Hermione squirmed away from the sunlight, her hand gripping the pillow so that it securely supported her head. Her back and left side were stiff from her sleeping in the same position the entire night.

I thought my bed was more comfortable then this.

Her eyes flew open at the thought of her bed. And she was suddenly aware that she, in fact, was not in her bed.

She was on the couch in the Room of Requirement.

And she was alone, thankfully.

She sat up slowly, careful not to wrinkle her dress even further, and proceeded to rub her eyes. She froze and sighed when she saw the eyeliner that was now smeared all over her hand. There was no telling what condition her hair was in either.

She was just beginning to fish her wand out from under the couch cushions when the door swung open to reveal a fresh Sirius, his hair still damp from his morning shower.

"Good morning sleepy head," he called out.

"Well aren't you chipper this morning," Hermione mumbled, trying to finger comb her hair so that it didn't look too utterly disgraceful.

"It's because showers are my high." He observed her for a moment. "Oh will you stop fidgeting; you can't look any worse then James."

Hermione's head swiveled up to stare at Sirius in horror. James. Lily. Last day. She had so much to do!

With that in mind she frantically made a rush for the door, her arms extending out in front of her in order to shove Sirius to the side if necessary. He quickly stepped out of her way, causing her to stumbled forward and fall flat on her face in the entryway to the Room of Requirement.

With narrowed eyes she was determined to ignore the eruption of laughter that was coming from behind her. She pushed herself up onto her feet and brushed off her already crumpled dress. For some odd reason that only made him laugh harder.

"And where are you going off to in such a hurry?" he asked, trying unsuccessfully to stifle his laughter.

"I don't know," Hermione answered with a huff. "This is my last day and I can't just stand around here and do nothing!"

Sirius rolled his eyes and shook his head in disbelief. "Didn't I tell you last night that I was off to have a chat with James?" He crossed his arms and leaned against the doorpost. "We've cooked up an idea, an idea that Lily won't be able to resist."

"And what idea would this be?" Hermione questioned slowly. She couldn't help but feel a little bit suspicious. The last thing she needed was Sirius trying to tap into Lily's romantic side. Disaster surely awaited around that corner.

"You're just going to have to wait and find out. I will mention this though; we are going to need your help if we're going to pull this off."

"And what, pray tell, are you going to pull off—"

Sirius cleared his throat loudly, silencing her. "I will tell you everything as soon as you shower and get yourself into some decent clothes."

With a firm jaw Hermione turned in the direction of Gryffindor tower.

"Wait."

"What…"

"You have some eye-shadow on your chin. Just thought you should know."

The walk to Gryffindor Tower was actually quite embarrassing. Students would pause and stare at her with wide eyes as she clambered her way up the staircase, trying to keep her head turned away from them.

"Look at her wild mane, could it be any frizzier?"

Hermione whirled in the direction of a painting of eighteenth century ballet dancers who were hiding behind tall mirrors in the room their painting was depicting. The youthful girls were giggling and pointing at her without a trace of sincerity. With a growl Hermione stomped over to them, her wand hovering over them threateningly.

"Come again?"

The young dancers squirmed, obviously uncomfortable. "Erm," murmured the tallest one. "We were merely pointing out that your hair looks rather untidy today miss. We meant no offence." She pushed the other smaller girls in front of her and eyed Hermione's wand warily.

"Of course you didn't," Hermione spat dryly. She heard someone clear their throat and she saw for the first time a group of Third Year Ravenclaws at the top of the staircase. They were watching her with the up most curiosity. After all, it wasn't everyday one saw a mad looking exchange student about to assault a painting.

She slowly lowered her wand as she felt the blood rush to her cheeks. So much for trying to make it to Gryffindor Tower without bringing much attention to myself.

"You best be glad I have something better to be doing." Like taking a shower.

After that incident Hermione was able to make it into the common room without anymore disruptions, and with a feeling of soft dread began to make her way up the Girl's Staircase and towards her dorm room.

And that was where she found Lily in one of the worst states ever.

The poor ginger had not made it to the shower herself, but instead had taken to sitting on the window sill. Her cheeks were stained with tear streaks, and she looked the epitome of misery. She barely glanced up when Hermione entered the room.

Hermione couldn't help but pause at the sight of her. She couldn't recall ever seeing anyone so heartbroken.

"Lily…," she began, not really sure what to say.

"Don't," the other girl choked out, her voice cracked and raspy. She had definitely been up weeping. With a sigh Hermione made her way into the bathroom and for the first time that morning a sense of hopelessness began to set in on her.

James sucked in a deep breath, and then plunged on. "If you truly cared about me, then you wouldn't turn me in. Why would you ever turn in someone who you said you loved two days ago? If you turn me in then you're… then you're just being a selfish bi-bitch." His eyes were cold, and his voice was hard. Hermione understood he was desperate to get out of this situation, but she was appalled at him none the less.

Lily's eyes went rigid. "You are just plain filth James Potter. Everything that was ever between us you just threw out the window, so say your goodbyes because come Monday I am…"

She couldn't even finish. Her big green orbs spilling over with tears, she quickly turned and dashed up the steps. Adeline whirled around and ran after her, but all Hermione could do was stare at James.

His entire face was lacking any expression. He turned his back to Hermione and squatted down on the grass. She heard him groan in frustration, and a few moments later she heard him choke back a sob.

"How am I supposed to fix that? This is nearly impossible," Hermione muttered to herself as she whipped the fog off the mirror in order to see her reflection. The situation was doubtful. Only one day to prove to the both of them that they are perfect for each other. A difficult problem indeed.

After climbing into some regular clothes Hermione trudged out of the bathroom, still lost in her thoughts.

"There you are. You take ridiculously long showers. I hope you're aware of how long I've been waiting."

"Sirius?" Hermione shrieked, quickly whipping her dripping hair up into a ponytail. There was no reason why she should look like a drowned rat.

He raised an eyebrow. "That was impressive. Why couldn't you use that swiftness when you take showers? Anyway—"

"How did you get in here?"

He merely grinned. "A Marauder's secret. Now come on, I have something very important to show you. I really think it will work."

"What, pray tell, will work?"

"You shall see," he replied in a sing song voice as he led her down the girl's dormitory stairs and straight up the boy's.

"Scandal," Peter remarked as he passed them.

"Stuff it," Sirius remarked crisply as he shoved open the door to the Seventh Year Boy's Dormitory to reveal James, still in his dress suit from the night before, strumming on his guitar.

"Hermione," Sirius said, clearing his throat, "I reveal to you… dun dun dun… 'The Plan'"

Her mouth dropped for a moment as she realized the increasing romantic potential; a song especially written and sung just for Lily, her own little musician. And what girl couldn't resist a guy writing songs and singing them to her? No girl, that's what.

"Brilliant," Hermione said with a grin. "Let me hear it please."

James glanced up at them slowly, and with a sigh picked up his guitar pick and cleared his voice. "Be completely honest with it alright? This is… my last hope really."

Sirius elbowed her in the ribs and whispered, "It's one of the sappiest things I've ever heard, which is why it's just perfect for Lilykins."

Hermione elbowed him back sharply. "Be serious Sirius." After realizing what she had just said, she held up one solitary finger. "Not a word."

"She's in the library!" Adeline pointed quickly in the direction of the place where all of the Hogwarts books were kept, not that Hermione needed any type of direction.

"Thank you!" Hermione rushed past her, causing Adeline to drop all of the books that she was carrying. She glared down at the pile on the floor. "Stupid newcomer," she mumbled as she bent down to pick them up.

"No, no, I've got them."

Using only one arm Sirius piled up all the books and handed them back to Adeline, who seethed as she took them. "I don't need any of your assistance Mr. Black. I'm very capable of picking up my own books."

Sirius shrugged. "I know you are." With a shy smile that was most unlike him he offered her his arm. "I also know you're very capable of walking without any type of escort over to the Black Lake."

Adeline eyed his arm reproachfully. After a moment that seemed like an eternity she rolled her eyes and linked her arm with his. "As long as you acknowledge my capableness, I suppose I can allow you to escort me anywhere." As she glanced back up at him she found herself returning his shy smile.

"Lily, I need to speak with you!"

Lily's red hair poked out behind a bookshelf near the back of the library, alarmed that Hermione was causing such a racket. "Hermione, what on earth are you shouting—"

"There's no time for chit chat," Hermione panted as she clamped a hand over Lily's mouth. "You have to come outside. We must make haste!"

"Wha—"

But Hermione quickly shushed her and, grabbing her by the wrist, rushed her out of the library, out of the castle, and on towards the Black Lake.

They reached the edge of the shore, right by the great oak tree whose branches moved gracefully along with the wind. Lily pulled her wrist out of Hermione's grasp and looked about her surroundings suspiciously. "What's going on?" she questioned when she saw Sirius, Adeline, and Remus emerge from their left.

"Lily," Hermione began slowly, "this is something that you really need to hear. And this might be really hard, but you're just going to have to hear him out alright?"

"What are you saying?" Lily's voiced was clouded over with nervousness, and she crossed her arms in defense.

"She's saying that you really should listen to the song I'm about to play you." James slowly emerged from behind the great oak, his guitar clutched in his right hand.

Lily's eyes widened and she immediately took two involuntary steps back. "Hell no. I'm not going to let you trample all over me again." She quickly turned around and began to head back towards the castle.

"Please."

She paused. She lowered her head, as if in defeat. Everyone watched her for a moment to make sure she didn't run off, and when it was certain that she wasn't going to, James sat down against the tree and started to play.

The music was melodic and hard, the pace picking up quickly as James went straight into the first verse. "You make me sick because I adore you so," he sang out, concentrating on the back of Lily's head. "I love all the dirty tricks and twisted games you play on me." Lily stiffened before whirling around, her eyes filled with intensity.

"Space dementia in your eyes; peace will arise and tear us apart and make us meaningless again," James continued to sing. The song slowed down into notes of softness before picking back up again with more passion then before.

"You'll make us want to die." Lily's eyes turned quickly to Sirius and Hermione, who both shrugged quickly. Lily turned back again to James and everyone took a sharp intake of breath as the two of them locked their gazes. "I'd cut your name in my heart. We'll destroy this world for you."

He paused for a moment before softly singing the last line. "I know you want me to feel your pain." His voice cracked on the last word as the emotion he was feeling seemed to overwhelm him. He continued to play his music, but the song slowed in tempo as it came to its end. Lily had tears strolling down her face as she watched him.

"I love you Lily," he said firmly as he stopped playing. "Always have, always will, no matter what." He turned his face away quickly so she wouldn't see his own tears. Lily nodded slowly before sucking in a shaky breath. "I love you too. I guess you understand me better then I thought you did."

He beamed up at her and she beamed down at him.

And then the large crowd that had gathered around them started to clap.

"Alright, alright party is over people! Go back to whatever you were doing in your pathetic lives before you decided to watch the lover's drama in someone else's! Go on with you now!" Sirius and Remus both rushed into the crowd, shooing away the nosy students and causing the curious First Years to scatter.

Lily sat down against the tree next to James and leaned her head on his shoulder as Hermione turned towards the sunset and smiled to herself. She had finished what she had come here to do. She had proven herself to be the matchmaker, just like Dumbledore said she would.

A/N: Song James sings is 'Space Dementia' by Muse. Great band.