Hi! Early update I know, but I thought I wouldn't have time to update with my finals, but someone needed comfort, so here I am ;)

Thank you all so much for the reviews! You're amazing!

And thank you to Mvw65, who has volunteered to proofread this story. She's going to take a look at the first chapters. You're so amazingly kind, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Right, this chapter is, I think, a quite light and happy one. I wanted to write a chapter without any trace of the Slytherins, or Death Eaters, as the next chapters will be a bit darker. So I thought we needed a sunny day before the storm.

We're also saying goodbye to Liam here. I don't know if I'll need this character again, but for sure we won't see him for a while, and I reckon there's only one way to get rid of him: with James kicking his arse ;)

Next update on Saturday.

So, I hope you like this chapter. Please, tell me what you think about it :)


Tea or Butterbeer?

This evening at diner, when the Marauders sat down next to their friends, all of them were talking about Liam, and James couldn't help but wince as he heard the boy's name. But very soon, he listened more carefully. Surely, he had misunderstood...

"Lils, what happened?" he asked the girl.

She looked at him.

"Liam and I broke up."

James propped up an eyebrow. Bloody hell, he had understood right... He wanted to climb up on the table and shout, and jump, and do crazy things... The joy that was boiling throughout his body was begging to burst out. She had broken with this moron... Thank Merlin!

"How? Why?" he asked, his voice a bit hoarse, fighting with all his might not to smile.

Lily shrugged.

"We didn't feel the same, and we didn't want the same..."

"He acted like a prat!" Marlene blurted out. "Don't be kind to him Lils, he acted like a bloody idiot."

"Why? What did he do?" James asked again.

"He asked me to choose between him and you four," she answered, looking at the Marauders, before focusing on James again. "And I chose you."

She looked down at her plate, hiding her reddening cheeks, but James could see them. He couldn't believe this was happening. She had chosen him over Liam. As a friend, yeah, okay... And she had actually chosen the Marauders over Liam, alright, but still... Still she had chosen him. And she was single again. James smiled. So many possibilities were real again. He could be with her, this time, he wouldn't act like an idiot. This time, he would take his time, and wait for her to overcome her break up, and remain her friend as long as she needed to be ready. And he wouldn't impress her, he wouldn't try any crazy plan of his to make her go out with him, no. He would wait, and be delicate, and kind, and patient. He would let her be ready first. But Merlin knew this time, he would not let his chance slip away. This time, he started as her friend, not her enemy. He would convince her to give him a chance. He just had to take things slow, that was all. He had a chance to be with her again.

"Well, if there's anything we can do Lils," Remus proposed kindly.

"Prongs and I have found a brand new potion that will make his skin turn blue for a week," Sirius added. "If you want, we would be pleased to teach the git a lesson."

Lily couldn't help but laugh. These boys really were crazy...

"If you prefer another colour though, I'm sure we could manage," James offered.

"That's kind, but it'll be just fine. And actually, I'm the one who broke up really, so no, I don't need a revenge. But thank you for offering."

Sirius heaved a sigh.

"And I hoped we had finally found our guinea pig..."

They all burst into laughter. Sirius turned towards his girlfriend.

"You wouldn't volunteer, by any chance?" he teased her.

She faked hesitation.

"I don't know, would you like to go to Hogsmeade with a Smurf? "

Again, the group of friends exploded in laughter.

"You would be a lovely Smurfette," Sirius replied.

"Wait..." Clara said, narrowing her eyes at her boyfriend. "How the hell can you know about the Smurfs?"

Remus raised his hand.

"I do try to educate them, but hell, it's hard. Eventually, they do remember some things after a while..."

Clara laughed happily.

"That explains things. Thank you Remus, they undoubtedly need our help."

Remus merely winked at her, while Clara was turning her attention back on her amused boyfriend.

"You would have to be a Smurf too though, otherwise it would be weird."

"To go to Hogsmeade with you? I'd do anything!"

They grinned at each other, before resuming their diner. Under the table, Sirius's hand found her thigh, and remained there for the rest of the meal.


That night, Lily came down to the Common Room, hoping James would join her sooner or later. She knew it was a bad idea. She had just realised the real nature of all these feelings she had experienced these past few weeks, and even months actually. This was why she felt so safe and peaceful when he was near, why she was so happy to see him, why she missed him so much when he was away... But she just couldn't help it, she had to see him. Anyway, he would probably not come down at all. It was almost midnight after all, he was probably sleeping. She laid down on the couch, staring at the dying fire, lost in thoughts. She started as fingertips were touching her shoulder.

"Sorry, 'didn't mean to scare you," James told her.

"It's okay," she answered.

She smiled, and straightened his lopsided glasses, making him smile as well.

"What are you doing down here?" he asked her.

"I wanted to go for a snack, but I wanted to wait a bit, see if you would come down to go with me."

James grinned.

"I'm starving actually."

They went down to the kitchens, picked up some chocolate cake and went sitting down in their usual alcove. Lily smiled, watching James separating carefully the icing from the rest of his cake, as he always did.

"So... Liam is a jerk. Finally, you've realised!"

He looked up at her over his glasses, smiling mischievously, and Lily rolled her eyes.

"He's not a jerk," she replied.

"How do you call someone who tries to dictate to his girlfriend who her friends should be?"

"You may have a point," she admitted.

"I'm glad you've finally left him, he's not right for you."

"And who should be right for me?" she laughed.

He bit his tongue before he could give her the cocky answer that was burning his mouth.

"I don't know," he replied. "Not Super-Tan that's for sure."

"Whom?"

He let out a laugh.

"We used to call him like that. This guy can't have a natural tan really."

"Who's calling him like this?" she asked, frowning.

"Everyone," James answered, his mouth full of cake.

Lily burst into laughter.

"Guess it's appropriate," she answered, sweeping away her tears of laughter from the corner of her eyes.

"I thought you would get mad at me for calling him like this," James admitted.

"No, I'm not mad. I think it's quite funny actually."

James looked carefully at her, and when he spoke again, he was serious.

"Are you alright?"

She stared at his hazel eyes. They were so beautiful in the dim light of the torches... She smiled reassuringly.

"I'm fine. It had been there for a while. We were less and less close as time was passing by. We didn't feel the same, and... I should have stopped all this sooner actually."

She played with a piece of her cake, digging her fork into it several times. She didn't look sad, melancholic at the most.

"Are you sure you don't need anything?" he insisted.

Her smile was even brighter.

"I'm fine James. I promise."

His heart had sped up as he was staring at her incredible smile. He cleared his throat.

"So... you don't have anyone now for Hogsmeade this weekend?"

She shook her head, chewing her cake.

"Would you like to go with me?"

She stopped chewing, and stared right into his hazel glance. He closed his eyes and winced. He shouldn't have asked this way...

"I meant, as friends of course, it wasn't... I wasn't asking for a date. It's just, you know..."

He struggled to swallow, his eyes still closed, too scared of her reaction to lift up his eyelids.

"It's just that it's full moon on Wednesday, and Peter has already volunteered to stay with Remus, so I thought I was going to go to Hogsmeade, as Moony won't be alone. And Sirius is taking Clara on a date, and Doc and Frank are going to spend their day snogging too, so I thought maybe we could just spend a bit of time together, as friends, like... like a mid-afternoon snack?"

He opened slowly one eye, smiling tentatively. She merely stared at him, her expression blank. But then slowly, very slowly, the ghost of a smile appeared on her lips, and then turned into a genuine smile, and finally a grin.

"It sounds lovely," she answered slowly.

James propped up an eyebrow.

"Does it?"

She chuckled.

"It does."

She kept smiling, still looking at him in the eyes. Maybe it was possible after all. She had needed an eternity to finally realise that what she really needed had been right here, in front of her all along. But now she had opened her eyes, and faced the truth. She loved James. Now that she was finally embracing this reality she felt better, she felt more herself. She felt like suddenly, she was who she was meant to be, she felt like she had finally found the missing piece she had spent years searching for. Everything fitted perfectly now, her life made sense all of a sudden, and it was the best feeling in the world, this little tickle in her stomach that was telling her she was right where she belonged. Her heart seemed to be beating at a new pace now, as if it had been waiting for her to finally realize the nature her feelings for this boy to beat at the right rhythm. Maybe, if they both took their time, things could get even better. She looked down at her cake, fear sending shivers up her spine. She just hoped she wasn't too late...


Sirius was pacing across the Common Room. He couldn't wait to see Clara, this was unbearable. He took a look at his watch. He was still early. He heaved a deep sigh, throwing his head backwards and staring at the white ceiling. It was their first trip to Hogsmeade as a couple, and he wanted this day to be as perfect as possible to her. He was torn away from his thoughts as he heard some footsteps coming down the girls' staircase, and he could have recognised their joyful rhythm anywhere. He turned around, and his heart skipped a beat as he was looking at Clara walking towards him, grinning. She was wearing a green tulip dress, a brown leather jacket, and his necklace in the shape of a silver crocus was shining around her neck. She had attached her hair in a ponytail, and her lips were red with lipstick. He finally released the breath he didn't know he had been holding. She was breathtaking. He finally realised that she had been talking to him, but he hadn't heard her.

"What?" he asked her, shaking himself.

"I said: 'you look very handsome Sirius'," she repeated, an amused smile on her face.

She twirled, showing him her dress.

"Do you like my dress? It's a new one."

He giggled, amazed that someone like her could be with a boy like him.

"You're gorgeous."

She blushed, and it was the loveliest thing in the world.

"Thank you."

He took a step closer, and took her in his arms.

"I know the snogging part is supposed to happen much later in a classical date, but you're way too beautiful for me to resist. So let me warn you, I'm gonna kiss you right now."

And he did. For quite some time...

Eventually, they got downstairs and headed towards Hogsmeade, along with their friends of course. All the time, their fingers remained intertwined, and Sirius could see students staring at the two of them, whispering as they were passing by. But he didn't care. He couldn't have cared less really. He was so proud to hold her hand, and to walk next to her... Right behind the two of them, the rest of their friends were laughing, chatting merrily. They split up once they had reached Hogsmeade, and Sirius guided his girlfriend across the crowded street. She didn't care where they were heading. She was grinning, and felt happier than ever. She couldn't imagine how she had managed to live sixteen years without this man holding her hand like this... Suddenly, Sirius stopped. He was staring right in front of him, and her gaze followed his. She propped an eyebrow. He had stopped right in front of Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop...

"Sirius..."

"Yes?"

"Where are we supposed to be going?"

He nodded towards the teashop.

"In there."

She looked at him, frowning.

"But you hate teashops, it reminds you of your mother."

He looked tenderly at her.

"You'll have a real date today Clara Clearwater. And apparently, according to Hogwarts custom, it means having tea at Madam Puddifoot's. So, you'll have tea at Madam Puddifoot's."

He started to walk towards the shop, but she stopped him. She was smiling, clearly touched, tears shining in her eyes. He was ready to do something he would hate for her, and it was incredibly kind. It was so much like him.

"What's wrong?" he asked her, taking her hands in his, suddenly afraid of having done a mistake at the sight of glimmering tears in her green eyes. "Did I do something wrong? I'm a novice at having dates, at least real ones, so don't judge this day too quickly."

She shook her head, smiling tenderly at him.

"You're amazingly kind Sirius Black," she whispered, getting on her tiptoes to kiss his lips.

He smiled, and she took a step back, still staring at his grey eyes.

"But I don't want to drink tea at Madam Puddifoot's."

"Oh... okay," Sirius replied, quite taken aback.

All his plans for the day were crumbling down. What would they do now then?

"What had you planed?" she asked him, reading in his mind.

"Madam Puddifoot's teashop..."

"No tea, thanks," she answered, an amused smile curving her lips.

"The gardens..."

"That you usually call 'the Trash-dens'... don't think we'll go there either."

"And the river."

"That isn't big enough to be called a river at all, and is rather creepy actually, no again."

"But I thought you would like a real date..." Sirius said slowly, completely lost.

She wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I am having a real date Sirius. And having a real date also means going to places we both like, and none of us like the places you've just mentioned, especially you."

"I just wanted to do things right..."

Here, he had fucked everything up...

Again, Clara read into his mind.

"I don't care where I'm going today Sirius, I just want to spend this day with you. Do you understand the difference? It's a date as long as we're together, and I want you to enjoy this day as much as I am enjoying it right now."

His lips curved slowly into a smile.

"So..." she went on, her arms still around his neck. "Maybe instead we could have a butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks, and then go to Zonko's to buy this new crazy quill you were talking about, and then make a stop to Spintwitches, 'cause I've heard they have received these new protections for Beaters. What do you think?"

He kissed her tenderly, tears in his eyes.

"I think you're amazing," he answered, his voice barely more than a whisper, resting his brow against hers. "I think I love you with all my heart."

She grinned, closing her eyes.

"I love you too Sirius."

He kissed her again, before taking a step back and offering her his open hand.

"So... Three Broomsticks?"

She laughed, and the sound of her laughter was enough to make him chuckle as well.

"Yes please," she answered, enlacing her fingers with his. "I definitely prefer butterbeer to tea."


Lily couldn't find the right book, and it was beginning to annoy her seriously. She heaved a sigh as she was looking desperately at the books on the shelves again. James suddenly appeared by her side, eating a Sugar Quill.

"Lils, you're going to worship me," the boy stated.

She rolled her eyes.

"Oh, really James?"

"Yes, you will."

He handed her an old book, and her eyes widened.

"Bloody hell! You found it!"

She checked the reference twice, but yes, it was the book of Potions she had been looking for. She grinned.

"You're the best," she told him.

"I know," James answered, winking.

She rolled her eyes, laughing nonetheless.

"Don't try me too much though Potter," she teased him.

"Come on Ginger Sweet, let's get out of here. I'd kill for a butterbeer."

"Sounds good to me."

She hurried to pay for her book, but as she was waiting for her turn to pay, she bumped into someone she didn't expect to see there.

"Hi Lils," Liam told her, his voice distant.

"Hi," she answered, not-at-ease.

"You came alone?" he asked her.

She took a deep breath before answering.

"No actually. James is..."

"Right here."

She looked up at the Gryffindor boy, who was now glowering at the Ravenclaw. Liam shook his head.

"You didn't lose time, that's for sure," the Ravenclaw snapped.

Lily opened her mouth to reply, her cheeks red with anger, but James was faster.

"It's not a date, if that's what you meant. And I reckon you've managed to lose Lily on your own, you didn't need my help to be a git."

Liam clenched his fists.

"So I'm the git now?"

"You're nothing but a prick Timmins."

"James, please..." Lily tried to calm him down.

Liam turned towards her.

"I thought you would be decent enough to wait more than five minutes to run into his arms, but clearly, I overestimated you!"

It was Lily's turn to clench her fists.

"It's not a date Liam, we're merely buying books. And anyway, even if it was a date, I don't reckon it's any of your business anymore."

"No you're right, it's none of my business, you can snog whoever you want. I didn't know you were an easy girl though. Clearly I didn't have his method to make you fall so easily."

James took a step closer to him, but Lily stopped him before he could reach the Ravenclaw boy.

"Now Liam, you're going too far. You should go," she told him, fury igniting her green eyes.

"I bet that's not what you're telling him at night, is it? Or perhaps it was only with me you were taking things slow, not with the rest of the school..."

James's fist flew across the air at an incredible speed, landing right onto the Ravenclaw's mouth.

"YOU SON OF A BITCH!" James roared. "APOLOGIZE! NOW!"

Everyone in the bookshop froze, Liam lying on the ground and holding his bleeding mouth. Suddenly, two pairs of arms were wrapped around James's shoulders and dragged him out of the shop before he could react. Lily hurried after him, shouting to the two Ravenclaws to let go of him.

"Leave him alone!" she cried.

One of the two boys pushed her violently away, and the ginger girl fell onto the ground, in the middle of the street, her head hitting hard the pavement. James struggled even more, rage burning every inch of his body, whilst Lily was trying to come back to her senses, holding her bleeding forehead. How could they dare hurt her... But before he could manage to free himself, Liam was out of the shop, and as his two friends were holding James, he punched him hard on the stomach, making the Gryffindor boy fall down on his knees, struggling to catch his breath. He coughed several times, and Liam used these few seconds to punch James hard on the face. He raised his hand a third time... Lily had finally managed to get back to her senses enough to understand what was going on. James was going to be hurt, James was going to be hurt, James... As she was trying to stand up, a boy ran towards the fight, breaking the circle of curious students who had gathered to watch the battle. The next second, Clara was helping Lily to get back on her feet.

"You're okay Lils?" she asked her friend.

The redhead nodded.

"I just hit my head on the ground," she answered. "I'm fine."

Sirius was now rolling on the ground with one of the Ravenclaw who had helped Liam, whilst James was back on his feet. He threw his head backwards, breaking the nose of one of his opponents, and the Ravenclaw backed away, holding his bleeding face. After a few punches, he gave up the fight, and ran away. James turned towards Timmins. Liam tried to throw him a powerful punch, but James bent, avoiding his fist, and hit the boy hard in the stomach. He punched his face again, and the Ravenclaw fell on the ground.

"Don't you ever, EVER, talk to Lily again, do you HEAR?" James bellowed. "If I see you near her..."

Liam crawled away, terrified, before standing up and fleeing away from the two Gryffindor boys. The last Ravenclaw didn't ask for more either and ran away from Sirius's wrath. James offered his open hand to Sirius, and helped his friend to stand up.

"Thanks mate," James thanked his friend.

"Anytime," smiled Sirius, out of breath.

The girls hurried towards the two Marauders. Around them, the crowd was already dissipating, now that the show was over.

"James, you're okay?" Lily asked, her voice shaking.

The boy nodded, still panting, and took a closer look at her forehead.

"That's not deep, you'll be alright Lils," he reassured her.

"Of course I'll be alright, it's you I'm worried about, you moron!"

She wrapped her arms around him and held him tightly against her.

"You shouldn't have done that, you could have been badly hurt. It was stupid James."

"He insulted you. I couldn't do nothing Lils."

"You should have let him talk."

"I'll never let anyone talk to you this way."

She stared into his hazel eyes, and she read into his deep glance that he was speaking the truth. She shook her head, releasing him.

"You're such a reckless moron sometimes!"

But she was smiling now, and he smiled back at her.

"Can I have a hug too, as I've bravely defended the honour of my friend as well?" Sirius asked James, his arms wide open.

They burst into laughter, James hugging his brother happily.

"You do deserve a hug, nice job Sirius."

"Thank you James."

Sirius then turned towards Clara.

"What about you? Will you give me a hug?"

She laughed, getting closer to him.

"You deserve more than a hug," she told him in a seductive voice.

She grabbed her boyfriend by the collar, and pulled him down to her, before kissing him feverishly. Sirius closed his eyes, propping up an eyebrow, before wrapping his arms around her and pressing her tightly against him.

"We should leave these two here I reckon," James whispered in Lily's ear.

"I think you're right."

"Three Broomsticks?" James asked the ginger girl.

Lily grinned.

"Sure."

They started to walk away, but were soon joined by Clara and Sirius again.

"Madam Rosmerta will give us what we need to clean up these two baboons," Clara said, pointing at the two boys.

"Here we go again... Try to be chivalrous, and all you'll have as a reward is to be called a baboon by your girlfriend," Sirius joked.

"I reckon you've already had a kiss as a reward Sirius," Clara replied, smiling.

The boy grinned.

"And a wonderful kiss, for sure," he whispered in her ear, kissing her earlobe in the process.

"Pads, I thought you were having a real date today, with tea and everything," James told his friend, suddenly wondering what the hell he was doing here anyway.

"We changed our plans," Sirius answered. "We went for a butterbeer, and were heading to Zonko's when we saw you in a desperate position."

"The situation was completely under control," James replied.

" They were kicking your arse James!"

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No Padfoot."

"Yes Prongs."

The two girls rolled their eyes, amused nonetheless by the childish behaviour of the two boys.

"Anyway, you haven't answered the question Padfoot," James insisted. "Why have you changed your plans? Zonko's? For a date really?"

Sirius took Clara's hand in his, and smiled tenderly at her.

"It was her idea," he told James, looking at his friend again. "Yes I know, my girlfriend is perfect. Too late Prongs, she's already taken."

They laughed merrily again, entering the inn. They ordered some butterbeers, and Madam Rosmerta gave them what they needed to heal the two boys.

"Anyway, I reckon that cleaning the wounds of your boyfriend during your date at Hogsmeade is the price to pay to be with a Marauder, isn't it?" said Clara, as she was bathing Sirius's cut cheek with warm water.

Sirius let out one of his typical bark-like laughs.

"I guess it is. But you would have been so bored if I hadn't fought, don't deny it."

"You're undeniably making great efforts to keep our relationship interesting Sirius. I can't complain that I'm bored with you, that's for sure."

"See, I'm making big sacrifices for you."

"I can see that."

Lily was cleaning up James's wounded mouth. He winced as she was pressing the wet towel against his lip.

"Sorry, you're okay?" she asked him.

He nodded.

"Be gentle Ginger Sweet, would you?"

"I'm always gentle with you James."

He stared at her as she was focusing hard on his bleeding lip.

"I know you are," he said slowly.

She looked up at him, and she stared back at his hazel eyes. What he had done today may have been a bit stupid, it was still amazingly kind. He had defended her when Liam had insulted her, and it was very brave indeed. She approached slowly her face from his, before kissing his cheek. She left her lips for a moment there, resting upon his soft skin, and she knew she should have pulled away already. But the truth was, the feeling of his skin against her lips made her shudder, and she didn't want this feeling to disappear. Eventually, she pulled away anyway.

"Thank you, for defending me."

James smiled.

"You're welcome Lils."

He caressed tenderly her chin.

"I'll always defend you, no matter what happens."

They smiled at each other, before Lily would notice that Clara and Sirius were leaving.

"Where are you going? You haven't drunk your butterbeers yet," Lily told them.

"We still have to go to Zonko's, and I want to go to Spintwitches before we leave," Clara answered.

"You still have plenty of time..."

"And Lils," Sirius interrupted her. "It's a date. I intend to snog my girlfriend before the end of the day."

Clara blushed fiercely, but her friends merely laughed.

"Come on Clara, let's go."

She followed him, holding his hand, still blushing, but a grin stuck on her face. But instead of guiding her to Zonko's, he leaded her to a little alley, where they spent quite a lot of time kissing...

James and Lily spent the rest of their afternoon in the inn, chatting merrily. Eventually, when night had almost fallen upon the world, and it was time to get back to the Castle, they walked together, holding hands. And Lily didn't even notice that she hadn't bought her Potion book.