stop thinking with that brain and think with the other," she scowled in return. "No means no and that's that."

"You didn't seem to mind at James' parents house," his voice lowered. James swallowed, he was half considering leaving this conversation to itself… but at the same time…

"I was… it was… I had…" her cheeks flushed. "It was a weak moment, and I said no then too!"

"Mari!" His tone changed to a wheedling bleat. "You said you loved me," James knew that tone, the 'won't-you-please-do-something-for-me' tone. Remus called it his 'spoiled brat' voice.

"I do love you, Sirius." She said pointedly. "But not that much."

"Marie-ette." His voice changed to a low whine.

"If you can't wait then this will have to end," she hissed, James leaned a little closer to hear. "Sirius, really, I expected more from you than this…" his best friend was silent for a moment.

"Okay, okay you're right," he leaned his forehead against hers. She cupped his face in her hands. James, however, knew better than that, that wasn't Sirius's 'I-give-up' voice, that was the tone of temporary defeat.

"I don't have time to mess with you acting like this right now, I have a Quidditch match and N.E.W.T.s coming up."

"Time to mess with me?" Suddenly his voice was angry. "What do you mean? Am I bothering you?"

"I didn't mean it like that Sirius!" She stomped her foot. "Stop being an ass and get over yourself. I am going to have a job after all this is over!"

"What makes you think I'm not?" He sounded offended.

"I didn't say that, Sirius!" The way she stressed his name, James snickered, she sounded so much like Lady Black herself.

"You implied it!"

"You inferred it!" She was beginning to sound frustrated. "Stop acting like a complete ass and leave me alone!"

"Leave you alone? Leave you alone? Fine… I'll leave you alone." Sirius scowled as James peered around the corner again. "Have fun with your Death Eater buddies," he turned on his heel and stormed off. James lingered a moment longer and heard her slide down the wall, crying softly to herself.

It didn't take him long to find Lily and report the happenings to her in a hurried voice. By the time he finished she was staring at him blankly.

"Well of course it's Sirius's fault!" She said finally after several minutes of silence. He gaped at her, still grass stained and sweaty in his Quidditch robes, until finally:

"Why?"

"Well why else?" Lily lifted her eyebrows. The Fat Lady looked between them curiously as this filthy Quidditch player and sparkling clean Head Girl argued about their best friends.

"Please explain it to me," James lifted his eyebrows.

"James Harry Potter you know very well why she was mad at him! He was pressuring her into doing something that she didn't want to do!"

"Well apparently something happened between them at my house over Christmas Break!" He said pointedly.

"Yes, something happened, but she said she stopped it didn't she?" Lily tilted her head, her hands on her hips. "She was perfectly right to say no, he has no right to be angry about it and stop talking to her, he's the one that was in the wrong!"

"He was not, she led him on to think that something was going to happen! You can't expect someone to just ignore someone coming onto them that strong! You saw it and I saw it!" James was hot on her heels as she stormed through the portrait hole.

Remus looked up from correcting Alina's DADA paper as the arguing couple began to shout at the top of their lungs across the common room. Alina snorted into her hand as Remus went pale.

"-YOU KNOW VERY WELL THAT SHE WAS IN THE RIGHT!"

"-IF SHE WOULDN'T HAVE LED HIM ON HE WOULDN'T HAVE THOUGHT THAT! YOU KNOW THAT TOO! IF SOMEONE GIVES SOMEONE ELSE THE GO AND THEN TURNS AROUND AND SAYS NO THEN THAT'S CONSIDERED IN THE WRONG AS WELL-" James bellowed.

"GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS JAMES! HE WAS AN IDIOT FOR TRYING TO FORCE HER INTO SOMETHING THAT SHE DIDN'T WANT TO DO! IT'S BETTER THAT IT'S OVER IF THAT WAS ALL HE WAS INTERESTED IN!"

"-THAT'S MY BEST MATE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT! IT'S NOT LIKE THAT'S THE ONLY REASON THAT HE STARTED DATING HER FOR! HE WOULDN'T HAVE HUNG AROUND THAT LONG IF THAT WAS IT-" Remus gaped openmouthed with Alina. He wasn't entirely sure if what James had just said was a good or a bad thing… evidently it was a bad thing as Lily clamped her mouth shut, tears filling her eyes before she began to should again, her voice cracking intermittently.

"OH! SO THAT'S IT THEN? SO THEN THE WHOLE REASON TO DATE A GIRL, EVEN IF IT'S JUST FOR A FEW WEEKS IS TO TURN THEM INTO ANOTHER NOTCH ON THE OL' BED POST?" Lily's face was crimson, her red hair thrown over her face. "WELL IF THAT'S HOW YOU SEE ME JAMES POTTER THEN THIS RELATIONSHIP IS- OVER!"

"I NEVER SAID THAT!" James stormed after her as she made towards the stairs. "LILY!" He grabbed her arm. "LILY STOP THIS!"

"DON'T YOU SHOUT AT ME JAMES!" She slapped him so hard across the face that his head jerked to the side.

"LILY!" He shouted once more as she ascended the girl's stairs. "LILYYYY!" He whipped around, his robes a blur of color and found himself staring into the unforgiving eyes of his best friend. Sirius was scowling at him with a look near murderous. Remus was covering his face with his hands as Alina's concerned face peered over her papers. The other witnesses to the confrontation all watched over the backs of chairs and around corners.

"You. Are. THE biggest prat I've ever met." Sirius turned on his heel and stormed up the stairs.

"Siri-SIRIUS!" James had a touch of pleading in his voice. "Sirius!" He threw his hands in the air as the Black slammed the door. "Are you going to attack me too?" He shot off towards Remus, turning his glare at Peter as well.

"Nope…" Peter scampered off to keep away from the Seeker's wrath. James glared at Alina and Remus, his gaze murderous.

"We're not going to attack you!" Remus held his hands up and James threw himself down in one of the squishy chairs impatiently.

"You jinxed me… you had to have jinxed me!" He pressed his face into his hands.

"What are you talking to?" Remus furrowed his brows.

"You finally get a girlfriend and I lose the best one I have… there's something wrong here…" he looked up and Remus rolled his eyes.

"You're the one who argued with her."

"She was coming on pretty strong to Sirius over the break." James frowned.

"Lily?"

"NO!" James barked and Remus jumped half a foot in the air. "Mariette!"

"Oh, well… she is his girlfriend-"

"Was-"

"-was his girlfriend and she should be-"

"-coming on to him?"

"-well yes I would assume, I mean I don't know, if she was really acting like she was ready for it she shouldn't expect him to ignore it… I don't know anyone who would be able to." Remus folded himself up as Alina scooted closer to listen to their conversation. James arranged his legs over the arm of the chair and hung his head upside down.

"I sort of see both sides…" Alina said softly. "I mean on the one hand… it is sort of misleading to be acting the way she was… but at the same time he should have taken no for no." She shrugged. James and Remus eyed her.

"Well that's great for you Remus, she can see both sides…" James grumbled. "Now why can't Lily?"

"Maybe because she can see the same situation happening with you… you are a notorious playboy, James." Alina poked her quill against her parchment. James stared at her and Remus coughed.

"But…" James lifted his eyebrows. "I am a notorious playboy…[anyone see any resemblance to "But I am the chose one"] so what? Now there's just one girl for me and it's her… why can't she see that?"

"Because of your…erm… colorful past." Alina pursed her lips and Remus looked over at her.

"I think what she means is, you should explain that feeling to her," Remus offered his hand. "Look, just try explaining to Lily what she means to you and she'll understand better, you just have to tell her where you stand on the issue at hand."

"So… you think I should talk to her about it?" James said thoughtfully.

"Women do like to talk about their feelings…" Alina said thoughtfully. Remus and James looked over at her. "What? I don't know why women get all offended over that, it's true!"

"It would be the best thing to do… and don't try to talk to her any more tonight… she might curse you in a way that no one can fix," Remus lifted his eyebrows as James snorted into his fist.

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Alina and Remus were squashed between all their friends, if Sirius and James weren't pulling them one way Lily and Mariette were pulling them another. A week went by like this before:

"That's it… THAT IS IT!" Remus threw his homework down as Sirius and James bickered next to him like an old married couple. Lily looked up from her book across the common room. "I am done with you two!"

"He's got a point you're arguing like an old married couple." Alina leaned on her elbow, her face slack.

"I am going up to bed, if either of you come up before I'm asleep I'm going to hang you by your ankles all night," Remus threw his things into his bag and stormed up the stairs. James and Sirius looked over at Alina.

"What are you idiots looking at me for? You started this business…" She rose gracefully and swept up the stairs after Remus, her bag over her shoulder. She opened the door to his dorm and found him standing with his back to her, his hands folded behind his back as he stared out the window. It seemed that he knew she was coming because he was speaking out loud:

"-he's mad at James because James was listening and he's mad at Mariette because she led him on while he's mad at Lily because she's siding with Mariette, James is mad at Sirius because his and Mariette's argument caused Lily to break up with him and he's mad at Lily for breaking up with him, Lily is mad at James because he sided with Sirius in the argument he wasn't supposed to hear in the first place and is mad at Sirius for trying to pressure Mariete, Mariette doesn't seem to be honestly upset with anyone because she's not entirely in the loop…" she lifted her eyebrows.

"It's quite a mess isn't it?" Alina sighed, dropping her bag on the ground. He looked at her over his shoulder, his eyes tired. "Tomorrow is the first night of the cycle isn't it?" She wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her cheek against his shoulder blade. He pressed his hands to hers with a sigh.

"It's sort of straining," he closed his eyes, her touch was so soothing. "I mean, not to mention I'm going to have to transform tomorrow night but I'm going to have to do it alone," he sighed heavily.

"I'm sure they won't let that happen, they'll probably come with you tomorrow night…" She said softly. "I wish I could come with you," she squeezed him lightly.

"I'll bet you do…" he smiled kindly. "But if you were a human you would be in terrible danger," he laced his fingers through hers.

"I know that…" She exhaled as he turned in her arms and leaned down, planting a kiss on her lips. "But that doesn't make me feel any better…" she chuckled as he buried his face in her neck, nipping at delicate skin. "Don't break the skin, Remus!" She laughed as he nibbled his way up behind her ear.

"I'm not an idiot…" he paused, his breath washing over her ear and neck. "Okay, I'm an idiot just being around you this close to the full moon…"

"I'm not worried about it, I am the best at astronomy aren't I?" She chuckled as he drew away from her a little bit, still within her arms.

"I suppose… If I was going to change tonight I would have already wouldn't I?" He tilted his head then whirled her around, wrapping his arms around her as she laughed, he bit down lightly on her neck, raking his teeth against her skin. He felt her shiver.

"Don't do that!" She protested as his eyes lit up, the little gasp she made had surprised him, her shiver had floored him. On a hunch he repeated his action, this time raking his teeth against the nape of her neck as he leaned her head to the side, bracing the side of her face in his hand. He earned himself a shudder. He was absolutely delighted as he attempted to hide his laughter at the hilarity of the situation.

"You have a biting fetish…" he stated as he cracked a smile, "and you're dating a werewolf."

"Remus!" She protested again.

"Alina!" He cackled in return. "Don't you think you'd be better off with a vampire?" He sniggered.

"Remus Lupin!" She said more forcefully as he bit down on the junction of her shoulder and neck. "Quit!" She lifted a hand to his head but failed at pushing him away as his bites continued down her shoulder, moving her blouse aside as he went.

"If I don't break the skin there're no worries, I just think it's funny," his eyes twinkled as he drew away from her. She hurriedly pulled her blouse back up over her shoulder. She turned to face him as he sat down on his bed, folding himself up, a wolfish grin plastered on his face.

"Don't…" she lifted her eyebrows as he opened his mouth to talk, her gaze an attempt at being serious. The longer she looked at that self-satisfied smile the more her gaze softened, a smile creeping across her face. The silence finally broke as they both began to laugh. The humor of the situation had finally gotten to them.

"What struck you two as hilarious?" Sirius grumbled as he walked into the room. Remus lifted his head, staring at him, his hand creeping towards his wand. "I'm alone! I just had to get away from the common room!" He lifted his hands and walked off towards his bed.

"I should probably head back to the dorm, it looks like it's getting pretty late." Alina whispered and kissed his cheek. "I know I won't see you tomorrow night, so I hope you guys have fun," he kissed her lips, caressing the side of her face with his hand, trying to keep her from going as the kiss deepened. "Think about your friends Remus," she chuckled.

He grumbled something about them not worrying about him as she picked up her bag and disappeared out the door. Remus jumped up as he heard a crash.

"I'm sorry, sorry James!" Alina apologized profusely as the winded Seeker glared up at her from the floor, his books scattered around him.

"Alina, it's best you just go downstairs," Peter said warningly, helping James to his feet. She cast a glance over at Remus and Sirius who were standing in the doorway, both looking concerned. Remus rolled his eyes apologetically and she ran down the stairs.

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Lily looked up from her books as Alina walked back into the dorm. The three other girls that shared their dorm hadn't yet returned from whatever they had been doing that night. The blonde picked up her wash things without saying a word and Lily followed suit.

It was quite some time before either spoke as they soaked in the hot water of the Head Girl's washroom. Lily usually snuck Alina in to keep her company, and this was no exception. This time, however, it appeared that Lily wanted to talk.

"Alina…" the red head said as she looked up at the beautiful stained glass. "I'm sorry about… all this…"

"Oh, why are you apologizing to me? Shouldn't you be apologizing to James for jumping down his throat?" The blonde said reticently. Lily's face flushed.

"I-you-he-"

"I know, I know, he deserved what he got… but you might have been the one in the wrong this time… Remus says James is getting surlier and testier the longer you are ignoring him… I think it's high time you went an apologized to him for acting like a hot headed bitch," Alina said simply and Lily gaped at her.

"Oh so, what? Your relationship with Remus is perfect?"

"No, no relationship is perfect, but if it's worth doing it's worth doing right, so if Remus and I have a dispute we talk about it, he hates it I know, but I make him talk to me about whatever is bothering him…" Alina sighed, "we argue, but not nearly like you two do." She rolled her eyes. Lily scowled.

"It's not my fault he's acting like a prick!"

"Lily!" Alina splashed her.

"What? It's true! He's acting like it's not Sirius's fault and that he shouldn't be blamed for trying to force her!" Lily threw her hands up.

"So what happened about not talking about our friends behind their backs?" A soft, accented voice spoke from behind them.

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Sooo…. This has been an interesting chapter. READ AND REVIEW OR I WON'T POST ANOTHER CHAAAAPTER!

Shalan