Lunch time was spent enduring Sirius' long and boring descriptions of how they'd never lost a game against Slytherins.

Okay, I'm not being completely fair. I was actually glad that he started rambling about Quidditch, no matter how much I hated the sport. That way, I didn't have to talk at all. And much less talk with James.

We had kissed. I mean, if what we had done could be considered a kiss.

And even worst, I had felt something during the ruddy kiss. Something I shouldn't be feeling in any kind of way for James Potter. He was my sister's future boyfriend after all!

But he kissed me, I remembered. He wouldn't still date Petunia if he kissed me, would he?

But I didn't know him enough to know about that. And what Anna and Alice had said to me not too long ago kept repeating in my mind. They had been completely against me liking James. They'd surely have some reason for it!

"-think, Lily?" I heard someone saying. Turning my unfocused gaze to where the voice came, I found Sirius grinning at me with an amused expression

"I… I agree." I said lamely, for I hadn't listened to one single think he had said.

"You do?" he asked me "Great! Then you can borrow my broomstick!"

Broomstick? I thought, I didn't hear anything about a broomstick!

My eyes widened as I stared at Sirius. After some time, Sirius, Remus, Peter, Charlotte, Alice and Anna (who had joined us in the meanwhile) started laughing.

"You completely spaced out Lils." Alice said.

I let a smile appear on my face. "I did, didn't?" I asked, more to myself, but they all smiled. "Sorry," I said to Sirius "You were saying?"

He laughed again "I was talking about Quidditch. What were you thinking about anyway? You seemed awfully worried."

My eyes averted to James and I found him staring back at me, his eyes impossible to decipher. "I was just thinking about… the Quidditch game!" I lied.

Sirius believed me and laughed as he said "She's getting in the spirit!" and everyone else laughed as well.

James smiled a little and shook his head, mouthing "Liar!" to me.

I smiled as well and gestured with my head to the door. I needed to speak with him and I was sure after the game it'd impossible- especially if Gryffindor won.

He nodded and stood up. "Guys, I need to go back to the Tower, I forgot something there."

"I'll go with you!" Sirius offered, motioning to stand up

"No need for that," James said, never letting his façade down "I'll meet you at the pitch."

Sirius eyed him curiously but didn't say anything, merely nodding.

"I'll go with you," I said, trying to make it appear sudden "I need to go get my Gryffindor scarf if I'm watching the game." I smiled "See you later girls, I'll go down with James after, alright?" I asked.

Anna locked eyes with me and nodded her head; but I knew she knew something was happening. Alice smiled happily "Okay Lils," she said "See you down there."

I followed James as he made his way out of the Great Hall. Then, I kept following as we walked through the entrance hall and out to the grounds.

I followed him all the way to the pitch "I haven't got my scarf," I remembered him, when we were almost arriving to the pitch "I need to go get it."

He smiled and shrugged as he took his out and handed it to me "Keep it." he said.

I was about to decline, but he turned front and kept walking. Finally, we stopped in front of the locker rooms and he turned to face me, looking anywhere but me.

"Listen…" he started, but he didn't seem to know exactly what to say. I kept looking at him waiting for him to say something. The kiss… it must have meant something for him too, right? I thought doubtfully, starting to get lost in thought.

"…Shit, I have no idea of what to say!" he said at last, making me focus my eyes on him again. He seemed terribly awkward.

"Neither have I," I lied. I was lying far too much for my liking. "What happened… shouldn't have"

He nodded and cast his eyes downwards. "You're right," he said "Maybe we should… forget about it?" his words, although he didn't mean it, came out as a question.

I felt as if someone had grabbed a knife and pushed it through my heart. I hated the damn feeling that I, unfortunately, knew all too well.

I gave him a fake smile and tried to pass as bright "Of… course." I said, gulping "That… that was exactly what I was going to say."

He smiled as well. "But we're okay, aren't we?" he asked, or better, pleaded.

"Sure!" I said "You better go now, big game and all!" I punched his arm playfully, but it all felt so awkward now that I knew how it felt to kiss him.

He nodded "Yeah," He said "You'll watch, right?"

"I said I would, didn't I? Besides, I'm already at the pitch!"

He smiled a little. "See you later James." I said finally as I started making my way to the stands, which by the time were still empty.

"Lily!" I heard him call me back, and I turned to face him.

"Yes?"

He smirked "Just so you know, you have the hottest bum I ever felt!"

My jaw felt in outrage as I clenched my wand, only to drop it back. Instead, I walked to where he was grinning like a madman, slapped him and said "If you hadn't a bloody game to win for my house, you'd be so incredibly dead!" I whispered dangerously.

He massaged his cheek where I'd slapped him but not for long. Before I had time to think, he had grabbed my hand and pulled me closer. "Language, Evans," he said, smirking. Then, he leaned down and gave me a chaste kiss on the lips, letting me go immediately after. "A friend's kiss," he whispered, before he turned his back on me "For good luck!" I heard him screaming as he run to the locker rooms.

Again, as I felt the touch of his lips on mine, my body reacted and I had to hold myself to the locker room's door so as not to fall dead to the floor as soon as he let me go.

I took my hand to my lips and grinned:

James Potter had kissed me.

For the third time.

In one day.

If that wasn't heaven, I don't know what would be!

(…)

"Go, Go Gryffindor!" I cheered along Alice and Charlotte after the game as we descended the stands. Anna played Keeper, so she wasn't with us and Remus and Peter had gone down long ago.

The game, like Sirius had predicted, was won by Gryffindor. Even I, that wasn't much of a fan of Quidditch, cheered along with not only other Gryffindors but Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs as well. It seemed the Slytherin house wasn't that well seen.

"My brother rocked the pitch!" Charlotte said. "Didn't he?" she asked me and Alice.

We nodded "He sure did, kid!" Alice said.

We smiled and decided getting to any players of the Quidditch team would be simply impossible at the moment. Instead, we set off in the direction of the common room, where surely a party would be hold.

Once there, we saw the common room was completely full. The only space where we could still sit was the couch everyone knew the Marauders sat on and no one dared to take.

We, of course, took it. Ah, the joys of being friends with the Marauders, I thought as I grinned.

"Where did all these drinks come from?" I asked Alice curiously.

She shrugged "They're the Marauders. Who knows??"

I laughed "Can we sit?" someone asked. I looked up to see Fiona and Meagan there.

"Sure!" Alice said "I don't think they'll mind, do you Lily?"

"No, I don't think so." I said, giving them space to sit. Meagan sat next to me while Fiona sat next to Alice and Charlotte.

"Well, if you want to know, I think they won't like you to be sitting here," Charlotte, who completely disliked Fiona, told her "But you can stay Meg."

Meagan smiled at her "Thanks."

Fiona just narrowed her eyes "I guess I'll wait and see."

Charlotte just tore her gaze away from her.

"Ladies!" the loud voice announced Sirius Black had arrived. Behind him came James, Remus and Peter. And behind them came the entire Gryffindor female population it seemed. I stifled my laugh as one of them turned Sirius around and kissed him, making Fiona redden with anger.

"Where's Anna?" Alice asked

"She's with Patil outside." Remus answered her.

Alice nodded. "So," James asked, as they sat everywhere there was place to "What did you think of the game?"

I narrowed my eyes "Let's just say I'm glad I didn't hex your head off," He grinned "But don't you think I won't do it sooner or later."

He only grinned more, making me smile as well. "You're unbearable, James Potter!"

"I know."

"I taught him all that he knows!" Sirius said, as he aided himself of some more of whatever was in his glass. It sure wasn't water…

Everyone started laughing and enjoying the fact that, once again, Gryffindor had beaten Slytherin. I looked at them all and, when I looked at James, I found him staring back at me. We smiled at each other and soon entered the conversation again.

(…)

The Gryffindor party that day only ended up when the Head Girl, Karla Tomasso, who was also a Gryffindor, sent us all to bed.

The next day, a Sunday, neither of us did much. We (and by we I mean the Marauders, me and Alice…Anna was with Shaun- as always- and Charlotte with her friends) hung out all day on the grounds, speaking about everything which came to our heads. I hadn't had such a great fun in some time.

James and I never spoke to each other about the kisses anymore. I think he included the last one he stole me in the part of the "forget it ever happened". I was a little disappointed, but only because the fact that he had actually kissed me already meant something for me.

I could be wrong, but I felt there was something happening between us. Something that put him in doubt about my sister.

The month preceding James' birthday ball went faster than I wanted it to.

When I least expected it, the day had come and Charlotte and I were supposed to meet the Headmaster in his office. James, Sirius, Remus and Peter were supposed to Apparate there. Alice and Anna had been invited in the meanwhile and, although Alice accepted it, Anna declined. I believed it was mostly because Sirius would be there. For some reason they couldn't stand each other- or better, she couldn't stand him.

"Ready to go?" Charlotte asked me as I descended the stairs. It was Saturday morning and, despite the ball being only at night time, we were supposed to go earlier so that we could get ready.

Alice and I nodded "Yeah," I said "As ready as I'll ever be, I think."

We were almost exiting the common room when a voice made us turn. "Not even saying Happy Birthday, are we?"

We smiled as James and the guys descended the stairs "Supposedly, there'll be a ball full of people who'll say happy birthday," I told him mockingly "We'll probably, but just probably, be some of those people."

James smiled as Charlotte jumped on him and hugged him "Happy birthday!" she said. He hugged her back.

"See? My sister here knows how it's done."

Alice laughed as she hugged him as well "Happy b-day James."

"Thanks," He said, then turning to me "What about you? Are you just going to stare?"

I smirked "I'm just trying to get your image in my head." I said, as everyone looked at me bemused "I mean, you're getting old. I'd like to remember you while you're still… acceptable."

James opened his mouth in mock outrage and everyone laughed- especially Sirius. "You're old mate!" he said "And acceptable!"

Instead of answering him, James turned to me "Old? I'm getting old? And I'm only acceptable? Is that what you're saying?"

I touched my chin as if in deep thought "Well, let me see… yes. I believe that, this time, you got it right."

A dangerous look passed his eyes. I took a step back and he walked in my direction "James Potter." I said warningly "You stay away from me!"

He started running after me and I ran away from him, ending up running through the portrait hole someone opened and through the halls.

It must have been a really nice show to watch. The Head Boy running after a sixth year girl screaming "If I catch you…!".

I laughed as I kept running and, as I didn't pay that much attention to where I was going, I collided with someone, who was fast enough to catch me instead of letting me fall to the floor.

"Oh, sorr-" I started saying, but as I looked up I cut myself off as I felt my face burn. "Sorry sir." I said "I really wasn't looking to where I was going."

The Headmaster looked down to me- he was really tall- and smiled. I could see his eyes twinkling behind his half moon spectacles. "No harm done." he said.

I smiled tensely as I felt James arriving behind me. He gave me an amused look before facing the Headmaster.

"Sir," He said "We were just on our way to meet you. Ms. Evans here," and with that he looked at me again "Is supposed to be going to my coming of age ball through your fireplace, with my sister."

The Headmaster nodded "Oh yes, Mr. Potter. Your mother was kind enough to warn me someone was going with your sister." He then smiled "Happy birthday by the way."

James grinned "Thank you Sir." He looked at me again as if saying "see, even the Headmaster said happy birthday" and then turned back to him.

"I shall be going then, sir." He said "My sister will meet Lily in your office in a few minutes. And Alice too." He added as an afterthought.

The Headmaster again nodded, and James nodded as well before starting to walk back and leaving me alone- and embarrassed, may I add- with the Headmaster.

"Should we go then, Ms. Evans?" he asked me "I shall make you company. I believe Ms. Potter was the one who knew the password."

"Yes, sir." I answered.

We started to walk again, me following him as I had never been to the Headmaster's office before.

"So, what are you thinking of Hogwarts so far?" his question startled me as I wasn't expecting him to speak at all "I heard you had some problems in the beginning of the year?"

I smiled tensely "I did have some problems," I admitted, finding it very easy to speak with the old man "However, everything turned out for the best. And the people with whom I had problems are now some of my closest friends here."

He nodded, smiling "I am very happy to hear that," he said "Not a lot of new students get along so well with the so called 'Marauders'" he chuckled as he said the name. "And I can see you and Mr. Potter seem to have a very special connection."

That sentence caught me out of guard and I felt myself blushing to the roots. How did he know James and I had anything at all? I mean…

"No need to feel awkward," he told me, as if reading my mind "Mr. Potter was appointed Head Boy for some reason. He can be a little immature but he can also be responsible when needed."

"He's a nice guy," I said, feeling I owed some answer to the man "He's my neighbour too, so he was the first person I met from Hogwarts."

"Ah," he said "Yes, I had heard you lived next to each other. I also heard of some… other girl, who I presume to be your sister, who was awfully interested in him."

Great, bring that up, I thought. No need to remind me, I'll be seeing her in some minutes.

"Yes, he was." I admitted. But I wish he wasn't, I added in my mind.

"Outer beauty is what one sees first; but inner beauty is what makes one fall in love." He said

I stared at him confused as we arrived at a statue of a gargoyle. "Sir… I don't get it..."

He smiled as he said "Sugar quills".

"You will in time, Ms. Evans." he answered "Now, follow me!" he added amusedly, as the statue moved aside and we stepped in some kind of staircase which started moving.

(…)

After Alice and Charlotte arrived, Charlotte and I said goodbye to Alice as she travelled to her place and we to the Potter's. Once there, both our mother's were waiting for us and so was Petunia.

Of course, as soon as she saw us- and especially as soon as she saw Charlotte- she came in our directions and hugged Charlotte, even though she didn't knew her.

I was happy to see that, as soon as she turned her back on Charlotte, she stuck her tongue out at her. If I already didn't like her, I'd start to at that exact moment.

Then, although Charlotte complained about it, my mother, Petunia and I made our way to our place.

My father was there and hugged me tight as soon as I stepped in the house. Something is definitely wrong with him, I thought, but hugged him back anyway.

Finally, I was able to get away from my family as I went to my room. After a long bath, I found my dress on out in my bed and had a great surprise in finding it wasn't that horrible. It was a really simple green knee length dress. Yes, it was cliché that it was green like my eyes. But what could I expect from my mother?

And better yet, it was great on me. It took out all my new curves that came from losing weight and most of the fat I still had wasn't noticeable. I grinned at myself at the mirror. I looked good. Even for someone who wasn't that pretty.

Urgh, I thought, my eyebrows! They're ruining it!

(…)

"Lily!" I heard my mum calling me later, almost at the time James' ball would start "Are you ready?"

"Yes!" I said, exiting my room. I could do my hair and make up at the Potter's. After all, there I could use magic!

"Good gracious!" Petunia screamed as she saw me "What's wrong with your hair? And… do I see well, you're not wearing make up!"

I took my time to look at my sister. As always, she was beautiful. Her dress was also knee length, but spaghetti in colour. Her hair was made up and her make up was perfect. Damn her, I thought. I just hoped James wouldn't fall back into her arms.

My heart ached painfully at that thought. No Lily, I thought, he won't. He kissed you!

I smiled at that thought. He had kissed me. Me. Not her.

"I'll do it at Charlotte's," I told them as my mum appeared with my father "With magic." I added.

"No way Lillian!" my mum said

I groaned "You know it's Lily, not Lillian!" I said

She waved her hand "It doesn't matter. Now come on!"

I followed her until her room where she took care of my hair, making it stay wavy in a nice way; she did my eyebrows- and Merlin! Did that hurt! - and applied some make up.

I had to admit my mum did make miracles. I looked a lot better than before.

"There," she said "Now, let's go?"

I nodded and followed her back into the living room, where the rest of my family was waiting. Once we arrived, they stood up and we walked to the Potter's mansion. Oh boy, I thought, this is going to be fun.

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author's note: thanks everyone for the wonderful reviews!

and i'm really sorry i haven't answered anyone's questions, but, unfortunetely, i won't be able to do it today either.

now that school's over i thought i'd have a lot more time, but it doesn't seem so. now i have to work (D:)

anyway, anyone who has any questions about this fic, any at all, just ask and i promise this time i'll answer.

again, thanks to everyone and to my beta sweetsoutherngal too.

love

Hannah