Sorry I haven't updated in ages. I've finished my exams now, and been on holiday and got another job, so I've been busy. : ) Got a few weeks off now except for work so all's good.

Cheers for reading.

Let me Belong

Chapter 21

Blagging it

1) Play hide and seek

2) Flirt with as many people you feel comfortable with, you know the stuff, grab bums, and all that jazz mo tazz.

3) One day this week we want you to wear some jeans, boots, and a nice top and get right under people's skin by being nice and pretty.

4) Wear pink nail varnish and let Quinn or McGonagall notice it (if you don't have any we have loads)

5) Get detention with as many people as possible (but not us cause we have to appear above that. Or that's what my mum says…)

6) When you're in the common room, we want you to find someone who's sitting alone and go over and start a conversation with them.

7) Do that thing you were telling us you do when you're at home. The walking about dancing and singing thing.

8) Go and watch the Quidditch practise

9) Talk to someone in a cute/sweet way and wind someone else up by doing so

10) Accidentally throw something at a lad, then apologise and be flirty

Lily was laying on her front on top of her bed looking over the list Carli and Nicole had given her. She bit her lip unsure of her choice. She had been so certain of what she would do, but now as she looked over it, she had doubts. Sighing she rolled onto her back before climbing off her bed tired. It was early and she had just finished getting ready. Before she left her room to go downstairs she glanced at herself quickly in the mirror.

"Well if you aren't a sight Lily", she said to her reflection. Pulling her bag over her shoulder she set off down to the main hall hoping to have a Marauder free morning. As she plodded down the steps she thought about what lay in store for her that day. Charms, followed by Care of Magical Creatures, followed by Defence of Dark Arts, lunch and then a free period, then one hour of Herbology. Groaning to herself, she plodded through the busy common room, nearly tripping over one boy who was sat on the floor playing Wizard snap.

'Really!' Lily exclaimed to herself mentally,'Who on earth gets up at this time to play Wizard snap?' She asked tiresomely. 'And who sits in the middle of the floor?'

She smiled at herself momentarily remembering the time when Tig had been sat on her kitchen floor painting a picture of Lily and himself embracing. Her mum had completely over reacted when she saw it, vowing never to allow Tig to set foot in her house again, although she did admire the way, 'he had used superior colours to really emphasise the glowing nature of Lily's skin, and to capture the true beauty of his own hair'. Rolling her eyes fondly she found herself tripping again, but this time over the step up to the common room exit.

She fell on her hands and knee's completely humiliating herself. She heard a few sniggers and giggles behind her, but chose to ignore them and pick herself and her books up.

"This just isn't my day!" She concluded as she finally managed to leave the Gryffindor Tower.

" In that case Miss Evans you had better make it your day", Nearly Headless Nick proclaimed as he floated alongside her.

The corners of Lily's mouth curled. " And how do you suppose I do that Sir Nick?"

Sir Nicolas eyed her up before returning his gaze to the empty corridor. "I suggest a good luck potion. When I was a youngster they were as common as…" He paused for thought, "Well, as common as something very common!"

Giggling, Lily thanked him for his advice and proceeded to glide away down to breakfast. As an after thought Nick shouted at her, "You could always ask that Ravenclaw lad for a sample! You can't miss him! Pink hair and slightly greenish skin!"

Lily performed a half term and thanked him for his most useful advice, before turning back. As she wandered to breakfast that morning, Lily couldn't help but think that it might be worth a go. It might help with the tasks she had been set.

After breakfast was over, Lily ran to catch up with the unforgettable Ravenclaw. He really was a sight to behold. His hair was changing from pink to green, while his skin went from blue to deathly white. He turned and looked at her with a superior edge about him.

"What do you want? When do you want it by? And how much you gunna give me for it?"

Biting her lip pensively, Lily couldn't help but doubt his abilities somewhat. He seemed to read her mind, and declared somewhat proudly, "This was intentional. I thought if I stand out more then people will recognise my superior talents…"

Lily laughed slightly to herself and replied, " I want a bravery potion. Nothing too strong, just something to give me a bit of courage…I need it as soon as possible, and I'll give you five galleons for it…"

He seemed reluctant at first to agree, but inclined his head slightly. "Meet me here at the start of break- and don't be late. I resent tardiness…"

Furrowing her brow, slightly taken by his self confidence and admiration, Lily smiled and turned on her heel to walk to Charms.

- - - Marauders - - -

Sirius sat in Charms, his chin rested in her hands, while he starred open mouthed at Flitwick who was doing some sort of Irish jig. He was demonstrating his favourite past time after being asked by a curious Hufflepuff where he had lived as a child. Sirius' eyes flickered to James for a moment who like himself was gob smacked. They both smirked a little before looking to Remus.

Remus was leant on his hand looking a little dumfounded. He shrugged at them both before turning to watch Flitwick jumping around on his desk again. Lily could see the Marauders out of the corner of her eye, all shared a quick glance before continuing to watch their teacher acting a tad out of character. Lily herself couldn't deny how stunned she had been when Flitwick had willingly jumped up on the table. He wasn't half bad either….

" I used to love a good jig when I was little." He gasped breathless, " Not as good as I used to be though…" He said somewhat resigned. He stopped and looked at his class nostalgically. "Well anyway, back to domestic charms…"

- - - End of class - - -

" Learn anything in that lesson Lily?" Sirius asked teasingly as the class left. Picking up her bag Lily scowled at him for a moment, confused. "Well, when you're married you'll need to know all the domestic charms in the world… James is hard to please that way you know…."

Lily shot Sirius one of the filthiest looks he had seen from her. He recoiled dramatically pretending to be offended. There was something about Sirius that made Lily soften and relax. Her scowl turned to a smile and playfully as she passed him, she hit his arm.

Sirius stopped what he was doing and watched her walking off. "Mate, you might have a bit of competition you know…" He said to James. James looked to him before walking off himself. "What?" Sirius asked Remus bemused.

Remus shook his head and slung his bag over his shoulder, " I have no idea Padfoot… no idea at all."

- - - Break - - -

Lily stood against the wall waiting for that Ravenclaw to show up. Anxiously she looked about, noticing that in the far corner James was stood talking with Amy, that girl from the toilets. They were both looking over at her, and as she gathered, were talking about her. Disheartened, Lily tapped her hands against the wall glumly. At least she caught a flash of blue and green. She could see James watching curiously as Amy nattered on at him. He was glaring at her as the strangest person he had probably seen approached her.

" Here you are, five galleons please…" Lily handed over the money and took the potion from him. "When you take it, don't forget to dilute it", the boy warned coolly.

Lily thanked him and walked off to her room. From the other side of the hall, James looked on curiously. He had no idea why on earth Lily should be talking to that boy of all people!

- - - Lily - - -

Lily looked about. She couldn't find anything which she could dilute the potion with. Perhaps if she didn't drink it all it wouldn't have as much of an effect and would compensate for not diluting it. With only five minutes to get to Defence against the Dark Arts Lily quickly drank half the bottle.

- - - Defence against the Dark Arts - - -

Lily sat in lesson wishing she hadn't taken that potion. She hadn't time in the lesson to do any of the things on that list, and was becoming more and more agitated by the minute. She had no idea why, but she couldn't stop fiddling with things. She kept moving about in her seat, shuffling her papers, tapping her feet. She just couldn't stop fidgeting.

James looked to Lily who was sat a few tables away. She seemed very twitchy. He nudged Remus and Sirius. They had all been looking at her for some time now. It just so happened they weren't the only ones. "Miss Evans, is there a problem?"

Lily's head shot up. She wanted to say no, but really she knew there was, but still, she couldn't bring herself to say 'no'. Instead she squeezed her lips shut and shook her head slowly.

"Well in that case would you be so kind as to listen please?"

Again Lily said nothing, but she still shook her head.

Professor Crane frowned at her, "So you won't listen?"

Lily shrugged silently. It seemed she couldn't stop herself from doing what she really wanted to do. "Right then miss Evans, either you tell me what on earth has got into you or you can sit with me for two hours tonight writing your apologies for disturbing my class."

Lily burst out laughing. Her giggles were uncontrollable. It seemed it was contagious, and Paul who was sat next to her couldn't help but start to laugh himself. Nicole and Carly watched at first bursting with curiosity, but it soon turned to laughter too. Before long a large majority of the class was in fits of uncontrollable laughter. Professor Crane had no idea what to do. He screamed and shouted at them to stop laughing but they did not.

James was one of the few who weren't laughing. Sirius was long gone, banging his fists on the table hysterically, Remus too was chuckling quietly. James however just looked about unimpressed. He was above laughing at laughing. He couldn't help but smile a little though.

"RIGHT, I'LL COUNT TO THREE! IF YOU DO NOT STOP LAUGHING BY THEN IT'S DETENTION FOR THE LOT OF YOU!"

"1!" Crane bellowed. The room was still in fits, although slightly calmed down. "2!" He yelled even louder. At this point the room was still filled with laughter. "3!" It had worked to some degree.

"Very well then! You leave me no choice… Will Lily, Sirius, Paul, Carly, Nicole, Bradley, Hyacinth, Carlson and Remus join me in detention tonight!" The laughter gradually died down, but there was still the occasional giggle and smirk. No one seemed to phased that they had detention, although Nicole did look a little mortified at first, but she glanced at lily and winked. Lily on the other hand was still giggling. Her head was in her hands and although you couldn't hear her you could still see her shoulders shaking.

James just shook his head dismayed. He had no idea what on earth was going on.

- - - Detention - - -

Lily sat in one of the classrooms with all those who had been given detention. They had been waiting for Crane for a few minutes, all discussing things amongst each other. Lily was talking with Paul about Boggarts which he seemed very clued up on. When eventually Crane walked in the room fell silent, waiting for instructions.

"For those of you who have not had detention with me before, this will come as a shock. I rarely waste my time or yours by have you writing out lines. I was going to have you doing that tonight but I have decided that there's a much more effective way of deterring negative behaviour."

Everyone glanced about at each other, some still smiling. "You're going to run five laps of the Quidditch pitch in each direction, before following me in a fitness session." That wiped the smiles of peoples faces. Nicole looked over to Lily who appeared to be feeling very guilty. Sympathetically she declared brightly, "Well I guess it'll help me get into my ball dress."

Crane rolled his eyes before handing them various clothes and leading them to the Quidditch pitch.

"Nice going Lily", Carly whispered on the way down. "Not bad for your first detention", she laughed. Lily looked to the floor.

"I feel awful about it, not to mention the sickness I had when I got to my room from that silly potion." Carly hugged her quickly so no one saw.

The detention wasn't that bad in Lily's eyes. She was fit and finished her ten laps without collapsing like some had. Sirius had been quite good at keeping up with her. She had no idea he was so fit.

He had told her that, "Quidditch and beating required more effort than it seemed." The two had been running around on their eighth lap. "You're quite energetic Evans, you should give it a go" he had commented. It had made Lily smile a little, before she ran off, leaving him to chase after her. He wasn't about to let his pride be hurt by a girl, and so darted off past her to finish first.

"THIS IS AS GOOD FOR YOU AS DEFENCE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS LESSONS ARE. I MIGHT SET THIS UP AS PERMANENT NOW I THINK ABOUT IT!" Crane had shouted over the noise of the incoming storm.

By the time everyone had finished, no one was ready for the fitness session. Crane had delighted in sitting at the side blowing his whistle and dictating. He led them through star jumps, knee lifts, press ups. By the end of it the group trailed up to the castle exhausted and filthy.

They all looked at each other momentarily as Crane pushed past them all to go to bed no doubt. "Well!" Bradley exclaimed falling against the banister daunted by the thought of climbing five floors, " Guess I'll see you all tomorrow" Slowly the group trailed off to where ever their common rooms were.

Sirius walked up with Lily and Bradley. They all walked back in silence, lacking the energy to talk. Their legs were weak and climbing all those stairs was too much work. When they reached the practically deserted common room they parted without a word.

After showering and changing, Lily fell onto her bed and looked over the list. Although she had intended to do the evens, it appeared she was going for the odds.

- - - Boys Dormitories - - -

Sirius returned to his dorm to find James in a sulk while Remus finished his work. The others were soundly asleep.

"What's up with you?" Sirius questioned as he walked past James to the showers. "You've been in a mood all day."

James sighed and replied, "It's nothing really. Just a bit bored. Quidditch hasn't started yet and we haven't pulled a proper prank…."

Sirius looked at him and grinned, " I think we should kick of the year with something big… really big!"

James looked up at him, " What did you have in mind?"

"It'll take a while to prepare, like, but it's good."

- - - Next day - - -

"I'm so envious of you Padfoot. I would have loved to have seen Evans running around that pitch. Was she any good?"

"Aye, she was ace! Came in third after me and Bradley." James laughed at the thought.

" Speak of the devil", Remus muttered as Lily came hurtling down the corridor from behind them. She saw the boys, but kept running right at them. James turned around and she as she was about to pass him, caught her waist.

"Hello there Lily. Where are you going in such a hurry?"

Lily struggled to free herself from James but his grip was strong. Resigned she stood straight to catch her breath. She leant a little on James who allowed her to rest her head against him for a moment.

Gasping she answered, " I slept in…. all that running last night…… so now I'm late for class…."

Pushing herself away from James she glanced at them all. Remus couldn't help but smile at her as if he felt sorry for her. "It's Saturday Lily… no lessons."

Lily's eyes widened slightly, partly from realisation, and partly shock. Groaning she spun and walked off to change and calm down a bit. " When you're ready come and meet us in the Dining Hall for breakfast… Don't be long though!" Remus shouted after her.

- - -

Lily crossed off the second task on the list she was about to complete.

3) One day this week we want you to wear some jeans, boots, and a nice top and get right under people's skin by being nice and pretty.

The moment she had hit her room she quickly got changed. As the requirements stated, she had on a pair of tight blue denim jeans, some knee length brown boots, a black low, square cut top which clung to her curves and then a long silver necklace which fell to her middle and sported a clunky heart. Since autumn was approaching she had on a brown leather jacket which came to her waist to keep her warm.

If she was going to do this she would have to go all out. Otherwise her confidence would fail her. She had tied up her hair high on her head so it trailed past her shoulders in curls. She'd slotted in her ear piercings and her nose piercing, did her make up, but not too much. Her eyes were lined and she'd put on a good bit of mascara. She wore a bit of sparkly lip gloss and some blush ready to face the school.

"Here we go Lily…" as she walked down to the hall she felt lucky it was still early. No one was up on a Saturday morning. The Great Hall was speckled with small groups who were trying to get into the routine of early mornings. As Lily walked down between the tables to the Marauders she felt the swing come back into her hips and a bit of that Lily attitude spark up.

They hardly recognised her as she approached them, which is perhaps why James accidentally wolf whistled at her. He choked on his drink when she sat beside him and reached across the table for the jug filled with juice.

"Evans you look amazing!" He stated as he eyed her up. Blanketing her fear, she let the corners of her lips turn and chose not to reply.

"Since when did you get all sexy here?" He pushed. Again she simply shrugged her shoulders and poured milk over her cereal.

Scoffing at her, James winked at Sirius who was torn between eating and leering. Smiling fondly at him, Lily slowly began to eat.

"So what are you up to today Lily?" Remus questioned while reading his paper.

Lily's eyes wandered over him for a moment before she looked out of the corner of her eyes at James. "I dunno. Haven't really got anything planned. What about you lot?"

Before Remus could answer James jumped in. "Well we were going to nab something from Quinn's stockroom." He munched on some toast before explaining, "If I let you in on a secret, promise you'll keep your mouth shut?" Lily smiled at him shakily and nodded. "We're planning a huge prank, can't tell you what, but we'll need some supplies for testing."

Lily raised her eyebrows at them expecting nothing less. "You can help us if you want", Remus suggested calmly.

Sirius blinked. He had wasn't sure he fully understood why Lily was seemingly being introduced to Marauder-hood. He looked at Lily, scowling for a minute, but it soon turned to a delighted grin. "I think I'm catching onto something here", he whispered to Remus and nodded in James' direction.

Remus rolled his eyes and uttered, "You only just catching on?"

Sirius looked offended for real this time, but couldn't tear himself away from his 'grub' to be bothered much by it.

- - - Quinn's office - - -

Lily had no idea why she had agreed to help. It was something about the way James had stood and waited for Lily to rise herself that had first got at her, but then he walked her out of the Great Hall, and tugged on her arm to pull her away from a moody looking Amy. Amy narrowed her eyes at her and James. She had been about to say something snotty to her, but James had protectively wrapped his arms around Lily's waist, and leant his head on the top of hers. Although Lily would have objected usually, it certainly deterred any nasty comment Amy was going to throw at her. He had then proceeded to push her out of the Hall before asking her to help.

So that was how it came around that she was stood, about to knock on Professor Quinn's door. Her job was to check if he was in, and if so, keep him preoccupied. Lily had no idea where the Marauders were, but they had vanished, which made her doubt what she was doing, and yet now it was too late. She had knocked.

The room behind the door was silent, but after a moment Lily could hear scuffling and someone moaning about the intrusion on their time. When Professor Quinn answered the door to his primary classroom he looked more than surprised to see a trendy looking Lily Evans stood at his door.

"What can I do for you?" He fired at her.

Lily was lost. She looked at him then at the ground. "Well… you see. The things is that… Well…"

"Yes?" He snarled crossing his arms across his chest.

Lily smiled. She'd done this plenty of times before around the village, but she had done it so often they were used to it by now. Quinn however wasn't. She could blag this. " Well, I was wondering if you could help me with something?"

Quinn raised his brow quizzically but said nothing. "Well you see", she said, leaning against the doorframe as she had been instructed by Sirius. "I've been harbouring this deep….dark….passion."

James frowned disgustedly from under his cloak as he slipped past Lily. Sirius poked her in her side to let her know they were through the door.

Lily jolted slightly, as Quinn looked about unsure of what to think. "Passion for what?" He questioned nervously.

Lily smiled as she held her side. "For potions of course." Quinn looked more than relieved and straightened his collar. "You see, I love the whole process of making a potion. Finding the ingredients, cutting them up", she said feeling more and more stupid by the minute, "Mixing them together…" She cast her eyes down a moment, then flickered back up to meet Quinn's. With a look of pure sincerity about her she carried on, "I can't stop thinking about it. I can't sleep properly. I dream about being in potions, with all those wonderful colours around me."

Lily could tell Quinn was considering slamming the door shut and having her carted off. Nevertheless she'd been told to carry on until the second nudge.

"Don't you feel that way?" Quinn's lips tightened. "When you're stood in the room, with all those bubbling cauldrons around you, the smell of herbs, the smokey atmosphere?"

Quinn looked down at her with no sign of emotion on his face. "No…"

Lily looked away and took a deep breath. "Then that's my illusion of you shattered!"

"Well sorry to disappoint Miss Evans but I have things to be doing", just as Quinn was about to shut the door, Lily carried on.

"No-I'm sorry. I'm sorry for you." He stopped and looked at her. "You're stuck doing something you have no passion for. I'm sorry that you're missing out on so much delight and creativity."

Sirius poked her a second time which amazed Lily. She couldn't even see them.

Quinn smiled at her confused before slamming the door.

Lily turned and saw the three lads appear from out of nowhere. "Nice one Evans. You could come in quite useful in the future", Remus said admirably.

"Yea, I never knew you felt so strongly for Quinn and potion making. If I knew that was your biggest turn on I'd have shown you how I make potions instead of being all masculine and sexy", James joked.

Rolling her eyes, Lily smiled at him and began to walk off. With pockets full of potion ingredients the three ran after, following the sound of her clacking up the hall.

Sirius glanced at her bum and her hips as they swung. "Nice bum 'n' all. She aint just brains if you know what I'm saying Prongs".