sillykitty201: She's quit. She's finally done it. The world has stopped and hell has frozen over, folks. basketballbr0909 HAS QUIT. *shriek* I knew it was going to happen. (insert guess of your choice here) and so she quit. Now I have to do MYofM all on my own.

I'm done for.

But, I refuse to stop. I AM going to finish this story. I'm going to do it, I promise you!

I know this only has four parts, and I know it's unusual that they're all in one chapter. Sorry! But.. well, you know. Life happens, as you can see above.

Clarification- McGonagall's part occurs on March 8th, Snape's on March 10th, Remus's on March 12th, Lily has the idea on March 14th and it is executed on March 15th. All in the same week, as you can see.

Snape and McGonagall were done by basketballbr and Remus and Lily were done by me. Enjoy basketballbr's writing, folks. It's never going to appear to you ever again.

Severus Snape

Lily Evans

Remus Lupin

Minerva McGonagall

Dumbledore gave me a day off.

I don't really know why, but he said he would explain further in his office at 3:00.

Obviously, I'm glad for the break, but I can't help but wonder what Dumbledore wants from me. I didn't do anything particularly bad, did I?

Heh.

Plus, I don't like others teaching my class. It's just… not right.

I pace around my office, trying to figure out what Dumbledore wants. Since I am simply stressing myself out more and more by just thinking, I decide to head to my classroom.

Apparently, Pomfrey has a sister who is going to be teaching my class today, since Dumbledore gave me the day off.

As I reach, I quietly peer through the crack in the door. I can hear what Pomfrey's sister is saying.

"Now," she snaps, glaring at them, "What sub - branch of Transfiguration is considered to be the most difficult?"

HOW DARE SHE?!

NO ONE, I REPEAT, NO ONE GLARES AT MY STUDENTS EXCEPT ME!

I am about to march in there, but I decide that maybe it's better if I don't. Albus says I overreact, but honestly! With these students (and teachers!) how do you not?

Lupin raises his hand, and I am incredibly surprised to see that Potter, Black, and Pettigrew have done the same. What do they know about human transfiguration?

It's not like they've ever learned how to become an Animagus.

By Merlin, of course not! They're fifteen!

Pomfrey ignores them. "Does Miverva even teach you anything? Does anyone know?"

What.

Did.

She.

Just.

SAY?!

I march in. All the students gape at me, but once I glare at them, they immediately shut their open mouths and look at their textbooks.

Of course, I know they're listening. That's just how my students are.

And only I'm allowed to scold them.

"Minerva! What a pleasure to see you!" exclaims Pomfrey with (fake) enthusiasm.

"Likewise," I reply, before pursing my lips into a tight line. I tend to do that often.

"Anyways, I just wanted to pop in just to see how things are going. Have you taught them anything yet?"

"Well, you see, the children tend to get naught-"

"Naughty, hm? Yes, I know. You know, Pomfrey.. One of the best things about being a teacher is that you learn patience. You never lie to your students or your fellow coworkers. You manage to teach even through bad behavior," I interrupt, acting nonchalant.

"Oh, yes, but like I was saying, Potter and Black-"

"Potter and Black are perfectly fine students. I don't see why you should have a problem with them. I have taught them since their first year, and I have managed quite well. Now, answer me. Have you taught them anything?"

Pomfrey responds, but I don't listen. I am still repeating my previous line in my head. Did I actually say that?

Merlin's Beard! These Marauders have taken quite a toll on me.

".. you see, that's why," she says, finishing her long speech (which I have not heard a single word of).

I look at her carefully, assessing her height and her capability for magic, and then I glare at her.

"Get out," I say in a deathly whisper.

"What did you say?"

Potter snickers, and I see Black trying to hold back fits of laughter by clamping both hands over his mouth.

"Get. Out," I repeat, a little louder this time.

"But, Minerva-"

"GET OUT! YOU HEARD ME, NOW GET OUT! You little-"

"Minerva, I think I'll take it from here," murmurs a calm voice. I look up to see Albus. He looks annoyingly calm (which he tends to look like ALL THE TIME!).

"Would you please come to my office? I believe you were supposed to ten minutes ago," he says, surveying the situation through his half - moon glasses.

He's right.

I give Pomfrey one more glare before sweeping out of the classroom, Albus on my heels.

"Quite a scene you made there," Albus comments once we leave the classroom.

"Indeed."

"So, you see, Minerva.. THEY'RE UP TO SOMETHING!"

"I understand your point, Albus. I have also been observing them. Quite cheeky, that lot," I answer slowly.

Now Albus is obsessed with the Marauders and their friends? Well, they're not friends, but still!

I've never thought of Albus as the nosy type..

Oh well. It helps me. I have to admit, Albus is quite right. A week ago, Malfoy got an O, and Evans got a P on their essays!

"Yes, Minerva. How about we split the work? I will investigate Mr. Potter-"

"Sorry for interrupting, Albus, but may I do Potter?" I swiftly interrupt.

I'm SORRY, but Potter is mine!

ALL MINE!

"Yes, yes, Minerva. I shall do Lucius and Mr. Snape," Albus responds impatiently.

"Excellent. So I will investigate the Marauders, and you will investigate Ms. Evans, Mr. Malfoy, and Mr. Snape," I tell him, counting on my fingers.

Time to get to work.

Good thing I'm head of Gryffindor House, because that allows me to freely inspect the Gryffindor common room. I march inside, pointedly ignoring Alice Sline staring at Frank Longbottom like a lovesick fool, and instead I eye the Marauders talking in the corner.

They seem to be doing homework, but I don't really care.

I've got a schedule to keep, mind.

"Potter, Pettigrew, Lupin, Black. What are you doing?" I demand harshly.

"Homework, Professor McGonnagall," Black replies, smirking at me. "Don't tell me you've already forgotten all your love for us!"

I flush, remembering my outburst in class. Pettigrew elbows Black as Lupin tries to hide a smile. Potter stares intently at his homework, lips curling into a grin.

"You, well, I, you see…" I stand straighter and clear my throat. "I see. Dumble - I mean, uh, Slughorn has noticed you don't.. um.. please excuse me." I step away from them quickly.

WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!

I NEED A STORY.

NOW.

After what seems like ages, I figure out a way to get some information from the Marauders.

"Sorry about that. I was, er, gathering my thoughts. Yes, Potter, teachers need to gather their thoughts. And stop slouching, Pettigrew. Anyways, Madam Pince has mentioned that you haven't been reading a lot lately, Lupin. What other activities might you be doing?"

"I have more homework-"

"Really? So nothing else? You have been doing nothing else but homework?"

"Nope. Nothing else," he responds confidently.

ARGH!

"And Potter, you look much less.. stressed lately. Any, uh, stress relieving tactics you might want to tell me about?"

"Well, Professor, my friends gave me a nice, uh, break," Potter said, looking at his friends and smiling.

Yeah, yeah, forget this sentimental crap! Get on with it already!

"Oh? Like what?"

He freezes.

AHA! AHA! I got you, Potter! I GOT YOU!

His shoulders relax, as he replies "We played quidditch."

I am about to scream internally at myself when I realize that Potter here has a loophole!

"I heard your friends here," I gesture to Lupin and Pettigrew, "Don't play."

"Well, Professor, they learned. For me. That's not such a bad thing, is it?"

POTTTTERRRRR!

"Fine. Pettigrew, what about-"

I stop myself. This is useless. I won't get it out of them. There is only one thing left to do.

"Albus, it won't work."

"No luck either, huh? I will figure this out, if it's the last thing I do, Minerva," Albus speaks with such determination.

"Albus, there's one more option.."

I stare at him, and by his expression, I know he knows what I am talking about.

Veritaserum.

"Minerva.. won't that be unfair on their part?" Albus asks tentatively.

Isn't he the one who wanted to figure all of this out!?

Sweet mercy, I've turned into Albus Dumbledore!

"It's not unfair if they're breaking school rules," I reason.

Sweet mercy, I have!

"Yeah, yeah, you're right. We deserve to know if they broke school rules. We're their teachers. You're right. Let's do it."

I am surprised he agreed so quickly, but I'm still happy all the same.

"Potter? How was the soup?"

"Gross," he replies in a monotonous voice. I flinch at him, feeling bad, but before I give him the antidote, I need to ask him a few things.

I fire him right away with questions.

"What did you do yesterday?"

"Nothing. I mostly had classes-"

"The day before?"

"Classes again-"

"The day before that?"

"I had the best day ever," he whispers dramatically, a smile lighting up on his face.

"Continue," I reply, trying to contain my excitement.

This is it!

"First, Sirius, Peter, and Remus did my homework. I was so surprised, I swear."

No. This isn't what I think it is, is it? It can't be..

"And then-"

"Let me guess, you all played quidditch?"

Please say no.

Please say no.

"Yes!"

GAH!

"So, did you figure it out?" Albus asks, practically jumping with joy. He is going to use the Veritaserum on Malfoy this afternoon.

"Oh, yes," I reply. "Turns out.."

"What?" Albus asks, his smile taking over his face.

I let the tension build up, pursing my lips, fire in my eyes.

"I KNEW IT ALL ALONG!"

I've been ignoring Lucius a lot lately.

I mean, can you blame me? All he ever does is make fun of Lily!

Speaking of Lily..

She was acting quite odd today. She seems much better off now, but earlier, she curled her lip and started noticing Lucius more often..

Long story short:

SHE LIKES LUCIUS!

I know right! Like, why him?! Sometimes it's Potter, sometimes it's Black, Lupin, but why not me!? Why can't she like me!? I'm the only one actually worthy of her!

Now, if I ask her, she'll deny it almost immediately, but I know that she likes him.

I just know it. And now, I have to break it up.

I have to.

I NEED TO.

I wait for Lily outside the Gryffindor common room, because we are going to walk to Potions together. When she hops out, I gaze at her beautiful freckles and the cute dimples she produces when she smiles at me. I snap back into reality when I remember what I wanted to ask her.

"Hey, Lily.. are you.. friends with Lucius?"

"No. I told you, Sev, I don't like him!"

"But why did you say you were watching him the night when you fainted?"

"I- I don't know," she replies, scoffing.

"Exactly! And don't think I didn't see you drag him to that broom closet."

"I never... Right, um, yeah. That- it was nothing. You don't know what you're talking about."

"What were you doing in there? Wait, don't tell me. I don't think I want to know. Wait.. Did you actually do anything there? And why a broom closet?"

"BECAUSE WE COULDN'T DO IT ANYWHERE- UGH, I mean, because I-"

"You what, Lily?" I ask, crossing my arms. Everything she says is going against her.

"You know what, Sev? I'm done. I am done talking to you about this. So either let go of it, or I'm leaving."

I tear my eyes away from her and look at my feet.

FINE.

"Goodbye, Lily."

I stare at my plate, yet again. Nothing the other Slytherins say will make me feel better. Not that many of them would try, anyway.

I spot Malfoy on the corner of the table, picking at his food.

That bastard.

It's because of him I landed into this whole, stupid MESS!

"Hey, Goyle. Guess what? Malfoy and that Mudblood (I wince as I said this) were doing stuff in the broom closet," I sneer suddenly, jeering at Malfoy. Making a fool out of Malfoy hasn't lost it's fun yet.

Goyle jeers at Malfoy as well, and Malfoy bites his lip, saying nothing. I frown a little, because I was expecting some sort of retort from Malfoy. Instead of saying something, he's just staring at his food.

It takes the fun out of taunting if the victim doesn't talk back.

In a matter of seconds, Goyle tells the whole table about Malfoy and Lily.

"Hey, Malfoy, thanks! I think I know why Mudbloods attend Hogwarts now. See, they already know that without magic, they're doomed, so they let them attend Hogwarts so they'd get married off to fools with magic like you!" Lestrange snickered.

Parkinson high - fives him, and I smirk. Unfortunately for me, Malfoy doesn't even turn a tiny shade of pink.

HMPH.

This isn't working at all. I need to be alone with him so that I can give personal insults that dive deep. I wait until after dinner, and then I head to my dorm room. Malfoy goes up to lie down in his four poster bed, not mentioning a word about what happened at dinner.

"Malfoy, Malfoy, Malfoy.." I tsk.

Malfoy doesn't budge, just rolls his eyes.

"What have you done with Lily?" I ask dangerously.

This time, he sits straight up and eyes me, horrified.

"What do you know?"

AHA!

"Only that you were in a broom closet with her," I whisper.

"Well, guess what, Snape?! It isn't true. I don't like her, end of conversation."

"Sure," I scoff.

"Look, Snape, what is your problem? How would I suddenly like her? I was just insulting her a few days ago!"

He makes a good point.

But I'm not backing down. Not until he answers my question. Not until he admits he loves Lily.

"If that's as true as you say, then what were you doing in the broom closet?"

Malfoy bites his lip.

"I can't tell you that. But it was nothing romantic, I assure you."

"Like I would believe you!" I scoff disbelievingly. Honestly, if he wants me to trust him, he has to tell the truth!

He rolls his eyes and takes a deep breath.

"I am about to say something that I haven't told anyone," he pauses, taking a deep breath.

FINE. Go ahead, lie to me all you want.

I don't say anything, and he continues.

"I - I like someone else."

"And why should I believe that?"

He takes a deep breath, as though he is contemplating whether he should tell me.

I roll my eyes and cross my arms.

I wouldn't believe him for the world.

"Because I am openly telling you I like Mallory Halince."

I replay those words in my head two times, not quite believing it.

Malfoy.

Likes.

Mallory.

Halince.

I nearly fall to the floor in shock.

Malfoy doesn't say anything, he just shuffles his feet nervously as I recover from my shock.

Gaping at him, I can't help but ask-

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Why do you think? You were driving me nuts. Now that you know, keep your mouth shut. Good night."

I blink for a second as Malfoy shuts off the lamp.

As I lie in bed, I feel mixed emotions.

I mean, come on, he's probably lying! Why would he tell me?! This is probably payback for me ignoring him for a while.

But he did seem serious, did he not? And I suppose I may have overreacted a little bit when he insulted Lily..

I suppose I can set aside my differences for a little bit.

But... Halince?!

Hm. Well… if I can like Lily, he can like Halince.

I sigh and roll over in my bed. Malfoy turns over too, and I can tell he hasn't fallen asleep yet.

"You know, Malfoy," I start. Malfoy doesn't say anything, but I can tell he is awaiting my next words.

"Potter and his friends have been unusually happy these past couple of days, don't you think?"

Malfoy does not utter a word.

This is going to be much harder than I thought.

"Look, Malfoy, if I can set aside the fact that you insulted Lil- Evans, then you can set aside today at dinner."

No response.

Finally, he stirs.

"Is this an apology?"

I scoff. "Have you met me? I don't give apologies. It's either take it or leave it, Malfoy," I his name firmly, emphasizing my point.

"Now that's the Snape I know," are his last words before he pulls the covers over himself and starts to snore.

The Snape he knows… as if he knows anything about me.

Love interests and friendships. Enemies and murderous trees.. This year has turned out to be very interesting, indeed.

Our professors are weird…

I'm telling you! They are! They're always acting very suspicious, and then they brush it off and tell us that we're suspicious!

I just don't understand it.

Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore were both monitoring us for a few days. I don't know why… we didn't even play any pranks!

And when we do, they're never this weird.

Argh, nevermind.

I've learnt to accept that Hogwarts isn't a typical school.

Definitely not a typical school...

"Hello, Remus!"

I look up to see Lily, beaming brightly at me.

"Oh hello, Lily! How are you? That soup seemed to have a very odd effect on you… are you quite alright?"

Lily laughs, a twinkling laugh, though she seems suddenly nervous.

"Oh, yes! I'm sorry if I worried you. It was… food poisoning. Quite a fiasco, really."

Lily's eyes have narrowed the slightest bit, and I shrug.

"Okay. Are we still on for studying today?"

"Of course! To the library!"

I laugh as Lily and I talk and head to the library to study.

Lily and I have always been friends. From the start. Well, from second year. She and I have studied and laughed together multiple times. Of course, Lily hates the Marauders and I hate Snape, but we manage to put our differences aside to become friends.

Fifth year, we made a 'schedule' of some sort. Lily needed some help with Defense Against the Dark Arts (DADA), while I needed some help with Potions. Turns out, we each have talents in DADA and Potions, so I tutor her in DADA, while she tutors me in Potions.

It's not tutoring, really. We just study together and help each other when needed.

"I'm going to go get a book from one of those shelves… be right back, okay?"

"Yeah, sure," Lily replies distractedly. I head to the back to grab a book. It's not a textbook, I just need another fictional book to read.

Plus, I need a break from studying.

I grab a book called The Knight Who Ran Away, and I head back to where Lily is sitting. But when I get there, I see Lily and Peter talking about something in hushed tones.

Nobody notices me, so I quickly hide behind a bookshelf. Just in time, too, because Lily turns to glare at the spot where I just was.

"There's nobody there, Lily, now look at me!"

"Stop calling me Lily!" Lily snaps.

Peter shrinks back for a second before snapping back, "I can call you whatever I like, Evans. You need to keep your promises."

"I wasn't planning on breaking them!"

Lily's face is flushed, and her green eyes are alit with determination. Her hair is a bit of a mess, and from this angle, I can almost see why James is in love with her.

Almost.

I mean, she's insulted him a lot, and her beauty does not make up for that.

Back to the conversation…

What promises is Peter talking about? What is he even saying?

"Lily. Evans. You owe me."

Lily opens her mouth to say something, but Peter doesn't let her get a word in.

"You do. And I don't care if you hang out with Snape, I don't care if you burn down Hogwarts, and I don't care if you chop me into tiny pieces and eat me for dinner."

Weird...

"Pettigrew, I have no fucking idea what you're talking about."

"I'm cashing in my favor, Evans, and you know it. You owe me."

A favor? The favor?

When we Marauders helped Lily organize a birthday party for Snape, James decided that Lily owed us two favors each. None of us have cashed them in yet. I don't know what on earth Peter would use his favor for!

"I- What?" Lily sputters, and Peter fixes her with a steely glare. It's not very ferocious, but it works nonetheless.

"Here's my favor, Lily, and you're not backing out on it."

"What do you want?" Lily's voice comes out as a whisper. Is she actually… scared? Scared of a favor?

It hits me, for the first time, that maybe Lily was planning on backing out on the favors she owed us. That maybe she let Snape's words get to her.

Wow.

I never imagined Lily would be so cruel.

I am so absorbed in my own thoughts, I almost miss Peter's next words.

I'm lucky I don't, though, because what Peter says next makes me fall over in surprise.

"You won't back out on any other favors, no matter what they are. Mine and my friends, you will not find a loophole, and you will do exactly as we say."

"WHAT!?" Lily nearly screams, she is so enraged. She stands up, nearly banging into the table, and she looks ready to whip out her wand, but Peter grabs his and silences her.

"I'm not finished! You may find a loophole in my next favor. Fine by me. But for my friends? For them, you do exactly as asked. Got it?"

Peter waves his wand again, and Lily can speak again.

They both stare at each other for a bit, and then Lily falls back into her chair, disbelief evident on her face.

She shoots him another dazed glance before sighing and shaking her head.

"I owe you, don't I?"

Peter doesn't say another word, and then he walks out of the library.

I nearly faint in shock.

"Hullo, Lily!" I wave like a fool.

Argh.

"Hi Remus."

Lily doesn't seem to notice as she glares at her textbook. She seems to want it to burst into flames.

"Whatever did that textbook do to you?" I venture, and Lily's head snaps up.

"It proved me wrong."

I raise an eyebrow at her, but Lily doesn't elaborate.

She really is destroying my reality for her. I used to think she was kind and that Sirius and James were too harsh on her, but she really is letting that slimy Slytherin get to her head.

She ought to have been in Slytherin.

I slam my Potions book shut with such ferocity, even Madam Pince doesn't say anything.

(Apart from an extremely harsh glare sent my way.)

"Remus? You okay?"

"Fine," I reply through gritted teeth. "Just remembered I had to do something. Goodbye, Lily."

Sayonara, Slytherin.

Peter doesn't say anything. At all.

Nada.

"Peter…" I attempt, and Peter looks up curiously from his homework.

"Er.. did you go to the library at all today?"

I have caught Sirius's attention.

"Moony. We don't go to the library. It is a forbidden place," James gapes, his tone scandalized.

"Oh shut up, Prongs," I snap, and Peter snickers.

"No way, Moony! You expected us to go to the library! How could you even think of such a thing!? We must cleanse you of these disastrous thoughts..." Sirius sends a glance to James and James grins at him.

Off they go, plotting ways to "cleanse me" of "bad thoughts".

They really are making it hard for me to make Peter talk.

"Look who's talking," I mutter.

Peter laughs again, and I huff.

Honestly! Peter, just admit that you sacrificed a favor, and Sirius and James, PLEASE stop plotting my death!

I voice that last thought, but James and Sirius just share an identical smirk and start advancing towards me.

"Tooo lateee," sings Peter, and my eyes widen comically as I realize what's about to happen.

One hour later, as we are in the Black Lake, "cleansing me" of my "bad thoughts", I can't help but wonder why I would ever doubt Peter's loyalty to us.

Just because he's a rat (and a bit out of place) doesn't mean that he's a traitor… does it?

No. No, it does not.

"Lilyyyy!"

"Mollyyyy!" I mimic Mallory's tone, winking at her as she huffs.

"So, what's up?"

"I have a date."

I blink.

"Okay… so?"

Mallory looks scandalized.

"LILY! It's a date. I need your help getting ready. The past week has been so stressful. I need your help winding down. This cannot be half as stressful as this past week!"

She's right. A lot has happened. Sev and my friendship... Peter with his favor... everything has just been.. INSANE.

Merlin knows we just need to wind down and relax.

I look at Mallory, and then I glance at the calendar on my desk.

March 14th.

I glance at my watch.

1:09.

Suddenly, I beam.

"Molly… I think I just had the best idea ever."

Molly stares at me, her interest piqued, but confusion evident on her face.

"What are you talking about?" she asks suspiciously, but I just grin.

"Evans.."

"I…"

"Think.."

"You've…"

"Finally…"

"Lost…"

"It."

Potter and Black glance at each other simultaneously and beam. Then they choir, with Peter in tow, "Or maybe you've finally loosened up!"

Remus rolls his eyes at his friends. Then he quickly looks up at me and says, "That's a brilliant idea, Lily!"

My 'brilliant idea' is to have a picnic party. Well, some sort of a picnic party.

I think the whole school has been somewhat stressed for the past week. Merlin knows I have been.

So, I decided that we should have a party. A school - wide party. Spread some cheer, you know?

Potter winks at me as Remus continues.

"But who's planning it? And where are we going to do it?"

"Well, Moony, the answer is obvious. It's us!"

Remus suddenly flushes as Potter says 'Moony'. I glare at him and Peter snorts.

"Moony…?" Alice asks from behind me in confusion.

"It's his nickname," I fill in, unhelpfully. Mallory shakes her head in annoyance.

Potter and Black share identical grins (again!) and say at the same time-

"We'll tell you later!"

Remus lets out a squeak, and Peter barks out a laugh.

"Okay, Evans, we'll do this… but on one condition," Potter starts.

"No way. I refuse to owe you more favors. That's insane, it's not happening. I absolutely-" I begin protesting loudly as Alice and Mallory's eyes widen in shock at the mere suggestion of me owing the Marauders another favor.

"Woah, slow your roll, Evans! I don't think Prongs here was going to say that!" Black chuckles as I blush in embarrassment.

"Here's the condition: We all call each other by our first name. Deal, Evans?"

I eye the Marauders for a second, and then turn to my friends. They both shrug, so I turn around and reply, "Only if you do the same, Potter."

Potter grins.

"Deal, Lily."

"Deal, James."

This party is a total success.

We are all standing outside, next to the picnic table set up by the Black Lake. We are all laughing and happy, and all is right in the world.

Well, sort of.

James comes up next to me and surveys his handiwork. He hums quietly, tapping his foot along to the tune in his head. He closes his eyes, and lets a calming smile grace his features.

"Splendid, isn't it, Lily?"

I glance at him out of the corner of my eye, and then spin around to look over the field.

Hogwarts castle stands in the distance, overlooking the lush green fields that we are standing on. Lilies and daisies are (magically) planted everywhere, thanks to Alice and me. There are trees all over, as usual, however, this time the trees are decked with apples (Remus) and chocolate (Sirius).

I smile at the absurd thought of chocolate growing on trees, but it's right there, in front of me. There are chocolate bars all over trees, randomly, and the trees are charmed to let one down if tapped in the right place.

(No one has told me where that is yet.)

There are picnic mats all over, and I see many of my classmates lying on them, talking and laughing with their friends. Towards the horizon, I can see the sun setting. I see people sitting on the hill, facing the horizon, holding hands and leaning on each other. Lanterns hang from trees and I hear shouts of glee from everyone.

I even see some Slytherins enjoying themselves.

The Black Lake has been charmed to sparkle, and if you look into it, you see a beautiful reflection of yourself beaming right back at you. The lake is clear and shiny, and the radiant rays of the setting sun only make it more beautiful. There are tables set around it, adorned with food platters for all the students. Music twinkles through the air, (again, from magic) and I see some people swaying to the beat in the middle of the field.

James watches my overjoyed scrutiny, and leans back on the table, awaiting my answer patiently.

I finally turn back to him and nod approvingly.

"It's perfect."

"Impeccable," comes a voice from behind us.

"Excellent!" a second voice chimes.

A third voice exclaimes with delight, "Abso-fucking-lutely out of this world!"

I whirl around to face Remus, Peter, and Sirius looking at me with identical grins on their faces.

"Enjoying yourself?" I ask with a giggle. Peter has chocolate smeared all over his face,Sirius's eyes are gleaming with mischief, and Remus's expression is somewhat stormy (and I think I can guess why).

"I'm having so much fun, Lily!" exclaims a delighted Sirius and James laughs.

"LILY THIS IS AMAZING!" screams Mallory into my ear, and I jump a mile in the air.

"Mallory!" I shriek. "Where did you even come from!?"

Mallory bursts out laughing and so do the Marauders. I glare at all of them, but they don't stop.

(To be honest, I don't think I want them to.)

Alice comes up from behind Mallory, hand-in-hand with Frank.

"Oh, look! The lovebirds have arrived!" says Sirius, a little too loudly.

Everyone laughs while Alice and Frank blush furiously. James chuckles, and places an arm on Sirius's shoulder.

"Oh, shut up, Sirius! They're not lovebirds!"

Sirius raises an eyebrow at James as he continues.

"Lovebirds are for people who are dating. These two? They're practically married!"

Everybody laughs again, louder this time. And if possible, Alice and Frank blush an even deeper red.

"Be quiet, you guys," mutters Frank and Alice glares at James.

But I don't think they really mind.

I distinctly hear Remus scream for chocolate as Sirius just laughs and jumps away from his tackle. I hear James and Peter laughing and Frank and Alice making goo-goo eyes at each other.

Looking around, talking with Mallory and Alice and the Marauders…

I think this is the best day I've ever had. With maybe the best friends I could ask for.

Maybe..