Disclaimer: This belongs to me. All Joe's stuff doesn't, tho.

A/N: READ THIS! Yeah, still thank Elli.

Chapter Thirteen

To Remember

In the dark summer months, our tender hearts were eased, away from the setting of so much memory. At home, we were comforted by parents and friends, though away from each other, we were weak. Lucky me, I had Sinch and James at close access. But where was Sirius? Lily, Rogue, Remus, all of them out of my reach.

Honestly, I love Sinch and James. They're my brothers. Sean, and even Anna tried to console me. But how can someone get over such a thing? There's a hole in my life that was once filled with a bright, bubbly girl. I have no tears left to shed, no way left to ease my pain.

I can talk to Sean about it. He's an Auror now. He's seen his fair share of death and anguish, he's comforted aching hearts and consoled pained souls. I don't know what I'd do without him.

It seems, in my own distress, I have looked over the pain of others. James. He had one night, holding Lily against his body as she mourned her dying friend. But since then? Lily has been cold and distant. I feel like I barely know her anymore. When I see her, that is.

Everything's changed. Personalities, friendships, love. It's all different. Lily, who was always so outgoing, encouraging us to befriend our bumpkin, was now so drawn into herself that she reminded me of a flobberworm. Rogue, with her impish ways and sharp tongue, doesn't speak much. She's even stopped pining over Sinch. And Remus? Who lost the love of his life? Will never be the same. Sure, he pretends like it doesn't bother him—that she's in a better place. But really. Sinch, Sirius, and James, who loved Addie dearly, are more concerned about the rest of us, are doing everything they can to make things right again.

All I can think to do is follow Remus's example. I'll pretend like it doesn't matter. Sure, when no one's looking, I'll fall all to pieces, but in public, I have to be strong. For my friends. Time to put the grief away and resume my part as a Marauder. Remus has already done it, and he's Addie's boyfriend.

I have to be there to help Lily and Rogue through their pain. I have to help James with the sorrows of his heart and Sinch with his. I have to forget that this ever happened. It needs to be done, and I've waited too long. Don't think I haven't a heart, though. Like I said, when I'm alone, I'll still go all to pieces, but I don't have to do it in public.

With this new purpose in mind, I flooed to Lily's house. Nodding to her parents, who greeted me with relief, I continued up to my friend's bedroom. About to knock on her door, I heard Lily arguing with herself. Lily. Arguing with herself. Over JAMES. I pressed my ear to the door.

"I don't like James Potter!" I heard her say in an irritated voice. I could tell she was pacing. "I mean, I can't like James Potter! He's like, James Potter." I tucked away a smile and pushed her door open.

"Good God, you're slow, Lils." She looked at me like a deer in the headlights.

"Once again, I mention that you're like a cat. I never hear you until you're right there," she said, grinning ruefully. Yes, well, there are advantages to being an Animagus. Unless you're Sirius. Or Peter. Definite disadvantages there. Except for Sirius being so adorable in a puppy-like fashion… Um, what was I saying? Oh, right, LILZ LIKES JAMES! HAHAHAHAHAHA! Then her eyes went uber-wide. "You're going to tell James all of this, aren't you?"

"Anything you say can and will be held against you in the Court of Marauders," I quoted. Marauders' rules. I'll write you a copy sometime.

"Noooooooooooo!" Lily threw herself to my feet, wrapping her arms around my legs. "I beg of you, anything but that!" Lily has a flare for the dramatic. Did I mention that?

"Well," I said cruelly. "Let's go back to my house and discuss what you can do to get out of this. Besides, I got in a new shipment of licorice wands." Lily's eyes lit up.

"I do love licorice wands." I know. :rolls eyes: I bought them to bribe her. Duh.

The first thing we heard when we stumbled out of my fireplace was the very last strands of Twelve Days of a Marauder's Christmas. I joined in.

"And a bottle of Ogden's Whiskeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey," I sang, accompanying Sirius. I love it when he sings. He doesn't have a record-breaking voice, but it's certainly not glass-breaking. And it's so hott when he sings! Um, where was I?

"Trypps!" I heard the elated shout. Lily threw herself out of the way as a madly grinning Sirius charged down the stairs. I love that I'm the only person who can put that look on his face every time he sees me. The moment he got to me, he swept me up in his arms, kissing my forehead, throat, cheeks, eyes, nose, and lips. Basically what ever was closest. Funny thing about losing Ads. I no longer take for granted the little things.

"Hey, Lils," I said between kisses. "The box of wands is on my bed. Gorge." With a shriek, Lily left.

Sirius looked at me, shocked. "What?" I asked.

"James is over here…"

"And?"

"He's using your room to change out of Quidditch robes…"

I stifled a laugh on Sirius' shoulder. In my defense, I swear to god I didn't know about this. I swear, I swear, I swear! We heard the yelp that was James as Lily flung my bedroom door open. The gasp was Lily, most likely surveying James' boxer-clad form. I will never let her live this down.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPP!" she screamed. James has possibly fainted. Either that or she just threw something at him. Which would be silly, 'cos she barged in on him. WAIT! But it's my fault!

"RUN!" I yelled to Sirius. Better yet, he picked me up in his arms and jumped out the window!

… we landed on his broom…

… and it was really cool!

Okay. So maybe we didn't land on the broom. 'Cos we didn't jump out the window. 'Cos Lils hit us with Stunners. Which would be totally illegal if it weren't in my house. The ministry doesn't monitor my house because we have of-age wizards living in it. So they'll never know. And Lily gets of free. Damn. Wait, where was I? Oh, right. LYING ON THE FLOOR… STUNNED. Then Lily woke us up to kill us.

"Sirius, you are completely useless!" I said twenty seven seconds later as he and I locked ourselves in my room, pushing against the door for good measure.

"I'm not completely useless!" he defended. "I can be used as a bad example!" I rolled my eyes.

"Its moments like these that make decent, ordinary people SNAP and become cold-blooded murderers," James mused, standing inside the room with us. Well I wasn't going to leave him to the redhead's wrath, was I? Okay, so he was still in the room when Sirius and I locked ourselves in it, but whatever. I enjoy sounding like I care.

"Fortunately no one in this room was ever decent or ordinary," I retorted. James munched on a licorice wand.

"I was talking about Lily."

"ALIEP DON'T YOU EVEN SAY A WORD!" Lily shouted. A hex blew a hole in the door next to my head. Lily stuck her head in, laughing hysterically. Where's my wand?

"Um, does anyone have their wand?" Sirius asked. James and I shook our heads. Naturally. Wait, where's Sinch? He might be able to save us! I mean—okay, what am I thinking? Shoot me now and save Lily the trouble.

"You're all going to die!" Lily cried, still laughing.

"Lily, love, don't do anything drastic," James said calmly. At the sound of that cool voice, Lily's wand wavered a bit. I lunged for it, and yanked it from her hand. Sirius shoved a licorice wand into her mouth. Lily looked startled, but the candy calmed her. She sat down on the floor, as happy as a little kid, nibbling on licorice wands. James set her on my bed.

"Alrighty then," he said, slightly disturbed by the sudden change in Lily. "I should remember that next time Lily tries to kill me…"

From that moment on, James carried a full supply of licorice wands in his robe pockets.

A/N: Yeah, that was kinda awkward to follow, I know. Sorry. It was just so bloody amusing! Lol.

I love you all very much, now please review or I'll send the evil purple elephants after you. I now have an army of them. So there.

Luv much,

Sam