A/N: I haven't written in awhile and itll only get more hectic! Here's the new chapter titled after an Eminem song ;) I promise to write something in the next two weeks!

I feel the burn, watch the smoke as I turn rising,
A phoenix from the flames
I have learned, from fighting fights, that weren't mine
Not with fists, but with wings that I will fly

Y6: Beautiful Pain

James tossed a broom to Sirius who was not ready for it and took a nice hit to the side of the head. Sirius gave him a look and James ignored it. Peter was moping about the room trying to help James find his shoulder pads. And Remus was nowhere to be found.

"Oh c'mon, Pete, it's not that bad," James told him.

"He's breaking the code. Bros before... bros before... oh I can't remember the saying but what ever it was, he is clearly not doing it," Peter said as he crouched to the floor peering under James' bed.

"We have a code?" James smiled surprised.

"Yes!" Pete said annoyed, "It's the Marauder Code! And Remus is breaking it!"

"So what're you going to do? Kick Moony out?" James laughed.

Peter sat back on his heels thinking, "Not a bad idea, Prongs. If we kick him out, then maybe he'll comeback to us. Tough love, I think it's called."

"Okay Wormtail," James rolled his eyes as he tossed some dirty clothes aside, "Why don't you just check the map and see where he's gone off to?"

"I can't, he has the bloody map," Peter pouted.

"Well then let him be and come watch our practice," James smiled as he pulled dirty trousers off the pile revealing his shoulder pads.

"You know, mate, I'm not feeling too well," Sirius interrupted.

"Suck it up," James ordered.

"I think I should stay in, miss just this practice," Sirius said mostly to himself, "I probably shouldn't go out and all."

"C'mon Pads, I need you there," James unbuttoned his school shirt.

"No, no. I'll go to the Hospital Wing," Sirius said rubbing his hands.

James slid the shirt off and put on an under shirt, "Are you sure?"

Sirius nodded. James sighed as he pulled a long sleeve shirt on. Peter helped him with his shoulder pads and then he put his uniform jersey over top.

As they were leaving, James muttered a, "See ya."

Peter waved. Sirius nodded. And the door was shut. Sirius lay back in his bed and fell back into his thinking mode. The world turned black and he fell asleep.

...

"Listen up!" James yelled to his team as they hovered high above the pitch, "I want two lines of three. Prewetts on separate teams. We don't have a game for awhile so I thought I'd let you have a bit of fun for the end of practice. We're going to play Cursus," everyone cheered, "Losing team has to run the steps," James pointed to the stands and everyone moaned, "Let's go ladies!"

"Ladies?" Boot glared, "Is that supposed to insult us? That's sexist."

James rolled his eyes, "Okay, Boots, my bad."

James watched as the teams lined up. The first group was Fabian, Boots, and Steinbeck. The other group was Gideon, Fenwick, and apparently Cara. Cara was panicking as she had never played this game or at least never remembered it.

"Potter, wait!" Cara called to him and he came over, "I don't remember how to play this!"

"Well you're going last so you're fine, you just do one lap around the field but you have to go through the goal posts. In the first circle, out the second, in the third then swing around fly down to the other end. Then in, out, in. And then you fly back to center field and whoever gets their first wins. Okay?" James asked.

Cara looked at him like he was crazy, how was she supposed to remember that?! "When do I even know to go?"

"Well, Fenny is in front of you so when he lands in the circle he'll high five you and you go."

"Right, okay, yeah I got this," Cara said nervously.

"It's easy, you'll remember," James assured her and then flew to center field.

Fabian and Gideon were leading the team and they stood in the center on their brooms insulting the other.

"I'm going to beat you so bad, you'll go crying to your mummy," Fabian said.

"Oh yeah, well I'm so fast that when I say 'nox', I'm in bed before my wand even goes out!" Gideon spat at his brother.

"Well guess what! I'm so fast that-" Fabian started.

James interrupted, "Alright get ready! Get set!," the twins were concentrated dancing on their brooms, "GO!"

The two were off in opposite directions. They were neck and neck as they swung through their own hoops. As they chased down the field to the other side, Fabian gave Gideon a hard shove spiraling out of control. When he got back up, Fabian had already looped through his hoops. As Gideon went through his last hoop, Fabian flew to the center and high fived Boots. She was off. Gideon came down and Benjy set off opposite Boots. Boots landed before Fenwick sending Steinbeck off, Fenwick making up no time. Cara shook with nerves as Benjy tapped her hand, she kicked off the ground and ran the course. Flying down the first end, nothing but the first shiny hoop crossed her mind… and then the second, then the third. Cara didn't see Steinbeck pass her, she focused only on getting to that next hoop. And one, two, three. Cara looked to where James was standing and flew to him, the center of the field. She only looked up once and saw Steinbeck was approaching. She glared back at the center and then went off her broom. She hit the ground hard and rolled. Hands were pulling her up.

"Connors, you okay?" someone asked.

"Are you hurt?!" someone shouted.

"She didn't have to dive now did she," someone, Boots most likely, muttered.

"Honestly, Cara," James Potter faced Cara to him and looked her over.

She blinked at him and said, "I'm fine… did we win?"

James smirked a bit shaking his head, "Yeah, Conns, you won."

Gideon and Benjy cheered and hugged Cara. Steinbeck who had just dismounted her broom patted Cara's back and sighed. Fabian moped as he walked to the stands. And Boots gave Cara a dirty look as she traipsed after Fabian.

Cara smiled to herself. She had done it, she won. Yes, it was just a little game for fun, but she had won. It was a small victory, but it wouldn't be her last. Soon she'll win her spot on the team back and then she can really start a winning streak.

She continued smiling as she jogged off the field.

…..

"Wormy! Wormtail!" Remus Lupin hollered from down the corridor.

Peter didn't need to look back to know who it was, he picked up his pace.

Remus jogged after him, "Peter? Can you slow down?"

As Remus came to his side, Peter continued to look straight forward as if his presence was not noticed.

"Peter? Earth to Wormtail…" Remus waved a hand in Pete's face, Pete slapped it away, "Ouch! What's wrong? Did I miss something at practice?"

Peter gave him a look, "You were supposed to meet us, remember?"

"Was I?" Remus thought and then shrugged, "Well I was just with Moira, must've slipped my mind."

Peter rolled his eyes and continued walking.

Remus followed, "Pete? Are- are you angry or something?"

"No!" Peter said harshly and then rolled his eyes, "Pffft. Some mate you are."

"What did I do?" Remus frowned confused.

"Nothing, Remus, you did absolutely positively nothing."

"Then why are you mad?"

"Because you did absolutely positively nothing… with us," Peter spat at him, "You're obviously to busy to spend time with your mates."

"Peter, aren't we being a bit dramatic?" Remus sighed.

Peter laughed, "Right, okay, Lupin. You don't want to be with your friends then we don't have to be friends. Next time when we pass don't come chasing after me."

Peter tried to speed up but Remus's legs were too long for him to get anywhere without running.

"Leave me alone, Lupin." Peter said frustrated.

"Lupin? Honestly Pete are you that mad that I didn't come and watch a boring practice with you?" Remus laughed.

Peter turned on him trying to be fierce but being so small it was almost laughable. He said darkly, "No Remus, I'm mad because you continuously ditch us for her."

"Her name is Moira. She is my girlfriend," Remus stressed each word, "And it was one practice."

"One practice, one prank planning, and one Marauders Day," Peter glared, "when's it going to start being two, Lupin?"

Peter walked away and Remus stared after him. And just as Peter rounded a corner, he passed Moira who didn't even acknowledge him. Instead she ran to her "Remey- dear" and Peter gagged before leaving.

Remus smiled slightly as she threw her arms around him and gave him a kiss. Remus patted her back nicely and waited for the kiss to be over. When it was, Moira smiled at him but noticed he was watching after Peter. She frowned and tried to get his attention.

"Remey?" Moira said sweetly, "Remey aren't you happy to see me?"

"Oh, yes, of course, Moira," he then looked at her and smiled.

She took his hand and playfully led him down the corridor, "Valentine's day is coming up!"

"Uh-huh," Remus said not paying attention.

"Well, I wanted to know what you wanted to do?" Moira smiled.

"Uh-huh."

"So… are you going to tell me?"

"Yup."

Moira let go of his hand and stomped her foot which got Remus's attention pretty quickly.

"Remus. Lupin. Are you even listening to me?" Moira cried, "I am trying to plan a romantic Valentine's Day and you're- you're ignoring me!"

"Oh, sorry," Remus rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, "But isn't Valentine's Day like two weeks away?"

"Exactly! And we don't even have anything planned!"

"Well what do you want to do?"

"I don't know, Remus! You're the boy, you're supposed to plan everything!" Moira yelled at him frustrated.

"Moira, why are you yelling?" Remus threw his hands up as a surrender, "It's not even that serious."

"Not that serious? Our seven-week-iversery isn't 'that serious'! It's Valentine's Day, Remus! It's to celebrate our relationship! Our RELATIONSHIP is supposed to be SERIOUS!"

"That's not what I meant," Remus sighed and went to touch her but she pulled away.

"No, forget it!" Moira crossed her arms, "Our relationship isn't serious so don't feel bad!"

Moira flipped her hair and strutted away. Perhaps Remus was supposed to go after her to tell her that he was sorry and it wouldn't happen again, but honestly… Remus really didn't care that much. The thought crossed his mind but instead he turned in the opposite direction of Moira and walked to the kitchens. He figured that's where Peter probably was. And he'd much rather talk to him.

…...

Lily Evans sat in the Library with three books out in front of her. One was an Astronomy book which she had only taken out for fun, the other two were text books for Defense Against the Dark Arts. She had spent the first hour matching up the chapters so she could read back and forth between them trying to soak up as much as she could on the subjects. She then pulled out a new piece of parchment and started taking detailed notes. She had known all most all of the spells already but she wasn't sure which ones she would be tested on at the end of the year so she made sure she knew all of them as well as every single thing that came with them: who discovered it; how it works; the effects on children versus the effects on adults, Muggles versus wizards; the most known wizard to use it… everything. Lily Evans did not mess around when it came to her studies. She invited Cara but she had passed it up. She had passed up most of Lily's offers to study usually to sleep, or to play quidditch, or just because she wasn't in the mood to learn. After awhile, Lily just gave up and only asked to be polite now.

James Potter had just finished another day out on the pitch. He had showered, snuck off to the Kitchens, and now decided it was time to do homework. It had been stuffy up in his dormitory with Sirius moping around, and too tense in the Common Room with Peter and Remus glaring at each other. He decided he'd move to the Library. Every time he came to the Library, he would grab a book and sit between the shelves. Sitting at a desk had him feel like everyone was watching him. He liked his spot in the History of Hogwarts section where only really nerdy people came when they were curious.

James passed Lily Evans as he walked by. Her eyes rose to meet his but when he smiled, she just looked down like she hadn't noticed him. No surprise, this was usually how they acted towards each other.

He walked on by, and sat on the floor. He pulled out a book from his bag and began to read his Charms book.

…..

After the first hour passed, James decided he'd read enough. By the second, he had finished his essay. He rolled up the parchment, packed away his quills, and stood brushing his trousers off. He checked his watch on his right wrist that read 8:46. As he walked out from the shelves, he ran a hand through his hair. Only three people had still been there, Lily Evans was of course one of them.

"Evans, how long have you been here?" James asked curiously.

Lily finished writing her next bullet point and then looked up, "What did you say?"

"How long have you been studying?"

Lily shrugged, "Not long, I got here about three."

James smirked, "That's nearly six hours, Evs."

"What time is it?" Lily said surprised and grabbed his wrist to check his watch, her eyes went wide as she read aloud, "8:53!"

James nodded.

She stood up frantically and started throwing everything in her bag, "Shit. Shit. Shit. I have prefect duties!"

"Calm down, Remus probably hasn't even left the Common Room yet," James tried to assure her.

"I'm not doing duties with him! I have to go around with Diggory! Ah shit! I'm going to be late!"

"Diggory? Why are you with Diggory?"

Lily hitched up her bag and started out of the Library with James on her tail, "Because Remus paired with Moira."

"So then why aren't you with Diggs, he was Moira's partner right?"

"No, Potter, Diggs and Moira didn't get along so they switched in the beginning of the year. Diggs is with Vanessa Sally who was with Amos who is now with me because Remus is with Moira," Lily explained but James had lost her.

"So you aren't with Remus or with Diggs?"

"No I'm with Amos Diggory."

James ran a hand through his hair, "Well I don't like him."

"That's nice, I don't think I asked."

"Yes but as a fellow Gryffindor, I thought I'd share my wisdom."

"Wisdom? Whatever Potter, you're making me late."

"Actually I'm going the same way," James perked up.

"Where are you going?"

"Well I have detention," James smiled, "so I'm on my way to the Dungeons, but I'll take the long way to make sure you get to Diggory safe and sound."

"I don't need an escort."

"I'm more of a body guard type of person," James joked but Lily didn't find him funny.

"Fine. Whatever, but please be quiet. You have an irritating voice."

James flinched like he was hurt, "Ouch! You destroyed my pride."

Lily laughed, "I don't think anyone can destroy that! No matter how bad we want to."

James rolled his eyes and they kept on.

They took a staircase down to the third floor and Lily got off, James still following her.

"You are a bit of a stalker, aren't you?"

"Hey, Evans, are you busy in two weeks?"

Lily sighed, "Yes, I'll be studying in a room far from you."

"Studying on Valentine's Day, I won't let it happen."

"Valentine's Day is in two weeks?" Lily had forgotten, "Hmm. It is."

"Yes, and I was wondering," he nervously ran a hand through his hair, "would you like to-"

"Potter," Lily sighed tired, "are you really going to do this again and again and again. No I do not want to be your Valentine."

"You could've at least let me finish asking."

"It wouldn't have changed my answer," Lily said annoyed.

"You don't know what you are missing. I am a very good Valentine, Miss Evans. I am known to wow, to spoil, to sweep a girl off her feet and fulfill her wildest dreams."

"I like my dreams to be contained and ordered," Lily smiled.

James smiled as he looked at her, "Your dreams sound dull then."

"You're dull."

James laughed, "You're childish."

Lily couldn't help but smile. And James smiled back. And Amos was standing there as they came across the bend. And Amos smiled. So James frowned.

"Well this is my stop, Potter," Lily nodded to him as she blushed towards Amos, "have fun in detention."

"Yeah," James said but he was sure Lily hadn't heard him.

He watched as the two walked down the hall and then he turned for the Dungeons to serve a detention with Slughorn. His teeth were clenched, he ruffled his hair and rolled his neck. James loved when she smiled especially when she laughed; but to see the red creep up her cheeks for some dimwit Hufflepuff who can't tell a bezoar from a quill was indescribably frustrating. He was never surprised as it had happened repeatedly over the course of the years. But like every other time since he met Lily, James was content with feeling this beautiful pain.