Year Two – Part Three

Arabella sighed dramatically. "You know...I'd like to meet Harry."

Lily's eyes widened. "You'd like to what?"

"Meet Harry."

"But—you can't do that!"

"Why not?"

"He's from the future, Bells. What would he do when he sees his deceased mother and father standing right next to him, thirty years younger? I tell you, he'd faint and die!"

Arabella snorted. "Yeah, yeah. It was just a thought. He seems like a good kid."

"Since he's been running from that—well, that wizard who tried to kill him for practically his whole life, yeah."

"I'm guessing he didn't live with Sirius then?"

"Er—don't think so. Whoever he lived with, I hope he was happy there."

There was a sudden boom as the portrait hole swung open. James barged in, his eyes blazing with anger.

"Evans!" he shouted. "Get over here!"

Lily rolled her eyes. "What's eating him?"

"You haven't played any pranks on him, have you?"

"Please, Bella, I haven't done one on him for two months. What do you expect?" But she walked towards James, startled by his anger.

"James Potter, what the heck is wrong with you?"

"I'll tell you what's wrong!" He was shaking with anger. "I just came back from Dumbledore's office, and guess who and where Harry's going to live with after we die? Your sister, Petunia!"

Lily's mouth dropped wide open. "You—you're joking."

"No, I'm not," he replied flatly. "It's the truth."

"What could possess us to not give Harry to Sirius...or Remus? Or one of my friends? Why Petunia, of all the people?"

James shrugged. "Dumbledore has his reasons."

Lily glared at him. "You always say that. I suppose you're right, though, the man does have his reasons. Brilliant wizard, though a bit off his rocker."

"He wouldn't tell me who murdered us," persisted James.

"Why not?"

"It'll affect the future. Besides, he's going to put a Memory Charm on us to forget about all this stuff anyway. And the charm is going to be on the people who know about Harry and all that stuff in the future."

Lily sighed. "I've always wanted to meet Hermione."

James snickered. "Yeah, seeing that you're her replica in the past. All she worries about is studying, too! Harry and Ron are more sensible."

"Oh really?"

"Of course. I've been observing and thinking about them, and they remind me a lot of Sirius and me. They're really close—closer than brothers."

"Poor dear—he needs love in his life," said Lily, sighing once more. "I'm really glad that Professor Dumbledore told us that a lot of people care for him in the absence of us."

James rolled his eyes. "Everyone's a 'poor dear' to you."

"Everyone except you," snapped Lily.

"Hey Lily, when's our next Potions test?" mimicked James.

"Argh! James Potter, SHUT UP!"

Suddenly, Professor McGonagall barged into Gryffindor Tower. All the students looked stunned as she stared around wildly.

"All right, Potter, Black, which one of you did it?"

James and Sirius looked at each other, bewildered. "We—we didn't do anything, Professor McGonagall."

McGonagall snorted. "Yes, yes, I've heard that before. Now, which one of you did it?"

"Did what, exactly?"

Professor McGonagall stared suspiciously at them. She took out her wand, muttered a few words, and James and Sirius began talking loudly in front of the whole common room.

"What the heck is McGonagall talking about?"

"Probably old Snape played a prank on himself and said we did it."

"Evil git."

McGonagall rolled her eyes. "So...we'll see about this." She left the portrait hole without a word.

"McGonagall put a spell on us!" cried Sirius, as soon as she left.

"Oh, hush Sirius, she was just trying to see if you guys were telling the truth," snapped Lily.

"Why wouldn't we be?" asked James.

Arabella snorted. "You guys always lie to her. It's not her fault she barely trusts any of you."

"You guys are so shallow, I don't know how girls are still falling for you when you break their hearts," put in Jennifer.

"All right, that's just low!" exclaimed James. "For your information, we are not players. Second of all, Sirius already has Arabella and I'm not interested in girls. So there."

"That's because you, Jamie-boy, only have eyes for Lily," said Sirius, grinning.

"WHAT?"

"Come on, you know you love Lily."

"I DO NOT!"

In most unfortunate timing, Deanna had just strolled over without Kevin (miraculously). She flashed James a smile, but he completely ignored her.

"So you and Lily are a couple now?" she asked sweetly.

He glared at her. "No. What are you doing here anyway?"

"Well, I am a Gryffindor, you know. This is also my common room."

Lily suddenly coughed loudly, which was probably to hide a snigger.

"Are you all right?" asked James, concerned. "Here, you can borrow my cloak."

Lily grinned widely. "No—that's all right, James." Suddenly, the seven of them burst out laughing, much to James' confusion. Then he understood.

"Deanna?" he asked, just as sweetly. "Would you like to accompany me to the lake?"

Deanna raised her eyebrows. "I'm sorry, James, but you know I already have Kevin. Besides, you're a second year." She laughed wryly and stalked off.

"Miserable bat," muttered James.

"Lily will accompany you," piped up Peter.

"Oh, will I?" asked Lily, narrowing her eyes at the little boy.

"Er—no, you actually won't," Peter quickly said.

James frowned. "Come on, Evans, you will accompany me to the lake."

Lily sighed. "All right, then."

As the two headed outside, Lily narrowed her eyes. "Okay Potter, what's this all about?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Come on, you know you hate me. Now tell me why you're dragging me out to the lake. I very much doubt if we're allowed on the grounds this time of year—"

"Evans, what's your motto?"

Lily frowned. "I don't have one."

"Yes, you do. It's 'rules comes first in life before everything else, including family and friends'."

Lily felt humiliated. "That's not true!"

"Oh, isn't it?"

"No, it isn't! Now tell me why you dragged me here, of all the places."

"I wanted to talk to you."

"About what? It's not like you ever had anything good to say to me besides insults."

"Fine, I dragged you here to discuss Harry."

"What about him?"

"Well, for one thing, he's our son."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Oh, wow, only a genius could figure that out!" she said sarcastically.

"Humph! You would sneer. Anyway, since he's our son, we're probably going to get married later on...much later on."

"Work of a genius here, Potter." Lily was getting more sarcastic by the minute.

"All right, I'll get to the point! I'm afraid."

This time, Lily didn't say anything. She was too stunned. James Potter, who ruled the Quidditch field and had girls all over him—afraid? It was almost laughable, but Lily was tactful, and knew that it wasn't a good idea to laugh just then.

"Afraid? Of what?"

"All this is happening so fast, Evans. I mean, we're getting married when we're older. We hate each other! And we're going to die together later on. I mean...we're too young to handle this all!"

Lily sighed. "Well, Dumbledore is going to put a powerful Memory Charm on us to forget all this. But…yeah, it is scary. Seeing me married to you...having a son...and then dying! I guess that's how fate works."

James grinned. "You know, Evans, you're not half bad."

"Oh really? Well...you are."

"Hey!"

Lily laughed. "It was too personal."

"You got that right."

***

"I'm bored," complained Arabella, yawning. "I wish Sirius was here."

Jennifer rolled her eyes. "Girl, why are you thinking about Sirius all the time?"

"Hey, I wouldn't be talking! You think about Remus all the time, too!"

"Well...that's different. Because Remus is really sweet and Sirius—well, Sirius, he's not."

"Now that's a personal insult!"

"Hey, it wasn't made at you!"

"So? You insult my man, you insult me!"

Lily, who was watching all of this comfortably in one of the armchairs by the fire, laughed out loud. "Oh, Bells, you think too much of Sirius. Can't you guys take your mind off boys for once in your life?"

"Nope, no can do, Lils," said Bella, grinning. "Besides, I wouldn't be talking. What about James? I saw you and him cuddling yesterday by the lake!"

Lily snorted with laughter. "Cuddling? I could barely call it that, Bells; he and I were just discussing—things."

"What kind of things?"

Lily shook her head in disbelief. "You really love to pull my leg, don't you?"

"Of course."

"You know, at the Hogwarts Express first day back, you weren't so cocky."

"That's because I didn't know anyone. Once I know a few people, I start bouncing off the walls."

The four girls all laughed. Then the Marauders all entered the common room at perfect timing, with stupid grins on their faces.

"Lily Evans, so charming to see you!" James had bowed down low and kissed Lily's hand. Lily quickly removed her hand from his, blushing furiously.

"They're going to have quite a love story, as far as I'm concerned," said Arabella softly, watching the two flirt (though Lily and James would not admit it as 'flirting') shamelessly with each other.

"Those two are destined for each other—like fate," said Sirius, just as softly. "You know, Bella, should we try our skills and set them up together?"

Arabella grinned, but shook her head sadly. "No. They'll murder us, and murder each other. It's best if we let fate do it on its own. And if things don't work out right—then we'll play matchmaker."

"Sounds good to me."

Meanwhile, Jennifer and Remus were having their own little conversation.

"Lily and James are so flirting with each other!" said Jen dramatically. "If only they would admit it!"

"Come on, Jenny, you know those two are as hard-headed as people can be. If we could just do a bit of matchmaking..."

"Remus Lupin, you know we shouldn't! Let's not meddle with fate. You know that they'll be together somehow. Besides, Sirius and Arabella are probably over there just now to discuss how to make them fall in love with each other. They'd get mad at us if we tried and ruined everything."

"And James would never forgive me."

Jennifer's ears perked up. "What was that?"

Remus smiled. "James likes Lily a lot, but he obviously won't admit it, as you can see." He glared at the black-haired boy, who was now entertaining the redhead next to him.

"Yeah, I'm sure Lil has a little crush on Jamie-boy as well. Still, I do wish they would stop arguing! Then the world would be at peace."

(A/N: Yeah, I know, you're all probably dying to hear what the heck Lily and James are 'flirting' about. Well, meanwhile...Lily and James are flirting...)

Lily snorted. "Potter, I will not try out for the Quidditch team, much less even play it at all, for the matter."

"You girls are so wimpy!" exclaimed James. "Come on, Evans, you're just scared!"

"Fine, I admit it. I'm not even sure if this is admitting it, since I've said I am scared of heights for the fifth time!"

"Gee...I guess I didn't listen! You know, I have the funniest feeling that the others are talking about us. Probably want to 'bring us together', as Sirius says every day."

"Sirius is a great prat," said Lily, frowning. "I can't believe who would name him godfather."

James grinned guiltily. "That would probably be me. But hey, you made Arabella godmother!"

"And for a good reason! Bella's trustworthy...most of the time. Besides, those two are getting married anyway, why not make it easier and name them the godparents of Harry?" Mentioning Harry had made her eyes suddenly clouded, and her lips trembled.

"Are you all right?" asked James, concerned. "You look pale?"

"James, I just had the strangest dream last night. Harry was dueling this wizard, and a long, golden thread connected their wands. We came out from the golden thread, and I gave him instructions...to take the Portkey and get back to Hogwarts. What was that all about? And you kept saying 'do it now…do it now…'"

James' eyes widened. "Well, I have no idea. I had a funny dream, too...Sirius, he was looking up in the sky and talking to the clouds or something. Then I was standing on the clouds and giving him instructions for something. My first thought when I woke up was that Sirius had finally cracked, but I'm not quite sure. I mean, I think I was in Heaven."

"Was—was I there?"

"Yes. The funny thing was, you were standing right beside me, telling me things occasionally. It was something about Harry—how to cheer him up. He seemed to have go into some sort of depression state."

"Poor boy. I wish—oh, I wish we could find out more about the future! He's such a brave boy with a sad past and a miserable present. We certainly can't make life easier for him."

"Unless if we were alive...but it would be impossible. We were hit with the Killing Curse, remember? No spell can awaken the dead."

Lily smiled. "You know, I think that we're starting to like each other...you know, as friends."

James looked horrified. "This calls for a prank!"

"Definitely."

The two headed off to their respected dorms and prepared a prank on each other.

***

"James Potter, you prat!" cried Lily. She was searching for James all over the common room. Her hair, which was her greatest pride besides her grades, was raven black—the very color she had once stated that she would never want her hair to be. And not only was it black, but there were violet streaks in it and it was in wild tumbles down her back.

"Ah, Evans, very pretty work, isn't it?"

Lily turned around, and her green eyes locked into a pair of brown ones.

"You're going to pay, Potter!"

James smirked. "I thought we had a deal to play pranks on each other."

"I know, but—but—" she spluttered. "But my hair! You know it's my greatest pride besides schoolwork! Ugh! James Potter, you are the worst prat in this whole entire school!"

"Ah, Evans, don't get too overactive. After all, you did make me make the announcement about wanting to snog Kelly Midgeon in front of the whole entire school yesterday. Now that wasn't fair. Now Midgeon bats her eyelashes every single time I walk past her. It's disgusting." He made a face.

Lily giggled. "Well, it was amusing."

"And so is your hair."

She glared at him, and then sighed. "Oh...I get what you mean. I suppose I shouldn't be too mad."

"Lily!" Arabella, Jennifer, and Violet were all running towards her, but stopped dead on their tracks when they saw her hair.

"What happened to your hair, Lils?" gasped Violet, her eyes widening.

Lily pointed one accusing finger to James and rasped, "Potter."

Arabella grinned. "James, you're a genius. This here—it's a piece of art."

James bowed low. "Thank you, thank you."

Lily's mouth dropped. "You're supposed to be supportive, Bella!" she whined.

"Oh, I am. Would it make you feel better to say that it clashes horribly with your complexion?"

"No."

"It doesn't look too bad," supplied Jennifer hopefully. "It looks kind of nice...black hair isn't too bad."

"Especially since I have it," added James.

"Which is a better reason why I hate it," snapped Lily. Then she glanced at her watch and jumped. "Shoot! There are twenty minutes until Potions!" All of them looked at each other and dashed out of the portrait hole.

"Be careful next time!" called the Fat Lady irritably as they dashed down to the dungeons. "I'm not a block of wood, you know!"

"Sorry Professor," panted Lily, as they arrived three minutes later into the Potions classroom. "We were running a little late and—" She stopped and her eyes widened.

Standing in front of the class was not Hurst, but Dumbledore. The girls and James all gasped, and stood by the door, shocked.

Professor Dumbledore smiled. "Understandable, Ms. Evans. Ah, yes, you are probably wondering where Professor Hurst is. Well, he's feeling a bit ill right now with the common case of a cold, and is resting in bed. So I have decided to take over his class. Now, please take your seats. I was just about to begin class anyway." His blue eyes twinkled.

They all sat down, and Lily blurted, "What about our punishment?"

Dumbledore blinked and frowned at her. "Excuse me, Ms. Evans?"

"Professor Hurst always takes points from Gryffindor when someone is late," she replied, ignoring the incredulous looks she was getting from her fellow Gryffindors.

Dumbledore smiled. "Yes, yes, does he now? Well, that's certainly not my policy, Ms. Evans, so there will be no punishment. Oh, and I do love what you have done to your hair. A creation of Mr. Potter's, perhaps?" He winked at James.

"The very best, sir!" cried James enthusiastically.

Lily colored. "We're not in good terms, sir."

"I can see that. Now, where did Professor Hurst leave off? Ah, yes, the Aging Potion..."

At then end of class, Sirius was still howling over James' prank.

"Bloody genius, Jamie-boy, if I don't say so myself!" he cried, tears rolling down his cheeks.

Lily narrowed her eyes. "It's not that funny."

"Of course it is! Even Bella thinks so!"

"I do," admitted Arabella.

Suddenly, James approached her. He waved his wand casually, and her regular red hair had changed back.

"Oh, thank you James!" cried Lily, hugging him. Passers-by stared at the odd couple, wondering vaguely if this was the influence of a Love Potion.

"Evans...choking me..." was all James managed to say before Lily jumped off him, blushing.

"Well, well, if the little Mudblood and the disgraceful pureblood are officially a couple." It was Snape speaking, and his eyes were flashing menacingly.

"Leave Lily be, Snape," snapped James coldly. "Just seeing you spoils my good mood."

"Oh, really? And I suppose your little girlfriend can't even speak for herself?"

Before James could say another word to defend her, Lily drew out her wand and pointed it straight at Snape's heart.

"I don't score top at Charms for nothing, Snape," she hissed. "I can perform any charm you can name. Just name one, and I'll be sure to perform it on you."

Snape backed away. "You—you wouldn't dare," he stuttered.

"Oh, wouldn't I?" Lily's eyes were flashing with anger.

Snape, by instinct, positively fled after that statement. Lily watched him run to the Slytherin common room, smirking.

"That was brilliant, Lil!" cried Arabella, laughing. "Oh, was Snape scared!"

"Hey, Lily," said Sirius, grinning widely. "If Snape didn't run away, would you have performed a charm at him."

Lily grinned back. "I never tell a lie."

"Nice show there, Evans," said James, frowning slightly.

"You're just jealous that Lily made a better show of defense," said Arabella.

"What would possess you to think that?" asked James, but he was turning rather red.

"Out of common sense, seeing that it's true," piped up Sirius.

"Prats," muttered James, under his breath.

"I liked your black hair," sighed Arabella, shooting daggers at Lily's red hair.

"Well, I didn't, so there," snapped Lily, sticking out her tongue.

"Remus, Jen, can't you stop the sweet-talk for one second?" asked Sirius, groaning. "God, you're even worse than me and Bella!"

"Sirius," warned Arabella threateningly.

Both Remus and Jennifer jumped back, blushing.

"We were just—um—" began Jennifer, but Arabella shook her head, smirking.

"You guys are plotting how to get Lily and James together, aren't you?"

"We're what?"

"So it's true?"

"Of course not!" Remus looked scandalized, but Jennifer smiled slightly.

"We thought upon it, and decided to leave it to you and Sirius."

"Good girl, Jenny!" cried Bella. "Always thinking about others!"

"Jen…" muttered Remus thickly.

"Oh, come on, Remus, have a little fun for once! After all, it is true." She smiled.

Lily shook her head. "You are all hopeless. Come on, Vi, it's time for lunch. You and Peter are the only sensible people in this group; even Remus is beginning to become untrustworthy."

"What about me?" asked Sirius, pouting. "I'm good, aren't I?"

"Siri-boy, you and Bella are the worst out of the whole group."

"That's my nickname for Sirius!" cried James. "How come everyone steals my nicknames? Huh? Why?"

"Because you're so naïve, Potter," said Lily, grinning. "See...if you were quick enough, you'd take our nicknames that we make up, too."

"Hey, I don't steal them not because I'm thick," he argued. "I just don't steal them because they're not original. I only like original." He smirked back.

"Humph! That's your problem, then. I don't think you're all-that, Potter, but you—you're just an egotistical jerk. Seriously."

"Hey, you think you're all 'I'm so almighty', too!"

"I do not, Potter."

"You do too!"

"Do not!"

"Do too!"

"Do not!"

"God, you guys sound like four-year-olds!" exclaimed Arabella, shaking her head. "No wonder why you get married later on."

"BELLA!" the two screamed.

"What?"

"Bells, you're slow," commented Sirius, swinging his arm over her.

"What?"

Sirius slapped his hand over his forehead and replied, "Nothing, nothing."

"You guys treat me like I'm daft!" she cried.

"That's because you are, Bella," said Violet.

"Go Vi! You're improving every day now! We can finally get you out of that shell." Jennifer was hyperventilating.

"What shell?" she asked.

"Oh, come on, Vi, you're always so sensible and prim. You need to be more—wild once in while."

"I certainly do not!" Violet was scandalized at the thought.

"Aww, Violet, don't listen to Jen, she's just bluffing this all," said Remus soothingly.

"Am I?" Jennifer raised her eyebrows at Remus. "Come on, Remie, you know me too well. I always mean what I say."

"Food!" cried Sirius, and he dashed off towards the Gryffindor Table and began munching on a chicken leg.

"Come on, dog-boy, save some for the rest of us," joked Arabella, as the rest of them sat down to eat.

"Wha'?" asked Sirius, his mouth full of chicken. "Wha' 'ou say?"

"You sound like you're speaking in French," said Lily, giggling.

"Wha'?"

"Sirius, don't speak with your mouth full," chided Jennifer.

Sirius swallowed the chicken and replied, "Yes, Professor Dean, I'll be sure to remember next time."

Everyone except Jennifer burst out laughing.

"Not funny," she snapped irritably.

Lily grinned. "Come on Jen, lighten up. Besides, you'd make a great professor—especially at Astronomy."

Jennifer's face lightened up. "Really?"

"Yeah."

Sirius coughed. "I hate warm moments," he muttered.

"Siri-boy, you share too many warm moments with Bella, even! I wouldn't be talking!" James was glaring indignantly at his best friend.

"Well, you and Lily flirt pretty heavily too, Jamie-boy."

"We WHAT?"

Remus snorted. "Don't tell me that you don't know that you flirt with Lily all the time."

"It's not flirting. It's—talking."

"Yeah, with you and Lily making lovesick faces at each other," added Peter, who had been silent for the past five minutes.

"Vi...you don't think..." began Lily. Her face fell when Violet nodded, smiling. She groaned.

"My life is officially over. You guys all torture me to no end. Maybe I'll go hang around the Hufflepuffs for a while...that idiot Lockhart kid will do."

"Come on, Lils, we were just joking; no need to get so desperate. That Gilderoy Lockhart is just an airhead idiot. Nearly all Hufflepuffs are."

"Gee, Bella, I do remember you making puppy faces at Amos Diggory during our first year..." teased Lily.

"You did what?" demanded Sirius, glaring at his current "girlfriend".

"This was before us, Sirius," said Arabella smoothly, but her face was a brilliant shade of red.

"We have Herbology after lunch," announced Lily, chewing slowly at a piece of buttered bread.

"Did you memorize the schedule?" asked James lazily.

Lily looked surprised. "Of course I did! You need to, you know. It's much more convenient."

"Lil, you're another person who needs to loosen up a bit," said Arabella. "Stop studying for once in your life."

"I couldn't do that!" Lily looked horrified at the very thought of failing a Potions exam.

"Ah, the Hermione coming back to you, Lils?" asked James, grinning.

"Humph! At least she's a sensible one."

"You just told Vi to stop being so sensible," said Jennifer, thinking. Then she turned around and began to speak in whispers with Remus again.

"You two are seriously planning to get married, aren't you?" asked Arabella impatiently, looking at Jennifer giggling at something Remus had said. "Jennifer Lupin...sounds kind of nice. Mrs. Remus Lupin—Mrs. Lupin—Jennifer Dean Lupin—I can think of the possibilities!"

"Bells..." said Jennifer, blushing furiously. "Remus and I aren't getting married!"

"Well, you two sure act like it!"

Both Jennifer and Remus' faces had turned bright red. Lily saw her friend in need and came to the rescue.

"Ah, but Bella," she said wisely, trying to keep a straight face, "you and Sirius do much of bonding as well. Arabella Figg Black—Mrs. Sirius Black—Mrs. Black—all those names for you, too!"

All except for Arabella and Sirius burst out laughing, while the latter was fuming. Then Lily cried, "Oh, Bells, I was just pulling your leg. No need to get physical."

Then they all laughed together. (A/N: I know, so corny! Yeah, yeah, everyone laughing...pathetic. But hey, give me a break! School is not fun, since I have four tests coming up L )

***

Christmas came and went. Lily had received gracious presents from all her friends and the Marauders, including James. She had even given a present to her worst enemy: a snow globe with an older version of him and a present him (supposed to represent Harry) standing next to each other, which she had gotten made especially from a Daily Prophet advertisement. James himself had given her a stuffed cat, which really meowed and purred and moved about. All their friends, especially Sirius and Arabella, had teased them to no end about when their wedding would take place. Sirius had begged to be best man and Arabella, the bridesmaid, much to the fury of Lily and James. But they had started to grow a bit closer, though the two would not admit it.

"Lillian likes Jamsie, Lillian likes Jamsie" was be the chant that Arabella, Jennifer, and Violet would sing every time Lily and James walked pass them together.

"Infuriating," mumbled Lily, when the three had started to chant again after she and James left Dumbledore's office. "Be glad your friends don't do this, Potter."

"I had to actually put the Full Body-Bind curse on Sirius, who put a spell on me that said 'Lily Evans is absolutely gorgeous and I really want to be locked up in a room with her'," admitted James.

Lily made a face. "Very harsh. But really, James"—she grinned—"do you want to get locked up in a room with me?"

James stared at her. "This is a joke, right? Because it's seriously not funny, Lily. I'm not a pervert like Sirius is!"

"Oh, and is he a pervert?"

"Yep. When I had threatened him that I would lock him in a room with Arabella if he didn't take that spell off me, he said he wouldn't mind. Definitely a pervert."

"Poor Bella," sighed Lily.

"Oh...Lily?" asked James, after a moment of silence.

"Yes?"

"I—I just wanted to thank you properly for the snow globe. I couldn't thank you properly before, since Sirius could never give me a moment's peace."

Lily laughed. "You're welcome. And—thanks for the stuffed cat, too. It's really cute." She giggled. "I named it Snuggles."

"Snuggles? Is that the best name you can think of?" James snorted.

Lily looked insulted. "Hey, it's a cute name! Besides, you're a boy, what would you know?"

"A lot more than Ms. Lily Evans, that's for sure."

"Jamie-boy, you're an idiot, you know that?"

"You know, you're beginning to sound like Sirius."

"That's because I am serious, you idiot!"

"No, you're not Sirius, you're Lily."

Lily groaned. "The stupid pun again. Let's stop."

"You're the one who started it."

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"All right, I started it. Are you happy now?"

"Yes."

"Baby."

"Snape-lover."

"Ego—" began Lily, but stopped immediately. "What did you call me? Snape's lover? It's a joke, right?"

"Er—sorry, no. Snape likes you."

Lily rolled her eyes. "I hope it's not another stupid prank again."

"Oh no. Sirius and I sneaked near the dungeons once and heard Snape telling Rosier that he liked you. And that was after the spell wore off."

"I don't believe you."

"Fine, believe what you want to, but it's true!"

That night, Lily had another strange dream again.

It was Harry, and he was looking out of the window of his dormitory, muttering to himself. He looked about twelve or thirteen judging by his size, and a single tear had trickled down his cheek.

"Prongs," he whispered. "Dad…I wish I could be with you and Mum one day. Sirius is innocent—it was Peter who did it, Dad, it was Peter."

Then the redhead boy, Ron, entered the dormitory and sat down on the opposite side of Harry, looking worried.

"Harry, you're not moaning about your dad again, are you?"

Harry didn't answer.

Ron persisted. "Look, Harry, I know you want your dad back…and your mum. So do we all. But, you can't be depressed about all this, you know. You remember what Dumbledore said to you: 'Your father is alive in you, Harry, and shows himself most plainly when you have in need of him'. Your dad and mum are both alive in you, Harry. You're not the only who misses them. That's why everyone in the wizarding world are in tears when they see you. You remind them so much of both your mum and dad. I hope you understand this."

Harry smiled. "Thanks Ron. I guess I really needed that. But…maybe someday, I'll see my dad prancing as a stag in the Quidditch Field. Someday."

"Yeah. Someday." Then both boys had left for the common room, where a distinct tear was visible on Harry's cheek.

Lily sat straight up, tears in her own eyes. Poor Harry! She knew that he probably loved them both, but James was really important to him...she needed to talk to James and Dumbledore.

She entered the boys' dormitory, where she found the light on and four boys rubbing their eyes sleepily.

"Good of you to see us, Lily," mumbled Sirius thickly.

"Why are you guys awake?" asked Lily curiously.

"'Cause Jamie-boy had a nightmare again."

"It was not a nightmare!" cried James. "It was just...something that really stirred me up."

"Oh, hush it up, Potter." With that said, Sirius' head landed on his pillow and he was fast asleep again.

"I had a dream again, James," Lily whispered. "I need to see Dumbledore. Want to come?"

"That's what I was planning to do anyway."

James and Lily went out of the portrait hole and headed off for Dumbledore's office. McGonagall and the other teachers never bothered when they saw them frequently visiting the headmaster's office during night, since they knew that the two had dreams of the future.

"I was expecting you," said Dumbledore warmly, as they entered his office.

"Sir," began James hurriedly. "Harry—he needs us. Can't we...can't we travel to the future and—!"

"James," cut off Lily sharply. "You can't. You'll meddle with time and everything will be mixed and messed up."

"Ms. Evans is right, Mr. Potter," said Dumbledore gravely. "You mustn't meddle with time."

"And—" began Lily, but she decided not to say it. What did it mean when Harry said he wished he saw James prancing around as a stag?

When they left, James grasped Lily's hand briefly.

"Don't worry, I'm as confused as you are. But don't mention this to Bella or anyone. It's kind of really personal."

Lily smiled. "I know."

James grinned and slipped his arm around her shoulders. "So tell me about this dream of yours."

"Well, Harry was looking outside of the window and was crying. He said that he needed you and said something about Sirius being innocent and how 'it was Peter'. I had no idea what he was talking about, whatsoever. Then his friend, Ron, came in and said that his—we are alive in him, especially you, and that we'll be with him someday. It seemed to have cheered him up a bit, but he was still crying when he left for the common room. Poor kid." Lily sniffed and couldn't resist any longer. She burst out crying in front of James.

James patted her arm awkwardly. "Look Lils, it's all right. Because whatever happens to Harry, whatever happens to us—we'll stick together. Even if we are enemies right now."

"And we can't get along much at all," added Lily.

"But we'll definitely become friends later."

"Much later."

"Hey!"

Lily grinned. "Come on, let's get back to sleep. Professor Wickham will not be pleased tomorrow for Defense Against the Dark Arts."

(A/N: LOL! I know...Wickham is the guy who Lydia fell in love with in Pride and Prejudice. But hey, give me a break, I was running out of names here!)

"Yeah. But whatever happens, we'll stick together, right? And help Harry?"

"Right."

~~~

What can I say, this is another horrible chapter! But hey—I updated! Thank me here! Say whatever you have to say, flame whatever you have to flame. Just don't rub it in the fact that this is a terrible chapter. I know it is, but I've been so busy with school, there's barely enough time for anything! So I apologize for this chapter and don't hope for another good one until either spring break or summer vacation :P

Disclaimer: I own nothing, because everything belongs to the mighty J.K. Rowling, whom I might add has to tell me something about the fifth HP book, or I will personally write to her and bug her to no end. Anyone want to help me? *evil grin*

Please read my favorite stories if you want more L/J! I LOVE romance everyone! Hehe :)