"So… Moony… you talk to Evans recently?"

Sirius shifted uncomfortably as James spoke. If James knew that he, Sirius, had been writing Evans… well, first, he'd be shocked. Second, he would accuse Sirius of pranking or jinxing her, or something. And then, if he found out they were spilling secrets to each other, he'd be so shocked and astounded he'd probably faint.

"Uh, yeah," Remus said. "A bit. She sent me a letter a few days ago."

"What did she say?" Sirius asked.

His three friends turned to look at him curiously.

"Since when do you care about Evans?" James asked, voicing what the three of them clearly were thinking.

"I care about Evans deeply," Sirius replied, keeping a straight face. "Don't you know, Prongs? I've been in love with her since First Year."

They continued to stare at him, before James smiled broadly. "Come off it," he laughed. He turned back to Remus. "Did she… mention me at all?"

It was Remus' turn to shift uncomfortably. He was lying in his bed, recovering from a night as a werewolf, while Sirius, James and Peter lounged around his room, eating chocolate and playing games. "She… she might have…" he said truthfully. "But really, James, I don't think you want to know what she wrote."

James frowned. "It can't have been that bad," he said. "I mean, she's called me every foul name known to Wizard kind. What did she call me this time?" he asked, a dismal look on his face.

"Nothing," Remus said quickly. "She didn't call you anything. You know, she only says snide things to you because you… well, you… don't really…" he trailed off, looking as if he wanted to say something, but didn't have the guts to say it.

Because you're a prat to her, Sirius thought, finishing Remus' thought.

James nudged a chocolate wrapper sulkily. "You think I have a chance with her this year?" he asked. "I mean, really have a chance with her? Or… should I just… give up?"

Sirius and the others stared at him. "Maybe you should," Sirius said. "I mean… it's not like she likes you very much, as a potential boyfriend or as a person."

"I don't know," Remus said quickly, at the devastated look on James' face. "I think she isn't as opposed to you as she might lead you to think."

"Did she say something—" James asked quickly, looking hopeful.

"No," Remus shook his head. "If she's ever admitted to having feelings for you, it wasn't to me. But I just… have a feeling."

"Right…" Jame said, sighing.

"You know, I have a thought," Sirius said, speaking up.

"Well, there's a first time for everything," Remus said, which earned him a half-glare from Sirius.

"Maybe don't… be your usual self when she has a date," Sirius continued, facing James.

"What? Does she have a date with someone?" James asked quickly, looking at Sirius sharply.

"How am I supposed to know?" Sirius answered just as quickly.

They all looked at Remus, who sighed. "Yeah, she has a date this summer."

"With who?" James demanded.

"Karl Nesbit," Remus said.

"The Hufflepuff?" James asked, mouth open in indignation.

"The girls really like him," Peter pointed out.

"Sure, maybe he's… good-looking," James spluttered, "But he's a total twat. What's she going out with him for?"

"Well," Sirius said, "When a girl likes a boy, sometimes—" he gave out a bark of laughter at the furious look James sent him. "Look, Mate," Sirius continued. "Maybe this year, you don't be a prat and get in the way of their relationship. If it even lasts the summer."

"But what if they don't break up?" James asked. "What if they get married? And live happily ever after?"

Sirius shrugged. "My advice? You've matured. Too much, if you ask me. But show her how much. Be her friend, not just someone who wants to date her."

They stared at him.

"Who… are you, and what have you done with Padfoot?" James asked, narrowing his eyes. "Quick, Peter, smell him and see if you can smell Polyjuice potion on his breath."

Sirius let out a sigh. "It's just some advice, Prongs."

"He's got a point," Remus said. "You do kind of act… possessive."

"I do not," James protested. Then he frowned. "I mean… It's just…" he trailed off into contemplative silence. "I mean, maybe," he added, sounding troubled. "But I don't mean to… it's just…" but he seemed unable to find an excuse. He let out a groan. "Why didn't you tell me before?"

"Thought you'd have picked up on it by now," Sirius said flatly.

"So what should I do?" James asked, still staring at the ceiling.

"Be… decent," Sirius said.

"Don't get in the way of her romantic life," Remus said.

"Don't just want to date her," Peter suggested.

"I don't just want to date her," James said, indignantly. "Look, this is my last year to have a chance with her… I don't want to mess things up."

"Then stop being anything remotely close to yourself, and you should be just fine," Sirius said, giving him a thumbs up.

He just barely managed to dodge the jinx James sent his way.

When he and James finally returned to the Potter Estate, they went their separate ways. James was inordinately quiet, seeming to have taken their conversation at Remus' very seriously. When Sirius joked that he and James should switch names, James only muttered something incoherent.

Presently, James was locked up in his room, his gramophone playing loud, angsty music. Sirius finally had to put a silencing charm on the walls of his room to keep the noisy music out. He didn't understand what the big deal was. So James realized he was a prat to Lily. It wasn't like this could be that much of a shock to him. He knew Lily disliked him. Sirius supposed it was the fact that James had to accept there was a reason for it.

He heard a hoot, and looked over at one of the windows to see Themis standing on the sill, a letter attached to her one of her claws. Eagerly, he got up and walked over, taking the letter from her, throwing her a dead mouse, to which Balls hooted in indignation, and opened the letter.

Sirius,

Write Potter?

Didn't he tell you what happened on the train the day summer holiday starts? He asked me to write to him, and I promptly told him no. Why would I date him? And to ask him if he thinks I'm pretty? Do you think I'm absolutely bonkers in the head? I am well aware that he will answer most "ardently". He will flatter me and simultaneously flatter his own inflated ego. He will use it as an excuse to play this stupid, hurtful game of his.

Even joking, I cannot believe you would suggest something so idiotic.

How about this, how about we not talk about Potter if possible in our letters. I enjoy writing to you, and I don't want to sully the experience by thinking too much about that toe rag.

I had a fight with Petunia today. It was rather dismal. She has this boyfriend, an absolute oaf of a man named Vernon Dursley. He's mean and has a mustache that looks very unseemly. And he's rather fat, which isn't a flaw in any way, of course, but it's an important fact to understand what I'm about to say.

I was making croissants, to send with this letter (please find them enclosed in the attached Tupperware ((and please send some containers back? I'm not sure what you're doing with them but our supply is starting to thin out))), when Petunia had the gall to suggest that I not 'do that to myself.' I told her, as patiently as I could, that these were meant for a friend, and that I was only going to eat one. Not all of them.

She said I should be careful what I'd eat, or I'll get even fatter. She said she thinks I'm lying about guys wanting to date me—and even about Potter asking me out so many times. As if I could make that up!

Just because she can eat whatever she wants and not gain an ounce… she thinks I should be the same. She's always been like that. It wasn't so bad when we were little but…

Anyway, the hypocrisy of her dating a larger man but criticizing me for being a large woman is unbearable.

I just get so angry whenever she makes snide, backhanded comments about my looks.

Anyway, I sent along the croissants. And I ate two, I hope you don't mind. I just wanted to do something to spite her.

I really don't mind my weight. I try to be comfortable with my body, even if not many others are. My sister certainly isn't. I always felt as though the guys who dated me felt like they were compromising. I had one guy tell me he liked dating girls for their personalities, not their looks. And I'm sure it was meant to make him look good and moral, but instead it just made me feel about an inch tall. So I'm not pretty enough to want to date for my looks? I would hate if that was the only reason guys wanted me, but it would be nice for someone to think I was the whole package.

Ugh.

Anyway, enough about that. Please enjoy the croissants. I'm going to make doughnuts next, and I'll make enough or you to share with the Potters. Maybe sometime you could send me Mrs. Potter's ice cream. I find myself dying to taste it and see if it lives up to the expectations you set for it.

Sincerely,

Lily.

Sirius stared at the letter.

What was it with girls and being so… open. Sure, James would talk about Lily sometimes, but most of the time the four of them avoided deep conversations. Lily just spilled enough personal information to satisfy Sirius' quota for three years. He wasn't even sure how to reply.

He was already finished with his first croissant by the time he had finished the letter, thankful for its distraction. He sincerely hoped every letter wouldn't be like this from here on out. He liked writing to Lily, but… this was just a bit excessive.

Lily was a broken record, it seemed. For all that she claimed to be fine with her body, she certainly had some doubts. And why did she always seem to write as if Prongs didn't think she was the whole package? She always seemed to insinuate that Prongs thought her neither pretty nor interesting.

It was so far from the truth that he almost laughed, but he was shoving another croissant in his mouth, and so he resigned to eat while he stuffed the letter in the container with the other letters.

James might be a prat, and might not have handled his attraction to Lily well in the past… but Sirius had never seen someone so… in love, he supposed. James never actually said the words out loud, not in Sirius' presence, anyway, and definitely while not joking, but Sirius could recognize it in his best friend. James was hardly subtle, if one knew him well.

He wondered what James would think, if he read her letters and realized how much she seemed to doubt his affections. No doubt it would break the poor bloke's heart.

Lily-Flower,

I hope this letter finds you well

James is being insufferable lately. He seems to be under the impression he should write to you. He wants to tell you about the new broomsticks his dad and mum got us. Potter has been absolutely off the walls about them. He's already written to Remus and Peter about them, and both are coming by this afternoon to see them in action. It feels weird that I was included in the gift, but then again, the Potters have always been rather generous

Perhaps you could come by and try them out as well. I'm sure James would be more than happy to give you a lesson.

Here Sirius scrawled a rather lewd face, representing James. He grinned, knowing how much the suggestion would irritate Lily, and then continued on.

Those croissants you sent with your last letter were fabulous. Mrs. Potter absolutely loved them, and wanted to know who had made them so she could ask for the recipe. Do you mind if I tell her? I won't if you'd rather I don't

Anyway, Potter wants to write you. He had me take a picture of him riding his new broomstick, and he plans on sending that along as well. If I'm correct in my estimations, this is the first letter he's sent you this summer, which is actually quite impressive. Last summer he wrote something the week he got home. Granted it was coated with dung bomb powder… but I think we can all agree (albeit regretfully, on my part) that James has matured over the last few months. Curse him.

Sirius pondered if he should mention that James found out about her date with Nesbit. And if he should mention that James finally accepted what a… well, prat was the most prominent word that came to mind in reference to his friend, he had been the last six years. But Sirius was having a hard time accepting that his best mate was himself accepting that he had some growing up to do. Scowling at the thought, Sirius continued on.

Please be nice to him, and maybe write something back

Don't tell him I told you this, but he's actually really nervous about writing you. Seems to be under the impression that you'll bite his head off or something

He just wants to get to know you

He's matured a lot (too much) and is quite a good bloke (too good) and an all around decent fellow now (too decent)

Just saying, if you write back (and I hope you write back), you won't go all "lily Evans" on him and crush his poor little dreams.

Oh, and Remus and Peter are coming by, and they're staying for a few days, so if I don't write a letter back right away, that's why.

Anyway, talk to you soon,

Sirius

Sirius signed his name, folded the letter up, wrapped it in twine, and attached it to Balls' foot. The owl hooted at him, before setting off out the window.

"Oi," James appeared in his door. "Sending a letter to your secret girlfriend?"

"Not my girlfriend," Sirius said, rising. "When are Moony and Wormtail due in?"

"About ten minutes," James said. "Who is she? Do I know her? Does she go to Hogwarts?"

"Yes, and yes," Sirius said, not seeing any point in lying.

"Then who is she?" James asked, looking immensely amused and curious. "You've been writing to her for a few weeks now. Or is it a bloke?"

"It's a she," Sirius said, as the two of them walked down the stairs.

"And you're… 'just friends'?" James asked, skeptically.

"Yup," Sirius replied shortly, wishing James would just drop the subject. "Just friends."

"Sorry, mate," James said, slapping Sirius' arm in pity. "I'm sure she'll come around and see what a catch you are eventually."

Sirius was just about to mutter that he doubted James would still feel this way if he knew who the girl was in question, when there were two loud knocks on the front door. Sirius and James glanced at each other, before hurrying into the foyer.

Wormtail looked his usual self, as he walked in the front door, except looking a little uncharacteristically worn, and Remus… well, Remus looked his usual self. Worn-down, tired, and a little worse for wear.

"The brooms!" Peter said excitedly, clapping his hands together once in eagerness. "Where are they?"

"Oh, yeah," James said. "Come on, they're upstairs."

They four made their way to James' room, where James proudly presented his new broom. "With this, I'm sure to make a difference in Quidditch this year," he told them. "Not that I don't ever make a difference—I'm the best on the team."

"Yes," crooned Peter, in a tone of complete honesty that made Sirius feel like throwing up, "That's why you were made Captain last year, James!"

"Yes, yes it was," James said, looking very much like a peacock preening his feathers. Then he sobered slightly. "Of course, everyone else on the team is very good too. Anyway, excited for this year. I think we've got another chance of winning the Cup. Would be good, to go out on a bang."

"Prongs… you should go pro when you graduate," Peter said. "You'd be so good at it."

"Well, I think I'd have a chance," James said, causing Remus to catch Sirius' eye and the two of them rolled their eyes. "But I'm dead-set on being an Auror."

"You know who else is dead-set on being an Auror?" Sirius said, absentmindedly picking at the throw rug on James' floor. "Lily."

The three of them turned to stare at him.

"How'd you know?" James asked, dumbfounded. "I didn't even know."

"Well," Sirius said, "It's not like she tells you everything, is it?"

"Yeah, but," Peter said, "It's not like she tells you anything, though."

"How do you know that?" Remus asked, frowning at Sirius suspiciously.

"Did you know, Moony?" James demanded, turning to Remus.

"Of course," Remus shrugged. "Lily told me on a patrol one night in our fifth year."

James looked like he was struggling with something. Finally he just shrugged. "Well, she would make a good Auror, wouldn't she? Good, if not top, marks in almost everything… and the four of us can attest that she's very, very good at jinxes."

"Yeah," Sirius said casually, avoiding Remus' gaze. "She is."

"Well," James said, "On the subject of Evans, I've got something to confess…"

"You want to marry her and have twelve children," Sirius said loudly.

"No," James said, "I mean…" then he flushed, and said, "I wrote her a letter."

"What else is new?" Remus asked, turning his gaze from Sirius to James. "What prank are you pulling this time?"

"No prank," James said, looking uncomfortable with the thought. "No, I… I wrote her an… actual letter. And I didn't ask her out. Not once."

Peter gasped.

"Good for you," Remus said. "That's an improvement."

"Yeah, well, think you guys could read it and see if… she'd like it?" James asked, rummaging around in a desk drawer and drawing out a piece of parchment. The writing was so neat and orderly that Sirius knew James must have copied it from a first (or more) draft.

"Oh, come on, Prongs," Sirius groaned. "Just send the letter."

"But—"

"Here, I'll read it," Remus said begrudgingly, holding out a hand for it. Despite everything, Sirius settled beside him, peering over his shoulder as the two read.

"She told me so adamantly that she didn't want to write me this summer that I just… kind of… kept away," James said, fiddling with his hands nervously. "Kept my distance, you know? Maybe she'll like me more if I'm not going after her so… much…"

"That's… surprisingly mature," Remus said, sounding surprised, looking up at James. "What you just said, not this letter, though," he added.

"I agree," Sirius added. "I think poetry will just annoy her."

"Well, I'm nothing if not mature," James joked, before frowning. "What'd'you mean, she wouldn't like the letter? I spent hours on it."

Sirius snorted and was about to make a joke at James' expense when Remus nudged him hard in the ribs. "It's just… seems a bit… flowery."

"Lily's name is a flower," Peter pointed out. "And she's a girl, maybe she likes poetry."

"It's too much?" James asked, ignoring Peter.

"Look," Sirius said. "You've got to stop asking us for advice on Lily, mate. I don't have the energy to deal with your girl problems. Besides," he added, getting up and walking over to one of the overstuffed armchairs, sitting down heavily. "This isn't exactly a fun kind of conversation. Now, if you want to talk about her—"

"I don't think objectifying Lily is what James is in the mood for, either," Remus interrupted, "And frankly, neither am I."

"—brains," Sirius finished defiantly, glaring at Remus. "Look, you send her this letter, she'll think it's a joke. She'll frame it to laugh at on a rainy day."

James turned a delightful shade of pink, then grabbed the letter from Remus, crumpling it up and tossing it into the bin. In his eagerness to throw it away, it had uncharacteristically missed the bin and landed under his desk. He sat back down on his seat. "Should I just not write, then?"

"No," Sirius said, remembering that he had written to Lily and told her James had planned to write. It would be strange, then, if James did not. "I think you should."

"What should I write, then?" James said, looking insecure.

Sirius, feeling increasingly annoyed with this conversation, not liking to talk about feelings, especially James' annoyingly fixation on Lily, especially when there were pranks to be designed and broomsticks to fly. He said, as casually as he could to get the conversation over with, "Stay away from your feelings. Just make pleasant conversation. Don't be too flowery or romantic. She doesn't like that. Just… be yourself and act like she's any other person you know, and not the 'love of your life'."

James frowned, thinking this proposition over.

"And how do you know so well the heart of Lily Evans?" Remus asked Sirius, amused, with something just shy of curiosity and suspicion in his eyes.

"Alright," James stood suddenly, striding to his desk and sitting down with a purposeful air. He took out a piece of parchment, a quill, and dipped it in ink. He began scribbling away, in that large scrawl of his, and finally finished.

"Are you going to let us read it?" Remus asked.

"Force us to read it, more like," Sirius muttered. Though he had to admit, he was morbidly curious what James have finally decided to write.

"No, no I won't," James said, standing and walking to his owl. As the owl flew out of the room, he turned back to them. "And now I wait."

And now I wait, Sirius thought, knowing he was sure to get a letter from Lily about what she thought about the contents of the letter.

To be continued…

Hi! Sorry for the late chapter!

Also sorry if there's any mistakes in this chapter. I don't have as much time to work on fics lately, so I'm afraid I'm going to have to focus more on writing/posting and a little less on editing. I tend to stress so much about making chapters 'perfect' that I end up just not working on them at all. Done is better than Perfect, as they say.

Also, and I'm sure by now this goes without saying, I don't put much effort into keeping up with whatever Rowling gives the fans as far as extended canon over the years… I go primarily by the books (excluding cursed child of course), with some outside stuff gleaned from whatever I feel fits into this story. And I'll probably be taking some creative liberties with the canon we are given in, well, canon, to make things run more smoothly in general. Jsyk :)

Anyway! Thanks for reading! See you soon!