A/N: Hehe, so it's been a while, but let's get this show back on the road, yeah?

...

He should have known who the only other idiot out of the castle at this hour would be.

James' antlers collided with Remus' torso, flinging Peter to the ground and successfully pushing Remus away from Sirius' broken form on the ground.

"COME ON!" Sirius screamed at himself in anguish, desperately trying to transform, to no avail.

Remus released a deep bark of hunger, lunging again toward the wizard on the ground. James parried him, pushing the mass of werewolf into a tree. He winced at the sound of impact, but knew Remus would forgive him for the bruises tomorrow, so long as he stopped him from eating his best mate.

James so desperately wanted to shout, yell, scream at Sirius. What the bloody hell was he doing? As Remus recovered, raising back to his full height, James saw Peter's small form scurry to Sirius.

"Wand, Pete!" Sirius bellowed over the sound of James and Remus' bodies once again, colliding. The bloody wanker came out here without a wand?!

James willed Peter to read his mind. If the smaller wizard could transform back to human, just quick enough to grab the satchel-which was only a few feet away-and retrieve their wands, Sirius and Pete could immobilise Remus long enough for them to get significantly closer to the castle.

James wasn't exactly sure what he would do at that point, but he'd always been rather good at thinking on the fly.

"WAND!" Sirius screeched again, just as Remus sunk his teeth into James' left shoulder. As the pain shot through his body, he focused on his stag essence, violently resisting the natural urge to slip back into human form.

"Padfoot! Catch!" Peter stood at his full height, satchel in hand. James wrenched his eyes open to see his own wand catapult across the clearing into Sirius' hands. Thank Merlin for Sirius' athleticism and reflexes. Before he could take a breath, Remus was back on him, even more aggressive than before, struggling between the desire to get rid of the pesky stag or devour the two humans.

James slammed his antlers into the werewolf's side, drawing blood. His stomach lurched at the sight, but he kept reminding himself it was for the greater good. Harding could easily patch him up tomorrow.

"ON THREE, WORMTAIL!" Sirius bellowed, shakily lifting James' wand toward the werewolf. "ONE."

James barely dodged a heavy swipe to the face, his front two legs crumpling under him at the manoeuvre, allowing Remus to sidestep him.

"TWO."

James saw Peter lift his own wand, teeth chattering in fear, as Remus bounded toward the two boys. Merlin, this had better work. Werewolves weren't necessarily impervious to normal magic, but it took significant strength to even minorly deter a beast Remus' size.

"THREE."

"STUPEFY!"

James couldn't help but dispel a breath of relief as he saw the massive werewolf drop to the ground in a heap. Sirius and Peter kept their wands pointed at Remus' motionless body for several seconds, chests heaving, before dropping their arms and looking at each other in tired amazement.

"Merlin," Sirius whispered, breathlessly.

James transformed, immediately. "Merlin." he echoed, quietly. "Merlin." He shook his head, frustrated by his inability to clearly see and the utter stupidity of the wizard in front of him.

"You come out here...tonight of all nights," James drew a ragged breath, "unable to transform, wandless! You...you almost get slaughtered by your best mate and you have the bloody nerve to say MERLIN?! WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?"

"Mate," Peter interjected, pointing at Remus' twitching form. "We should...go."

"I tried to transform, alright?" Sirius ignored the smaller wizard, meeting James' eyes with equal intensity. "The Willow got me."

"The Willow got you? After all these years of roaming this bloody forest, you're telling me the fucking tree got you?!" James huffed, rounding on Sirius.

"Got my leg," Sirius breathed, remembering his own pain. "I thought you'd still be in the Shack. Didn't...didn't know you were already out."

"You know that Peter has to immobilise the tree before you can get in. When have you ever been able to get in there as Padfoot without his help?! What were you thinking?"

"I thought I could do it."

"NO!" James screamed, still advancing on Sirius' sitting form. "You weren't thinking! You thought you'd play hero and come join our little forest frolicking. Well, I've got news, dickhead! Our friend," he spat the words violently jutting his finger at the crumpled mass of fur, "is a werewolf. A fucking werewolf, okay? For some reason, I figured you'd put that together by now, given the fact that we've known for six damn years, but my mistake."

"James," Peter whimpered, his eyes still glued on Remus' twitching body.

"Do you know what werewolves do for fun? They tear apart bastards like you for sport! You could have DIED, alright, Black?! Our dear mate Remus would have ripped your throat out without the bat of an eye and he probably would've KILLED HIMSELF OVER IT TOMORROW!"

"James." Peter chewed on his thumbnails as he watched the werewolf's body settle into a normal breathing pattern.

"Why are you determined to tear us apart?" James demanded, his voice dropping dangerously, as he hovered inches from Sirius' face. "GIVE ME AN ANSWER!"

Sirius stayed silent, tired grey eyes bravely meeting James' manic glare.

"The stunt with Snape before Christmas...did you want to be expelled? Your bit with your parents last summer...did you want to be kicked out? Tonight...do you think your life has so little value that YOU'RE BETTER OFF DEAD?" His voice had gone hoarse from the consistent screaming. He snatched his wand from Sirius' grip and shoved it in his pocket. "You don't get to live your life with your own expiration date!"

"Prongs, we have to get out of here. Now." Peter practically squealed.

"We're supposed to be brothers." James croaked, his hand dropping to his side as his shoulders heaved limply. "Doesn't that give you enough value? Isn't that enough to pull you out of bed in the morning? To make you stop and think before you plunge into stupid, dangerous situations because you don't bloody care if you survive or not?"

Remus whimpered on the ground, gaining consciousness.

"Get out of here." James choked out. "Both of you. Get to the castle."

Peter jumped to action, elated to hear the command, but Sirius remained still, staring at the taller wizard.

"NOW." James bellowed.

The long-haired wizard didn't move for another minute, looking as if he wanted to say something. The heightened stirring of Remus' body shook him from his hypnotic state. With an awkward limp, Sirius turned for the castle. Peter rushed over to support his left side, watching the mangled leg drag between them with queasy unease.

James took a deep breath, clearing his head as much as possible after that interaction, and transfigured himself back into his Animagus form, preparing for a long night one-on-one with dear, sweet Moony.

She was a despicable human being. There was nothing else to it.

Forget the time she cursed Georgia Parthenope's teeth to brown for a week after she kissed Mary's boyfriend in fourth year. Forget the time she cut off one of Petunia's plaits. Forget the time she purposefully spilled ink across Anna's History essay during a small tiff between the girls in second year.

Agreeing to go on a date with Benjamin Soares definitely possessed the trump card.

Yes, he was fit, and yes, they got along, but there wasn't anything there. He was quiet, reserved, and not much of a leader. Their dueling club interactions had mostly been her or Potter initiating a conversation and him participating after their insistent prompting. No click, as she had so eloquently explained to Mary.

All of that aside, it wasn't even the actual agreeing to go on the date that constituted her as 'despicable.' Truly awful, maybe. Possibly even horrible. But the despicable part came into play when Lily considered her reasons.

James Potter.

Lily Evans may not be the most adept at understanding or owning up to all of her emotions, but she wasn't so out of touch with her own feelings as to know that her embarrassing display of flirting with Ben Soares was a direct response to seeing James and Juniper Alessio chumming it up down the table.

There was no fluent stream of consciousness between the feeling of 'bloody hell' and the acceptance of Ben's asking out. It just happened, which provided a whole new level of what the hell for Lily to lay in bed and consider.

"You're here." Sirius' tone offered no true surprise. He shifted in the hospital bed to get a better view of his visitor.

James shrugged his shoulders, hands shoved in his front pockets. "I was hoping to be the first to see the amputation."

"Pomfrey saved it."

"Pity that."

"I'm not complaining," he closed his eyes as he settled back onto the pillows. "She set it almost back to normal. I ought to be out of here by nightfall."

"Nightfall," James gave a breathy sort of laugh, falling into the chair by Sirius' bed. "No one's said that word in a hundred years."

"I'm sophisticated, Jamesey."

The obnoxious nickname didn't seem to register with James beyond a twitch of his nose. "I was in with Remus earlier." he pressed on, back to business, motioning toward the back room that was generally reserved for their friend post-moon. "But you were still out cold."

Sirius paused. "How is he?"

"Nasty wound along his ribs. He told Harding and Pomfrey it was from some rusty boards in the Shack, but it looks suspiciously close to antlers to me." James grimaced mournfully, sinking deeper into the chair.

Sirius winced. "You had to do it, mate."

James nodded, his hands fiddling with each other on his lap. He had long given up the nervous tick of messing with his stolen Snitch, but his hands consistently itched to move in moments of anxiety and discomfort.

Sirius watched the other wizard's hands twist restlessly around each other with a tired gaze. "James." he sighed after a pregnant pause. "When we got back to the castle last night, I started thinking. And you need to hear this."

"I don't want to talk about this right now." James shifted, making a motion to leave.

"Sit down. Yes, you do."

James shot a snide glare to the reclined wizard. "No, I don't. I need t-"

"Then why'd you come?"

It was a question that demanded an answer and James' response was to sit back down on the small wooden chair. Sirius had always had a way of getting past James' bullshit.

"I don't...I don't want to die, you know." Sirius adjusted on the bed. "No, really...I know I'm...reckless. But it's never been about testing limits. I just don't always...think."

"He would have killed you, Sirius." James said, watching his fingers rub past each other. "You know that."

Sirius sighed in frustrated agreement. "But last night, I didn't think about that. I just...I love Remus. All of you lads. And I couldn't stand knowing that you were out there handling him without me. I've already missed so many and...I had to be there."

James waited in silence for a few moments, playing the other wizard's words over and over in his head. 'Reckless' had always been an excellent word to describe Sirius. That had been a large chunk of what had so quickly united the two boys. First year James had stored up energy bouncing around inside him, particles of matter colliding in tumultuous bursts of mischief. First year Sirius had possessed a complete lack of abandon and awareness of limits, preadolescent confusion rearing its head as he avoided processing the abuse he had withstood for eleven years at home.

The collaboration created an innocent enough showering of explosions and injuries on the castle from mere moments after the Sorting Ceremony. As the boys grew older, the expanse of their influence did as well. Remus and Peter were added to the ranks and a maximised audience allowed for an even larger realm of possibilities.

"That's a dangerous quality to have in a time like this." James sighed, clumsily pushing his glasses up his nose.

"Stupidity?"

"No. Loyalty."

Sirius didn't say anything, afraid to shatter the loosely upheld ceiling of peace.

"You're the dumbest person I know, Padfoot."

Sirius perked up at the affection that coloured the other wizard's words. "The absolute dumbest." the shaggy-haired boy agreed, shaking his head vigorously.

"One of these days, your luck is gonna run out." he continued to portray an aura of admonishment, but the sternness didn't reach his eyes.

"I promise to at least stick around to see you marry Evans." Sirius pledged, solemnly.

"Oh, bugger off." James groaned through a laugh, throwing his feet up on the hospital bed.

"Oi!" Mademoiselle Pomfrey's high voice tittered as she swept into the room. "Get your dirty feet off my patient, Potter!"

"Your patient?" Sirius smirked, wiggling his eyebrows, as he took in the young healer's assistant.

Pomfrey sputtered, her ears turning pink. "I...I-"

"Oh, come on, Poppy, my feet are on his right leg! It's the left one that's messed up." James whined.

"Mademoiselle Pomfrey!" she corrected, indignantly, redirecting her glare at James.

"I don't think she likes you, mate," Sirius whispered, leaning toward his friend.

"Out!" she shouted.

"But I was-"

"OUT!"

"Okay, okay, I'm going, I'm going! Merlin." James stood up, his hands raised in surrender, before looking back at Sirius. "I'll miss you, Sirius Black."

"Not as much as I'll miss you, James Potter."

"Shall we part with a kiss so I never forget you?"

"I think we must."

"Oh, for Merlin's sake, get out immediately, James Potter!" Pomfrey cried, her eyes cast to the heavens, silently praying for patience from the gods above.

With a blown kiss and a wink, James slipped out of the hospital wing.

Remus' seat was noticeably absent in Transfiguration, but that was to be expected.

Sirius' however…

He had been better about skipping class for the hell of it, lately, and he hadn't mentioned anything specific to her, which meant he was likely in the hospital wing with some illness or another. Strange...but no matter. She could take class notes to him later.

Her eyes continued to scan the classroom and settle, sullenly, on James. He looked chipper enough, though the way his right shoulder drooped led her to assume it has been another rough full moon.

She hated that she cared.

James Potter, with the stupid hair and stupid lips. Lips that had been two inches from her own an apparent mere hours before locking with Juniper Alessio's.

Classic.

It shouldn't even surprise her.

Who the hell was she assuming he had changed? The way he treated Sirius should have been the first red flag. He was still a complete prick and thinking about the amount of time she had devoted to internally defending and forgiving him made her shudder.

Dueling club and the kitchens and studying in the library. All just stupid excuses to spend more time with THE Lily Evans, the bane of his existence and object of his falsely lustful affections for all these years.

She was the stupid one-to fall for it so easily. To think that they were actually 'friends.' James Potter didn't do 'friends;' not with girls.

Thinking that she had seen past the arrogant, comical shell to an honest, passionate interior made her a fool.

He seemed to feel her eyes on the back of his head and swivelled his neck in response, locking gazes. Something strange and questioning danced in the golds and greens of his hazel orbs, but she snapped her head back toward the front before she could consider it.

This was a game she was quite used to winning.

The house elves always got bold at the end of the year, which mostly meant that the ratio of edible food to food-that-made-you-run-to-the-lavatory became more and more disproportionate.

Barbecued apples were a side dish today.

"I wather 'ike 'em." Peter mumbled, shoved another spoonful into his already full mouth.

James frowned at his friend in disgust, pushing his own food around on the plate.

"Eatin' same suff all'ime gets ol'." the pudgy wizard shrugged, stabbing for James' apples.

"Help yourself. I-"

Clank.

James and Peter's eyes lifted to take in the new arrival, who had unceremoniously dropped his own plate on the table.

"Are those apples...barbecued?" Sirius asked, with a frown.

Peter swallowed, deeply, and looked to James, nervously, anticipating discomfort.

"You know how the elves get during the last couple weeks." James offered with a shrug, taking a swig of pumpkin juice.

"Moony'll be back by dinner, according to Pomfrey." reported Sirius, reaching to pull a chicken leg from the bird in the center of the table. "He's all patched up. Just sleeping off the potions now."

"That's fast."

"Looks like you're not as big and bad as you thought, Prongs." Sirius smirked, dropping his voice to avoid eavesdroppers. "Didn't even incapacitate him for a full day."

James grinned. "Or Remus is even more big and bad than we thought."

"You're a stupid sod, either way. Wormtail, pass the juice, yeah?"

Peter blinked several times, his head snapping between the other two boys. "Sure, uh...here you go." he gingerly passed the pitcher.

"How were Minnie and Slug this morning?" Sirius grabbed for the pitcher, offering Peter an appreciative nod. "Need your notes, by the way. If I fail this last exam, I'll be skinned for sure."

"I think she was amiss without your marriage proposals, mate." James said, lightly. "And Sluggy has definitely been drinking today."

"Potions is at nine o'clock!" Sirius snorted through laughter.

"Now can we really expect Slughorn to follow rules that you yourself ignore?"

"Touche."

"What?!" Peter burst, all of a sudden, both of his palms hitting wooden table with a force that attracted the attention of several Gryffindors. The platter of chicken in the middle of the table clanged as the pumpkin juice sloshed toward the rim of its pitcher. "What what WHAT?"

James and Sirius turned toward their friend with raised eyebrows.

"You...and-and you." Peter sputtered, gesturing wildly at the two wizards, fork in hand. "You're...we're...friends?"

The two taller boys cast a sideways glance out the sides of their eyes toward each other. "Yes?" James posed, as though this were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Honestly, Wormtail, what kind of question is that?" Sirius admonished.

"It's been six years, Pete. You ought to have figured out the dynamic by now."

Peter's mouth went agape as he watched the two boys return to their meals, casual as ever.

"So they really refused to amputate, huh?" James began again. "Because a wooden leg would have been wicked."

Bloody traitor.

After morning classes, Lily had run up to check on Sirius in the hospital wing, only to be told that he had been released minutes before. That was fine-great, even! But to come into the Great Hall and see him chumming it up with Potter?

She had been trying to get those stupid boys to get over themselves for weeks and now they decide to get a move on? What sick trick was God playing on her?

"Guess his world is spinning again." Anna mused, shooting the boys a glance out the corner of her eyes.

"I'll say," Mary snorted. "He got both of his girlfriends back in a matter of two days. Perfect Potter back in the game."

Don't say anything, Lily commanded herself.

"You know the story there, Lils?" Mary asked, nodding toward the Marauders.

"What?" Lily flinched.

Mary rolled her eyes. "Potter and Black. You're bosom buddies with Black these days. What happened?"

"I don't know anything." Lily said, snappishly. "And I don't know where you got the impression that I'm particularly close with either of them. Honestly, I hardly speak to them at all."

Anna's eyebrows furrowed as she studied Lily's rigid appearance, but Mary seemed unphased. "Well, if you find out anything, let us know. The Hogwarts Gossip Mill would be forever grateful."

If you find out anything, like they expected her to sit down for a tete-a-tete with the two boys.

Yeah, right.

...

The Astronomy Tower was silent and dark, a tangible chill echoing through the room.

"Merlin, haven't been up here in awhile." Sirius whistled, unscrewing the cap of his flask.

"You mean you haven't brought a girl up here in awhile." James grinned.

"I didn't say that." the longer-haired boy shook his head with a smile.

"Yeah, okay," James shoved his mate's shoulder. "Come on." He led the way to the back of the large room, checking the Map again. It was well after curfew and Filch would be the only one patrolling at this hour (when did the man sleep?), but better safe than sorry.

"So what's so important that we had to come all the way up here?" Sirius slid to the ground across from his friend, offering the flask. "I appreciate the nostalgia, of course, but couldn't we have this wee chat over breakfast?"

James refused the flask, hesitating before saying, "I have a...dilemma."

"Like...a girl thing?" Sirius frowned.

"No. Well, yes. But no." James shook his head quickly. "Dumbledore wants me to be Head Boy."

Sirius didn't say anything for a moment, obviously waiting for a punchline or an explanation of the joke. When nothing came, he swore. "Merlin, you're being serious?"

"When I met with him after the stuff with Rosier, he dropped that ball on me."

"Well, shit."

"Shit." James agreed.

"You're not...I mean you're not going to do it right? Because Moony…"

"He doesn't want it."

"What?" Sirius sat up straighter. "What do you mean, of course he wants it."

"Dumbledore showed me the list. He didn't sign it."

Sirius took a swig of firewhiskey, waving his hand as if this was just a silly 'Remus' mistake. "Well, that's just Moony being Moony. We'll talk to him and he'll change his mind. He's been a shoe-in since first year with all-"

"Sirius, I'm going to accept the position."

Sirius' mouth shut as he stared at his friend.

"Remus talked with Dumbledore about it. With the lycanthropy, he...he couldn't stay in the head dorm, or do consistent patrols. He wouldn't be reliable with emergencies. Not to mention how much it would drain him, emotionally. It's...it wouldn't be a good fit for him. The two of them talked about it extensively and Remus decided for himself."

"Shit." Sirius whispered again, eyes on the floor. Then, he seemed to remember the alternative. "But you...James, you'd hate that."

"Would I?"

"I mean, of course you would! Think of what it means. You'd have to move out of the dorm, no more pranks. Wee first years would be coming to you in tears all the time because they miss their mummies. You'd have to work with some snobby Head Girl. Wait…" His eyes grew. "You'd be working with Evans." He leaned toward James. "Wouldn't you?!"

James' hand moved to his hair. "Well, see, that's the thing. I don't know. I'd-"

"Oh, Merlin. Are you kidding me right now?" Sirius groaned, rolling his head back. "I thought you moved on." The way he dragged the words out implied that he did not believe this claim even a little bit.

"I did!" James frowned, indignantly. "That's not the point here!"

"James, mate, honestly, just-"

"She doesn't want the position!" James yelled, interrupting Sirius' sarcastic ramble.

"Of being your wife?" he snorted.

"Of being Head Girl."

Sirius frowned in befuddlement. "What?"

"She doesn't want it." He repeated, shaking his head. "The attack. They...they got in her head. She doesn't want to be Head Girl anymore."

"That's bullshit. Everyone knows she's wanted that since first year. The girl was born with a bloody badge!"

"I know."

"If any other girl in this castle gets Headgirl, I will throw myself from that balcony, so help me Merlin. Every other bird in this damn castle is mental. It has to be Evans."

"That's what Dumbledore said."

"Okay, so-"

"I was tasked with convincing her."

"Oh." Sirius went quiet again.

The heavy swing of the massive pendulum in the back corner was the only sound cutting through the tower. James fiddled with the hair at the nape of his neck, mulling over the option to tell Sirius about his broom closet encounter with Lily or not. There had never been secrets between the two boys, but for some reason...this just felt different.

It had nothing to do with their six month schiff. Lily just seemed like an exhausted subject coming from James' mouth and he wasn't sure if Sirius would quite understand the gravity of his words if he shared them now. Besides, he had hardly rationalised the whole deal in his own head, much less become prepared to vocally process.

"Well, what's your game plan?" Sirius asked, shaking the flask in his hand and listening to the slosh of the amber liquid.

"I've got nothing," James sighed.

"You're friends now, right? You and Evans. Surely you can talk to her and-"

"Things with Lily and I are...tense."

"Like...sexually because you have a hard time keeping it in your pants or…?"

"No!" Yes…?

"Just checking." Sirius raised his hands in surrender. "Evans...she's rational. I'm sure it'll mean more coming from you than Dumbledore."

"That was apparently his line of logic, as well."

"Okay, so what's the problem?"

"I don't…" James released a tired huff of air. "I don't know."

"Listen, mate. It's weird-I get it. But Lily'll hear you out. Just ask her why she didn't sign the interest form and listen to her concerns. Talk her off the ledge. You're good at all that 'words' stuff. I'm sure the conversation will be five minutes long tops and she'll be skipping up to Dumbledore's office."

"Yeah," James nodded slowly. "Okay, I can do that."

When Sirius explained it as simply as that, he really felt like he could. If he could get her in a room alone for five minutes, he could talk to her and at least be able to honestly report back to Dumbledore that he had done his part and tried. Beyond that, it was out of his hands.

Sirius interrupted his thoughts. "But, mate...can I ask you something?"

James waited.

"Do you really want it? Head Boy?"

"I really think I do."

Sirius nodded, seeming to chew on his next words for a moment. "James Potter, Head Boy." he tried it out, his lips twitching. "I reckon you won't be the worst thing to happen to Hogwarts." he said slowly. "All honesty, bet you'd be pretty brilliant. If you can run the prefects like you run the Quidditch team...damn."

James grinned. "Thanks, mate."

"Just...word of advice?" Sirius added, draining the last of the flask down his throat. "When you have your conversation with Evans...maybe don't lead with the Head Boy bit, yeah?"

...

"Thank you all for giving your year to the school." Dumbledore smiled warmly, from where he stood at the front of the prefect meeting room, addressing the 24 students. "There have been a great many challenges this year." Lily wasn't sure if she imagined the way his eyes seemed to linger on her for a moment. "But I am proud of the way you all led your respective Houses in the midst of adversity. As many of you leave these walls, I hope that you continue to walk with integrity and remember the lessons you have learned in these positions." He nodded toward the seventh years on the side of the room, before turning back to address the fifth and sixth years. "Now for the rest of you, I am sure it comes as no surprise that I would love for the return of each individual in this room. The faculty and I have been working to decide the new fifth year appointments, but we are quite content with the standing upper two years to remain in their positions. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to come speak with myself or your head of House. Lastly," he gathered his hands in front of his chest, "if you have expressed interest in Head Boy or Head Girl-or if you would still like to do so-" she knew she didn't imagine his gaze this time, "those decisions will be made shortly and you will be notified with your Hogwarts letter before next term."

A quiet wave of murmurs was heard among the students.

Dumbledore raised his hands to regarner the room's attention. "I understand that our current Head Boy and Head Girl have some parting words to you all, but after that, the last prefect meeting for this term will officially be concluded. Thank you all for your time."

Frank Longbottom and Alice Prewett gave a short, joint speech. It was simple enough, but still impactful. Their engagement had recently been announced, so the majority of their time talking was interrupted with catcalls and questions of curiosity from the rest of the prefects. As they blushed and blubbered their way to the end of their speech, Lily couldn't help but feel unsettled.

A new Head Boy and Head Girl would be chosen within a matter of months.

This didn't come as a surprise, but the emptiness that accompanied the thought did. Lily had devoted the past six years to working toward and dreaming of the position. Now that the potential for her leadership had arrived, she felt unqualified and unworthy.

How could a witch scared to walk the corridors alone lead the student body?

What example did that set for younger students? For her friends?

No, the position of Head Girl should belong to someone who could fearlessly lead by both word and deed. Someone who could sleep alone and walk by the Lake without having flashbacks. Not her.

Once upon a time, maybe she would have been a shoe-in, but after the events of this term...no way. The last thing she needed or wanted was more spotlight.

"Miss Evans?"

Lily blinked at the headmaster hovering above her, before scanning the room. Empty. She had somehow completely missed the end of the meeting in her musings. "S-sorry, Professor." She grabbed for her cardigan and made to exit the room.

"I wonder," Dumbledore gently touched her shoulder, "if I might have a second?"

"Oh," Lily nodded quickly, tugging at her ear, "of course."

"Have you given any more thought to Head Girl?"

She should have anticipated this sort of ambush. "I have," she sighed. "I just don't think I'll have the time to devote with Charms club and Potions research and-"

"With all intended kindness, Miss Evans, I wonder if those accolades-lovely as they are-might be an excuse?"

Lily eyebrows lifted in response to the older wizard's candor. It wasn't like Dumbledore to be so straightforward. "I...I'm sorry?"

"I know this term has been difficult for you and I do not wish to belittle your journey, but I feel that it is my duty as an educator to push you to recognise your full potential and I have no doubt that you could handle the position and thrive, Miss Evans."

"Thank you, sir. I just don't think it would be a good fit for me. I'll be too busy and Head Girl is a full-time position."

"I respect your discernment, of course. I do have one final request if you'll allow me to further steal your time?"

"Of course."

"Discuss this decision with James Potter."

Lily's shook her head, blinking rapidly. "What was that, sir?"

"Just talk it over with him." Dumbledore shrugged like this request was as inconsequential as asking to borrow a knut for candy at Honeyduke's.

"I don't understand," Lily's nose scrunched at the headmaster's strange statement.

"You know, Miss Evans, just because one becomes a teacher and, forgive my pride, but even when one becomes a headmaster...they never stop being a student. Always learning, always refining." He paused and offered her a small smile. "I learn new things everyday. Have a nice evening, Miss Evans."

And with that, he was gone, taking Lily's wits with him.

He needed to talk to her, but that was easier said than done. The fact that there were two looming matters to discuss did nothing to aid his mission.

The kiss...no. Almost kiss. And Head Girl.

He'd be lying if he didn't admit that thinking of her brought a great deal of frustration. She'd said yes to Ben Soares, the Ravenclaw prat who she didn't even like.

At least that's what he told himself.

The whole Hogsmeade ordeal had provided him quite the bout of trouble, too. The impulsiveness that had led him to ask June out (as friends) had also caused him to forget the simple detail that he wasn't even allowed to go to Hogsmeade this weekend.

Being a Marauder had its perks, of course, and a simple 'ban' wasn't going to stop him from his last Hogsmeade trip of the year, but the whole thing would have been a great deal easier if he hadn't asked a bloody girl to go with him.

As he and Juniper snuck down the first floor corridor toward Gregory the Smarmy, he couldn't help but feel bad for the girl trailing behind him.

"I'm sorry," he repeated for the eleventh time in the past fifteen minutes.

She chuckled. "It's fine, James. But I told you that I would have been more than okay walking down with the girls and meeting you at Honeyduke's or the Three Broomsticks."

"No," James said quickly. "I asked you to come with me. I'll get you there."

"Okaaay," June said, a hint of doubt evident.

"Here," he said, releasing a breath, as he stared up at the statue of the twelfth century Potioneer. "It's right behind him."

"Lead on," she motioned with her hands.

He ducked underneath the statue's rather robust bum and winced before performing the task that he had been regretting since they set out from Gryffindor Tower. "Just...don't hate me."

"Wha-oh sweet Merlin." Her mouth dropped as she watched James swat Gregory's stone arse three times.

"It's the only way to open the passage," James whined, as he whalloped Greg one final time.

"I'm just so disappointed that you never took me through here when we were dating! It's so...romantic."

"Shut up," he grumpily grabbed her wrist and pulled her through the small passage as she cackled in disbelief.

"Thank you," Lily smiled as she stepped through the door Ben held open.

"Do you want to find a table while I grab drinks?" he asked.

"Sure," she nodded, moving further into the Three Broomsticks.

After a quick scan, she spotted a small table in the back corner and moved toward it. Just as she reached the table, however, another small figure slid into the booth.

"Oh."

"Oh! Lily! Hi! Were you about to sit here? I'm so sorry. Here, you can have it!" Juniper jumped back out of the booth.

Lily shook her head in surprise, but pulled a kind smile. "No, it's...it's okay. You were here first. I'll...we'll find somewhere else." She turned to go, but Juniper grabbed her hand.

"I mean it! I was just coming over here to sit while James grabs some drinks to go anyway. We're not staying!" she smiled brilliantly. As if this was wonderful news.

"Are you...are you sure?" Lily asked clumsily, pushing some hair behind her ears.

"Yes! Sit, sit! We can keep each other company until the boys are done." She patted the table enthusiastically. "How are you? What's new? Tell me about life!"

Lily gently slid into the booth and took a shaky breath, not quite comfortable with the arrangement, but without a reliable escape plan. "I'm alright. Ready for summer." She managed another smile.

"Oh, I bet!" June's head bobbed along. "Do you have any plans to travel? I'm going to America, you know!" she gushed.

"Just working back at my family's flower shop in Cokeworth."

"Oh, but that's so lovely! I'm sure that'll be splendid."

"Splendid," Lily echoed with a forced smile.

"Er, June?" a deep voice cut into the conversation and ripped Lily's eyes away from where she had been picking at her fingernails under the table.

She felt her cheeks heat up as James stared at her, a frozen butterbeer in each hand.

"Hi! Lily and I were just talking about summer, until you got here! We were-"

"Got them! Jesus, it's busy in here today." Still an even more new voice joined the conversation. "Oh! Hullo, Potter, Juniper."

James stared at Ben for a moment before his eyes snapped back to the girls at the table. "So who sat down first?" he said shortly.

Juniper blinked, obviously surprised by his tone. "Well, I did, but I told Lily that we were just taking our drinks-"

"Sorry, Evans. I'm sure there's a table for you somewhere over there," he nodded his head jerkily toward the other side of the restaurant, his jaw set.

Lily sputtered. "Oh, I...okay, sure, we'll just-"

"James!" Juniper cried, indignantly. "You said we were taking our drinks outside. I told Lily she could have this table!"

"Well, I guess I changed my mind now haven't I," he challenged the girl, although his hard eyes never left Lily.

Lily felt her heart thumping violently, a familiar prick of anger settling into place. It had been so long since she had properly hexed Potter, but now seemed as good a time as any.

"Actually, Potter, Ben and I were rather hoping we could sit here. It's our first date, see, and we wanted a nice booth." She landed on the word 'date' with a sickening sweetness, side-stepping closer to the Ravenclaw in question.

"And I told her that's fine," June mitigated, irritation now evident in her own tone as she glared at James.

"It's not fine, Juniper. You were here first. We should get the table. That's only fair!"

"Fair? What can you possibly know about being fair, Potter? Considering you pride yourself on your ability to manipulate and deceive people to get whatever you want!" Lily's voice escalated in biting frustration.

James set the drinks on the table, the foaming liquid sloshing over the rims a bit. "I'm actually quite honest about how I feel, thank you, and as a matter of fact, I place the utmost priority on being forthright with the people I care about!"

"Lily," Ben whispered, placing a hand on the small of her back, "let's just find another table."

"Yeah, Lily, go find another table with your passive pushover of a boyfriend."

"Hey," Ben's eyes flashed dangerously as he turned toward James, no longer trying to remain complacent. "I don't know what your deal is, but if you have a problem, you should go ahead and be succinct."

"Succinct," James spat with a sneer. "Is that what they teach you in righteous Ravenclaw? How to use big words to say nothing at all?!"

"James," June hissed, through gritted teeth. "Let's go. Now."

"Don't talk to him like that!" Lily shouted, jumping out of the booth and advancing on the Gryffindor boy. "He didn't do anything to you!"

"And what about you, Evans?" James bit back. "Have you never done anything to me, either?"

Lily's firm countenance faltered as her eyebrows wrinkled. "What are you talking about?" she said, the bulk of her anger replaced by confusion.

He chortled, darkly, towering over her. "Careful, Soares. She's—"

"We're leaving!" June cut in, grabbing the drinks off the table and storming away, leaving James behind.

"Have a nice date, Evans." he spit the words at her as he swivelled and followed June toward the door.

...

He peeled back the wrapper of the taffy, sullenly, popping the pastel candy into his mouth without a word. Juniper sat next to him on the bench, her own bag of jelly slugs running significantly low.

After the misadventures in the pub, they had silently made their way to and through Honeyduke's. There had been a short conversation as James tried to pay for her candy and June had insisted on paying for herself, but aside from that, nothing had been said.

They had been on this bench for about thirty minutes now, eating their respective sweets and people watching without interaction.

"Sooo." June popped her lips, obviously trying to just embrace the discomfort of the moment.

James kept his head hung like a chastised toddler, fiddling with the rapper of another piece of salt water taffy.

"We gonna talk about it or pretend it didn't happen?" she said, lightly.

"I like the second option." he winced.

"Too bad that's not a real option." She grabbed the taffy out of his hand and tossed it into her own mouth. "Talk, Potter."

James took a deep breath, leaning back onto the bench. "Well, I've had a rough week."

"Because?"

"Because…" he bit his lip, buying time as he fished for the right words, "I worked things out with Sirius."

"I noticed that." June nodded, grabbing for another piece of taffy. "And I'm happy for you on that front...but making up with your best mate doesn't explain the showdown I just watched. So try again."

"Lily Evans frustrates me."

"Better." June turned more fully toward him. "Why?"

"I don't know," James shrugged, trying not to reveal any certain emotion. "Always has."

"I remember you used to fight in the common room rather frequently. How did that start?"

He shrugged again. "No idea. She was just...an easy target."

"Because she was...a muggleborn?"

"No."

"Just checking, just checking." June offered a taffy as a peace offering. "Easy target because she was...pretty?"

James flinched. "No." he said hurriedly.

June raised an eyebrow. "Interesting." She readjusted her body to sit criss cross facing him on the small bench-not an easy feat. "So why?"

He paused for a moment before sighing and nodding in shame. "Because she was pretty."

"Was." Juniper noted. "But that's...not still the issue?"

James didn't say anything.

"So that is still the issue." she nodded, with a quirked eyebrow. "You still fancy her."

"No, I don't!" he cried, quickly.

"Yes," she tilted her head emphatically, grabbing another taffy, "you do."

He moved the whole bag out of her reach before frowning. "I don't like her anymore."

"James," she sighed in exasperation, "I feel like I'm talking to a six-year-old. Just admit to fancying her! You're not going to get anywhere if you stay all grouchy and silent about the matter. Let me help you process."

He pouted at her. "I don't want you to help me process. This is weird!"

"Because I'm your ex-girlfriend?" she questioned. "James, come on. That's old news. I don't feel that way about you and I know you don't either. So let's grow up and be mature about this, alright? As your friend, I want to help you sort this out. And that's what today was all about, right? Us being friends." She dipped her head to catch his sulky eye. "Not at all about trying to make Lily Evans jealous after she agreed to go out with that Ravenclaw bloke?"

"I hate how smart you are." he frowned, drily.

She grinned. "Say it with me: I fancy Lily Evans." She spoke slowly, as if he were doing a primary school recitation. "I...fancy...Lily...Evans."

"Absolutely not."

"James! This has by far been the shoddiest date of my life and I'm giving you the chance to make it worthwhile by admitting that I'm not in fact the girl of your dreams!"

"I fancy Lily Evans, alright?" he cried, suddenly. "Happy?!"

"Quite." she smiled, impishly, before poking his cheek. "But you're not."

"Well considering she's in the Three Broomsticks on a date with a bloke who isn't me and I'm eating taffy on a bench with my ex-girlfriend, I think perhaps we can deduce why, yeah?"

She arched a strict eyebrow. "Just because you're miserable, doesn't mean you get to be a prat, alright? She's in there on a date with a bloke who isn't you, because you never asked her out."

James released a harsh bark of laughter. "Oh, haven't I? Do you recall any moments from my fourth and fifth year?"

"That was different," she shook her head. "You didn't even know her then."

"Did too."

"James," she admonished sternly. "You asked her out for the attention. What would you have honestly done if she had ever said yes?"

"Cry, probably." he shrugged, resting his chin in his hand.

"You're not that annoying git anymore. Ask her."

"She'd say no." he pouted.

"How can you know that?"

"Because I know her."

"Well, I'm not an expert on starcrossed lover archetypes, but from what I witnessed in there, I'd say she feels something for you." She chewed on her lip and moved her head from right to left. "Although, granted...it could just be hatred at your total idiocy."

"Thanks."

"Look," she pushed his arm, knocking it out from under his chin and causing him to collapse a bit, "all I'm saying is that you obviously like her a good deal. I'm not sure if she feels the same way, and honestly...I'm not sure if she even knows what she feels. But sulking around and treating her and her date like shit isn't going to score you any points."

"I'm so sorry about that. I don't know what he was even talk-"

"It's okay." Ben held a peacemaking hand in the air between them, offering a conciliatory smile. "Doesn't matter. Let's just...forget about it."

Lily hesitated before a smile of her own broke out. "Okay." She nodded, eagerly, amazed at how unfazed he could be after all that.

"I didn't even think to ask if you wanted hot or cold, but I got us both frozen, sorry. Is that alright? I can go-"

"It's perfect," she grabbed for the drink and took a long sip, allowing the cold to numb her mind and freeze out the negativity that their encounter with Potter had brought. "So," she began as she opened her eyes, "I feel pretty dumb since we've known each other for a few months and I don't even know what you're planning to do post-graduation, which is...Jesus Christ, in less than two weeks…" Her eyes doubled in size.

He grinned. "Can I just say how nice it is to hear someone use the Lord's name in vain?"

"Wh-what?" she sputtered, pink tinging her cheeks. She had never had a perfect record when it came to swearing, but she should have at least had the class to watch her mouth on a bloody first date. "I'm sor-"

"No!" he laughed, holding up his hands as if to catch her apology before it hit the table between them. "It's a good thing! I mean it. Everyone around here uses…" he leaned in as if he was about to divulge a terrible secret, "Merlin."

She couldn't help but giggle. "I know! Who even is Merlin and what authority does he have that we can swear by him?"

"Well, actually, Merlin was known as the Prince of Enchanters. He was part of the Court of King Arthur-oh. I'm...heh." He swallowed, sheepishly. "You were being sarcastic and I just went Ravenclaw on you, didn't I?"

Lily's smile grew as she bobbed her head, nodding and sipping her drink. "Uh huh."

"On a scale of one to you're-about-to-go-to-the-loo-and-never-return, how horribly is this going?"

"I'd say somewhere between it-hasn't-even-been-five-minutes and I-happen-to-have-a-thing-for-smart-guys."

The taffy was gone and so were the jelly slugs. James ate an embarrassing amount of both, but talking about feelings meant eating a proportionate amount of sweets.

"You almost kissed her in a broom closet and she accepted a date with Soares the next day," June mused, after an hour of listening to James rant about the past few years. "Damn."

"Yeah," he breathed, dropping his head into his hands in exhaustion. "I normally talk to Sirius about all of this, but...you asked."

"Guess I did," she said, still a bit shell-shocked by the range of emotions she had just watched James encounter.

He lifted his head. "Also, I hope you don't think that me dating you was just-"

"Stop that." she held up a hand. "I don't...I'm not going to think about those implications quite yet. But I don't hold it against you." she assured him.

He pulled a sideways smile of gratefulness. "Thanks for listening. Sorry I...exploded."

"I just can't believe you...James Potter...have kept all this to yourself for so long."

"Well, to be fair, I didn't. For a couple years there, I was rather transparent."

"How did pantsing her best friend in front of the whole school work out for you, though?"

He winced. "Yeah, that's why I...changed course."

"To ignoring her existence."

"For her own good."

"Uh huh. And then you just transitioned to her confidante and knight in shining armour over night?" Juniper shook her head, with a chuckle. "Merlin, James, you've got to learn about subtlety."

He stood up. "I need more candy."

June grabbed his hand pulling him back to the bench. "Not so fast. We're not leaving this bench until we come up with a plan."

"A...plan?" he asked apprehensively.

"Yep." she grinned devilishly. "You're so lucky you have me as an ex-girlfriend."

...

"But he didn't kiss you?" Mary cried in despair, dropping her head over the side of the bed.

Lily blushed. "I don't...I don't really think that's Ben's style."

"His style doesn't include kissing girls?" her friend screeched, incredulously.

"It was the first date! That's not that rare." Anna jumped to Lily's defence. "I think it's very gentlemanly of him, Lils."

Lily shrugged. "Honestly, I don't even know if I wanted him to kiss me…"

"Merlin, how disastrous was this date?" Mary snorted.

"It wasn't disastrous! I just don't know if I see Ben and I...long-term."

"Long-term? You went on one date, Lovely! He's not proposing!"

"I know, but he's leaving!" Lily explained. "If it's going to go anywhere, it'll be...difficult. He's starting his internship at St. Mungo's in a few weeks and-"

"He's going to be a healer?" Anna interrupted excitedly.

"Yes," Lily smiled fondly. "Isn't that great?"

"See, Lils, you like him. Look at that sappy smile. Give it a go!" Mary said encouragingly-a voice that sounded unfamiliar coming out of her body, but made Lily think nonetheless.

"I've never dated anyone before. I don't...I just don't know if I want a relationship right now." Lily bit her lip, considering the option.

Mary groaned. "You've got to try it at some point and Ben Soares is an excellent test run. He is FIT."

"He really is." Anna giggled.

Lily swung her legs off the bed, heading for the vanity to brush her hair out. "Well, it's useless to dwell on it anymore tonight, because he hasn't even asked me on a second date."

Breakfast on Sunday was uncomfortable at best.

"Ginge! Morning, sunshine!" Sirius plopped on the bench next to her, throwing an arm around her shoulder.

Mary and Anna glared at his arrival, but didn't say anything, knowing verbal spars with Sirius Black only ever ended in loss for the two witches.

"Hello, Guy Fawkes."

"What?" Sirius quirked an eyebrow.

"Wizarding education has failed you once again." Lily rolled her eyes, reaching for a muffin. The more she thought about it, the more grateful she became that he missed her nudge toward the insinuation of traitor. As far as he knew, she had no qualms with James and suggesting otherwise would only cause more problems. "When did you and Potter get back together?"

"You know, for a girl who has been shoving me toward James for months now, you don't exactly sound pleased with this breakthrough."

"I'm elated," Lily said dryly. And she was, really. It was just...complicated. "Thought I'd be privy to the story at some point, but whatever."

"Whoa, whoa, hold your hippogriffs. It's been a crazy couple of days, in case you've forgotten. That's why I came over here to say hi and ask about your you-know-what yesterday."

"My…?"

"Date. I know the word gives you the shivers and shakes so I'm terribly sorry to be so explicit."

"You know what they say about curiosity, Black."

"I want you to think long and hard about that colloquialism before you use it on me, Evans. Keep in mind the deep connection I share to dogs, not cats."

Lily couldn't help but smile a little. "Go eat with your boys. I'll fill you in tonight. And you better get your own facts in order because I want to hear how the reunion came about."

Sirius' mouth twitched nervously. "Uh, you may want to bring some extra doses of patience and love to storytime then."

Lily groaned in anticipation of whatever wild commentary Sirius would present.

"I'll be late tonight. You can go ahead and turn out the lights."

"Where are you going?" James inquired from the desk.

"Uh," Sirius rubbed the back of his neck as he shuffled backwards toward the door. "To talk to... Evans."

"Ah, of course." James sighed. "Your cozy common room chats."

"It's not like that." Sirius frowned at his friend.

"I know, I know." the bespectacled boy tossed a wadded piece of paper in the air and caught it, not making eye contact with Sirius. "Go on."

"We've just got some similarities, that's all. Nothing weird." Sirius pushed.

"You and Evans have similarities beyond two eyes, two ears, and needing oxygen to survive?" James asked, through a small dry chuckle. "Yeah, alright, if that's your story."

"Oi." Sirius intercepted the ball of parchment. He fixed James with a hard gaze, urging the other wizard to understand. "It's family stuff, mate."

Something shifted in James' eyes at the mention of Sirius' family. "Yeah, of course. Sorry." he nodded with genuine remorse.

Sirius shrugged on a jumper. "Remus'll be back any minute now, yeah?"

"Yeah." said James, sounding tired, though if it was from the events in the forest or something else, Sirius couldn't tell.

"Then you won't go mad from the depravity of my absence? He'll keep you grounded?"

James pulled a small smile. "He'll do his best."

"Talk to you in the morning?" Sirius paused at the door, looking back at his slumped mate.

The other teenager nodded, his gaze unfocused and clouded. "Talk to you in the morning."