A/N: Hello guys! Yes, I am back! I've been on such a writing kick lately! Do you guys remember me mentioning the chapter lenght average being 2000 words? Well, I have been writing over 3000 words on every chapter for the last couple of months so that is pretty cool, right? This chapter is over 3600 words, so I'd say that's pretty cool eh?

Also, my next chapter is already written, I just need to send it to my beta, so it shouldn't take too much time! Maybe one or two weeks?

Now, answering your guys' reviews:

oracle987: To be honest, I really don't know what to say! Your review made me happy for days, it was that good! And I also do have a habit of rambling in my own reviews and such, so I really do get what you were saying! Thank you! Thank you for reading and for thinking that about this story! I try to tell things in a very honest way, but sometimes it is difficult because I obviously have not experienced a bunch of things they have, but I am really glad you have been enjoying this so far!

Lispetrichor: Your english is perfectly fine! Thank you so much for your review!

Eliza (Guest): I'm not sure I have replied to your review yet, but in case I haven't, thank you!

j-jip: Helloooooooooo! Thank you for your kind words! Your reviews always make me so happy! And this one especially helped me A TON plan out the next chapter, so kudos for that!

Disclaimer: I'm not the lovely author and creator of the Harry Potter world, so none of the characters belong to me. Of course, you already knew that.


I was astonished. The walk back to my bedroom was a difficult and quiet one. Did that really just happen? Of course, I wouldn't read too much into it. James and I were friends, really. He was just my more than handsome guy fr- no, Lily! Bad Lily. You will not indulge in such thoughts.

As soon as I reached my room, I couldn't even be bothered to take off my clothes; I needed to talk to someone, immediately. Alice and Marlene just wouldn't do. I needed to speak to someone from outside. Someone who didn't know about our story. Of course, everyone in our bloody school knew about me and Potter. James. Whatever, I should just stop overreacting, because really, that's what I was doing. It was completely mental, and I needed to calm down, I had to.

But wouldn't you overreact too? Probably not, I mean, nothing happened, it was absolutely not important, but I was a worrier! Yeah, that's why I was thinking so much about it. But there was no other reason whatsoever. Really!

Anyway. I decided that a shower was in order. The water always helped me clear my thoughts. I loved showers. Hair a little greasy? Shower. Thoughts a little messy? Shower. Need to escape reality? Shower.

Who invented showers anyway? Merlin, I was rambling, and it was not healthy.

The hot water scalded my skin, making it a bright pink colour. Why did I have to be so pale? Damn you, red head genes. I couldn't even tan without getting sun burnt or freckled!

I decided to turn the water temperature to a cold setting. My shampoo had a lovely apple scent and the neutral shower gel always left me feeling incredibly clean. I wrapped my body with a lavender towel, and my hair with another one. I put on my pyjamas and tried to sleep.

I wish I could say I brushed it off easily and actually managed to rest, but that just wasn't me. For hours I tossed and turned in my bed, in no position worthy of sleep. I could almost hear Tuney calling me a freak. I really was one. Not in the way she meant it though.

Nevertheless, the whole incident kept replaying in my head. The way James' Adam's apple bobbed in his throat, the way he nearly tripped over himself talking, but especially the intensity with which he looked at me. I've said this plenty of times already, but that's not the way he looks at things every day. It makes you feel… special.

Concluding that I wouldn't manage to sleep, even if I tried my hardest, I settled for getting up and sitting in the window sill, staring at the moon; it was nearly full.

But honestly, you couldn't blame me for thinking about it. It was only just a couple of hours ago! Not that I was counting, because I absolutely wasn't. Besides, nothing had happened. Hell, I didn't even want anything to happen, so it was okay, really. It just took me by surprise, that's all. That madness ended now.

I watched the sun rise, and took my time getting ready for classes. It was going to be a long day.


One week had already passed – time was flying by this term! – and so far, I hadn't been able to remove The Incident, as I now liked to call it, from my head. It just wouldn't go away! Merlin, I was doomed. It didn't even make any sense! James was obviously my friend, and I didn't even want a boyfriend. I suspected it was only because it had been a particularly beautiful nig- whatever.

Anyway, in just ten short days, we –the other seventh years and I – had managed to form a group of fifteen people willing to learn how to defend themselves.

We assembled one Friday afternoon in the Room of Requirement, and discussed the idea, brainstorming. After that, we created a magical bond – Remus helped me with that – that would make sure no information would get to the wrong ears, namely the Death Eater wannabes. To outside forces, these meetings should be perceived as study groups, nothing else.

Besides we, the Gryffindor Seventh Years, – the Marauders, Marlene, Alice, Dorcas, Frank and myself –also managed to get some other prefects to join us, such as Mary McDonald, Hanna Baker, Adam Groven, Rebecca Hollis, Bart Lee, my friend Sharon and even the Quidditch Commentator, Hestia Jones.

So far, things had been going by smoothly. James and I had assigned everybody tasks in true Head Student fashion, if I do say so myself, which mostly consisted of research work, at least for now.

We kept wondering whether we should talk to Dumbledore about this, but we settled on keeping quiet, at least for the time being.


It was a chilly November day. Snow already coated the grounds, for there was only one month until Christmas. I needed to start figuring out the presents and gifts I was going to give everyone. James hadn't acknowledged The Incident at all. And I suppose that was the right thing to do because, really, it didn't mean anything.

As Head Students, James and I were currently designing patrol schedules. For some reason, Professor Dumbledore had requested every month to have a different Schedule. Something about people not conforming? I hadn't the foggiest; the man was brilliant, but completely off his rocker.

"Lily," James called exasperated. "You're doing it again." He ran his hand through his hair. I wished he'd stop. Not that it influenced my well-being, it absolutely did not. It was rather distracting though.

"Sorry."

"Is everything alright? You've been distant this week," he asked, concerned. Or maybe just annoyed. Probably the latter, I figured.

"Oh, no, it's fine. Let's just get to work, okay?" I pleaded. He nodded, and silence filled the room.

After half an hour of noiseless work, or pretend-work on my part, James spoke up again.

"Let's go to the kitchens." Too distracted to think clearly, I silently agreed.


The hours were already stretching thin, and it was getting quite late – well, it was still six in the afternoon, but it really was dark, perhaps because of all the snow.

The light in the corridors was dim, but most of the student body was in the Great Hall, dining. Why James wanted to have supper in the kitchens was beyond me, but I was grateful for the lack of annoying chatter.

We walked in silence. At least, that's what it seemed like. I hadn't said a complete sentence in days, at least not to him. Which really did not make any sense whatsoever. So I decided to take action, and tried to actually start a conversation.

"Christmas is just around the corner." My voice was hoarse from all the talking I had not been doing. "What do you reckon I should give Sirius?"

"Throw him a dog bone, he'll be happy to fetch it for you." I saw the corners of his mouth twitching.

"He really does seem to have a thing for mutts, doesn't he? I mean, the other day I called him a dog and he nearly spilled his drink." By then, James had stopped dead in his tracks, and was laughing like a mad man.

"You're all raving lunatics," I told him, shaking my head in disbelief. It felt good talking to James again, making him laugh.

"Oh Lily, so sweet and innocent," he grinned at me. Clearly, I was missing something, the bigger picture. I huffed out of frustration; I hated being held out of the loop of things.

"How about you let me in on the secret James?" I batted my eyelashes at him in what I hoped was a flirty manner, and when that failed, I gave him my best impression of puppy eyes.

I guessed he noticed how I was just kidding, for he simply responded, "Oh I would, but then I'd have to kill you, love." He winked.

He did not just call me that! James, why must you mess with a girl's mind? Do you enjoy my suffering? Do you? I was overreacting again. Pathetic Lily, truly pathetic. Of course he was just being friendly, there was no reason whatsoever for me to take this so seriously.

Merlin, if I were to take everything this boy said seriously, I'd think he and Sirius were shagging. Oh, the mental images. So obviously, it didn't mean anything, anything at all.

And the fact that he'd nearly kiss-no, Lily! Nothing happened, stop worrying! God, I was completely mad. Just because a bloke tells you some nice things, oh, and they were lovely to hear, it doesn't mean you should start overanalyzing everything said bloke does or says. Because that's not what calm, collected, sane people do, and I was Head Girl, for Merlin's sake! I simply needed to get my emotions in check, not that any emotions were involved, because there weren't.

"Lily?" James asked. When I failed to answer, he continued. "And you talk about me." James laughed, shaking his head in disbelief, looking at me like I had grown another head.

"What did you say?"

"You're completely mental, Evans, has anyone ever told you that?"

And here I was, worrying about a stupid pet name. What a freak. It was obvious James was simply my very snog- no. We were only mates.

"Never mind." I told him. "God, I am tired." He burst out laughing again.

"Come on Potter, get a grip." I pretended to scold him.

"Yes, ma'am."

We walked for a couple more minutes, and soon we reached the kitchens. I had an omelette – Merlin, those House Elves can cook! – and James ate some fried chicken. Then, he proceeded to inhale unhealthy amounts of pudding, the lazy arse.

"You're worse than Vernon!" I told him. It wasn't true, he could never be worse than Vernon Dursley. I don't think there is such a person.

"Did you just call me vermin?" I burst out laughing.

"Not vermin, you dolt," I tried saying between snorts. "Vernon!"

"Who's that, and who the heck chose his name?"

"My sister's fiancée. Really charming bloke, really, though rather on the fatter side." James' eyes were wide in fear.

"Tell me more about this charming bloke, Evans," he asked, and I was happy to oblige.

"No, you were right about 'Vermin', he really does look like a slug, actually. And Merlin, is he boring. I'd take Binns's lectures any day over him. And the moustache, James! Oh, the moustache!" We laughed like maniacs; my eyes were already filled with tears.

James threw his arm around my shoulders. "Oh, my sweet dear Lily! The things you have to endure!"

He was laughing, I was laughing, and his arm was still on my shoulder. I was not going to overthink nor was I going to overanalyze this. Speaking the truth, it felt comfortable, and I was not going to muck it up. It felt good, being able to enjoy James' company without having to worry about anything else.


What was I thinking?! Why did he get so touchy? I really was pathetic. It was nine p.m. on a bloody Saturday and I was stuck in bed, fretting over things that were way beyond my control.

I didn't get like this when Sirius or Remus did the same. Well, neither of them have nearly snog- okay, we didn't even kiss. Not that that I wanted to, because I absolutely did not! What was I even fretting over?! No-thing happened!

Merlin, two mental breakdowns in less than twelve hours? I hoped St. Mungo's already had a ward specially reserved for me, because I was obviously off my rocker. Ridiculous. Go to sleep, Lily.


Our faces were ridiculously close to one another. I looked at his bespectacled hazel eyes, and took one step forward. The amount of tension between us was unbelievable; I ached to touch him. This time, James Potter didn't tell me to go, this time he kissed me. His lips were soft and he tasted like chocolate and oh my God, what was that sound?

I woke with a start.

Stupid bloody moronic dreams; it was like Divination all over again. Who even cared about rubbish like this? Not me, because nothing had happened. And it didn't even mean anything, so I would not think about it, really.

It was starting to be a bit frustrating, really. Honestly, you ought to get this out of your head. So bloody ridiculous. I could have been dreaming about the love of my life, my significant other, but instead I was stuck with that prat. A very attractive prat, yes, but- stop, Lily. Merlin you are insane.

It was nearly eleven a.m. as I walked into the Great Hall and instantly secured my spot on the Gryffindor table. Alice and Peter were already there, and I said my hello's cheerfully enough.

"What's gotten you in such a good mood?" Peter asked me, his mouth full of eggs and bacon.

"Any sweet dreams lately?" Alice teased me. She was wearing her trademark sweet smile, but I, of course, knew better.

"Oh, not at all." I flashed her a dashing grin. "In fact, I was just glad you were sitting here with us. You're always off with that boyfriend of yours nowadays." Ah-ha, take that, Fortescue!

Alice blushed profusely at my comment. "Jeez, woman, calm down - I was just messing with you." I laughed.

"Fortescue. Evans. Wormy." Sirius Black greeted us all with his usual smirk.

"Decided to leave the robes upstairs, did you Black?" I teased him. Not only was he not wearing his school uniform, he was strutting around the castle in his pyjamas.

"You see, these show off my curves so much better," he deadpanned. The table erupted in laughter.

"Really, though, why are you dressed like that, Sirius?" Alice asked him.

"Marauder punishment, my love. That's what happens when you get detentions on certain days of the week." He took a sip of his pumpkin juice. "Or do you not remember the Purple Hair Incident from last year?" Peter cracked up at Sirius' words.

"Oh I do." She was also laughing. "James looked quite dashing if I do say so myself."

"Where is he by the way?" I asked. "And Remus. Let's not forget about Remus; that would be counterproductive." I rambled. They all looked at me like I had lost it, which let's face it, was not very far from the truth.

"Hell if I know, you're the one who shares the dorm with him," he snapped at me.

"Oh, right. And Remus?"

"Eat your waffles, Evans." Sirius was smiling; he'd obviously caught on my stupid attempt to distract them from my actual question: Where the bloody hell was James Potter?

Not that I cared, because I didn't.

Well, maybe I did, but only because I knew James was an early riser and it wasn't like him to skip breakfast. I was his mate and I was worried, that's all. Really.

Today was a Sunday, so we didn't have any classes. I was quite disappointed by the fact actually; since my mind wouldn't be very busy, then it'd have no trouble finding something to mull over. And I was done over thinking things.

"Are you busy?" I asked Sirius. He lifted his eyebrow at me.

"It's a bloody Sunday, Evans. What in the world would I be busy with?"

I stood up and grabbed his hand, taking him with me as I stepped away from the Great Hall, leaving Alice and Peter alone once more.

"What in the – " Sirius attempted to say.

We stepped through the doors and walked outside. Oh, the fresh air did wonders to my mood. I sighed, content. I then proceeded to sit under the Beech tree and waited for Sirius to do the same.

"What's wrong?" Sirius asked me.

"Nothing." I said, not meeting his eye.

"Yeah, right." He snorted. "You can talk to me, you know that, don't you Lily?" Sirius was suddenly very sullen.

"Of course I know that." I smiled at him. "I just wanted some peace and quiet, that's all."

"Do you remember the summer after Fifth Year? Merlin, I spent my days trying to understand you. And I'm not sure if I managed to do that one hundred percent," Sirius said to me.

"Oh, you get me just fine," I told Sirius. Which was true; for all his faults, Sirius Black had helped me at a time when I felt most lonely.

"So tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing's wrong, I'm just worried."

"About what?"

"About James."

Hearing the name of his best mate, Sirius lifted his head and looked me in the eye.

"What about James?" he said wearily.

"He's been acting strange, don't you think?" I said. I couldn't believe I was actually going to discuss the matter. But I figured, if I didn't have it in me to trust Sirius Black, I didn't have it in me to trust anyone. Anyway, I could distort the facts a little bit.

"Is he?"

"What, you haven't noticed? He's always sulking in his dorm. But I never talk to him about it, because when I'm with him, it's like he's alright, even though I know he isn't. But he won't tell me anything," I admitted. That was actually part of the problem. It irritated me that he hadn't touched the subject of our little Incident, but he was distant, just like he had been at the beginning of Fourth Year, before you-know-what happened. I wouldn't manage if it happened again.

"Oh, that." So it was an actual problem, not some weird creation of my own. "I think Prongs just needs a little time alone, that's all. I wouldn't worry too much," Sirius tried to assure me. I was just concerned. I feared that our Incident had driven him away. But that wouldn't make any sense; he hadn't even acknowledged anything yet, because nothing had happened!

"It's like he's slipping away again. I don't want to wake up with another note on my pillow," I confessed.

"That was probably the stupidest thing he's ever done. Trust me, it's not going to happen again." And I trusted Sirius Black, so that was that.


A/N: Did you like it? Do you like my Lily/Sirius friendship? I'm gonna dive into how they got to be really good friends in a couple of chapters, so be on the lookout for that!

What do you enjoy reading about? What don't you enjoy reading about? Do you want to know more about a certain character, or a certain situation? I have made a cheat sheet, in case you haven't read that yet, be sure to ask for the link!

But really guys, your reviews really do help me a lot, and I love getting feedback from you!

Also, I think I've read all the good Jily fics there are, but in case I haven't, would you mind recommend me your favorites?

Thank you! I'll be back soon with a brand new chapter!

SPOILERSPOILERSPOILER

THE TITLE FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER IS... "OF AMORTENTIA, CARRIE VILHS AND ANIMAGUS"

Reviews are what makes happy Jily and the Marauders+Harry.

Love,

Adriana