Hi Readers! Please enjoy the chapter, thank you very much for reviews, they are very much apperciated.


There was a distinct air of animosity between James and Remus over the fortnight following Slughorn's party. They hadn't said more than three consecutive words to each other since their fight and only spoke to each other when absolutely necessary.

This made things horribly awkward. We hadn't practiced our animagi transformations at all. Quidditch was the worst. Remus had attended the Keeper trials without telling us and had gotten the position. The Marauders made up almost the entire Gryffindor team!

James had been proclaimed captain this year, he was the star chaser. Seventh year Josh Barley and Third year Nicola Barlow were the other two chasers. Sirius and Frank Longbottom were beaters; a deadly duo that had sent many a Slytherin to Madame Pomfrey. Remus replaced Tessa Helt as Keeper, she had just graduated from Hogwarts. I was Seeker on my trusted Nimbus.

We won our first match of the season against Ravenclaw. It had been a long winded and boring game that went on for almost seven hours before I finally beat Chang and spotted the bloody Snitch. The score was 380 to 540.

Hogwarts was growing suspicious; the Marauders had gone a record three weeks without some sort of a prank being pulled! Everyone was guarding their food and beverages with reverence and double checking their shampoo before use. Apparently they believed that it was only a matter of time before there was a prank.

On the morning of the Hogsmeade trip, the ice finally cracked. We were well wrapped up for the bitter Autumns day and were in the Great Hall when Remus finally couldn't take it anymore.

"James, I'm sorry!" He half-yelled, frustration and weariness evident in his voice, "I shouldn't have kissed Lily. I honestly didn't mean to! I've told Lily that it was a mistake and I swear on my life that it won't happen ever again!"

The Great Hall held its breath, waiting for the Quidditch star to reply. He ran a hand through his messy raven hair before replying.

"It's okay mate, look let's forget about it and enjoy Zonko's." He smiled before pouncing on the werewolf and playfully tackling him to the ground. They landed in a laughing pile of limbs. Even Professor McGonagall cracked a rare smile.

I hugged James.

"It's about bloody time you two began talking again!" I scolded playfully, giving Remus a hug once he clambered to his feet.

"Come on, or we'll be late for Hogsmeade!" Sirius ushered.

"Merlin's balls, I forgot! I was supposed to meet Liam outside his common room five minutes ago! See you guys later and don't get into too much trouble!" I exclaimed, galloping out of the Great Hall like a rampaging hippogriff.

Luckily, Liam was very patient and was still waiting for me when I got there.

"Liam, I'm so sorry that I'm late. James and Remus chose the worst possible moment to reconcile!" I puffed.

He smiled and kissed me briefly on the lips.

"It's ok, you're here now and that's what matters. Come on, let's go." He replied, although he seems insincere when he said it.

"You're not angry with me, are you?" I asked a little desperately. "Honestly, it's my fault, I lost track of time."

"Look, like I said, let's go before the whole bloody day is wasted."

For the first time, as we walked to the wizarding town, things between us were awkward. It only got worse. There was an awkward silence, broken only by our lame attempts at small talk.

I barely prevented myself from groaning out loud when he led me to Madame Puddifoot's.

"Are we going to Madame Puddifoot's?" I squeaked.

"Yup", he answered, oblivious to my discomfort.

Inside was worse. EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING was pink and covered in hearts. The little round tables were packed together so closely that you could practically smell the breath of the people at the tables beside you. I was instantly claustrophobic.

The worst thing was that everyone was so bloody lovey dovey and could not keep their hands off each other. Everyone was openly snogging across their frilly pink tablecloths. I desperately hoped that he wouldn't want me to do that I couldn't help but think as I eyed the couple beside us who resembled one big octopus with disgust.

Madame Puddifoot was a very small, plump lady with bleached blonde hair pulled back into a bun. She wore a long rose pink dress under a red apron. Her voice was sickeningly sweet and for some reason she was intent on tossing confetti over all of the love sick couples.

"Oooh, don't you two make such a handsome couple!" She cooed at us.

I merely scowled at her. Unfortunately she didn't notice.

"Two hot chocolates and a slice of that chocolate fudge cake please", Liam ordered, seeing as I wasn't planning on speaking to the woman. One slice of cake? Oh Merlin, I'd have to share. Everyone who knows me knows that I don't like sharing. Especially food.

"Certainly my dears", she sang.

"I need a butterbeer", I sighed.

"What was that?" Liam asked.

"Nothing. How was your Defence Against the Dark Arts test yesterday?" I had asked the question twice already.

"Not bad, I just ran out of time before I could finish describing why a manticore is so dangerous to fire crabs." He replied, again.

I just wished that the couple beside us would just stop freaking snogging! It was making me uncomfortable.

"Liam, I feel sick, I need air", I said, only half-lying.

"Merlin, you've gone as white as Nearly-headless Nick. Come on outside." He gasped, supporting me as I leaned on him.

I gulped the fresh air outside like it was going out of fashion and gradually my pulse went back to normal.

"Can we get a butterbeer?" I pleaded.

"You shouldn't drink alcohol after feeling unwell. We can get that hot chocolate if you want."

"No no, that's ok. I think I was allergic to the tablecloth. Can we go to Zonko's? Please?" I begged.

"I shouldn't really encourage you to prank." He said, his inner prefect voicing its opinion.

I leaned in and gave him a kiss on the lips, shoving my chest out and fluttering my eyelashes.

"Please?"

"Fine", he groaned.

"Yes! Race you, last one there is a flobberworm!"

I took off sprinting, laughing all the way at his flabbergasted expression. Please, he looked surprised. Everyone knows that with Marauders, you have to be prepared for anything.