Sirius turned, "Y'alright Jay?" he asked the blue haired girl.

"Yeah." was the short, barely audible, reply he recieved. He assumed she was mad at him.

Sirius turned back to James. He put his hands in his pockets and looked at the floor.It was like he was thirteen again.

They'd been practicing for hours in the Room of Requirement. So far, James had managed to sprout antlers, but not much else. Peter had aquired a long, hairless, pink tail which he could not get rid of. And Sirius? He couldn't even pick up his wand. Paws instead of hands. Great!

Remus sat on a chair in the corner trying to contain his laughter.

"Thanks Prongs." Sirius mumbled.

James looked at his best friend. "No problem."

Remus grinned at Peter; they were back to normal again. Peter smiled back.

New Year's Eve at Hogwarts was a quiet affair. The Marauders and Rachel congregated at Hogsmede Station to welcome Lily back to school. Lily had gotten tired of home; the snide comments from her sister, Petunia, had gotten tedious, and she'd missed her friends; especially James. She'd noticed her best friend's blue hair as the train pulled into the station and no sooner had she dismounted, she was swept into the arms of James Potter. She buried her face in his shoulder and giggled as he swing her in circles. She could hear the laughter of her friends as James whispered into her ear how much he'd missed her. She closed her eyes and enjoyed it. She knew she was getting strange looks from the other witches and wizards at the station, but she didn't care. Finally James put her down, looked into her eyes and kissed her. The rest of the world melted away and she dimly heard Sirius make a snide comment about "Public Displays of Affection!" and smiled against James' lips, knowing that Rachel would elbow the Playboy in the ribs sharply. She'd really missed this. Lily didnt have time to blink before she found herself in another pair of arms. Rachel Jay had thrown herself at her best friend.

"Missed you like mad Lils. You have no idea how irritating Black is!" the blue haired girl hissed into the redhead's ear.

Lily smiled.

"Missed you too Rach."

James' hand found hers as they began to walk out of the station, chattering away. It was back to normal again. Rachel was keeping as far from Sirius' wandering hands as she could, sticking close to Remus. Peter's input was few and far between; but the banter was friendly enough. Lily sighed and leant into James, who put his arm around her. Everything was as it should be.

"... so Potter stopped Black from getting into trouble for beating Wood into a pulp, even though I had the situation under control and it was none of his damn business!" Rachel finished her version of the story of how things had returned to normal after James and Sirius had fallen out.

"Ah right. So you weren't even the littlest bit glad that Sirius came to your rescue?"

"Pft!" the blue haired girl scoffed, "No."

Lily smiled at her knowingly: 'Whether Rach wants to admit it or not, she's got a soft spot for Sirius.'

"Piss off Lils!" Rachel laughed at her friend. "I know that look."

Lily raised her eyebrows.

Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs met the Head Girl and the Quidditch Captain on the way to the Great Hall where Dumbledore had organised a small party for the students that remained over the Christmas period. It was a casual gathering, streamers, balloons, confetti and party hats adorned the tables. Rachel rolled her eyes as she entered the room, as Lily clapped her hands and Peter's eyes lit up, she found New Year overrated. Sirius snuck a quick glance at the disgruntled blue haired girl as the group made their way across the room to their usual seats at the Gryffindor Table. She looked good - tight black jeans tucked into black boots; an old, ripped grey t-shirt with 'some band logo' on it. Sirius watched her bum as she walked and made a mental note to ask who "The Ramones" were later.

"...Festivities will continue here until one." Dumbledore spoke, "Happy New Year."

Sirius reached past Remus for the chicken.

Remus rolled his eyes and looked away. Peter looked sheepish, embarrassed. James and Lily tried to continue the conversation, but it was no use. Rachel and Sirius were arguing again, and nothing anyone could think of would make them stop. James had tried changing the subject. Lily had offered Rachel her favourite dessert. Remus had pointed out an attractive girl. Peter had asked for... something or other... Nope. Nothing.

"Can't you take him back home, before they really start making a scene?" Lily pleaded with Remus.

"For fuck's sake, Black. Get over yourself! I'm sick of you. Never in a million years would I even consider kissing you at midnight!"

"Well I don't see anyone else offering Jay!"

"Do I look like I give a shit? Seriously? Cos if I do, I'm clearly giving out mixed signals!"

Remus cringed. James sighed, loudly; and rolled his eyes.

"One of these days we're just going to have to lock them in a room together and force them to work it out."

The rest of the party agreed, they couldn't take it anymore. What had started as friendly, innoccent teasing had turned into angry, spiteful name calling and cursing. But they were going to have to learn how to get along - everybody else did.

"Arg!" Rachel Jay had seemingly had enough. She rose from her seat, threw her napkin onto her plate and stormed out of the Great Hall.

Sirius rose too "We're not done here Jay!" He shouted.

"Oh yes we are!" the bue haired girl shouted back.

"Right!"

Before anyone could offer more food and attempt to stop him Sirius was gone too. The Great Hall was in silence.

"Well, at least they've gone." Peter squeaked.

"I suppose so Pete," Remus smiled at his friend in relief, "Let's just hope that they don't kill each other."