Oh goodness. Oh goodness, this has taken so long and I'm so sorry. It would be better if I thought you would enjoy this chapter, but it's very filler. I'm going to try to speed this along, alright? I know some of you are waiting for the romance, and so am I.

This would have been out sooner, but I have other stories I'm writing on the side that I won't post until their mostly finished and I simply had the largest burst of inspiration for one of them and completely doubled the size of it. Yikes, I guess that will be one of my longer ones as well. The others are simply long oneshots.

But anyways, I hope you enjoy this, and maybe someone will notice what my plans are for the future of this book - I hinted at it.

Chapter 20

It was with relief that the four marauders (and the rest of the school) took and finished their end-of-year tests. The tests were finals specifically designed for a Hogwarts education and they received their scores on the very last day of school. Unfortunately, the scores were written on parchment and tied with a string that kept them from being opened unless by someone who had reached their majority.

So the four boys sat on the blaringly red train on their way to King's Cross Station at the end of their first magical year with upset expressions. James and Sirius wanted to know who did better out of the two of them while Remus just wanted to know if he passed everything.

"Relax, Rem," Harry said soothingly, moving his hand from his lap to rub between the werewolf's shoulder blades. "There's no doubt in my mind you passed all of your tests. I think you might have even gotten a perfect score on a few. You were studying like crazy, it must have showed."

Remus shrugged and Sirius took that moment to break from his conversation with James to speak. "Yeah, Moony," the boys had taken to calling Remus by his werewolf name. At first, Harry thought Remus didn't like it much, but he warmed up to it quickly. "You probably got the best scores in the class."

"You probably did even better than the Ravenclaws!" James chimed in.

Sirius spoke again when the mood was getting too sweet for him. "Nerd that you are," he said. His tone was teasing, eradicating any thoughts that he could actually mean the words from his lips.

Remus smiled at them in thanks and toyed with the red string on the parchment. It was around then that the compartment door was opened by who they recognized was a Gryffindor seventh-year. His eyes looked sad, probably because he had just left Hogwarts for good, but his voice was joyful as he started to speak.

"I'll open your scores for you for a sickle." He offered. Sirius agreed immediately but the twins held back. They knew Dorea wouldn't be happy with them opening the scrolls before they got home. So they denied the offer and Remus did as well. Harry wondered if it was because his parents would act the same as Dorea, or if it was more of a monetary problem.

Sirius held his now unravelling scroll in front of his body and slowly began to open it, making sure to take extra time to add suspense.

"Are you expecting a drum roll?" Remus asked teasingly and Harry bit his lip to hide his smile.

"Or maybe some trumpets," Harry added wittily. "And also a man announcing the scores for King Sirius' servants to hear."

"'Oh tell us,' they would cry." James added into the conversation. His voice was comically high, imitating that of a love-sick woman. "'Oh, King Sirius, please, enlighten us with the results of your tests! Show us how amazing you are…'"

Harry wasn't sure what he expected: maybe bashfulness for once. But Sirius just laughed and stood from his seat. Looking back, of course that's what Sirius would do.

"If you insist," he announced, throwing his head back to stick up his nose in a decidedly pureblood fashion. "Let's see… order from best to worse blah, blah, blah… Outstanding, Exceeds Expectations, Acceptable, Poor, Dreadful, Troll, blah, blah, blah… Ah! Here it is!"

The other three leaned forward in curiosity. As much as they made fun of Sirius, they really were interested to know.

"Astronomy: O" he flipped his hair flamboyantly. "Of course. Charms: A. Good, good, that's still passing. Defense against the Dark Arts: O. Hah, take that, Mother. Herbology: A. Whoops. Who really needs a written test for a bunch of plants anyways? History of Magic: P. What the bloody hell did they expect from me? Potions: O. I'm almost disappointed about that. Transfiguration: E." He made a face at his paper. "Damn it Potter, you probably beat me at that."

"Which Potter?" Remus asked.

"Both," Sirius replied miserably. Harry really thought Sirius was upset at his scores and was ready to provide comfort, but then the Black heir sat straighter and gave a wide grin. "So overall, pretty perfect," he declared and Harry rolled his eyes.

The four friends parted ways a while after they got to the station. Both Sirius and Remus followed the twins to say hello to Dorea, who was there on her own to take them home. Sirius tried hiding behind Remus to avoid his mother but eventually left when her face turned red from anger. Remus stood with them at first to aid Sirius but then remained with them when his parents weren't anywhere in sight.

"You can go if you'd like," Remus reassured Dorea, who didn't want to go while Remus was still waiting for his parents. "They'll be here soon enough. My mum probably got caught up in work and my dad should be asleep." When Dorea looked disapproving, he hastened to explain. "He works nights, and so sleeps in the day. Everything's fine and my mum should be here soon." Harry wondered if he realized he was repeating himself. Was that to comfort Dorea or himself, he pondered.

"Remus?" A woman's voice called out and he looked over. The lady standing there had hair more grey than brown but her face was relatively wrinkle-free. "Come on, dear. Sorry I took so long, I had completely forgotten the time."

Remus shook his head and smiled. "It's fine, mum. I'll write you?" He said the last part to James and Harry and then proceeded to leave with his mother. Dorea stared after them and then turned to her sons.

"He's a little sweetheart," she declared. "I like him. Are we ready to go?"

The first few weeks of summer passed quickly with the excitement of no school and therefore no responsibilities. James and Harry spent most of it side-by-side, though occasionally Harry would isolate himself in his room for a day to get some time alone. It was usually on those days that Harry would pen long letters to Sirius and Remus and send them off with Nuntius. He writes to them regularly anyways, but they often are pointless little letters consisting of what variation of quidditch he and his brother had played that day.

It was approaching mid-June when James went up to Harry and declared:

"We need to get Lily Evans away from Snivellus next year."

Harry, who was sitting at his desk staring stubbornly at his as-of-yet unopened homework, turned slowly towards his brother.

"We need to what?" He asked for clarification.

"Keep Evans away from the slimy Slytherin. She's a lion, and one requirement of lion-ism is to be friends with the other lions. So that's what we have to do."

Harry stared at him blankly. "She's friends with Mary Macdonald and Marlene McKinnon."

"Yeah, but they're girls so they don't count."

"And you know she and Remus are quite close," Harry continued pointedly.

"Remus is nice to everybody, of course they're close."

"Peter is her friend as well." James glared at him a little.

"No, she needs better friends, Ry! Friends like us!" Harry sighed and turned in his chair so he was facing James fully.

"What is your point in all of this?" He asked tiredly. "You wouldn't decide to put up with girls for no reason."

James puffed up his chest. "I've decided I like her." He said and Harry almost jumped in shock. "And it wouldn't be right to let the Slytherins taint her."

Harry frowned. "She's not an object, James." He protested, but feared the elder twin wasn't listening. "The Slytherins won't tarnish her like an old copper pot."

James looked down to Harry pityingly. "The snakes are evil, Harry."

"Maybe they're not!" Harry cried out, jumping from his seat. "I highly doubt an entire fourth of this school is evil! Besides, can you really say that all Gryffindors are perfect?"

"Of course they're all perfect, Harry!" James shouted back. "Otherwise we wouldn't have gotten in!"

Harry yelled in vexation. "That doesn't even make sense-!"

"Boys?" The twins – so alike and yet obviously so different – looked up to see their father in the doorway. "Is there a problem?"

"No," James answered immediately and glared a little at Harry as if to stop him from saying otherwise. "Everything's fine."

Harry breathed heavily through his nose and nodded once sharply. "Everything's fine," he repeated his brother and Charlus frowned but moved away from the door. Both boys were silent until the footsteps receded, pausing twice along the way, before speaking again.

"And just when did you decide you liked her?" Harry asked, keeping his voice low to minimize the possibility of their father hearing them.

James shrugged as if he didn't care about the topic anymore, but Harry could see the tenseness in his shoulders. The two were twins, the best of friends, and had grown up side by side. It was ridiculous to even consider that they didn't know each other perfectly from front to back.

"At the end of the year," James said finally when no words came from Harry's mouth. "Just before the final exams." Harry looked at James a bit longer before finally sighing and shaking his head.

"I think you'll find," Harry stated as he began to walk away, "That attempting to separate Lily from Snape – her best friend – will do more harm to your case than good."

Remus,

Have you heard from James lately? He seems to have decided that Lily Evans is to be his. I've tried talking to him but with how much he is raving about her being around "that slimy Slytherin" I've taken to hiding out in my room. I didn't want to write this to Sirius because Merlin could only guess his reaction. Honestly, it's more likely he'll be proud of James than disproving like I hope.

His liking Lily would be fine if it weren't more of a trophy for him. I would be willing to put a solid galleon on him only wanting her to show her off to Snape.

I don't know. Whatever.

Sirius will be here Friday for the weekend. My mum suggested I extend the offer to you, though I know Wednesday will be tough for you. If you want to come, you'll be fully welcomed and you could just show up and we wouldn't mind. But if you're not in the mood then we'll all get together later this month or maybe in July.

Would the great Moony have any suggestions for the James/Lily problem or do I just let it rest? Stay well, Remy.

Harry

Dear Harry,

That's quite the problem you have. I understand your view of all of this, but have you actually considered that maybe James really does like Lily for herself? Even I'll admit it's a bit of a stretch, but I believe James wouldn't be interested in someone only for some twisted revenge. He's pureblood and I know that's how some marriages form (sorry if that's at all insulting. I didn't mean it that way) but your parents married for love more than anything, and I'm sure James is somewhat inspired by that.

Maybe I'm just thinking too much. You're his brother after all, so if anyone should know him it should be you so I shouldn't be writing as if I know more because I don't.

Anyways, sorry but I won't be over on Friday. I have prior engagements that don't have to do with Moony, but I greatly appreciate the offer. Hopefully I can come in July.

I'll write you again after the moon.

With care,

Remus Lupin

As the first of July came around, the Potter household was still tense.

James and Harry tried to keep the argument away from their parents but after too many silent dinners, the problem was approached. When Dorea asked what the problem was, however, Harry lied and said it was about him not trying out for the quidditch team next year. He didn't know why he lied, but couldn't go back afterwards and so let it be.

Unfortunately, that admittance made James only angrier at him. For years James had been dreaming of both Potter twins and Sirius all being on the team at the same time. For Harry to tell him that wasn't going to happen, it only made the situation that much worse.

Sirius managed to relieve some of the tension until he found out the situation and sided with James because of his hatred for Snape. That weekend with the three of them was not so great.

By July, Harry was ready to simply forget about the conflict and let James do what he wants just so he could get his brother and friend back. Also, he didn't want to be fighting when Remus came, for surely he would be disappointed in both of them.

So on the first of July, Harry went to where James was in one of the living rooms and sat next to him on the couch. They weren't ones for vocal apologies, but when James offered his textbook for the potions homework, Harry was sure he was forgiven. It didn't mean James was sorry about what happened, but Harry doubted there would be any apology forthcoming from him.

So due to this, when the other half of the Marauders came two days later, the twins were (more or less) back to normal. Harry didn't get to talk to Remus about it until the James and Sirius left the recombined bedroom for food.

As soon as they left, Remus turned towards Harry and rested his hands on his lap, patiently waiting. Taking the silent offer, Harry began to speak quickly.

"He doesn't even realize what he's doing is wrong! I want him to rethink what he's doing, but we didn't speak for weeks and I only just apologized to him on Tuesday. I really don't want to be put in his bad books again so soon after coming out. Also, we haven't played quidditch since we fought."

"Why not?" Remus asked, turning to look towards the door to make sure the boys weren't back yet.

"I told him I didn't want to try out for the quidditch team," Harry replied and Remus looked at him with surprise.

"Why not?" He asked again.

"Because… I can't really remember why, but I had really good reasons. I don't know, I just don't think it'd be a good idea to do quidditch; someone else will probably get the seeker spot anyways – someone older and better."

It was then that a body came rolling through the door. "You're not doing quidditch?!" Sirius shouted, sounding alarmed. James stood behind him with boxes upon boxes of crackers in his hands.

Harry sighed and avoided Sirius' eye. "No, Siri, I'm not doing quidditch."

"Why in the world won't you be doing it?"

"I just explained to Remus-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know already; I was listening in. But you're the best seeker I know! And we talked about this already! McGuire graduated this year and there isn't a good seeker in all the rest of Gryffindor. If you don't try out and we lose the house cup it will be your fault!"

Harry rolled his eyes slightly. They didn't lose the cup the first time, and he definitely wasn't there to help them. But, "Maybe," he told Sirius and apparently that satisfied the Black heir.

James set up the five bowls, all turned over so they could see the bottoms, in a straight line on the floor. The other three boys were on the opposite side of the table with hands over their eyes.

"Okay, you can look now," The elder twin said excitedly and the others removed their hands.

"So what do we do?" Harry asked for clarification and instead of James answering, Sirius went ahead and showed him.

"Just choose a bowl and hope for the best!" He announced and reached for the fourth bowl and hurriedly picked it up. Under it stood a single white roll. Sirius smiled broadly and showed the others. "And whether it's good or not, you have to eat it!" And he then promptly shoved it completely in his mouth.

Harry crinkled his nose at the bread-filled smile he gave. He turned to Remus who had an almost identical look on his face. Remus motioned with his hand, allowing Harry to go first; but Harry denied the offer with a wave of his own hand and Remus sighed in resignation.

He examined the bowls carefully and it was after great consideration that he chose the third one. Only Harry saw him sniff discretely as he was deciding. That sneaky bugger, he thought to himself with some amount of pride. They all watched as it was lifted to reveal goat cheese underneath and Remus' blinding smile showed that it definitely wasn't something he was upset about.

Then it was Harry's turn so he took the first bowl and lifted the bowl quickly, and then put it back down and reached for the second bowl instead.

"Ah, ah, ah!" James cried out, reaching out to pull Harry's hands physically away from the second bowl. "You chose the first bowl. Go ahead!"

"But you know I hate jelly," Harry whined and it was true that was what was underneath. It was grape jelly, which Harry very much didn't like.

"You know the rules!" James sang and Harry scowled but shoved the spoonful quickly into his mouth and just as quickly swallowed it. He hoped it would allow him to not taste it, but unfortunately that wasn't the case.

"Your turn again, Siri!" James said but the other boy protested loudly.

"You didn't go yet!"

"That's because I know what's under the bowls," James replied and the 'duh' was unneeded. So Sirius pointed to the last bowl.

"Then I choose that one for you."

It was with a smug grin that James lifted the bowl to reveal a licorice wand.