A/N: HEY ALL! Okay J While we uh work on the situation with er Lily and uh James, here's a cute, funny lil chapter. Hint: Remus and Jessica make up. Yay! Next chapter will more than likely feature the masquerade. We're not promising anything. ;) -Jess and Britt

Chapter 7: Upbeat, Downbeat, and Stuck in Between

She ran down the corridors, gasping for air, red in the face. She could hear his footsteps pounding on the stone floor behind her, calling out her name, even though it was the middle of the night, wanting desperately for her to slow down. But she would have none of that. She didn't want to talk to him! Not after those cruel words!

*"James. . .I love you. . ."

"Lily, you can stop playing around, now. I know it was all a bet. Quit trying to put me through more misery."

"James, what are you—"

"It's simple, really. I mean, I'm obviously not good enough for you." James ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head as he stared at the window of the astronomy tower. "Who was I kidding? You hated me, I hated you, it's been like a game—it's been like everyone just supposed we would go out because we're arch enemies." His chuckle was bitter, mirthless, and he repeated, "Who was I kidding?"

"James Potter—"

"Can you just stop with the pity trip?" James shouted, whirling around to face her. "I'm not falling for it again! I'm not! I'm tired of getting treated this way! I was wrong! I hate you! I don't love you at all! How could I love someone who put me through all of this Hell!?"

And Lily turned and ran from the room, James voice calling to her back, "No, wait, I didn't mean that! Lily, wait! LILY!"*

She swallowed, slipping around a corner, not wishing to slow down. He was just horrible, just horrible! How was she expected to apologize when he wouldn't even let her get a word out! The stupid bastard!

Frustrated tears welled up at the back of her eyes, burning. She shook her head furiously as they began to stream down her cheeks. Lord, who was she kidding!? He hated her! He downright hated her!

She collapsed to her knees, finally spent, lungs begging for mercy. She buried her face in her hands, chest heaving from the force of her sobs and the much needed air coming in great, shuddering gasps. Then, just when she heard James behind her again, she picked herself up and started back towards the Gryffindor common room again in a beeline.

She didn't plan on speaking to him for days. Because now she really knew what it was like to have a broken heart.

***

Everyone, despite the misery that James and Lily felt, was in a cheerful mood as Christmas holidays drew nearer. The masquerade! Oh, it was going to be great! The suits of armor found around Hogwarts began to sing merry Christmas carols, along with the ghosts, and even Peeves the Poltergeist couldn't ruin everyone's good mood.

More people signed the list to stay on account of the ball, and thus Hogwarts would remain as crowded as before holidays. Tiny Professor Flitwick could be seen Charming his Christmas tree as Hagrid brought them into the Great Hall just the day before students would gather at the Hogsmeade station, ready to go home.

Girls began to get giddy and would be found giggling amongst themselves, whispering about rumors of who was going as what, and ect. Boys, especially ones that still referred to girls as contagious, rolled their eyes and mumbled under their breaths, only half excited as the girls were. All in all, the merriness just wouldn't reach four Gryffindors.

Remus and Jessica flat out avoided each other like the plague. James and Lily were more of an amusing sight—James could be seen trying to chase Lily down in the hallways while Lily dodged into the crowd of students. James never caught up with her. James would send flowers via himself, but Lily flat out refused to answer it—rumors had it that the girls bewitched the door with a password, and otherwise couldn't hear the knocking of a very frustrated James. . .Well. . .More like pounding.

Let's not forget Sirius and Brittany.

Sirius. . .Poor Sirius. He would run this way and that, trying to catch up with Remus to try and get him to talk to Jessica, or at least to him about what was going on, but Remus refused to open his mouth. Sirius chased Jessica down, and when he finally caught up with her, she was glaring so evilly that he never managed to say quite what he had in mind.

Brittany. . .Has she ever tried so hard? Lily wouldn't talk to James. She spent many nights galore trying to talk her red-haired friend into at least speaking a word with James, but no. Lily would have none of it. After a while, she tried to hang with James, you know, to pry information. . .But James wasn't very good company. I mean, after all, what's fun about putting yourself down constantly and just moping around? There's no fun in that at all! —At least not to Britt.

Brittany and Sirius were so stressed that they hardly had any time for each other—oh, and when they did find time. . .But perhaps we shall discuss the happenings in empty classrooms they could grasp another time.

***

"James! Oy, James!" Sirius shouted, running down through the station at Hogsmeade. Where was his friend going? Why wasn't he staying?

James turned, trunk beside him, and raised an eyebrow. He was one of the only few students out there. "Yes, Mr. Black?"

"Mr. Potter, I have been trying my best to hunt you down!" Sirius gasped, grasping at a stitch in his side. Whew, the winter air sure took a lot out of you.

"Why is that, Mr. Black?"

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Oh, can we cut the bullshit?" When James just stared, Sirius smiled grimly. "Thank you. Now, um, care to tell me why," he became in a sugary sweet voice, which rose to a shout at the end, "YOU'RE LEAVING AND DIDN'T PLAN ON TELLING ME GOOD-BYE!?"

"Padfoot, my ears," James hissed, covering them with his hands.

"Oh, right, sorry." Sirius coughed. "But, um. . .Yeah, so why?"

"I'm not leaving."

Sirius nodded. "Right. And you're with your trunk out here, because. . .?"

James sighed. "This isn't my trunk, Sirius," he snapped. "If you had been paying attention, you great git, you would have realized that!" He twisted the trunk to reveal the initials R. L. worn and carved into the side of it. "Moony wanted me to watch his stuff until he got back—nature called."

Sirius' face fell. "He's going?"

"Um. . ." James nodded. "Well, chap, it certainly does look like it, doesn't it?"

Sirius waved his hand impatiently. "I have no dire use for your sarcasm, old fellow." Why were they talking like old men? he wondered. Oh, yes, well, it was probably because his ignorant friend had realized too late what he had said—that sometimes does things to your brain, it does.

He got a mental image of James and himself lounging out on a beach somewhere off in the States, and both were old with graying beards. Sirius poked James in the side, cackling, looking at him over his shades, and grinned, revealing only teeth here and there. "Say, Potter," he wheezed, "You getting any girls?"

James shook his head slowly, wheezing as tears streamed down his wrinkled face. "No girl will date me, Black!"

"It's probably cause of what you said to. . .what's her name again?"

"LILY!" James bellowed, then broke off in a fit of coughing. He fumbled around the beach blanket. "Now where'd I put my teeth?"

"Sirius? Hello! Sirius!?" came a voice, and then the image was fading away from him. Sirius blinked, snapped out of his daydream, to see James waving an impatient hand before his face.

"Oh, um, sorry. . ." Sirius grinned cheerfully. "Was daydreaming."

"Nothing new there," James muttered, but Sirius chose to ignore it.

"But. . .Remus needs to stay!" Sirius went straight back to the subject before that odd image. But licked his chapped lips, swallowing.

James sighed. "Remus can go if he wants, Padfoot. It's not like anyone's forcing him to stay."

Sirius frowned. "But. . ." Then a light clicked on in his mind. "I have it!" he announced proudly.

"Have what?" James replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Prongs, old pal, you have done it once again!"

"I. . .have?"

Sirius clapped a hand down on his friend's shoulder. "You're not going to let Moony go!"

"I'm. . .not?"

"Nope!" Sirius leaned close, whispering to James his plan.

Once James had heard the entire plan, he looked outraged and burst out, "No! That's cruel! We are NOT locking Moony in his bathroom stall! He might try to escape through the pipes or something!"

Sirius looked disgusted. "A, that's nasty, B, he couldn't fit, and C," Sirius responded.

James sighed. "All right, Padfoot," he said. "I'll help."

"You glad ol' Petey-boy is going home? I am, he's a weakling and just follows us around all the time. Don't tell him I said that, though," Sirius said, changing the subject.

"Yes, and I won't."

"Guys, leave Pettigrew alone," came a soft voice. The owner of the voice stepped out, proving to be a Slytherin.

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Since when did Slytherins like Gryffindors?"

"Rare, I know, but just be nice to him. He has more power than you know, or could even understand," said the girl, whose name was Amber Leola.

"Rare? I'll—" Sirius began, until James elbowed him in the stomach, who almost seemed to be entranced by Amber, who looked almost exactly like Lily. Amber suddenly left, leaving so fast it almost seemed as if she had Disapparated. "James, don't you DARE go about falling in love with a Slytherin," Sirius warned James. "If you do, I'll have to punch you."

James looked surprised. "That wasn't Lily?"

Rolling his eyes, Sirius informed his friend, "That was Amber Leola, genius. Lily's furious with you, remember?"

"Yeah, I just thought–"

"Yeah, yeah, I know what you thought."

"Okay. C'mon, let's go join Moony now, shall we? I'm sure he's feeling quite alone," James said.

"In the bathroom?" Sirius said, a look of odd horror on his face.

James cracked up. "Did I say join him? I meant go barrier the stall on all sides, of course! I really crack myself up sometimes, even though I say stupid things."

"No kidding," Sirius muttered, only to get punched by his friend in the shoulder.

Looking impatient, James said, "C'mon, we'd better get going!" With those words, they ran, and didn't return until the train had left, not returning to the bathroom until the train had been sent off and everyone else had gone either to Three Broomsticks or Honeydukes or wherever else they chose to go. When they did return, Moony had a look of outrage upon his face as he picked up his trunk.

"I can't believe you guys did that to me!" he said, still angry.

"We had to so you didn't just go off and mope at home. If you're gonna mope, you're gonna do it with us, Moony. Padfoot is the only one not moping, and even he is facing a lot of stress, what with me, Lil, you and–"

"Don't – even – say – the – name," he hissed.

"The name," Sirius said, grinning and then ducking to save himself from a punch Moony swung at him.

"Violent, violent!" came Brittany's voice of surprise from the train tracks. They gawked at her location in surprise.

"Britt, what're you doing on those tracks? You could get run over!" Sirius scolded her.

Brittany raised an eyebrow. "Let me give you some reasons on why I'm here, and why I won't leave. A, you're not my mother, B, if any train was coming I could hear it, C, it was the only way I could think of that I thought was interesting to get your attention, and D, it's fun down here, so no, I won't leave unless I hear a train coming."

"C'mon, Britt, please? I know I'm not your mother, I'm not even the same gender, but I really feel uncomfortable seeing you on the train track! Oh, and did you do your 'homework'?" he asked, using quotation marks with his fingers.

She laughed and grinned. "Yes indeed, 'teacher,' but I'm not going to tell you just what my answer is yet. I share a different view of it than you."

Remus and James looked at the two of them as if they were crazy, looked at each other, then looked at Brittany and Sirius again. "Okay, erm, what are you two talking about?" Remus asked, looking as if he wasn't sure he wanted to know.

"You'll see," Brittany and Sirius said in unison, smiling at each other.

James didn't like the sound of that.

***

"Got the materials?" a voice whispered into the dark.

"Yeah," came the reply.

"Okay, good. . .Now, um. . .Let's do a check list here."

"Geeze, you don't trust me?"

"Oh, no, I trust you, and I love you with all my heart."

There was a squeal. "You love me?"

A chuckle was an answer. "Yes, now, try and be quiet." With a wink, the tall, dark-haired man continued, "Streamers."

"Check."

"Roses."

"Check."

"Wands."

"Check."

"Candles."

"Check."

"Violins."

"Check."

"Table."

"Check."

"Food."

"Check."

"Tablecloth."

"Check."

"Utensils."

"Check."

"Give me a kiss."

A giggle. "Check." The shorter young woman reached up, placing a kiss on the young man's check.

He grinned. "All right, Brittany. Let's get this over with."

***

"Remus! Remus!" Sirius shook Remus awake, a little forcibly, as he was a deep sleeper, and gave him a gentle slap on his face.

Remus started, sitting up in bed abruptly, and looked to Sirius. "What's wrong, Padfoot?"

Sirius tried to keep a straight face, fortunately succeeding. "James. He had a request to meet you outside by the lake. Wanted to tell you an uh secret."

Remus sighed, turning to roll back over. "It's the dead of the night. Tell him he can tell me in the morning—"

"NO!" At Remus' suspicious look, Sirius hastily added, "It's really, really important."

Scowling, Remus crawled out of bed, pulling on his robes. "This better be good."

Oh, it will be, Sirius thought.

***

"Okay, get up, Jess, RIGHT NOW!" Brittany screamed.

Jessica winced. "What the Hell, Britt?" Her eyes flickered to her watch. "It's the fucking middle of the night!"

"Hey, go easy on the language!" Brittany warned, pointing a finger at her.

"Sod off, Britt," Jessica hissed, rolling back over, drawing the curtains around her bed. "Let me sleep."

"Grrr. . ." Brittany's temper had been short with her lately, and it finally snapped. Angrily, she ripped open the curtains, grabbed Jessica by her arm, picked up robes she had picked out, and shoved her into the bathroom. "Don't come out until you're properly dressed!" She tossed her wand in after her, then slammed it shut, locking it efficiently. "And don't even think about using Alohomora to get out of it!"

Fifteen minutes later, Jessica stumbled out of the bathroom, dressed in elegant robes, which were a sky blue to bring out her aura, her hair pulled back into an elegant bun. Earrings dangled from her ears, and a pearl necklace hung around her neck. The only thing that marred this perfect beauty was the evil glare upon her face.

Jessica stomped her foot. "Mind telling me what the Hell you're doing, Brittany Aston?"

Brittany grinned. "Wouldn't you like to know? Now smile!" Grin turning into a smirk, she grabbed her best friend by the wrist, praying that Lily was still sleeping, and proceeded to drag her out of the dormitory towards the lake.

***

Remus sighed, sitting down sulkily at a table out by the lake, the half moon reflecting off the water's surface, with candles floating about in the air by carefully placed Charms. A navy blue tablecloth sat situated on the table, along with silver utensils, and the tasty aroma of well-cooked food reached his nostrils: pasta, garlic bread, and a red wine, despite how young they were. Sirius stood off to the side, holding a violin, waiting patiently for whomever he happened to be waiting for.

When he saw Brittany dragging along a reluctant Jessica, he started, and stood up, shaking his head. "Just what is the meaning of this, Sirius!?" he demanded.

Sirius grinned. "Sit your ass down in that chair, Moony. You and Jessica are going to have a nice, candlelit dinner, kiss and make up, and be Hogwart's sweetest couple, next to Brittany and I. And, of course, when we get James and Lily back together, them, too."

Brittany had to forcibly shove Jessica into the chair across from Remus. However, she immediately bowed her head, not looking at him, and Brittany strolled over to Sirius, the two exchanging whispers.

"Did you have any part of this?" Remus demanded.

Jessica looked up at last, raising an eyebrow lazily. "Quick to assumptions, aren't we, Lupin? You usually aren't like that."

"Lupin?" he hissed, hurt gripping at his heart. "Are we on a last name basis now, Jess?"

"Don't call me that," she retorted, eyes narrowing. "Only those closest to me call me that."

Glaring himself, he nodded firmly, and sat back in his chair. He didn't see why he just didn't get up now, but deep down he knew that the prospect of dining with the woman he loved by a lake with candles and the like was romantic. Besides, the past few weeks they had been completely avoiding each other. Maybe now they wouldn't have to do that anymore. . .

Putting his violin into proper position, Sirius began to play a beautiful, slow tune. Brittany walked up to the table, clearing her throat softly, breaking Remus' and Jessica's Battle of the Worst Glare.

"I will be your waitress and hostess for tonight," she announced. "My name is Brittany Aston, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask."

"I got one." Jessica smiled sweetly. "Why the Hell did you drag me here, Brittany?"

Remus huffed angrily. "You act as if I'm enjoying this!"

Jessica merely ignored him, looking directly at her best friend.

Brittany shrugged. "Madam, I have no idea what you are talking about." Smiling, eyes sparkling, she lifted the tops of the food, letting the now stronger scent of it drift out. "Enjoy." She walked back to Sirius, picked up her own violin, and began to play the second part of Sirius' tune.

Jessica sighed. "Might as well eat while I'm here," she mumbled. "I missed dinner." She helped herself to some of the pasta, along with a piece of garlic bread, and picked up her glass of wine, which had been poured before she got there. She fingered the delicate glass, staring at the deep, rich red liquid, then set it down again.

Remus was too busy gazing at her. When she wasn't glaring at him, she looked amazing in that dress. And he spoke his thoughts aloud before he could think better of it. "You're beautiful," he breathed, feeling a blush creep up to his cheeks.

She looked up, brown eyes piercing into his, then looked right back down at her plate, forking some of her pasta. "Thank you," she whispered.

"You're very welcome." Ignoring his food, he continued to watch her, helpless. What had he been thinking, ignoring her like that? Swallowing, his throat constricting reflexively, and licking his suddenly dry lips, he ran a shaky hand through his hair. Remus, you fool, he thought.

What exactly happened to set the two off? Well, it was simple. Remus had met her up in the astronomy tower, and openly poured out his heart to her, along with his deepest secret—that he was a werewolf. For many moments, she stood in stunned silence, disbelief crossing her features, and strangely, hurt. Then she had held up a hand, not said a word, and just walked off. Right then, Remus' heart had broken into a thousand little pieces.

Jessica sighed then, drawing him from his thoughts, and stared down at her pasta, tears brimming her eyes. His chest tightened—he hated to see her cry. "I'm sorry," she whispered in a broken way.

He reached over the table, gripping her hand, and she looked up. Slowly, a single tear silently left her eye and slid down her cheek. He smiled, walking around the table, and pulled her to her feet. "Dance with me?"

Nodding, she smiled back, and followed him out to a patch of grass underneath a willow overlooking the lake. Getting the cue, Brittany and Sirius struck up a slow, slightly happy tune fit for dancing.

"Do you forgive me?" she asked, avoiding his intense gaze as she placed one hand on his shoulder, the other gripping his hand.

He wrapped a protective arm around her waist, drawing her close, and held the hand up in the air gripping his. "Yes."

Laughing through more tears, she breathed, "That's good." She rested her head on his shoulder and whispered, "I love you, too, Remus."

Smiling, he kissed her hair softly, holding her close, and moved with her to the tune of the violin, looking up at the starlit sky.