Two hours passed since the Marauders started playing. Two hours, and James still couldn't believe it. The Hog's Head was, quite literally, packed to capacity. News did spread quickly through the Hogwarts student body, didn't it? James had to admit, he was definitely pleased to be playing for a real crowd. Feeding off the audience's energy was doing wonders for his confidence.

Currently, however, Sirius was finishing his debut performance of "Sirius Black and I Know It." And it was … interesting. He'd enchanted the drums to play so he could jump around and sing. It was all James could hear. In the past three minutes, he'd considered giving up playing his guitar part. He doubted anyone could hear it. All the same, James couldn't help but smile seeing his best friend just let go. The cheering when he finished was deafening. Strange a song as it was, they would definitely be doing it again if the reaction was that intense.

James lightheartedly shooed Sirius back to his drums and addressed the crowd.

"If any of you didn't know Sirius Black, you certainly do now!" he said. The teenagers merely applauded.

"We've got one last song for you." There was a chorus of "no!" and "aww!" mixed with disappointed faces. James continued, "Listen you lot, don't get sappy on us now. It's only a week until we do it all again! Without further ado, Peter Pettigrew."

Peter made his way slowly to the front of the stage. James threw his arm around Peter's shoulders and said, quietly, "It'll be great. Just remember, you're a Marauder! They love you." Peter nodded.

Sirius counted it off and they started to play. It was soft and slow and James was truly impressed. He noted that a rather large group of girls, from all four houses, were pushing their way to the front. James' eyes flitted from the girls to Peter and back again. He could see Peter was visibly nervous, but powered through. James continued playing guitar, turning his attention to the girls who placed themselves in front of him.

As pleasant his current situation was, James couldn't help but be disappointed when he scanned the crowd and Lily wasn't there. He hadn't really expected her to come. They were not exactly on friendly terms. To be precise, less friendly terms than usual. He couldn't help but finish the song in a foul mood, the lack of her presence reminding James of everything that transpired.

The impossibly loud cheering returned when the Marauders finished Peter's song. The four of them took a bow and hopped off the stage, eager to meet their new fans. Sirius and James were prepared to welcome the adoration with open arms, but none came. Most of the boys were scrambling to ask Peter for advice in romance with their significant others while the girls were practically swooning. Peter was positively blushing at all the attention, trying his best to keep it under control.

"This is quite a puzzle, Padfoot."

"I should say so. What am I supposed to do without and adoring fans?"

"Am I really hearing this right now?" Remus interjected. "You two get all the attention all the time and you're jealous of Peter?"

Sirius ignored him, instead yelling, "OI I SNOGGED HER IN THE SECOND FLOOR CORRIDOR BROOM CUPBOARD LAST MONTH." Luckily, to save quite a few people an embarrassing moment, everyone was too wrapped up in complimenting Peter to notice.

"Sirius, they're obviously attracted to his sensitive nature and a boyish charm you lack," Remus reasoned.

"I resent that! I'm boyish! I have a soul!"

"So do I! What are you trying to say, Moony? We need to be more like Wormtail to find love?!" James added.

Remus sighed. "Gentlemen, relax and think about it. James, you are head over heels for Lily so shut it. And Sirius, you've been having not-so-secret dates with that Ravenclaw prefect for a few weeks now."

"That doesn't mean we don't need love now, Remus!" Sirius argued, feigning frustration.

"What, am I not enough for you two? Are you that insatiable?! I try my best but you're never happy!" Remus chastised, faking tears.

They stared at each other for a moment and then broke into laughter. In truth, Peter didn't get enough attention. Sometimes, to those outside the Marauders, it was like he wasn't even there.

"He does look a bit uncomfortable though, doesn't he?" asked Sirius. "Better go help him out." James looked in Peter's direction as Sirius made his way over. He did look a bit out of sorts. James' smile faded as their laughter subsided.

"Why so glum, Prongs?" asked Remus

"Hmm?" James responded distractedly. "Oh, nothing."

"It's not nothing. Look in the back corner," Remus told him, nudging James' shoulder.

James sighed, but looked anyway in hopes it would get Remus off his back. When he saw what, or rather who, was occupying that corner, James' eyes nearly popped out of his skull. Lily spotted him staring and nodded. James kept staring, mouth agape.

Remus nudged him again and said, "Stop being a prat and go talk to her."

James nodded and strolled to the table at which Lily was seated. He was trying desperately to be cool and collected, not frantic and surprised like his mind. If he was erratic she would leave, so pretending to relax was his best bet. He really wished his heart wasn't beating so fast, surely she could hear it.

"Alright, Evans?" he asked, sitting opposite her.

"Better than last time we talked."

"Strange set-up for a date, Evans. Usually you tell the other person."

"Do you understand the concept of 'no' or is it just not in your vocabulary?" she shot back.

"Not where you're concerned. Because you will go out with me one day, Evans, you can bet on that."

She rolled her eyes. "Your determination would be admirable were it not completely unwanted."

"If you don't want my attention, why are you here?"

"I only came to apologize for the way I spoke to you."

"You don't need to."

"But I am. So there."

"Unnecessary apology accepted."

Lily looked at him expectantly which confused James.

"Is there something else, Evans?"

"Well what about you?!"

"Me?"

"Yes, you! For all the stuff about respect you didn't exactly take a kind tone!"

"You want me to take back what I said?"

"No, I want you to apologize for how you said it."

"Is this you admitting I was right?"

She made a move to leave. "Look, Potter, I didn't come here to get harassed with questions …"

"Alright, alright. Maybe I could have been kinder. Lily Evans, I, James Potter, apologize for the way I spoke to you. It was rude."

"Thank you, it's all I wanted. I'll be leaving now."

"Are we okay, then?"

"We're as okay as the two of us can get. I don't like you, you constantly ask me out and pick on my friends, etcetera."

"Why does it always come to that with you?"

"Because you act like you own the school and can do whatever you want. Your bullying only fuels your ego. Did you and your friends really need to hex those first years for no reason?"

"It was funny!"

"It was not! And, if anything, this band you've put together has only made your arrogance worse. Stick to your pranks and music if you really want to, Potter, but stop chasing me because I'm not interested." She really did walk away that time, leaving James with more of a challenge than anything else.

"I'll never give up on you, Evans. Just remember that!"

James thought he saw the corners of Lily's mouth turn up ever so slightly when she turned to glare at him. He meant it, of course. James Potter would never stop courting Lily Evans. Over Christmas, James decided, he would show her just how much effort he could put in to his favorite activity.