Author's Note: The plan in the later part of the chapter is really stupid. I just had to do it because it really needed to happen. I don't blame you if you scoff at the end of the chapter.

Chapter 25: A Stammer and A Stutter.

Michael and Chris were walking side by side down the hall with Sam. They were bickering about who would carry her books. Sam was getting annoyed, this fight they were having had been going on for the last ten minutes. Michael and Chris had a death grip on the strap of her bag. "It's my turn to hold it!" whined Michael.

Chris rolled his eyes. "No, it isn't! It's mine!"

Sam stopped walking and was silent. Remus and Hannah were walking down the corridor on the opposite side, holding hands. That was the last thing she needed to see. She faced them and grabbed her bag away from them. "Would you two stop it!" She yelled. They looked at her in surprise. She had been silent for most of the night and they were concerned. They wanted her to speak but they didn't want her to yell at them. "You both know that I like to carry my own bag unless I ask help. Please, remember that in the future, children."

She walked away from them and smiled at Remus as she passed. Hannah was glaring at her but she could careless. Chris and Michael ran to catch up to her and tried to grab her hands. That caused yet another fight. She was getting a migraine with all their fighting. Sam liked them but all their bickering had to stop. She pulled away from them and glared. "What did I just say! Stop fighting over every little thing!"

Michael sighed. "Sam, I don't think this is going to work. You have to choose one of us."

Chris snickered. "What? You can't handle the competition?"

Sam rolled her eyes. "Chris, shut up and leave him the hell alone. Michael and I have to talk in private. I'll see you later."

Chris growled before stalking away. Sam sighed and turned to face Michael. "Michael, you know that I can't choose."

"Why not?"

"Because I care for the both of you. It wouldn't be fair."

Michael sighed. "Who cares about being fair? Sam, choose me. We can be happy together."

Sam bit her lip. "I'm sorry, Michael. I'm not ready to love someone just yet."

"Who said anything about love?" He replied defensively.

Sam gave him a sad smile. "I know how you feel about me, Michael. I'm not ready to love somebody just yet. I spent over two years loving someone and he is now with someone else. I can't just jump back into a committed relationship."

"When do you think you will be ready?"

Sam laughed. "I don't know. Love has a weird way of sneaking up on you. I was crazy about Sirius and then my relationship with Remus happened. I just need time to get over him. That's why I thought this arrangement with you and Chris would work. I didn't count on your feelings for me."

Michael nodded. "I understand. Are you going to stay with Chris?"

Sam nodded. "I think I will."

Michael rolled his eyes and groaned. "Why?"

Sam smiled. "Because I know he doesn't love me. He just wants to be with me to get over Hannah and that's what I need right now. Michael, I don't want you to hate me for this but it's my only chance to get over Remus. I hope you understand and that we can still be friends."

Michael hugged her. "We can still be friends. Whenever you are ready to be with me, I'll be there. Just do me a favor."

"Anything."

Michael smiled. "Please don't kiss him in front of me. I might have to punch him if you do."

Sam laughed. "I can handle that. The not kissing him part. The last thing that I want to do is hurt you."

"I know. Just know that I'll always be around when you need me."

Sam smiled and hugged him. He held her tightly and then gave her one last kiss.

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"Lily! Would you stop?" groaned Sam.

Once Sam walked into the common room after breaking things off with Michael, Lily was on her about Sirius. "No, I will not! You broke up with Michael and it's only a matter of time before you end things with Chris. Sirius is the best choice!"

Sam rolled her eyes. She knew Lily wouldn't stop talking to her about this until Sirius and she were married with a baby on the way. She sat down and pretended to listen to her rant on about Sirius. Lily sat down across from her and wouldn't shut up. "So, what do you say? Will you give Sirius a chance?"

Lily looked hopeful and Sam felt bored. "No, I will not. Sirius and I are just friends. Besides, I'm not ready to be with someone yet. I'm only with Chris because we don't love each other."

Lily rolled her eyes. "That's the biggest pile of bull I have ever heard. You have been in love with Sirius since you were ten!"

Sam sighed. "It's not love. It's just a crush. Haven't we been through this all before?"

"Yes, we have. And I don't believe you anymore than the last time you told me all this. I'm not giving up on you two!"

"Don't I know it! I'm going to bed. Try not to follow me, I actually want to sleep."

Lily sunk into her chair and sighed. She understood why Sam would not want to be in another committed relationship so soon after breaking up with Remus but it would be different with her and Sirius. They were meant to be and everyone knew it. Lily knew that Sam loved Sirius more than she let on and Lily also knew that Sam knew that they were meant to be. Lily saw Sirius walk in and smiled at him.

Sirius walked over and sat down in the seat Sam had just occupied. "How's it going?" He asked.

"Fine. How was detention with Professor McGonagall?"

Sirius rolled his eyes and sighed. "Had to clean out some cabinets and some other boring crap. Nothing overly exciting. You look really aggravated. What did James do now?"

Lily laughed. "Wrong Potter."

Sirius looked up with interest. "Sam? You two never have problems."

Lily rolled her eyes. "That's not true. We have had our problems, but I'm not going into that now. Our latest problem that we don't see eye to eye on is you."

"Me? What are you talking about?"

"Well, tonight she broke up with Michael. I thought this was the perfect opportunity to tell her to go out with you. She wasn't even listening. Sam told me that she wasn't ready to be in a committed relationship so soon after her break up with Remus. She tried to tell me that she didn't love you and that it was just a crush. I wasn't fooled. She has loved you since she was ten! You don't just get over that!"

Sirius sighed. "Well, doesn't that just suck? Maybe you should back off for a while. Give her some time."

Lily eyed his closely. "Is that really what you want?"

Sirius laughed. "Of course not! You do have to back off though. I'll try and make her see things my way."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Fine, just don't push too hard and don't act like an ass." She saw the look on his face and sighed. "Well, try not to act as a big of an ass as usual."

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Sam woke with a start. She had that nightmare again. She was inside a house and there was a green haze all around. She heard someone scream and a baby cry. She had this dream on and off for years but tonight was the first time that it felt so real. She got out of bed and went downstairs to the common room. She sat by the window and sighed. It was still too dark to see anything but too early to go down to breakfast. Sam thought about her nightmare over and over again. "Sam?"

Sam jumped at the sound of the voice. She turned and saw Sirius standing over her. "Sirius? What are you doing up?"

Sirius sat down next to her and sighed. "I couldn't sleep. How about you?"

"The same thing. I thought that I would come down here so I wouldn't disturb my roommates."

Sirius was staring at her closely. "Are you okay?"

Sam smiled at him. "I'm fine. I think I'm going to go back to bed. Have a good night."

She made to leave but he quickly pulled her down to him. "I need some company. I'm not ready to go to bed just yet."

Sam laughed and pulled her hand away from him. "Ok, is there any reason why you can't sleep?"

Sirius smiled and patted the seat right next to him. She sat down and sighed. "There's no reason. I just couldn't sleep. How's everything with you?"

Sam smiled at him. "Everything is good. I broke up with Michael."

Sirius nodded. "Yeah, I heard. Good for you. Now, all you have to do is break up with Chris and you'll be happy."

Sam laughed. "I don't know about that. Chris isn't so bad. He would constantly egg Michael on though. At first, it was funny but it got old fast."

"I could understand that. I knew they couldn't make you happy."

Sam leaned closer and whispered. "Who says I'm with them because they make me happy."

Sirius moved his head closer to her and was mere inches away. "Then why are you with them?"

"I-I-I'm n-not w-with t-them. I-I-I'm w-with C-Chris." Sam stammered. Sirius was too close for comfort and she honestly couldn't think.

Sirius smiled. "That doesn't matter. It won't last."

Sam rolled her eyes and she was about to speak. Before she could reply, Sirius kissed her. He pulled her closely to him and was happy that she was kissing him back. He ran his fingers through her hair and pulled her onto his lap. She held him close to her and Sirius deepened the kiss.

Sirius soon pulled away and they were both breathing heavily. Sam was staring at him, amazed. She moved off of his lap and sat across from him. Sirius gently guided his thumb across her bottom lip and smiled. "That was fun. I think I'll go to bed now." He kissed her briefly before leaving.

Sam stared dumbly at the staircase. "He wants me to go mad. He is trying to make me completely insane!"

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Lily was walking down the hall on her way back from the library. A group of Slytherin girls passed by her and threw her books to the ground while muttering. "Stupid Mudblood."

James was walking behind her and ran to help her. He glared at the girls as they passed and bent down next to Lily. He smiled when he heard her groan. "Let me help you with those."

Lily eyed him suspiciously as he grabbed her books. She didn't see one sign of smugness on his face and slightly smiled at him. "T-Thank you."

James laughed at the expression on her face. "If I see anymore of that surprised look on your face, I might just get offended."

She blushed and smiled. She had never seen him act like less of an ass before and she really like that. He held on to her books as they walked back to the common room in silence. Once they were inside, he gave her books back to her. "Thanks again for your help."

He smiled shyly at her. "It wasn't a problem. Goodnight Evans. Have sweet dreams."

Lily watched him walk up the staircase to his dorm and sighed. She felt a quiver in her stomach as he walked away. She smiled lightly at his retreating form. "Maybe he isn't so bad after all." She muttered to herself before going to bed.

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"Sam!"

Sam turned around and smiled at Sirius while he ran to catch up with her. "Sirius."

It was a beautiful spring day and every student was outside taking advantage of the beautiful weather. Sam was just about to join her friends but stopped to wait for Sirius. "What are you up to?" He asked while trying to catch his breath.

She gave him a weird look. "I'm going to meet my friends. What about you?"

"I'm going to meet James and them. Just wanted to see how you were."

Sam laughed. "I'm fine. Are you feeling ok? You're looking a little flushed."

Sirius hid his face as he blushed. "I'm just hot from running after you, that's all. Do I look hot?"

When she smiled at him, he felt a quiver in his stomach. "Yeah, you look hot."

Sirius stopped walking and looked at her. "Sam? Can I talk to you about something?"

"Yeah, you can talk to me about anything."

Sirius gulped and looked away. "Well, I have been thinking about this for a while and I was wondering…" He stopped talking when he saw the angry look on her face. He turned and saw Remus and Hannah kissing. Sirius sighed and looked at her closely. "You aren't over him yet, are you?"

Sam turned her head and sadly smiled. "I don't think that I'll ever truly be over him. I mean, I want him to be happy even if it is with that cow."

Sirius lightly laughed. He took a deep breath before speaking. "Why did you two break up?"

Sam went still for a moment. She sighed. He kept asking her about that and she knew he wouldn't stop until she gave him a definite reason. She didn't want to get Remus into trouble, so she decided to change the real story around. "We broke up because I-I cheated on him with Chris. Remus and I were going through a rough patch and Chris was just there. All we did was kiss but Remus caught us. I knew that part of him would never forgive me, so I broke up with him."

Sirius was shocked. He honestly wasn't expecting to hear that. He just assumed, like everyone else, that they broke up because of something Remus did, not Sam. "But you two are still close? How did you manage that?"

She shrugged. "Remus said that even though we weren't together anymore, that he still wanted me in his life. Being friends is better than nothing. If he wants to be with Hannah, then I wish them all the best."

Sirius slightly smiled. "That's big of you. How are things with you and Chris?"

She shrugged again. "Ok, I guess. Nothing as exciting as being with Remus."

Sirius looked at her closely and brought her closer to him and held her tightly. She snuggled closer to him and he sighed happily. "Then why are you with him?"

Sam laughed and winked at him. "I guess I'm just killing time until someone comes along that sweeps me off my feet."

Sirius picked her up and put his arm under her legs. Sam let out a shrieking laugh and wiggled around. "Sirius! What are you doing!"

Sirius laughed. "I'm sweeping you off of your feet, of course. Isn't this what you wanted?"

Sam stared at him intently. "Y-Yeah, I suppose so."

He leaned in and kissed her before setting her feet on the ground. It was a few minutes before he broke away. Sirius caressed her cheek and she gazed at him in amazement. "I'll see you later, Sammy. This was fun."

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Chris noticed how distracted Sam was acting at dinner that night. She was too busy to talk because she kept staring at Sirius. He glared at him when Sirius winked at her. "So, what do you say?"

He nudged her and she jumped. "I-I'm sorry. What did you say Chris?"

He sighed. "I said that my parents want you to spend the summer with us. What do you say?"

Sam shrugged. "Sure, I guess so. Maybe not the whole summer though. I want to spend some time with my parents."

Chris eyed her suspiciously. "That's fine. How about spending a month with me?"

Sam's eyes widened. "A month? I was thinking along the lines of a week or two. I don't get to see my parents all that often and I look forward to the summer so I can see them. You understand that, don't you?"

Chris nodded slowly. "Yeah, I do. How about you stay with me for two weeks? Starting when holiday begins?"

"That sounds great. I'll send an owl to my parents to let them know."

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Lily and Sam boarded the Hogwarts Express and were struggling with their trunks while searching for an empty compartment. Lily kept dropping her trunk and was growing rather frustrated with it. She picked it up once again and felt it get a little lighter. She turned and saw James holding the other end. He gave her a soft smile. "I thought you could use a hand."

Lily felt her face flush. "T-Thank you."

"I think I'm going to be offended. You keep looking so surprised at me like that whenever I do something nice."

Lily laughed. "It takes something to get used to."

James laughed. "You and Sam can sit with us, if you want?"

She nodded slowly. "That would be nice."

Sam followed them into the compartment and continued to struggle with her trunk. Sirius was sitting down laughing with Remus when she walked in. Sirius was the first one to get up and help her. She thanked him as he put her trunk away. He pulled her down to sit next to him while Lily willingly sat next to James. James smiled brightly at her and she blushed. "What are your plans for the summer, Evans?"

Lily smiled at him and giggled softly when he blushed. "I'll be spending most of the summer at your house. I'll be arriving when Sam returns from visiting Chris."

Sirius turned to Sam and eyed her closely. "You're going to Chris' for the summer?"

Sam nodded and shrugged. "Yeah, I'm going there right after we arrive at King's Cross."

Sirius inwardly groaned and tried to act nonchalant but the others weren't fooled. "H-How long are you staying for?"

Lily and James shared a look and tried to hide their laughter behind their hands. Sam sighed. "Two weeks. I wanted to spend some time with my parents before we go back to school."

Sam noticed Remus was glaring at Sirius and she smiled at him. "Remus, what about you? What are your plans for the summer?"

Remus looked away from Sirius and smiled at her. "I'm going to Hannah's for a bit before coming to your house."

Sam's smiled slightly faltered but she quickly recovered. "That sounds nice. I'm sure we will all have a lot of fun."

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Sirius was bouncing up and down with excitement. Normally, James would have made fun of him but he was also excited. Sam, Lily, and Remus were due any minute. Mr. and Mrs. Potter walked through the door and the boys jumped out of their seats.

Lily, Sam, and Remus walked in, laughing. That quickly stopped when the girls were tackled to the ground by the boys. Mr. Potter pulled them off of the girls and rolled his eyes. "Give them some breathing room. They just walked through the door."

The boys greeted Remus and they walked over to the couch. The girls followed them, laughing. "I'm assuming that you missed us." Sam said.

Sirius hugged her. "We did. Tell us about your trip, Sam."

They eyed him curiously. She slightly smiled. "It was fun. Chris met this girl and I finally convinced him to ask her out before I left."

Sirius was absolutely glowing. Lily, James, and Remus had to fight to hold in their laughter. "You and Chris broke up?"

Sam smiled slowly. "Yes, we did. It was for the best. We are still good friends but it's just better this way."

Sirius felt light headed. His chance to convince Sam to be with him had finally come. He just had to make sure that he didn't screw it up. "Did you have fun with Chris?"

The other three were shaking with laughter while Sam eyed Sirius closely. "I did. His parents were so nice. It turns out that they absolutely hated Hannah and were sad when we told them that we decided to just be friends. You have no idea how much that pleased me."

Remus laughed. "Hannah said that they loved her. She said that they always called her 'dear' and 'sweetheart'."

Sam shrugged. "Well, they told me that she was annoying and pushy."

Remus nodded. "That sounds about right."

Lily gave Sam a look and nudged her in the side. They quickly stood up and went towards the door. "Lily and I are going to go for a walk before dinner. We'll see you lot later."

Once they were gone, Remus and James turned to Sirius. "So? Fancy my sister much?"

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Lily and Sam walked aimlessly around the neighborhood. Lily owled Sam almost everyday and helped Sam break up with Chris. Lily also convinced Sam to give Sirius a shot. "Did you see how he reacted when you said that you and Chris broke up?" Lily asked laughing.

Sam let out a giggle. "I did. I almost laughed in his face. I honestly can't believe that he finally wants to be with me."

Lily sighed happily. "It's wonderful, isn't it? You and Sirius will be together and so will James and me-" Lily stopped short. She didn't tell Sam that she was finally starting to fall for James. Ever since he helped her with her books and trunk, she was starting to see him in a different light.

"Oh my! You like James!" Sam gasped.

Lily scowled. "I didn't say that!"

"You did too! This is wonderful, Lily! You and James are perfect for each other!"

Lily rolled her eyes. "I don't know about that!"

Sam hugged her. "Yes, you do!"

"Yeah, I do." Lily smiled in spite of herself and then sighed. "This is crazy! How do I know that he still fancies me?"

It was Sam's turn to roll her eyes. "You've got to be kidding me! Did you hit your head on the floor! Lily, you and James are meant to be!"

"Like you and Sirius?"

Sam laughed. "Exactly. You saw how happy James was when you walked through the door. He loves you, Lily. The two of you together makes sense. Now, all we have to do is convince James that you're feelings for him have changed."

"You really think he loves me?"

Sam laughed and lightly punched Lily in the arm. "You're such a git! Of course he does! You love him too! It's amazing!"

Lily laughed and blushed. "It is amazing, isn't it?"

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Sirius, Sam, and Remus were sitting in the living room, talking. They were discussing the stupidity of James. They didn't understand how blind he could be. Lily was making it really obvious how she felt about him and he still did nothing. "Why hasn't he asked her out yet? She finally feels the same way and it's so obvious that he loves her! How can someone be so stupid? If you know you love someone and you know they feel the same way, why do nothing? It makes absolutely no sense at all!" Sam grumbled.

Remus gave Sirius a knowing look and Sirius glared in return. "Maybe he isn't convinced that she feels the same way." Sirius offered.

Remus rolled his eyes. "How could he not be? She's done everything but wear a sign to tell him."

Sam smiled at Remus and Sirius scowled. "How are we going to convince him?" asked Sirius.

"We're going to lock them in the basement until they start dating." Sam said. The boys started to laugh until they saw the look on her face. "I'm serious! You two get James and I'll get Lily."

They marveled at the stupidity of this plan but sighed and went along with it anyway. They'd do anything to get James to realize that now was his chance to be with Lily.

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Lily was waiting in the basement for Sam. She had no idea why Sam wanted her to stay down there and her patience was growing thin. She heard a commotion upstairs. The door flung open and James was pushed inside. He started banging on the door and yelled. "What the hell is wrong with you lot! Let me out!"

Lily sighed. She now realized what was going on and had to smile at the stupidity of this plan. "James?"

James stopped yelling and stared at her in surprise. "Lily! What are you doing here! They locked you in her as well?"

"That they did. You should save your breath. They won't let us out until everything is resolved."

James looked at her curiously. "Did you hit your head? I swear, every last one of you have gone completely insane!"

Lily rolled her eyes. "How stupid are you, Potter?"

"I'm not stupid! Everyone has gone completely nutters!"

"You are the biggest moron that I've ever met! It's so obvious what they are trying to do!"

"No, it isn't!"

"Yes, it is!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

James groaned. "Then tell me what they are up to!"

Lily scoffed. "Why should I?"

"Because the sooner you tell me, the sooner we get out of here!"

Lily rolled her eyes. "They want you to get your head out of your ass for five seconds and realize that I have feelings for you, you moron!"

James stared at her with his mouth hanging open. That lasted for a few moments before he smiled brightly at her. "You like me?"

Lily had to fight hard not to smile. "Maybe I do but you haven't noticed!"

"I've noticed. I just thought that you were messing with me!" James cautiously brought her into a hug and lightly kissed her.

Lily bit her lip and let out a light giggle. "You're a crazy moron! You know that, right?"

James lifted her up and held her tightly. "Well, so are you because you love this crazy moron!"

Lily shook her head and laughed. "You make absolutely no sense whatsoever!"

James laughed. "I know! That's what makes us perfect for each other!" They leaned in and kissed. James sighed happily. "I can't believe this is finally happening! You're my girlfriend!"

Lily gave him a look. "No, I'm not."

James' face fell. "Y-You're not?"

"I never heard you ask me so, I'm not."

James let out a sigh of relief. "Lily, will you be my girlfriend?"

Lily shrugged. "You know, I don't think so. Thanks anyway."

James' eyes widened and he began to stutter. "Y-Y-You're j-just m-messing w-with m-me! I-I knew i-it w-was t-t-too g-good to b-be true!"

Lily was laughing. "James, I was only joking! I'd love to be your girlfriend!"

James was utterly confused. "You were only joking around with me? You want to be my girlfriend?" She nodded. "That has got to be the cruelest joke anyone has ever played on me!"

"James, I never-"

James interrupted her by laughing. "That was brilliant! I knew we were meant to be!" Lily laughed as he pulled her closer and gently kissed her. "I love you, Lily."

She blushed and rested her head on his shoulder. "I love you, James."

He caressed her cheek and looked deeply into her eyes. Her breathing slowed when he kissed her. She felt her heart swell and couldn't believe that they were finally together. They were interrupted by the sound of giggling. They separated and saw Sam smiling brightly while clutching Sirius and Remus' hands to her chest. "Are you two…?" Sam trailed off.

Lily nodded happily. "Yes, we are."

The girls shared a look before running to each other and hugged while jumping up and down, screaming. James quickly walked over to stand near Remus and Sirius. The three of them watched the girls curiously while they jumped and screamed. "It looks like they are having some sort of a fit." James said.

"I think it is some sort of girl ritual." Sirius said.

"Yeah, they do this when they are really happy and excited about something. So, it's a good thing." Remus replied. The other two nodded slowly and continued to stare at the girls in amazement.

Sam ran over to her brother with Lily at her side and hugged him. "This is wonderful! I'm so happy for the both of you!"

James laughed. "It's great, isn't it? Now, all we have to do is find Sirius a girlfriend!" James winked at Sirius and Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Sam doesn't have a boyfriend! We'd have to find her someone as well." Lily said smirking at her.

Sam rolled her eyes. "Subtle, Lily. Very subtle." She whispered in Lily's ear.