Disclaimer: I do not own any of the following except for Stacey Nevare, Claudia Grover, Megan Christopher, and the plot.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the last chapter. This one is the one many have been waiting for, I'm sure. And let me just point out that I never said Sirius abandoned his crush on Megan or that he now has a crush on Lily. He and Lily are only friends now. Or who knows? Maybe more. *grins mischievously*

Obscurity Personified--This one's for you.

Chapter 8: Butterbeers and Snowstorms Make The Heart Grow Fonder

If someone had said to me, "Lily, in your sixth year, you and Sirius Black will become good friends", I would have laughed. But what do you know? Here it is, a week after the disastrous ball, and Sirius and I are friends. Good friends, too. I like him a lot, and I don't know why I never saw it before. He's funny, handsome, sweet, and intelligent, if you can believe that.

He and Potter aren't speaking right now, which is fine with me. So Sirius and I have taken to spending more time together. He's helped Megan, Claudia, and me play some brilliant pranks on the Slytherins, I don't know how we ever got on without him.

I was really relieved that he came to my rescue that night. I can't even think of it without shuddering. That entire night was a disaster from start to finish. First Potter, then Snape and Malfoy. But at least one good thing came out of it, my friendship with Sirius.

I went down to the common room looking for my friends. It was a Saturday, and I was bored. I found Sirius pouring over some Astronomy charts.

"Sirius, what are you doing?" I asked. He looked up and grinned.

"Just doing homework," he replied. Suddenly he seemed to realize what he had just said and looked horrified. "Ugh, Lily, I think you're having a bad effect on me. I'm doing homework on a Saturday."

I giggled and sat down next to him. "Tomorrow's a Hogsmeade trip, right? What do you want to do?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. Normally, he and I go to Zonko's, but since we aren't speaking, we won't."

You may be wondering who the 'he' was. Take a wild guess. Yep, Potter.

"Well, I need a new prank book," I said, "I've used up my old one, so we can go. And I want to go to the bookstore."

Sirius fidgeted and I noticed he was avoiding my eyes.

"Look, Lily, I've really enjoyed spending more time with you, and I'm glad you're my friend, but Hogsmeade is what he and I do together. It would feel weird going with anyone else."

I scoffed. "You take girls on dates there all the time! Pretend I'm one of them."

He looked at me skeptically. "You want to go to Hogsmeade with me, on a date?"

"No, but I want to go with my friend. I'm not Potter, I'm Lily. Take me."

"Okay, if you really want..." Sirius said.

"I do. We'll have fun, I promise."

I left the common room to head out to the Quidditch field. Patrice had them practicing again, but Claudia promised she'd be finished by lunchtime so we could work on our Potions project. I found the Gryffindor team tired, wet, and muddy. They had a Quidditch game in a week. I promised Claudia I'd go even though I was still really mad at Potter.

"Claudia!" I called. I was getting soaked. She was a wet blur and came speeding down next to me.

"What, Scarlet?" she asked, shaking some of the rain off.

"Are you finished yet?"

"Not yet. If Patrice keeps us out here any longer, we'll drown. I think I'm turning into a fish." Claudia laughed, but it sounded forced. She looked over her shoulder at Potter who was trying to look like he wasn't eavesdropping. "Look, Scarlet, I know what happened, but don't you think it's time to put this silly feud aside and make up?"

I shook rain from my head. "No. Never. Not until he apologizes."

Claudia shook her head. "That really is never. Be the bigger person, Lily, and apologize first."

"No."

"Fine, I'll meet you in the castle later. Library, right?"

I nodded and ran back to the castle. Apologize? Me? Never! I had nothing to apologize for. It was all Potter's fault.

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Evans actually expected me to apologize? As if I would. The girl was nutty, plain and simple. After all, it was all her fault.

Once I was finished with practice (and soaked through to my bones) I went and found Remus. He and Megan were snogging in front of the fireplace. They broke apart when I entered the room.

I raised one eyebrow (I love being able to do that; drives Evans batty). "No need to stop on my account."

"It's alright," Megan replied cooly, as Remus wiped his lips. He had turned red. "My lips are dry anyway."

"Prongs, do you want to get a butterbeer with us tomorrow in the Three Broomsticks?" Remus asked. Megan was whispering in his ear.

"I don't know, Moony, I'll probably run into him. Maybe I'd better stay here."

"Nonsense, Prongs," Remus replied. "It's Hogsmeade! Besides," he added slyly, "Rosmerta will be there."

"Who's Rosmerta?" Megan asked him.

"A waitress James fancies," was the reply. I smacked him with a cushion.

"Fine, I'll go," I said resignedly, "but I won't promise to enjoy myself."

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There's really nothing like Hogsmeade on a crisp November day. It was beautiful, if a bit cold. In fact, there was already a thin layer of snow covering the ground. I don't think Sirius was enjoying it though. He was very quiet and melancholy. Even Zonko's wouldn't cheer him up, and we didn't run into Potter or anything.

We strolled around, met up with Claudia and Dan in Honeydukes and then headed over for a butterbeer. It was getting quite cold by that time. I went to order and bumped directly into Potter. I could see Sirius go rigid; Potter did the same. There was a very long uncomfortable silence. Finally I couldn't take it any longer.

"Oh, for heaven's sake!" I burst out. "I don't particularly like you, Potter, but this is ridiculous! You two are best friends, and I'm friends with Sirius. Accept that, Potter or drop dead, but pick one!"

They stared at each other for what was the longest period of time I had ever experienced. I swear that the seconds were ticking backwards.

"I'm sorry, Sirius," Potter said stiffly. Sirius suddenly smiled.

"Think nothing of it, Prongs, ol' buddy!" he said joyfully. "We had a fight, it's no big deal."

Potter smiled too and I felt that now familiar flutter in my heart. "Right, Padfoot. Let me buy you a butterbeer."

"No, I insist, let me buy you one," Sirius said.

"I have an idea," I interjected; both boys looked at me. "Why don't you gentlemen buy me a butterbeer, I'm awfully cold."

Both Potter and Sirius laughed. I hurumphed and went to find a booth. As I stared out the window, I noticed the snow was falling harder. It was very pretty, made the entire village look like a Christmas card. I waved to Megan and Remus who had just entered.

"I'll be right back," I told them. Then I headed for the restroom. Damn it, why does Potter's smile make me go weak in the knees? I needed a doctor.

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I was in a much better mood. Sirius and I had made up and for once, Evans wasn't being abominable. I sipped my butterbeer and laughed with my friends. Then we heard the news report.

Some one in the pub had turned their wireless to the Wizarding Wireless Network and it was currently a weather report.

"Weather conditions are steadily decreasing in the Hogsmeade area," intoned the voice. "A blizzard is brewing and all members of the community are urged to get home and stay there."

I looked out the window. Everything was white! I could hardly see the outlines of the other shops. The phone rang and Rosmerta picked it up. She listened for a few moments before hanging up. Then she came to my table.

"That was Professor McGonagall," she said in her pleasant voice. "She requests that all Hogwarts students return to school immediately so they aren't caught in the storm. You'd better go."

We all groaned. But we knew better to disobey. So once we picked up our bags and packages, we headed outside. It wasn't until we were about ten feet from the pub that I realized Evans wasn't with us.

"Damn!" I cursed under my breath. "Go on!" I shouted to Sirius and the others. "I'll catch up!"

Sirius said something but I couldn't hear him over the roar of the storm. In less than ten minutes the storm had gone from light sprinkle to blizzard. I fought my way back through the winds towards where I had come from, but the winds kept pushing me back and forced me to close my eyes. I was lost, I couldn't see, and I could hardly move.

"Evans!" I called into the wind. My voice echoed. "Evans! Lily, are you out there!"

But there was nothing but the howling of the storm.

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When I came out of the bathroom, I was very surprised to find the Three Broomsticks empty. Wouldn't you have been?

Grabbing my bag I ran outside. Mistake number one. I was instantly buffered from side to side and felt like I just plunged into an icy lake. I fell to my knees and tried to crawl forward. Mistake number two. I was hopelessly lost and started to sink into the snow. I was so cold!

"Help!" I called weakly. I could barely hear my own voice. I was really scared. I thought I might die there. But suddenly, ever so faintly, I heard a voice call my name.

"Lillleeee!" it called. It was hard to hear; I had to strain my ears to make it out.

I forced my self up and stumbled in what I thought was the direction of the voice. But I fell over and was too weak to get up. Snow and ice filled my senses. Everything was blindingly white and I was frozen.

Just when I had resigned myself to an early death and was losing consciousness, a hand reached down and grabbed my wrist, yanking me to my feet. I came face to, well, chin technically since he's taller than me, with Potter. I blinked.

"Potter?" Then I fainted.

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I have absolutely no idea how I got myself there, let alone Evans. It was sort of a blur. I just picked her up and stumbled in a random direction. It must have been pure luck that I made it. Some part of my brain had focused on the fact that we needed shelter, and my brain picked the Shrieking Shack. Fortunately I knew a secret way in and I dumped Evans on the couch. I didn't like how cold she was; for that matter, I didn't like how cold I was.

I had to make a fire; my numb brain understood that much. But how? I had left my wand back at Hogwarts.

'Think, Potter," I scolded myself. My scolding voice sounded strangely like Evans.

Evans. I looked over to her. She was so pale and so cold. I sat down on the edge of the couch and touched her cheek gently before I could register what I was doing. Her eyes opened slowly and she smiled languidly. Then she blinked and her smile faded.

"Potter, what the—" She looked so scared and confused. I didn't blame her. If I had been unconscious in the middle of a blizzard and woke up to find my worst enemy hovering over me, I'd be nervous too.

"We're stuck here for a while, Evans," I said bluntly. "There's a terrible blizzard outside and we can't leave."

"Where are we?" she asked. Our faces were really close together and I couldn't help noticing how beautiful her eyes were.

"The Shrieking Shack," I informed her. She blanched.

"Isn't it, um, haunted?" she asked in a tiny voice. I nearly laughed, but it wasn't a laughing situation.

"No," I said. She didn't look like she believed me. In fact, she edged closer to me, so close that I could smell her. She smelled really wonderful. Like spice and soap. Evans didn't wear perfume like a lot of girls and I found that almost irresistible. "Trust me," I added.

She was looking at me warily, but didn't seem to notice our proximity. Then suddenly her eyes opened wide and she edged away.

"Sorry," she muttered.

"Don't be," I found myself saying. When she gave me a strange look, I added, "We might have to, er, stay close for warmth. I'm not sure I can get a fire going."

And just that suddenly, all the hostility was back.

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"Don't you have your wand?" I asked irritably, feeling some energy returning. I got off the sofa and discovered a few blankets, one of which I tossed to Potter.

"No," he said, flushing. "I left in the castle. Do you have yours?"

"Well, no," I admitted. "But weren't you a boy scout or something?"

"A boy scout?" he repeated blankly.

"Does anything penetrate that thick skull of yours?" I asked, frustrated. "Rub two sticks together!"

Potter's reply was sarcastic. "Where would I find the sticks?"

I ignored him and grabbed a chair. Then I threw it on the floor and proceeded to break it into pieces while Potter watched open–mouthed. When it was in pieces, I selected two and started to rub them together. I was trying to work up some friction, but only succeeded in giving myself splinters. Potter watched in amusement for awhile before sighing.

"Let me." He hopped off the sofa and knelt behind me. He put his arms around me and grabbed the sticks rubbing them together, making small noises as he worked. His efforts were rewarded as sparks appeared. How appropriate, I thought. There were always sparks between me and Potter.

Soon we had a fire blazing merrily and we sat as close to it as possible for warmth. There was silence between us; the only noise the crackle of the flames and the howling of the wind outside.

Finally, just to break the silence, I said, "Thank you."

Potter seemed surprised. "For what?"

"For saving my life." I wanted to add 'you twit', but I restrained myself.

"Oh. You're welcome," he replied.

More silence.

"Why did you come back for me?" I asked suddenly.

He shrugged. "I dunno."

I moved closer to him; he didn't move away.

"You didn't have to. Everyone knows you don't like me."

"Everyone knows you don't like me either. No hard feelings."

I wasn't satisfied. "Why don't you like me?"

"You're always rude to me. Why don't you like me?"

"You're a pompous git with an unhealthy Quidditch obsession."

More silence.

"Glad we got that cleared up."

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My heart was beating madly inside my chest. This was Evans I tried to remind myself. But was no use with her sitting there looking adorable like that. Merlin, she had the most beautiful eyes.

"How is your sister?"

An odd question, but a welcome change of topic.

"She's fine," I replied. "Better." Suddenly I recalled how it had been Evans who had comforted me on that horrible occasion.

"And how are you?" she whispered softly.

I took a moment before replying. "Alright. Cold though."

And before my brain realized what was happening, Evans moved closer.

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"I don't like Sirius, you know. Not in that way." I have no idea what made me say those words. My heart was beating uncontrollably. It was so loud I expected Potter to hear it.

One eyebrow raised questioningly; I hated it when he did that. "Oh? Then what was with the kiss?"

I frowned. "What kiss? Oh, the one after the Ball. He saved my, well, not my life, but my virtue, I suppose you could say. He was very kind."

"I see." More silence. I hated that silence. "And what do I get for saving your life?"

I froze. Was he actually saying what I thought he was saying?

"What do you want? A medal?" I said as sarcastically as possible, but this time he wasn't fooled.

He brought his face really close to mine, so close our noses were almost touching. I could see his brown eyes, I saw how they were looking into my green ones. I saw how one corner of his mouth was twitching in amusement. And I was filled with a sudden insane desire to reach up and brush the hair from his eyes.

"Not a medal," he answered smoothly. "A promise."

Now I was curious. "What sort of promise?"

"A promise that you won't tell anyone what happens tonight." His breath tickled my neck as he bent low to whisper in my ear.

I felt an excited chill run down my spine. "Will you make the same promise?"

"I will."

"Alright then," I said. I was beginning to feel giddy and I knew it wasn't the butterbeer.

At the same time our lips met and we kissed with such force that my teeth rattled. It went on for a very long time as my arms found their way around his neck and his wrapped around my waist. When we broke apart we were both breathing heavily. I didn't pull away; neither did he.

"What, no rude accusations?" he asked, but I saw the light in his eyes.

"No." And I kissed him again. It felt so good, so right. Good Lord, I was kissing James Potter.

And I was loving it.