Author's Note: Okay, third chapter I've worked on since the site's been down. I think the next chapter will be the last one. Maybe the one after that.

Title: Love and Flashbacks

Rating: PG

Spoilers: Erm… Possibly.

Summary: Lily and James remember the events that led to their romance.

Disclaimer: As much as I'd love to own Harry Potter and its characters, I don't.

Setting: This story takes place when the Marauders are at Hogwarts.

*** = setting change

*~*= begin flashback

~*~ = end flashback

[…] = time

italics = emphasis

~The Changes~

[1 week later]

"I can't believe you guys are engaged," Koren said to Charlotte and Remus. "Hm… How strange… Sirius and I were a couple before you two and James and Lily, but I still have heard nothing on the subject of marriage," she said, looking at Sirius, who shrugged in response.

"Don't worry," he replied, putting his arms around her. "It'll come, just not now. And we're still pretty young."

She smiled. "Yeah. I guess my weird competitive side's coming out again."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Yeah, the side of you that's gotten you in trouble before."

*~*

[1st year]

"What do you mean, you're 'better than' me?!" Koren shouted out in Potions class.

"Miss Smith," Professor Brewer said.

"You are so not better than me at anything, let alone Potions!" she continued, ignoring the professor and staring at the Slytherin who had insulted her. "And you know what else? You—"

Lily and Charlotte were trying unsuccessfully to get Koren off her chair. The eleven-year-old girl had jumped up onto it when she had started yelling.

"Miss Smith."

"You are the most despicable person I've ever met! And—"

"KOREN SMITH! TAKE YOUR SEAT RIGHT NOW!"

Koren stopped and stared at the professor. She suddenly seemed to realize where she was and slid sheepishly back down to her chair.

"Thirty points will be deducted from Gryffindor for that disruption."

~*~

James grinned. "How many times has your mouth gotten you in trouble, Koren? Come to think of it, I'll ask you the same question, Padfoot."

The two tried to count the number of incidents in which their outspokenness had gotten them punished.

"Never mind," James said as Sirius started counting on his fingers.

***

Koren sighed, looking at Lily's empty room. "So I guess it's just you and me, huh, Char? At least until you get married and move out too."

Charlotte smiled and put Whiskers onto the floor. "Yeah. You know, I never thought I would fall in love with a werewolf. But I don't care. Remus is the sweetest guy I've ever met. And now I'm going to spend the rest of my life with him."

"Do you think Sirius will ever ask me?"

"Of course he will."

"How do you know?"

"Because she sees how he looks at you," someone behind the blonde said.

Koren turned. "Hey, Lily," she greeted the other woman, smiling.

"Hi."

"This place is so… empty without you, Lily," Charlotte said.

"Yeah, well, you two will just have to deal with that," the redhead replied. "I have a great new husband, and I love being with him."

"We know," Koren said. "I hate that."

***

"Hey, Moony," Sirius greeted his friend.

"Are you ever going to get tired of calling me that?"

"Nope," he replied, grinning.

"Well, I'm all moved in now."

Sirius looked into the room that had once belonged to James. "Looks like you are. Well, congratulations, Remus. You're my new roomie!"

"Why does that not sound good?"

"Hey, just be glad that you'll move out when you and Charlotte get hitched," Sirius answered, grinning. "I've been told that I'm a terrible person to live with."

"I don't know how she does it."

"Don't know how who does what?"

"I don't know how Koren puts up with you."

Sirius punched Remus lightly on the shoulder.

"You see?"

***

Lily and James stood in front of their new house together. "It looks so… big," Lily said.

"Yes, it does."

"Why does it look so big? I know for a fact that it isn't really that big."

"Maybe you're nervous about like going into this new marriage thing."

"No, I think it's the thought of spending the rest of my life with you."

"Hey!"

"I'm just kidding." Lily kissed her husband. She sighed. "All right, well, let's go."

TO BE CONTINUED…

Author's Note: Right, my chapters are short, aren't they?