AN: Hey guys, sorry it's been a bit since I updated- I had a weeklong soccer tournament, and then I got hurt, so I've been trying to find out if I got anything fractured (and thank goodness, I just found out I don't). Anyway, here's chapter 14.

Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recognize.

Chapter Fourteen: Interesting Offers

Halloween was upon them and everyone in the castle seemed to be buzzing with anticipation for the feast.

Sirius was skipping and singing a little song under his breath that sounded a lot like, "Food, food, food, fabulous food," to the tune of jingle bells.

He was knocking down first years in his mad skip to the Great Hall, and Lily would simply not stand for that.

"Sirius! Calm down! Merlin, you've almost killed those little girls. Go apologize," She ordered crossly.

Sirius grinned. "Ah, but Flower, Sirius Black never apologizes. Apologizing is for the weak! And Sirius Black isn't weak." He threw a wink at one of the said first year girls, who immediately forgot the fact that blood was coursing down her scraped knee and flushed red, giggling and turning to her friends to squeal.

Lily rolled her eyes- she was not impressed.

"Sirius Black, apologize and promise to never skip in a reckless fashion again, or I'll ban you from the feast, and have the House Elves send up bread and water- if I'm feeling generous."

Sirius paled. "You're threatening to starve me? Lily Evans! I, frankly, am appalled. I fear for the lives of your future mini-marauder, black haired children!"

Lily rolled her eyes, "Black, I'm not having your bloody children."

"Hmmm, I wasn't talking about this black-haired Marauder, love," he winked, and with that, frolicked merrily into the Hall.

Lily was far too embarrassed to stop him.

After a moment, she walked calmly into the Hall, to sit between Ena and Elizabeth. Unfortunately, Ena was sitting next to Sirius, who had wasted no time and was already eating at a disgusting rate.

After dinner, James tapped Lily on the shoulder. She looked up from her conversation with Ena. "Yes, James?"

"Uh, after Remus, Peter, and I manage to roll Sirius back to Gyrffindor Common Room, I need to talk to you, so just stay in the Head Common Room for awhile," James told her, rubbing the back of his neck.

Lily looked over to see that James really wasn't joking. Sirius looked blissful, but he needed Remus, Peter, and James to support him while walking. It didn't surprise her- he had eaten half of the food on the table.

"James, where've you been?" Lily asked crossly, crossing her arms across her chest. She had been waiting for him for half an hour, and she had better things to do with her time.

"Sorry, Sirius decided that it would be fun to lock me in his trunk and I couldn't get out until Remus figured out the counter curse. That boy should never have sugar." James shrugged. "Anyway, Dumbledore told me that he wanted us to decide if we were going home for Christmas or if we were staying here. I told him I was going, but he wanted me to get your answer."

Lily looked down- away from his eyes. He would only ask questions, but she told him anyway. "I'm staying here."

He cocked his head to the side, but didn't say anything (and for that, Lily was very thankful.)

They plopped down on the couch, tired from the days events.

"Why didn't you just ask me in the Great Hall if I was going home or not?" Lily asked, turning towards him.

"Well, because- because-" Honestly, James had no reason. He only wanted an excuse to talk to her alone, and this seemed as good as any. "Just because."

Lily chuckled, but didn't press the subject and further.

"You can come to my house if you want. For Christmas holiday."

WHAT?

Lily looked up, trying to see if he was joking. He wasn't.

"James, that's awfully nice of you, but-"

"No buts, you shouldn't be alone at Christmas," he looked uncomfortable.

Lily bit her lip and looked up at him. "I'll think about it," she told him with a gentle smile.

Two days later, Lily still hadn't given James an answer.

Sirius decided to take action, and that was never good.

"Liiiiiiiiiiily Flower, my love, my sunrise, my sunset, my… flower."

"Hello Sirius," Lily drawled. "What do you want? It's breakfast, I'm tired, and you need to shut up."

"You should go to Jamesie's house for holiday, love. Here you'll be lonely, and there you'll have me and Jamesie to cater on your every whim."

Lily sighed and looked up. "Look Sirius, thank you for the offer. It's very kind of you. However, I'd feel as if I was intruding, and I don't want to do that. So, I'm declining."

Sirius tried his puppy dog eyes. The puppy dog eyes always worked.

"Not going to fall for it, Sirius. I'm too strong willed to be cracked by a sad face."

Sirius growled. "Fine, you stupid woman. I tried. I will have no pity for you when you write a letter to James and me that goes as such; 'Dearest Handsome Devils, I was so wrong to turn down your wonderful offer because of my pig-headedness. I would adore to come and stay with your wonderful, beautiful selves. Beautiful being Sirius. Love, Lily. P.S. James, I am madly in love with you and I want to have your children.'"

Lily rolled her eyes, chuckling. "I'm sure that's exactly how I would write the letter."

"SO YOU ADMIT IT!" Sirius shouted, pointing a finger at her. "YOU LOVE JAMES AND WANT TO HAVE HI-" he couldn't finish his sentence, however, because Lily had clamped a hand over his mouth and nose.

"Cahn't bweev!" Sirius squealed, his gray eyes becoming panicked.

Lily took her hand off of his mouth. "What was that?" She wiped her now slobber covered hand on Sirius's shoulder.

"I told you that I couldn't breath, you crazy witch."

"Ah, Siri, what about me being your love, sunrise, sunset, and flower?" Lily loved sarcasm.

"Eh, I would never take you away from my James. He'd skin me alive."

Lily blushed, but had to jump on the opportunity to mock Sirius. "Your James? I always knew you Marauders were close, but-"

"Shut up, Lily," Sirius said, blushing as well now.

"Hey, Lily, I hear you're staying with James over the holiday," Remus said, plopping down next to her and grabbing a piece of toast from Sirius's plate.

"Who'd you hear that from?"Lily asked angrily.

"Sirius told me."

Lily turned to Sirius, her eyes burning. "You shouldn't just decide things for people. It's incredibly rude."

Sirius winced. "So maybe this isn't the best moment that I told James you said you'd go. And he told Dumbledore."

"BLACK!"

"Bye, Lily," he grinned before sprinting from the Great Hall.