Thanks to all reviewers!!! One review in one week, how neat. Haha… only one review for the last chapter so I know that it was kinda sketchy.  Oh well, hope I can bounce back!!!

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"James Harold Potter, if you don't get up right now I will personally maim your broomstick!!"

James shot up in a flash.  NO ONE MESSED WITH HIS BROOMSTICK.  Without haste, he washed himself up and was downstairs.

"I'm up, I'm up!!" shouted James pleadingly.

James' mother smiled. "Well it's about time.  Of course you know I was only joking about the maiming of the broomstick.  I just know how much you like quidditch is all."

"Gee thanks a lot mum."

"Anytime.  Is Sirius coming over today?  We should go pick up your supplies at Diagon Alley today."

"Yeah, he is.  That's a good idea too.  When are we leaving?"

"Soon, I guess a few hours after Sirius gets here."

"Few hours?"

"Yes… I know the first thing that Sirius will say when he gets in here… 'Why Hello Mrs. Potter ----------

~~ An hour later ~~

" ---- what a lovely dress you have on today!  Please make some of your famous scrambled eggs and French toast?"

James' mum (Julie) smirked.  "Of course dear, they've already been prepared."

Sirius gasped in mock surprise.  "Mrs. P!!! You know me too well."

"Indeed I do Sirius, indeed I do."

James just watched his friend in amusement.  "Just hurry up you twit.  We're going to the Alley today to pick up our stuff."

Sirius grimaced.  "Pick up our stupid supplies again?  I say we strike on the people that make us get school supplies.  We don't need them anyway."

Julie looked at Sirius in amusement.  "Sirius, honey, you need a job first before you can go on strike."

"Oh…. well when I get a job I will strike them."

James laughed.  "I'm right behind you buddy."

Julie just smiled at the two best friends.  She's known Sirius ever since James first learned to walk.  The two have been together ever since they were little, and no matter how much they were growing, they would always be the two little boys she adored when they were little…. and it helps when they still act like little children as well.  Sure, it gets on her nerves at times, but it's better than having two boys who were sophisticated and stuck-up and boring.  She loved the two with all her heart, and wished the best in their lives.

"Hurry up boys!! It's almost time to go.  Sirius, finish your plate, and James, get the fireplace ready.  We're flooing there."

"Do we have to?!?!" whined James.

"Just do it." said Julie with a motherly order.

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"Are we there yet, Dad?"

"Sweetie, relax… we're almost there."

Lily Evans was practically bouncing up and down as she was on her way towards Diagon Alley to get her supplies for Hogwarts.  The Evans' and the Chapmans decided to go together so Lily and Jade were sitting together in anticipation.  Even though it wasn't school time yet, they always looked forward to going to Diagon Alley.  They were to meet Carly and Penny there as well.  Diagon Alley to them was one of the highlights of their summers because of their lack of magical surroundings back at their homes. 

Jade looked out.  "Oooooooh there's the Leaky Cauldron. We're here Lily!"

The two families got out while Lily and Jade burst through and ran towards the pub.  The parents of the two girls looked at each other and smiled.  Lily and Jade have been best friends ever since they first met at Charlie's Factory that fateful day Lily got her letter.  Almost every story Jade told about Hogwarts involved Lily, and the same goes to Jade everytime Lily told one of her stories.  The bond shared between the two only got stronger as the years went along, and it seemed as if nothing could separate them. 

Still, they didn't put themselves above the rest of their friends, because Carly and Penny were also a big part of their lives now. 

"Hurry up, Mum!" shouted Lily.

"Honestly, Lily, hold your horses.  We're here, so let's be patient."

"Oh fine, but don't' expect me to be patient all the time."

"You're my daughter, of course I won't." said Rose with a  smirk.

"Whatever, Mum, can we gooooo now?" whined Lily.

Jade laughed hard.  "Oh my goodness, Lily… you are seriously starting to sound like..

"Don't you dare say his name… it is forbidden."

Rose smiled.  "Jade, dear, do you mean that boy that Lily speaks ill of all the time?? What's his name… Jon?"

"Hehe, no ma'am.  His name is James.  James Potter.  And Lily likes him."

"I do not!!"

"Do too."

"He is a jerk."

The two continued this as Tom the bartender opened the brick passageway to the Alley. 

"Hmmm, honey, Lily's starting to talk about boys.  That's not good." said David Evans.

"We knew it would come, Dave, Lily's growing up."

"They both are." said Jade's dad.  "You're lucky, at least your daughter only talks about ONE boy.  Jade there is constantly talking about many boys.  So much sometimes she loses track."

"Not good at all." The two fathers stood their scowling a little.

"Men." was all the wives could say as they followed their daughters towards Flourish & Blotts.

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The Marauders met up at Zonko's and secretly stocked up their prank supplies in Peter's extra bag that he brought along.  Then they went to get their stuff, running into a couple of friends here and there.  Soon enough, their eyes fell upon the four fellow Gryffindor girls that they have been friends with the past two years, and for once, they were speechless. 

Lily, Jade, Carly, and Penny were walking side by side and they looked absolutely fabulous.  Lily's eyes seem to shine with beauty, and Jade's personality along with her strikingly beautiful features seem to beam brightly.  Carly's shyness did not hide her gorgeous look, and Penny was looking as beautiful as ever. 

This of course, was how the Marauders were thinking of their girl acquaintances.

"James?" said Sirius who was almost drooling.

"Uhhh…" was all that James could say. 

"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"

"Dah—I--- uhh—I--- …" muttered James.  His friends were then shocked.  James was never speechless, especially when it came to girls anyway.  He always had something to say, regardless of the topic, so this was a first for their fearless leader.

"I take that as a yes." piped Peter.

"Looks like we're in for one hell of an interesting year, boys." said Sirius. 

"I believe you're right, my friend." said Remus.

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The four girls walked around buying all their supplies when Jade spoke up.

"Hey, have you all noticed that all of a sudden boys don't have cooties anymore?"

"Jade… only you would say something like that." said Lily.  "Boys shouldn't be a wanting for us right now.  We need to concentrate on school."

"Oh shut up, Lily." smiled Penny.  "Boys are good now."

"Yeah!!" said Carly.

The other three girls looked at Carly in amazement.  Quiet, shy, Carly Atwater talking about a topic that they never thought would come out from her.  Times are changing for sure.

"So Lily, eyeing out James Potter back there, huh?" said Jade with a wink.  She got a punch in the arm for that from Lily.

"Of course not.  I was just wondering why he was staring at me."

"Maybe it's because he likes you!" said Carly.

"Eww no!! That would never happen.  James Potter will never be considered on the 'maybe' list for me." The girls just shrugged and continued their supply shopping.

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Sirius was looking left, right, up, down, sideways, over, and under. 

"Aaaah! Guys what's happening to me?" asked Sirius.

"Sirius… my friend.  It seems you're rather taken with the females around here." said Peter.

"But---but—that never happens!"

"I guess that's what happens when you grow up." said Remus.

"No!!!" said James.  "I will NEVER grow up, ever ever ever!!"  Sirius nodded his head in a firm agreement with his best friend while Remus just chuckled.

"Whatever you say, boys." said Remus. 

"Can we just get this shopping over with, before I catch Sirius' infection of girl-mania?" interrupted Peter.  He was starting to look a few share of girls himself.  They soon got finished with their shopping and returned to each of their homes.

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James sat in his bedroom thinking of the next year.  He was excited to see what was going to happen, but he couldn't get a certain someone out of his head.

"How can someone change in a span of two stupid months?" James asked himself.  The look he was giving Lily was strange of him.  He didn't really look at her that way before, but at that moment he couldn't help it.  Lily had grown up.  Lily was blooming into a beautiful flower. 

"I don't believe this.  I hate growing up." muttered James.

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Growing pains, my friend.  They are growing!!! Third  year should be filled with many hormones and sorts…. since they are growing you know.  There will be romances… but don't expect it to be from THEM.  You know who they are.. NOPE!!! Not that time yet.  We got a looooooooooong way to go, so just be patient and read read read!! Bye bye now.