(AN: In memory of Steve Irwin … he never liked parrots either.)


(29) The Sparkling Hummingbird

I couldn't believe it! Now whenever the four of us moved together, I was just behind Sirius's left shoulder, looking for all the pack like a Delta but I was Beta. I was on a high. I'd willingly follow my mate...my ...mate... into hell & back. By the time school started again, Sirius & I were once more causing havoc at random. While marching past a group of Slytherins, one of which being my least favorite person, I ripped apart all their bags in one fluid movement as we walked briskly past.

Three of them tried to retaliate but Sirius & Peter blasted them off their feet. Remus rolled his eyes. He never did like it when Sirius & I picked on people but oh well, nothing he could do about it anyway. I was even so bold one day as to send a bolt of power at a mop bucket, sending the water shooting in all directions. Sirius was laughing so much that he didn't notice Argus Filch stand up from polishing a gargoyle right before he, Filch, put a foot out to come after us, only to slip & go sliding on his arse down the hall & over some stairs, his new kitten Mrs. Norris streaking after him & mewling pathetically. Sirius & I were in pain after that one. Funniest thing I ever saw!


Harry also, was in pain & had to take a moment to catch his breath before continuing.


We both earned detention for the next three nights in a row. Separately. I was stuck polishing suits of armour until my arms fell off since McGonagall wasn't the kind of witch to fall asleep on anyone, while Sirius had to help Hagrid make room in one of the unicorn barns for a dozen cages of various chattering parrots. Sirius hated parrots so much but I still think he got the better deal. He had to gather all their fallen plumage to be used in various potions.

There was one change however. In our first five years, Sirius & I never cared who saw us (apart from teachers & Filch of course) when we were teaching some sorry sod a lesson. Now though, we were sure to check around for Lily first since she, like Remus, didn't like us doing this but unlike Remus, she would come after us if she knew what we were doing. It was easy since our main targets were Slytherins & Snivellus was Slytherin but no longer on speaking terms with Lily. He wouldn't tattle on us & even if he did, she most likely would not believe him any more.

I was starting to take control of Sirius more often than not now but our moments together were few & far between. On top of classes & homework for two years in one, we were earning more detentions now as I was becoming more like my old self again. Then, we had Quidditch practice as the final game of Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw was the last day of May. To top that off, we all had to cram for the last month of exams. Summer will never happen fast enough!

As the last game drew nearer, we were all treated to a surprise Hogsmeade weekend when we woke up to notices all over Hogwarts. It was the same weekend of the game, the day after the match as a special treat before exams. (In reality, Sirius & I both felt it was to help take people's minds off the war since a particularly nasty battle had just taken place in Wales & Voldemort had been there. He was not captured but he left several hundred dead & a good portion of the students had lost family in that fight.)

When we had one week left to go before the game, I had a heart attack so bad that it was amazing I could play. I was playing Wizard Chess in the common room with Peter one night. Remus was lying on the hearth with a spellbook & his Firefall owl, Nightstalker, & Sirius was in the far corner with seven different rolls of parchment that he seemed to be scribbling on at the same time. He always was one to cram everything in at the last minute.

Lily came down the stairs & headed straight towards Peter & me. After crushing his bishop, I looked up at her. "Care for the next game?"

"It's way too barbaric," Lily scowled. "I rather Gobstones."

"I can help you there," Remus all but purred.

Lily glared at him. "Yeah no thank you. Hustler."

"Ooo," Remus mocked. "Little girl's gonna cry?"

Lily whipped around & stalked over to him. "I'd rather go to hell then play Gobstones with you! I know how you play. I know you're unbeatable."

"Ohh scaredy cat," Remus winked at her. "We won't make bets. It'll just be a friendly game. I'll even be a gentleman & let you win all three rounds."

"Don't do it Lily!" Peter, Sirius & I warned in once voice.

"You will do no such thing!" Lily shot back at Remus. "I'll beat your tufted arse! Hogsmeade. Noon. Five hundred Galleons."

"OOOOOOOOOOOO!" Us four men just stared at her.

Remus stood up & bowed like a Knight. "I accept your challenge m'lady."

"Good," Lily turned to me. "Uh, Jim. So. The Hogsmeade weekend. It's after the match so I was wondering...if...um, well would would, uh would you like to go with me?"

Time stopped.

There was a crash as Sirius's inkbottle smashed to the floor while he gaped at her. The Chess game played by itself as Peter & I had quite forgotten it was ever there. Remus unfortunately stared with his mouth open, making the tips of his fangs quite visible, but everyone was focused on Lily & me.

I had been after this girl since our first year. She had flat out refused me every time. In fact one time, she pushed me in front of a carriage & I nearly got trampled just to get rid of me.

Now, after near six years of waiting, she had asked me out instead.

"Uhh...I I I uh…well...uh…" I was completely gobsmacked. What the hell just happened here? What about Sirius? Glancing at him, I saw him nodding vigorously. Just go with it, he had once told me. "I uh uh uh I uh." OHMYGODWHYAMISOLAME?

"Did someone die?" Lily glanced around at the shocked faces, then back at me.

"I um I." My stupid tabrenack-ing brain! Today!

Sirius hit the top of the table with his hand. "Yes!" He hit it again. "Yes!" Remus & Peter took up the chant, clapping in time. "Yes yes yes yes yes YES YES!"

"Yes!" I finally managed to say.

"Great," Lily smiled. "I'll see you at the Gobstone game, then we can go get something to eat...or something."

"Ok."

She left. I blinked. What the hell just happened?

Remus was the first to move. "Well done, mate! About time! By the way, can I borrow five hundred Galleons just in case I do lose?"

"Yeah," I felt shaky & weak. I sat down.

"He's right," Peter added. "I'm proposing to Zephyra on that weekend. You're so behind, Jim."

"Thanks."

Sirius came & shook my hand. "After all these years!"

"Mhm," I mumbled. I wasn't ready to leave Sirius yet though. I loved him so much it hurt. It's just a date. Not a marriage proposal, unlike Peter.

It wasn't until we hit the showers the next morning that I had a chance to be with Sirius alone. He had gone in late & purposely hung back. "So, finally got a date with Evans, did you? How does that feel?"

Straight to the point. Alright dumbarse! Two can play that game. "So you're breaking up with me now? Have fun with Remus!"

"You & I will never break up," Sirius put a hand on my Spirit tattoo, currently on my right hip. "I'll have plenty of fun with Remus when the time comes."

"Padfoot, I don't know if I'm ready for her yet."

"You never will until you start getting a bit closer to her."

"It took me a long time to learn how to love again," I began. "Nearly a year! But it's you I went & fell for."

"Which is amazing considering I'm a guy," Sirius pulled me close. "Jim, I'll never stop loving you. You're part of my soul. But you must go on at least one date with Lily."

"Why?"

"If it works out, you're free to pursue it with my blessing," Sirius said. "You hold a piece of my heart always & I, yours. But if it doesn't, we'll go public."

The enormity of what he said had me rooted to the spot. "Public?" I stared at him. "What about Remus?"

"I won't," Sirius said. "We're good friends now again. It's fine. It isn't like Remus & I are planning to fall in love. I'll always love him to but if things aren't meant to be, there's no use forcing it."

Public! That would rock the very foundation of Hogwarts, or at least the Marauder's Guild. Should I even let that happen? Should I care? I do like Lily. Like. Could I even love her again as before? "What if things do work out with Lily?"

"It's ok," Sirius said. "You've never even been with a girl, well unless she has fangs." He grinned, baring Padfoot's fangs.

"Not to mention lots of slobber. OW!"

Sirius hit me with the shower head. "I mean a real woman. Jim! Work with me here."

"I know that!" I rubbed my head...the one on my shoulders...just so we're clear.

"I promised you I'd help you find your flower again," Sirius pointed out. "Even if you do end up with her, we'll always have each other. Maybe not quite as physical about it though since I'll go with Remus."

"It is what we were aiming for," I admitted.

"Some plans fail," Sirius said. "But if you & Lily do work out, I'll get those God-children you've promised me years ago."

"Yeah," I half-laughed. "We had high hopes back in our childhood."

"Just because they're childhood dreams, doesn't mean you have to give up on them," said Sirius. "Besides, who knows? Maybe in our old age, we can simply get back together."

"What?"

"Actually, that would work just fine," Sirius went on. Uh oh. He's thinking & talking. Not good! "We'll have each other to fall back on in our old age."

"You mean if Lily & Remus die before us? Padfoot! That's cruel!"

Sirius stared at me. "Well I don't know about Lily since she's human, but you know Remus won't live to see a hundred."

"WHAT?"

Sirius blinked. "Sorry. I thought ...um...Jim."


"Wait, what?" Harry whimpered softly. Professor Lupin was dying? No wonder he had grey hairs despite being young! "Sirius, what are you talking about?"


"He has K9 blood," Sirius tried again. "The oldest Lycan on record is seventy-two human years & that's very old for them. Most don't live much past the early sixties. Anything with K9 DNA ages differently, faster than humans."

I stared at him, both hands over my mouth. "Sirius you can't mean that!"

"Sorry," Sirius stepped away from me. "I thought it was common knowledge."

"What about you? You're Padfoot!"

"Padfoot is an illusion," Sirius explained. "It...yes Jim it! Isn't real. Padfoot is just a Marauder's name. But she is actually a human woman in the spirit & her name is Tiny Bubbles."

"So ...you'll live?"

"If I don't die in this war, yes, I have a very long life ahead of me."

I stared at him. I couldn't believe it but of course, it did make sense. Remus was technically a wolf. He wouldn't live like we lived. He had the life span of a muggle more or less, not a sorcerer. Did he realise this? I knew then what I had to do. Protect your werewolf. I had to marry Lily. Remus deserved having a mate but what person would ever want a monster in their bed? Only one of us who looked beyond that.

Only Sirius!

These were my final moments with Sirius. They had to be. When I walk out of the showers, I'm walking out on him. I think my heart broke so much when I came to that decision that I no longer have a heart. "Make love to me."

Sirius smiled softly. "You never have to ask for that."

He leaned towards me & kissed me. I didn't tell him, but I knew it would be our last time. We lay on the floor of the shower for nearly an hour, yet it was over far too soon. "You ok?" He asked after several minutes recovering from his touch...his last touch.

"I just found out one of my best friends won't live as long as I will & I'm about to go on a date with Lily Evans," I was trying to make light of the situation. "What do you think?"

"I think the best sex I have is when I'm with you," he said, making both of us laugh & my face no doubt went red.

"Thanks," I tried to scowl at him.

"Hey," Sirius put a hand on my cheek. "Everything will work out. Don't worry."

Truer words have never been spoken before. Sweet Merlin. How I'll miss him. I kissed him for one long moment. "Yeah, let's hope." If I didn't do it now, I never will. I stood up, dried & got dressed, then I walked.

I walked out of the best thing that had ever happened to me so far & I didn't look back. I barricaded my bed that night with every charm I could think of, then cried myself to sleep. By Merlin, how I love him! This was never supposed to happen. What the tabarnak is wrong with me, allowing myself to fall for him? No it isn't my fault! It's his! He's the damned seducer! Not me! But I let myself be seduced, didn't I? Doesn't change facts. It still hurts! More than rape or a cross. I didn't think that was possible until now. I know I will never fully get over him. I know I'll have to find a path through the mess & lock it away in one corner of my heart, dead but not really dead.


Harry stared at the far curtain of his bed. In that moment, he realised he was lucky to even be here. What if his dad & Sirius had stayed together, gone public? Then his mother would never have been part of the picture. He, Harry, would not be here. "Am I worth it?" Harry rubbed his brow. It seemed that every time his father had come out of one painful tragedy, he'd get tossed into another one & get hurt even more than before. "Is Moony?" Harry knew his dad had a point. He had read up on werewolves but it wasn't pretty. Yet Sirius, who came from a long line of werewolf tormenters, could see beyond all that, even more so than Peter or James, neither of which were into guys the same way Sirius was. Harry stared blankly at the pages for several minutes. "I hope Mum gave you some peace."


For the next week leading up to the game, I kept myself so busy with homework that there was little time for Sirius & I to do much but steal a kiss here & there. It was all I allowed since he didn't know I had broken up with him in the showers. The kisses would stop when I was more involved with Lily & Sirius finally hooked up with Remus. For now, I savored each last one for it might very well be the last.

Old age. I'll marry him when I'm a hundred & fifty. Long wait! I have no idea how I'll survive until then, but survive I must. For that matter, I have no idea how to survive putting Remus in the ground while I'm still young by magical standards. Part of me hates that I found out about that nasty side effect of having K9 DNA flowing through your veins. At least Fenrir won't live much longer. Maybe another thirty years. Tops.

I didn't sleep much for the next few days, blaming it on nerves of the upcoming match. I snuck in a few more scratches but honestly, I was nearly back to suicidal. I had walked out on Sirius & he didn't even know it & I'm going to lose my werewolf within half a century.

The day of the game, I ended up in very close quarters with Sirius while we changed into playing robes. Naturally, he took advantage of that & I hated it. I loved every last second of it. I hated that I loved it. We couldn't do much, squashed up in a personal chamber that was supposed to hold one, not two, people & having arm-guards & bracers crammed in with us, but it was more than a kiss but not all the way but I still allowed him to put his hands on me. I mentally kicked myself after.

We won in three minutes flat. I was a fast Seeker. Last match took all of five minutes. I'm getting better & I could ride a broom normally now without any side effects. Ravenclaw didn't even get a chance to touch the Quaffle as it was all over in a blink.

I was now faced with my impending date with Lily Evans. It certainly wasn't how I imagined it a few years ago. I had pictured us running into each other's arms & holding hands all the way to Hogsmeade & throughout the whole date. Now, the date was a necessary task to separate me from Sirius & push him to Remus, something I had to do whether I wanted it or not. Don't get me wrong. Lily's a nice gal & I still consider her to be one of the prettiest things ever...it just has a totally different meaning now.

Back then, was what most people would call young love or puppy love. Now? Now I understood what old love meant. Old love is different from the young one, especially if it's with the same person. Young has no cares or burdens. Old has a lifetime experiences built up on it...& I'm bloody seventeen. I also understand now what adults mean when they say love isn't just an emotion but a principle that has to be worked at. I'm supposed to be too young to understand this ...but I aged before my time. I mean, I pulled out several grey hairs a few months ago.

Oh yeah! I better get rid of any more today before going to the Gobstone game. What would Lily think?

Five more. I summoned five more greys off my head.

Remus & Lily can't beat each other. It's horrible to watch! They were both getting furious with themselves & each other. Both played savagely & we had to keep shutting Remus up before he exposed his Lycanthropy to someone else. Finally we called a draw. No money was handed out. I grabbed Lily's hand & pulled her away from the crowd.

"I'll beat his furry arse, mark my words!"

"Good luck with that," I laughed. Remus was the best Gobstone player ever. He even beat Dumbledore twice several years ago.

We went first to Honeydukes so we both could stock up on our supply of werewolf treats (aka chocolates) & I found Lily's favorite type of chocolate, a cherry chasm which was a large round ball of chocolate with candied cherries inside that changed flavours, sour green or sweet red or fresh from the tree. I tried to get us out as soon as possible though, knowing the guys would ransack the place sooner than later & I wanted as much distance between Sirius & I during this date. Everywhere we went, people stared in absolute shock. We were both dressed in Auror's apparel, with Lily changing her flat locks (or wait...isn't that an insult; straight locks right? Or no never mind, it's flat chested...something Lily most certainly is not!) into several large curls tied loosely with a blue sash. I had Lily Evans on my arm at long last. We both noticed money being exchanged in several groups. People had betted on us!

I brought Lily to the lesser known parts of Hogsmeade & showed her several places most people don't think of going. She was amazed with my knowledge of the town. It was truly the first time we didn't fight or make threats with each other or act nicely for pity's sake alone like when I went & told her about Orion. We were actually getting along.

I led her to the small Japanese restaurant at the far north point of town. It was a beautiful place, with the gardens & the cherry blossom trees in full bloom. The tables were out doors on an island in a lake so small that the only reason I'm not saying pond was because of the creek running through the whole place, even through the building. People inside could sit on the raised floor with the creek flowing past & the Koi fish swimming back & forth. I had found out in our second year that Lily loved sushi & it was yet another dream of mine to bring her here one day & for once...this dream turned out the way it should have been.

Once we put in our orders, we went to the tables on the island. Lily snapped a bread stick into tiny pieces & soon every Koi from here to Japan I think were swarming our side, hoping for hand-outs.

"You know Jim," Lily suddenly said. "This date certainly did not turn out the way I thought it would."

Oh no! What did I do wrong now? "I'm sorry," I began, looking up at her, only to see her smiling at me.

She burst out laughing! ARGH! It's going to be like that, is it? "You've been harassing me for years," she finally said. "My idea of a date with you was you grabbing me & trying to have your way with me. Showing me off to your buddies like a prize you won."

"That's horrible," I hoped I said the right thing.

"Dreadful," Lily shook her head. "I had you going there for a moment, didn't I?" I glared at her. She leaned forward across the small table towards me. "But it's actually the perfect date I had always dreamed of."

"Thanks," My throat was dry. She was totally liking me now. "I didn't mean to harass you."

"Oh you are such a liar!" She laughed at me. "It's what boys do to girls. Why though, I don't know."

At that moment, I did the stupidest thing I will ever do in my entire life, including the future. Believe me! NOTHING can top it. I leaned back in my chair, hands spread. I was going to say that I was a Marauder & we all lie but next thing I knew, I was drowning & being eating alive by Koi fish. Yes! I had tipped my chair so far back, I fell off the sodding island right into the water!

In front of Lily!


"OH! MY! GOD!" Harry nearly died from laughing. He stuffed a pillow into his face & was glad he had once asked Hermione to help him perfect the silencing charm to block out sounds from his bed at night. When he had quite composed himself, he checked beyond his curtains but the dormitory was dark & silent. It was around the time of night as it had been last night when Sirius Black had come to Ron's bed, but Black had yet to reappear tonight. Satisfied that he was alone, apart from his sleeping companions, Harry closed his curtain again & turned the next page.


Needless to say, we got our orders for free for that one. I have no idea why. Though I think I do owe them a Koi fish or two since I probably squashed some when I fell into their midst.

We silently headed back to the High Street. Silently since I can't swear in any language in front of a girl & since Lily would have died laughing if she opened her mouth. I hate her! She shook beside me as we headed towards the guys standing in front of Dervish & Bangs.

Sirius was the first to catch sight of us. "So how's it go—why are you all wet Jim?"

"Shut up Sirius!" I glared at some point around his belt & no not for that either. I just didn't want to see his eyes, or any of the others. Lily doubled over beside me.

"What happened?" Remus asked.

"Let me through or die," I snarled. "Those are you two choices." Lily was now kneeling on the ground, sobbing. I really don't like her! Peter opened his mouth. Screw it. "Ask Lily!" I marched inside without another word. After a few minutes, I heard the guys screaming with laughter. I knew she would tell them. I bought some blasted thing just for the hell of it. I was in the process of paying for the sneakoscope when Lily led the three of them in. I put my hand into my pocket for the money & then promptly screamed! There was something clammy & wriggly in my pocket. It squished & slipped around when I recovered my shock & put my hand back in. I finally pulled out a Merlin-damned Koi fish & held it up by the tail. Lily dashed behind the counter & grabbed a jar, then made the clerk fill it with water. She forced me to drop the thing in there (I wanted to kill it) & then scurried off back to the restaurant to release it. Sirius, Remus & Peter were dying by now.

I officially hate everybody for the second time in my life. I stomped off, forgetting my sneakoscope on the counter. I knew it would be a while for Lily to return from her Koi rescue, so I made my way to what was supposed to be our next stop, the Shrieking Shack. She knew it was Remus by now, but she had apparently never gone to see it & of course, had never been inside it.

I left the High Street & took a back alley to make the trip longer so Lily would catch up with me. It was then that I saw it in the window of Madam Trixie's Tricky Treasures. It was a jewelry shop on the very outskirts of Hogsmeade. It's a wonder that the place was a total magical one without any muggle stuff. She mostly had strange jewelry that would transform into other things. Some of it I was sure was Dark Arts crafted such as Biting Bracelets & a few silver amulets for the obvious reason: werewolf repellent. But this one thing I saw was set apart.

It was a tri-gold chain, having all three types of gold on it intertwined with the white line in the middle. It sparkled like diamonds but it was the pendant that I was interested in, a tiny ruby-throated hummingbird, just like my father could turn in to. Each tiny gem was no bigger than the tip of a rose's thorn. The hummingbird looked so real apart from the fact that it was no bigger than my thumb-nail. The only trick on it was that the hummingbird had a bit of a glow around it & it could flap its wings as if flying. It cost eight hundred fifty Galleons but such a fortune would hardly make a dent in our vault. I bought it partly for myself but with intent to give it to Lily.

I was drying out by now in the warm late spring sun, but my boots still squished & I'm not even going to mention what I'm feeling up my arse right now. Swear to Merlin if it's another bloody Koi fish! I hoped to reach the Shrieking Shack first so I could strip down & dry up (I'm not very good with the charm) but Lily was already at the gate waiting for me. Well ...murd. Whatever! Koi's gonna get some nightmares. So ...so there!

"Would you like to go in?"

Lily stared at me. "In ...the Shrieking Shack?"

"We have a secret way in besides under the Whomping Willow," I crawled through the fence, adjusted my trousers when I stood up & then led her around the back. Using my wand, I opened a hidden door with several bolts on it & brought her inside. "We do that so Moony can't break loose without us."

"I know you take him out on full moons," Lily looked up at the ceiling, then glanced at the stairs. "But that is really dangerous."

"It is if Prongs isn't there," I shrugged, wiggling my hips. I'm starting to wonder if there isn't a Koi up there after all.

Lily walked across the room, looking at the chewed table & the rips in the floorboards. "How much of this damage is from Remus?"

"All of it," I said. "In his first four years, he was here alone & tore the place up all the time & himself. See where it's darker on the floor & walls? That's his blood from back then." Lily gasped & stepped away from a wall she had been leaning on, right over the stain. "He hasn't done that the past couple of years though. Not since we could change & keep him occupied."

"Hogsmeade reports the vile spirits every month," said Lily. "He still comes here."

"Only to transform at the beginning," I explained. "In the morning we're so deep in the forest he just shifts out there. One of us lends him a cloak until we get back here for him to get dressed." She glanced around again, then started up the stairs. "Be careful up there."

"Why?"

"He transforms up there," I began to follow her. "You think the old bloodstains down here are bad. Wait until you see the bed he shifts on."

She took a step down. "Maybe I shouldn't."

"It's alright," I pushed her up. "It's part of who he is. You'll get used to it."

She reluctantly went to the second floor, yelped when she saw the blood-soaked ripped bed & turned right into my arms. "That's awful! How can he do that twice a month?"

"I'll never be able to figure that one out," I made her turn back & pointed out the piano. "We brought that here a couple years ago. No one can hear it outside this room. Peter plays nicely. Sirius is starting to pick it up."

"I play piano," Lily went to sit down. "I had lessons as a girl long before I came to Hogwarts."

"Careful. It's a little—" Twang! "Ugh! Out of tune."

"I can fix that," She ducked under the piano, then opened its top as she poked around with both her hands & her wand. "There," she tapped a few keys after fifteen minutes. "All better now." I stared in surprise. "Don't you play?"

"Me? Oh. No," I said. "I'm not into music too much."

"You & Sirius sung Ballroom Blitz."

"Hey that was a one time thing. Plus it was his idea, not mine."

"Still pretty good at it," Lily began playing Fur Elise.

"I have something for you," I held up a long thin box similar to a wand box when she was finished.

"Oh, what is it?" Lily opened the box & stared at the necklace lying on black velvet. "Jim...you shouldn't have!" She held up the chain, inspecting the hummingbird. "Mercy."

"It's nothing," I tied the clasp around her neck. "Taking French lessons from Remus?" We both laughed, knowing neither of us have any choice in the matter. "My Dad could turn into a hummingbird. Learned how after surviving Titanic."

"Your Dad was on Titanic?" Lily gasped. "I'm so obsessed with that ship."

"Oh dear," I tried to not roll my eyes. "You do know about the curse, right?"

"Oh yeah," Lily picked up the hummingbird & looked down at her hand to watch it. "You must really miss him."

I merely nodded, watching her play with the hummingbird. I suppose I ought to kiss her. Properly. I moved closer to her & took her hands. The hummingbird fell back to her neck & I noticed full well that the chain was long enough to place the pendant right at the start of her cleavage. Great! I found I couldn't stop staring at the place. "Pretty bird." Merlin's sake, how stupid am I?

"Thanks," Lily teased.

"I meant the hummingbird," I forced myself to look into her eyes.

"I know that," She smacked me over the shoulder. I was just about to try kissing her when she went on. "Don't do anything you're not ready for, Jim."

"What?"

"We don't have to rush anything," Lily said. "I liked our date, amazingly. But we don't have to do what most people do on first dates. Take your time. I know this must be hard for you."

Did she know about Sirius? For it was hard turning my back on him. But, I did like this date as well, I mean, apart from making a complete arse of myself in the fish pond & I'm still considering if there's a Koi in my underpants right now or not. Something doesn't feel right. I also didn't mind staring where the hummingbird pendant dropped to the tops of her breasts slightly bulging out of her black leather top, right above the red ruffles. "I'm ok."

"You sure? I mean, it's been nearly a year."

Right. Not talking about Sirius then. "What's been a year?"

Lily raised a Spockish brow at me. "Well I guess you are doing better. Orion of course."

Oh tabrenack! I forgot she knew. Right. "Well, you're not a guy & what I say next isn't meant to frighten you, but let's face it, I'm taller than you & stronger. I can easily over power you even without magic."

"I'm no threat in other words," Lily blatantly replied.

"Not really," I had suddenly lost my voice & was now speaking so softly, Remus would have problems hearing me.

She raised her hands towards me. "Do you trust me?" I simply nodded so she stepped into my arms & held me close in much the same way Sirius did. It felt nearly the same, safety & caring, but the curves were all different. "If you ever want to talk ..."

What to say for something like this? What can anyone say? "I had once planned to marry you if it was the last thing I did." That right there might drive her away but it was the first thing that came to mind. However, she didn't say or do anything. "I saved myself for you. No other girls. He destroyed all that. Now, I'm afraid of hurting you. What if we do get together? Marry? I might be too hard on you in bed. I know how to hurt people like that. I don't want to of course. It wasn't something I wanted to learn. It's why I avoided you most of this year."

"If we marry, we don't have to do anything until you're ready for it," Lily said & I suddenly had a feeling that my necklace gift was our engagement. We're discussing marriage on our first date. We haven't even kissed properly yet; though she did see me in my birthday suit through no fault of my own. Twice!

"I am so terrified of hurting you, Lily."

"You won't." She took off her bracelet. It was a very thin gold band with diamonds all around it & held it up.

"Be prepared for a sight," I muttered, undoing my cuffs & holding up both wrists for her to choose, palm up. Her eyes widened at the sight of dozens of tiny scars criss-crossing each other & the large round indents where I was crucified. She put the bracelet on my left wrist without mentioning the scars & just like that, we were engaged.

The hummingbird fluttered wildly as I leaned in to kiss her & it was then I knew for certain. After a polite time had passed, I wrenched myself away from her. "I'm sorry Lily-kins but this would be so much more romantic if I didn't have a swear-word-of-your choice Koi fish humping my arse right now!" Lily stared at me as I moved away & undid my belt clasp. I cast an awkward glance at her, then decided not to care. "Uh ...well you've seen it all anyway." At that, much to her horror or amusement I don't rightly care, I dropped my trousers, then stood up straight for a moment. "Twice really." I bent over a little once more & literally fished around until I caught the beast by its tail. "Can I kill it? PLEASE?"


Harry just stared at the old page for several minutes, mouth agape in a silent laugh that shook his whole body.


Lily burst out laughing. I threw it on the bed & redid my belt. I hate Kois. So much! Just so much! "It's ok Jim," she snickered. "At least I know that your Koi fish is rather big."

Oh no she didn't! I glared at her. "Lily if you EVER call my penis a Koi fish again, I'll KILL you!"


Harry had one hand over his mouth & the other wiping his eyes. "This? THIS is how they get together? Are you kidding me?"


"Compliment a man on his size & earn a death threat," Lily sighed as she continued laughing at me. "Whatever shall I do?"

"Let's go!" I smiled oh-so-sweetly, grabbing her hand. She summoned the fish over & put it in her pocket along with a spell of water to keep it going. "Seriously? Lily?"

"What? I'll put it back in the pond."

"Moony would have loved eating that thing, you know!"

We unfortunately went back to the restaurant to toss the Satanic fish back with its equally Satanic family of minions, then made our way back to High Street to head back for Hogwarts. We met the guys, along with Zephyra clutching Peter's arm like an African princess, as we turned down the street leading through the grounds towards the castle.

"I have an announcement!" Peter said & Zephrya giggled. They both flashed their left hands. As Sirius & Remus cooed over their engagement, I hung back with Lily.

When the four of them turned to us, I looked long & hard at Sirius. This was truly goodbye. I'll miss him, but something happened between Lily & I that I didn't want to lose any time soon. "Well, uh, so do we." I held up my wrist, exposing the bracelet while Lily indicated her hummingbird. But I had eyes only for Sirius, gauging his reaction. So far, he was only half-smiling at me & nothing more.

"Wait, WHAT?" Remus gaped at us while Peter & Zephyra stared.

"We got engaged on our first date!" Lily giggled as much as Zephyra. What is with girls & giggling anyway?

"Oh come on Jim," Remus huffed. "Worst prank EVER!"

I just shook my head. "No prank."

"Jim," Remus slowly stopped laughing. "James...Prongs? OH MY!"

"He must have put a Confundus charm on her!" Peter stared.

"I think it's the other way around," Sirius teased, never taking his eyes off me.

"YOU...PROPOSED?" Remus continued to gape at us. "However did you manage it?"

"Well I, really I just got her that necklace & she gave me this & then we kissed & that was it," I shut up, realising I was babbling.

Lily burst out laughing. "He did all that with a Koi fish up his butt!"

"LILY!" I sobbed.

"I'm not kidding!" Lily was dying. "Right after we kissed, he wrenched open his trousers & pulled out another fish!" She fell on the ground & rolled around laughing.

"My God Lily! If you weren't a woman!" I raised my foot to kick her but lowered it again. She only laughed harder.

Sirius, of all people, was the first to congratulate me. While the others huddled around Lily, Sirius pulled me close one last time. "Well done, sweetheart."

"Sirius."

"It's ok, we'll always love each other," He pressed his lips quickly to my neck.

"I'll miss you."

"Don't," Sirius replied. "Don't worry. I'll always be there for you if you need me."

"Ok," I was crying again. I turned away before the others came for me & wiped my eyes. "I'm sorry, Sirius. It just happened."

"That's good. Let it happen." He put a hand on my back, then went back to the gang. Back to Remus's side. Well good luck with each other. I finally joined them.

"Can't believe you finally got Lily to agree to marry you!" Peter said the moment I was within grabbing range. I was pulled to the center of the crowd & put next to Lily.

"I guess we have two weddings to prepare," Remus said.

"No Kois!" I glared, earning laughter.

"No parrots either," Sirius grumbled. "Oh & you forgot this!" He tossed me the sneakoscope, which was bizarrely whistling to announce someone untrustworthy nearby. Now that I think of it, all four Marauders were together. Not one single one of us is trustworthy & proud of it!

That or there was another Merlin-forsaken Koi somewhere nearby.

I was in a daze all the way back to Gryffindor Tower. My first & only date with Lily turned into an engagement. I was officially off with Sirius & he knew it. I'm going to marry Lily Evans. When, I don't know. I suppose we should sort those details out sooner or later. Everything had happened so fast. Just go with it, Sirius always told me. Oddly enough, I felt fine so long as I didn't dwell too much on the pang of missing Sirius. I have no regrets with him, well apart from something I had said over the Christmas holidays but we cleared that up.

I was in Gryffindor's personal reading room late that night, just taking a break from the tumultuous day when Sirius caught me alone. He dropped into the armchair beside me, took my hand & kissed it. "You ok?"

"I think so."

He released my hand. "I wanted to say goodbye properly."

"I didn't mean for it to happen this fast."

"Just go with it," Sirius got up & stood beside me. He kissed me, truly for the last time. It was lingering & deep. All too soon, he pulled away. He held up some rolled up parchments. "I've pulled down as many as I could when no one was looking. Thought you ought to know though, since I can never get them all." He handed me one & I unrolled it. Orion's face glared up at me. It was a 'Missing' poster. "They went up all over Hogsmeade & here at the castle to. I'll take your secret to the grave, Jim."

"Oh ...no," I doubled over, suddenly feeling sick. "I hate him so!" I was crying again, I hope for the last time.

"Easy Prongs," Sirius pushed me back & knelt in front of me. "He's dead. It's over. I'm here." I felt his fingertips slip under my cuffs to pet my crucifix marks.

I needed a distraction or I would die right then & there. "Are you ok, Padfoot? Me & Lily. Are you sure?"

"If it was any other girl, I wouldn't be," Sirius stood up. "We were aiming for Lily this whole time, after all. Besides as I'm sure you've noticed, Remus & I have been getting closer lately. I haven't mentioned anything to him yet. Just let it happen. Isn't that what I always say?"

"Yeah," I managed a weak laugh. "But just wait until you're fat & wrinkled like a prune & using a cane. I'll get you!"

"Me? Fat? NEVER!" Sirius was aghast at the mere horror of ruining his handsome physique.

"You really are quite gay, Sirius."

"Why thank you my handsome man!" He bowed low.

"Padfoot," I gritted my teeth & pointed to the door. "Get out of here. You're embarrassing me."

"See?" Sirius was suddenly …erm….you know. "I can still make you blush."

"OUT!" My face was definitely red as a beet as he snickered at me before leaving.