Poppy's POV
I decided against telling Sara and Phil about what Sirius's parents had told him, not wanting to worry them. I did feel a bit bad, but it was Christmas, and I knew they'd be on edge the whole time if they found out. As a result, I just put up some extra protection around the house, Helios helping to strengthen it with his own magic which nicely complimented mine. Max and Sienna had come to the UK on Christmas Eve and stayed until the 27th which I loved. Sirius had come over in the afternoon on Christmas day and I loved having him around to properly spend Christmas with him. Boxing day, I therefore went to the Potter's and had lunch with them as a Christmas celebration which James had loved, and it made me happy to be around the both of them.
I had spent a nice day with the girls on the 29th with them coming to sleepover at mine and on the 31st, James was having his standard New Year's Eve Party. I was excited, looking forward to an opportunity to recast my previous memory of it. Sara and Phil said I could stay at James's and I was heading over to Fiona's to get ready with the rest of the girls. We had a right laugh; Sonia had even bought us some prosecco so we could have a drink as we did our hair and make-up.
"So Fi, you guna work your magic on Will tonight?" I asked her as I watched the others, having just finished getting ready. She grinned at me in the mirror, thinking it through as she made sure her hair was poker straight.
"Do you think I should Pop?" she asked in return and I nodded.
"Definitely" I encouraged, and she laughed, nodding.
"In that case I will give it a go at least" she told me, finally happy with her hair and moving to shimmy into the very short silver dress she had bought especially for tonight. "Hey Lil, you guna give Aidan a chance?" she called over to Lily who had just returned to the room in a short, tight, black dress which emphasised her long legs. Alice wolf whistled her, making her laugh and shake her head.
"Maybe" she told Fiona with a shrug, eyes darting to me. I still hadn't figured out how I was going to get her and James together as I had told each of them, I wouldn't tell anyone so I couldn't just go up to them and tell them that they said they liked each other. And I had a horrible feeling they were going to be difficult about it.
We arrived half an hour after the party had officially kicked off in true Fiona fashion so that the place was full when we arrived. I quickly put my stuff in Sirius's room, not seeing him around before I went back downstairs, searching for him. I found him not long later stood with everybody else in the kitchen, his eyes finding me as I made my way over. He met me halfway, pulling me in for a kiss straight away without so much as a verbal greeting.
"Why do you have to always look so beautiful?" he asked when we eventually pulled away, making me blush. I had deliberately chosen a backless dress, always enjoying the feel of his hands directly on my skin. One hand stayed on my back, gently stroking it as we stood closely together.
"All for you" I reminded him, making him laugh before he kissed me again.
"Come on, before everybody moans that I've stolen you" he said with a grin, now making me laugh as he led the way to where our friends were stood, and I saw that Alice and Frank had already disappeared. Sirius passed me a beer as I stood between him and James, his hand on my back still and I smiled at the contact.
"Hi Pop" James greeted me, putting an arm around my shoulders and pulling me gently to him.
"Hi James" I replied, making him laugh for some reason.
"Sirius! Come here a moment!" I heard Remus call him from across the room. He gave me a kiss before disappearing and I heard James sigh, shaking his head.
"Tonight is the only night I will permit such PDA" he informed me, making Lily and Fiona laugh.
"Oh, so generous of you" I replied sarcastically.
"Ooo Lil. Wing woman me?" Fiona asked with a grin and I saw her looking across the room to where Will and Aidan were stood chatting. Lily's eyes darted to me and I felt James tense slightly as Lily nodded and the two of them disappeared. We both watched them go and I saw how happy Aidan was that Lily had sought him out.
"Does err…Lily like Aidan?" James asked me quietly, turning back to me and dropping his arm from my shoulders. He was watching me carefully and I knew I had to be careful.
"I don't think she does" I told him slowly, James tilting his head slightly as he surveyed me interest.
"You know that she likes someone, don't you?" he asked, a grin slowly unfurling on his face. I shrugged, averting my eyes and felt him lightly hit me. "Oh my gosh you totally do! Tell me!" he exclaimed.
"I'm not saying anything" I told him stubbornly and, knowing what he was like, used my speed to get away from him, moving to the other side of the room where I could casually observe Fiona and Lily, wondering if I had done enough to push James towards Lily. Now to get Lily closer to James.
"I know you're up to something" Sirius's voice appeared in my ear as I felt him wrap his arms around me, standing behind me.
"Maybe I am" I told him with a grin, feeling him kiss my cheek.
"Tell me" he demanded but I shook my head and I felt him kiss my neck now instead.
"Sirius" I warned him, but he ignored me, continuing to kiss me, moving my hair to make it easier for him. "We're in public" I reminded him, there being people all around us.
"My bedroom's just upstairs" he murmured, making me laugh and shake my head.
"Stop it! You're terrible!" I told him, hitting his hands which had started to wander, and I heard him laugh.
"I can't help it. You look far too hot" he told me, turning me now so he could kiss me properly. "Can I guess what you're up to?" he asked when we pulled away and I raised my eyebrows, seeing him give me a cocky grin. "Well, I've seen you keeping an eye on Fiona and Lily and I know you and James were talking about something at breakfast after dinner at my parents. So, I have a feeling you know something I don't. And I know James still likes Lily. Which makes me wonder what it is that you know" he rounded up succinctly. I have to say, I was impressed. "Am I right?" he asked, grinning with his eyes on me.
"Maybe" I told him, making him laugh. I turned back and around and saw that Lily was no longer with Fi, Will and Aidan and I quickly scanned wondering where she was when I saw James intercept her. I watched intrigued as the two chatted, the pair of them looking very happy and I couldn't help but smile.
"Does Lily like James?" Sirius asked from behind me and I was glad he couldn't see my eyes. I shrugged and I felt him try to turn me back around, but I stubbornly resisted, and I heard him laugh. "Merlin you're not serious Pop?! Are you actually telling me that after all this time Evans likes Prongs?!" he exclaimed.
"I didn't say anything" I told him, but I heard his loud laughter, nonetheless.
"This is insane! How long have you known?!" he asked me.
"I didn't say anything" I repeated, and he laughed again, turning me with more force now and I could see his face properly lit up. "Pop tell me" he said again but I shook my head. "Does Lily like James?" he asked me directly again. He knew I couldn't lie but I was able to not say anything, so I did that instead. "Oh, your silence is plenty" he told me, properly beaming as he looked over my shoulder to where I had last seen James and Lily.
"Sirius you can't say anything" I demanded of him, his eyes coming back to me.
"But you haven't told me anything" he teased, and I rolled my eyes.
"I mean it. You can't say anything to James" I told him sternly. "Sirius" I said when I didn't get an immediate reply. He huffed but nodded.
"Fine, but this is major. As in, this is life changing news" he told me with a broad smile.
"I know but we have to let them figure it out themselves" I insisted, turning back round so I could watch them. "Reckon James would try something with Lily tonight?" I asked him curiously, relaxing back into him.
"I'm not sure you know. This is Lily. I think he would want it to be more romantic than New Years. And preferably when she isn't drunk which I suspect she is" he said thoughtfully, and I figured he had a point. "Let's hope Aidan doesn't make a move on her instead" he told me, and I winced at the thought, thinking that there could well be a good chance of him doing just that.
Lily's POV
So, I'd taken Poppy's advice and had something to drink which loosened me up enough to attempt to flirt with James. I wasn't convinced I was doing a very good job of it, still feeling really nervous around him. I don't know what was wrong with me, normally I was good at flirting but for some reason I just didn't seem able to pull myself together around James.
"So, I've uh, noticed you hanging out with Will and Aidan a lot tonight" James interrupted my thoughts. I looked at him curiously, wondering whether this was him wanting more information or just mere, friendly observation.
"Well Fiona wanted me to wing woman her, so I was trying to do that" I told him and for some reason this made him smile.
"And err, who is she interested in?" he asked me, and I grinned at him.
"Will" I told him and he looked surprised.
"Really?" he asked, and I saw his eyes look past me, evidently trying to find where she was. I don't know if he found them, but I saw him roll his eyes and shake his head at someone and, feeling curious, I turned around to see Poppy and Sirius watching us. They both jumped when they saw me looking, Poppy quickly turning round and Sirius instead looking at her. I blushed, trying to control myself before turning back to see James watching me.
"I worry we've made Poppy too much of a Marauder" he admitted, making me laugh.
"I would worry if I were you. She spends far too much time with you guys" I teased him, now making him laugh. His laughter, however, died and I saw his eyes tracking somebody.
"Hi Lily" Aidan's voice surprised me and I saw him stood between James and I, eyes focused on me, but I know he was aware of James.
"I'll err, leave you guys to it" James said before disappearing and I found myself disappointed he was going, wishing Aidan hadn't come over.
"So, I was wondering" Aidan started just as somebody started a countdown and I jumped in surprise, not having realised it was that time already. My heart sped up as I turned back to Aidan who had stepped toward me with a smile. Oh shit, no this was not happening to me.
"Aidan I-" I started but was cut off when he took my bottle out of my hand, putting it on the table next to where we were stood. As it got closer to one, he moved closer to me and just as the fireworks started going off, he kissed me. I was momentarily surprised, so it took a few seconds before I pulled away, seeing a flash of disappointment across his face. "Aidan I'm sorry I just, look you're a great guy and I've enjoyed talking to you, but I just don't think of you that way" I said as softly as I could, aware that all around us people were happily wishing each other a happy new year. I felt awful as he looked crushed, but he nodded, attempting to give me a smile.
"I understand. I'm sorry for kissing you" he told me quietly before quickly leaving me and I winced, feeling awful. As I watched him go, I happened to catch James's eye and for some reason he looked down. He quickly looked away when he saw me looking and I saw Poppy give him a hug, saying something to him which made him shrug. Bollocks. I really hoped I hadn't just messed up my chance with him.
Poppy's POV
"Pop, I don't think I can do this again" James told me as we stood on the patio in the garden and I did my best not to shiver.
"Look, I'm telling you she pushed him away. Have you seen how crushed the guy looks?! If things had happened his way, he would be with her making out with her right now. And instead, he's downing copious amounts of alcohol looking pretty down" I insisted. James looked at me, sighing before he pulled me in for a hug, rubbing my arms to keep me warm.
"Are you sure?" he asked after a moment, his voice quiet.
"Very" I told him with confidence. Keeping his hands on my arms he pulled away so he could look at me properly.
"And you think I've actually got a chance this time?" he asked me. I had to think carefully about this question, having so far been successful in being evasive.
"Look, you told me you think she's flirting with you tonight, right?" I asked instead and I saw a grin appear slowly on his face and I knew he knew I was being difficult.
"I mean, I think so, but I don't know. I've never been on the receiving end of her flirting, so I don't know what it's like" he told me slowly. It was frustrating to not be able to tell him she was flirting with him and she liked him, but I tempered the temptation. "I could be completely making it up. I mean, we talk more now that's for sure, but I don't know if that means she likes me" he continued, still watching me.
"Look, we know she rejected Aidan" I told him, but I could see he wasn't convinced. "She did reject him" I insisted firmly, having seen it myself. "And she seems to like talking to you" I continued, and I saw a small smile. "So why not stick it out?" I suggested.
"And you think it's a good idea this time?" he asked me again. The answer I gave, I knew, would inform him what I knew so I had to be careful.
"Do you want to?" I asked instead and he chuckled.
"This is Lily. You know I want to" he told me.
"Well then" I said, happy that I'd managed to swerve some difficult questions in this. He laughed lightly, giving me a mischievous smile.
"But you haven't told me whether you think it's a good idea" he said, and I couldn't help but scowl at him which just made him laugh even more. A violent shiver went through me and at this Sirius appeared.
"Prongs if you cause my girlfriend to freeze to death, I will have to kill you" he told him, leaning against the door frame and watching us with a grin.
"The sooner she answers my one question, the sooner she can go" he said, his grip on my arms a little tighter.
"Oh?" Sirius questioned, seeming interested.
"I just want to know whether Poppy thinks it's a good idea for me to try something with Lily" James said casually, eyes still firmly on me. Sirius chuckled at this and I glared at him.
"Come on Pop. Just answer him so we can warm you up" he told me, evidently not willing to help me out.
"Why does it matter if I think it's a good idea?" I asked him. He looked at me as I stood there shivering evidently thinking about it.
"Because you're one of my best friends and I value your opinion" he said, looking pleased with his answer.
"Fine. I think it's a good idea" I admitted, and he grinned massively at this, pulling me to him and hugging me. "Oh, you gave so much away" he whispered in my ear and I pulled away from him, scowling and storming off, hearing his and Sirius's laughter ringing in my ears.
James hadn't made any sort of move on Lily, but I couldn't blame him as she was druuuuuunk. At two I figured nobody else was going to put her to bed, so I made my way over to where she was swaying and put an arm around her.
"Come on drunky. Let's get you to bed" I told her, clutching the now empty bottle of prosecco out of her hand and steering her out of the room.
"But Poppy I wanna dance" she whined as we went, staggering somewhat.
"I think you're going to need a hand" James appeared on her other side, looking at Lily with a frown.
"Poppy look it's James" she told me, and I saw him smile at this.
"It is indeed" I said, managing to get her out of the room and we headed to the stairs.
"Poppy" she attempted to whisper I think but it came out at a normal volume.
"Lily let's just get you upstairs" I told her, thinking she could well say something she might regret with James around.
"But Poppy" she insisted, digging her feet in and stopping us. James paused next to us and I saw him put a hand on her back to steady her which made her jump.
"Poppy's right Lily. I think you need some sleep" he said, and she blushed, despite how much alcohol she had.
"Poppy James is trying to get me into bed" she tried whispering but it came out horribly loud and I saw his whole face light up.
"Into your bed" I told her, shaking my head at James as I got her moving again. He helped me to steer her to the stairs, Lily babbling on about dancing again and we managed to make a start-up before she stopped, swaying dangerously.
"James can't you just carry me?" she asked. He just stared at her and I watched as she turned and swayed against him and obviously, he caught her. She looked at me and winked and I did my best not to laugh. James looked at me slightly bewildered, so I just shrugged, not sure what else to do.
"Fine" he relented, easily picking her up and carrying her up the stairs and I saw her put her arms around him. I was torn as to whether or not to follow them but decided to go for it, just in case James needed a hand and he did.
"Pop open the door next to Sirius's" he told me, and I shot past him, opening it up before stepping in and pulling the covers back. James carefully put Lily down and she giggled as I took her shoes off.
"James you can get in if you want" she said, blushing but giggling, moving over to the other side.
"Oh Merlin" I heard him murmur under his breath.
"Lily can you stop wiggling please" I said, taking charge and putting the covers over her. I saw her eyes close and she stilled very quickly, having evidently already fallen asleep. I propped some pillows around her, not wanting her to roll over and vomit in her sleep and realised I would have to check on her throughout the night for my own peace of mind. I turned and saw James still staring at her and nudged him.
"Still wondering whether to go for it or not?" I whispered and this seemed to break him from his trance. He let out a breath and ran a hand through his hair, the smile coming slowly.
"Pop, I think she might like me" he told me, and I couldn't help but smile as I shrugged, looking at Lily.
"Just, some advice from me, don't bring up what you just heard tomorrow" I said, and he chuckled at this, steering me out of the room.
"I won't, don't worry" he reassured me just as Sirius appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Prongs if this is you trying to get my missus into bed, we're guna fall out" he teased him and James grinned, putting an arm around my shoulders.
"Dam Pop, we've been discovered" he told me dramatically, Sirius shaking his head at us. "Hey Pad, I think Lily might like me!" James couldn't help his excitement and it made my heart melt a little bit to hear him so excited. Sirius glanced at me and I grinned at him before he looked back at James.
"What makes you say that?" he asked as we moved towards him and away from the room Lily was sleeping in.
"She made me carry her upstairs and then asked if I wanted to get into bed with her" he told Sirius who looked surprised.
"I can confirm that that did actually happen" I told him, and Sirius nodded, looking impressed.
"Well then Prongs, looks like the game is on" Sirius told him with a grin and James laughed, looking happier than I'd seen him in a long time. "But now that you've managed to get Poppy upstairs, I am going to have to steal her" he said, quickly darting forward and throwing me over his shoulder.
"Sirius!" I exclaimed, thinking my dress was far too short for him to be doing this. He said nothing but laughed as he opened the door to his room and strode in.
"Put up a silencing spell" James called out to us although I could hear his smile.
"Wait! James!" I yelled and Sirius paused as I attempted to right myself so I could see him. He looked at me with his hand on Sirius's door handle with a grin. "Do not go and do something stupid tonight now please" I told him, and he nodded, crossing his heart.
"No more alcohol and hands to myself" he promised, giving me a wink before he shut the door. Sirius now threw me onto the bed, making me laugh as he hovered on top of me with a grin.
"Your Marauder like tendencies make you incredibly hot I hope you know" he told me, making me smile.
"Nope, why don't you show me how much you appreciate my Marauderness" I said with a grin and with that he kissed me, all thoughts of James and Lily pushed from my mind.